Meet the Australian team playing in the Inaugural Baseball5 Youth World Cup this week in Turkey

05 October 2023 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

Meet the Australian team playing in the Inaugural Baseball5 Youth World Cup this week in Turkey

with excerpts from Baseball NSW story published here

Australia will make history with eleven other countries when they take part in the inaugural Youth Baseball5 World Cup next week.

The event will be held next month in Ankara, Turkey from 10-15 October. Australia will battle in Group B vs Korea, France, Taiwan, Ghana and Mexico.

The team is a mixed-gender squad with players from New South Wales and Victoria combined to form a team for this historic occasion.

Australia’s participation in this event is a great opportunity to promote the growth of Baseball5 across the country. This team will be the first Australian side to partake in a WBSC Baseball5 World Cup since its inception, which has created a unique pathway for our athletes into future World Cup and Youth Olympic teams.

Baseball5 is effectively the ‘street’ version of baseball. It is played with many of the same rules as baseball and governed by the World Baseball Softball Confederation.

The game is played with two teams of five players. Instead of bats, you use hands. Instead of a baseball, it’s a rubber ball. It’s a lot of fun and very accessible.

What is Baseball5? Click here.

The team will be coached by NSW Baseball5 Director Adrian Medina Scull – a Cuban native who grew up playing the original version of the game from a young age.

Medina has been working tirelessly in New South Wales developing the sport of Baseball5 under the NSW Sporting School’s program, running programs for Disability Sports Australia ‘Activate Inclusion Day’s’ and recently launching Wheelchair Baseball5.

“The 5 B’s of Baseball 5 are: “Be Active, Be Heard, Be Included, Be Fun, Be a Community,” says Medina. “Baseball5 is a lot more than a game.”

Emeralds star pitcher Allie Bebbere will join Adrian as the Executive Officer. She brings a wealth of international and national tournament experience to the squad of Australian youngsters.

“I’m excited to help create a memorable experience for this team and to start giving Australia a name in Baseball 5,” says Bebbere.

International baseball scorer Gil Reyes – who has worked with the Venezuelan professional league – also joins the staff.

The players were selected after a couple Baseball5 showcase and trial events.

Click here for all the schedule details.

To follow along the World Cup, head to the official WBSC Youth Baseball5 World Cup page via this link.

You can watch the game via WBSC’s official broadcast platform Gametime.Sport.

04 October 2023 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

- Aussies Abroad

MEAD-IA FRENZY: All the wonderful Curtis Mead stories in one place

It’s not every day baseball gets this sort of media attention in Australia. Or should we say…Mead-ia attention.

When it happens, you have to make the most of it.

Curtis Mead did the hard yards today in promoting Australian baseball.

The 22-year-old South Australian made history this morning, twice. He became the first Australian positional player to appear in an MLB postseason game. He also became the first Australian to record a hit in the MLB playoffs.

The Tampa Bay Rays may have lost Game 1 of the best-of-three series to Texas Rangers, but Curtis generated quite the buzz with stories appearing in podcasts, radio bulletins, major news outlets, print, online and digital.

Here are all the stories in one place. Happy reading!

The Rays are back tomorrow morning vs the Texas Rangers in Game 2. They’re trying to stave off elimination. You can watch on ESPN / Kayo.

ONLINE / PRINT

CODE SPORTS – Curtis Mead was living the ‘Bull Durham’ minor league experience two months ago. On Wednesday, he made MLB history, writes SHANNON GILL. An incredible story touching base with Curtis’ home club.

NEWS.COM.AU – ‘Aussie Gun makes MLB History.’ Read here.

AAP – Mead makes baseball history twice on bleak day for Rays

FOX SPORTS – Curtis Mead becomes first non-pitching Australian to play in MLB Playoffs

COURIER MAIL – Rays’ Mead poised for post-season in debut MLB year

COURIER MAIL – Aussie Mead makes history twice

It was even on Yahoo!

Stories of Curtis appeared in newspapers around the country the next morning.

RADIO / PODCAST

Local Adelaide radio stations had Curtis Meads’ names mentioned regularly on news bulletins throughout the day.

We have to highlight a wonderful interview with ABC’s Poppy Penny. If you need to listen to something before bed – it has to be this.

TV

We will post links when we get them, but we have confirmed stories of Curtis Mead in:

– Channel Nine
– ABC: Click here (at 24:00), also on National Services.
– Channel Seven: Click here (at 38:00)

04 October 2023 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

- Aussies Abroad

Mead becomes first Australian with hit in MLB postseason game

You grow up dreaming of fighting for a World Series on a Major League Baseball team.

That dream became a reality today for South Australian Curtis Mead.

The West Lakes Shores resident was sensationally named to the starting line-up Game 1 of the Tampa Bay Rays’ playoff run on Wednesday morning.

When he took the field in the first inning, he became the first Australian position player to appear in a modern-day MLB playoff game, and the first South Aussie.

To make things better? He got a hit in his first at-bat. He is the first Australian to record an MLB playoff hit.

He finished the game going 1-for-3 while playing second base in the 4-0 loss for the Rays.

Two other players with Australian connections took part in this game. Junior Caminero (Perth Heat, 2022-23) entered mid-game for Tampa Bay. Andrew Kittredge (Adelaide, 2012-13) pitched a scoreless ninth for the Rays.

The Tampa Bay Rays play the Texas Rangers in a best-of-three Wild Card Series. The MLB playoffs begin this week with four Wild Card series across the league.

Mead (West Torrens / Adelaide Giants) grew up in the South Australian baseball system,

Mead got his first MLB call-up in August. He made national headlines when he got his first Major League hit on the very first pitch he saw.

He’s been in the Rays’ starting lineup the last two weeks of the season, hitting .259 with a home run and 3RBI over the last 15 games. He’s played a mixture of second and third base.

He is the sixth Australian to play in a modern-day MLB playoff game. Graeme Lloyd, Damian Moss, Grant Balfour, Peter Moylan and Liam Hendriks all played in postseason games but they are all pitchers.

Joe Quinn played in a National League playoff game all the way back in 1892 for Baltimore. This was before MLB was officially formed in 1903.

Mead made his Australian Baseball League debut with the Adelaide Giants as a 16-year-old in 2017. He has a career .302 batting average in 115 ABL games. Mead remains under contract with the Giants and trains with the club in his MLB off-season.

The schedule for Tampa Bay’s Wild Card Series is below. You can watch the games on Fox Sports via Kayo.

Game 1: Wednesday 4 October – Texas 4 def Tampa Bay 0
Game 2: Thursday 5 October, 5:38AM Adelaide time
Game 3: Friday 6 October, 5:38AM Adelaide time (if necessary)

If the Rays win this series, they will advance to play the Baltimore Orioles in the second round.

Mead is one of a dozen ABL players who could play in the postseason.

23 September 2023 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

- Team Australia

Here are the 39 players at Baseball Australia’s National Under 16 Camp this week

Many of Australia’s best junior players will descend upon Canberra this week for Baseball Australia’s National U16 Camp.

39 players from states across Australia will head to the nation’s capital for a unique experience focused on development.

The players will stay on campus at the Australian Institute of Sport from September 24 – 30. They’ll play baseball everyday at Narrabundah Ballpark – home of the Canberra Cavalry.

The camp will see a combination of on field skill development, workshops with the world-renowned staff of the Australian Instute of Sport (AIS). and the ability for players to measure up against other from around the country.

In the mornings, players will have training sessions, where they will also have individual defensive work with positional coaches.

After a lunch break, players will play games in the afternoon.

39 players are divided in two teams.

The camp is meant to provide further instruction for the fundamentals and an introduction to the Team Australia culture.

Many of these players will be eligible for the Under 18 World Cup in two years’ time.

Here is the list.

TEAM 1

Riley Cooper (NSW) – Infielder
Roman Coote (VIC) – Outfielder
Will Couzner (SA) – Infielder / Outfielder
Jordan Ellis (VIC) – Catcher
Mitch Evans (SA) – Pitcher
Lenny Golding (WA) – Infielder / Outfielder
William Hardy (VIC) – Infielder / Outfielder
Tyler Howarth (SA) – Pitcher
William Kent (VIC) – Infielder / Outfielder
Liam Kiddle (QLD) – Infielder / Outfielder
Kason King (SA) – Catcher
Mason Malkoun (NSW) – Outfielder
Austin Moyle (WA) – Infielder
Ben Nesbit (WA) – Infielder / Catcher
Hudson Pallay (VIC) – Infielder / Pitcher
Nathan Rumbelow (VIC) – Pitcher / Outfielder
Robinson Smith (VIC) – Pitcher
Adam Taylor (WA) – Pitcher / OF
Lachlan Vella (NSW) – Infielder
Kobi Wise (QLD) – Pitcher / OF

TEAM 2

Ethan Bickel (NSW) – Pitcher
George Calverley (WA) – Infielder / Catcher
Sam Davis (NSW) – Outfielder
Caleb Duke (QLD) – Infielder / Pitcher
Quinn Fatai (WA) – Infielder
Lucas Gallardo (NSW) – Catcher
Caesar Gardiner (QLD) – Infielder / Pitcher
Lincoln Gruppelaar (NSW) – Infielder
Campbell Harris (NSW) – Catcher / Outfielder
Andrew Land (VIC) – Infielder
James Lander (NSW) – Pitcher / Outfielder
Mitch Langworthy (VIC) – Infielder / Pitcher
James McFarlane (SA) – Outfielder
Liam Overlack (QLD) – Outfielder
Zak Stafilis (VIC) – Infielder / Outfielder
Bailen Thomas (SA) – Infielder
Wesley Wilford (QLD) – Catcher / Pitcher
Jax Williams (WA) – Pitcher
Damien Wilson (NSW) – Pitcher

21 September 2023 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

ABL

Barclay Cup brings young female baseballers from across country together to honour Aussie baseball legend

The second annual Barclay Cup is less than two weeks away. This year, one of the most engaging community baseball displays of the year is heading to Perth.
Named in honour of Emeralds legend Jacinda Barclay, the participation tournament is for youth girls aged 13-16.

Perth baseball club Carine Cats will host the event from October 1-7, 2023.

“We can’t wait,” said Baseball WA participation manager Dayid Hayes in a statement earlier this year. “This tournament gives junior girls the chance to shine on the national stage and play with their peers from around the country. We had great feedback from the first tournament and look forward to an even bigger and better event later this year.”

State bodies from across the country will enter teams in the tournament. New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, WA and SA all have teams entered in the event.

Rather than a state team v state team event, this tournament will encourage participation by welcoming multiple teams from each state depending on interest levels – each State and Territory Association is invited to send two teams.

You can check out the team names below.

The event was started in a collaborative effort from state associations in honour of Jacinda Barclay, who sadly passed away in 2020.

The inaugural event was held at Surfers Paradise Baseball Club in 2022.

Scott Pratt, a father of one of the players and coach of the Adelaide Seahorses team, says he’s never seen an event like this before.

He sang the event’s praises in an interview with BaseballSA last year.

“The spirit with the girls was outstanding,” says Pratt. “The camaraderie it created was second to none. It’s great to be part of and builds a great community.”

Jacinda’s mother, Deb Barclay, told Baseball Queensland that her daughter would be so proud of this tournament and the continued success of women’s baseball in Australia.

“Jacinda lived her life with an open heart. She would be tickled pink and absolutely humbled by this auspicious honour bestowed upon her. Jacinda always strived to inspire girls and women from all walks of life to participate in one of the sports she loved, that being baseball,” she says.

“What made a tournament stand out next to none for her was the desire to challenge yourself, weaving in camaraderie, friendships and creating incredible memories. Something Jacinda would live by is it’s better to look back on life and say, ‘I can’t believe I did that’ than to look back and say, ‘I wish I did that’”.

Action begins on October 1. Follow Barclay Cup on Facebook for full information and to find links to relevant teams.

The performance arm of Junior Women’s Baseball will once again be served at the Australian Youth Women’s Championships held over Easter Weekend in 2024.

—

TEAM NAMES

POOL A
Queensland 1 Crocodiles
NSW Sky Cinda Spirit
West Coast Gold Rays
Vic Dingoes

POOL B
NSW Navy Barky Ballhers
Vic Hornets
Adelaide Seahorses
West Coast Blue Rays

21 September 2023 By Staff Writers

By Staff Writers

- Aussies Abroad College Baseball

10 Australian teenage baseballers named to prestigious MLB Select squad; will play in Arizona Fall Classic

Ten young Australian teenage baseball players have an opportunity of a lifetime this month when they get to showcase their talents vs professional players at a prestigious and exclusive Major League Baseball (MLB) event at the end of September.

All ten of these athletes, with wide representation across Australia, have been named to the ‘MLB World Select’ team for the upcoming Arizona Fall Classic in Phoenix, Arizona from September 26 – October 6, 2023.

The players on the MLB World Select Team, made up of the best players from outside the USA, will play in games against minor leaguers and college players in the United States, including a game vs KC Royals professional.

In 2022, the World Selects played on Major League Spring Training Fields vs college clubs, recruits and MLB Academy players.

They receive instruction from international coaches and try to get noticed by college recruiters and MLB scouts. Players also visit schools.

“This trip is the pinnacle event of the year for junior baseball players outside of the U18 World Cup,” says Baseball Australia Player Development Manager Andrew Riddell. “The players are selected by national coaches with input from scouts from MLB clubs that get an opportunity to live life as a pro or a college athlete for two weeks.”

Riddell says the opportunity for these players to showcase their abilities in front of a different audience is invaluable.

The exposure to universities and professional teams is second to none and really shows our players what the next level of baseball looks like in the U.S.

The players selected for the event are:

INF Josh Nati (NSW)
INF Jayden Kim (VIC)
INF Max Durrington (QLD)
INF Zach Altamura (SA)
OF/INF Nic Paparella (SA)
RHP Alistair Tanner (SA)
RHP Jai Hewitt (WA)
RHP Ben Karakasis (NSW)
LHP Lachlan Rosser (CNSW)
LHP Jacob Palmer (NSW)
Coaches: Shayne Watson (QLD) and Andrew Riddell (NSW)

This event has a track record of success.

Australian senior men’s national team members Jarryd Dale, Rixon Wingrove and Kyle Glogoski as well as U18 national team alumni and current professionals Solomon Maguire, Clayton Campbell and Kai-Nao Wynyard are among notable players who used this event to sign an MLB affiliated contract.

Other Australian players, like potential Top 10 MLB Draft pick Travis Bazzana and 2022 commits like Nick Bertucci or Max Stagg, used this opportunity to commit to prestigious US colleges.

“For these players to come over to the USA and experience and play against the best players in the world is something they can’t replicate anywhere else,” says Baseball Australia CEO Glenn Williams, a former instructor at this event, told ESPN in 2017. “Hopefully, they will leave with the context of what they actually have to do to reach the next level.”

The World Select team is made up of eleven countries including Australia, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, Czech Republic, France and Brazil.

The team will be playing multiple games in Arizona in the leadup to the Arizona Fall Classic.

They begin on September 26 with a practice in Surprise, Arizona. They play games vs IMG Academy, MLB Urban Academy and GBG Vegas from September 27-29.

On October 2 they have a “pro day” in front of MLB and college scouts.

On October 4 they play a game vs the KC Royals minor leaguers and October 6 they play a strong college outfit in Grand Canyon University.

Make sure you keep up with the progress of the Australians in the MLB World Select Team via the Team Australia Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

15 September 2023 By Staff Writers

By Staff Writers

ABL

Baseball OnDemand evolves into Baseball+

Baseball Australia has announced the rebranding of ‘Baseball OnDemand’ to ‘Baseball+’ ahead of upcoming seasons across Australia.

With the rebrand, comes evolution.

Baseball+ will introduce an application (app) fans around the world can download on their phone or tablet from early October. Fans will be able to watch games live through Baseball+, including the Australian Baseball League and Team Australia games.

The app will also feature stat and schedule integration and casting capabilities to Apple and Android Devices.

“It’s the next step in the journey of Australian Baseball in the digital world,” says ABL General Manager Paul Gonzalez. “Last year we invested in bringing Australian Baseball broadcasts to one home, on an OTT platform. We’ve heard a lot of feedback from fans and wanted to ensure a better experience for the upcoming season.”

The platform, formerly called Baseball OnDemand but now called Baseball+, brought in nearly 30,000 registrants over the course of the ABL and local Australian baseball seasons.

Baseball+ will house Australian Baseball League competition games, the ABL Finals, Team Australia games and national tournaments.

The app will have baseball, plus a lot of other exclusive content and exclusive pieces.

Team Australia’s tournament games in the upcoming Asian Professional Baseball Championships will also be broadcast exclusively with English commentary on the app.

The American Association of Professional Baseball broadcast a game-a-week exclusively and free on the platform through the American baseball season.

Gonzalez doesn’t rule out more international broadcasts and content pieces.

“We see it as a home to baseball in Australia plus a lot of other great stories. There’s a lot we can do. The plan is to work with other competitions and events around the world to bring baseball content year-round on the platform,” he says.

Baseball+ has backend capabilities to house video chats, interviews, behind-the-scenes content and highlights.

Local league competitions will have the ability to broadcast their games, too.

“We’re obviously still in the early stages of this, but I think it’s really exciting for Australian baseball to have a home for all of this. There’s a lot of capacity for growth and the ability to channel new ideas into this,” he says.

Baseball+ is scheduled to hit your local Application Store in early October, well in advance of the season.

14 September 2023 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

- Aussies Abroad Aussies Sign Pro

"A lifelong dream" - New South Wales teenager Adam Bates signs with MLB's Boston Red Sox

Add another player to the list of Australians playing professional baseball in the USA.

New South Wales teenager Adam Bates has just signed a professional baseball contract with famed MLB club Boston Red Sox.

Bates, an 18-year-old pitcher, just competed for Australia at the Under 18 World Cup where he posted a 3.00 ERA in three appearances for the Green & Gold. He also played in the 2022 World Cup where he had a terrific sub 2.00 ERA.

Bates grew up in the Sydney-area, playing at his club baseball at MacArthur Orioles growing up. He was also a Sydney Blue Sox development player in the 2022-23 Australian Baseball League season.

The Red Sox have kept a close eye on the development of Bates and other Australian prospects. They visited Adam at the Under-18 National Camp on the Gold Coast in August, that’s when negotiations really started to heat up.

“They had been following me and watching me develop for a few years,” says Bates. “They spoke with my mum and I about professional life vs going to college.”

Bates (above) has been terrific for Australia at the past two U18 World Cups. He went toe-to-toe with powerhouse Taiwan, allowing just one run in five innings. Photo: WBSC.

Bates had a couple opportunities to explore, including going to college. Earlier in 2023, Bates expressed a commitment to attend Xavier College.

In the end, he landed on becoming a professional baseball player now.

“This offer was the deciding factor to head straight to pro ball. The Red Sox have a reputation for producing high class athletes and they are very well known. It’s a lifelong dream,” he says.

Bates is now one of 34 Australians playing professional baseball in the United States.

He will likely report to Boston’s “Instructional League” later this year – sort of a crash course for new signings and young players in the organisation.

He will then join the Red Sox each March to October for the USA baseball season where he will try to work his way up the various levels of the minor leagues with the dream goal of making it to the Major Leagues.

Bates says his family, friends and baseball community have played a massive influence on his career.

“They’ve pushed me to be better in every aspect of my life,” he says. “They are there in the good and bad times and push me to be the best version of me.”

“The MacArthur Oriole family also need a lot of thanks,” he added. “They have made sure I’ve been able to go and work on my craft any time and receive this opportunity.”

You can follow along all our professional Aussies at www.baseball.com.au/AussiesAbroad.

12 September 2023 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

- Aussies Abroad

UPDATE: Here's how all Australian players finished their USA professional regular seasons

Just like that, the American minor league regular season is over!

33 Australians played professional baseball overseas this year and some put up some outstanding numbers. One even progressed to the Major Leagues!

There will be more joining this list after the Under-18 World Cup, with some hot interest from scouts.

There are also several Australians coaching in the minor leagues. You can view that list here.

If you’re looking for an explanation of how the minor league system works, the Adelaide Giants broke it down very easily here.

But let’s not waste any of your time. Happy scrolling.

NEW SOUTH WALES

Clayton Campbell, C-IF (Detroit Tigers) | Player profile | Latest news

After beginning the year at the Detroit Tigers’ Complex League, and hitting .284 in 33 games. He then got a call-up to join the Single-A affiliate the Lakeland Flying Tigers. Campbell hit .184 in 12 games with a homer and 3 RBI. Lakeland, as it happens, is managed by Andy Graham and they qualified for the playoffs on one of the last days of the regular season.

Lakeland plays Clearwater in Game 1 of the Division Series starting Wednesday morning Australian time. You can view details here.

Liam Doolan, P (LA Dodgers) | Player Profile | Latest News |

A fine year for Liam in his first full professional season. Doolan finished with a 3.63 ERA in 20 games and 39.1 innings pitched with Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, the Dodgers’ A-Ball affiliate. Impressively, he had 43 strikeouts and a 1.18 WHIP.

He’ll play an important role in the Quakes’ playoff run that also begins Wednesday morning Australian time.

Josh Gessner, RHP (Texas Rangers) | Player profile | Latest news

Gessner missed a chunk of the season after getting hurt mid-May. He returned at the beginning of August and eventually got the call-up to High-A Hickory Crawdads. Hickory are in the playoffs starting this week.

Gessner posted a 3.73 ERA in 31.1 innings across three levels – Rookie Ball, Low-A and High-A.

Solomon Maguire, OF (Pittsburgh Pirates) | Player profile | Latest news

A tough year for Solo who only got five at-bats in June before getting hurt. All the best in his recovery and we look forward to seeing what one of Australia’s most promising prospects can do!

Todd Van Steensel, RHP (Gastonia Honey Hunters, Atlantic League) | Player profile | Latest news

After 15 years, Todd announced his retirement from US professional baseball last month. He’ll return to Australia to play for the Giants.

Rixon Wingrove, IF (Philadelphia Phillies) | Player profile | Latest news

Rixon’s best minor league season to date. Wingrove played 101 games at High-A Jersey Shore Blue Claws where he belted 15 homers, drove in 63 RBI and hit .246. That kind of power earned him a call-up to Double-A Reading where he finished the season hitting .100 in 10 games.

Reading now make a playoff run starting this week.

QUEENSLAND

Brandan Bidois, RHP (Pittsburgh Pirates) | Player profile | Latest news

One of the best performances from an Australian this year. Bidois boasts simply nasty stuff. His high-90s fastball and devastating breaking ball helped the 22-year-old to 1.99 ERA in 22 games and 22.2 innings pitched. Incredibly he had 42 strikeouts…that’s ridiculous. He’s allowed just 2 runs in 17 relief appearances since June 1.

Jackson Grounds, RHP (Pittsburgh Pirates) | Player profile |

Pitching in the Complex League in his first professional season, the 19-year-old had a 3.52 ERA in 12 games this season. He was shut down recently due to injury.

Callum Wallace, RHP (Los Angeles Dodgers) | Player profile | Latest news

The 19-year-old had an 11.37 ERA in 12.2 innings of work in the Complex League this season. Impressively, he had 19 strikeouts in that time.

Ben Walmsley, LHP (Cincinnati Reds) | Player profile | Latest news

The 18-year-old missed this season due to injury.

Aaron Whitefield, OF (Sioux Falls Canaries, Atlantic League) | Player profile | Latest news

Whitefield hit .190 at the LA Angels Double-A affiliate but was released mid-season. He was picked up by Kansas City Monarchs in the American Association, and later traded to the Sioux Falls Canaries.

The Melbourne Aces star and 2x ABL MVP is hitting .250 with 2HR and 9RBI in 12 games so far with Sioux Falls.

Kai-Noa Wynyard, RHP (Texas Rangers) | Player profile | Latest news

What a season! In 41.1 innings, the 21-year-old posted a 2.38 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. Opponents hit just .192 off of Wynyard, making him one of the best relievers in the competition.

He starts the playoffs with the High-A Hickory Crawdads with Gessner this week.

Tom West (Umpire)

Tom is umpiring in Triple-A this year – a big accomplishment for the longtime ABL ump.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Curtis Mead, IF (Tampa Bay Rays) | Player profile | Latest news

At the beginning of August, Mead became the 37th Australian to make the Major Leagues. He spent two weeks at the MLB level and hit .250 before being sent down to Triple-A. Since his return to Triple-A, Mead has belted the wheels off the baseball. In 10 September games, Mead is hitting .314 with 5HR and 10RBI.

His current Triple-A numbers? Hitting .294 with 9HR, 43RBI and a .385OBP in 61 games.

Jack O’Loughlin, LHP (Detroit Tigers) | Player profile | Latest news

Jack started the season in High-A. In 37.1 innings he had a 2.17 ERA and got a call-up to Triple-A Toledo Mudhens. He currently has a 4.75 ERA in 77.2 innings at Triple-A.

The Giants championship winner ended the season hot. He’s allowed just 5 runs in his last 24 innings (four starts). The season continues for Toledo!

Riley Yeatman, RHP (San Diego Padres) | Player profile | Latest news

Riley unfortunately missed the whole season due to an elbow injury. He had Tommy John surgery in June.

VICTORIA

Chris Burke, C (Kansas City Royals) | Player profile | Latest news

Burke had 11 hits at Rookie Ball this season, collecting a hit.

George Callil, IF (Evansville Otters, Frontier League) | Player profile | Latest news

Callil is playing Independent League baseball and hitting .240 in 72 games with the Evansville Otters.

Jarryd Dale, IF (San Diego Padres) | Player profile | Latest news

The Melbourne Aces star infielder made a return from injury in late July. In 12 games at High-A Fort Wayne TinCaps, Dale hit .216 with a home run. Fort Wayne starts their playoff run this week.

Mitch Ellis, RHP (Kansas City Royals) | Player profile | Latest news

Mitch unfortunately has not pitched this season due to injury.

Darcy Longstaff, P (Cincinatti Reds) | Player profile |

The Adelaide Giants latest signing had a 6.84 ERA in 25 innings at the Reds’ Complex League team. He was a starter sometimes and a reliever other times. Longstaff had 27 strikeouts in 25 innings.

Billy Parsons, P (Sussex County Miners, Frontier League) | Player profile | Latest news

Parsons went to the USA to play his first full-season of professional baseball in the Independent Frontier League. He was an All-Star! His numbers: 1.50ERA in in 36 innings with a 0.88 WHIP and 35 strikeouts. Great stuff from the Canberra Cavalry pitcher.

Nikau Pouaka-Grego, IF (Philadelphia Phillies) | Player profile | Latest news

PG is reaching the end of his rehab from a major knee surgery he had after injuring it in ABL action with the Giants last season. He didn’t play in a game but has been working out daily.

Liam Spence, IF (Chicago Cubs) | Player profile | Latest news

Spence – a Claxton Shield winner with the Adelaide Giants – hit .213 at High-A South Bend Cubs this year. He also had a brief call-up to Double-A Tennessee Smokies.

Blake Townsend, LHP (Seattle Mariners) | Player profile | Latest news

A dominating finish for the Aces’ pitcher. Townsend finished the year with a 3.38 ERA in 48.0 innings with Single-A Modesto Nuts. His finish has been sensational – just one earned run in his final 10 appearances since August 5.

Jarrod Belbin, IF (Seattle Mariners) | Player profile | Latest news

Belbin got signed out of college in the middle of the season. He hit .214 with a home run in 28 Complex League at-bats.

Declan Speirs | C (Philadelphia Phillies) | Player Profile

Speirs was only recently signed. After reporting in Dominican Republic to work out, Speirs joined the U18 National Team at the World Cup where he was one of the leading hitters.

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WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Bailey Jay Cooke, IF (Oakland A’s) | Player profile |

BJay hit .194 with a .298 on-base-percentage at Single-A Stockton Ports. This was the first full professional season for the 19-year-old Perth native.

Robbie Glendinning, IF (Philadelphia Phillies) | Player profile | Latest news

A three-team season for the Melbourne Aces star. He started in Double-A with Kansas City but was traded to Baltimore where he played just over a month at Triple-A. After being released in August, he signed with Philadelphia and reported to Double-A Reading.

Across those three teams, Robbie hit .250 with 8HR, 34RBI and a .359 on-base-percentage.

Alex Hall, C (Milwaukee Brewers) | Player profile | Latest news

The reigning Helms Award winner with the Perth Heat hit .227 with 11HR and 40RBI for High-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. During the year he set a single-game record for Wisconsin with a 9-RBI game.

Josh Hendrickson, P (Philadelphia Phillies) | Player profile | Latest news

Hendrickson started 21 games at Double-A with a 5.58 ERA across 108 innings.

Liam Hendriks, RHP (Chicago White Sox) | Player profile | Latest news

A heartbreaking and heartwarming years in so many ways. In January, Hendriks was diagnosed with cancer. He overcame it and made an MLB return in May. However, he got hurt again and had to undergo major elbow surgery that will keep him out another 12 months. We wish our number 1 pitcher the best.

Mitch Neunborn, RHP (Philadelphia Phillies) | Player profile

Neunborn put together an excellent first minor league season. He had a 3.38 ERA in 42.1 innings this season but opponents only hit .174 off of the Giants star. Neunborn also posted an immaculate inning and had two separate 5-inning, no-hit appearances.

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*Billy Parsons, P (Sussex County Miners, Frontier League) | Player profile | Latest news

*pitches for Canberra in ABL

AUSSIE ABROAD UPDATES

September 4, 2023 – Here’s a list of all the Aussie coaches in the USA

August 22, 2023 – UPDATE: Here’s how all Australian professional baseball players are doing overseas | Baseball.com.au

10 September 2023 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

- Team Australia

Every player reaches base as Australia storms to 8-1 win over Venezuela to end U18 World Cup

You have to hand it to this U18 squad – it’s a resilient bunch. And they get to end the U18 World Cup with a win over the World #6 ranked team.

Australia’s bats finally caught fire in a convincing 8-1 win over Venezuela on Sunday morning.

Nic Paparella (SA) led the offensive onslaught with a 2-for-3 performance that included a two-run homer and a two-run RBI double.

Australia scored five runs in the sixth inning to pull away.

It’s the game that took three games to play. This contest was started and postponed twice – once on Friday and again yesterday.

The real story here is the attitude and collective team effort this Australian side showed. Every player in the line-up made an impactful contribution.

Don’t believe me? Dig this box score.

Eight players had hits, every player reached. The whole team had to dig deep to limit the Venezuelan offense to just one run off of 10 baserunners.

Australia used four pitchers in the game, including shutout performances from three on Sunday.

In another world, in another time, this could have been a different story. Venezuela had glorious opportunities.

This game originally started – with nearly two innings played – on Saturday night before rain postponed the game and forced a continuation today.

When the game started, Australia was down 1-0, Venezuela was batting, they had bases loaded and just one out.

Jai Hewitt (WA) sensationally got a ground ball double play to start the game, and Australia launched themselves from there.

The victory leaves Australia with a 3-2 record in the placement round and in good stead to finish 8th of 12 in the tournament. However, they need to wait until the conclusion of the Venezuela – Czechia game to know their final placing.

Game Recap

The game that lasted three days.

Australia and Venezuela were originally scheduled to play Friday evening. While the teams arrived at the field on Friday, baseball was never played. The rain was much too heavy.

The two opponents tried to get the game in Saturday afternoon immediately following Australia’s 2-0 win over Spain. They got a little over an inning in before the game was postponed until Sunday morning.

What action did occur on Saturday did not favour the Aussies.

A pair of early hits off Australian starter Adam bates put Venezuela up 1-0 after one.

They then loaded the bases with a couple more hits in the second. That’s where the teams left it – top of the second, Venezuela batting, bases loaded, one out, 1-0 lead for the South Americans.

On to Sunday…

Things bounced Australia’s way when the game resumed in incredible fashion.

New pitcher Jai Hewitt entered with bases loaded and promptly got a ground ball double play ball to end the inning.

Australia levelled it in their half of the second. A wild pitch from the Venezuelan pitcher scored Josh Davies from third.

From staring down the barrel of going down a big hole, to tie game, just like that.

Both pitchers settled into a groove from there. Hewitt pitched a cruisey third and fourth for Australia, while Oscar Meljerajo seemingly had things in control.

That is until the Aussies struck again.

Nic Paparella launched a massive two-out homer – the team’s only one of the tournament – to give Australia a 3-1 lead.

Lachlan Rosser took over from Hewitt in the fifth inning. He got Australia out of a mini-jam in the fifth before retiring the opposition in order in the sixth.

The final line on Hewitt: 3.0 innings with one hit and no runs.

Rosser? 1.2 innings of scoreless work, allowing just two hits.

The fantastic pitching and defense allowed Australia to pile it on in the sixth.

Declan Speirs and Lachlan Smith led off with singles. Then, with two-outs, Nic Paparella stepped to the plate.

He hammered home his third and fourth RBIs of the day with a clutch two-out, two-run double to put Australia up 5-1.

Tom Chessel cashed in Paparella with an RBI single to make it 6-1.

Jack Ratcliffe and Blake Barlow kept the train rolling with singles of their own.

Then, with bases loaded, a walk to Callum Donnelly and a wild-pitch brought two more runs home. It pushed the lead to an insurmountable 8-1 advantage.

Daniel Mills closed things out in the ninth for Australia.

NOTES ABOUT THE PLACEMENT ROUND

Australia’s U18 World Cup has come to an end. They finished in the ‘Placement Round’ of the tournament.

The Top 3 teams from each first round group advanced to the ‘Super Round’, while the bottom three move to the placement round.

To view Australia’s past results, click here.

Australia, from Group A, played the three teams from Group B. They are Panama, Venezuela and Spain. Games vs teams from your original group hold off, meaning Australia gets credit for a win vs Mexico and loss vs Czechia that carries over from Group A action.

At the end of the Placement Round, teams will be ranked from #7-#12 in the competition and world ranking points distributed accordingly. Current standings are:

7. Panama – 4-1 (wins vs Spain, Venezuela, Czechia & Australia, loss to Mexico)
8. Australia – 3-2 (losses vs Czechia & Venezuela, wins vs Venezuela, Spain & Mexico)
9. Mexico – 3-2 (wins vs Spain, Panama & Czechia, losses vs Australia & Venezuela)
10. Venezuela – 2-2 (losses vs Australia & Panama, win vs Spain & Mexico)
11. Czechia – 2-2 (wins vs Australia & Spain, losses vs Mexico & Panama
12. Spain – 0-4 (losses vs Venezuela, Panama, Mexico and Czechia)

To see the Top 6 in the Super Round, visit the WBSC Website.

09 September 2023 By Staff Writers

By Staff Writers

- Team Australia

Australia's second try at U18 World Cup game vs Venezuela washed out

Australia’s last game of the Placement Round has been postponed due to rain.

Action will resume Sunday morning at 9:00AM local / 11:00AM AEST.

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