New Zealand will try to qualify for baseball's equivalent of the rugby and soccer World Cups for the first time next year. Baseball New Zealand has been invited to participate for the first time in the World Baseball Classic, a four-yearly contest between nations which will be held in March 2013 and features many of the world's best professional baseballers.
With the tournament expanding from 16 teams to 28, a qualifying round will be held in late 2012 and New Zealand will be contesting it for the first time. They will take part in a four-team pool, the winner of which will earn a place in the World Baseball Classic.
New Zealand has sent teams to restricted age group international contests in recent years, among them the Asia-Pacific qualifiers for the prestigious under-13 Little League World Series, but this will be the first time a team will contest the World Baseball Classic.
Baseball New Zealand president David Ballinger said taking part in the tournament would be an important part in the sport's development in New Zealand. "We've made great strides in building a strong national baseball programme in this country," Mr Ballinger said.
"From seeing our young people signed by Major League Baseball teams to playing in top leagues in Canada and high schools and colleges in America, we believe we’re well on our way to building a globally recognized and respected baseball organisation.
"Our inclusion in the World Baseball Classic takes this development to an entirely new level. This is a game changer."A few New Zealanders are currently on the payroll of major league teams, including Scott Campbell with the Toronto Blue Jays and Beau Bishop with the Boston Red Sox, though none have yet played in a major league game.
Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig said he was pleased New Zealand was invited to the tournament. "The skill level and passion for the game in New Zealand is remarkable and we know their participation will be a wonderful addition to the tournament."
The qualifying rounds will include four teams that did not win a game in the 2009 World Baseball Classic - Canada, Taiwan, Panama and South Africa. Other new entrants are France, Spain, Great Britain, Germany, Colombia, Nicaragua, Brazil. Israel, Thailand, the Czech Republic and the Philippines.
New Zealand's pool opponents have yet to be determined. The 12 teams which automatically qualify for the 2013 tournament are Australia, China, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Netherlands, Puerto Rico, United States and Venezuela.
Japan are the defending champions, having beaten Korea in the 2009 final. The 2009 tournament included many stars of the American Major Leagues such as Derek Jeter, Ichiro Suzuki, David Ortiz, Joey Votto and Felix Hernandez.