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

23 October 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

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 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;

01 October 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

Team Australia Team Australia U15

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 Team Australia U15

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

Team Australia Team Australia U15

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.

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