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An Aces Sporting Club report by Eric Balnar, Fuchu City, Japan. Photos by SMP Images. Video by Hugh Whittle.

Third baseman Darryl George puts it in a way nearly every Australian can understand – through a lyric of one of the country’s most acclaimed musicians.

“I think you mean ‘From little things, big things grow,” George laughs, referencing the Paul Kelly classic from 1991. “But it’s true.”

Australia’s nine-day World Baseball Classic training camp in Fuchu City concluded on Friday afternoon after another fast-paced practice day.

The team hopes a large amount of time spent on the game’s smaller details will pay a pretty dividend on international baseball’s biggest stage.

“That’s the difference between a win and loss,” says manager Dave Nilsson of the ‘little things’.

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The theory is simple: Practice the small, routine moments of a baseball game and it becomes second nature. If you practice the fundamentals hard, and at speed quicker than the game, you won’t have to think when your moment comes.

“When it speeds up and the game gets big and the lights are on, we will fall back on our training. I think we’ll be in a good position,” says George.

From the first minute of the Fuchu camp, everything was done with pace. There was a big focus on defense, bunt-plays, non-verbal communication, relays and tempo was evident. The message is clear – execute the little things well and the rest will take care of itself.

Pitcher Sam Holland spent part of Friday’s training at the edge of the infield taking in Australian infielders take ground balls and run through a wide range of scenarios. He would cheer loudly when a routine play was made.

Pitching coach Jim Bennett comes for a look too.

“You stay sharp, you have a shot,” he says. That’s the culture and attitude that has spread throughout Team Australia camp heading into this tournament.

“The plays that are hard to make need to become like a reaction play,” says infielder Logan Wade. “That’s why we are here. Just to do the fundamentals right and make great throws. When the big moment comes, we’ll be more relaxed for that.”

Logan Wade fields a ground ball at Training Camp (PHOTO: SMP Images)

The team even spent part of training with loud Japanese crown noise pumping through the stadium’s sound system. There have been team-building exercises – like veterans taking new players out for dinner – to help bring the group closer.

No detail is too small when it comes to preparing for the World Baseball Classic. Nor should it be. International baseball is decided by tiny moments that have a massive influence on the outcome of the game.

Take the 2019 Premier-12, for instance. Australia needed to beat Canada by two runs to advance to the Super Round. They used a flawless defensive effort, lockdown pitching and a crucial bases clearing triple from infielder Logan Wade in the eighth inning to win 3-1. It was a focus on the fundamentals that carried them through.

“Well, a baseball game is made up nine innings and there’s 27 outs. Then there’s how many pitches in an inning,” says Darryl George. “You just gotta break it down and win the battle pitch-by-pitch and then that adds up. If you can execute on the smaller things it should translate to the bigger picture of the game.”

Darryl George prepares to take a ball in training (PHOTO: SMP Images)

Australia has been on the wrong end of tiny moments, too.

In that same Premier-12, Australia was narrowly leading Japan 2-1 in the seventh inning of a Super Round game. With two outs and a runner on third, Japan laid down a bunt that froze the Australian defense and scored the tying run. Then, in the eighth, Japan put pressure on Australia with two outs and nobody on. They went double, intentional walk and walk to load the bases. Then, Australia walked in the winning run.

Japan won the small moments and eventually the game by a score of 3-2.

That’s why this camp matters. George says he’s hoping extra time spent together focusing on the details will help flip the script in close games.

“It’s a lot of stuff, I think, maybe in the past we haven’t been able to focus on because purely we haven’t been able to get together,” says George.

Those small details of focus aren’t just left on the field either. What happens off the field at these camps are just as important, says Logan Wade.

For years, Wade has been scooping up balls at shortstop and firing them across to first to the glove Donald Sutherland – a long time national squad member and Logan’s teammate with the Bandits.

Now, there are three new faces on the senior national team receiving his throws – Perth breakout player Jake Bowey, Phillies prospect Rixon Wingrove, and ABL Championship Series MVP Jordan McArdle. Wade says he’s spent time getting comfortable with how each of the first basemen play and what they’re like off the field.

“When I field a ground ball, I look up and the first person I see is the first baseman,” he says. “I have to feel comfortable. From comfort builds confidence.”

Rixon Wingrove is one of the new players on the team that will play a big role in Australia’s execution (PHOTO: SMP Images)

Wade says he’s feeling good about the way the team has been assembled, and confidence is there already between players.

Nilsson can see it too. The Australian coach says he’s been happy with the way the playing group has battled through an intensive camp.

“Mentally, the guys are really locked in. They’re a lot more comfortable working at the speed we pushed them too,” he says. “Now it’s more natural.”

Now, the focus shifts to getting ready for the tournament opener on March 9 vs South Korea. They have five more days to prepare.

They’ll spend March 4-7 in Miyazaki – an island town in Japan’s south – for an MLB-coordinated training camp.

Centrefielder Aaron Whitefield (LA Angels), infielder Robbie Glendinning (Kansas City Royals) and pitcher Kyle Glogoski (Cincinatti Reds) will meet the team in Miyazaki. Each of those players have been at MLB Spring Training with their respective clubs and are in game-ready condition.

Warwick Saupold, who pitched three seasons in the MLB and in two previous World Baseball Classics, says he’s really pleased with the tempo the trainings. have been in. He says guys have embraced the culture of going hard.

“If you do things fast, it slows down when the pressure is on,” he says. “We’ll be ready.”

Dave Nilsson (left) talks with catcher Robbie Perkins during training (PHOTO: SMP Images)

An Aces Sporting Club report by Eric Balnar, Fuchu City, Japan. Photos by SMP Images. Video by Hugh Whittle.

On one of the first days of Team Australia’s Fuchu City training camp, each veteran took a newer player on the team out to dinner.

It was an intentional exercise aimed at getting familiar with teammates who all come from different ages, states, teams, backgrounds and family situations.

“If you don’t know [your teammates], you’re not comfortable with them,” says catcher Ryan Battaglia. “You need to be on the same page because you don’t want to be on a different one on the big stage.”

Trust is paramount for all teammates on Australia’s World Baseball Classic roster. It’s a whole other level for Australia’s pitchers and catchers.

Australia’s catching trio of Ryan Battaglia, Robbie Perkins and Alex Hall have a big job at hand.

Luckily, they all come with experience.

Robbie Perkins is entering his second World Baseball Classic. At 28, he’s already played over 300 Australian Baseball League games, a World Baseball Classic, a Premier-12, a Claxton Shield and reached as high as Triple-A in the minors.

At 30, Ryan Battaglia was a key part of four straight Claxton Shield winning teams with the Brisbane Bandits. He caught the game where Australia defeated the USA at the Premier-12. He’s been there in huge moments and pressure situations for the national program.

Then there’s Alex Hall. The 22-year-old is the rising catching star. Hall, a switch hitter, is the captain of Australia’s Under-23 team, already received a brief call-up to the MLB, and just won the 2022-23 Australian Baseball League MVP after putting up video game numbers with the Perth Heat.

Catcher Ryan Battaglia during an exhibition game in Fuchu City (PHOTO: Scott Powick)

During the upcoming WBC, it’s one of those three behind the plate, calling, catching, leading and managing the balls and strikes delivered by any one of Australia’s fifteen rostered pitchers.

They need the pitchers to trust them, and they need to trust the pitchers.

“At the end of the day we are a battery out there,” says Perkins. “The pitcher is throwing to me and we need to execute to give everyone else a chance. It’s important we take time to get to know each other at this camp.”

The stakes are high. This is the World Baseball Classic – the biggest international tournament there is and it’s chalk full of pressure moments featuring with the best players the sport has to offer.

Australia plays four games in Group B vs South Korea, China, Japan and Czech Republic. They will play in front of a massive global TV audience and 55,000 people at the Tokyo Dome in baseball-crazed Japan. They will likely need to win at least three of them to get through.

This isn’t regular season baseball. It’s a sprint. Every little moment bares significant meaning.

“It’s polar opposite,” says Perkins. “In a tournament every pitch is just as important as the next. You come out with an intent to get a guy out every single at-bat. In the season, you have to think about the next day. Here, at the World Baseball Classic, every single game is a fight for our lives. You have think about now before you worry about tomorrow.”

Perkins says it’s important he knows what each pitcher’s best pitch is, what they feel comfortable with, and how they react to different situations just as a human being.

Robbie Perkins from Canberra, working with Jon Kennedy from Victoria (PHOTO: Wendy Powick / SMP Images)

He says he wants to know what to call and what the pitcher likes to rely on so when that big moment rears its head, they know what to do.

“There’s a massive mental edge we have to create,” says Perkins, a Canberra-native about to play in his second WBC. “We have to create a bond with every single pitcher and understand how their pitches move, how we need to work with them, what they execute well, what’s their go-to-pitch when it comes down to it. I think there’s a whole other aspect we need to factor into our preparation.”

Australia’s catchers have just two weeks to prepare. One of the reasons for this training camp in Fuchu City is to get used to each other and gain an understanding of who their teammates are.

Manager Dave Nilsson knows how important that pitcher-catcher relationship is. He was a catcher in the Big Leagues for nearly a decade, an MLB All-Star in 1999, and a catcher for Team Australia for a long time.

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He says it’s all about developing good communication habits.

“For them it’s about developing good communication which then develops trust. That’s where all the effort goes into,” he says. “The catcher needs to be on point for this all to work. A big part of catching is mental.”

It’s important for the pitchers, too.

21-year-old Blake Townsend is entering his first World Baseball Classic. He’s from a different state than all three rostered catchers and hasn’t really worked at length with any of them.

Townsend says he appreciates how hard Australia’s catchers are working to get to know him not just as a pitcher, but as a person.

22-year-old Alex Hall is on his first World Baseball Classic roster (PHOTO: Scott Powick / SMP Images)

“The guys you trust the most are the ones that put in the effort off the field,” says 21-year-old Blake Townsend. “Those are the ones you feel a better energy with. You want to know you can have a positive discussion that’s built on trust.”

Veteran pitcher Sam Holland says it takes a different kind of person to be a catcher. He says he appreciates all they do.

“They have the hardest job, man. They have a huge role especially when it comes to the dynamic of a team,” he says. “From a pitcher’s perspective, It’s crucial that we get to know these guys on and off the field and get on the same game plan as them. We need to figure stuff out before we get on the field, which is what we’ve been doing these last few days.”

At 22-years-old, Alex Hall is embracing the challenge of getting to know his new teammates. He could be on this national team for a long time.

“I’m spending a lot of times with pitchers,” he says. “Asking a lot of questions, learning about them. It’s a great challenge and a lot of fun.”

It’s a lot of work, but its’ a roll that that all three of Australia’s catchers say they embrace.

Battaglia says it keeps him busy at the training camp and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“We have a lot of guys to get to know. We’re busy. We’re going around, talking to pitchers, getting to know them,” he says. “It’s exciting to meet new guys, form new friendships.”

An Aces Sporting Club report by Eric Balnar, Fuchu City, Japan. Photos by SMP Images. Video by Hugh Whittle.

Tim Atherton has worn many versions of a Team Australia jersey over his decade-long journey with the national baseball team.

He says he is extremely proud to wear this particular design.

Atherton, Australia’s co-captain and a Gundangara man, proudly points to an Indigenous recognition symbol on the chest of his official World Baseball Classic jersey.

“This has representation, this has meaning. It gives an identity that is true to Australia in recognising First Nations people,” he says. “It is country encompassing in the Indigenous form and it’s country encompassing Team Australia.”

Tim Atherton sporting the WBC jersey (Photo: SMP Images / Scott Powick)

While this design has been used in international competition before, this is the first senior men’s tournament it will get a run in.

The jersey tells an excellent story. Now it gets to be shown to a massive international audience at the world’s biggest international baseball tournament.

The emblem acknowledges the rich history and culture of the country’s First Nations people through an Indigenous symbol designed by proud Whadjuk Noongar woman and Perth artist Jarni McGuire in 2021. It took 18-months to design.

McGuire says the symbol is a visual representation of the champions of Australian baseball.

“To the right, you’ll see a diamond shape which represents the pitch. The circles around the big circle is a symbol for a star. It represents the champions of baseball,” she says.

Atherton says he likes the fact that the meaning within the symbol is encompassing of past baseball players.

“That’s very important,” he says. “In terms of the Indigenous community, the teachings and learnings all are passed down from elders. I like the fact that the star in the middle partly represents the baseball stars we are following in the footsteps of by wearing this jersey.”

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That sense of pride in Australian baseball is something instilled right away. On the first night of Team Australia’s 10-day training camp in Fuchu City, head coach Dave Nilsson suggested players reach out to people who came before them and those who helped them get to the national team to say thanks.

Left-to-right: Alex Hall, Andrew Campbell, Tim Atherton, Tim Kennelly and Darryl George (PHOTO: SMP Images)

Learning from the past, showing appreciation, sharing stories, and helping the future are all characteristics that co-captain Tim Kennelly says is evident in Australian baseball, especially on the national team.

“Anyone that’s worn this jersey and represented Australia has meaning to the team,” he says. “There’s been a few past players [who have helped me]. One in particular is Luke Hughes. He was on the national team a few years before I made it, and he made it easy. The information, the stories of the team, makes it easy to settle in.”

Darryl George and Robbie Perkins both say former Team Australia catcher Allan De San Miguel was that person who helped them transition into the national team.

“He is very encouraging. He always instils a lot of belief in us. He made sure we weren’t afraid to be ourselves” says George of De San Miguel. “That’s something we’re carrying on and passing to the next generation of players as well. I think the Indigenous symbol [on our chest] is a great representation of us.”

Atherton adds that it’s “highly important” that Australian national teams include culture of the First Nations people.

“I would be hard-pressed to find an [Australian national] team that doesn’t have an Indigenous player on their squad,” he says.

Atherton says he hopes he can continue to be a meaningful part of Australian baseball. He says the jersey perfectly encompasses everyone’s journey on this national team.

“It’s a flow of energies between players past, present and future,” says Atherton, the co-captain of Team Australia. “The representation of past, present and future right here, shows indigenous culture going back to the dreamtime, to the youth of today. As a player on this team for many years, I’ve been a learner and a listener and now I’m doing the teaching.”

An Aces Sporting Club report by Eric Balnar, Fuchu City, Japan. Photos by SMP Images. Video by Hugh Whittle.
—-

“No.”

Blake Townsend quickly cut off a question he knew was coming.

The talented 21-year-old Australian pitcher is a Seattle Mariners prospect who’s already seen time in Triple-A, the level below the Big Leagues.

It’s the end of February and MLB camps are firing up. Townsend is one of many members of Team Australia who could be in the USA at a minor league camp. He could be preparing for Spring Training right now, trying to showcase his stuff to MLB coaches and scouts, hoping to gain a more favourable position in the system.

Instead, he’s in Japan, with his country mates, in the freezing cold, preparing for the World Baseball Classic – the sport’s biggest international tournament.

The question to be asked was a simple: “Was there any consideration of staying in Arizona and fighting for your professional spot?” Townsend knew what was being asked and cut it off before the word ‘Arizona’.

“No,” he says. “When you’re 10-years-old in Australia and playing baseball, you have two dreams. One is to play in the World Baseball Classic, the other is to play in the big leagues. I was never missing this. There was no hesitation.”

There are ten others on the team with current MLB or MLB-affiliate deals. All of them will have to leave their professional camps at some point and put their Big League dreams on hold in pursuit of international success for their country.

Playing for Australia carries a lot of weight. It does in any sport. Baseball is no different.

“I wanted to be here,” Townsend says.

Playing in a World Baseball Classic – and representing a country at the highest possible level – is a big motivating factor for athletes to keep playing the game. It’s what they dream of. All the players give something up to make that dream a reality.

“When you talk about representing your country and your families, this is the truest form,” says manager David Nilsson, who first represented Australia in 1995. “They’re trying to achieve something special, just as people. It takes a special person to buy into this Australian culture.”

For some players, like 32-year-old pitcher Todd Van Steensel, the World Baseball Classic is a big motivating factor to keep playing baseball.

“You sacrifice a lot for this game and it’s the people at home support you so that’s why you can keep doing it,” he says. “I always said I would keep playing to be in another World Baseball Classic and anything that happens after that is just a bonus. Now I’m about to play in another World Baseball Classic.”

Van Steensel has spent every year since he was 18 playing professional baseball somewhere in the world. He was an All-Star in Double-A with the Minnesota Twins, he’s pitched in a World Baseball Classic, he’s played professionally in Mexico, Venezuela, Australia and France. The game has taken him to five different continents and he’s won championships across the globe.

But that amount of travel does have its downside.

“I have never been to any of my friends’ weddings. I’ve missed almost every birthday. I never get my mom’s cooking.” he says. “But I don’t regret it. This is what I love to do and everyone is really supportive of that. Older guys have told me to play this game for as long as you can, so that’s what I’m doing.”

For other players, it is time at home and moments with their kids and family that is missed. They have to juggle being a high-level baseball player and family man.

Steve Kent could be on a family trip to watch one of his kids play sport. 26-year-old Jake Bowey has four kids at home, a full-time job, and balances being a dad and a professional baseball player for the Perth Heat.

He’s relying on a great network at home to let him live out his dream in Tokyo.

“My wife is supportive. We talked about this, I wasn’t going to miss it if I got the chance to go to Japan,” he says.

Bowey did everything he could to force his way on the team and guarantee his spot. He had career high numbers in the ABL and even mashed five homers in six post-season games for the Heat. Now that he’s here, he’s completely focused on baseball.

“It’s about working hard and giving it your all. We will run through a wall if we have to,” he says.

That “run through a wall” attitude was on display on Day 4 of the Fuchu Training Camp. Players were laying out for ground balls, diving at bunts, exerting themselves in simple run-down plays and working at a high tempo.

If you’re already sacrificing a lot to be here, you may as well make sure you’re sacrificing your body to go as hard as you can when you get here, says pitcher Dan McGrath.

“We have a big attention to detail on making everything game speed, going quicker, and getting ready for that,” says McGrath.

Tim Atherton has a lot of skin in the game, too. Australia’s co-captain will be relied on to pitch big innings for Australia, like he has in the past. He owns a mining business. He has kids. He still lives the life of a professional baseball player.

All of that is time consuming, but Atherton calls events like the World Baseball Classic “justification” for all the hard work he does to keep his baseball dreams alive.

“It’s an accumulation of sacrifice, time away, travel, time away, hard work, joy, sadness from the game, all the years in the gym, all the time throwing baseball up against the wall in the dark by myself, all the things – the parties, the birthdays,” he says.

“The thing about this all is you miss out on a lot of personal things in life…so this has to be really important to you. This has to mean something to you.”

“When you step out on that stage in front of 55 thousand people the greatest way to describe it, it’s justification of every single little thing you’ve done to get to this moment, justifies that.”

An Aces Sporting Club report by Eric Balnar, Fuchu City, Japan. Photos and video by Hugh Whittle.

—

The pitching rotation and schedule for Team Australia arms at the World Baseball Classic is easy to understand.

“Everybody needs to be ready to pitch in the first inning of the first game against Korea. Literally,” says Team Australia pitching coach Jim Bennett.

“It doesn’t matter what your role is in a normal season, any one of them could pitch at the beginning of the game. That is what they are preparing for: to be ready at all times.”

There are fifteen pitchers on Australia’s roster. Bennett says if he has to use all of them in the first game vs South Korea to get the win, he will. There’s no holding back in tournament baseball.

Of the rostered pitchers, five of them have pitched in a World Baseball Classic, the last one in 2017. All fifteen play professionally somewhere in the world. Twelve of them have played MLB-affiliated baseball, including four right now.

There are 21 Claxton Shields combined between the staff. Warwick Saupold has pitched in the Big Leagues for the Detroit Tigers. Tim Atherton has beat USA in an international game. Todd Van Steensel has won championships on nearly every continent.

There is plenty of experience and pedigree to draw from. There’s also a nice mix of young blood like recent college graduate Liam Doolan, or 20-year-old Will Sherriff, or 21-year-old Mariners’ prospect Blake Townsend.

“Every pitcher has a great strength,” said manager Dave Nilsson in a podcast yesterday. “We’ll be calling on all of them at some point.”

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Former MLB pitcher Warwick Saupold deals at Fuchu training camp (PHOTO: Scott Powick / SMP Images)

This pitching group will have to navigate Team Australia through four group stage games vs South Korea, China, Japan and Czech Republic. Australia will likely need to win three of them to advance to the quarter finals.

It’s win at all costs and runs have to be held off the board – it’s an important tiebreaker in tournament baseball. There’s no holding back.

“We’re going to win [these games] collectively. It’s not going to be one guy,” say Bennett.

One of those guys trusted to get it done is Steve Kent – a 33-year-old veteran who has pitched professionally for a long time.

Kent has 14 seasons of professional baseball under his belt, reaching as high as Triple-A with the Atlanta Braves and winning a Claxton Shield with the Canberra Cavalry of the ABL. He’s pitched in big games before.

 Steve Kent in action in an exhibition game in Fuchu City, Japan. Photo: Scott Powick | SMP Images

He says “be ready” is the message he’s trying to reinforce in the dugout.

“My role is to be ready whenever my name is called. Whether that’s starting, the second, the eighth, the fifth. I am getting ready for any situation,” he says. “For a lot of guys that’s something different they are going to have to get used to. But part of this training camp is about doing something different and preparing that.”

Bennett agrees.

“It’s about being comfortable in an uncomfortable situation,” he says. “That’s what this camp is about. It’s putting guys out of their comfort zone.”

Australia is trying all the tricks in the book to push players out of their comfort zone.

A mid-camp hotel switch, simulated crowd noise, practicing game situations, training at a fast pace, short turnaround between activities, and even living in a foreign country for two weeks before Game 1 helps get the players ready for a truly different experience.

That experience? Playing in a game with huge TV audiences, in a stadium that fits 50,000+ people, in a short tournament, with it all on the line.

The WBC will be played at one of the most iconic baseball venues in the World.

Kent says the key is to not shy away from anything you feel.

“Don’t hide from it. You’re going to be there and you’re going to be nervous. You can’t escape it,” he says. “It’s about embracing it. Take in that moment, have a look around, don’t run away from it. You have to say: ‘This is what I fight my entire life to achieve. There’s nothing to lose. Do the best I can to help the team…and have faith that you can.”

For Bennett, it comes down to trust.

“Everybody is different and has completely different strengths and traits. You have to embrace who you are,” he says. “You have to know your best stuff and trust it. We’re going to win this thing by a collective, not because of an individual.”

NEWS AND NOTES

Giving back to Fuchu

After a full morning of training – which consisted of a few live at-bats, a mini-scrimmage, fitness and batting practice – Team Australia was officially welcomed to Fuchu City.

The mayor of Fuchu and many Japanese dignitaries were on hand for a half-hour ceremony that featured drum performances and speeches. Some of Australia’s players even tried the drums!

After the ceremony, the team ran a special baseball clinic for nearly 200 local kids.

“It’s an opportunity for us to give back,” said pitcher Luke Wilkins yesterday. “We look forward to stuff like this.”

Tomorrow – Practice + Shrine Visit

Team Australia have another big morning of training. In the evening, they’ll head to a visit to a local shrine.

Australia is in Fuchu City until March 4. They’ll then head to Miyazaki for exhibition games vs WBC teams.

First pitch of the World Baseball Classic is March 9.

An Aces Sporting Club report by Eric Balnar, Fuchu City, Japan. Photos and video by Hugh Whittle.

“I have to show you this little ramen spot,” says pitcher Luke Wilkins. “I can’t tell you what it’s called, but I know where it is but I can show you on a map. It’s really simple. It’s so good…all the food is here really.”

The ramen spot he refers to is a big hit among the Australian camp. It’s small – as many little Japanese restaurants are – and outside a major train station. Nobody speaks English and the menu – which doesn’t have a bad item on it – are completely in Japanese. The staff is overly friendly, the food is delicious and they love having the Australian national team around.

In a completely foreign environment, having a “spot” – or a place that feels at least a little familiar – can be a big thing for a person preparing for the biggest tournament of their life.

Team Australia is less than two weeks from their first World Baseball Classic game vs South Korea and preparation is key. They’re about to play in front of a sold-out Tokyo Dome against baseball’s best. Everything around is just a little different – the food, the language, the transport, the culture.

That’s why having a home base is so important. Welcome to Fuchu City, a suburb on the outer edges of the Tokyo metro area. For the next week or so, it may as well officially be an Australian town.

“It’s our home outside Australia,” says Baseball Australia CEO Glenn Williams.

PODCAST: Listen to Dave Nilsson’s chat here (available across all podcast platforms)

It’s a town with a ‘metro-rural feel’ in a big city approaching the outskirts of Western Tokyo. There are lots of parks, sports stadiums, great food and friendly people. It’s a true “workers” city – there’s not much touristy about it.

There are big businesses like Toshiba, NEC and Bank of Japan who base themselves here. The people are sports mad. There is a major race course, the training grounds of various sporting teams, lots of baseball and lots of rugby.

The locals go out of their way to make Australia feel like home. Nothing is too much trouble – they even play Australian music at team lunches and batting practice to make them feel more comfortable.

Players and staff say they can feel the sense of community the town brings.

“I love it here [in Fuchu],” says Wilkins. “Everybody is so excited that you are here. They absolutely love baseball. You feel like celebrities and it really feels like home. It also is nice for the returning players to show new people some of their favourite things to do and see.”

Wilkins has already been to his “local” massage place in Fuchu and referred it to other players. He was rehabbing an elbow injury on his first trip to Fuchu in 2018 and he got some work done at a local shop. During his visit, the shop owner called his family and friends and Wilkins was signing autographs outside the store.

“When I returned this time, they all knew my name,” he says. “They can’t speak much English but it was all ‘Luke!’, ‘Wilko!’, ‘Wilkins!’. It’s really cool. Little things like that make a huge difference.”

Fuchu City has been a Japansese-base for Australian baseball training camps since 2018. It was first used as a training camp home for an international friendly between Japan and Australia. The relationship started with Baseball Australia via Mr. Takano, the mayor of Fuchu City.

The senior men’s team came here again before the Premier-12 tournament in 2019 and were scheduled to come here for Olympic qualifiers. Now, they are back for the World Baseball Classic – the biggest stage of international baseball.

There’s plans in the works for growth on the partnership, too.

“Look – this is the reason why are here,” says Williams, looking out at the Fuchu City Field before a Team Australia practice match.

“There are 20-30 people out there, getting the field ready on a Saturday morning just so we can prepare to play baseball in the big tournament. They don’t have to do that.”

Their local council, staff and community do everything for Team Australia.

They provide access to facilities, a training field and coordination of many of the logistics. They assist in setting up the hotel, providing on-ground support staff and promotion of local events. Fuchu staff supplies food for games and trainings.

There are school visits, clinics and special events over the next nine days at Team Australia’s WBC training camp.

Coaches and management have rooms at the local stadium and hotel to do work, hold team meetings, and continue to plan Australia’s World Baseball Classic experience.

“Look around the stadium. People are waving flags, they have programs with player information, and people are wearing Team Australia hats and ABL jerseys,” says Williams “There’s little kids coming today to watch us play. It’s pretty cool.”

Fuchu City even organises exhibition games for Team Australia to play in. On Saturday 25 February, Australia is playing two seven-inning games vs All Fuchu Baseball Club – last year’s champions in the Adult Tokyo Baseball League.

They even set up local teams to play exhibition games against. The teams is made up of amateur players, independent baseballers, college guys and even one former NPB player (Nagano).

A bus of 200 supporters showed up to cheer on All Fuchu, while many residents of the local community churned out to support. There was a PA announcer, line-ups a program and a whole event.

“The local community is very excited to have Australia here,” says Daisuke Minagawa, a manager at of one of the local companies (Aida Chemical Industries), helping to coordinate Team Australia’s Fuchu experience. “Many people now cheer for Team Australia at the baseball. It feels like our team too.”

Minigawa says it is important for Fuchu City to support the world through sport. He says Fuchu is a great place to live. He says there are many parks, friendly people, and a big support for local sport.

“We love our sport. Baseball, rugby, cycling,” he says. “It is important for us to support sports teams.”

Throughout the crowd there are Australian flags, ABL jerseys, caps and merchandise.

“The people here know their stuff,” says Wilkins. “They know who we are and are just so excited to meet us.”

When Australia got a hit or a big out, the crowd erupted. It was a pro-Australia crowd.

Over the coming days, Australia will give back by participating in school visits and run clinics with local schools. They have a busy schedule of exhibition games, training and visits until the team departs for their WBC-run camp in Miyazaki.

“That’s how we help show our appreciation,” says Wilkins. “Stuff like that.”

Whatever happens in Australia’s baseball journey – the people of Fuchu have left their mark.

Aces Sporting Club has partnered with Team Australia for the training camp leading into the World Baseball Classic.  

With the team now announced, the support from the Aces sporting club solidifies the plans for Team Australia ahead of the World Baseball Classic. 

“Aces Sporting club have been a long-time supporter of baseball in Australia. This latest support will give the team a massive boost as they prepare for the classic.” said Baseball Australia CEO Glenn Williams.

Team Australia arrived in Fuchu City, a suburb of Tokyo, for a nine-day training camp that started February 24. They will head to Miyazaki for four days before the World Baseball Classic starts on March 9.

“Although the ABL has provided the players with an opportunity to play baseball all summer long, a chance to spend an extended time together before official training camps starts is vital for the team’s preparation. Aces sporting club supporting this camp is a great outcome for Team Australia”. 

Keep up to date with Team Australia across @teamaustraliabaseball channels.

Aces Sporting Club, based in Melbourne, is not like many other venues. They believe in quality service across everything they do with the aim of bringing you an enjoyable golfing experience in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs.

Their Driving Range is the perfect place for a unique type of family activity or to have a bit of fun with your friends. For more information, visit www.acessportingclubs.com.au.

– Fuchu City, Japan | Training Camp Report, Day 2
by Eric Balnar

At 10:30AM, in six-degree temperatures at a city field in the Tokyo suburbs, first baseman Rixon Wingrove charged down the line at a slow rolling bunt dribbling towards him.

Wingrove hustled, handled and fired the ball across to third base with urgency, gave a fist pump and got a big reception from his teammates standing nearby after he made the play.

That’s the kind of effort Team Australia General Manager Russell Teichmann loves to see right from the start of their 10-day World Baseball Classic training camp in Fuchu City. He says it helps set the tone for what’s to come.

“We are not easing into this experience. This is the speed we go at. This is how tournament baseball works – everything happens so much faster. Let’s do it from the get-go,” he says.

Team Australia’s first training as a group was littered with these moments. Coaching staff constantly pushed the players defensively, tested them, had them moving quickly in the outfield, and drove home a message of “pace” in a four-and-a-half hour practice session.

Rixon Wingrove fields a ball at first base (PHOTO: Scott Powick)

“This isn’t a 162-game season,” says Teichmann. “In a tournament that moves fast everything is magnified. Moments are bigger and they can come at any stage – the first inning, the last inning, the third inning. You just have to be ready for it and not let the moment catch up to you.”

When the World Baseball Classic begins on March 9 with a game vs South Korea, Teichmann knows the margin for error is almost zero.

He stresses that Team Australia will have to play nearly perfect and be ready for those big moments when they come, whenever they come. Afterall, the equation for Australia to make it out of the first round in Tokyo is to finish Top-2 in a five-team group with Japan, South Korea, Czech Republic and China.

“We need to establish that pace and expectation right away,” says Teichmann.

That’s why these next 13 days are important.

Australia will train every day between February 24 and March 3 in Fuchu City. It’s their own training camp before an official WBC Camp plus exhibition games in Miyazaki from March 4-7.

Veteran pitcher Tim Atherton has been to a World Baseball Classic before and knows just how crucial a good training camp is to set a team up for a competitive run.

He says because you only play four games in a group-stage of a tournament – and then single elimination games after that – teams empty the tank to try to win every one. There is no ‘long game’ – it’s a sprint to win as many games as you can early and often. Because of that, things in game scenario will happen quicker.

“Our training has to match the speed we will experience at the Tokyo Dome,” he says. “It’s an astro-field so the ball will travel quicker on the ground. We are playing the best players in the world so they will run faster, hit harder, swing harder and throw harder. Teams can bunt at any time. All of these things create a pace of play that is more than just going through the motions of training.”

“We need to emulate the game. Practice doesn’t make perfect…perfect practice makes perfect,” he says.

Australian players were put to their paces in the outfield, focused on team defense, threw some bullpens and got in batting practice in a full-on first training session.

“Everything needs to be quick-quick-quick so when that moment comes it can be slow,” says Atherton.

Tomorrow, Australia will play two exhibition games vs local Fuchu teams in an effort to get some live batting practice in and to face different styles of pitching.

Veteran pitcher Todd Van Steensel says he liked the tone that was set.

“This was really good,” he says. “10 days of this will be really challenging. It’s what we need. You have to be ready to scrap. Each run scored or stopped is so valuable. Things happen early and it can happen at any moment.”

Team Australia head coach Dave Nilsson (right) and assistant coach Graeme Lloyd (left) oversee Australia’s practice (PHOTO: Scott Powick)

Together.

That was the word that came up in constant conversation as Team Australia players and staff gathered in Fuchu on Thursday afternoon for their World Baseball Classic training camp.

It felt a lot like a long overdue baseball version of a family reunion.

Players who spend their professional careers battling against each in the Australian Baseball League flew in from around the country to become teammates at the highest international level.

Others cut time short with training camps at their professional team in the USA to join the squad for what could be a month.

Guys from all different stages and ages of life put their routines on hold to meet in an outer suburb of the biggest city in the world to come play baseball…together.

“It’s good to have all that behind us,” said manager Dave Nilsson. “We won’t be talking about the past or ABL anymore. It’s all Team Australia. We’re all Australians. We all come together to represent the past. We represent the future. Having everyone together…it’s an honour.”

26 of Australia’s 30 rostered players are in Fuchu for the camp.

Starting Friday morning, players will be put through high-tempo training sessions for nine consecutive days in order to tune up for the upcoming World Baseball Classic.

There will be morning team workouts, exhibition games, team building moments and cultural visits. It will all happen at a rapid pace. It is intense preparation for international baseball’s biggest stage.

“Everyone has put their life aside with one goal in mind,” said Team Australia captain Tim Kennelly, who is preparing for his third World Baseball Classic. “We’re here to win.”

It’s been a long time since Australia’s senior men’s team was together at a tournament like this. The last World Baseball Classic was in 2017. The Premier-12 tournament was in 2019. Then there was a global pandemic, travel restrictions and a major halt to international baseball for Australia.

But now it’s back and players say it feels so good to be under the Team Australia banner.

“There’s so much excitement around today,” said Kennelly. “A lot of the guys are really close and really good friends and we’re finally touching base. Guys are so excited to just catch up with each other.”

There were some important moments for new members of the senior squad, too.

Players like Jordan McArdle, Liam Doolan, Blake Townsend, Rixon Wingrove, Jake Bowey and Liam Spence all picked up their first uniform for a senior international tournament. Even veteran players shared in the thrill of receiving an international jersey.

“This is what it’s all about,” said an excited Luke Wilkins, a 32-year-old pitcher making his WBC debut. “It feels like Christmas every time you get handed that Australian uniform. This is why we do it.”

26-year-old Jake Bowey receives his first WBC hat (Photo: Scott Powick)

Players spent 20+ hours travelling to Tokyo before transferring to the hotel. The day was mostly spent exploring a new country in the immediate area around the hotel, catching up on sleep, trying some new food and strengthening relationships with teammates. Kennelly noted that it’s fun to try all these new things with a group of Australians, too.

The group finished the day with a half hour team meeting that outlined expectations for the group, led by Dave Nilsson.

“I think the first day in people are feeling a lot of anxiety and excitement,” said Nilsson. “The main emotion is excitement to be around the guys. But I want the guys to feel very comfortable all day whether that’s at the field or at the rooms at night.”

Now that the initial excitement is out of the way, players know the focus must ramp up.

There is an expectation around camp that every day will be intense, players will get sore, training will be hard, and it will be fast.

Everything Australia does from this point forward is about being the most prepared for the March 9th opening game vs Korea – a traditional baseball powerhouse. Over the opening round, Australia will play Korea, Czech Republic, China and World #1 Japan.

Kennelly assures you that Australia is not here to make up the numbers.

“This is tournament baseball. We are here to win,” he says. “We know if we can get through to the second round, we have a good chance to get to the finals. In a nine-inning game of baseball we know we can beat one of those big teams.”

But for now, Kennelly is just trying to soak up the moment and enjoy what it means to represent Australia.

“It’s been a long time since we wore the uniform and played some really meaningful games,” said Kennelly this afternoon. “It’s like an out of body experience [when you wear it]. You are representing so many people and to do that on the world stage, against the best players on the planet, in front of thousands of people…it’s surreal.”

Stay tuned for more coverage as the week progresses.

Baseball Australia has today selected a squad of 28 players for the National Junior Squad from the Australian Youth Championships in January. The selection of the squad marks the second milestone in Team Australia’s campaign for the 2023 Under 18 World Cup.

The National Junior Squad will commence their World Cup preparation at the conclusion of the summer season, which will culminate in a selection camp to be held in August. Complementing the named squad will be a shadow squad of players that will continue to prepare across the winter. Based on the development of the shadow squad players, there will be additional invitations for the selection camp throughout the year.

Performance Pathway lead, Michael Crooks outlined the plans moving forward. “We learnt a lot of very good lessons over the course of the 2022 Under 18 World Cup campaign, and we are putting those lessons into action with this year’s group. Specifically, being able to return to the normal timing of the AYC’s has given us great intel on our players across the country coming off an extremely competitive event. Being able to now focus on the physiological and technical development of the players over a longer uninterrupted timeline this winter will put our players in the best possible position to maximise the winter development window not just for this year, but their entire careers.”

Crooks highlighted the focus on the shadow squad members equally. “We have chosen a National Junior Squad off the AYC’s, and those selected should be very proud, however we are continually looking forward. We know that there are players within the shadow squad who have a lot of potential. We want to see tremendous dedication from members in both squads across the winter program to ensure our final selection is as difficult as possible come August.”

The WBSC U18 World Cup is to be held in Chinese Taipei September 1^st to 10^th 2023.’

Team Australia announced their 30-man roster for the upcoming World Baseball Classic last week.

The team will head to Tokyo next week for a 10-day training camp in preparation for the biggest international baseball tournament on the planet.  If you’re new to the World Baseball Classic, it’s baseball’s equivalent of the FIFA World Cup

The top players from all the best baseball countries on the planet go head-to-head to see which country reigns supreme.

Countries around the world have stacked their lists with the best available players including the last eight MLB MVPs.

Australia will have to deal with World #1 Japan and Shohei Ohtani – a dual threat player widely regarded as the best in the world.

WBC HUB – All your latest WBC News from Team Australia!

The field is made up of 20 teams divided into four groups of five. You must finish Top 2 in your group to advance to the next round. Australia is in a group with World #1 Japan, Korea, Czech Republic and China.

Here is who will be wearing the Green & Gold during the tournament. Make sure you stay tuned to baseball.com.au channels including ‘Team Australia Baseball’ social media.

PITCHERS

Tim Atherton (pictured above, Brisbane Bandits): The co-captain, Atherton has pitched professionally since 2010 and reached as high as Triple-A with the Oakland Athletics. Atherton has won three Claxton Shields and is the ABL’s all-time leading strike-out leader. He’s been on the national team for over a decade and famously was on the mound when Australia upset USA 2-1 at the Premier-12 tournament in 2019.

Sam Holland (Brisbane Bandits): Holland is one of the most versatile pitchers in the country. He played affiliated baseball with the Padres and Angels from 2013-17, reaching as high as Double-A. Holland won four straight Claxton Shields with the Bandits from 2015-19. This past season, Holland was one of the best pitchers in the ABL. He had a 5-1 record and 2.14 ERA in 42.1 innings pitched after being used both as a starter and reliever.

Warwick Saupold (pictured below, Perth Heat): One of Australia’s MLB players. He spent parts of three seasons in the Big Leagues with Detroit from 2016-2017 and has a professional career that reaches back to 2010. Saupold pitched two seasons in the KBO for the Hanwa Eagles before returning back to the ABL to play for the Perth Heat.

Will Sherriff (pictured middle below, Perth Heat): The 20-year-old is about to make his senior men’s debut. Sherriff pitched the last two seasons in the ABL and has a 3.24ERA in 18 games. One of Australia’s emerging talents.

Josh Guyer (Sydney Blue Sox): The 28-year-old ace of the Sydney Blue Sox will make his World Baseball Classic debut. Guyer spent three seasons affiliated with the Minnesota Twins between 2013-15. His best ABL season was in 2018-19 when he went 7-1 as a starter with a 2.60 ERA.

Liam Doolan (Sydney Blue Sox): The 23-year-old doesn’t have a lot of ABL experience but he’s coming off a solid college career split between Lamar Community College and Tennessee Wesleyan University. He didn’t allow a run in four appearances for the Blue Sox this past season out of the bullpen.

Steve Kent (pictured below, Melbourne Aces): One of Australia’s most experienced arms, the 33-year-old reached as high as Triple-A with the Atlanta Braves in 2016. He’s pitched 12 seasons in the ABL (11 with Canberra, one with Melbourne). Kent pitched in the 2013 and 2017 World Baseball Classics and has been part of the national program for well over a decade.

Jon Kennedy (Melbourne Aces): Returning for his second WBC, Kennedy is a tall, crafty left-handed pitcher with two Claxton Shields to his name. The 28-year-old reached has high as Triple-A with the Atlanta Braves in 2018. Kennedy is coming off a season where he had a 2.55 ERA in 13 appearances for the Melbourne Aces.

Blake Townsend (Seattle Mariners / Melbourne Aces): The 21-year-old is promising prospect making his WBC debut. Townsend pitches in the Seattle Mariners’ organisation and has already appeared in Triple-A games.

Dan McGrath (Melbourne Aces): The 27-year-old spent seven seasons in the Boston Red Sox organisation and pitched as high as Triple-A in 2019. This is his second World Baseball Classic. McGrath transitioned to a closing pitcher role with the Aces in 2023 and picked up five saves late in the season.

Mitch Neunborn (Adelaide Giants / Quebec Capitales): The 25-year-old from Western Australia put up some of the best numbers by an Australian pitcher in the recent ABL season. Neunborn had a 2.25 ERA and struck out 40 batters in 28.0 innings while pitching for the Claxton Shield winning Giants. He has a career 1.99ERA in three ABL seasons and is about to make his WBC debut.

Luke Wilkins (Adelaide Giants): The 33-year-old just won his first Claxton Shield after spending 13 seasons in the ABL. Wilkins pitched for Australia at the 2019 Premier-12 Tournament and is making his WBC debut. Wilkins can start games and come out of the bullpen. He’s spent time as an Independent Ball pitcher in the American Assosciation.

Todd Van Steensel (Adelaide Giants / Gastonia Honey Cutters): Making his second WBC roster, the 32-year-old was the closing pitcher for the Giants in their recent Claxton Shield win. Van Steensel spent seven seasons in the minors with the Minnesota Twins reaching as high as Double-A. He’s also pitched professionally in Mexico, Venezuela and France. He will play in the Atlantic League this season.

Jack O’Loughlin (Adelaide Giants / Detroit Tigers): The 22-year-old left-handed pitcher makes his World Baseball Classic debut. He’s spent the last six years affiliated with the Detroit Tigers, playing as high as High-A. O’Loughlin was the starting pitcher in the Giants’ Game 3 win over the Perth Heat to decide the Claxton Shield. He allowed just two earned runs since Christmas in the ABL.

Kyle Glogoski (pictured middle, Auckland Tuatara / Cincinatti Reds): He’s one of Australia’s highest regarded prospects. The 24-year-old spent the last four years in the Phillies’ system before being picked up by the Cincinatti Reds in the Rule 5 Draft. Glogoski has pitched as high as Triple-A and is making his WBC debut. Glogoksi a New Zealand native has an Australian mother making him eligible to represent Australia.

Position Players

OF – Aaron Whitefield (Melbourne Aces / LA Angels): At 25-years-old, Whitefield is one of Australia’s most accomplished and exciting players. He’s reached the Big Leagues on two occasions – in 2020 with the Twins and 2022 with the Angels – and has dominated domestically. Whitefield has won three Claxton Shields, two ABL MVPs and spent most of last year in Double-A with the Los Angeles Angels. Whitefield is known for his high-end defense in centrefield and is making his second WBC appearance. Pictured above.

OF – Tim Kennelly (Perth Heat, pictured above): Often regarded as the “GOAT” of the modern-day ABL, Kennelly has four ABL Championships to his name and two league MVPs. Kennelly, the co-captain, is making his third appearance in the WBC. The 36-year-old spent nine seasons in the minors with the Philadelphia Phillies and reached as high as Triple-A.’

Left-to-right: McArdle, Bojarski, Campbell (PHOTO: SMP Images)

OF – Ulrich Bojarski (Perth Heat): The 24-year-old put up MVP style numbers in the ABL, hitting .352 with 8HR and 35RBI in 38 games. Bojarski was affiliated with the Detroit Tigers from 2018-22 and reached as high as Double-A. Bojarski hit seven homers in 33 minor league games this year for the Tigers before being released.

OF – Andrew Campbell (Brisbane Bandits): Campbell is a four-time Claxton Shield winner and has appeared for Australia at the Premier-12. The 31-year-old was affiliated with Cleveland for three years.

OF – Jordan McArdle (Adelaide Giants): McArdle is coming off an impressive January where he won the ABLCS MVP and a Claxton Shield for the Adelaide Giants where he hit three homers and drove in eight runs. The South Australian captain has been affiliated with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Philadelphia Phillies. He makes his WBC debut.

1B – Jake Bowey (Perth Heat): 26-year-old Bowey had a break-out ABL season where he hit .291 with eight homers. He also hit 5 long balls in the ABL playoffs, forcing his way onto a maiden senior national team appearance.

1B/3B – Darryl George (pictured below, Melbourne Aces): The two-time Claxton Shield winner and 2021 ABL MVP makes his debut appearance in the WBC. The 29-year-old played three seasons of minor league baseball for the Tampa Bay Rays and in 2017 played in the NPB for Orix Buffaloes.

1B – Rixon Wingrove (Adelaide Giants / Philadelphia Phillies): 22-year-old Wingrove is coming off a Claxton Shield win in the ABL where he hit in the middle of the line-up for the Giants. The powerful left-handed bat has spent three years in the minors with the Philadelphia Phillies and has played as high as High-A.

INF – Robbie Glendinning (Melbourne Aces / Kansas City Royals): The Western Australian is a solid Kansas City Royals prospect who plays in Double-A. 26-year-old Glendinning has a career .331 average across five ABL seasons making him one of the country’s most dangerous and consistent hitters.

INF – Jarryd Dale (Melbourne Aces / San Diego Padres) – The 21-year-old has already played Triple-A baseball for the San Diego Padres and won two Claxton Shields in Australia. He makes his WBC debut.

INF – Liam Spence (pictured below, Adelaide Giants / Chicago Cubs) – Spence’s spectacular 2021 college season with the Tennessee Volunteers where he led the SEC in hits led him to a fifth round selection in the MLB draft. He’s already appeared in Triple-A and won a Claxton Shield with the Giants. This is Spence’s first WBC selection.

IF – Logan Wade (pictured below, Brisbane Bandits) – A four-time Claxton Shield winner with the Brisbane Bandits makes his second WBC squad. Wade spent time in the Twins organisation and has been one of Australia’s best infielders for nearly a decade.

C – Alex Hall (Perth Heat / Milwaukee Brewers) – The U23 National Team captain who put up MVP-like numbers with the Perth Heat, leading the ABL in average and OPS. The switch-hitting catcher is a promising Brewers prospect who has already received a Big League call up for a day.

C – Ryan Battaglia (Brisbane Bandits) – A four-time Claxton Shield winner with the Brisbane Bandits who brings strong international experience to the table, including catching a famous win over the USA.

C – Robbie Perkins (Canberra Cavalry) – The Canberra catcher is ready for his second WBC. He’s one of the most respected Australian hitters in the game, has won a Claxton Shield and reached as high as Triple-A with the Rockies.