New Zealand national baseball team

New Zealand national baseball team
New Zealand national baseball team
Information
Country	New Zealand
Federation	Baseball New Zealand
Confederation	WBSC Oceania
Manager	Steve Mintz
WBSC ranking
Current	41 1 (18 December 2023)
Highest	26 (December 2014 – December 2016)
Lowest	50 (2 times; latest in June 2021)

The New Zealand national baseball team, also known as the Diamondblacks,^[2] is the representative team at the international level for New Zealand. The team is controlled by Baseball New Zealand, the country's governing body. The team competes in the Oceania Championship, where, in 2007, it withdrew from play, giving Australia an automatic berth into the Final qualification tournament for the 2008 Olympics.^[3] The "Diamondblacks" nickname is one of many national team nicknames related to the All Blacks.

Results and fixtures

The following is a list of professional baseball match results currently active in the latest version of the WBSC World Rankings, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.^[4]

Legend

Win Lose Void or postponed Fixture

2022

World Baseball Classic Q	September 30	New Zealand	7–12	Brazil	Rod Carew Stadium, Panama
	12:00 CT	LP: Ben Thompson HR: Nikau Pouaka-Grego (1)	Boxscore	WP: Gabriel Barbosa HR: Christian Lopes (1)	Attendance: 105 Umpires: HP: Anthony Perez. 1B: Austin Jones. 2B: Juan Manuel Rodriguez. 3B: Frantisek Pribyl.

World Baseball Classic Q	October 2	New Zealand	1–4	Argentina	Rod Carew Stadium, Panama
	19:00 CT	LP: Elliot Johnstone HR: Chayton Krauss (1)	Boxscore	WP: Federico Robles Sv: Jose Mendoza (1)	Attendance: 193 Umpires: HP: Frantisek Pribyl. 1B: Michael Ulloa. 2B: Mark Stewart. 3B: Austin Jones

2013 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 Classic.^{[citation needed]} 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."^[5] The Diamondblacks, managed by Andy Skeels, won two games and reached the championship game of the Qualifier, but fell to host Taiwan in the final game.^{[citation needed]} New Zealand's Scott Campbell led all players in the tournament with a .583 batting average (7 for 12 with 2 doubles), while playing an error-free tournament at SS.^[6] Teammate Boss Moanaroa hit the tournament's only home run.^[7] Seventeen-year-old Mak Fox recorded the win against Thailand,^[7] while future Major Leaguer John Holdzkom was credited with the win against the Philippines.^[8]

2017 WBC Qualifiers

The Diamondblacks, managed by Chris Woodward—a former Major League infielder and former Manager of the Texas Rangers—beat the Philippines but lost twice to South Africa and were eliminated.^[9] Boss Moanaroa led the way in New Zealand's win against the Philippines, going 4 for 5 with two doubles, a home run, and 7 RBI; he added another RBI against South Africa and thereby led the tournament with 8 RBI.^{[citation needed]} His brother Moko led the team with a .500 batting average.^{[citation needed]} Eighteen-year-old Jimmy Boyce was credited with the win against the Philippines.^[10] Five of the Diamondblacks were teenagers, including 17-year-old Kyle Glogoski, who also pitched against the Philippines.

2021 WBC Qualifiers

New Zealand was set to compete in the 2021 World Baseball Classic Qualifiers. The Diamondblacks had named Stephen Mintz as their manager and had selected their roster.^[11] But the tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[12]

Current roster

New Zealand roster - 2023 World Baseball Classic Qualifier

Players

Coaches

Pitchers

Catchers

Infielders

Outfielders

Manager

13 Scott Campbell

Coaches

International tournament results

World Baseball Classic

World Baseball Classic record								Qualification record
Year	Host(s)	Round	Position	W	L	RS	RA	Host	W	L	RS	RA
2006	Did not enter							No qualifiers held
2009	Did not enter								No qualifiers held
2013	Did not qualify							Taiwan	2	2	22	27
2017								Australia	1	2	20	23
2023								Panama	0	2	8	16
Total	0/5			–	–	–	–		3	6	50	66