On Wednesday night the Rosebud Royals and Rosebud Jr. Royals hosted the New Zealand U19 softball team.

Before the game started, Team New Zealand performed their famous HAKA dance. The dance is derived from the Maori warrior dance designed to invoke fear in their opponents. 

In game one it was the Rosebud Jr. Royals that got the first swing at New Zealand. The Junior Royals gave the New Zealand visitors a battle with a 2 run game through 4 innings. New Zealand was able to punch back and win it with a score of 8-2. 

Then in game 2, the Rosebud Royals took a 2-0 lead after 1 1/2 innings with New Zealand answering back in the bottom of 2 with 1. The score would stay that way through the entire game and the Royals would take the win.

Team New Zealand had a lot more than just the doubleheader against the Rosebud Royals.  New Zealand was once again impressed with the small town hospitality of the Wadena Bakery donating 24 of their infamous Boston Creams for the visitors and locals stepping up with meals for the team and billeting their houses out to the players.

New Zealand will also enjoy home cooked breakfasts from their billets followed by some floor hockey against the Junior Royals before hopping on the bus to Prince Albert for games Thursday.

The New Zealand International Softball Academy and Wadena are in talks for a return tour in 2020 for the Rosebud Royals 50th Anniversary year.