Cole Evans named New Zealand Black Sox captain

Cole Evans named New Zealand Black Sox captain
13/06/2020
In 2022, the young shortstop will become the 11th New Zealand captain to lead the team at a world championship.

Cole Evans has been named captain of the New Zealand Black Sox, the country’s men’s softball national team. The 22-year old infielder will lead the team at the WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup 2022, to be played on home soil in Auckland. Evans succeeds Black Sox legend Nathan Nukunuku as the team captain after the four-time world champion announced his retirement last year.

“It’s not something I ever thought about because all you want to do is play for your country -- that’s an honour in itself,” the shortstop said. “To be named captain, well that’s huge.”

A 22-year-old infielder, Evans has played in three senior world championships. He made his debut in 2015, earning a silver medal in Saskatoon, Canada, at 17; and two years later was a member of the 2017 winning team in Whitehorse, Canada. Last year he was New Zealand’s everyday shortstop in the WBSC World Championship in Prague, where the Black Sox finished in fourth place.

He was also a member of the 2014 junior team that earned a silver medal at the WBSC Junior Men’s Softball World Championship in Whitehorse, Canada.

Evans will captain the Black Sox in his hometown of Auckland, playing in front of family and friends.

“We don’t often get to play in front of them, especially at World Cups, so that’s special, and we will be looking to go a few places better than last time.”