The Black Sox, who are expected to perform the world famous Haka dance prior to the first games on each day, will face the Loggers today at 2 and 5 p.m. at Wheatsheaf ball fields in Cedar. On Sunday the scene shifts to the Langford fastball fields (on Carlow Road) at noon and 2 p.m.
New Zealand is preparing for the July 7-16 World Fastball Championship in Whitehorse, as is defending champion Canada which features a pair of Loggers players on its roster — Blake Hunter and Kris Walushka.
“They’re also here early to train and play in the Bob Law Memorial Challenge in Vancouver over the long weeend,” Walushka said of the Kiwis.
“Blake played with their manager when he was in New Zealand. He talked to them and they said they’d be happy to come over to the Island to play a few games. That’s how we got them over here,” added Walushka.
The Loggers, an all-star team, have previously played some junior International teams and also against the likes of Great Britain. The Sooke squad will also be competing at the Bob Law event along with New Zealand, Canada, United States, Czech Republic, Great Britain, the South Hill Giants and Portland Brewers.
For Walushka, 33, this is his second time in wearing the Maple Leaf as he donned Canada’s colours for the Pan-Am Games qualifier in 2014.
“To put on the uniform and represent your country in your own country, it’s going to be the best feeling in the world and I can’t wait to do it,” he said of upcoming worlds, of which Canada is the defending champion, having won in 2015 after New Zealand claimed the title in 2013.
Walushka has played fastball since he was five as the sport was huge back in the day.
“They played at Royal Athletic Park and they would draw big crowds. I remember, as a kid, going out and watching Payless play. Guys like Mike Piechnik and the Travellers Inn team — legendary teams.”
