Baseball New Zealand
Encyclopedia
Baseball New Zealand, formerly known as the New Zealand Baseball Federation, is the governing body of the sport of baseball
in New Zealand
. Baseball New Zealand is composed of a number of local clubs, primarily located in Northland, Auckland, and Canterbury.David Ballinger was elected president in 2008 for a two year term.
, Joshua Batchelor and Daniel Devonshire.
Coaches: Aaron Campbell, Matt Mills, Cola Yeh
, the first New Zealander selected in the Major League Baseball
amateur draft, currently plays in the Toronto Blue Jays
' organization. He spent 2007 at their High-A club, the Lansing Lugnuts
, after spending 2006 with the short-season Auburn Doubledays
. In 2008, he's playing for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats
in Double-A.
Campbell was named to the 2006 New York Pennsylvania (NYP) League
Mid-Season All-Star team. He finished in the top 10 for both batting average and on-base percentage. In 2008, Campbell played in the Futures All-Star game in Yankee Stadium. He went 0-4 as the designated hitter, scoring a run, in the 3-0 victory over the USA team.
Scott Richmond
became the first New Zealand citizen to play at the Major League level on 31 July 2008, when he pitched for the Toronto Blue Jays. Born in Canada to a New Zealand father, Richmond started the 2008 season with Campbell at New Hampshire, but was promoted to AAA Syracuse on 28 June and then to the Major League club on 28 July 2008. His call-up cost him the opportunity to play for the Canadian national team in the 2008 Olympics
.
Brothers Boss and Moko Moanaroa were signed by the Boston Red Sox in 2008
Beau Te Wera Bishop was signed by the Boston Red Sox in 2011
after being spotted as part of the world champion Black Socks
. Wilson spent eight years signed to the club, though never making the Major Leagues and spending most of his time at Triple-A level. He returned to New Zealand to continue his softball career in 2005, and also performs coaching duties for the Black Caps (the New Zealand cricket team).
Gus Leger was signed by the California Angels in 1993 after being spotted as a softball player for New Zealand. Leger spent 2 years playing Rookie Ball in the Arizona League as an outfielder.
In December 2008, West City hosted Masashiro Tanaka
, star Olympian Japanese Baseball player from the Rakuten Eagles of Japan.
The senior competition is dominated by Howick-Pakuranga and West City.
Canterbury runs an internal competition, while Northland runs an internal competition for the 14U age group.
Central City won the Under 12s, defeating Howick-Pakuranga 3-0.
The tournament witnessed the longest game in Nationals history - Canterbury defeated HP 6-4 in 16 innings. It was small solace for Canterbury, who were eliminated on tiebreakers as all three senior teams finished 1-1.
The tournament was marred with poor weather, as an entire day's schedule was wiped out by rain, resulting in an abbreviated schedule.
Bayside-Westhaven Under 16s defeated Howick-Pakuranga 6-5 in their final. The Bayside-Westhaven Under 13s defeated Central City 3-1 in their final.
In the senior level, West City won the title, defeating Canterbury 12-11. Howick-Pakuranga finished 1-1, but failed to reach the finals on IBAF tiebreakers.
At the under 15 level, Howick-Pakuranga claimed the title over Bayside-Westhaven in extra innings, while Canterbury finished third. At the under 13 level, Bayside-Westhaven swept away Howick-Pakuranga, with Canterbury again finishing third.
The Howick-Pakuranga under 18s defeated Canterbury two games to one. The Bayside-Westhaven & Howick-Pakuranga under 15s were awarded a co-championship. The Bayside-Westhaven under 13s defeated the Canterbury under 13s in the championship game after all three teams finished 1-1.
In 2011 New Zealand will be hosting the IBAF Oceania Qualifiers, in which Australia and Guam will compete against New Zealand for the right to participate in the 2011 IBAF AA World Cup in Mexico later on in the year. Another addition to the tournament is Curtis Granderson, centre-fielder to the New York Yankees, who will make an appearance to promote Baseball around the minor-code nation.
. Ryan Flynn, Chief Executive of Baseball New Zealand, called the development "the best thing to happen in the history of diamond sports in New Zealand."
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. Baseball New Zealand is composed of a number of local clubs, primarily located in Northland, Auckland, and Canterbury.David Ballinger was elected president in 2008 for a two year term.
National Club Championships
National Club Championships are held annually in the last weekend of February.MLBAAP
Highly-talented players may get the opportunity to attend the Major League Baseball Australia Academy Program, held every winter in July and August in Queensland. Past attendees from New Zealand include Scott CampbellScott Campbell (baseball)
Scott Campbell is a current Minor League Baseball batter for the Las Vegas 51s. In , he became the first New Zealander to be drafted by a Major League Baseball club, when selected 300th overall by the Toronto Blue Jays.He played college baseball at Gonzaga University...
, Joshua Batchelor and Daniel Devonshire.
Executive & Board
The executive consists of eight (8) directors. The President and Vice President, three (3) elected directors, and the Presidents of Northland, Auckland and Canterbury regional associations.Professional staff
Executive Officer: Ryan FlynnCoaches: Aaron Campbell, Matt Mills, Cola Yeh
Annual General Meeting
Baseball NZ must hold an Annual General Meeting of the members once in each calendar year on a date to be fixed by the Board and no later than 15 months after the previous Annual General Meeting.Current professional players
Scott CampbellScott Campbell (baseball)
Scott Campbell is a current Minor League Baseball batter for the Las Vegas 51s. In , he became the first New Zealander to be drafted by a Major League Baseball club, when selected 300th overall by the Toronto Blue Jays.He played college baseball at Gonzaga University...
, the first New Zealander selected in the Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
amateur draft, currently plays in the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
' organization. He spent 2007 at their High-A club, the Lansing Lugnuts
Lansing Lugnuts
The Lansing Lugnuts are a Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Toronto Blue Jays, that plays in the Midwest League.The Midwest League came to Lansing, Michigan in 1996. The franchise began in Lafayette, Indiana, in 1955; after two seasons it moved to Waterloo, Iowa, where it...
, after spending 2006 with the short-season Auburn Doubledays
Auburn Doubledays
The Auburn Doubledays are a minor league baseball team in Auburn, New York, USA, that is owned and operated by Auburn Community Baseball. They are a member of the Short-Season Class A New York-Penn League and have been a farm team of the Houston Astros , the Toronto Blue Jays , and Washington...
. In 2008, he's playing for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats
New Hampshire Fisher Cats
The New Hampshire Fisher Cats are a minor league baseball team based in Manchester, New Hampshire. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays major-league club....
in Double-A.
Campbell was named to the 2006 New York Pennsylvania (NYP) League
New York - Penn League
The New York – Penn League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the northeastern United States. It is classified as a "Short-Season A" league; its season starts in June, after major-league teams have signed their amateur draft picks to professional contracts, and ends in early...
Mid-Season All-Star team. He finished in the top 10 for both batting average and on-base percentage. In 2008, Campbell played in the Futures All-Star game in Yankee Stadium. He went 0-4 as the designated hitter, scoring a run, in the 3-0 victory over the USA team.
Scott Richmond
Scott Richmond
Scott Daniel Richmond is a Canadian professional baseball pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball...
became the first New Zealand citizen to play at the Major League level on 31 July 2008, when he pitched for the Toronto Blue Jays. Born in Canada to a New Zealand father, Richmond started the 2008 season with Campbell at New Hampshire, but was promoted to AAA Syracuse on 28 June and then to the Major League club on 28 July 2008. His call-up cost him the opportunity to play for the Canadian national team in the 2008 Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
.
Brothers Boss and Moko Moanaroa were signed by the Boston Red Sox in 2008
Beau Te Wera Bishop was signed by the Boston Red Sox in 2011
Former professional players
Travis Wilson was signed by the Atlanta BravesAtlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
after being spotted as part of the world champion Black Socks
Black Socks
The Black Socks are the New Zealand national men's softball team. They won the World Championships in 1976 , 1984, 1996, 2000 and 2004...
. Wilson spent eight years signed to the club, though never making the Major Leagues and spending most of his time at Triple-A level. He returned to New Zealand to continue his softball career in 2005, and also performs coaching duties for the Black Caps (the New Zealand cricket team).
Gus Leger was signed by the California Angels in 1993 after being spotted as a softball player for New Zealand. Leger spent 2 years playing Rookie Ball in the Arizona League as an outfielder.
Bayside-Westhaven
Bayside Westhaven has been going for a number of years and fields teams from peewee (T ball) up through to a seniors team. Home fields are at Crossfield Reserve, Crossfield Road in Glendowie, AucklandCentral City
The Central City Baseball Club was formed in 2007 and play out of Fearon Park in Mt Roskill.Howick-Pakuranga
The Howick-Pakuranga club is located in Pakuranga adjacent to the rugby club at Lloyd Elsmore Park.West City
West City Baseball Club plays its home games at McLeod Park in Te Atatu South and is part of the Auckland Baseball Association.In December 2008, West City hosted Masashiro Tanaka
Masahiro Tanaka
is a Japanese starting pitcher for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.Tanaka led his team to a championship in the National High School Baseball tournament as a junior for Komazawa University Tomakomai High School in and a runner-up berth in the same tournament as a senior in...
, star Olympian Japanese Baseball player from the Rakuten Eagles of Japan.
Canterbury
The Canterbury Baseball Club was founded in 2003 and is located at Avonhead Park, on the western edge of Christchurch.Domestic competitions
The Auckland Baseball Association runs a junior competition each summer, with 12U, Little League, 14U, 16U, and 18U leagues.The senior competition is dominated by Howick-Pakuranga and West City.
Canterbury runs an internal competition, while Northland runs an internal competition for the 14U age group.
National Club Championships
The first true National Club Championships occurred in January 2006, when four age levels held competition: Senior, Under 19, Under 15 & Under 13. Prior years' tournaments were one-off or friendly competitions or only included teams from Auckland.2009 National Club Championships
West City won their third national title in four years as they downed Howick-Pakuranga 7-2 in the senior final.Central City won the Under 12s, defeating Howick-Pakuranga 3-0.
The tournament witnessed the longest game in Nationals history - Canterbury defeated HP 6-4 in 16 innings. It was small solace for Canterbury, who were eliminated on tiebreakers as all three senior teams finished 1-1.
The tournament was marred with poor weather, as an entire day's schedule was wiped out by rain, resulting in an abbreviated schedule.
2008 National Club Championships
The Howick-Pakuranga seniors defeated West City 4-3 in the final. Both teams finished 3-2, while Canterbury finished 1-3.Bayside-Westhaven Under 16s defeated Howick-Pakuranga 6-5 in their final. The Bayside-Westhaven Under 13s defeated Central City 3-1 in their final.
2007 National Club Championships
The first baseball tournament held outside of Auckland, the 2007 national championships saw nine teams from four clubs compete in Canterbury.In the senior level, West City won the title, defeating Canterbury 12-11. Howick-Pakuranga finished 1-1, but failed to reach the finals on IBAF tiebreakers.
At the under 15 level, Howick-Pakuranga claimed the title over Bayside-Westhaven in extra innings, while Canterbury finished third. At the under 13 level, Bayside-Westhaven swept away Howick-Pakuranga, with Canterbury again finishing third.
2006 National Club Championships
The first national championship tournament with teams from outside of Auckland saw all four age levels contested by 10 teams from four different clubs. West City defeated Canterbury 5-4 in 10 innings in the championship game to cap an undefeated tournament. Howick-Pakuranga came in third.The Howick-Pakuranga under 18s defeated Canterbury two games to one. The Bayside-Westhaven & Howick-Pakuranga under 15s were awarded a co-championship. The Bayside-Westhaven under 13s defeated the Canterbury under 13s in the championship game after all three teams finished 1-1.
Olympic Qualification
New Zealand sent a squad to Australia for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament for the 1996 Olympics, but were beaten by Australia. New Zealand was invited to challenge Australia for the right to compete in the 2008 Olympic qualifying tournament, but pulled out three weeks before the tournament.Australian Provincial Championship
A senior team competes in the Australian Provincial Championships most years.IBAF Oceania Qualifiers
An Under 15 team competed against Australia and New Caledonia for the right to represent Oceania in the 2007 IBAF ‘AA’ World Championships to be held in Venezuela later in 2007. New Zealand won all of their games against New Caledonia and lost all of their games against Australia.In 2011 New Zealand will be hosting the IBAF Oceania Qualifiers, in which Australia and Guam will compete against New Zealand for the right to participate in the 2011 IBAF AA World Cup in Mexico later on in the year. Another addition to the tournament is Curtis Granderson, centre-fielder to the New York Yankees, who will make an appearance to promote Baseball around the minor-code nation.
2012 WBC Qualifiers
In 2011, Major League Baseball announced that New Zealand would be among the nations invited to a new qualification round to be held in 2012 for the 2013 World Baseball Classic2013 World Baseball Classic
The 2013 World Baseball Classic will be an international baseball competition. The Classic was expanded to 28 teams, from 16.Japan won the first two World Baseball Classics, in 2006 and 2009.- Qualification:...
. Ryan Flynn, Chief Executive of Baseball New Zealand, called the development "the best thing to happen in the history of diamond sports in New Zealand."