Baseball New Zealand is the national governing body for Baseball in New Zealand. Our membership comprises:
- 4 Regional Baseball Associations.
- 21 Affiliated Baseball Clubs.
- More than 2,500 individual club members, who play, coach, officiate and support Baseball in New Zealand.
More than 8,700 individuals participate in competitive and recreational Baseball programmes in various capacities around the country. Baseball New Zealand is one of over 130 member affiliates of the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC). An estimated 60 million people play Baseball worldwide.
Baseball New Zealand’s purpose is to…
- Be the dynamic and innovative leader of Baseball in New Zealand.
- Engage, support and inform all Baseball stakeholders.
- Raise the profile and standing of and participation in Baseball.
- Support and deliver quality competitive and recreational Baseball opportunities locally, nationally and internationally.
Baseball New Zealand provides numerous services, programs and activities to our members and the wider Baseball community, such as:
- National Baseball tournaments and events, including New Zealand National Club Championships.
- Tours to New Zealand by international teams and MLB players.
- Baseball development programs for tamariki (children) and rangatahi (youth), including Kiwi T-Ball, Development Leagues and more.
- Social inclusion programs for people with a disability and the socially disadvantaged.
- Corporate and social Baseball programmes.
- Coaching clinics and online coaching tools, tips and techniques.
- Opportunities for players, coaches and officials to compete at the highest national and international levels of Baseball.
- Baseball equipment, clothing and merchandise.
- A national membership database and website services.
- Paid and volunteer employment opportunities.
- Accreditation programs and professional development activities for coaches, umpires and scorers.
- Sponsorship and advertising opportunities.
- Resources to support association and club development & management.
- Different types of Baseball for people of all ages and abilities, including baseball in schools programmes and more.
International Baseball Visitors to New Zealand
Over the years, many top baseball players, coaches and administrators have visited New Zealand to promote the game here and host coaching clinics for players and coaches alike.
- Curtis Granderson – then New York Yankees
- Mark Melancon – Boston Red Sox (now San Francisco Giants)
- Nick Hundley – San Diego Padres (now San Francisco Giants)
- Brian Matusz – then Baltimore Orioles
- Paul Goldschmidt – Arizona Diamondbacks (now St Louis Cardinals)
- John Holdzkom – Pittsburgh Pirates and NZ Diamondblacks (now free agent)
- Jim Kaat – Former MLB Pitcher and Broadcaster
- Didi Gregorius – New York Yankees
- A J Preller – General Manager, San Diego Padres
- Derrick Hall – President and CEO, Arizona Diamondbacks
- Ron Roenicke – Manager of Milwaukee Brewers (now Boston Red Sox bench coach)
- Graeme Lloyd – Former World Champion Pitcher with New York Yankees and Olympic Silver Medallist of Australia
- Reggie Smith – Former 7-time MLB All Star and member of Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame
- Jay Bell – World Champion Arizona Diamondbacks winner
- Darrell Evans – Longtime Detroit Tigers slugger with over 400 lifetime Home Runs
- Steve Kline – Former MLB Pitcher with the San Francisco Giants
- Chris Woodward – Former MLB Infielder, (now Texas Rangers Manager)
- Josh Bard – Former MLB Catcher, (now New York Yankees Bench Coach)
- Brant Brown – Former MLB Outfielder
- D J Carrasco – Former MLB Pitcher
- Gary Wheelock – Former MLB Pitcher and Coach
- Shinya Miyamoto – Former Japan Samurai captain and infielder
- Tom O’Connell – President of ISG Coaching Group and member of American Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame
- Peter Caliendo – Former USA Baseball 15U National Coach and VP of ISG Coaching Group
- Riccardo Fraccari – President of World Baseball Softball Confederation
- Giovanni Pantaleoni – Former Italy Baseball Representative
- Steven Brault – Pittsburgh Pirates Pitcher