The marquee signing for New Zealand's new professional baseball team says committing his immediate future to the side is a "win-win" situation.
Josh Collmenter pitching for the Arizona Diamondbacks in Major League Baseball. Photo: Photosport
After seven seasons playing in the Major Leagues in the US, pitcher Josh Collmenter has been confirmed as part of the Auckland-based franchise which will play in the Australian Baseball League.
Collmenter was enticed to the team by Baseball New Zealand chief exectuve Ryan Flynn, who has been its driving force.
The 32-year-old right-armer, who was departing to Taiwan with the national under-15 boys team on Tuesday, signed up to the team for two main reasons.
"I've travelled all over the United States playing baseball, so to travel here [in New Zealand] and a little bit in Australia as well was an added bonus," he said as New Zealand's top young players went through their paces behind him at an indoor facility on Auckland's North Shore on Monday.
"I got to talk to Ryan and to see his passion for what they are building over here and to hopefully be able to impart something on this programme and help out with the kids like I am now, it was kind of a win-win."
The presence of a professional team is expected to have a significant positive impact on baseball in New Zealand.
Collmenter said the country's passion for sport meant there was a lot of natural talent baseball would tap into.
"You'll see a lot of real talent take off over here.
"A lot of kids haven't been playing very long, or specifically pitching, they haven't been doing that long.
"You can see they have a lot of real talent, it's just a matter of honing that in. When they learn that young and continue to build that with the programme they're building, you'll see some really good athletes developing."
More of those who will join Collmenter on the team's playing roster are expected to be announced towards the end of July, when some coaching staff and the team's logo and colours will also be revealed.
And while he will play a key role in what he does form the pitching mound, Collmenter said he was also keen to help mentor the squad's younger players.
"With a lot of young guys that will probably be on the team, I can be in a player-mentor role.
"I've been on both sides of it, as a young guy being mentored by older players and now on the other side of it.
"Anything I can do to help some of the young kids, especially some of the local kids, I'll be happy to do so."
- RNZ
