Games of softball were organised at Blackball on the West Coast by coal mine manager John Quinn. Quinn had previously managed mines in Canada, where he learned about softball and introduced the game to the local community. He was also the grandfather of well-known New Zealand sports broadcaster Keith Quinn.​​​​​​​

A women’s and girls’ exhibition “baseball” game was held on 7 November at Auckland Teachers Training College in Mt Eden. The event was organised by Auckland YWCA instructor Edna Ericsson, who was originally from Reno, Nevada.

Contemporary newspaper photographs suggest the Auckland women were actually playing softball rather than baseball, making this one of the earliest recorded women’s softball games in New Zealand.

Image Source: Softball being: played at the Training College grounds on Saturday afternoon. The teams were instructed by Miss E. Ericson, of America.

Auckland

• A women’s softball competition began in Auckland early in the year.

• The competition continued through the 1937–38 season.

Introduction of Softball in Wellington

• Canadian production manager Bill (Pop) Wilson introduced softball to workers at the Ford Motor Company assembly plant in Seaview, near Petone.

• Wilson organised lunchtime games and imported softball equipment from Canada.

24 September

• Wilson spoke at a meeting organised by Wellington rugby league clubs to discuss forming “baseball” (softball) teams.

2 October – First Public Game

• Two Ford factory teams played an exhibition game as a curtain-raiser to a rugby league fixture at Wellington’s Winter Show Grounds.

• The match was announced by Wilson as “the first public game of softball played in New Zealand.”

October – Organisation of the Sport

• A meeting in rugby league official Charles Bristow’s joinery shop in King Street, Newtown, led to the formation of a Wellington “baseball” competition.

• The Wellington Baseball (Softball) Association was formed later that month.

October–November – Early Matches and Growth

• Another exhibition game between two Ford teams was played at the Winter Show Stadium on 25 October.

• Sixteen men’s teams entered the first Wellington association competition.

• An exhibition game between a Wellington representative team and a side of American Mormon missionaries attracted around 2,000 spectators. Mormon missionaries played an important role in establishing softball in several New Zealand centres.

11 January – National Organisation Established The New Zealand Baseball (Softball) Council, the forerunner to Softball New Zealand, was formed in Wellington. Alf Jenkins, a pitcher, coach and sponsor from the Jenkins Gym club and a Wellington Softball Association executive member, was elected president.

Wellington Growth

• By January, teams had doubled to 32 for the second half of the inaugural Wellington men’s season.

• Players from other sports joined softball clubs, including Wellington rugby representatives, a Kiwis rugby league international, a New Zealand boxing champion and an American professional wrestler.

• By the end of the season, The Evening Post noted:

  “So popular has baseball [softball] become in Wellington that the final big game will be played at the Basin Reserve.”

August – Auckland Association FormedA meeting was held to establish the Auckland Baseball (Softball) Association and begin a men’s competition.

October – First Representative Game in Auckland

• Alf Jenkins brought his Wellington-based Jenkins Gym club team to Auckland for four games over Labour Weekend against Auckland selections at Blandford Park.

• Jenkins hit a home run in the main exhibition game.

• By November, Auckland had 19 men’s teams from 12 clubs.

October – Canterbury Competition Established

• The Canterbury Softball Association was formed, with gym owner and world club-swinging champion Charles Buckett elected president.

• A 10-team men’s competition was established at Hagley Park.

• A Canterbury Women’s Baseball Association also formed, with four teams: Kiwi, Weka, and Tui among them.

Sources: 

• Watching the flight of the ball when ... | Items | National Library of New Zealand | National Library of New Zealand
• The move to luxve baseball firmly est... | Items | National Library of New Zealand | National Library of New Zealand
• Papers Past | Newspapers | New Zealand Herald | 25 October 1938 | DEBUT OF REPRESENTATIVE BASEBALL IN AUCKLAND This...

25 March – First National TournamentNew Zealand’s first national men’s tournament was held at the Winter Show Buildings stadium in Wellington. Teams from Wellington, Auckland, Canterbury, Whanganui, and Wairarapa competed in the one-day Beatty Cup series.

Result

• Canterbury defeated Wellington 9–5 in the final.

• Canterbury’s Elder Glenn Rudd, a Mormon missionary, recorded the first pitch in national championship history, hitting safely and scoring four runs.

During the Second World War years, men’s softball participation declined across New Zealand as conscription reduced player numbers.

The sport continued largely due to the growth of women’s and youth teams, along with the involvement and expertise of American servicemen stationed in the Auckland and Wellington regions, who helped sustain the game during this period.

New Zealand Women’s Association Formed a separate New Zealand Women’s Baseball (Softball) Association was established. Canterbury’s Charles Buckett served as president of the Whanganui-based organisation, with Whanganui architect Cliff Newtown Hood as management committee chair.

The organisation changed its name to the New Zealand Women’s Softball Association in 1945 and remained active until the mid-1950s.

First National Women’s Provincial SeriesThe first national women’s provincial tournament was staged at Cook’s Gardens, Whanganui.

• Whanganui A defeated Auckland Aces 19–3 in the final.

• The win was led by the strong pitching of Mary McIntyre and Audrey Hood.

February – First National Men’s Interclub TournamentThe first national men’s interclub championship was held in Wellington. The North Island and South Island champions contested the John Lennon Trophy, donated by New Zealand Baseball (Softball) Association executive member John Lennon.

• Jenkins’ Gym (Wellington) defeated McInnes Gymnasium (Christchurch) 14–3 in the final.

• The team featured Alf Jenkins as pitcher and national administrator Dick Headifen as catcher.

• The John Lennon Trophy series was suspended from 1942–1944 during the war.

5 April – Beatty Cup TournamentAuckland won the second Beatty Cup inter-provincial tournament at Wellington’s Basin Reserve, defeating Wellington 20–0 in the final.

• Auckland’s Canadian pitcher Mike Allen threw the first no-hitter in provincial softball history, recording 14 strikeouts.

• The Beatty Cup competition was placed in recess from 1941–1944.

Images & Sources

• Photo: Jenkins Gym captain Dick Headifen receives the John Lennon Trophy at the Basin Reserve in 1940. Evening Post" Photo. The captain- of ... | Items | National Library of New Zealand | National Library of New Zealand

• Spectators watching'■:.the'■■ interpr... | Items | National Library of New Zealand | National Library of New Zealand

• Three men playing baseball | Items | National Library of New Zealand | National Library of New Zealand

The first national interclub tournament for women (“girls” at the time) was staged in Whanganui.

The competition produced an all-Whanganui final, with Southern Aces defeating Amazons to claim the title.

Many New Zealand troops were introduced to softball as a leisure activity during World War II.

In September 1943, a New Zealand Expeditionary Force representative team competed in a tournament in Cairo, Egypt, with the following results:

• Beat South Africa 11–4

• Beat Australia 30–2

• Beat Royal Canadian Air Force 14–5

• Final: edged out the US Army Service Corps 8–7 to win the tournament.

Source:
Softball game in progress between 28 ... | Items | National Library of New Zealand | National Library of New Zealand

The New Zealand Baseball (Softball) Council officially changed its name to the New Zealand Softball Association (NZSA), giving the sport a distinct national identity.​​​​​​​

A key rules change was introduced: the extra “rover” fielder was removed, establishing softball as a nine-player game across New Zealand.

Bensel Cup – National Women’s Interprovincial Tournament

• The Bensel Cup tournament resumed after the war.

• Wellington were crowned champions.

First Fully National Women’s Interclub Tournament

• Held in Auckland.

• Hinemoa from Whanganui won the Dustin Cup.

Regional Development

• The Hutt Valley Softball Association was formed, splitting from Wellington due to population growth in the Hutt Valley area.

Playing numbers rebuilt rapidly after World War II. By this time, the New Zealand Softball Association (NZSA) had 11 registered associations, and Wellington alone fielded 81 senior teams, reflecting the sport’s growing popularity nationwide.

A New Zealand women’s team toured Australia for what is widely regarded as the first international softball series in the world.

• The team was captained by Dot Schwabe (Manawatū, double softball-basketball international) and coached by Jack McCulloch (Auckland).

• Known as the “Singing Softballers”, the team entertained crowds with ukulele-backed singalongs.

• The 10-game tour included three official “tests” in Melbourne:

  • March 30, 1949: New Zealand won the first test.

  • Lost the next two tests 1–0 and 3–2, losing the series 2–1.

• Overall, the team recorded seven wins and three losses on the tour.

Alf Jenkins, widely regarded as “Mr Softball” and the foundation president of the New Zealand Softball Association (NZSA), retired from the presidency.

He was subsequently appointed patron, recognising his long-standing contribution to the growth and establishment of softball in New Zealand.

The first purpose-built softball diamond in New Zealand, featuring pumice basepaths and a pitching area, was created at Benneydale, King Country.

The project was led by Harry Quinn, a mine manager and softball pioneer who had organised the first games in Blackball in 1932.

The first purpose-built softball diamond in New Zealand, featuring pumice basepaths and a pitching area, was created at Benneydale, King Country.

The project was led by Harry Quinn, a mine manager and softball pioneer who had organised the first games in Blackball in 1932.

A Victoria state squad from Australia toured New Zealand, marking the country’s first international men’s softball tour.

• The visiting team, composed mostly of baseball players, won 11 of 13 games.

• They were defeated by Auckland and Southland during the tour.

A The New Zealand Softball Association (NZSA) began formally naming New Zealand and Rest of New Zealand men’s teams during national tournaments, establishing the structure for representative play.

The New Zealand Softball Association (NZSA) selected its first official New Zealand men’s team, coached by Alf Whelan and captained by Don Brewer, for a tour of Australia.

• The squad included top pitchers Brian Wareham and Ross Smith.

• The tour was aborted after the NZSA discovered there was very little men’s softball played in Australia.

• Of the 13 players selected, only Ross Smith went on to make the next New Zealand team in 1966.

George Vincent, a Wellington chartered accountant, was contracted to serve as secretary of the New Zealand Softball Association (NZSA).

He held the position until the mid-1980s, playing a key role in the administration and growth of softball in New Zealand.

First National Secondary Schoolboys Tournament

• Held in Wellington for the Vic Moors Trophy, marking the beginning of organised secondary school competitions in New Zealand.

Honouring Dick Headifen

• Dick Headifen, a foundation NZSA councillor and former secretary, passed away.

• The Headifen Memorial Trophy was established to recognise his contribution, awarded to the national provincial B section winner.

New Zealand staged its first national under-21 men’s tournament, known as the Colts provincial tournament, marking the beginning of organised youth men’s representative softball competitions.

Southland – First Skin Diamond

• The Southland Softball Association constructed New Zealand’s first skin diamond at Surrey Park.

• The diamond was ready in time for the Beatty Cup national tournament.

International Coaching

• Jack Robinson, an American baseball coach from George Washington University, was invited to New Zealand by the NZSA to run coaching clinics, introducing advanced techniques to local players.

• Eva Goodall (40) and Marie Knight (21) made history by playing together on the New Zealand women’s team.

• Eva was later voted New Zealand’s player of the first two softball decades, while Marie (later Ward) played on the first three World Championship teams.

Sources: 
​​​​​​​Two women at the Women's Softball Cha... | Items | National Library of New Zealand | National Library of New Zealand

​​​​​​​New Zealand staged its first national under-21 women’s tournament, known as the Fillies tournament, marking the beginning of organised youth women’s representative competitions.

• Auckland and Waikato men’s teams played the first televised softball game in New Zealand.

• By 1968, TV producer Chris Bourn told Sports Digest:

  “Softball is the best sport in New Zealand to cover. The game is over within an hour, on most occasions, and the play takes place, for the most part, in an area small enough for our cameras to cover with ease.”

First Women’s World Championship

• New Zealand, coached by Gerry Marshall (1937 softball pioneer) and captained by Rose Fletcher (a “Singing Softballer” international in 1949 as Rose Bouchier), competed at the first International Softball Federation (ISF) Women’s World Championships in Melbourne.

• The team finished fourth out of five teams.

US Coaching Visit

• A seven-man coaching team sponsored by the US State Department, including five elite players, visited New Zealand to run coaching clinics.

• Local players joined the squad for exhibition games in Christchurch, Wellington, Lower Hutt, and Auckland, gaining exposure to advanced tactics and strategies.

• Ten years after the aborted 1956 tour to Australia, New Zealand selected its first men’s team for the inaugural ISF World Championships in Mexico City.

• The squad was coached by Alf Whelan and captained by Dave McKerchar, earning the nickname “The Pilgrims.”

• New Zealand finished third, claiming the nation’s first medal at a men’s softball world championship.

First American Men’s Tour

• The San Antonio All Stars from Texas became the first American men’s softball team to tour New Zealand.

• International teams continued to tour New Zealand virtually every season through to the late 1990s.

Second ISF Men’s World Championships

• New Zealand, coached by Alf Whelan and skippered by Dave McKerchar, finished fifth at the tournament in Oklahoma City.

• The tournament marked the swansong for Kiwi pitching great Bill Massey, who had previously led HV Railways to six national interclub titles (four consecutive) and Hutt Valley to eight provincial crowns (six successive).

Longest Recorded Game in NZ

• In Auckland, Eden Roskill defeated Auckland United 7–6 after 26 innings, the longest recorded game in New Zealand.

• Eden Roskill third baseman Maurie Dormer had to leave for his wedding in the 19th inning, but his brother and best man Alf Dormer pitched the complete game win.

• New Zealand finished seventh at the ISF World Championships in Osaka, Japan.
  

• The team was coached by Harry Atkin (assistant coach in 1965) and captained by Liz Roadley.

Men’s World Championship & Tour

• The New Zealand men’s team staged a controversial tour to South Africa before competing at the ISF World Championships in Manila.

• Coached by Alf Whelan and captained by Peter Priddey, New Zealand returned to the podium with a bronze medal.

• Kevin Herlihy, at his third world series, was named Pitcher of the Tournament, recording a world championship record 99 strikeouts against 210 batters.

NZSA Leadership Changes

• Dave Howe retired after 30 years on the NZSA council, including a record 21 years as president.

• Alf Whelan, national men’s coach, became the new NZSA president.

Men’s Internal Tour

• The New Zealand men’s team staged a popular domestic tour, promoting softball and engaging regional players and fans.

Women’s International Success

• The New Zealand women’s team, led by teenage pitcher Cheryl Kemp, achieved their first-ever series win in Australia.

Women’s World Championship

• The New Zealand women’s team, coached by Harry Atkin and captained by Marie Ward (original 1965 Singing Softballer), competed at the ISF World Championships in Stratford, Connecticut.

• The team finished ninth in the tournament.

NZSA First National Coach

• Ed Dolejs, an American-born builder from Nelson, was appointed as the NZSA’s first national coach, marking a new era in professional coaching for New Zealand softball.

First Men’s World Championship in NZ

• Hosted at the Hutt Recreation Ground, Lower Hutt, New Zealand welcomed the world’s top men’s softball teams for the first time.

• The event was controversial, with anti-apartheid activists protesting South Africa’s participation.

Historic Pitching Duel

• The tournament featured a legendary pitching duel between Ty Stofflet (USA) and Kevin Herlihy (NZ).

• Stofflet was one hit-pitch away from a perfect game, recording 33 strikeouts (no hits) to Herlihy’s 19 strikeouts (6 hits, 5 walks).

• Stofflet also batted in the only run of the 20-inning game.

First Gold Medal for NZ Men

• Coached by Rusty Hay and captained by Dave Sorenson, New Zealand won its first men’s world championship gold medal.

• The gold was shared in a three-way tie with USA and Canada, after finals day was rained out.

Graham Arnold from Hawke’s Bay became the first New Zealand pitcher to be contracted by an American softball club, setting a precedent for Kiwi players abroad.

His daughter, Ali Arnold, later pitched for the White Sox at the 2002 and 2006 World Championships, continuing the family legacy.

• The New Zealand women’s team, captained by Marilyn Marshall (original 1965 Singing Softballer), reached the podium at the ISF World Championships in El Salvador, winning bronze.

• This marked the start of a successful 12-year period under national coach Ed Dolejs, establishing New Zealand women as a world softball power.

The New Zealand Softball Association (NZSA) approved the designated hitter rule, allowing a 10th player on the team card who bats but does not field, aligning NZ softball with evolving international playing standards.

Men’s World Championship

• The New Zealand men’s team, coached by Roy Dalton and captained by Terry Nunns, finished fourth at the ISF World Championships in Tacoma, Washington State.

• Kiwi pitcher Owen Walford, who had previously played at the 1972 and 1976 World Series, pitched the USA team to the gold medal.

NZSA Coaching Appointment

• Mike Walsh was appointed as New Zealand men’s national coach, marking the start of a 26-year involvement with national teams for the Wellington/Hutt Valley stalwart.

Venita Hokai – First NZ Woman in US College Softball

• Auckland catcher Venita Hokai became the first New Zealand woman to play in the United States college softball system at Arizona State University.

Peter Meredith – Longest Recorded ISC Game

• Kiwi pitcher Peter Meredith pitched the longest recorded game in International Softball Congress (ISC) history: 34 innings over 7 hours 20 minutes in Saginaw, Michigan.

• Throwing for The Farm (Madison, Wisconsin), Meredith recorded 42 strikeouts, allowing 12 hits and 3 walks, but lost 2–1 to Midland Valley Mechanical (Michigan).

• Opposing pitcher Peter Finn set the opposing mark with 64 strikeouts, giving up 9 hits and 6 walks.

• The New Zealand women’s team, coached by Ed Dolejs and captained by Naomi Shaw, won gold at the ISF World Championships in Taiwan.

• They defeated host nation Chinese Taipei in the final, played before 25,000 partisan fans.

• Key players recognized on the All-Star tournament team included:

  • Debbie Mygind (pitcher, hailed by Dolejs as the best in the world)

  • Lesley Monk (catcher)

  • Rita Fatialofa (power hitter)

Triple World Champions

• New Zealand became “triple world champions”, winning women’s, men’s, and junior men’s world titles.

• The Under-19 men’s team, coached by Dale Eagar, captured gold at the ISF Under-19 World Championships in Fargo, North Dakota.

• Captain Mark Sorenson, a 16-year-old rookie from Midland, earned his second world championship gold in as many years.

Debbie Mygind – International Success

• Debbie Mygind, world champion pitcher, led Cal State Fullerton to third-equal place at the Women’s College Softball World Series in the United States.

• She finished the season with 28 wins and 4 losses, ranking among the top pitchers in America.

NZSA Administration

• John Voyle, former Waikato and Auckland representative, coach, administrator, and noted tournament organiser, was appointed NZSA executive officer, tasked with raising the sport’s profile and securing sponsorships.

• The first (and so far only) ISF Women’s World Championships held in New Zealand took place at Norana Park, Auckland.

• Defending champions New Zealand, coached by Ed Dolejs and captained by Naomi Shaw, finished with the bronze medal, securing a podium place on home soil.

50th Anniversary

• The New Zealand Softball Association (NZSA) marked its 50th anniversary, celebrating half a century of softball in New Zealand.

Lion Red Series – National Men’s League

• The Lion Red Series, a three-month national league for New Zealand’s top men’s club teams, was launched.

• The league produced some of the best club softball in NZ history until its end in 1993 due to financial pressures.

• Champions:

  • Poneke-Kilbirnie (Wellington) – 4 titles

  • Auckland Marist – 2 titles

  • Miramar – 1 title

• A women’s competition was considered but never implemented.

First Under-19 Women’s World Championship

• New Zealand sent its first team to the world under-19 girls championship in Oklahoma City.

• Coached by Colin Ward and featuring future Olympians Helen Townsend, Jackie Smith, and Fiona Timu, the team finished eighth.

• Mike Walsh’s New Zealand men’s team earned the silver medal at the ISF World Championships in Saskatoon, Canada.

• Kiwi expatriate Peter Meredith pitched the USA team to the title, supported by fellow New Zealander Steve Schultz, showcasing the impact of New Zealand players on the international stage.

​​​​​​​The New Zealand junior men’s team, coached by Dale Eagar, successfully defended their world under-19 championship in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, continuing New Zealand’s strong tradition in youth men’s softball.

Women’s World Championship

• The New Zealand women’s team claimed silver at the ISF World Championships in Normal, Illinois, marking their fourth successive podium finish.

• Ed Dolejs coached the team, with Lesley Monk as captain – the first Kiwi woman to earn four world series medals.

• Pitcher Gina Weber allowed the only hit of the game in the washed-out grand final against USA, but the Americans were controversially awarded the title on a wins countback, despite the two teams being in different pools.

Kevin Herlihy – Hall of Fame Inductee

• Legendary pitcher Kevin Herlihy became New Zealand softball’s first inductee into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame, recognizing his outstanding contribution to the sport.

Coaching Changes

• Ed Dolejs resigned as national and women’s team head coach, ending the most successful era in New Zealand women’s softball history.

• Longtime assistant Colin Ward was promoted to head coach.

Fastpitch and National Tournament

• Fastpitch format was introduced, featuring runners on base in each inning.

• A new national tournament was launched to increase TV exposure for the sport.

Under-19 Women’s World Championships

• The New Zealand under-19 girls’ team, coached by Cheryl Kemp and Naomi Shaw (1982 world champions), finished fifth at the world championships in Adelaide, narrowly missing the top-four playoffs.

• Mike Walsh’s New Zealand men’s team claimed silver at the ISF World Championships in Manila, marking their second successive world championship silver.

• In the final, NZ led Canada 3–0, but lost 5–3 after a home run by Jody Hennigar and a two-run shot from Mark Smith.

• The defeat also cost New Zealand a $150,000 Sports Foundation incentive bonus.

First Female President

• Lyndsey Leask became the NZSA’s first female president, stepping in after Ray Weaver retired following 10 years of service.

• Leask, a former Monowai and Canterbury player/coach and New Zealand women’s team manager, had been on the NZSA since 1968 and an ISF delegate since 1983.

• Her appointment coincided with New Zealand’s women’s suffrage centenary.

All-Star Teams 1963–1993

• At a function marking 30 years of sponsorship by a major tobacco company, NZSA announced All-Star teams:

Women: Cheryl Kemp, Jan Foote, Fiona Timu, Rhonda Hira, Leslie King, Marilyn Marshall, Marie Ward, Robyn Storer, Jane Earnshaw, Rita Fatialofa

Men: Kevin Herlihy, Terry Nunns, Dave Sorenson, Wayne Baldwin, Dean Rice, Paul Rogers, Dennis Cheyne, Jimmy Cotter, Mike Nichols, Mark Sorenson, Peter Priddey

Under-19 Boys’ World Championship

• Auckland hosted the world under-19 boys’ championships.

• Double champions New Zealand, coached by Dale Eagar and captained by future All Black Jeremy Stanley, lost 4–3 to Canada in the grand final, screened live on TV.

• Seven players, including Thomas Makea and Travis Wilson, later played for the Black Sox.

Women’s World Championship

• Coached by Colin Ward and captained by Nardi Clark, the New Zealand women’s team finished sixth at the ISF World Championships in St John’s, Newfoundland, marking the first time since 1974 that the team missed a medal.

• Despite world-class pitching from Gina Weber and strong hitting from Rhonda Hira and Melisa Upu, NZ lost their last three games 1–0, including a 12th-inning defeat to Canada.

Coaching Change

• Colin Ward resigned as head coach following the tournament, ending his tenure leading the national women’s team.

Organizational Restructure

• NZSA rebranded as Softball New Zealand.

• The four-person executive and ten-member national council were replaced by an eight-person board, chaired by former councillor and NZ junior men’s coach Dale Eagar.

• The Junior Advisory Board was scrapped, impacting youth softball development.

Coaching Milestone

• Cheryl Kemp was appointed New Zealand women’s coach, becoming the first woman to hold the role.

Olympic Qualifying Tournament

• Auckland hosted the Asia-Oceania qualifying tournament for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, the first Games to feature softball.

• Japan won the series and advanced to the Olympics.

Sponsorship Changes

• Thirty-two years of tobacco company sponsorship ended due to the Smokefree Environments Act.

• Smokefree, a government agency, took over softball sponsorships, including national championships naming rights in 1996.

Youth International Performance

• New Zealand finished seventh at the U19 girls’ world championships in Normal, Illinois, coached by Naomi Shaw and Debbie Mygind.

Black Sox Rebrand & World Championship

• The New Zealand men’s team formally rebranded as the Black Sox, inspired by a conversation involving Steve Roberts and other young players at the 1992 World Series.

• Coached by Mike Walsh and captained by Mark Sorenson, the Black Sox won their first world title since 1984, defeating Canada 4–0 in the final.

• Pitcher Mike White, throwing to Sorenson, delivered a perfect game – no hits, no runners on base – considered one of the greatest pitching performances in world championship history.

• The victory launched the careers of future Black Sox stars Thomas Makea and Jarrad Martin.

Coaching Transition

• Mike Walsh retired after 16 years as Black Sox coach (two golds, two silvers).

• He was initially replaced by assistant Warren Stoddart.

Player Pathways

• Travis Wilson, Black Sox shortstop at age 19, was signed by the Atlanta Braves.

• Wilson spent seven years in the Braves system, reaching Triple-A, appearing in Minor League All-Star games, and finishing his career with the Cincinnati Reds.

First Māori Women’s Team

• The first New Zealand Māori women’s team, coached by Naomi Shaw with Gina Weber pitching, played a series against Japanese club Toho Bank Panthers in Hamilton.

Administrative Milestone

• John Voyle ended his nine-year tenure as NZSA executive officer.

• When he passed in 2013, he was remembered as New Zealand softball’s most innovative and capable administrator.

Under-19 Boys’ World Championship

• New Zealand under-19 boys, coached by Dennis Dolejs and captained by Gareth Cook, earned a second successive silver medal at St John’s, Newfoundland.

Hall of Fame Inductions

• Marilyn Marshall, a dual softball/football international, and Bill Massey, legendary 1960s pitcher, were inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame.

White Sox World Championship

• The New Zealand women’s team, now known as the White Sox, coached by Cheryl Kemp and Naomi Shaw, finished 11th at the world championships in Japan, their lowest-ever finish.

• The team featured three co-captains: Helen Townsend (Canterbury), Kiri Shaw (Hutt Valley), and Jackie Smith (Auckland).

Coaching Changes – White Sox

• Cheryl Kemp resigned as White Sox coach in November.

Coaching Changes – Black Sox

• Don Tricker was appointed Black Sox coach, replacing Warren Stoddart, after Softball New Zealand made the position contestable.

Coaching Milestone

• Mike Walsh, national coaching director, became the first New Zealander to coach both national men’s (Black Sox) and women’s (White Sox) teams.

White Sox Olympic Qualification

• The White Sox qualified for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games after winning the Asia-Oceania regional qualifying series in Taiwan.

Hall of Fame Induction

• New Zealand’s 1982 world champion women’s team was inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame.

Executive Change

• Richard Killin stepped down as Softball New Zealand chief executive after four years.

• He was replaced by Hadyn Smith, former Canterbury, Otago, and NZ Combined Services pitcher.

Junior White Sox

• The Junior White Sox failed to qualify for the U19 World Championships.

Black Sox World Championship

• New Zealand Black Sox became back-to-back world champions by defending their title in Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha), South Africa.

• Coached by Don Tricker and captained by Mark Sorenson, NZ beat Japan 2–1 in the final, with Marty Grant pitching a no-hitter and Jarrad Martin hitting a home run.

• The victory generated huge media coverage, including two appearances on TVNZ’s The Holmes Show.

Awards

• Don Tricker was named Coach of the Year at the Halberg Awards.

• Mark Sorenson received a Fair Play Award.

White Sox – Sydney Olympics

• Gina Weber captained Mike Walsh’s White Sox, finishing sixth out of eight teams.

• Rhonda Hira and Jackie Smith excelled at the plate.

New Zealand Māori Men’s Team

• The first New Zealand Māori men’s team, coached by Chubb Tangaroa and captained by Jarrad Martin, played its first internationals against Australia.

The Junior Black Sox finished fourth at the under-19 world championships in Sydney, marking the first time the team missed the podium.

• Coached by Mike Walsh, the White Sox finished sixth at the world championships in Saskatoon, Canada.

• This remains their best world championship placing since the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Black Sox World Championship

• Coached by Don Tricker and Eddie Kohlhase, the Black Sox became the first team to win three consecutive world championships, defeating Canada 9–4 in the grand final in Christchurch.

• The hitting lineup – Jarrad Martin, Thomas Makea, Mark Sorenson, Donny Hale, Patrick Shannon, Dion and Nathan Nukunuku – was hailed as New Zealand’s best-ever.

Player Milestone

• Mark Sorenson picked up a record fifth gold medal (four senior, one junior).

Coaching Transition

• Don Tricker retired after the tournament, with Eddie Kohlhase taking over as head coach.

Governance & Advocacy

• Softball New Zealand lobbied the ISF to move men’s world championship dates to avoid a clash with the Olympics, increasing Black Sox Halberg Awards recognition chances.

• The next men’s world series was subsequently rescheduled to 2009.

Coaching & Development

• Debbie Mygind, New Zealand’s 1982 world champion pitcher, joined Softball New Zealand as national director of pitching, teaming up with her 1982 teammate who was SNZ’s director of coaching.

Junior Black Sox

• Junior Black Sox, coached by Mark Sorenson and Dion Nukunuku, finished fourth at the U19 World Cup in Canada.

Leadership Transition

• Hadyn Smith resigned as SNZ CEO to join Manawatū Rugby after maximising publicity and sponsorship.

• Board chair Dale Eagar assumed the role of CEO.

Player Career Moves

• Travis Wilson returned from baseball to begin a three-year stint as Black Caps’ cricket team fielding coach and video analyst, while continuing to play club softball.

Black Sox – Commonwealth Championship

• The Black Sox won the first (and only) Commonwealth Championship held in Melbourne.

High-Performance Appointment

• Megan Harlick, a physical education graduate and mental skills coaching specialist, was appointed as Softball New Zealand’s first high-performance director.

White Sox – World Championships

• The White Sox finished 11th at the world championships in Japan.

White Sox Coaching Change

• Mike Walsh was replaced as White Sox coach by his assistant Dean Rice.

Junior White Sox – World Championships

• Junior White Sox, coached by Lynda O’Cain, finished 11th at the world championships in Enschede, Netherlands.

Leadership Transition

• Dale Eagar resigned as CEO after more than 25 years’ service to Softball New Zealand.

Junior Black Sox – World Championships

• Junior Black Sox, coached by Paul Stockford, finished fourth for the third consecutive time at the world championships in Yukon, Canada.

Black Sox – World Championship

• Coached by Eddie Kohlhase, the Black Sox were defeated in the final by Australia in Saskatoon, surrendering their world title.

Player Milestone

• The tournament marked the end of pitcher Marty Grant’s career.

World Championship Cycle Change

• After a decision at the International Softball Federation congress, both junior and senior world championships moved from four‑year to two‑year cycles, a change supported by Softball New Zealand delegates and reflected in scheduling for 2010–13 events.

White Sox – World Championships

• The White Sox competed at the ISF Women’s World Championship in Caracas, Venezuela, where they finished 12th overall in the 16‑team field.

• The team was coached by Dean Rice, with Char Pouaka serving as captain.

Coaching Change

• After the world championships, Dean Rice stepped down as White Sox head coach, and Naomi Shaw, the 1982 world title winning captain, was appointed as the White Sox head coach.

Junior White Sox – U19 World Championship

• Venita Hokai led the Junior White Sox to a fifth-equal finish at the U19 girls world championship in Cape Town.

Black Sox – Historic Selection

• Brad and Pita Rona became the first father-and-son duo named in a Black Sox squad, although Brad was later forced to withdraw from a North American tour due to injury.

White Sox – World Championships

• Coached by Naomi Shaw and captained by her daughter Kiri Shaw, the White Sox finished 13th at the world championships.

Leadership & Financial Challenges

• SNZ chairman Rex Capil resigned after 10 provincial associations called a special general meeting following the loss of a $300,000 NZ Community Trust grant.

• The financial shortfall led to several staff positions being scrapped, including the national pitching director.

Junior Black Sox – U19 World Championships

• Junior Black Sox, coached by John Love, finished fourth at the U19 world championships.

Black Sox World Championship

• The Black Sox won their third world title on home soil at the 2013 ISF Men’s World Championships in Auckland, defeating Venezuela 4–1 in the final.

• Rhys Casley hit a three‑run home run in the final to provide the winning margin, and Jeremy Manley was awarded the Kevin Herlihy Memorial Trophy as the tournament’s top pitcher.

• After the win, Jarrad Martin and Thomas Makea retired, each with a fourth world gold medal.

• Eddie Kohlhase became the first person to win world titles as both a player and head coach of the Black Sox.

International Softball Governance

• The International Softball Federation (ISF) merged with the International Baseball Federation to form the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC), giving the two sports a unified voice with the International Olympic Committee.

Coaching Transition

• After the 2013 world title, Eddie Kohlhase retired as Black Sox coach and was succeeded by four‑time world champion former captain Mark Sorenson.

Junior White Sox – U19 World Championship

• The Junior White Sox, coached by Venita Hokai, achieved their highest‑ever finish (fourth) at the U19 world championships in Canada.

Leadership – SNZ Chief Executive

• Tony Giles, a gaming charities executive, was appointed Softball New Zealand CEO, beginning a new chapter in organisational leadership.

White Sox – World Championships

• Coached by Naomi Shaw and captained by Lara Andrews, the White Sox finished eighth at Europe’s first women’s world championships in Haarlem, Netherlands.

Player Milestone

• Lara Andrews, a three-year University of Delaware captain, became the first New Zealander to play in the United States’ women’s professional league with the Pennsylvania Rebellion.

Black Sox – U19 World Championships

• Thomas Makea coached the Black Sox to a silver medal at the U19 world championships in Whitehorse, Yukon – their first medal in 17 years.

• Current Black Sox captain Cole Evans was part of this medal-winning team.

Black Sox – World Championships

• Coached by Mark Sorenson, the Black Sox finished with a silver medal at the ISF Men’s World Championships in Saskatoon, losing 10‑5 to Canada after leading 5‑0 in the gold medal game.

Junior White Sox – U19 World Championships

• The Junior White Sox, led by Kevin Gettins, finished fifth at the world championships in Oklahoma City.

White Sox – Coaching Change

• Kevin Gettins (Hawke’s Bay) was appointed White Sox head coach, replacing Naomi Shaw.

White Sox – World Championships

• Kevin Gettins coached the White Sox, with daughters Mel and Courtney Gettins in the squad.

• Ellie Cooper, American-born and daughter of former Wellington pitcher Russell Cooper, served as captain.

• The team finished eighth at the world championships in Canada.

Junior Black Sox – U19 World Championships

• Under coach Thomas Makea, the Junior Black Sox earned a second successive silver medal at Midland, Michigan, highlighted by strong pitching from Daniel Chapman.

Individual Honour

• Mark Sorenson became the fourth New Zealand softball player elected to the NZ Sports Hall of Fame at the Halberg Awards.

Black Sox – World Championships

• Mark Sorenson added a gold medal as coach to his five world titles as a player.

• A grand slam home run by Joel Evans secured a 6‑4 victory over Australia in the world championships final in Whitehorse, Yukon.

• Captain Nathan Nukunuku and Brad Rona each earned their fourth world championship gold medals.

Junior White Sox – U19 World Cup

• Venita Hokai returned as head coach, and the Junior White Sox finished 16th at the U19 girls World Cup.

White Sox – World Championships

• Kevin Gettins coached the White Sox, with Mel Gettins and Lara Andrews serving as co-captains.

• The team finished 13th at the world championships in Chiba, Japan.

Junior Black Sox – U19 World Cup

• Coached by Thomas Makea, the Junior Black Sox won the bronze medal at the U19 World Cup in Prince Albert, Canada.

Kiwi Players in US College Softball

• The Florida State Seminoles, featuring former Black Sox star Travis Wilson as assistant coach and recent White Sox captain Ellie Cooper as a graduate assistant, won the NCAA Women’s College World Series (WCWS) for the first time.

White Sox – Olympic Qualification

• The White Sox failed to qualify for the 2020 Olympic Games after the Asia-Oceania playoffs in Shanghai.

• Kevin Gettins stepped down as coach, replaced by former Black Sox player Roman Gabriel.

Black Sox – Men’s World Cup

• Coached by Mark Sorenson with Nathan Nukunuku as captain, the Black Sox finished fourth at Prague, Europe’s first men’s World Cup, missing a medal for the first time since 1980.

Junior White Sox – U19 World Cup

• Under Carl Tuinenga (Canterbury), the Junior White Sox placed ninth at the U19 World Cup in California.

Junior Black Sox – U18 World Cup

• The Junior Black Sox finished fifth at the first U18 boys’ World Cup held in Palmerston North.

• All 16 players and assistant coach Colin Ward attended a reunion of the 1982 New Zealand world championship winning team during the tournament.

Covid‑19 Pandemic Impacts

• The global pandemic forced Softball New Zealand (SNZ) to cancel national tournaments.

• The WBSC postponed the men’s World Cup, originally scheduled in Auckland for February 2021, to November 2022.

• The first U18 Women’s World Cup was also postponed to 2021.

Innovation – Fastball 45

• Fastball 45, a softball derivative created by SNZ general manager and former Black Sox outfielder Glen Roff, was launched with a three-week tournament screened on Sky TV.

• Player, spectator, and TV feedback was positive.

U18 Girls – World Cup

• New Zealand elected not to attend the U18 girls’ World Cup in Peru due to travel restrictions and quarantine requirements.

Black Sox – Men’s World Cup

• New Zealand hosted the men’s World Cup finals for the fourth time at Rosedale Park, Albany.

• The Black Sox finished eighth, their worst-ever result at a world championship.

Coaching Change

• Mark Sorenson retired as Black Sox coach, ending an association with the team dating back to 1984.

SNZ Leadership

• Tony Giles resigned after 10 years as CEO to take the same role with Wellington Rugby.

Black Sox Coaching

• Thomas Makea (Ngāti Kahungunu/Ngāti Porou/Ngāti Marama/Ngāti Makea Ki Rarotonga) became the first Māori head coach of the Black Sox, following nearly a decade leading the Junior Black Sox programme.

NZ Major Sox – U23 World Cup

• The NZ Major Sox, coached by Stevie Deans, finished sixth at their first U23 men’s World Cup in Argentina.

White Sox – Coaching & World Cup

• Roman Gabriel resigned as White Sox coach.

• Assistant Donny Hale, a three-time Black Sox world champion, was appointed as his replacement.

• The White Sox failed to qualify for the women’s World Cup finals, finishing sixth in their group stage event in Italy.

Black Sox – World Cup Qualifiers

• The Black Sox finished second at the 2025 World Cup group qualifiers in Canada.

Historic White Sox Player

• Denva Shaw-Tait became the first third-generation White Sox player at the Canada Cup, following grandmother Naomi Shaw (1978–1986) and mother Kiri Shaw (1989–2012).

Black Sox – World Cup Silver

• The Black Sox returned to the world championship podium for the first time in eight years, winning silver at the 2025 WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup in Prince Albert, Canada, after a 3–0 final loss to Venezuela.

• Venezuelan pitcher Maiker Pimentel was later suspended for three years and stripped of his gold medal for testing positive to a banned steroid, though his teammates kept theirs under WBSC rules.

Individual Honours – Players & Awards

• Black Sox pitcher Liam Potts was voted WBSC Softballer of the Year in recognition of his outstanding performance.

• Long‑serving international stars Marty Grant and Melisa Upu were inducted into the WBSC Hall of Fame, honouring their exceptional contributions to the sport.

SNZ Leadership

• After five years on the Softball New Zealand board, former NZ Rugby executive Rebecca (Becs) Minkley became SNZ’s first female CEO in a 12‑month interim appointment.

Brand Refresh

• Softball New Zealand (SNZ) launches a new visual identity in time for the National Fastpitch Championships in Christchurch, marking a modernisation of the organisation’s branding and digital presence.