Their traditional pre-game haka dance has captured the imagination of sports fans the world over.
The New Zealand Black Sox can play an awfully good game of fastball, too.
The defending world men’s champions will be bringing both spectacles to Kelowna’s King Stadium next Wednesday night.
The Black Sox will take on the Kelowna men’s all-stars in an exhibition doubleheader, as the Kiwis prepare for the ISF World Men’s Softball Championship later this month in Saskatoon.
“This is the real deal, you don’t get any better than this,” veteran pitcher and game organizer Rich Haldane said of next week’s visitors. “They have great pitching and tremendous hitting. They’re No. 1 in the world, so there’s not much more you can say.”
Haldane, who has played his share of international fastball over the years, has seen the New Zealanders perform their haka ceremony on many occasions, much like the Kiwi junior men’s team did last summer prior to an exhibition game in Kelowna.
A traditional ancestral war dance of the Māori people, Haldane said it’s a lively and stirring display not to be missed.
“It’s unique and just a great spectacle to watch,” said Haldane. “They’re putting out a challenge, it’s a big adrenaline pump for them and very entertaining for the fans. We think it also ties in nicely with the First Nation presence we have in the Okanagan.”
A doubleheader between the world champions and Kelowna all-stars will begin at 6:15 on Wednesday night at King Stadium.
While they are the prohibitive underdogs, Haldane doesn’t expect his Kelowna teammates to roll over for the Kiwis, coached by ISF Hall of Famer Mark Sorenson.
“We’ll try and keep it close and give them a couple of competitive games,” said Haldane. “We have guys who have played at a high level and are competitive, so we’re not just going to hand it to them. We want to help them get ready for worlds and help ourselves get ready for the rest of our season.
“It should be a fun night.”
Admission for the game is $5 per person, while youths 18 and under will be admitted free.
Haldane said all youngsters are encouraged to wear their team colours to the game.
The New Zealanders will be Saskatoon for the ISF World Championship June 26 to July 5.
Rich Haldane will also be there as a member of Great Britain’s national team.
Andre Blanleil Sr. Tournament…
The 2015 Andre Blanleil Sr. Memorial Fastball Tournament is set for this weekend at King Stadium.
The fourth annual tourney will feature a women’s draw for the first time—the Kaos, Heat, Outlaws and Tanks.
The four-team men’s event will feature Andre’s, the Brewers, Rangers and Surrey.
Action begins Friday at 6 p.m. and will run through Sunday afternoon.
The women’s final goes at 11 a.m. and the men’s at 1 p.m.
Admission is $5 per day or $10 for the weekend, with proceeds going to King Stadium.
Held each June, the tournament honours the memory of the late Andre Blanleil Sr., a longtime coach and player in Kelowna’s fastball community.
