By Dan Marshall

National team member Blake Hunter and the New Zealand Black Sox to headline softball weekend in Cedar

Jun 19, 2017 | 11:57 AM

CEDAR — Some of the best in mens softball will be on display this weekend at the Wheatsheaf Ball Fields.
 
That includes local standout Blake Hunter who was named to Canada’s national team last week.
 
He’ll be playing with a group of local all-stars as part of a three team series which includes the New Zealand Senior Mens Fastball Team and the world ranked Sooke Loggers. 
 
The Nanaimo All-Stars will face New Zealand June 23 at 6:30 p.m. and Sooke will take on New Zealand at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m on June 24.
 
There’s no charge to watch any of the action.
 
Hunter is tuning up for the 2017 WBSC Men’s World Softball Championship next month in the Yukon.
 
Meanwhile the New Zealand squad is training in the lower mainland, and the world’s number one ranked team is heading over to the island largely because of a personal relationship with him.
 
Hunter played for the club’s manager when he played ball in New Zealand.
 
“When I was over there he was my manager with our provincial team.  He got ahold of me about coming over here while they were on tour and I told him we would be more than willing to host them,” said Hunter.
 
The world tournament runs from July 7 to 9 in Whitehorse, and team Canada has one more event in the lead up – the Bob Law Memorial Challenge in Vancouver over the long weekend.
 
Hunter has been a part of the national program for a few years already but he says it’s always a thrill to don the maple leaf.
 
“I’ve been a part of the program for four years,” said Hunter. “This will be the first time I get to represent my country in an international event so it definitely means a lot.”
 
Hunter grew up playing in Cedar and later for Nanaimo District Softball.
 
He’s been a member of the Wheatsheaf Fastball Club for ten years while making other stops in Nova Scotia and New Zealand.
 
Whether it’s the opportunity to watch Blake Hunter or to see a legitimate contender for the world title, fans in Nanaimo and Cedar will be treated to some of the highest calibre softball this weekend.
 
 
dan@nanaimonewsnow.com
 
On twitter: @danmarshall77