by Baseball New Zealand
AUCKLAND – Baseball in New Zealand has received international backing for its programme following the awarding of the 2014 Oceania 15U Championships, generally regarded as the competition that identifies future stars of the sport in the Oceania region.
The championship event will be held from the 3rd to 6th of April and will be based in the Auckland region at the recently redeveloped McLeod Park diamond in Te Atatu. The event will also serve to officially open the new park upgrade to the community.
“Hosting this event in New Zealand is another step in our development, and will allow our most talented young players to match up against the best from Australia and the islands,” said Baseball New Zealand CEO Ryan Flynn. “By being awarded the hosting rights to this 15U tournament, we are being recognized by international baseball leaders that we’re capable of hosting such an important tournament on the annual baseball calendar.”
According to Flynn, it is at this age grade that scouts and coaches begin to take notice of a player’s ability, attitude and desire to reach the next level, and the results will assist Baseball New Zealand in making recommendations for players to attend high performance and MLB-level training around the globe.
“The game of baseball has really received some strong impetus in the last couple of months” said Flynn, highlighting the visit of an Arizona Diamondbacks delegation to the country including MLB National League MVP runner Up Paul Goldschmidt who hosted a clinic of over 120 young ballplayers at Eden Park. Flynn added, “The decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to re-visit men’s baseball and women’s softball’s inclusion to the 2020 Olympic Games programme is also positive development for the sport.”
