New Zealand Black Sox

Freddie Wyatt is a former New Zealand Black Sox softball player who proudly represented New Zealand from 1986 to 2000. Softball has been a huge part of Freddie's life, taking him around the world and winning World Championships.

Help Freddie Fight Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer This page is all for our loving pāpā, in hopes to extend his life. Ka tangi te manu kotahi, ka rangona te ngahere katoa.

Softball New Zealand has appointed former Black Sox player and manager Casey Eden as its new Chief Executive. 🔥 Congrats Casey 🔥

📣FORMER BLACK SOX #204 CASEY EDEN APPOINTED AT CHIEF EXECUTIVE📣

Softball New Zealand has appointed former Black Sox player and manager Casey Eden as its new Chief Executive, bringing a leader steeped in the national game together with a proven record of building successful businesses.

Eden takes up the role on 20 July 2026, succeeding interim Chief Executive Rebecca Minkley, who has led the organisation since October 2025.

Eden played for the Black Sox in 2011-12 and managed the side from 2018 to 2022. Away from the diamond, he founded the community platform Neighbourly, which was acquired by Stuff, was a founding team member of GrabOne, and founded fintech company Orchestra, acquired by Sharesies. Most recently, as Chief Commercial Officer of First Table, he led the company's international growth, scaling annual revenue from $2 million to more than $15 million across New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom. He is a current board member of Golf New Zealand and has worked with both Sport NZ and High-Performance Sport NZ.

Softball New Zealand Board Chair Hoani Lambert said the appointment marks an important moment for the sport.

“Casey is a rare appointment - someone who has lived the full softball pathway, from club player to Black Sox representative to managing the national team, and who has also founded, built and scaled successful businesses. Softball has bold ambitions for its profile, participation and performance, and Casey has the credibility in our community and the commercial capability to deliver them.”

“I also want to acknowledge Rebecca Minkley, whose leadership over the interim period has given the organisation real stability and momentum. Casey inherits an organisation in far stronger shape because of her work.”

Eden said the role was a chance to give back to the sport that shaped him.

“Softball has given me some of the best experiences of my life, as a player, a manager and proud member of the softball whanau. This sport has world-class people and a proud legacy. My focus is on listening to our members first, and then working alongside the Board, staff, associations and partners to grow the game - more players, stronger competitions, and teams that keep making New Zealand proud on the world stage.”

The appointment follows a comprehensive recruitment process that attracted a strong field of candidates from New Zealand and overseas.

Eden begins in the role on 20 July 2026. Rebecca Minkley will support the handover and conclude her term on 31 July 2026.

A huge thank you to The Dugout for their continued support as the Official Apparel Supplier of the Black Sox. 🖤🥎

A huge thank you to The Dugout for their continued support as the Official Apparel Supplier of the Black Sox. 🖤🥎

Their commitment to the programme means our boys take the field representing New Zealand with everything they need to compete at the highest level. We’re proud to have them alongside us on the world stage and grateful for a partner who genuinely backs the growth of softball in Aotearoa.

We’re lucky to have you. 🌿🫶🏼🇳🇿

All World Team
Congratulations Tane Mumu and Ryan Earley well deserved 💪🏽😤🇳🇿🥎

🌏🔝 Check out your WBSC U-23 Men's Softball World Cup All-World Team powered by Gametime!

💪🏽 outstanding!!!

An 8th inning BLAST by Gollan puts the U23 Black Sox over the line against Venezuela!

A tough loss
We go again tomorrow
Backing black all the way

Tough loss for our guys, but it’s not over yet!

We go again tomorrow against Venezuela at 11am NZT

📸:

NZ U23 Black Sox 😤💪🏽🇳🇿
Next up Australia 🇦🇺
8am
Backing black all the way

That super round winning feeling 😮‍💨

The U23 BSX play again tomorrow at 8am NZT.

All games streamed through Gametime.sport

The business end of the tournament starts tomorrow.
Good skills tomorrow to our NZ U23 Black Sox
8am vs Mexico
Let’s go lads backing you 💯

Super Round incoming.

A challenge against the best — exactly where we want to be.

Locked in. Focused. Ready.

Mana 🥎 Pride 🥎 Passion

💪🏽🖤

And just like that, our boys have booked their spot in the Super Round after an impressive win over Czechia 🖤🌿