New Zealand's Auckland-based professional baseball franchise has named its first two signings ahead of entry into the Australian Baseball League.
Former Arizona Diamondbacks and Atlanta Braves pitcher Josh Collmenter is the first overseas player confirmed, joining New Zealander Daniel Lamb-Hunt in a 22-man roster comprising 10 New Zealanders and 12 overseas players.
Third-baseman Lamb-Hunt, 31, has played the last six years in the semi-professional Germany Bundesliga, five of those for the Bonn Capitals after beginning his baseball career as a Minor League player with the Atlanta Brave. He then played three seasons in the ABL with the Brisbane Bandits from 2010-12.
Collmenter played seven years of Major League baseball, pitching a 28-25 win-loss record, starting over a third of the 214 games he played and finishing with an earned run average of 3.64.
Baseball NZ chief executive Ryan Flynn. Photo: Photosport ltd 2016 www.photosport.nz
Baseball New Zealand chief executive Ryan Flynn said Collmenter and Lamb-Hunt were both important acquisitions for the new franchise.
"Having a former Major Leaguer in Josh will ensure we have a quality arm leading our pitching staff on day one," he said.
"He's only a year removed from pitching in the Major Leagues, it's a huge coup for baseball in this country and for our new franchise in the ABL.
"Daniel is a true professional and a young man I have a great deal of admiration for, having played consistently well since leaving Mt Albert Grammar as a teenager before linking up with the Braves and remaining a top player in Germany and for our Diamondlbacks national team."
-RNZ
