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by Eric Balnar, photos by SMP Images

On Sunday afternoon, Coen Wynne was pitching for Baulkham Hills, his Australian club ball team in the New South Wales State League Finals.

Six days later, the Sydney Blue Sox professional pitcher was throwing for the Australian national team at the Tokyo Dome at the World Baseball Classic in one of the game’s most pivotal moments.

Wynne entered the game in the bottom of the fourth inning with one out, two runners on and the tying run at the plate. Australia was up 5-0 entering the inning but China had just pegged two runs back.

Wynne walked the first batter to load the bases.

Then? A strike out of Pei Liang – the Chinese slugger who homered vs Japan. He followed that up with a string out of Jin Yang – a professional player in Japanese Big Leagues.

Australia escaped the inning with a 5-2 lead and went on to win the game 12-2 to improve to 2-0 at the World Baseball Classic.

Coen Wynne? He then pitched 2.2 innings of scoreless baseball and gets credited with the win.

After being added to the roster late Wednesday night, manager Dave Nilsson sung the young pitcher’s praises.

“Coen has only been in Japan two days. It was a great effort. Kudos to him,” he says. “He put himself in that position. He had some international play previously in the 2023 World Cup, so I had a good feel for his make-up and his mindset.

From Baulkam Hills Baseball Club on Sunday, to the World Baseball Classic on Saturday.

What a week for the 22-year-old who didn’t arrive in Japan until Thursday. It was very emblematic of the Australian team so far.

“Hang in there, and stay ready,” says Wynne. “In baseball, in life. You never know what’s around the corner. Just hang in there and stay ready.”

Coen Wynne celebrating with catcher Robbie Perkins (PHOTO: SMP Images)

Wynne has joined an Australian team who is making waves in the international baseball world.

In just two games in 2023, Australia has equaled the number of World Baseball Classic wins it’s had in the last four World Baseball Classics combined. The two wins are the most by an Australian side in the tournament.

With two games to go, Australia now has a chance to advance to the quarter finals for the first time.

BOX SCORE: Click here for official stats. 

Saturday’s mercy rule win wasn’t as wild as Australia’s 8-7 win of world number four Korea on Thursday night. Once Coen Wynne helped Australia get out of that sticky situation in the third it was much more straight forward.

The bats were hot from the start. It was another relentless team effort from the Green & Gold with contributions from everywhere.

Rixon Wingrove opened the game with a bases clearing double to score Australia’s first three runs of the afternoon in the first inning.

Back-to-back doubles from Darryl George cashed in a pair of scores in the third to push Australia up 5-0.

With the score 5-2, and right after Wynne had his moment, Australia piled on five runs in the fourth inning.

Robbie Glendinning hit his second homer of the tournament – a two-run shot to push the lead back out to five.

Aaron Whitefield followed that up with an RBI-double, his second of the game, to score Darryl George. Wingrove drove in Whitefield four his fourth RBI of the day. Logan Wade capped it off by driving in Rixon.

Just like that, it was 10-2.

Darryl George finished the day with an RBI in the seventh to push the game into 10-run mercy rule territory.

There were a stack of Aussie players who had big days with the bat.

Rixon Wingrove had 4 RBIs – tied most in Australian World Baseball Classic history.

Wingrove, Whitefield, Glendinning and Darryl George each had two hits. Australia combined for 12 base knocks as a team and worked eight walks. They only struck out a combined three times. It was a relentless effort.

“It’s surreal,” says Wingrove of the WBC experience so far. “We’re just going to enjoy the moment at this point. We are happy where we’re at and every game that we try and go into, we try and win.”

Wingrove swings big at the WBC (PHOTO: SMP Images)

Pitching wise, Australia started with Kyle Glogoski. The Cincinatti Reds affiliate player had a bend-but-don’t-break performance. He allowed four base runners off three walks and a hit but had five strike outs to go with it and importantly no runs.

“Today was a great game. Kyle started out, gave us a good three innings, really just settled down and got through his nerves, and the first inning we had the big hit from Rixon here,” says Nilsson. “Both these guys here have a big future in these tournaments and it was great to see them both come through.”

Luke Wilkins followed Glogoski and pitched 0.2 of an inning allowing two runs. Coen Wynne took over from there, pitching 2.2 innings of shutout ball.

Todd Van Steensel pitched a clean 1-2-3 seventh.

GET MORE STORIES AT OUR WBC23 HUB: CLICK HERE.

Australia plays world number one Japan next at the Toyko Dome on Sunday night. It’s expected to be another sell-out in baseball-crazed Tokyo.

It has the potential to be one of the bigger moments in Australian sports history.

But Dave Nilsson isn’t getting ahead of himself.

“I’m not really worried about tomorrow. I’m just going to enjoy today’s win,” says Nilsson. “Obviously everybody knows who Team Japan is and they know they have a lot of good players. I’ll go home and have a good dinner tonight, spend some time with my family and then after that, I’ll start thinking about tomorrow.”

WBC STANDINGS – POOL B

Top two teams advance to quarter finals.

1. Japan 2-0
2. Australia 2-0
3. Czechia 1-0
4. Korea 0-2
5. China 0-3

Up next:

• Sunday 12 March, 7:00PM Toyko time vs Japan
• Saturday 13 March, 1:00PM Toyko time vs Czechia

by Eric Balnar

Australia (1-0) continue their World Baseball Classic campaign in Tokyo with a Group B game vs China (0-2) on Saturday afternoon.

The game is scheduled to start at 12:00PM in Tokyo or 2:00PM in Sydney time. You can watch every pitch in ESPN around Australia and Fox Sports 1 around the world.

Australia is coming off an electric 8-7 win over world number 4 Korea. They are looking for their second win in a row.

China dropped their first two games of the World Baseball Classic vs Japan and Czech Republic.

The Top 2 teams in Group B, one of four pools in the WBC, will advance to the quarter finals. Australia is in a group with Korea, China, Japan and Czech Republic.

REMAINING TEAM AUSTRALIA SCHEDULE / RESULTS

March 9 – Australia 8 def Korea 7
March 11 – vs China, 12:00PM Tokyo Time
March 12 – vs Japan, 7:00PM Tokyo Time
March 13 – vs Czech Republic, 1:00PM Tokyo Time

For more stories, visit our WBC23 Hub at www.baseball.com.au/wbc23

ABOUT TEAM CHINA

From MLB.com (via Mike Clair):

“Shortstop Ray Chang returns for his fourth World Baseball Classic and China will look to rely on his bat that has posted a .324/.324/.471 line in the previous tournaments.

Surrounding him are Angels prospect and amateur free-agent signee Alan Carter, who pushed his fastball into the mid-90s after transferring to Lee University; KBO reliever Kwon Ju (3.91 ERA in 50 2/3 IP last year) and NPB OF Yusuke Masago.

New South Wales pitcher Coen Wynne has been added to Team Australia’s 30-man roster.

He replaces Tim Atherton (personal reasons) on the list.

Wynne just finished a four-year career at Grand Canyon University in the NCAA. He returned to Australia for the 2022-23 ABL season.

The 23-year-old started 10 games for the Sydney Blue Sox, posting a 4.13 ERA in 48.0 innings pitched.

He has previous experience on the World Cup U23 national team.

Australia continues their World Baseball Classic vs China on March 11 at 2:00PM AEDT.

The Aussies beat Korea 8-7 on Thursday afternoon to open pool play.

by Eric Balnar. Photos by SMP Images

When Robbie Glendinning hit a three-run home run to launch Australia in front of world number 4 Korea, there was an audible roar throughout the Tokyo Dome.

A roar. For Robbie. For Australia. In Tokyo.

Before the biggest game of his young career, 22-year-old pitcher Jack O’Loughlin stood in front of the dugout talking to his dad who was hanging above in the stands.

“You staying warm?,” asked Ray, Jack’s father.

Jack responded with a simple and relaxed: “I’m ready.”

O’Loughlin went on to pitch a perfect two innings in his start vs Korea, made all the more special by his dad and mum being there in person at the Tokyo Dome.

It’s those little moments between father and son that make big moments easier.

“It’s so special, to be honest,” said Jack before the game. “Mum and Dad both flew from Adelaide last night, I’ve even got family friends from Tokyo. My parents have watched me play when growing up, in the USA and now they are here. They’re my biggest fans and it’s great I share this moment with them. I wouldn’t be here without them.”

They say memories are best shared.

How special would it have been for Team Australia players and their 200+ collective family members who were on hand to watch the iconic 8-7 win over Korea?

The win was big enough. To do it with family and friends around? Priceless.

“This is huge,” says Katie, Josh Guyer’s partner. “This is the first time I have been able to travel and support Josh and watch baseball in his first World Baseball Classic. He’s wanted this for so long.”

Josh delivered. He was the closing pitcher in the one run win over the international baseball powerhouse.

His parents were also on hand. Guyer’s father – Gordon – says it just brought flashback of seeing where this journey started.

“[I remember] when he was four, in his second game, playing short stop. He dove across his body and caught one in the glove and he was hooked ever since,” says Gordon. “Now he’s 28 and here.”

Surreal.

“It’s really cool to have family around,” says Josh Guyer. “We put in a lot of hard work – not just for the two weeks we were in Japan early – but over the course of the year and years prior. They are your biggest support network and it’s kind of nice to have them here in person to celebrate the wins together.”

The Australian baseball community is a tight one. Players all have a similar experience growing up playing the game.

Whether you are famous international relief pitcher Liam Hendriks, 20-year-old pitcher Will Sherriff, or an Under-11 infielder learning the game – the baseball journey that starts at a small suburban club is the same.

“I think that’s what makes this so special,” says Australia pitcher Warwick Saupold of the World Baseball Classic experience. “It was drilled into us that the biggest thing you want to do is play for your country. There’s no better feeling…because we’re all mates here. You grow up playing juniors with them and against them. Going through the system with them all…it’s just different.”

Families have to deal with a lot, too. They deal with their sons leaving home to chase a dream overseas, or in another ABL city. There is a lot of sacrifice.

When different baseball families get together, there’s a lot of shared experience to bond over.

“It’s pretty incredible being here with everyone,” says Anna Kennelly, Tims’ wife who came over with their kids. “It’s such a huge sacrifice that the players make and it’s just a proud moment for us – especially having the kids here. We can have them understand what a huge achievement it is to represent your country.”

The Kennelly kids must have been proud when they watched their super dad launch a homer in the fifth inning.

Players wives, partners, kids, parents and family friends made the journey to create the sea of green.

Chants of player names, a chorus of “Aussie Aussie Aussie” and a noticeable eruption every time Australia did something significant filled space in an intense environment at the world famous Tokyo Dome.

The players all say and wish there could be more people here too, and they play for everyone at home.

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But the photos and stories from players reuniting with their families after two weeks of training camp flooded social media. It was special to see. Coffee dates, walks, dinners, and special family times.

There was even a surprise arrival.

Todd Van Steensel’s partner flew in from Mexico to watch. To add another twist, his brother surprised him – and he’s never been to a game.

Todd says he was surprised to see his brother here but was so happy.

“You know everyone’s supporting you but it gives you the little extra boost having that tight knit family group here who are really there for you which is the most special part,” he says.

Sam, Todd’s partner, flew in from Mexico for the game.

“I’ve never experienced something like this. To see the fans have Team Australia play out in front of so many people, it’s a great experience.”

“I watched Todd pitch last month in the ABL finals on TV. He was able to close the game and that was something very special for me and for him.”

Todd’s partner Sam (left), and his mother and brother

Team Australia Manager Dave Nilsson talked a lot in camp about how the players are representing not just their country, but every player that came before, every person that helped them to reach this level, their baseball communities, their family and their supporters.

“It’s the reward. The families put in decades of support that goes unseen and there is only a few time in a player’s career where families can have this hands-on experience,” says Nilsson.

That Aussie spirt is alive in Tokyo.

Georgia Saupold has seen her husband Warwick pitch in the Major Leagues, the KBO, the ABL and two World Baseball Classics. She says this tournament is just different.

“This opportunity doesn’t come around that often,” she says. “When you come together it’s special because you don’t get these families together throughout a normal year. It’s nice to get together and meet new people. To actually be here, to watch, it’s a real privilege – especially because they are playing for their country.”

Australian families will continue their support as the team’s World Baseball Classic campaign continues. Australia (1-0) will face China (0-1) on Saturday 11 March at 2:00PM AEDT.

And there will be a crowd of Aussies to cheer them along.

For more information on Team Australia, visit us at www.baseball.com.au/wbc23

by Eric Balnar

Team Australia just dropped a whole world of chaos on the World Baseball Classic and the international baseball scene.

Australia just knocked off baseball powerhouse and World #4 South Korea in one of the most famous victories in this country’s history.

The game itself was some kind of crazy. It took a whole team effort.

If you are an Australian baseball player named Robbie, you had a good one.

Robbie Perkins and Robbie Glendinning each had a monumental moment with the bat and a game saving moment in the field.

Let’s start with Robbie of the Glendinning variety. Down 4-2 in the seventh, and with two runners on, the Western Australian hammered a 410-foot homer to deep, deep left field to put the Aussies in front 5-4.

The very next defensive inning, Glendinning made a sensational heads up play at second to preserve the one-run lead.

Here’s what happened.

Powerhouse Korean slugger Baekho Kang melted a double off the wall to work himself in scoring position.

But Kang celebrated too early and stepped off the bag for a brief moment.

Glendinning tagged him out in one of the most heads up plays you’ll see.

Robbie Glendinning tags out a runner PHOTO: SMP Images

“I know from previously I’ve tagged guys when they have come off the base and I knew in that situation he might not have been thinking,” says Glendinning. “When I put the tag on, I knew for a fact that he came off the base.”

It was crucial because Korea had a base hit their very next batter. They would have scored a vital run and likely tied the game.

“It was a big turning point in the game,” says manager Dave Nilsson. “He let the dugout know what had happened, so that’s just a great moment by a great player.”

Then came the moment for the other Robbie – this one of the Perkins variety. Or moments, shall we say.

Canberra native Robbie Perkins delivered a monstrous three-run homer in the eighth inning to put Australia up 8-4 and in a strong position. Australia ended up needing all of those extra runs.

Then, Perkins later threw out a runner at second for the final out of the game.

That final out was one Australia sorely needed because South Korea was coming back. Hard.

In the eighth inning, off a series of walks and a fielder’s choice, Korea closed the gap and made it 8-7.

Enter Sam Holland and his moment.

The tall Queenslander entered the game with the bases loaded and 1200+ game KBO veteran Na Sung-bum at the plate.

Na ripped a ball of the left field wall. Korean fans went crazy. They thought they took the lead.

But the ball was called foul by a couple feet. Holland was given a second chance.

The very next pitch, Holland struck out Na to end the inning, stop the Korean threat and preserve an 8-7 lead heading to the last.

The win will go down as one of the most famous in Australian baseball history. It’s the Green & Gold’s third ever win at the World Baseball Classic in Australia’s fifth trip to the biggest international tournament.

“There’s a lot of relief right now. Very proud of the team, the resilience they showed,” says Dave Nilsson. “It was a very tough game, a very strange game. Had to stand out on defense for a long time, had to overcome a lot of emotions. Korea threw a lot of different challenges at us, but we responded like I knew we could and very rewarding for everyone involved.”

Korea put out a strong side littered with Korean Baseball League All-Stars and some high-end MLB talent. They have ended up on the wrong end of one of the biggest WBC upsets ever.

Australia got the better of them on one magical afternoon in Toyko – just.

“What I can tell you is right now that feels pretty significant. That feels like a pretty big moment, definitely,” says Nilsson.

Robbie Perkins celebrates in the eighth. PHOTO: Scott Powick

While Australia had to come from behind to win the game, they still struck first. They had a two-run lead at the midway point.

Logan Wade scored Darryl George on a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning to put Australia up early.

Tim Kennelly added to Australia’s tally with a solo shot in the fifth to put the Green & Gold up 2-0.

After a slow offensive start to the game, Korea’s bats woke up in a big way in the fifth and sixth innings.

To that point, it was struggle at the plate for the Asian baseball powerhouse. South Australian Jack O’Loughlin pitched a perfect first two innings. Western Australian Mitch Neunborn followed him up by retiring his first seven batters he faced.

It took 14 plate appearances before Korea finally got a runner on base by virtue of a walk in the fifth. Then they piled it on.

With two outs and two on, Korea’s Euiji Yang blasted a ball over the left field fence off reliever Dan McGrath to put them up 3-2.

The Tokyo Dome. Photo: SMP Images.

Korea added to their total in the sixth. ByungHo Park, a power hitter in the KBO for KT Wiz, drilled a ball off the top of the left field wall to drive in another run and give Korea a 4-2 edge.

Pitching wise for Korea, they started the game with Ko Young-Pyo – an All-Star KBO pitcher with the Hanwa Eagles. He went 4.1 innings, allowing four hits, two runs and hit two batters.

After that, Korea used seven different relievers to finish the game.

Australia emptied the bullpen, too. Australia used nine pitchers in the game. Lefthanded Victorian pitcher Jon Kennedy replaced McGrath for a key out in the sixth. Former MLB arm Warwick Saupold got two outs in the seventh.

Steve Kent and Will Sherrif pitched parts of the eighth before Holland got that clutch strike out.

Josh Guyer came in to close out the game. He had a daunting task, too. Guyer had to face two MLB stars in Tommy Edman and HaSeong Kim. He delivered.

But in what was a perfect ending for Australia, catcher Robbie Perkins threw out the runner for the final out.

It was a total team effort for the Australians, who used nine pitchers in the game. Nine of Australia’s ten position players used reached base. There were clutch moments from everyone.

“I think every guy just has their role to play and everyone played their role today to obviously result in a win against a tough team like Korea,” says Perkins. “Just guys coming in, doing the right thing, giving it their all, playing with heart for every play.”

Australia has the day off on Friday. They’ll play China at 2:00PM on Saturday.

Korea faces Japan tomorrow.

BOX SCORE – CLICK HERE

Australia starts their 2023 World Baseball Classic campaign in Tokyo with a tilt vs South Korea.

First pitch is at 12:00PM local time in Tokyo – that’s 2:00PM in Sydney and 11:00AM in Perth for reference.

Jack O’Loughlin, a 22-year-old lefthander from Adelaide, will get the start for Team Australia.

You can watch the game on ESPN on platforms like Foxtel, Fetch and Kayo.

Above: Jack O’Loughlin speaks at the WBC Press Conference

We will be providing game updates on our social media channels. Make sure you follow @TeamAustraliaBaseball on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

If you’re looking to read up on Team Australia, we have a log of stories on our #WBC23 Hub page found at www.baseball.com.au/wbc23.

For yesterday’s press conference, click here.

For player bios, click here. 

Jack O’Loughlin was announced as Team Australia’s opening game starting pitcher at the World Baseball Classic vs South Korea.

He says the feeling of being named the Game 1 starter of the world’s biggest international baseball tournament is a complete honour.

“It was the most unreal, breathtaking, speechless feeling when I found out,” says O’Loughlin. “I just sat there without anything to say when I was told. I was super excited, but lost, if that makes sense. This is stuff you honestly dream of, I can’t believe the stars aligned. Here I am now.”

The World Baseball Classic is the sport’s equivalent of the FIFA World Cup. The best players from the best baseball countries will go head-to-head over the next two weeks.

Australia is in Japan in a group with South Korea, Japan, China and Czech Republic. The Top 2 teams advance to the quarterfinals.

South Korea is an important game for Australia.

“Korea are so internationally respected and recognised,” he says. “You can’t single out any guy on the team. You just have to take it batter-by-batter and do your best to win each battle.”

Australia opens their campaign at 2:00PM AEDT. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.

O’Loughlin, a Detroit Tigers prospect, is no stranger to the big game.

The South Australian was the starting pitcher in the Adelaide Giants’ Game 3 win to win the ABL Championship in February.

“I definitely didn’t think my last six months would be like this,” he says. “All of a sudden I’m starting Game 1 in the Green & Gold”

Dave Nilsson says he is excited to see what the young pitcher can do.

“It’s a big moment for him and I’ll be excited to see how he responds,” says Nilsson. “I’m excited to see how the team responds.

Australia is just a day away from facing their first opponent at the World Baseball Classic. South Korea is up first for Australia on Thursday 9 March in Tokyo at 12:00PM local time.

The game will be broadcast on ESPN via Kayo, Foxtel, Fetch and online through their app in Australia from 2:00PM.

And it’s a big one.

Australia needs to finish Top 2 in Pool B to advance to the quarter-finals. The pool features Japan (#1 ranked in World), Korea (#4 ranked in World), Czech Republic (#15 ranked in World) and China (#30 ranked in World). Australia comes in at 10 on the rankings.

The odds suggest that Japan and Korea are the two neutral favourites to advance out of the group. That’s why this Korea-Australia game is huge. The winner is in great position.

Team Australia’s manager Dave Nilsson said in a press conference on Monday that “Australia will throw everything they have at Korea.” He knows the importance.

The South Korean camp has been quoted by saying this is their most important game of the tournament. Any team can beat any team, but they are aware Australia is their biggest threat to the Top 2.

So, who is on their team? What are their strengths? It’s essentially a super-star Korean Baseball Organisation (KBO) team mixed with some seriously good MLB talent.

There seems to be a lot of pressure on South Korea to advance. They went to the final of the 2009 World Baseball Classic but haven’t made it out of the group since. In 2017, they famously were upset by Team Israel.

This article by Elijah Evans of Just Baseball details their team perfectly. You can click here to read it.

On the surface, Korea’s middle infield is a massive strength. Tommy Edman and Ha-Seong Kim are current MLB players. Both are coming off big 2022 seasons.

Edman and Kim are both in the elite tier of defenders last season, and both spent the majority of their time at shortstop.

If their middle infield is about defense, their corners are about power.  Jeong Choi likely plays third and is one of the greatest KBO hitters of all time. He’s slammed 429 career home runs and an impressive .917 OPS in over a decade of KBO seasons. At first we could see ByungHo Park. He did play a season with the Twins, but is known for hitting 349 homers in the KBO.

In the outfield is a future MLB star. Jung-Hoo Lee just won the 2022 KBO MVP season and led the KBO in batting average and RBIs. He hit .349 last season with a .996 OPS and has a career batting average of .342 in his six KBO seasons. Lee is only 23 and will be posted to the MLB next season.

Pitching wise, you’d think their ace is KwanHyun Kim. He pitched for the Cardinals in 2020 and 2021. He had a 2.97 ERA in the Big Leagues before returning to the KBO where he dominated last season.

Keep your eye on their high-leverage arm out of the bullpen. Woo-Suk Go was the best closer in the KBO last season. He had 42 saves and a 1.48 ERA. He’s just 24.

If you missed any team Australia news, profiles and stories, check out our WBC23 Hub at www.baseball.com.au/wbc23.

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

It’s four-degree weather at a suburban-baseball field in Tokyo. It’s the tail end of Japanese winter.

To state the obvious – It’s a bit cooler than the 30+ degree weather most Australians would be experiencing this time of year. The players at Australia’s pre-tournament camp are being run through an arduous week of high-intensity, over-speed training in frigid conditions.

But Warwick Saupold, one of Australia’s 35 humans to ever play MLB, is there with the rest of his team.

And he’s smiling. Laughing, even.

He’s photo bombing videos. He’s running around the outfield like a kid. He’s dropping one-liners. He’s working hard but keeping it light.

“See, guys like that…they know the balance,” says Team Australia’s general manager Russell Teichmann. “They understand there’s business to take of care and know when to lock in, but they also know this is just a game. They have to keep it light-hearted because that has a flow on effect to other younger players on the team.”

MISSED A STORY? View one of our daily stories on Team Australia here.

That light-hearted attitude is essential for Team Australia at the World Baseball Classic, which starts on Thursday vs Korea.

The tournament is serious stuff. It’s the biggest international tournament played in front of TV audiences in the millions and sold-out crowds of 55,000 in Tokyo.

The pressure is high but it’s important to have fun.

“You want to be successful and if you are successful, why not enjoy it,” says manager Dave Nilsson. “Success is hard. You have to work hard to get it. But you want to make sure you enjoy it when you get it.”

Finding that balance is a challenge, that’s why Australia is looking to some their more senior players to set the example. Teichmann says Australia needs their big leaguers to lead from the front.

Australia has two MLB players – Saupold being one and Aaron Whitefield the other. There are three other coaches with MLB time on the staff, Nilsson included.

Saupold played for the Detroit Tigers from 2016-2018 before joining the Hanwa Eagles in the top Korean league for two seasons. He’s also pitched in two World Baseball Classics, the Premier-12 and World Cup events.

Warwick Saupold at training (PHOTO: SMP Images / Scott Powick)

Whitefield has played two stints in the Big Leagues – in 2020 with the Minnesota Twins and in 2022 with the LA Angels.

These players have battled in front of 50,000 people on the biggest of stages. But you wouldn’t know it.

Teichmann says the difference is they act like normal guys. They don’t behave like they are “too big” for the team.

“They’re knock about Aussie guys,” he says. “They could be intimidating to other Aussie guys, but they’re not. It’s their responsibility to make guys feel welcome and bring out the best in the given individual.”

Saupold says he’s trying to use his own experience to better his teammates. He says he understands how to prepare your emotions for the big stage.

“Wherever you can help out possible, help out,” he says.

“If I’m walking down the hallway and I see someone up-and-about, I might be like: ‘Hey look we got a long day today, the game isn’t until seven. Do you want to go for a meal and have a chat?’ Or, some guys have come to me and asked how to deal with a situation I pass on my knowledge. I just keep an even keel and move on from there.”

Whitefield is about to play in his second World Baseball Classic. He was only 19 at his first one in 2017. Now, at 25, he’s made the MLB, won two ABL MVP awards, and is one of the most experienced players in the country.

Aaron Whitefield at a practice game in Miyazaki (PHOTO: SMP Images / Scott Powick)

He says he knows he needs to lead by example.

“I feel like in 2017 it was one of my first years in baseball,” he says. “Now I know I have to get the energy going before the game and to set the tone. For a lot of these guys [this experience] is going to be exciting. You have to take it in and know that okay this is fun and awesome, but we have a job today – let’s go do it.”

Whitefield says it isn’t just the MLB guys that need to set the tone. Players like Tim Kennelly, Steven Kent, Jon Kennedy and Tim Atherton are among many of the guys on this roster who have played in huge games for Australia.

There’s also players like Robbie Glendinning, who just returned from Royals Big League Camp, who is expected to take a big role.

“I’m lucky, I’m not the only one. I think there’s a lot of guys who showed me how to do it and now I’m trying to pass on the same,” he says.

Both MLB players are genuine in their reasons they are here. They’re here for a simple reason: they love, live and breathe Australian baseball.

“I wasn’t going to miss this. I get to play with all my boys,” laughs Whitefield. “For me, I’m here because it’s about showing the world that Australia is really good at baseball. We’re number 10 in the world. We don’t play this in school. Imagine what we would be with that? But we’re going to show the world that hey, we don’t have the same huge stadiums but we’re great at baseball and have huge heart.”

Whitefield with the Minnesota Twins in 2020 (PHOTO: Getty)

Saupold says there’s nothing more meaningful than playing for Australia – even when comparing it to his Big League experience.

“You get this tingly feeling – goosebumps,” he says. “Coming up, it was drilled into us that the biggest thing you can do in this sport is play for your country, even before the Big Leagues. I’m very grateful to do both but there’s no better feeling than wearing the Green & Gold.”

But for Teichmann it all comes back to balance.

“They know their responsibility and they embrace the fact that people look up to them, that there’s eyes on them,” he says. “It’s about being prepared. Being consistent. Showing the young guys what to do. Working hard. Keeping it light hearted.”

“They’re doing all of that – and more.”

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

Liam and Josh Spence used to play catch in the backyard of their childhood home in Geelong.

“I might have to grab a glove have to have a quick throw with him,” Josh Spence semi-jokes, looking out at Liam Spence running with Australian teammates on a sunny left field at a Miyazaki stadium. “That would be pretty special.”

It would be.

Liam Spence grew up idolising his two brothers Nick and Josh – two baseball playing boys eight and ten years his senior.

Nick played college baseball and still coaches in the USA. Josh went on to play MLB for the San Diego Padres and now coaches in the minor leagues.

Liam has forged his own outstanding baseball career. He is on the national team, after all. The kid from Geelong became the King of Tennessee university baseball when he led the NCAA’s powerhouse South East Conference (SEC) in hits in 2021. He was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 2021, has already played Triple-A and just won a Claxton Shield.

Liam Spence at Team Australia training in Miyazaki (PHOTO: Scott Powick / SMP Images)

But Liam and Josh have never been on the same team together. The closest they came was when a very young Liam Spence was the batboy for his older brothers at the family’s home club in Geelong, Victoria.

That all changed today as Team Australia’s preparation shifted to Miyazaki – a small surfing town in the South of Japan.

Josh Spence was one of nine new baseball bombshells who entered the Australian WBC villa.

“They’ve played the biggest of roles,” says Liam of his brothers. “My brothers are the reason I play the sport. To be here together is surreal.”

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Over the next three days in Miyazaki, Australia will train and play two exhibition games vs Japanese teams before the tournament starts for real on March 9.

Spence is one of six new staff members to join the team physically. He is working in analytics. Five Australian coaches from major league camps also joined the squad.

Three players – Robbie Glendinning, Kyle Glogoski and Aaron Whitefield – rounded out Team Australia’s roster after the trio left their respective MLB club’s spring training to join their baseball brothers in Japan.

“They know this is the group. There’s nobody else coming and we’re moving forward,” said manager Dave Nilsson. “Now it feels a bit more fun.”

While Josh and Liam are literal brothers re-united, the family feeling is powerful between Australian teammates here in Miyazaki.

They aren’t related by blood, but they may as well be. They are related by the blood, sweat, tears and the common experience of playing Australian baseball.

“Playing in the Big Leagues is one of the greatest things I’ve ever done but coming here it’s different,” says Whitefield, who’s appeared in MLB games with the Minnesota Twins and LA Angels.

Whitefield says the common roots between Australian teammates separates the experience of playing in a World Baseball Classic and in the Big Leagues.

“Here, you’re playing with guys who eat meat pies like you did, have ice coffees like you did,” he says. “It’s being able to relate to everything that you grew up to believe in, how you grew up, and then going out and shedding blood with your brothers – and that’s what they are.”

Whitefield grew up playing club baseball in Queensland. He busted into the Australian Baseball League as an 18-year-old and won an MVP nearly immediately. He joins teammates he played junior baseball with, club baseball for, and guys he played against in the ABL.

Aaron Whitfield (sitting) surrounded by his Australian teammates in Miyazaki (PHOTO: SMP Images)

He says it makes him feel part of something bigger.

“It’s something different than playing in the states where maybe it feels a little more selfish. We’re here and playing for each other. Playing for each other’s families and for the country we come from.”

Kyle Glogoski says joining the team was “revitalising.”

“Everyone is so helpful and wants what’s best for the team. The team camaraderie is like nothing I’ve been part of before,” says Glogoski.

Robbie Glendinning just came from MLB camp with the Kansas City Royals where he started his spring in hot form. He says he couldn’t wait to join his teammates in Japan.

“The baseball community in Australia is so small. We all band together and just love being around each other,” he says.

You could feel that rejuvenated energy at lunch after training. Team Australia gathered in a small cafeteria for really felt like a big family dinner. Green & Gold jerseys sprawled throughout the long tables surrounded by sounds of laughter and a feeling of excited anticipation.

Dave Nilsson addresses the team before Miyazaki Camp (PHOTO: Scott Powick / SMP Images)

Aaron Whitefield, Jordan McArdle, Warwick Saupold and Jarryd Dale all sat together at the end of the tables. Four players – from four different Australian states – cracked jokes, shared stories and reminisced about old games.

Saupold, a former MLB pitcher himself, says the camaraderie of the national team is the difference between the WBC and the Big Leagues.

“We’re all mates, that’s more of it,” says Saupold. “You play in the States and you might know guys in the system and then you play in the Big Leagues with them. But it’s [not the same].”

“Here you grow up playing juniors with them, you go through the ranks with them, and then you get to the men’s team together and you know you’re here for a reason.”

Saupold – now 33 – has been on a long baseball journey with many of his teammates. One of them is Steve Kent.

The two of them went to an elite baseball academy together as teammates and are now about to pitch in their third World Baseball Classic as a pair.

“It’s just different when you go through the system with them all. It’s a different feeling because we’ve all been through such a similar experience,” he says.

Saupold played club ball for South Perth, battling in games on weekends vs the likes of Tim Kennelly over at the Melville Braves. He and Kennelly won ABL Championships together and are now on their third WBC roster.

Warwick Saupold at training (PHOTO: SMP Images)

“We’ve been around these guys our whole baseball career. You go through transitions, you see how guys evolve and you’re very much part of their story,” he says.

That brotherhood between players extends between newer members of the team and guys who have been there for over a decade.

Saupold says its as much about seizing the moment know as it is paving the way for the future.

He says he’s using his time on the World Baseball Classic roster to help pave the way for future players.

“You always root for other Aussie players. It doesn’t matter who it is. You want to see more Australians in the Big Leagues,” he says. “I think it’s a special thing being an Australian baseball player because you know the whole of Australia will be behind you. Hopefully some of the younger guys can use this tournament to take the next step in their careers.”