The Black Sox will be hoping to repeat their success at this year's Men's World Championships in four years time after Softball NZ announced today their bid to host the 2021 tournament was successful.
The Black Sox won their seventh world title earlier this year after beating rivals Australia 6-4 in a dramatic final in Yukon, Canada where Hutt Valley slugger Joel Evans was the star, crushing a grand slam home run that saw New Zealand regain a lead (6-3) after trailing 3-2.
The tournament will return to AWF Sports Stadium in Albany - the same venue where the Black Sox won the last time the tournament was held in New Zealand back in 2013.
Softball NZ CEO Tony Giles said he was ecstatic the country was hosting the world championships for the fourth time.
"There has been a lot of hard work in preparing the bid and this outcome is testament to the support the organisation has received from both central and local government agencies in collaboration with North Harbour Softball Association in bringing the pinnacle of the men's world game back to our shores," he said.
Giles thanked the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) and acknowledged the governing body's president, Tommy Velazquez "for having the courage to support the Oceania softball region and providing an opportunity for New Zealand to again showcase our world-class talent as leaders of the men's game".
Velazquez said the WBSC was just as excited to see the tournament return to New Zealand.
"New Zealand has a strong tradition in Mens Fastpitch and 2021 is an opportunity for the world's elite players to test themselves," he said.
Prior to 2013, New Zealand also hosted the world championships in Christchurch in 2004 and Lower Hutt in 1976 - the Black Sox won on both those occasions as well.
SHARE ME