For two young New Zealanders, the dream of playing college baseball in the United States has become reality — and though their paths have led them to very different corners of America, their stories share a common thread of hard work, resilience, and love for the game.
Ben Sinclair has traded Auckland’s familiar fields for the historic charm of Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania. Over 7,000 kilometres away, Levin’s Flynn Warren is calling Hawai‘i home as he begins his freshman year at Hawai‘i Pacific University. One is learning to navigate autumn in the U.S. Northeast while the other trains under the Hawaiian sun. Both, however, are part of a growing wave of Kiwi ballplayers chasing opportunity on American soil.
For Sinclair, the road to Gettysburg began after a showcase tournament last year. “They were a high-academic school with a good baseball program that I felt I could fit into,” he recalls. “Academics has always been a big part of my life. I value the importance of getting a good degree, that’s ultimately what you go to college for.”
Warren’s story started a little differently. His connection to HPU came through a chance meeting with one of the programme’s former players. “I was really lucky to meet an HPU alumni when he came to New Zealand and did an OE with Levin Hustle,” he explains. “He set me up with the coaches at HPU, and that’s where the recruitment process kicked off.”
Both players know first-hand how difficult it can be to get noticed from New Zealand. For Sinclair, it meant long nights sending emails and game film across time zones. “Me and my dad would reach out to coaches every week,” he says. “Talking to the guys at Bayside who’d already gone through the process really helped, it made me confident that regardless of where I went, I could play another four years of baseball and get my degree.”
Warren agrees that exposure is the biggest challenge for Kiwis looking abroad. “Being from New Zealand, it’s hard to be seen and recruited by colleges,” he says. “That’s where social media and emails can really be game changers.”
Arriving in the U.S. brought its share of surprises. Sinclair admits his first impressions in Pennsylvania were shaped by the people. “Americans are all very nice and welcoming, especially when they find out you’re an international student,” he says.
For Warren, life in Hawai‘i has been an entirely different experience. “I’ve always loved the hot weather, so even though it’s extreme, I’d take it over cold and wet any day,” he remarks. “It’s a blessing being able to play college baseball here.”
But paradise still comes with challenges. Between classes, practices, and the pace of the game, Warren’s had to quickly adapt. “Something I’ve learned early on is how to schedule,” he says. “Between school, baseball, friends, and family, I’m really busy. Staying organised keeps me balanced.”
Sinclair, meanwhile, has been impressed by the professionalism and structure of college baseball in the U.S. “The biggest difference from back home is how organised and dedicated everyone is. It feels like a big family, everyone’s looking out for each other. And the facilities and equipment are on another level.”
Both players have already had a taste of the action. Sinclair’s fall scrimmages gave him an early look at the level of competition. “It was definitely nerve-racking at the start,” he admits. “But once I realised I was on a level playing field with everyone else, it became really fun to be out there again.”
At HPU, Warren’s training weeks are packed — early morning lifts, team practices, intersquads, and meetings. The intensity has been an adjustment, but one he’s embraced. “The biggest difference is the intensity of college baseball,” he says. “It’s much more than back in NZ, that was the biggest challenge for me.”
Both freshmen have quickly come to appreciate the power of team culture. “Our team at Gettysburg has around 60 players,” Sinclair explains. “Every single one of them is selfless and trying to make the guys around them better. The coaches really promote this good team culture, which I love.”
Warren echoes that sentiment from across the Pacific. “The will to win from the coaches and players was a big part of why I came here,” he says. “You can feel that everyone wants to get better and help each other succeed.” The growth of HPU’s programme in recent seasons also drew him in, along with the chance to earn a roster spot as a freshman — an opportunity he was eager for.
For both young Kiwis, success off the field is just as important as success on it. Sinclair chose Gettysburg in large part for its academic reputation. “Being in a competitive academic environment motivates me just like being on the diamond,” he says. “It feels great representing New Zealand baseball in that kind of setting.”
Warren takes a similar approach at HPU. “For me, staying on top of school is the most important thing,” he says. “When my schoolwork is sorted, I’m less stressed and can focus more on practice, and still have time to enjoy college life in Hawai‘i.”
As their freshman seasons approach, both players have their sights set on team goals first. “I just want to make a positive impact,” says Sinclair. “Whether it’s on or off the field, being a good teammate, supporting the guys, and helping us win whenever I get the chance to pitch.” His focus on consistency will help him do just that as he continues to settle into the college game. Warren’s focus is equally clear. “I want to win conference championships and play in big national tournaments with my team. That’s what drives me.”
Despite the miles between Pennsylvania and Hawai‘i, both players remain connected by a shared identity: proud Kiwis proving that baseball dreams can start anywhere. Sinclair’s advice to younger players is straightforward: “Value your academics. It might not feel important now, but it opens doors. As a pitcher, focus on throwing strikes, not just throwing hard. Velocity definitely increases your chances of getting scouted, but to maintain at any level in college, you need to be able to throw strikes.”
He adds, “And stay confident as the mental side of the game is huge.” Warren agrees, but adds his own spin: “Set realistic goals and work towards them every day. Figure out what’s best for you and your journey. And most of all, love baseball. If you truly love it, you can do anything as long as you believe and work.”
Whether standing on the historic fields of Gettysburg or taking the mound under the Hawaiian sun, Ben Sinclair and Flynn Warren are charting new paths for New Zealand baseball, proving that talent, effort, and belief can take Kiwi players a very long way from home.
And while they might miss their beds and a good Kiwi feed, both know exactly where they belong right now: on the diamond, chasing their dreams.