New Zealand's Diamondblacks will be keeping the memory of pitcher Lincoln Holdzkom to the forefront at World Baseball Classic qualifying tournament in Sydney beginning on Thursday.
Holdzkom was set to captain the Kiwis during the tournament, but died in a car accident in the United States the week before Christmas.
Diamondblacks manager Chris Woodward said the team would play in Sydney with Holdzkom's initials on their sleeves.
"Lincoln was going to be our main leader, as he represented the fight and attitude that baseball should stand for," Woodward said.
"His spirit and personality will always remain with those who were fortunate enough to be around him for any amount of time."
The Kiwis are looking to better their performance at the 2012 World Baseball Classic qualifying tournament, where they beat Thailand and the Philippines before losing 9-0 to hosts Taiwan in the final.
This year, the Kiwis get another chance to join baseball's elite if they can win the four-team tournament which also includes Australia, South Africa and the Philippines.
New Zealand have warmed up with two pre-tournament matches, looking particularly sharp in taking an 11-2 win over top Sydney club side Baulkham Hills on Tuesday.
The Diamondblacks open their campaign against South Africa in Thursday's early game at Blacktown International Sportspark, while Australia will play the Philippines in the later match.
The Kiwis go into the qualifier with two major league-affiliated players - Cleveland Indians left-hander Nick Maronde, who heads the pitching line-up, and US-born Kiwi centre fielder Max Brown, who was picked up by the Arizona Diamondbacks last year.
Australia have a powerful 28-man squad, including nine players affiliated to American Major League clubs.
The Sydney tournament, which takes in a six-game modified double-elimination format, is the first of four qualifiers to round out the field for the 2017 World Baseball Classic.
Two others will be held in Mexico and Panama City, both from March 17-20, with the fourth in New York (September 22-25).
