Curtis checks in from the long plane ride on his trip to New Zealand as a Major League Baseball Ambassador to assist with the growth and promotion of the game of baseball, one of the world’s fastest-growing sports.

Curtis’ visit will coincide with the country’s Oceania Under-16 Baseball Championship Trials, taking place Jan. 25-28 in Pakuranga, which will include teams from Australia and Guam. The winner of the this event will travel to Mexico in 2011 to compete.