Young, teens urged to try out

Ryan Flynn

Young Northlanders are being invited to try baseball tomorrow in Tikipunga.

Baseball New Zealand is bringing its national selectors to Northland in a bid to find players, or potential players, for the Kiwi Under-12 and Under-15 teams.

Northland Baseball president Paul Allen said the trials were a great opportunity for Northland kids, pointing out it didn't matter if they had never played baseball.

"They [Baseball New Zealand] are looking at all sorts of sportspeople," Allen explained.

"We're wanting non-baseballers to come along and have a go and take the opportunity; see how they get on. It's a great opportunity for baseballers in the North to show their wares on the national stage. We're very fortunate to have the selectors come up our way and have a look."

Allen added that the national selectors had gone around the country and it was exciting that they saw Northland as a place to find a few more potential players.

For those selected, later this year Baseball New Zealand will host the Oceania Under-15 Championship in Auckland.

The championship, which will be held between April 3 and 6, will serve to officially open a new $1million baseball and football facility.

"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 Pacific Islands," said Baseball New Zealand chief executive officer Ryan Flynn.

He added that the winner of the tournament would automatically quality for the Under-15 IBAF World Championships in La Paz, Mexico, in August.

Meanwhile, the under-12 players will compete at the illustrious Cal Ripken World Series - a division of the Babe Ruth League.

What you need to know:

The trial will be at the Tikipunga Sports Park in Reed St, Whangarei, between midday and 4pm tomorrow. Players will need to bring baseball/long pants, shoes, cap, water, sunscreen, and any baseball gear if they have it.