Australia names roster for 2027 U12 World Cup Qualifiers in Guam

30 October 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

Australia names roster for 2027 U12 World Cup Qualifiers in Guam

Team Australia has confirmed their list of 18 players who will travel to Guam for the 2026 WBSC U12 Oceania Championships, with a place at the 2027 U12 Baseball World Cup in Tainan up for grabs.

Three nations will compete for the region’s lone qualification spot. Australia, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands (MNP) will face off in a triple round-robin tournament format.

Each country will play the other three times, with the team finishing with the best record earning a ticket to the World Cup in July 2027.

The tournament runs from November 27-30, 2026.

Australia enters the tournament as defending Oceania champions, having won the regional qualifier in 2024. Australia went on to finish ninth at the 2025 U12 World Cup – the best result in program history.

The Australian squad has been selected in consultation with state baseball bodies across the country.

FULL SCHEDULE: Grab the official U12 Qualifiers Schedule

A new face will lead the Australian dugout. 35-year-old Max Brennen will make his national program managerial debut, taking charge of the U12 squad for the first time.

A former Sydney Blue Sox player in the Australian Baseball League, Brennen also played collegiate baseball at West Texas A&M University in the United States. He currently serves as coach and president of Sydney’s Petersham Leichhardt Baseball Club and has been involved in Baseball NSW’s junior development pathways.

He’ll be supported by a coaching and support group spanning the country, with Western Australia’s Mark Pettit serving as Pitching Coach and Queensland’s Dan Wilson joining as Assistant Coach.

Val Langworthy returns as Executive Officer.

Australia will have another representative on the diamond, with New South Wales umpire Michael Bryan appointed to officiate at the tournament.

Fans and family can follow Australia’s qualification campaign through live scoring on the WBSC website, with tournament coverage, results and updates available at Baseball.com.au and across Team Australia’s social media channels.

Schedule
– Nov 27: Australia vs MNP, 10:30AM AEDT (9:30AM local)
– Nov 27: Australia vs Guam, 1:00PM AEDT (12:00PM local)
– Nov 28: Australia vs Guam, 3:00PM AEDT (2:00PM local)
– Nov 29: Australia vs MNP, 12:00PM AEDT (11:00AM local)
– Nov 30: Australia vs Guam: 12:00PM AEDT (11:00:AM local)
– Nov 30: Australia vs MNP: 3:00PM AEDT (2:00PM local)

23 October 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

Community

Inaugural Helms Award Winner Tony Strand among recent Baseball Australia Hall of Fame Class

Some of the most legendary players in Australian baseball history have won the Helms Award, presented to the Best & Fairest player in the Claxton Shield competition.

Trailblazers like Dave Nilsson have their names etched on the award.

ABL record holders like Tim Kennelly and Andrew Scott have won the honour. Major Leaguers like Jake Fraley, Homer Bush, Alexander Wells, Chris Snelling and Aaron Whitefield have all sat on top of the Australian baseball world.

But the first to ever do it?

That would be New South Wales pitcher Tony Strand, who was recently named to the Baseball Australia Hall of Fame.

The inaugural winner of the Helms Award put together an incredible tournament at the 1962 Claxton Shield in Perth. It’s one of the performances that helped earn Strand his place among the six members of the most recent Hall of Fame class.

In just one week, Strand appeared five times and pitched more than 30 innings, including three nine-inning complete games.

Perhaps his most memorable effort came against hosts Western Australia. Strand went the distance in a 6-0 shutout, allowing just four hits and one walk while striking out four.

He also etched up two complete-game victories over South Australia. Strand allowed five runs in a 7-5 victory before holding SA to just one run in a 3-1 win.

Across those three starts alone, Strand pitched 27 innings, allowing 13 hits, six walks and six runs while striking out 11. He also came out of the bullpen twice during the tournament.

By the end of the week, Strand had been named an Australian All-Star and became the first player ever presented with the Helms Award.

His career extends well beyond his remarkable 1962 tournament.

Born in Kyogle, NSW, the strong right-handed pitcher joined Mosman Baseball Club in 1954. His first season ended with a Third Grade premiership before Strand made the jump to First Grade in 1955. He would remain a First Grade pitcher with Mosman through 1967.

Strand played for NSW at Under 21 level in 1955 and 1956 and went on to represent his state at senior level, including Claxton Shield appearances in 1960, 1961, 1962 and 1965.

He was also a regular in City v Country baseball.

More than half a century later, Strand’s place among the greats of New South Wales baseball was recognised with selection in the NSW 75th Diamond Claxton team.

Now, the first player to ever win one of Australian baseball’s most prestigious individual honours has a Hall of Fame Distinction next to his name.

The ABL is almost back: 8 big stories you may have missed

It’s been nearly nine months since the last pitch was thrown in the Australian Baseball League.

A lot has happened since the Adelaide Giants lifted the Claxton Shield on January 25. Players have changed teams, international partnerships have been announced, new managers have arrived and a fresh crop of Australians are returning from college.

With the 2026-27 ABL season opening on November 19, here are some of the biggest stories you might have missed during the off-season.

With less than four weeks to go, I’m sure there is more to come.

Australians return from college

One of my favourite parts of the ABL is watching young Australians get their first crack at professional-level baseball.

This season, there’s a growing list of Australians returning home after playing college baseball in the United States. Some have put up enormous numbers, some have signed professional contracts and others are looking to make their mark in the ABL.

I wrote about ten of them in an article here.

Giants land former MLB pitcher and Helms Award winner Alexander Wells

This is the big free agent signing of the off-season, isn’t it?

Former Major Leaguer and Team Australia pitcher Alexander Wells has moved with his family to South Australia and will suit up for the defending champion Adelaide Giants.

Wells spent the last two seasons with the Sydney Blue Sox.

In his first ABL season in 2024-25, the left-hander dominated the competition, going 6-1 with a league-leading 1.55 ERA on his way to winning the Helms Award as the ABL’s Most Valuable Player. He followed that up with a 3.42 ERA across 50 innings in 2025-26, the fifth-best ERA in the league.

He was named to the 2026 World Baseball Classic roster.

Wells was handed the ball for Australia’s opening game against Chinese Taipei and delivered three shutout innings, allowing just one hit and striking out six hitters. He finished his outing by striking out the final five batters he faced.

Wells is one of just 41 Australians to have reached Major League Baseball, having last pitched for the Baltimore Orioles in 2022.

Perth lands one of Cincinnati’s top prospects

This feels particularly timely, especially with former Perth Heat player Junior Caminero featuring in the World Series.

Could Cincinnati Reds prospect Liberts Aponte be another future Major Leaguer to come through Perth?

The Venezuelan shortstop is ranked as the Reds’ No. 7 prospect by MLB Pipeline and was described as one of the best shortstops in the 2025 international signing class.

Aponte made his professional debut at just 17 years old. In 2026, he hit .351 with 11 extra-base hits and 18 RBI across 33 games in the Dominican Summer League.

He’ll be just 19 years old when the ABL season begins.

International partnerships bring MLB and Japanese talent to Australia

I love watching players from different countries express themselves through baseball.

Each ABL team has a partnership with a professional team around the world. It’s one of the best parts of the league. It benefits players, raises the standard of competition, helps with financial costs and assists Team Australia on the world stage.

Since professional baseball began in Australia in 1989, more than 170 players have gone on to reach Major League Baseball after playing in the country, with many others progressing to professional leagues in Japan and Korea. Names like Junior Caminero and Ronald Acuna have graced our league.

This season, clubs have announced players or arrangements involving the following organisations, with more to come in the coming days. Keep your eyes peeled. Let’s start with what has been publicly confimed:

– Chiba Lotte Marines (Adelaide Giants)
– Yomiuri Giants (Adelaide Giants)
– Tokyo Yakult Swallows (Sydney Blue Sox)

– Texas Rangers (Adelaide Giants)
– Philadelphia Phillies (Adelaide Giants)
– Kansas City Royals (Brisbane Bandits)
– Cincinnati Reds (Perth Heat)
– Tampa Bay Rays (Perth Heat)
– Houston Astros (Sydney Blue Sox)
– Texas Rangers (Sydney Blue Sox)

– NC Dinos (Sydney Blue Sox)

When you add it all up, that’s teams from Korea, Japan and the USA confirmed sending teams to Australia!

Here are some headlines within the…er…headlines?

Blue Sox expand international partnerships

The Sydney Blue Sox will welcome players from three major leagues – Korea, Japan and Major League Baseball!

The Houston Astros, NC Dinos and Tokyo Yakult Swallows will send players to Sydney this season.

Players are not yet announced.

Brisbane has three Kansas City Royals prospects heading its way.

The Bandits have announced outfielders Henry Ramos and Roni Cabrera, along with Hiro Wyatt, from the Royals organisation.

Ramos hit .258 with seven home runs, 41 RBI and 20 stolen bases across 99 minor league games in 2026. Cabrera brings a similar combination of speed and power, having recorded nine home runs, 45 RBI and 21 stolen bases in 104 games.

Reports: Five Japanese players heading to Adelaide

The Chiba Lotte Marines have announced infielders Atsuki Tomosugi and Kyuto Ueda, both 25, for the upcoming season. The pair have substantial NPB experience, with Tomosugi appearing in more than 390 top-flight games and Ueda hitting eight home runs in 2026.

Meanwhile, the Yomiuri Giants confirmed three more players on October 21. They are 22-year-old infielder Kota Hirayama, 23-year-old pitcher Yuki Hanada and 24-year-old catcher Tatsuya Sakamoto.

Hirayama brings first-team NPB experience, having played 40 games in 2026, while Hanada recorded a 1.99 ERA in Japan’s minor leagues. All five players are expected to be with Adelaide until December 21.

Perth has eight MLB-affiliated players

The Heat have announced that both the Cincinnati Reds and Tampa Bay Rays will send four players to Western Australia this season.

One to watch is Rays outfielder Slater de Brun, listed as Tampa Bay’s No. 14 prospect by MLB Pipeline in Perth’s announcement. De Brun hit .284 in 2026 and stole 23 bases in just 35 games across Rookie and Single-A baseball.

The Rays’ relationship with Perth has been particularly productive over the years, with players including Junior Caminero and Cristopher Sánchez going on to reach the Major Leagues.

Want to follow the latest roster announcements?

Keep an eye on each team’s official signing tracker as we get closer to opening day:

Return of Kyle Glogoski

Super excited for this one. King Kyle is back.

Glogoski was a member of Australia’s 2023 World Baseball Classic squad and last appeared in the ABL during the 2024-25 season. He’s signed with the Sydney Blue Sox.

The right-hander reached as high as Triple-A in the Philadelphia Phillies organisation in 2021, an impressive achievement for a pitcher who came through the New Zealand baseball system.

New management, ballpark changes in Adelaide

In September, it was announced that Black Pearl Sports Group (BPSG) took over the day-to-day operations and management of the Adelaide Giants, partnering alongside the Pelligra Group.

They also announced a significant investment in fan experience, including new grandstands.

Read about it here.

Three new managers

Here’s another interesting storyline.

Three of the ABL’s four clubs will have new managers in 2026-27.

That’s a lot of new faces in the dugouts for a four-team competition.

Perth Heat: Lance Rymel

The Heat have appointed Lance Rymel as manager.

Rymel brings more than a decade of coaching experience in professional baseball, including his work in the Chicago Cubs organisation.

Adelaide Giants: Landon Lassiter

The defending champions have turned to Landon Lassiter. Lassiter is a development coach in the Texas Rangers organisation, having spent the 2026 season with the High-A Hub City Spartanburgers.

Sydney Blue Sox: Mike Roberts

Sydney have gone with experience, appointing American coach Mike Roberts.

Roberts brings a lengthy background in college baseball and coaching to a Blue Sox club that has made a point of bringing home Australian talent this off-season.

How to watch the ABL in 2026-27

The ABL season begins on November 19, with four teams competing across a 39-game regular season.

The top two teams will advance to the best-of-three ABL Championship Series from January 29-31, hosted by the minor premiers.

If you can’t make it to the ballpark, there are a few ways to follow the action.

In Australia

– Watch through an ABL Access Pass on Baseball+.
– Watch through an existing MLB.TV subscription.

In Japan and Taiwan

– Watch through Baseball+.
– DAZN is also listed on the ABL’s international viewing page, although a new 2026-27 agreement has not yet been separately announced.

Around the world

– Watch through an ABL Access Pass on Baseball+.
– Existing MLB.TV subscribers can also access ABL broadcasts.

All 78 regular-season games and the playoffs will be available on Baseball+, with one selected game each week available free to viewers around the world.

23 October 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

ABL Community

Ten rookie Australians primed for their debut ABL seasons

There’s a good chance you’ve never seen some of these guys play baseball.

Or maybe you have. But I would wager the player you remember from an Australian junior championship might look a whole lot different now…

Every November, the Australian Baseball League brings home players who have spent years developing their game overseas, often largely out of sight of Australian baseball fans.

Some return with professional contracts, others with impressive college numbers, and a few with something to prove.

This year’s group is particularly interesting.

Among the crop, there’s a catcher who homered at the College World Series, an infielder who hit two grand slams in one game, a 7’2 giant from Country NSW, and a Pittsburgh Pirates prospect coming off his first professional season.

Here are 10 of the young Australians I’m particularly looking forward to watching this summer in their first full ABL seasons.

Action starts November 19.

Brent Iredale | INF | Sydney Blue Sox

Of all the Australian players returning to the ABL this summer, Brent Iredale might arrive with the highest profile.

The Sydney infielder is already a pro, and just had a really solid season in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ minor leagues.

Iredale was selected by the Pirates in the seventh round of the 2025 MLB Draft after an impressive college career that took him from New Mexico Junior College to the University of Arkansas.

In college, he was known for his power. At New Mexico in 2024, Iredale hit 25 home runs before transferring to Arkansas, one of the biggest college baseball programs in the United States.

With Arkansas, he hit .286 with 14 home runs, 57 RBI and a .994 OPS across 65 games for the Razorbacks, helping them reach the College World Series in Omaha.

In his first full professional season in 2026, Iredale hit .250 with 16 home runs, 51 RBI and an .882 OPS across 80 minor league games. He was also promoted to High-A by the end of the season.

An encouraging start.

Iredale is also a product of Blacktown Workers Baseball Club.

John Lemm | C | Brisbane Bandits

Imagine finishing your college career at the College World Series, signing a professional contract with the St. Louis Cardinals and then coming home to play for the Brisbane Bandits.

That’s been quite a year for John Lemm.

The Brisbane-developed catcher spent 2025 at Southern Illinois, where he smashed 19 home runs with 56 RBI before transferring to the University of Alabama for his final college season.

He didn’t slow down against SEC pitching – widely regarded as the best in the college system. Lemm hit another 10 home runs with 34 RBI for the Crimson Tide, helping Alabama reach the College World Series in Omaha.

Lemm has since signed with the St. Louis Cardinals organisation as an undrafted free agent.

Blake Cavill | INF | Sydney Blue Sox

How do you hit two grand slams in the same game? Ask Blake Cavill.

On May 16, playing for Troy University against Louisiana-Monroe, the Australian infielder launched two grand slams in consecutive innings. He finished with nine RBI, tying a Sun Belt Conference single-game record.

That’s one way to get everyone’s attention.

However, Cavill’s college career is about much more than one extraordinary afternoon.

The Sydney product spent five years playing college baseball in the United States, beginning at Northwest Florida State before moving to Western Kentucky and eventually Troy University.

It was at Troy where he really found his stride. Across the 2025 and 2026 seasons, Cavill played 128 games and hit .293 with 25 home runs, 101 RBI, 117 walks and a .970 OPS.

Those are serious numbers, particularly the walks.

He also played an important role in Troy’s historic 2026 campaign. The Trojans reached the College World Series in Omaha for the first time in school history, even recording their first victory at the tournament.

Cavill has been an impact player wherever he’s gone, including during his junior baseball days in New South Wales, helping Cronulla reach multiple World Series events and playing for his country in junior WBSC World Cups.

Now he’s returning to Sydney, where he made three brief ABL appearances back in 2020.

Tyson Noel | LHP | Perth Heat

At 6-foot-7, Tyson Noel shouldn’t be particularly difficult to spot when he takes the mound for Perth.

The left-hander is returning to Western Australia after four years of college baseball in the United States, where he pitched for Cochise College in Arizona and the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.

Across 53 collegiate appearances, including 46 starts, Noel recorded 209 strikeouts.

His strongest statistical season came in 2024, his first year at Science and Arts of Oklahoma, when he pitched 76.2 innings, struck out 89 hitters and recorded six wins.

He’s a product of the Swans District Baseball Club in Western Australia and represented his state at both the Under-16 and Under-18 Australian Youth Championships. For years, he was one of the young players working his way through the local baseball system.

Noel’s story a nice reminder of why the ABL matters to Australian baseball.

Koskei Partington-Hopes | RHP | Perth Heat

Koskei Partington-Hopes came awfully close to making his ABL debut last summer.

The Perth native joined the Heat ahead of their Round 9 home series against the Sydney Blue Sox in 2025-26. He was named on the roster for the final home series of the season but never made it onto the field.

He will be hoping his first ABL appearance comes in 2026-27.

Partington-Hopes has been developing his game with the Morley Eagles in Western Australia’s Harcher State League, where he’s contributed as both a pitcher and utility player.

Morley have claimed back-to-back State League championships, giving Partington-Hopes experience playing meaningful baseball in one of Australia’s strongest domestic club competitions.

His journey is a little different from some of the other Australians on this list. While many have spent recent seasons developing in American colleges, Partington-Hopes has been working his way through the Western Australian baseball system.

Darcy Barry | INF/OF | Adelaide Giants

Note: this signing was announced before new management of BPSG, but is still listed on the Giants’ website. Consider this one a ‘potential.’

Darcy Barry’s baseball story could be coming full circle.

The former West Torrens and Henley and Grange junior grew up watching the Adelaide Bite and Giants, dreaming of one day playing for his hometown professional club.

He was one of South Australia’s most exciting junior players, representing his state at national championships and earning MVP honours at the 2019 Australian Under-16 Championships.

By 17, he was hitting .430 in South Australia’s Division I competition.

Barry’s game has changed considerably since then.

He left Australia in 2022 to pursue college baseball in the United States, beginning at North Iowa Area Community College. Barry hit just .175 during his final junior college season before moving to Dakota State University.

That’s where the power started to arrive. In 2025, Barry hit 12 home runs, drove in 39 runs and stole 24 bases in 49 games at Dakota State. He followed that with an impressive final college season at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, hitting .277 with 12 home runs, 44 RBI, 23 stolen bases and a .966 OPS.

That’s 24 home runs and 47 stolen bases across his final two college seasons.

Quite the transformation for a player who once relied primarily on contact hitting and speed.

The club announced his signing in August, before Black Pearl Sports Group assumed management. His roster status under the new management group still needs confirmation.

Josh Beezley | RHP | Sydney Blue Sox

Josh Beezley knows what it’s like to pitch for Australia on the international stage.

The right-hander from Wheeler Heights in Sydney’s Northern Beaches represented Australia at the 2024 WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup in China. Now he’s returning home after three seasons at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where he developed into a dependable bullpen arm.

Beezley saved his best for his final college season.

In 2026, he made 29 appearances, posting a 3-0 record with one save and a 3.57 ERA across 40.1 innings. Perhaps most impressively, he walked just nine hitters all season, a significant improvement on the 19 walks he issued in only 24.1 innings the previous year.

He also helped Little Rock win consecutive Ohio Valley Conference Tournament championships and reach the NCAA Super Regionals for the first time in program history.

Beezley began his American college career at National Park College before moving to Little Rock. Now, with five years of college baseball behind him and international experience already on his résumé, he’ll look to establish himself in Sydney’s bullpen.

Beezley is from Manly Baseball Club.

James Boeree | RHP | Sydney Blue Sox

The tallest professional baseball player…ever?

At 7-foot-2, the towering right-hander is one of the tallest players to have competed in professional baseball. Imagine being a hitter trying to pick up a pitch coming from that height.

The tallest minor league player ever, for the record, is former Adelaide Giant / Brisbane Bandit Lock Van Mil (7’1).

Boeree’s baseball journey has taken him from Sydney to American college baseball, independent professional baseball and now back to the ABL.

He spent time at Salt Lake Community College in Utah before moving to the University of Colorado – Colorado Springs.

More recently, he pitched professionally for the Mississippi Mud Monsters in the Frontier League, an independent competition in the United States. Boeree struck out 32 hitters across 35.1 innings with Mississippi.

Boeree made a brief appearance for Sydney during the 2017-18 season, pitching just one inning.

Lachlan Rosser | LHP | Sydney Blue Sox

Here’s another tall, commanding Aussie pitcher heading to the ABL.

Lachlan Rosser is a product of Wollongong baseball who has spent the past two seasons pitching for Hutchinson Community College in Kansas.

The tall left-hander recorded 72 strikeouts across 73.2 innings, holding opposing hitters to a .231 batting average.

Those numbers have helped earn him an opportunity at the next level of American college baseball. Rosser had committed to the University of Nebraska for 2027.

If the name sounds familiar, Rosser also competed for Australia at the 2023 U18 World Cup.

Aidan Torpey | RHP | Sydney Blue Sox

An 11-1 college record is a pretty good way to finish your time in the United States.

That’s the career record Aidan Torpey brings home after four years at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Across 54 appearances for the Vikings, the right-hander struck out 87 hitters while establishing himself as a regular contributor to the pitching staff.

The 25-year-old right-hander was part of two NSIC Championship-winning teams and helped Augustana reach the Division II College World Series in 2023.

Torpey was born in the USA, but raised in Sydney while playing for Manly.

What’s Next?

Can they make the next step in the ABL?

The pitching is more experienced than a low-level minor league system and college.

The rosters include professionals from around the world – including from the NPB, former Major Leaguers, ABL veterans and top prospects from MiLB systems.

Some will be using the summer to prepare for their next professional season overseas. Others will be looking to establish themselves in the ABL and push towards future national team opportunities.

However, for Australian baseball fans, there’s the chance to see what our community helped create.

The 2026-27 ABL season begins November 19.

There are plenty of familiar names returning to the league, but I’m particularly looking forward to watching the next wave.

14 October 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

Community

The Whip Around: Australian Baseball Headlines From the Past Month

There’s always something happening in the world of Australian baseball, and I’m here to let you know a few of the headlines from around the world!

Let’s waste no time jumping into it. But if I missed something big, or just a genuinely cool story, please feel free to fire it through to marketing@baseball.com.au and we can include it in the next edition, or maybe even give it its own story! After all, we’re powered by you.

Let’s rip in.

RIXON WINNING IN JAPAN

Team Australia first baseman Rixon Wingrove has been playing in the Shikoku Island League, an independent professional baseball competition in Japan. Safe to say he’s harnessed his power overseas.

Wingrove and his team, the Tokushima Indigo Socks, were division winners and ultimately won their league championship. Rixon was named Championship MVP.

His season was beastly, too. In 22 games, Wingrove hit .377 with four homers, 12 RBI and a 1.154 OPS.

They advanced to the Japan Regional Professional Baseball League Grand Championship against other league winners from across the country, but ultimately fell in the early rounds. Although, Rixon did slug a homer in the playoffs…

If you want a further Aussie link, Sydney pitcher Josh Gessner played a couple of games alongside Rixon in the early stages of the season.

ALEX HALL LEADS KBO MINOR LEAGUES IN RBI

Alex Hall came through in the clutch in Korea this season. After playing for Australia at the World Baseball Classic, Hall signed with expansion side Ulsan Whales. He played in the KBO Futures League, South Korea’s second-tier professional competition.

In 96 games, Hall led the Futures League with 70 RBI. He hit .265 across the season. Hall was named an All-Star for his efforts.

Hall has re-signed with the Perth Heat for the upcoming ABL season.

BAZZANA-BALL COMES TO THE AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

The dream rookie season continues…

A call-up in April. An All-Star selection in July. A division championship in September. A playoff series win in October.

Now, Travis Bazzana and the Cleveland Guardians are in the American League Championship Series against the Tampa Bay Rays. If they win the best-of-seven series, we will see our first Australian in a World Series since Grant Balfour (2008, Rays). Balfour and Graeme Lloyd are the only Australians to have played in the Fall Classic.

The American League Championship Series schedule is as follows, with all game times listed in Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT).

– Game 1: Tuesday, October 13, 11:00 AM (Cleveland won 7–3)
– Game 2: Wednesday, October 14, 11:00 AM
– Game 3: Friday, October 16, 9:00 AM
– Game 4: Saturday, October 17, 9:00 AM*
– Game 5: Sunday, October 18, 11:00 AM (if necessary)
– Game 6: Tuesday, October 20, 8:00 AM* (if necessary)
– Game 7: Wednesday, October 21, 11:00 AM (if necessary)

JON KENNEDY PITCHING IN KOREAN PLAYOFFS

The Korean baseball playoffs are underway, and an Australian is set to play a key role. Jon Kennedy has pitched in 23 games this season for the LG Twins, posting a 3.80 ERA out of the bullpen with ten holds.

Kennedy’s improvement since arriving in Korea is particularly impressive. After an 8.31 ERA in his first five appearances in August, he posted a 2.25 ERA across 11 September outings, collecting seven holds.

The LG Twins vs Doosan Bears playoff game on Wednesday, October 14, starts at 8:30 PM Sydney time (AEDT). Aussies can watch on SOOP.TV.

Kennedy has already been announced as returning to the ABL with the Brisbane Bandits for the 2026–27 season.

ABL SIGNINGS COMING THROUGH

The ABL is scheduled to kick off in just over a month! Teams are beginning to unveil their rosters.

Brisbane have announced that core Australians like Robbie Perkins, George Callil and Jon Kennedy are returning. The Perth Heat will once again be anchored by Alex Hall. The Sydney Blue Sox have announced the return of the likes of Jaylin Rae and Jo Stevens, while adding some new up-and-coming Aussies like Lachlan Rosser and James Boeree.

In import news, the Heat announced that four Cincinnati Reds prospects and four Tampa Bay Rays prospects are coming to town, including a couple of big-name prospects!

The Adelaide Giants also announced their new coach, with American Landon Lassiter coming Down Under (photo below).

Make sure you follow the ABL on socials. They’ve announced some major news, including that games will be streamed on MLB.TV this season in addition to Baseball+.

On a personal note, I love tuning into Blue Sox Insider, a great podcast hosted by Andrew Reynolds that brings you closer to the behind-the-scenes action of the Blue Sox!

U15 AUSSIES SURGE TO BEST-EVER WORLD CUP FINISH

Australia’s Under-15 National Team has just returned from Mexico and the 2026 WBSC U15 Baseball World Cup. They were a fun team to watch because they clearly had a strong bond, looked like they loved playing ball together, and made notable improvements across the week.

Early in the tournament, walks and errors plagued the young bunch en route to a 1–4 Pool B record. But in the Placement Round, Australia lost by one run to Cuba and played some excellent baseball against Germany and South Africa to finish with a 3–5 record, good for eighth place out of the 12 competing teams.

One of the big moments came vs Germany. With Australia down 1-0 in the sixth, captain Archer Petersen launched a three-run homer to help win the game and end a ten-pitch at-bat.

The result improves on Australia’s previous best finish at a U15 World Cup, ninth in 2018. It also secures some important World Ranking Points.

It’s a cool tournament. The likes of Brice Turang, Luis Arraez, Freddie Freeman and Yordan Alvarez have played in this event. The Dominican Republic’s starting lineup in the gold medal game had more than US$19 million in reported pre-arranged signing money with MLB clubs to their names. Shows you the scale of the event…

AUSTRALIA REMAINS A TOP-TEN BASEBALL COUNTRY

On the theme of World Ranking Points…

WBSC released its latest World Rankings. Baseball World Rankings are unique because they incorporate the U12, U15, U18, U23, Premier12, World Baseball Classic, regional events and qualifiers. Essentially, it’s a measure of how your entire national team program performs, not just the senior men’s squad.

Australia dropped to tenth in the World Rankings, mainly because the Dominican Republic shot up the rankings with their superb finish.

Australia picked up 171 points at the U15 World Cup, closing the gap on ninth-ranked Panama and fending off 11th-ranked Netherlands.

Australia’s next opportunity for points is the U23 World Cup in Nicaragua.

KEY TEAM AUSTRALIA EVENTS INCOMING…

Oh, what a segue!

The first two weeks of November are big ones for the national team and its programs. Australia’s Under-23 National Squad is off to Nicaragua for the Under-23 World Cup.

Meanwhile, Australia’s U24 squad* is off to Japan for the 2026 Asia Professional Baseball Championship (APBC) against Japan, Chinese Taipei and Korea.

I use an * because the ‘under-24’ designation is a little loose at the APBC. Rosters primarily consist of players aged 24 or younger or in their first three professional seasons, with each team permitted up to three overage players aged 29 or younger.

Rosters and team announcements will be coming soon on Baseball.com.au.

BARCLAY CUP FINISHES IN MELBOURNE

This is one of the coolest events in Australian baseball because it harnesses the power of our community.

From September 27 to October 3 at Springvale Baseball Club, the event brought together junior female baseball players aged 13–16 from across the country. Established in 2022, the tournament honours the late, great Jacinda Barclay, a trailblazer who represented Australia at five World Cups and made a huge impression on and off the field.

It not only gives players a chance to compete nationally, but it’s also about developing skills, making connections and having some fun. Unlike traditional state championships, multiple teams from the same state can participate, helping create more opportunities for girls to experience national competition. It’s also an event organised and run by the states themselves.

A major addition in 2026 was the inaugural Under-21 Women’s Invitational, held September 27–30, helping bridge the gap between junior baseball and senior women’s competition.

The Victoria Hornets won the gold medal, but the tournament was about so much more than just the results on the field.

CAM BAHR ARRIVES AT COLLEGE

If you’ve been following the Baseball.com.au account for a while now, the name Cam Bahr will be familiar.

He’s starred on five Western Australian state teams from 2022–2026 at the U16 and U18 levels, while playing a key role with the Eastern Phantoms Charter Program. That includes a Senior League World Series appearance in 2025.

The Morley Eagles product recently arrived at Tyler Junior College in Tyler, Texas, where he’ll continue his baseball journey in the NJCAA Division I program.

He’s one of about 150+ Australians going to school and playing some baseball overseas.

TALES FROM CLUB BALL

The October long weekend has come and gone, which means local baseball is well and truly underway. I thought I’d use this chance to pass on a few accounts from around the country that provide some coverage of local competitions.

If I missed someone, I apologise. I am but a mere mortal! Please pass on any valuable info to marketing@baseball.com.au.

A great starting point is to follow your local state or territory association (for example: Baseball WA, Baseball SA, Baseball Canberra, Baseball Victoria, Baseball NSW, Baseball QLD and Baseball NT).

South Australia: Robert Laidlaw writes fantastic weekly recaps of the men’s and women’s competitions on PlayBall – All Things Baseball and Softball. Baseball SA also updates its website regularly with a monthly newsletter.

Western Australia: Baseball WA posts regular weekly recaps of the Harcher State League on its website. They also livestream select games on their Facebook page. Their podcast is great, too. Hosted by Brendan Sing and Jeremy Sexton, the State League Show is one of a kind in our country. Check them out on YouTube.

Victoria: Baseball Victoria does a good job of posting weekly results on its social media. Their page is absolutely worth a follow.

New South Wales: Love following Mick G Photography for some snaps of local action around the grounds. The clubs’ social media accounts do a good job of keeping you updated, too. The NSW State League Hub on the Baseball NSW website is great as well.

Queensland: The Greater Brisbane League is the one to watch, and the Baseball Queensland website provides a great hub. Make sure you follow each club’s account.

Northern Territory: The BaseballNT account is worth a follow. Kai posts some great recaps of competitions throughout the territory, from the senior competition to battles in Darwin and Alice Springs, and the vibrant women’s comp.

Canberra: They’ve launched a new account, BaseballCBR, so that’s the best way to support local coverage and find some stories.

—

Okay, that’s all I have for now. It’s a lot.

If you made it this far, congrats.

Otherwise, HAVE FUN ENJOYING BASEBALL!

We’ll chat soon.

—

by Eric Balnar | Eric is an Australian-based baseball broadcaster, journalist and storyteller who covers the game from local club diamonds to international World Cups. He’s passionate about sharing the stories of Australian baseball and the people who make the sport special.

06 October 2026 By Staff Writers

By Staff Writers

Community Women's Baseball

Lessons from the WPBL: Four Australian women lead the way in professional competition

For most of their lives, playing professional baseball was never an option for Australia’s best female baseballers. In 2026, that changed.

Ticara Geldenhuis, Claire O’Sullivan, Caitlin Eynon and Molly Paddison can now say something no other Australians can.

They were the first Australians to play in the Women’s Professional Baseball League (WPBL).

The four Aussies were drafted and signed for the inaugural season, which took place across August and September in Springfield, Illinois. Games were broadcast nationally in the United States on ESPN, bringing women’s professional baseball to a major television audience.

Each Australian arrived at the WPBL at a very different point in her baseball journey.

Paddison was 18 and only months removed from graduating high school. Eynon was Australia’s national team captain and became an inaugural WPBL champion. Geldenhuis described the season as one of the biggest periods of growth she has experienced as an athlete. At 31, O’Sullivan finally had the chance to experience something she never thought would exist during her playing career.

Their experiences were different, so let’s get into them! Here is how Australia’s first four WPBL players performed and what they took away from a historic first season.

CAITLIN EYNON | LA QUEENS

Our first champion learns from different cultures

At 23 years old, Australian national team captain Caitlin Eynon has another nice accolade to her name: Australia’s first WPBL champion.

Eynon kept progressing as the season rolled on for the LA Queens, eventually helping them capture the inaugural championship.

Her final regular season stat line: 12 games, a .368 average, one home run, 10 RBI and six doubles.

She ended the regular season on an eight-game hitting streak, going 11-for-24 down the stretch.

That carried into the playoffs, where she hit .440 across eight games on the way to the championship. That included a three-hit performance in the Championship Series, where she doubled and later put LA ahead with a sacrifice fly.

“This is probably the most fun I’ve had playing baseball in a really long time,” she told The IX Sports.

For Eynon, however, some of the biggest value came from the knowledge she gained by playing alongside people from around the world.

She loved learning about the different cultural styles of playing the game.

“We’ve got players from Mexico, from Japan, from Korea, like just being able to play with all these players from all around the world, you just learn different styles of baseball, and it’s good to have so much knowledge that you can just absorb, and then you choose what you wanna play with after that,” she said in the IX article.

Eynon returns to Australia where she is expected to play for Western Australia again at the 2027 Women’s Nationals. She captained Australia at the 2026 WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup Qualifiers and will hope to suit up again for the Finals. A WPBL return could also be on the cards.

Her fascination with learning from other baseball cultures extends beyond the WPBL. Eynon told This Is Women’s Baseball that her previous stint in Japan had already opened her eyes to different approaches.

“It’s cool to gain exposure to different training drills and exercises, learning new tools and learning the ways that other countries build athleticism and strength,” Eynon said. “This was something that was very evident in Japan. They train to move in a very different way than what we do in Australia. It’s also very interesting to learn what data and technology is used around the world to analyze different skillsets.”

After a season alongside players from across the baseball world, Eynon returns home with a championship and plenty of new ideas.

TICARA GELDENHUIS | BOSTON HUNTERS

A transformative experience

Ticara Geldenhuis, like the other three Aussies, went almost directly from Australia’s World Cup Qualifiers campaign to the WPBL.

Her parents even flew over to watch her play. Why would they miss it?

Geldenhuis has been playing baseball since she learned how to properly walk. At 25, she finally had the opportunity to call herself a professional baseball player.

She didn’t take it for granted.

“This is a dream I never thought I’d get to live out so to be sitting here reminiscing on this season is truly a fever dream,” she posted on Instagram.

The New South Wales outfielder hit .250 in 15 games, slugging two home runs with eight RBI.

Her Boston Hunters were eliminated in two games by the San Francisco Fireballs, but Geldenhuis finished strongly, going 4-for-6 across the two playoff games.

The numbers only tell part of her story.

When asked to reflect on what the WPBL experience had given her, Geldenhuis described one of the most transformative periods of her baseball career.

It’s probably best if we let Ticara take this one away…

“From my perspective, the WPBL was one of the biggest periods of growth I’ve experienced as an athlete. I went into the season knowing I was going to be challenged, but I don’t think I fully understood how much I would learn about myself and what it means to perform at a professional level.

One of the biggest things I learned was the importance of having a “goldfish memory.” You have to be able to let go of what happened yesterday, whether it was a great game or a difficult one, and come back the next day ready to learn, compete and get better. There were so many highs and lows throughout the season, and I learned to take something from every day without allowing one performance to define the next. I really learned what it means to show up day in and day out.

The culture within the WPBL was also something really special. It was one of the most supportive and powerfully positive environments I’ve experienced in baseball. Being surrounded by athletes and coaches who genuinely wanted to see each other succeed gave me the confidence to step outside of my comfort zone. I felt like I had the freedom to take risks, make mistakes, try things differently and really push the boundaries of my game. That gave me the courage to take some leaps as an athlete that I might not have been comfortable taking before.

I also learned what it means to compete with some of the best athletes in the world. The level of competitiveness was different to anything I had experienced before. Every day you were competing against players who are incredibly talented, athletic and driven, and there was no opportunity to switch off. It forced me to raise my standards and really understand what professional-level consistency looks like. I was also lucky enough to learn from some of the amazing athletes on my team, not just skill wise but who have been around the game at the highest level for many years.

I definitely feel like I got better as the season went on, but I think my biggest growth was in the way I approached the game. I became more adaptable, more confident and more willing to challenge myself. I learned to trust my preparation, embrace discomfort and keep moving forward regardless of what happened the day before.

I’m really excited to bring that back to Australia — not just the technical things I’ve learned, but the mindset, the standards and the culture. I want to share that experience with the next generation of Australian female baseballers and hopefully help them believe that they can take those same leaps too.”

MOLLY PADDISON | BOSTON HUNTERS

Learning how to be a pro

Molly Paddison was just 18 years old throughout the inaugural season, making her one of the youngest players in the competition.

For someone who only graduated high school in November, it has been quite a year.

Paddison represented Queensland at the Australian Women’s Championships, earned her first roster spot with the Emeralds, played in her first WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup event and then became a professional baseball player in the inaugural WPBL season.

Paddison finished the season 13-for-51 (.255) with three RBI and a stolen base.

For the teenager, the professional environment taught her how much the small details matter.

“I had a bigger purpose behind everything I did, whether that was getting enough sleep the night before a game or focusing on the little skills I was learning at practice,” she said. “It made me realise how important everything you do, both on and off the field, can be when it comes to your performance.”

She also began to understand what she needs from herself.

“I learnt more about what I personally need to do to perform at my best, while also learning how different players approach and play the game,” she said. “I feel like my defence improved, especially in the outfield, where I picked up a lot of little tips and tricks that I can bring back to Australia.”

At 18, Paddison has already experienced something generations of Australian women’s baseball players before her never had the opportunity to experience.

The good thing is now she knows a little more about what being a professional actually requires.

CLAIRE O’SULLIVAN | NEW YORK HEIGHTS

Gratitude, growth and living a baseball life

Claire O’Sullivan became one of the WPBL’s genuine two-way threats.

On the mound, she posted a 3.06 ERA across 16 innings and six appearances. At the plate, she hit .407 with a home run and eight RBI in 13 games.

Yet her reflections on the season have focused less on those numbers and more on gratitude.

“What a ride. An experience I never thought I’d get in my lifetime, and one that makes me so thankful through everything, that younger me didn’t give up,” she wrote on Instagram after the season.

For O’Sullivan, 31, those words carry some weight.

When she was growing up, becoming a professional baseball player wasn’t something she could realistically aspire to. She explained that perspective in a must-read interview with Channel Nine during the season.

“It was never even a thought that crossed my mind when I was a kid. Baseball was always going to be second-choice purely because I couldn’t make money from it,” she said. “But I’ve dropped everything so that I could come do this because it’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing for me.”

O’Sullivan certainly made the most of that opportunity. Her experience also gave her ideas about where the WPBL could go next.

“Getting around to all the different areas of America would be great for the sport. At the moment we are in the one location for the whole season which limits the number of people who are able to see our games,” she said.

For an even deeper insight into O’Sullivan’s experience, she joined Amy McCann on Women’s Baseball: The Inside Pitch after the season. It’s probably best you go there and listen.

O’Sullivan spoke about the demanding transition to professional baseball after moving from club baseball in Japan into the WPBL. Her journey to the league included flight cancellations and visa delays before she finally arrived in the United States and pitched four innings on the same day.

It was quite an introduction to professional baseball, as the game continued to bring her lessons.

“I learned how to [better] mentally re-set,” O’Sullivan told WBIP. “It’s really important to have a process of how you mentally reset. Something that helps me is no matter what happens I always get to eat dinner that day. I come home, I eat, I get my recovery and wake up the next day with a fresh perspective.”

O’Sullivan details her weekly schedule, including eating, practicing, playing and how to embrace just being a full time player.

Congratulations on becoming a pro, Claire – and leading the

04 October 2026 By Staff Writers

By Staff Writers

Team Australia Team Australia U15

Australia Beats South Africa to Secure Best Ever U-15 World Cup Finish

Australia closed out the WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup with a 5-1 win over South Africa in Cancún, finishing eighth, the best result ever for an Australian U-15 team at the tournament.

The pitching was outstanding. Jack Bowden started and allowed one hit and one run across three innings, striking out three. Cale Morris earned the win with two hitless innings and five strikeouts, and George Steer picked up the save with two perfect innings to finish the game. The three pitchers combined to allow just one hit and struck out nine.

South Africa scored its only run in the first inning, but Australia responded quickly. Two runs in the second gave the team the lead, and further runs in the third, fifth and sixth extended it.

Edison Bush led the way at the plate with a triple and two RBIs. Harrison Thomas-McLean had two hits, an RBI and a run, and Chase Crew also had two hits and scored. Thomas Skinner and Archer Petersen each drove in a run, while Jacob Tayler and Sebastian Watts both added a hit and a run. Tayler also stole a base.

The win capped a strong finish for Australia, which won its last two games of the tournament. After a tough start in the group stage, the team improved with each outing, with the pitching staff in particular growing in confidence as the week went on.

Eighth place sets a new benchmark for Australian baseball at this level and gives this group of players plenty to be proud of.

03 October 2026 By Staff Writers

By Staff Writers

Team Australia Team Australia U15

Late Rally Lifts Australia to 8-4 Win over Germany

Australia scored eight runs in the final two innings to come from behind and beat Germany 8-4 in Cancún.

Germany took a 1-0 lead in the first inning, but it could have been more. Left fielder Rylan Ottoway made a catch and threw home to complete a double play and end the inning.

From there the pitchers kept Australia in the game. Noah McCabe started and did not allow an earned run in two innings. Chase Crew was excellent in relief, giving up one hit and no walks with three strikeouts across two scoreless innings. Felix Oliver earned the win and Hugh Kelly added a scoreless inning, with the staff allowing just three hits all game.

The bats were quiet for five innings before coming alive. Australia scored three runs in the sixth to take the lead, then added five more in the seventh. Archer Petersen was the star with two hits, including a home run, and four RBIs. Jacob Tayler had two hits, two RBIs and scored twice, and Cruize Chase-Tukapua drove in two runs. Australia also drew seven walks.

Head Coach Andy Kyle praised the players who delivered when it mattered.

“There were some guys who stood up in key moments today. Looking back, Ottoway’s catch and throw home to shut down the first inning was crucial. Chase Crew was outstanding in relief, he really gave us the chance to stay in the game. We struggled to make adjustments at the plate off the German starter who kept us off balance all day. It was great to see the offence come alive late in the game, with Jacob Tayler having some key hits and Petersen with a clutch home run. We hope to take this momentum into the last game and finish the tournament strong.”

02 October 2026 By Staff Writers

By Staff Writers

Team Australia Team Australia U15

Australia Edged by Cuba in Walk-Off Finish

Australia came within one out of extra innings but fell 3-2 to Cuba in a tight contest in Cancún, with the winning run scoring in the bottom of the seventh.

Australia struck first with a run in the opening inning and took the lead again in the fifth to go up 2-1. Cuba levelled the score in the sixth before scoring the winning run with two outs in the seventh.

The pitching was excellent once again. Jet Tyler Creamer started and threw three innings, allowing two hits and no earned runs with three strikeouts. Harrison Thomas-McLean followed with 3.2 innings, giving up just two hits and striking out four. George Steer came on late in the seventh. Only one of Cuba’s three runs was earned.

Beau Stockdale led the offence with two hits, including a double. Archer Petersen drove in a run with a sacrifice fly and Cruize Chase-Tukapua added an RBI single, while Zavier Leigh and Bodhi Evans scored the runs. Evans and Rylan Ottoway also had a hit each, and the team drew five walks.

Head Coach Andy Kyle said it was a game his side could have won.

“The group did a lot of things well today but just couldn’t quite execute in some situations. The pitching staff did a great job to put us in a position to win that game. We didn’t put enough scoreboard pressure on Cuba. We had chances to tick over the score and get runs but couldn’t capitalise. That was a game we are capable of winning so we are all feeling it. It is important we come out tomorrow and play free and confident and finish the last two days strong.”

02 October 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

Community

HALL OF FAME STORIES: DON MASTERS GETS HIS CALL TO THE HALL

“How good was I at my peak? That’s really for others to judge,” says Don Masters, one of six inducted in the most recent class of the Baseball Australia Hall of Fame.

He’s got one heck of a case to present before the jury.

Don’s resume includes breakthrough moments for Team Australia, six Claxton Shields, a stack of local awards, some truly amazing individual performances, and a mountain of respect from his peers.

He produced viral moments before viral moments existed.

MEET THE INDUCTEES: The 2025 Baseball Australia Hall of Fame Class

When Connor MacDonald tossed three shutout innings vs Japan at the 2026 WBC, he amassed millions of views on X and became a global story. When Travis Bazzana delivered a game-winning, walk-off hit for Cleveland, he made headline Australian news we saw it instantly on our phones. When Tim Kennelly was hunting down records in the ABL, we watched every pitch on Baseball+.

So what would the age of the internet have thought of Don Masters’ historic performance vs Japan in 1971 at the Asian Championships?

Masters helped Australia make history one evening in Seoul, South Korea.

TEAM AUSTRALIA LEGEND

Pitching in front of a reported 40,000+ fans, Masters became the first Australian pitcher to beat Japan in an international series.

Let’s repeat that: The first Australian pitcher to ever defeat the best baseball nation on earth. Keep in mind, at time of publication it’s been 22 years since we beat Japan at the top level…

His stat line? Ridiculous.

A complete-game shutout, allowing just two hits across nine innings.

Masters says he was anxious before the game.

“I liked the plan we had and was quietly confident that if I executed it we were a chance. I knew we had a good field to back me up which always helps,” he says. “[Our coach] Kingsley Wellington asked me to pitch away from the Japanese power batters which was inside. It was a night game and I had particularly good control on my slider, curve ball and knuckle ball which dropped heavily in the air that night.”

He also credits his field, which turned a few key double plays, and the offence led by New South Wales’ Paul Russell, who hit two homers.

“The atmosphere in front of a crowd of 40,000 Koreans was electric as we were not expected to win. You would no doubt be aware that the rivalry between Japan and Korea has existed for many years. We were ecstatic and the crowd were particularly appreciative and demonstrative of our victory,” says Masters. “We hit the headlines of the newspaper the next day and I still have the clippings.”

Masters quickly turns the tale to the game the next day and does what becomes a theme when talking about his career: he celebrates his teammates.

“The next night Neil Page pitched a winning game against Korea (3-2). I remember late in the game, [Victoria’s] John Swanson and [South Australia’s] Phil Alexander were in the outfield being harassed by a section of the crowd who were clanging drink bottles and threateningly calling out their surnames,” says Masters.

Hostile, to say the least.

“We were in fear of our lives trying to get out of the Seoul stadium after that game. It was a trip of many highs and lows all at once,” he says.

His international career continued to elevate in 1975, when Australia returned to the Asian Championships.

They made more history, becoming the first Australian team to win bronze at the tournament.

READ MORE ABOUT DON MASTERS: BaseballSA citation

Overall, Masters played a decade at the top level for the Green & Gold.

“As for the significance for Australian Baseball, I was just quietly proud to be part of it and didn’t think much more about it because there was also a goodwill series to play in Japan afterwards,” says Masters. “I think an opinion for the significance for Australian Baseball is up to others, not me.”

THE LOCAL GAME

Like any great Australian international career, his story begins locally.

In South Australian baseball circles, Masters was already regarded as one of the best.

That will happen when you win six Claxton Shields, represent your state across 12 years, win two premierships and a Best & Fairest, and establish yourself as an elite coach.

“Don was a champion pitcher for his local teams, his state and his country,” says Australian baseball historian Robert Laidlaw, a fellow Adelaide native who has covered Masters for decades. “His pitching ability helped raise the standard of the division one competition. There were other top pitchers at the time in SA but Don was arguably the best of the lot in the 1970s.”

Masters says his first recollection of South Australian baseball was in the 60s, watching Night Baseball every Wednesday at Norwood Oval. He went there as a student at every opportunity to see two high-standard games.

Baseball was also played in most secondary schools. Masters played for Findon High School every Saturday morning, then would head to Woodville Baseball Club to play in lower division games in the afternoon.

His appreciation for the South Australian legends around him is evident.

“I developed a fierce desire to emulate some of the outstanding pitchers I saw at Night Baseball. Fred Medley, Ron Russ, Max Puckett, Don Rice and later Neil Page, Brian Scott, etc,” says Masters. “I had a fascination for pitching and developed some pitches of my own just watching them. We had no coaches at school then and because of overuse I injured my shoulder (rotator cuff) during a Major B game in 62/3 and had to retire for a year. My arm was never quite the same again.”

The injury didn’t stop his impact from being felt locally.

He was named to 12 South Australian sides in the Claxton Shield competition and was part of six national championship squads. It’s regarded as one of the most, if not the most, prolific eras for South Australian baseball.

Masters, again, is quick to deflect to his teammates.

“Our TEAM won six Claxton Shields,” he emphasises.

There it is again. He also has a theory for why South Australia was so dominant.

During the 1960s, baseball was played in the winter months in a 12-team competition, the South Australian Baseball League (SABL). In the summer months, there was a much stronger Night Baseball competition comprising six combined teams.

It was effectively an all-star league. With the calibre of competition, came attention. There was media coverage, including television, and a sponsor’s home run fence.

“There were few other distractions then,” says Masters. “It was particularly difficult to get into the starting side of any combined Night baseball squads. Because of the fierce competition, I believe SA were better prepared for the Claxton Shield National Competitions. Many players came from Interstate to compete including Dick Shirt, Barry Stace, Sid Thompson and Ross Brown to name a few. I played with and against these and many other great players including Kevin Greatrex, David Mundy, Neil Page, Gary Thompson and Adrian Pearce, etc.”

One of his South Australian competitors, Dave Mundy, calls Masters a fierce competitor.

“He was always up for a challenge and willing to use all of his ability and guile to achieve a successful outcome,” says Mundy. “He had great mastery over his variety of pitches and used them to advantage either when we were opponents or team members.”

Masters called Night Baseball his “Mecca” and also a where he thrived.

His accolades extended to the traditional South Australian Baseball League competition, too.

Masters played 220 games across more than a decade for Woodville. He famously helped the club win the 1975 premiership, delivering a standout pitching performance in the decider with ten strikeouts and just two earned runs conceded in a 4–2 victory.

The season before, he won the SABL Infielder of the Year Award.

He later transferred to Northern Districts, where he coached and played. In 63 games with the club, Masters added another significant individual honour, winning the Capps Medal in 1976–77 as the league’s best and fairest player.

Mundy says Masters was not just an asset on the field – but drove the game forward off the field.

“The knowledge and experience he gained at Club, State and Australian level…he was readily prepared to share and impart to others under his guidance and the teams he coached,” says Mundy. “Whether on the field, off the field, he always greeted you with a smile, welcoming challenging or cheekily depending on the situation.”

Ask Masters for some of his other proud moments and the numbers jump off the page.

There was a 17-inning, 5–4 win against Adelaide Baseball Club in 1974, when he allowed four hits, struck out 21 and walked just two.

Then there was the 1976 Claxton Shield, where Masters pitched three winning games in five days en route to another South Australian championship.

And, of course, there were his two premierships at Woodville.

Decades later, on an autumn’s day in 2026, the phone finally rang with another honour. This time, it was a phone call from Australian baseball legend Shayne Bennett.

“I was very surprised [to get a call to the Hall of Fame],” says Masters. “Unexpected but deeply honoured to be accepted by my peers and at the presentation night to stand and reminisce with other peer recipients. [When I received the call], I was playing tennis with a team at West Wyalong NSW and was about to go out for a meal with friends when I took what I thought was a hoax call from Shayne Bennett.”

“He apologised that it wasn’t awarded earlier but I just couldn’t get my head around it. I was chuffed but then again unsure because I thought normally you’d receive a letter. I told Rosa, my partner, of my thoughts and when the dust settled let my family and ex-wife know.”

After baseball, Don Masters scratched his competitive itch playing tennis, including at local clubs and in social competitions.

But when asked about his legacy, once again, the conversation isn’t really about baseball statistics. It’s about people.

“I got satisfaction in all areas but most importantly acceptance by my peers, Tennis, Baseball Friends,” he says. “I have loved helping people overcome too hard home projects etc on numerous occasions, giving is very rewarding. If you talk about baseball it was a very big part of my life but times change, attitudes change, priorities change. Without a doubt I am honoured and humbled indeed to have been inducted to both Halls of Fame, SA and Australian.”

Which brings us back to the original question.

“How good was I at my peak? That’s really for others to judge.”

A two-hit shutout against Japan. Australian national team history. Six Claxton Shields. Two Woodville premierships. A Capps Medal. A career spanning some of the strongest years South Australian baseball has seen.

And, perhaps most tellingly, a reputation among those who actually saw him play as one of the best of his generation.

Don Masters might prefer to leave the judgement to others. Fortunately, the proof is in the pudding.

Australian Youth Championships returns to three Melbourne clubs in 2027, extends through 2029

Australia’s premier youth baseball tournament will return to Melbourne in January 2027, with Essendon, Preston and Port Melbourne Baseball Clubs confirmed as hosts through to 2029.

The 2027 Under 16 and Under 18 Australian Youth Championships will be played across nine days, from January 6-14, thanks to the support of the Victorian Government, Visit Melbourne and the local baseball community.

“The host clubs did a great job last year and we’re excited to announce they will continue to be our host partners through to 2029,” says Baseball Australia’s National Tournament Manager Michael Ibbotson. “The passion and professionalism of all three host clubs for the 2026 AYC event was undeniable, and a significant contributor to the success of what is a challenging event to deliver.”

It marks the second straight year the tournament will be held at the three Victorian clubs.

The Under 16 event will run from January 6-12, while the Under 18 event will run from January 8-14.

Essendon will be the primary venue, hosting games on all nine days of the event, including the medal round games. Preston Baseball Club will host seven days of competition, while Port Melbourne will host four.

The venues will welcome seven different state teams, with 14 teams total across the two divisions: New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, New South Wales Country and the A.C.T. Roos.

New South Wales is the defending Under 16 champion after winning the Keith Cant Trophy in 2026. Victoria claimed the Jim Brown Shield as the 2026 Under 18 champion.

Ibbotson says Baseball Australia has worked with each of the venues to improve the experience for 2027.

“Each of the host clubs are already in the process of refining efficiencies and raising the bar on their offerings, in an effort to provide the best event experience possible for participants and their supporters. One of many reasons why extending the hosting agreements made absolute sense,” he says.

The event is proudly supported by the Victoria State Government and Get Active Victoria. The Victorian Government’s support through the Significant Sporting Events Program highlights its ongoing commitment to hosting elite youth sporting events that bring communities together, support grassroots development, and drive local economic benefit.

In 2026, scouts from 17 different Major League Baseball (MLB) clubs were on site to scout players. Baseball Australia will also use Synergy Sports to create scouting profiles, video and analytics to assist with college recruitment.

Ashton Kennedy (NSW) and Patrick Crotty (QLD) signed professional contracts following the 2026 tournament, while numerous others committed to major college programs in the USA.

Fans will be able to watch 36 of the tournament games live, free and on demand via Baseball Australia’s streaming platform, Baseball+. The remaining games will feature a single-camera feed on GameChanger.

The community can follow coverage across Baseball.com.au’s social media channels and website.

The schedule will be announced in October, while some states have already announced their rosters for the 2027 tournament.

IN SUMMARY

– Australia’s premier youth baseball tournament, the Australian Youth Championships (AYC), will return to Melbourne in 2027, with Essendon, Preston and Port Melbourne confirmed as hosts through 2029;

– Games will be played across Essendon, Preston and Port Melbourne Baseball Clubs;

– Scouts from MLB teams, major USA colleges and the Under 18 National Team will be present;

– The Under 16 Division runs from January 6-12. The Under 18 Division runs from January 8-14;

– 36 games will be broadcast free on Baseball+. The remainder will feature a single-camera live stream on GameChanger;

– The event is proudly supported by the Victorian Government and Get Active Victoria;

– The schedule will be announced in October;

News