Key Features of the System

Baseball New Zealand is adopting a systematic approach to long-term athlete development. This comprehensive system is designed to create effective player development outcomes and produce athletes who can thrive in any performance environment.

1. Performance Pathway: Provide a structured pathway for player development, ensuring athletes are prepared to succeed at every level of competition.

2. Targeted Athlete Identification: Identify talented athletes starting at the U15 age group through benchmarking events and tournaments for selection into the national development squad.

3. Streamlined Development: Align athletes with the development stream that best suits their current skill level and adheres to Sport New Zealand's athlete development philosophies. Allow flexibility for athletes to move between streams as their skills and performance evolve.

4. Continuous Monitoring and Review: Track and monitor athletes' progress, providing ongoing support and feedback to help them reach their full potential.

5. Tools for Success: Equip athletes with the necessary tools to excel, creating an environment where high-performing athletes can progress, develop, and be continuously challenged.

Approach to player development

Baseball New Zealand will be key principles to create better player development pathways.

• Creating athletic baseballers
• Fostering an environment for success
• Increase domestic activities
• Providing our athletes with the tools to be successful on and off the diamond
• Create a coaching development system that creates knowledgeable and extraordinary people

Baseball New Zealand will implement key principles to enhance player development pathways, recognizing that a comprehensive approach is vital for nurturing talent. First, creating athletic baseball players is essential as it ensures athletes are physically prepared to meet the sport's demands, improving performance and reducing the risk of injuries. Fostering an environment for success is crucial because a positive and supportive atmosphere enables players to thrive, building their confidence and motivation to reach their full potential. Increasing domestic activities is vital as it provides more opportunities for players to compete regularly and hone their skills, fostering a competitive spirit and improving overall performance.

Furthermore, providing athletes with the tools to be successful both on and off the diamond is of utmost importance. This holistic approach equips them with the necessary skills and resources to excel not only in baseball but also in their personal and professional lives, fostering well-rounded individuals. Lastly, establishing a coaching development system that cultivates knowledgeable and extraordinary individuals is critical for creating a strong foundation of mentorship and guidance. High-quality coaching ensures that players receive the best instruction and support, driving their development and success in the sport. By adhering to these principles, Baseball New Zealand aims to create a robust player development pathway that produces exceptional athletes and individuals.

KEY FOCUS FOR PLAYER PATHWAYS SYSTEM

NATIONAL TEAMS​​​​​​​

National Performance Teams 

National Performance Teams, operating under the Baseball New Zealand banner, compete in international events and exhibition games, showcasing the best talent and skills in the country.

• DIAMONDBLACKS - Men's Open National Team
• u23's New Zealand Diamondblacks - ages 18 - 22 yrs 
• u18's New Zealand Diamondblacks - ages 15-17

New Zealand Youth Development team/s

New Zealand Youth Development Teams, under the banner of Baseball New Zealand, are specially selected to represent the nation in international competitions or events. While these teams are not deemed as national teams, rather nationally identified wider development squads.

Aimed at players aged 12-14, these teams offer higher-level playing opportunities against other national and higher calibre teams.

NATIONAL PERFORMANCE SQUAD

aims to provide top-level support to baseball athletes, enabling them to excel in various performance environments. Athletes in the squad are identified at a national level by Baseball New Zealand.

CRITERIA:
- Diamondbacks: Men's Open National Squad & Team
- U23's New Zealand Diamondbacks Squad & Team (ages 18-22 years)
- U18's New Zealand Diamondbacks Squad & Team (ages 15-17 years)
- Nationally Identified/US college/Professional

ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS:
- Domestic National Squad & Team Camps
- National Showcase Series for U23 & U18 Athletes
- Testing and Data collection days
- International Exhibition, Tours, and Activities
- WBSC events
- WBC events (Diamondbacks)

Observation and Player ID process

In order to be a part of the New Zealand Performance Program and National Performance teams, there will be many player identification touchpoints, including the National Development Camp, Baseball New Zealand National Champs and tournaments, and National Development Squad.

National Development SQUAD

"The National Development squad is designed to promote athletic development and establish a strong performance base. It aims to prepare athletes for future national teams, events, and performance environments. The program has been established to aid in identifying future New Zealand teams and the national performance program, as well as to promote broader development across New Zealand."

CRITERIA:

• New Zealand Youth Development Teams 
• Identified athletes 

ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS:

• National Development Team tours and events
• National Development Camp
• National Champs/tournaments 

Observation and Player ID process

In order to be a part of the New Zealand Development Squad and National Development teams, there will be many player identification touchpoints, including the National Development Camp, National Baseball Festival, National Champs, and Regional Pathways programs and clinics.

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT 

Regional Development is the starting point of the player development pathway, while athletes will not have direct contact with Baseball New Zealand the regional development will provide athletes with skills that can progress into the national pathways programs. Fostering player development keeping to our player development plan of wider development

CRITERIA:

• Regional Representative player
• Club Baseballer with aspirations for further development

ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS:

• Baseball New Zealand Pitching Project
• Little League playoffs
• Regional Tournaments 
• Regional Representation 
• Local clinics and programs endorsed by Baseball New Zealand 

NATIONAL PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS

BASEBALL NEW ZEALAND PLAYER ROAD MAP

Baseball New Zealand is adopting a targeted approach for athlete identification and development within its player development system.

The national pathways will start at the development stage of an athlete's journey, with athletes being selected for the national development squad through various benchmarking events and tournaments. The goal is to align athletes with the development stream that best suits their current skill levels. Athletes will have the flexibility to move between the stages as needed. Baseball New Zealand will track, monitor, and review their progress on an ongoing basis.