Baseball New Zealand is on the road planning for the WBSC U-18 will be selecting the NZ U-18 team to represent New Zealand at the WBSC Oceania Qualifiers held towards to end of 2024.  The goal will be to progress to the 2025 WBSC U-18 World Cup. The location and date for the Qualifier tournament is to be confirmed by WBSC Oceania.

National NZ U-18 Team Selection Process:

All eligible players who wish to be considered for selection MUST complete an expression of form (EOI) and confirm their availability for selection to represent New Zealand.

NZ U-18 Squad Availability for Selection & EOI Form

Eligibility Criteria:

To be eligible for selection in the NZ U18 National Squad

• Players must hold a current NZ Passport
• Players must be born in the years 2007, 2008 or 2009

Selection Criteria:

• Athletes attend a minimum of one National selection observation event (National Showcase event, Baseball NZ National Tournament/s  -  see Baseball NZ website for details).  Note  -  *if athletes are unable to attend an event due to extraordinary circumstances or you are an overseas-based NZ player, please contact Connar O’Gorman
• Athletes Attend trials and/or national testing events in their local area (TBA)
• Selected NZ U-18 Squad athletes (up to 40 athletes) are to attend the National Performance Camp and all National Squad duties.
• Final player roster of 18-20 athletes with 5 non-traveling reserves to be selected post-squad process.

NZ U-18 Selection Timeline:

Video Submissions

Whilst Baseball New Zealand would prefer athletes to complete the outlined selection process, we understand some athletes are unable to attend due to a variety of reasons. Baseball New Zealand will also allow the submission of international players who hold current New Zealand passports. Athletes who are trialing via video submission are to follow the below process.

• Complete EOI
• Email Baseball New Zealand Performance Pathways and Development manager Connar O’Gorman
• Email is to include, relevant data and baseball resume.

Position Players:

• Sprinting – 60-yard dash and game baserunning
• Defence – in-game and practice footage of athlete in position/s
• Hitting – in-game swings (side angle preferred) practice swings (side and behind angles)

Pitchers:

• In-game footage all pitchers (if possible, behind, front and side angles)
• Bullpen Session all pitches shown in footage (side and behind angles)
• Velocity readings on camera if possible