Proven ability mixed with up-and-coming talent has underlined the Black Sox's 32-man training squad for their upcoming home series against the Czech Republic.
Eleven uncapped newcomers are joining 15 members of this year's World Championship-winning side to take part in the Czech series in February next year at Rosedale Park in Albany.
The only two members not selected from the victorious team were veteran infielder Brad Rona and pitcher-utility Karl Gollan, who have both retired.
Recently reappointed head coach Mark Sorenson says the squad naming was a mix of recognition and scouting.
"All the guys available from the Whitehorse squad are back,'' he said.
"It's recognition of their achievement. This is their free pass – from here, moving forward, we'll be back to selecting entirely on performance.''
Sorenson said his selection panel also added a crop of promising younger players, all of whom featured at the recent under-23 national tournament also held in Albany.
"We are quite excited by the young talent coming through," he said.
Former Junior Black Sox standouts Daniel Chapman and left-hander Eru Drage join the world championships pitching staff of Nik Hayes, Josh Pettett and Campbell Gibson.
Other uncapped players include Auckland catcher Harrison Valk and Canterbury utility Reily Makea, as well as infielders Dante Matakatea, Zac Boyd, Callum Bishop and Rhys Evans and outfielders Bradley Bennett, Jackson Watt and Vinnie Harris.
Most of the selected young talent have already had international experience either with the under-19 Junior Black Sox or u23 Major Sox teams.
Sorenson has also named Jerome Raemaki and Ben Enoka in the squad - Raemaki missed the 2017 world championships after a knee surgery while Enoka was sidelined for most of the tournament with a leg issue.
Sorenson said the experienced pair were "not quite 100 per cent" fit but would be in time for the series.
The selected players will assemble in Auckland prior to the series for a training camp before being split into two "evenly-matched" 16-man squads for a tri-series with the Czech Republic.
2017/18 New Zealand Black Sox training squad
Pitchers: Nik Hayes (Hutt Valley), Josh Pettett (Wellington), Campbell Gibson (Auckland), Daniel Chapman (Auckland), Eru Drage (North Harbour).
Catchers: Kallan Compain (Auckland), Zane van Lieshout (Auckland), Cory Timu (Hutt Valley), Harrison Valk (Auckland).
Infielders: Nathan Nukunuku (Auckland), Joel Evans (Hutt Valley), Tyron Bartorillo (Canterbury), Cole Evans (Auckland), Josh Harbrow (Canterbury), Zac Boyd (Wellington), Dante Matakatea (Wellington), Callum Bishop (Canterbury), Pita Rona (North Harbour), Rhys Evans (Auckland), Isaac Fletcher (Auckland), Jerome Raemaki (Wellington).
Outfielders: Ben Enoka (Auckland), Campbell Enoka (Auckland), Thomas Enoka (Auckland), Wayne Laulu (Wellington), Reilly Makea (Canterbury), Jackson Watt (Canterbury), Bradley Bennett (Auckland), Vinnie Harris (North Harbour), Connor Peden (Auckland), Alfons Oveinokovas (Auckland), Hohepa Monk (North Harbour).
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