Cam Watts — part of the royal family of Dunedin softball — is as Otago as they come.
The Dunedin teacher is listed as a Canterbury representative in the Black Sox squad for the Softball World Cup in Auckland next month but that is only because he has to travel to Christchurch to get a higher level of competition.
Watts, the middle of three softball-playing brothers, bleeds blue and gold, and he will represent the province with pride when he makes his international debut at the tournament.
"I’m still on a bit of a high because it’s been a big few days," Watts said.
"I’d always sort of hoped to get there, and once I made a 20-man squad earlier in the year, it gave me a bit of push to sort of really get in shape and push for a spot in the final cut.
"Over winter, I’ve been right into gym sessions and getting a couple of boys to help me out with training."
Watts (27) is one of three catchers named in the Black Sox squad.
He started tee-ball at 4 and has a bucketload of experience on the diamond, but he had never made a national squad before this year.
"It’s all brand new for me.
"It’s pretty cool, eh. Just to be able to play for your country in front of your home fans is going to be something unreal. It’s very exciting."
Proud parents Mary and Duncan had already arranged to go to the World Cup, Watts said, while younger brother Matt was also chuffed.
There was a bittersweet tinge to the squad announcement this week when his older brother, classy pitcher Ben, missed selection for the final squad.
"He just missed the cut.
"It is a wee bit bittersweet. It would have been cool to have him there as well."
Watts, who teaches a year 8 class at Kaikorai Valley College, has not had a lot to do with many of his new Black Sox team-mates that well but has started to get to know them in recent weeks.
It was a bit of a complicated story how he came to be living in his home city but representing Canterbury, he said.
He first played in Christchurch while studying at university then got his first teaching job and lived in the city for two years.
He and his partner planned an OE in 2020 but Covid scuppered that.
"I went back to Christchurch for another year but decided I wanted to come home."
Watts plays in Christchurch as often as he can for the PCU Devils club.
There was a special highlight last summer when Canterbury released all three Watts boys to play for Otago — and the newly christened Whatukura won the Jefferies Cup for the first time in 28 years.
Two sons of Black Sox greats were among seven Black Sox rookies named by coach Mark Sorenson for the World Cup.
Pita Rona is the son of Brad Rona, and Dante Makea-Matakatea is the son of Thomas Makea.
Makea-Matakatea will play alongside his brother, Reilly Makea.
There are two other sibling combinations. Captain Cole Evans is joined by brother Rhys, and Thomas and Ben Enoka add plenty of experience.
Eight players are backing up from the Black Sox team that finished fourth at the last World Cup in Prague in 2019.
Black Sox
The squad
Pitchers: Daniel Chapman (Auckland), Josh Pettett (Wellington).
Utility: Pita Rona (North Harbour).
Catchers: Te Wera Bishop (Wellington), Cam Watts (Canterbury), Connor Peden (Auckland).
Infielders: Thomas Enoka (Auckland), Jerome Raemaki (Wellington), Joel Evans (Hutt Valley), Dante Makea-Matakatea (Wellington), Cole Evans (Auckland, captain), Rhys Evans (Auckland), Tane Mumu (Hutt Valley).
Outfielders: Ben Enoka (Auckland), Reilly Makea (Wellington), Bradley Bennett (Auckland).
