Auckland Baseball's Marko Leziac is teaching Kiwiball in schools and is excited to be a part of the change and development of baseball in New Zealand.

Marko Lezaic grew up in west Auckland during a time when there were very limited opportunities for keen ballplayers.

After playing rugby league, basketball and then softball, the talented sportsman was lured to baseball.

But during the mid 2000s, baseball wasn't a sport many Kiwi teenagers were playing.

FELICITY REID/STUFF Auckland Baseball's Marko Lezaic is bringing baseball to young Kiwis.

So, Lezaic sought opportunities offshore to develop his talents. He headed to Santa Rosa Junior College in the United States and had stints playing baseball in Germany and Australia.

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However, times are changing. Baseball's popularity is on the rise in New Zealand, and Lezaic is back home to help nurture the next generation of baseball players.

FELICITY REID/STUFF There is a baseball pathway in New Zealand as the sport grows.

GROWING THE GAME

As the Auckland Baseball Association's player/development coordinator, Lezaic spends his days getting children into Kiwiball. The development programme is held in primary schools and targets 5 to 11-year-olds across the region, teaching basic baseball skills, etiquette of the game and how to cooperate with your peers.

This programme also acts as a pathway to clubs. Lezaic, a pitcher/first baseman/third baseman who represented New Zealand at the 2013 World Baseball Classic Qualifiers, now plays and coaches age-group sides at Orewa Baseball Club.

FELICITY REID/STUFF Marko Lezaic shows Chelsea Primary School's Oli how to bat.

"Baseball New Zealand's infrastructure is growing, there are seven clubs competing in the Auckland baseball competition now, whereas 10 years ago there were very few teams involved and very few kids playing," Lezaic said.

"It has never been as competitive as it is now. Now we are offering our kids more opportunities to play this game at the youth level where our kids can compete and develop at a younger age with more parents getting involved."

Lezaic can thank his own dad for putting him on the baseball pathway. After watching his son making Auckland representative sides for softball and often playing a few years ahead of his age-group, he saw the potential to switch diamond sports - a move which, years later, has led to "living the dream".

FELICITY REID/STUFF Auckland Baseball's Marko Lezaic is teaching Kiwiball in primary schools, including Chelsea Primary School.

"It is truly exciting to be a part of the change and development of baseball in New Zealand and I believe that we are ready to take the next step on our growth," the Grey Lynn resident said.

AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE

The Australian Baseball League (ABL) is expanding and Baseball New Zealand has been invited to enter a team in the 2018/2019 season.

Baseball New Zealand chief executive officer Ryan Flynn said getting a team into the ABL is something the organisation has been working towards for a very long time.

"To have a professional minor league-type set up in Auckland will give thousands upon thousands of baseball players in this country something to aim for domestically to prepare them properly for their next steps in the game," Flynn said.

"And for fans of the sport, and many new fans coming to this great game, they'll be able to see world class competition up close - and this is a world-class league, make no mistake."

Currently the ABL is dotted with Australia's best professional talent and import players from Major League Baseball and the top professional baseball leagues in Japan, Korea and Taiwan - as well as a handful of Kiwis.

Lezaic has been around the ABL before, with teams in Melbourne and Adelaide, and thinks a New Zealand-based side will competitive in the expanded competition.

He points to the increasing numbers of Kiwis on baseball scholarships at American universities as potential recruitment targets, as well as those with a bit more experience.

"Veteran guys, who are playing in good teams across the globe, will be returning home to play in the ABL league with no hesitations," Lezaic said.