Four ex-Major League players will feature as part of the coaching staff while 13 Auckland Tuatara players have made the New Zealand Diamondblacks roster for next month’s World Baseball Classic Qualifiers in the United States.

Tuatara manager Stephen Mintz will take the reins of the national side for the March 18-25 tournament that will be held in Tuscon, Arizona. “I am so honoured that I have been pick to lead the Diamondblacks into the 2020 WBC qualifiers tournament,” Mintz said. “It has been a dream of mine to be a part of this and now that I get to represent New Zealand it makes it much more special. “I would like to thank the Texas Rangers for allowing me to take part in this and allowing me time away from spring training. Thank you to Baseball New Zealand for having faith in me to lead their nation. 

“Watching New Zealand baseball grow over the past years has been fun. The countless people that have poured into baseball in this country should be applauded. And this should be a way to continue to grow the sport in New Zealand and I am so proud to be a part of it. We hope that the team we have put together can represent New Zealand well and show the world the progress that has been made.”

Joining Mintz on the coaching staff as hitting coach is former Boston Red Sox outfielder Darren Bragg, who served in the same role for the Tuatara the past two seasons.Tuatara pitcher and former big-league star Josh Collmenter will act as the team’s pitching coach while former California Angels and Seattle Mariners pitcher Gary Wheelock will be the bullpen coach. Kris Richards and Johnny Southey – both having been with the Tuatara the past two seasons - will be assistant coaches on Mintz’s staff.

A total of 26 players have been confirmed on the 28-strong roster with a couple of positions still awaiting final confirmation due to eligibility and availability from the US College system.Tuatara stars Andrew Marck, Elliot Johnstone, Te Wera Bishop, Max Brown, Jimmy Boyce, Luke Hansen and Daniel Lamb-Hunt will form a core of the Diamondblacks group. Ben Thompson, currently playing in the minor leagues with the Atlanta Braves, will join Johnstone and Boyce as key pitchers on the roster.

Only two of the 10 Kiwis that have left New Zealand to play in the US College system in the past few years are on the roster with the timing of the tournament clashing with a crucial period in the college season. Philadelphia Phillies minor league pitcher Kyle Glogoski is also unavailable for selection as it comes as spring training concludes and rosters are being confirmed for the upcoming season.

The Diamondblacks are in the same pool as Panama, Great Britain, Czech Republic, Spain and the Philippines with the top two sides progressing to the World Baseball Classic Finals.

New Zealand Diamondblacks Roster

Pitchers:  Jimmy Boyce, Matt Boyce, Mak Fox, Todd Hatcher,Regan Hoet, Mitch Hughson, Blair Johnstone, Elliot Johnstone, Marko Lezaic, Kane Swanson, Ben Thompson, Jamie Wilson, Randy Yard

Catchers: Te Wera Bishop, Connar O’Gorman,Tairea Thompson

Infielders: Luke Hansen,Duncan Izaaks,Daniel Lamb-Hunt,Ryan McLennan,Matthew Thomas

Outfielders: Max Brown,Andrew Marck,Moko Moanaroa,Brad Morris

Article added: Thursday 20 February 2020