Baseball New Zealand is excited to announce our attendance, represented by five young baseball players, at the prestigious World Children’s Baseball Fair (WCBF) in Japan this August.  Any young baseball player between the ages of 10 and 11 can apply to be selected as one of the five players to attend and represent New Zealand at the World Children’s Baseball Fair (WCBF) for 2025.

The WCBF is an internationally renowned event that combines baseball skills clinics with meaningful cultural exchange, promoting friendship, teamwork, and global understanding among young athletes, through baseball.

This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity will see the five Kiwi representatives travel from Auckland to Japan, with all expenses fully covered, thanks to the support of the World Children’s Baseball Foundation. The five selected players will join children from around the globe for a week of baseball, learning, and fun — both on and off the field.

Alongside the players, Baseball New Zealand appoints a dedicated chaperone, who will accompany the group to ensure their safety, wellbeing, and enjoyment throughout the experience. The chaperone will also assist in fostering cross-cultural connections and supporting the young athletes as they engage in baseball activities and represent Baseball New Zealand at this exciting event.

“This is an incredible opportunity for our young players to not only grow their skills in the sport, but also to experience the power of international friendship through baseball,” said Baseball New Zealand CEO Meg Crockett. “We’re immensely excited to open this opportunity to all young players across NZ to apply for selection, as this is not about the best baseballers, it is about those players who truly love the game and will thrive in this unique environment.”

The World Children’s Baseball Fair was founded by baseball legends Sadaharu Oh and Hank Aaron in 1990 and continues to inspire the next generation of baseball players through the values of respect, cooperation, and international friendship. 

Some of our players who have been in the past have carved a strong connection with baseball for life from their experiences at the WCBF.  Current Diamondblacks Head Coach and former Blue Jays Minor League in-fielder, Scott Campbell, was further inspired to play baseball and set his dreams on a professional career after attending the World Children's Baseball Fair in Japan. Grant Dingwall another Kiwi baseballer who attended the WCBF, and developed his lifelong love for the game and still plays today at his local club.  This is what the WCBF is about, inspiring the next generation through baseball.

Baseball NZ cannot wait to receive the applications from our community and young players and look forward to sharing their journey with the wider baseball community as we go.

Article added: Thursday 17 April 2025