Not even an impending hurricane could keep Auckland Tuatara manager Steve Mintz from making it to New Zealand in the search for the best local talent.
Mintz arrived in New Zealand on Thursday from North Carolina, where Hurricane Florence is expected to hit on Saturday.
"Before I came out here I had to prep for the hurricane that's coming right at my house. We're kind of keeping that in the back of our minds," he said of the category-three storm.
The former Major League Baseball pitcher, who now works as a pitching coach in the Texas Rangers organisation, will be on hand at the local Tuatara trials this weekend hoping to find a diamond in the rough.
Kiwi baseball players aged 16 and above have been encouraged to register for trials in Wellington and Christchurch on Saturday, and in Auckland on Sunday. After scouting over the two days, a list of finalists will be invited to attend a final trial on Sunday afternoon with the chance to fill two open spots on the roster of New Zealand's first professional baseball team.