Baseball New Zealand is introducing the new five-on five discipline, Baseball5, across the country.
The Region of Wellington hosted the first inter-school tournaments for kids aged 10-13 in late August in Lower Hutt and in the capital, Wellington.
The Walter Nash Centre in Taita, Lower Hutt, hosted a tournament that involved 10 teams representing four schools. The tournament involved 65 players and a total of 80 people including coaches, officials and organizers. As many as 40 Baseball5 games were played and Wainuiomata Intermediate finished in first place.
The ASB Stadium in Wellington hosted a tournament between eight teams representing four different schools. The 32 Baseball5 games played during the day saw 45 players take the field. Overall, a total of 55 people were involved. Evans Bay Intermediate School was the winner.
Baseball New Zealand has plans to host a National Baseball5 Championship in 2021 and is now planning to start the selection of a National Team to participate in the Baseball5 World Cup Oceania Qualifier.