[7] New Zealand has produced a number of accomplished, homegrown baseballers—most notably Travis Wilson and Scott Campbell.

[16] In January 2022, SS Jason Matthews signed with the Chicago White Sox[17] following a stellar college career at the University of South Carolina Upstate.

[18][19] In January 2022, left-handed hitting middle infielder Nikau Pouaka-Grego signed with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Ultimately, he enjoyed a 33-year career as a player,[26] coach, manager, and scout in professional baseball.

[citation needed] He managed the Diamondblacks during the 2012 World Baseball Classic Qualifying Tournament.

[30][31] Christchurch native Travis Wilson was signed by the Atlanta Braves in 1997 after being spotted as part of the world champion Black Socks.

He spent that Summer with the short-season A Auburn Doubledays and was named to the New York Pennsylvania (NYP) League Mid-Season All-Star team.

Born in Canada to a New Zealand father, Richmond started the 2008 season with Campbell at AA New Hampshire but was promoted to AAA Syracuse on 28 June and then to the Major League club on 28 July 2008.

Wellington native Beau Te Wera Bishop was signed by the Boston Red Sox in 2011.

[45] Several Australian-born players with Kiwi heritage have signed professional contracts with Major League organisations.

[49][50][51][52] Aaron Whitefield, whose father had represented New Zealand in softball,[53] signed with the Minnesota Twins in 2015[54] and reached the Major Leagues in 2020.

John Holdzkom spent part of the 2014 season pitching in the Major Leagues with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Boss Moanaroa has had a long and successful career in the ABL, including an outstanding 2016–17 campaign, in which he slashed .331/.370/.466 in 31 games for Canberra.

Daniel Lamb-Hunt, who has extensive international experience, was the first native Kiwi to play in the ABL when he joined the Brisbane Bandits during the 2010–11 season.

John Holdzkom pitched for Canberra during the 2012–13 season,[67] following his performance for the Diamondblacks in the 2012 World Baseball Classic Qualifier.

[68][69] That opportunity proved to be an important stepping stone in Holdzkom's winding journey to the Major Leagues.

[75] Elliot Johnstone, pitching for the Auckland Tuatara, was named ABL Rookie of the Year following the 2019–20 campaign, during which he recorded a 1.09 ERA and a WHIP of 0.973.

In December 2008, West City hosted Masashiro Tanaka, star Olympian Japanese baseball player from the Rakuten Eagles of Japan.

The Canterbury Baseball Club was founded in 2003 and is located at Avonhead Park, on the western edge of Christchurch.

The first true National Club Championships occurred in January 2006, when four age levels held competition: Senior, Under 19, Under 15 & Under 13.

West City won their third national title in four years as they downed Howick-Pakuranga 7–2 in the senior final.

The tournament witnessed the longest game in Nationals history – Canterbury defeated HP 6–4 in 16 innings.

The first baseball tournament held outside of Auckland, the 2007 national championships saw nine teams from four clubs compete in Canterbury.

West City defeated Canterbury 5–4 in 10 innings in the championship game to cap an undefeated tournament.

NZ's first Representative side participated in the 1992 Merit Cup tournament, held in Cocoa Beach, Florida, United States.

An Under 15 team competed against Australia and New Caledonia for the right to represent Oceania in the 2007 IBAF 'AA' World Championships to be held in Venezuela later in 2007.

Another addition to the tournament is Curtis Granderson, centre-fielder to the New York Yankees, who will make an appearance to promote Baseball around the minor-code nation.

[68] The Diamondblacks, managed by Chris Woodward, beat the Philippines but lost twice to South Africa and were eliminated.