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

02 October 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

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;

01 October 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

- Team Australia

U15 WORLD CUP IN REVIEW: Lessons learned as Aussies prepare for Placement Round

The first phase of the 2026 U15 World Cup is complete for Team Australia in Mexico.

While Team Australia will not play for a medal in the Super Round, the three upcoming Placement Round games still represent a huge opportunity in a lot of facets of the game – and life.

One area is player development. This group of young men has a chance to continue to bond, refine their skills, implement Team Australia foundations and represent their country.

The other is in terms of World Ranking Points, which helps determine the national program’s place in the global game. WBSC World Rankings take into account events at all levels: Qualifiers, Exhibitions, U12, U15, U18, U23, Premier12 and WBC. Where Australia finishes here has an impact on the national team program as a whole.

Australia’s previous showing in this tournament, back in 2018, resulted in a ninth-place finish. Australia has not finished higher than ninth at a U15 World Cup since the tournament was brought under the WBSC banner in 2012. Coincidentally, that’s where Australia is ranked now.

WATCH THE TOURNAMENT LIVE: On Gametime.sport around the world and DAZN in Australia.

Australia moves to the six-team Placement Round with two other nations from Pool B (Venezuela and Czechia) and three from Pool A (Cuba, Germany and South Africa).

Team Australia will play the three teams from Pool A from October 1-3. Results against Venezuela and Czechia carry over. Therefore, the standings look like this:

7. Venezuela 2-0 (World #5)
8. Cuba 2-0 (World #12)
9. Australia 1-1 (World #9)
10. Germany 1-1 (World #17)
11. Czechia 0-2 (World #15)
12. South Africa 0-2 (World #23)

The upcoming schedule can be seen in the graphic below:

It’s effectively a battle of who can finish the highest and who can bring home the most ranking points for their country.

Competition has been stiff. Eight different pitchers from Pool B opponents were clocked at 90+ miles per hour. There are future Major Leaguers here. In the past, household baseball names like Yordan Alvarez, Brice Turang and Luis Arráez have played in this event.

Australian manager Andy Kyle says it’s been an educational week for the players.

“There have been a lot of learning moments for the playing group during the first week,” says Kyle. “Exposure to the speed of the game and what it demands at this level has been the biggest challenge so far.”

We reviewed each game below as a refresher, with some quotes, highlights and key numbers.

Despite some challenging results, Kyle says the group should feel good about their chances in the Placement Round games.

“We have shown we have the ability. Self belief and performance consistency for 7 innings and 21 outs will be a focus as we prepare for the final few games,” he says.

Here’s a summary of what’s been going on, some key players and what to look for:

POOL B GAMES – A SUMMARY

Watch online: You can watch all games in the Placement Round on Gametime.sport online, or if you have a subscription to DAZN in Australia, the games are available there. Australia’s remaining schedule is further down in the article.

GAME 1: Loss 11-1 to Venezuela

A tricky start for the Aussies, who threatened with multiple base runners early but couldn’t convert. Venezuela exploded for seven runs in the final three innings.

The big story in this game? Errors. It prompted Kyle to state that the team needed to limit free bases.

Bodhi Evans was a standout. He went 2-for-2 with a double.

GAME 2: Win 9-2 over Czechia

Australia looked much more settled here. This game was played in sweltering conditions — weather reports said it ‘felt like’ 42 during the game despite being 34 on the dial.

Australia did a good job of pressuring Czech defenders by putting balls in play and running wild on the base paths. It forced Czechia to make mistakes.

The Aussies scored four in the first and four in the last in their 9-2 win. Victoria’s Jacob Tayler was the catalyst. He had three hits and stole four bases.

George Steer turned in a tremendous effort in relief. Czechia tried to push its way back into the game, but the Geelong pitcher tossed 2.2 shutout innings in middle relief to shut down any Czech opportunity. He built off a solid outing from starter Noah McCabe who yielded no earned runs in his effort (pictured below).

Pitching coach Kai Meuronen praised Steer’s efforts after the game, saying he loved how he “just threw strikes” and really helped settle the team.

Meuronen said he thought Australia did a “good job of adjusting to the speed of the game [vs Czechia]. I think we were caught a little off guard.”

Credit to the Australian pitching combo of Noah McCabe (below), Steer and Harrison Thomas-McLean. They combined to allow just one hit in the win.

GAME 3: Loss 23-0 to USA

One to put in the rearview mirror. The USA piled on 14 runs in an error-prone third inning.

“You can’t give away free bases and extra opportunities at this level,” said Kyle after the game.

There are some genuine stars on this USA squad. At this point in the tournament, they had scored runs in every offensive inning so far and outscored opponents 42-2. In ten years, it’s almost certain we will look back and say some MLB All-Star(s) played in this game. You only have to look at recent history.

Notable American alumni from this tournament include Freddie Freeman (2005), Francisco Lindor (2009), Royce Lewis (2014), Hunter Greene (2014), Anthony Volpe (2016) and Brice Turang (2014). There will be more as players establish themselves as Major Leaguers.

Still, the game — particularly the big inning — was described as “unacceptable” from Australia’s perspective.

“We had some very honest conversations,” said Kyle. “Not negative, but just honest, about the individuals, learning and taking the next step. It is a learning experience.”

GAME 4: Loss 17-5 to Nicaragua

Things started rocky. Australia looked a bit stiff early, giving up five runs to a Nicaraguan side riding an emotional high after a 10-5 win over Venezuela. Nicaragua, needing to win to advance to the Super Round, ultimately took care of business.

Australia showed great signs of life, however. Down 8-1 in the fifth, Australia strung together a late rally thanks to two-RBI singles from Cruize Chase-Takapua and Beau Stockdale.

They also showed glimpses of the playmaking ability they possess. Catcher Bodhi Evans threw out a runner at second. Left-fielder Rylan Ottaway threw out a runner from left field, check that one out below.

Ultimately, Australia threw out three base runners and turned a key double play, but free bases are still way too big of an issue. Eight walks, two hit-by-pitches and four errors is a combined 1,260 feet of bases — aka 14 free bases — that simply harm a team too much.

GAME 5: Loss 8-0 to Chinese Taipei

Australia hung tight for the first four innings, trailing the World No. 2 by just one run after four.

Chase Crew tossed 3.0 innings, allowing one run off four hits in one of the team’s better starts of the tournament. Seb Watts tagged out a runner at home off a nice play during a rundown from first and second, while Beau Stockdale finished off a nice play by Harrison Thomas-McLean to tag out a runner trying to advance from third.

Beau Stockdale took the team lead in hits with his sixth (pictured below).

A mission was to limit free bases, and the pitching combo of Crew, Noah McCabe, Cale Morris and Hugh Kelly walked just one combined.

“ I thought our processes were better today and played with more conviction and belief,” said Andy Kyle after the game.

Ultimately, Chinese Taipei pulled away to advance to the Super Round.

STAT LEADERS

Full stat sheet here.

Noteworthy: Jacob Tayler co-leads the tournament in stolen bases with five.

– Team Batting Average: .195 (10th)
– Runs: 15 (10th)
– Stolen Bases: 8 (5th)
– Innings Pitched: 29.0
– Team ERA: 11.83 (11th)
– Walks: 24 (9th)
– Strikeouts: 20 (8th)
– Fielding Percentage: .894 (9th)
– Double Plays: 2
– Caught Stealing: 2

FURTHER NOTE: NOTABLE ALUMNI

For years, the U15 Baseball World Cup has offered an early look at the game’s future stars, with some of today’s biggest names first representing their countries on this stage.

The names that have passed through this age group tell the story: Freddie Freeman, Francisco Lindor, Yordan Alvarez, Luis Robert Jr., Luis Arráez and Gleyber Torres are among the players who represented their countries at this level before becoming Major League stars.

Photos courtesy of WBSC

30 September 2026 By Staff Writers

By Staff Writers

- Team Australia

Australia's Pitchers Compete Hard in Loss to Chinese Taipei

Australia’s pitching staff put in its best effort of the tournament so far, but the bats couldn’t find a breakthrough in an 8-0 loss to Chinese Taipei in Cancún.

Chase Crew set the tone with three strong innings to start the game. He gave up just one run on four hits, walked no one and kept Australia in the contest through the early stages. Noah McCabe, Cale Morris and Hugh Kelly followed him to the mound, and the four pitchers combined to allow just one walk across seven innings. It was a big improvement in throwing strikes after earlier games in the tournament.

The game was still close at 1-0 through four innings before Chinese Taipei added three runs in the fifth, one in the sixth and three in the seventh.

Runs were hard to come by for Australia against a deep pitching group. Beau Stockdale hit a double and Bodhi Evans added a single for the team’s two hits. Jacob Tayler drew a walk and stole a base, and Sebastian Watts also worked a walk.

Head Coach Andy Kyle was encouraged by the way his team competed.

“Our pitching today was a highlight, they attacked the zone and competed all game. I thought our processes were better today and played with more conviction and belief.”

Photos from WBSC

29 September 2026 By Staff Writers

By Staff Writers

Community

Late Innings Get Away from Australia against Nicaragua

Australia fought back into the game but couldn’t hold on, going down 17-5 to Nicaragua in Cancún.

Nicaragua started fast with five runs in the first inning. Australia answered with a run in the bottom of the first, but by the end of the fourth the team trailed 8-1.

Jet Tyler Creamer steadied things on the mound after coming on in relief in the first. He pitched 3.1 innings, allowed only one earned run and struck out two. Harrison Thomas-McLean followed with 1.2 innings, and the defence helped out by turning two double plays.

The bats came to life in the fifth. Australia put four runs on the board to cut the gap to 8-5 and put real pressure on Nicaragua. Beau Stockdale and Zavier Leigh each hit a double and drove in a run, Cruize Chase-Tukapua drove in two runs and drew two walks, and Bodhi Evans added an RBI. Jacob Tayler also played well at the top of the order, reaching base three times with two hits and a walk.

Nicaragua pulled away late, scoring five runs in the sixth and four in the seventh. Four errors and 13 walks from Australian pitchers gave the opposition too many extra chances, a lesson the team will want to take into the rest of the tournament.

Australia (1-3) will look to finish the group stage strongly when it faces Chinese Taipei next.

28 September 2026 By Staff Writers

By Staff Writers

- Team Australia

Tough Day for Australia against the USA

Australia had a difficult afternoon in Mexico, going down 23-0 to an unbeaten USA side in a game called after five innings under the mercy rule.

The USA scored five runs in the first inning and followed with 11 in the second, which put the game out of reach early. Four fielding errors and nine walks from the Australian pitchers gave the opposition plenty of extra chances, and they made the most of them.

Runs were hard to come by at the plate. Beau Stockdale had Australia’s only hit of the game, and the team struck out 11 times. Harrison Thomas-McLean, Edison Bush and Thomas Skinner each drew a walk, and Oliver Breach was hit by a pitch, but Australia couldn’t turn those baserunners into runs.

Five pitchers took the mound for Australia. Cale Morris started and took the loss, with Hugh Kelly, Felix Oliver and Jack Bowden coming on in relief. Jacob Tayler moved from second base to pitch the last 1.1 innings and struck out two, which was a positive on a tough day.

Coach Andy Kyle was clear about what the team needs to take from the loss.

“A game that we need to reflect on, learn and move on from. You can’t give away free bases and extra opportunities at this level. We look forward to regrouping and getting after it tomorrow in a must-win game.”

Australia is now 1-2 and will look to bounce back when it takes the field again tomorrow.

Photos by WBSC

27 September 2026 By Staff Writers

By Staff Writers

- Team Australia

Australia Bounces Back with 9-2 Win over Czechia

Australia picked up its first win of the WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup in Mexico, beating Czechia 9-2 on the back of a combined one-hitter from three pitchers.

The bats got going straight away, with four runs in the first inning to give the team an early lead. Australia then added one run in the sixth before breaking the game open with four more in the seventh.

Jacob Tayler led the offence, going 3 for 4 with an RBI and four stolen bases. Beau Stockdale had two hits, a walk and a stolen base, while Archer Petersen and Rylan Ottoway each hit a double and drove in a run. Bodhi Evans, Edison Bush and Zavier Leigh also drove in a run each, and Bush stole two bases. Australia finished with 10 hits and drew six walks.

On the mound, Noah McCabe gave up just one hit in 2.2 innings with three strikeouts. George Steer earned the win with 2.2 hitless innings and three strikeouts, and Harrison Thomas-McLean finished the game with 1.2 hitless innings and two strikeouts. The three pitchers combined for eight strikeouts and did not allow an earned run.

Coach Andy Kyle was pleased with the performance.

“Great team effort today with contributions across the board. Getting early run support helped settle the nerves and the pitchers set the tone from there. Noah had a quality start and George came in and continued to be aggressive, attacking the zone with important shutdown innings before handing the ball to Harrison to finish it. The players will rest up tonight before an exciting challenge tomorrow.”

Australia (1-1) plays the USA tomorrow.

26 September 2026 By Staff Writers

By Staff Writers

- Team Australia

Australia Falls to Venezuela in U-15 World Cup Opener

Australia’s campaign at the WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup got off to a tough start in Mexico, going down 11-1 to Venezuela in a game called after five innings under the mercy rule.

Venezuela got going early with three runs in the first and one more in the second, which put the Australians on the back foot. Australia hit back in the third. Archer Petersen, who was hit by a pitch and also drew a walk on the day, came home on a sacrifice fly from Rylan Ottoway to put the team on the board.

Catcher Bodhi Evans was the standout at the plate, going 2 for 2 with a double. Beau Stockdale and Cruize Chase-Tukapua added a hit each.

Venezuela’s pitchers were hard to crack. They struck out nine Australian batters and allowed only four hits across the game.

Jet Creamer started on the mound and took the loss, with Felix Oliver, Jack Bowden and Chase Crew coming on in relief. Bowden kept Venezuela scoreless in his outing, and Crew struck out two. Three fielding errors didn’t help, and Venezuela pulled away with four runs in the third and three in the fifth.

Coach Andy Kyle commented on the teams performance.

“Tough game against a very good Venezuelan team. We showed glimpses of what we are capable of, unfortunately, today we gave away too many fee bases and were caught playing catch up from the start. The players will take a lot out of the experience today and we are confident that they are able to reset and bounce back tomorrow against Czech.”

Australia will look to bounce back against the Czech Republic tomorrow.

Photo provided by WBSC

25 September 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

Community

JOSH HENDRICKSON'S REMARKABLE RISE TO BECOMING AUSTRALIA's 41st MAJOR LEAGUER

Josh Hendrickson is officially Australia’s 41st ever Major League Baseball (MLB) player.

The Western Australian left-hander received the long-awaited call-up from the Houston Astros on September 23, just days after his 29th birthday.

Let’s not downplay it. Making the Majors for any player, from any country, is incredible.

But Hendrickson’s story is particularly astounding.

Curtis Mead and Travis Bazzana – our two regular Australian MLB stars in 2026 – followed a more conventional path. One was signed as a teenager and climbed the minor league ranks over a number of years. The other went to college, was drafted number one overall and rapidly reached the Majors.

Hendrickson’s was different. Don’t get me wrong, he was once on this path too.

Hendrickson – also known as ‘Hendo’ or simply ‘Hazel’s Dad’ – started playing baseball for the Wembley Magpies in Perth, Western Australia. He established himself as an elite junior in Australia, playing in the Australian Youth Championships and representing his country at the Under 18 World Cup.

He played junior college baseball at Galveston and then Barton before transferring to San Diego to play NCAA Division I baseball.

In 2019, he was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies. His journey also looked linear.

Rookie Ball, Low-A, High-A, Double-A, Triple-A — Hendrickson slowly climbed the ladder in the Phillies system. He even had a dominant stop in the ABL in the 2019-20 season with the Perth Heat.

Then, the ladder crumbled — so to speak.

Hendrickson injured his elbow during the 2023 season while pitching in Triple-A, the level below the Major Leagues, forcing him to undergo Tommy John surgery.

He was subsequently released by the Phillies and suddenly out of baseball.

In fact, he didn’t play a game for almost two years.

That didn’t deter Hendrickson. He went to work.

He relocated with his wife to Florida to attack rehab at a high-performance clinic called Cressey Sports Performance, treating his recovery like a man on a mission.

“I just treated it as my job. I was always a baseball player. I had to be around the game,” he told us in a feature story at Team Australia training camp in March. “I went there because they’re the best. It was about me working hard and being the best I could be.”

His routine rarely changed. He did rehab and throwing work from early morning until midday. He studied for an accounting degree — you know, for life after baseball — in the afternoon. Rinse, repeat, six days a week.

Later, he moved to Kansas City, where his wife is from, to complete the final phase of recovery.

At no point did he think his career was over.

“I never felt like I was done. I just knew it would be a long road back. I never had any doubt. I have so much support from my family, my wife and people around me to keep pushing me,” he said.

His motivation stayed simple.

“I just love playing baseball. I wanted to keep doing it. I didn’t want to be done doing it,” he said.

Hendrickson signed with the Kansas City Monarchs in 2025, an independent professional team in the American Association. With Kansas City, Hendrickson put together a promising campaign, going 10-5 with a 3.61 ERA in 19 starts and 104.2 innings, with 116 strikeouts. His punchout total was good for sixth in the league.

He signed with the Adelaide Giants in the Australian Baseball League shortly after, trying to make a case for a World Baseball Classic roster spot.

He made three appearances in the regular season, posting a 2.25 ERA and 0.875 WHIP with 21 strikeouts in 16 innings. Hendrickson ramped his fastball up to 95mph. He was handed the ball to start Game 3 of the Championship Series against Sydney, allowing just two runs over 5.2 innings to help Adelaide win the Claxton Shield.

Hendrickson was named to the World Baseball Classic roster the following week and found himself starting Australia’s second game of the tournament in March.

He said it was a “dream come true.”

“I think the final push to get on the team was pitching in the ABL,” Hendrickson said. “At the same time, I just wanted to enjoy pitching in Australia again, be present, and have fun playing baseball. It was special. My grandparents got to come watch me play and they hadn’t seen me in person.”

After the WBC, Hendrickson returned to Kansas City. He talked to teams in Asia and in independent leagues, but the Astros eventually came calling in April.

He returned to the minor leagues after three seasons, a gruelling rehab and two years away from the game.

“It was honestly a lot of excitement to be back in affiliated baseball,” Hendrickson told MLB.com. “But at the same time it was trusting the preparation that I’d done, even though I hadn’t been to a spring training, hadn’t been with a team, hadn’t faced hitters in a while, but trusting the preparation, going about my routine normally, meeting a lot of new faces, learning a lot of new names, and just going out there and having fun playing the game of baseball.”

He stayed the whole season in Triple-A. But after a late-season injury to starter Cristian Javier, Hendrickson finally got the Major League call.

He appeared in his first game on Wednesday, September 23 against the Seattle Mariners, with the Astros firmly entrenched in a playoff spot.

Hendrickson entered with runners on second and third, Houston leading 4-3, and got Josh Naylor to ground out on his second MLB pitch. He stayed in and ultimately went 2.0 innings, allowing two hits and one earned run with no walks and three strikeouts.

Astros manager Joe Espada praised Hendrickson’s debut.

“I thought that was a really awesome major-league debut. Came in, got some big outs for us… We needed some help there in the middle and he delivered a really nice outing,” said Espada.

It’s an excellent reward for a great talent who put in the hard work.

It’s also a moment to celebrate for Australian baseball. For the first time since 2016, Australia had four Major League players in a given season — Josh Hendrickson, Curtis Mead, Travis Bazzana and Brandan Bidois.

Aussies may have to work a little harder to get there, and few journeys demonstrate that better than Josh Hendrickson’s.

24 September 2026 By Staff Writers

By Staff Writers

Community

In Memory of Ryan Prokopec

Baseball Australia is deeply saddened by the passing of 17-year-old Ryan Prokopec.

Ryan was a member of the Gawler Rangers Baseball Club and the wider Australian baseball community.

Tragically, Ryan passed away in a car accident while travelling home to Renmark following a game in Adelaide.

Ryan grew up in a proud baseball family. He was a much-loved son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, teammate, friend, and member of his community. He brought his own warmth, personality, and joy to the people around him and will be remembered for the special place he held in so many lives.

Those who knew Ryan will remember his kindness, his cheeky personality, his loving and loyal nature, and the joy he brought to the people lucky enough to have known him. He was an important part of the St Francis of Assisi College community, where he built strong friendships and left a lasting impression on those who knew him. He was also a proud member of the rowing club, and loved being out on the water.

Ryan came from a large and loving family and was deeply cherished by everyone around him. He was a beloved son to Andrea and Luke, a much-loved brother to Aidan and Stephanie, and the best mate to his beloved dog, Blue. The two were inseparable, sharing a special bond that reflected Ryan’s caring, loyal and loving nature.

Our thoughts are with Ryan’s family and loved ones, his teammates and friends at Gawler Rangers, the St Francis of Assisi College community, and everyone who is grieving this heartbreaking loss.

Baseball Australia stands alongside Baseball South Australia, Gawler Rangers and the broader baseball community during this time.

Ryan’s family have requested privacy during this incredibly difficult time, and we ask that their wishes are respected.

Rest peacefully, Ryan. You will be deeply missed and forever remembered. We will carry you with us for the rest of our lives.

23 September 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

Feature Stories

Eleven Australians selected for MLB International College Showcase Tour

Eleven Australian baseball prospects are off to Arizona today for Major League Baseball’s (MLB) International College Showcase Tour.

The group will join the MLB World Select Team from September 24 to October 2, playing in front of college recruiters and professional scouts. They’ll also get a first-hand look at where baseball could take them next.

Thirty players under the age of 20 will make the trip, coming from Australia, Brazil, Czech Republic, Curaçao, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Slovakia and Spain.

Andrew Riddell, Baseball Australia’s National Player Development Manager, calls the trip the “pinnacle event” for Baseball players outside the U18 World Cup.

“These players are selected by national coaches with input from MLB scouts,” says Riddell. “They get an opportunity to live life as a pro baseball player for two weeks.”

There’s a lot packed into this fortnight of baseball.

The players will visit MLB Spring Training complexes, play high-school-aged travel teams at the Arizona Fall Classic, take on junior colleges and finish with a game against players from the Kansas City Royals Instructional League.

They’ll also take part in pro-style workouts specifically designed to put the players in front of college recruiting coordinators and professional scouts.

“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.,” said Riddell.

Plenty of Australians have used this trip trip as a springboard.

Eight members of the 2025 Australian group have already moved into college or professional baseball. Patrick Crotty (Phillies) and Ashton Kennedy (Pirates) have started their professional careers, while Ethan Bickel, Will Hardy, Riley Puckett, Cooper Teichmann, Matt Trainor and Damien Wilson started their college journeys last month. There are currently over 100 Australians committed or playing college baseball in the USA.

Others on the alumni list include Travis Bazzana, Solomon Maguire, Will Sherriff, Clayton Campbell, Blake Cavill, Kai-Noa Wynyard, Max Stagg, Ali Tanner, Jack Bushell and Max Durrington.

Australian coaches Andrew Riddell and Shayne Watson will joing the Australian contingent, while the World Select Team will have access to a coaching group with a tremendous amount of experience.

They are:

– Roger McDowell, who spent 12 seasons pitching in the Major Leagues, won the 1986 World Series with the New York Mets and then spent another 12 seasons as an MLB pitching coach with Atlanta and Baltimore.

– Jeff Conine, who played 17 MLB seasons, made two All-Star teams and won two World Series.

– David Eckstein, who was a two-time All-Star, two-time World Series champion and the 2006 World Series MVP across a 10-year MLB career. He has also worked as an assistant coach with Team USA’s U18 program.

– Rick van den Hurk, who pitched six seasons in MLB before an outstanding career in Asia. He won two Korean Series and five Japan Series championships and led the KBO in ERA and strikeouts in 2014.

– Jon Debus, who spent more than 40 years in professional baseball, including extensive catching and player-development roles with the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets organisations.

Riddell adds that between the games, scouts, college coaches, professional facilities and people who have already been where these players want to go, they’ll get a pretty good look at what comes next.

“The level of talent is improved every year from our players and players from around the world,” says Riddell. “Better coaches have been introduced and they now get to see the different levels of baseball after high school all in a two week span.”

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