Plenty of untapped talent in NZ, says veteran US coach

"'Do as I coach, not as I play' is my motto," Phil Rognier quipped.

The American coach of more than 45 years, who was recently in Whangarei, went on to explain that after a fair attempt at making it on the professional baseball scene in the United States, he turned to coaching. He has never looked back.

The 68-year-old has successfully coached players of every level - from Little League, Minor League to Major League. More recently he has spent time abroad coaching players in countries with limited playing resources such as Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia and Portugal with his First Swing Foundation - a non-profit organisation he runs with partner Microsoft.

The foundation has helped provide millions of dollars worth of gear for developing clubs.

On Friday Rognier put the Northland Under-13 and Under-15 baseball teams through their paces in catching, batting and throwing drills at William Fraser Park, as part of their preparation for the upcoming 2012 Baseball New Zealand National Youth Championships from February 23-26 in Auckland.

The Seattle-based coach arrived in New Zealand more than a week ago, and had visited nine Auckland clubs during that time, as well as the Northland club on Friday as part of a Baseball NZ initiative to help upskill young baseball players and grow the game in this country.

Rognier's positive approach to coaching kept the group of youngsters enthralled for nearly two hours. Not only were the mechanics of the game coached, but he also touched on how sport - baseball in particular - teaches individuals life lessons. "When I coach, I hope to teach the kids (through baseball) how to also be a good citizen, future good parents and spouses - and to enjoy life," Rognier said.

When the coaching clinic ended, Rognier shook hands with each individual - and reminded his charges to always look a person in the eye when shaking hands. He complimented the group and their coaches Aaron Moore and Paul Allen, saying it was one of the best first-time groups he had taken.

"Their attitude and ability to listen is outstanding ... Kiwis in general are so unbelievably gracious," he added.

While baseball is not a mainstream sport in NZ, Rognier said time and patience would help it become more popular.

"You have some very talented kids and coaches here, but they have not had the repetition. Baseball is a game of repetition," he said.

While in Auckland, Rognier met 17-year-old Pita Rona, who recently signed with Major League Baseball side Baltimore Orioles.

He added he thought there was plenty of untapped talent in NZ if Major League Baseball scouts were to come calling again. "The kids I have seen here all want to play and they all have passion. That, plus hard work helps you get places."