09 November 2026
Team Australia Team Australia - Men
Rain Can't Dampen Team Australia's Spirits in Fuchu
FUCHU, JAPAN: Cold weather and steady rain disrupted Team Australia’s training today and pushed back the squad’s practice game against local side Gold’s Gym Baseball.
The weather may have changed the plans, but it did not stop the work. Thanks to the fantastic facility at Fuchu City Baseball Field, the group moved indoors and still got through a solid block of drills as preparations for the Asia Professional Baseball Championship continue.
Perth catcher Alex Hall said the mood in camp was strong regardless of the conditions.
“Obviously it’s exciting being here, when the team gets to come together, even if it’s first timers or second timers or whatever,” he said. “We all have the same goal in mind. Just win as many games as possible and play the Team Australia way.”
A second home
For Hall, Fuchu has become a familiar and welcoming base.
“Every time we get to come here, everyone’s welcoming,” he said. “You find your little spots where you want to eat and stuff like that, but also try new stuff. The facility here has got so much better, and they put so much love into it for us. It’s just an amazing place.”
Hall said training had been good so far and that the practice game would be a valuable hit out before the tournament begins. He also sees the bigger picture for Australian baseball, with talent spread across the program.
“The future’s going to be bright for Team Australia,” he said. “Not everyone’s going to be on the team. You’ve got to earn your spot, nothing’s going to be given. But just having so many guys available, it’s awesome.”
Chilly, but immaculate
Brisbane outfielder Max Durrington took the weather in his stride.
“It’s been a bit chilly, but other than that, the field’s immaculate. The turf is great,” he said. “Just really looking forward to playing with these boys again. You get to play with them maybe once a year, which is really fortunate.”
Durrington arrives in Japan after a season of professional baseball in California.
“I was in California most of the year. That was a lot of fun. Playing professional ball, I just improved a lot in my game,” he said. “I got back about three or four weeks ago, which was nice. Spent some time with the family, went to the beach and stuff like that.”
Open arms
Adelaide pitcher Cooper Morgan was confident the rain would not keep the group off the field for long.
“The weather sort of got the best of us today, but I think we’ll still get the game in,” he said.
Like Hall, Morgan said the welcome in Fuchu makes a big difference, especially for the new players.
“It’s really good coming back to the open arms community here, and really good for the new guys,” he said. “I think it’s easy to play in front of the Fuchu community because it’s always open arms.”
Having been one of the fresh faces at the WBC camp, Morgan now finds himself on the older side of the group.
“I can take a role of not so much leadership, but just let the guys know how to get ready,” he said. “Everyone’s a professional. Once they step on these fields in front of these teams, they know what they’ve got to do. I think it’s more so just getting used to the style of baseball that they play here, and getting the nerves out.”
He was clear on what the group is chasing this week.
“These guys really just love putting on the green and gold,” Morgan said. “Everyone’s got their personal goals, but everyone’s got a collective goal to win the entire thing. That’s going to put us in the best spot for the Premier12, the Olympic qualifiers and everything beyond that as well.”
Ready for the Dome
With eight or nine players set to experience the Tokyo Dome for the first time, all three players had simple advice for the newcomers.
“Everyone’s going to have each other’s back. You’re not going to be out there alone,” Hall said. “Just be in the moment, do what you have to do. Just play your baseball, play the Australian way. We’re fighters, so we’re just going to keep fighting the whole way.”
Durrington urged the debutants to enjoy it.
“The biggest thing is taking it in. It’s a surreal moment,” he said. “Don’t let the game get to you, play free. At the end of the day, the game’s the game, and the more you have fun, probably the better you’re going to do.”
Morgan is passing on the same advice he was given by Mitch Neunborn.
“My advice is pretty much what Mitch Neunborn said to me: you can’t go out there and act like it’s not happening,” he said. “Guys get really tunnel vision, but it’s one of those opportunities where you need to soak it all in.”
“They’re on this team for a reason. They wouldn’t be here if they didn’t deserve it,” Morgan added. “Even against Japan, with 40 or 50,000 there, you’ve got to bring it in, and then it’s time to lock in. It’s really just a baseball game at the end of the day.”
Hall and Durrington both see the APBC as an important step toward next year’s Premier12 and a potential Olympic campaign.
“This tournament in general and playing in Japan, I think, is crucial for us,” Durrington said. “Just getting everyone used to the feel of playing in Japan, in the Tokyo Dome, in front of a big crowd. Any time we can get the team together is great.”
Hall agreed. “Obviously we want to perform to our best, and it’s a pretty serious tournament for Australian baseball,” he said. “Leading to the future, it’s just good to get guys experience in world class baseball, out of their normal routines.”
Hall also pointed to the strength of the wider program, with Australia’s U-23 side currently competing at the U-23 Baseball World Cup in Nicaragua.
“We’ve got two teams going on at the same time, so it’s so good to have two teams going on,” he said. “Hopefully we can put our best foot forward and play many games.”
Tune in Thursday 12pm Local | 2pm AEDT to watch Team Australia take on Korea at the APBC for free on Baseball+
