The Black Sox will get a shot at regaining their world softball title on home soil.

The International Softball Federation (ISF) has awarded the 2013 men's world championships to North Harbour's Rosedale ballpark at Albany.

Softball New Zealand president Danae Goosman said yesterday she understood North Harbour had lodged the only bid at the ISF congress in Venezuela last weekend.

She learned of the decision yesterday in an email from SNZ chairman Rex Capil, who attended the congress to support the North Harbour bid.

"I don't know anyone in the softball community that wouldn't be delighted," Goosman said. "Apart from anything else, it will be great for the game to have that quality of softball back here again."

She understood the North Shore City Council was "also right behind" North Harbour's bid.

New Zealand last hosted the men's world series in 2004 in Christchurch, where the Black Sox won an unprecedented third consecutive gold medal. But they surrendered their title to Australia at the 2009 tournament in Saskatoon, Canada in July.

North Harbour softball stalwart Bob Leveloff was also promoted at the congress to the second vice-president of the ISF, stepping up from his former role as Oceania region vice-president.

Five New Zealanders were also elected to the ISF Hall of Fame, including long-time softball greats Mark Sorenson and Rhonda Hira and two-time world champion coach Don Tricker.

Naomi Shaw (Hutt Valley), who captained New Zealand to the 1982 women's world championship gold medal, has also been admitted as a coach and Hutt Valley's Wayne Saunders has been elected as an umpire.

Sorenson, who won world championship gold medals in 1984, 1996, 2000 and 2004 and captained the Black Sox to two titles, retired after the 2004 world tournament in Christchurch.

The 41-year-old Hutt Valley stalwart was rated as one of the world's greatest hitters and a top-class catcher with a shrewd strategic sense.

Sorenson completes a rare Hall of Fame family double. His father, David, who captained New Zealand to a shared gold medal at the 1976 world championships in Lower Hutt, was elected by the ISF in 1993.

Christchurch-based Hira – a dynamic infielder regarded by long-serving national coach and ISF Hall of Famer Ed Dolejs as the best player in New Zealand women's softball history – won two world championship medals in 1986 and 1990, was one of the leading batters at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney and was still a first-choice White Sox representative well into her mid-30s.

Tricker, now a senior official at Sparc's head office in Wellington, was elected into the ISF Hall of Fame in the meritorious service category – joining Dolejs – in reflection of his achievements as a coach and a national administrator. A former Black Sox outfielder, he coached the national team to the 2000 world title in South Africa and the 2004 crown in Christchurch. - Tony Smith Christchurch Press

Softball New Zealand would like to congratulate Mark Sorenson on being inducted into the International Softball Congress (ISC) Hall of Fame.

Below is a summary of the developed by the ISC themselves.

Mark Sorenson, New Zealand

Mark came on the international softball scene in 1984 as a 16-year old who was named to the New Zealand national men’s team. Five years later he was named captain of the New Zealand national team and led them to 3-consecutive ISF World Championships in 1996, 2000 and 2004.

He began his ISC career in 1986 with The Farm Tavern team of Madison, WI and ended in 2004 with County Materials. During that 18 year span, Mark’s teams won 4-ISC World Championships, Mark was named ISC All-World a record breaking 12-times, was MVP and RBI Leader once each. More important than titles and individual accomplishments, Mark was known throughout the sport as a great teammate. He was one of those who inspired his teammates to be better. He led by example and understood the mechanics behind the “team” concept and the chemistry needed to build a championship team.

When discussions are held about the best men’s player of all time, Mark Sorenson’s name is at the top of the list. Not only a great player and a tough out, he held the respect of his teammates, opponents, umpires, tournament officials and fans.