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Regional | Baseball

NZ Diamond Blacks coaching staff the "dream team"

This year's New Zealand Diamond Blacks Baseball squad comprises experienced coaching staff, making it the one of the best teams ever assembled.

The team is currently in Sydney, Australia, for the World Baseball Classic Qualifier.

Coaches include Los Angelas Angels 3rd base coach Ron Roenicke, Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen coach Josh Bard, Seattle Mariners Minor Leagues Coach Brant Brown, former Japan and Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher Naoyuki Shimizu and former MLB Pitcher D J Carrasco.

New Zealand Baseball CEO Ryan Flynn says this is a 'dream team' of coaches.

“Not only are the coaches world class on every level, but they care about our young men and the future of our national program.”

Diamond Blacks Bench Coach, Ron Roenicke adds, “I really believe this team also has the playing group that can do well this week,” adding that “once the players take the field, we as coaches can only guide and advise them on what to do, as the coaches aren’t the ones hitting the ball and pitching from the mound…it’s up to them now.

New Zealand produces superb athletes and they have great natural ability, and it’s our job as coaches to harness that and put all of that positive athletic growth into baseball.”

The Diamond Blacks have their first match tomorrow at 1pm NZDT against South Africa.