Canberra right-hander and Team Australia U18 pitcher Nate Quigg commits to powerhouse college

27 November 2025 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

Canberra right-hander and Team Australia U18 pitcher Nate Quigg commits to powerhouse college

One of Canberra’s most promising young arms is heading to one of the strongest junior college programs in America.

Right-handed 18-year-old pitcher Nate Quigg, who plays his club baseball for the Ryde Hawks in the NSW State League, has committed to McLennan Community College.

The Waco, Texas based school is a perennial JUCO powerhouse with a recent national championship in 2021 and six JUCO World Series appearances since 2015. They’ve produced dozens of professional players.

Quigg, who features a three-pitch mix of fastball, curveball and splitter, has quickly risen through Australia’s pathway. He represented the ACT at the Australian Youth Championships, pitched for Australia at the 2025 U18 World Cup, and made his ABL debut with the Cavalry in January 2025.

He says he sees McLennan as the ideal place to accelerate his development.

“I see my development really taking off at McLennan. Being around high-level coaches and players every day will help me keep improving on the mound and learning more about the game,” he says. “I’m also looking forward to getting stronger in the gym, building more consistency, and competing against top talent, which I know will push me to another level.”

Quigg will study Sports Science. He is scheduled to depart to the United States in August 2026.

McLennan has long been a strong landing spot for Australians in the past.

George Callil spent two seasons there in 2017–18 before moving on to a standout NCAA Division I career at the University of South Carolina.

Quigg says one of his biggest assets is his ability to stay motivated and find ways to improve.

“One of my biggest strengths is my ability to push myself and stay motivated. I’ve had to do a lot on my own without much outside help, especially since we haven’t had a high-performance program here for the last couple of years,” says Quigg. “I’ve taken a lot of responsibility for my own development, finding ways to get better, sticking to my training, and staying consistent even without the same resources other players might have. It’s made me more self-driven and disciplined.”

Quigg notably spent time working with Canberra baseball legend and Team Australia catcher Robbie Perkins to prepare for the U18 World Cup.

He ended up tossing 3.0 innings across two appearances at the World Cup, allowing just one run.

Baseball Australia Player Development Manager Andrew Riddell says Nate has done a tremendous job in Canberra to keep developing his body and arm.

“He deserves a lot of credit for his hard work,” says Riddell. “He found a way to become a Team Australia U18 pitcher and now commit to a perennial junior college powerhouse. We saw him in January at AYC and even the strides he had made by selection camp in August were evident.”

Riddell says Quigg is a self-aware player, and he understands his strengths and weaknesses.

“From knowing the coaching staff at McClennan for a number of years now, they will be able to help him refine his command, continue to develop his secondary pitches and put some weight on him in the gym,” he says.

Riddell says Quigg was in a position with a number of top programs showing interest. After a bunch of zoom calls, McLennan seemed like the right fit.

“McClennan has always come and watched our players at Perfect Game events in the U.S and Nate’s commitment strengthens the relationship between them and Baseball Australia even further for the future,” says Riddell. “I think this next step in his career reflects his drive and ambition but also the support system around him in Canberra – notably his family, coaches since he was little, mentors at local Canberra clubs that have shaped him and other Canberra-based players that continue to work hard for each other and develop within the game with their goals not too far away.’

Now, Quigg says it’s time to set sale and sharpen his foundation while in the U.S.

“I’m hoping to keep improving my overall game — building strength, increasing velocity, and improving my command on the mound,” he says. “Getting on a proper throwing and strength program will help me develop more consistency and take that next step. I also want to learn as much as I can from the coaches and players around me so I can continue to grow as both a pitcher and a teammate.”

Quigg says his family has been the biggest influence along his journey.

He says he wouldn’t be there without them.

“It’s definitely been my mum and dad. They’ve supported me through everything — the early mornings, the long trips, always believing in me and pushing me to keep getting better. I’ve also been inspired by Australian players who’ve made it to college or pro ball, seeing what’s possible if you put in the work.”

Baseball participation spikes nationwide as October registrations surge 22%

Baseball Australia has reported a surge in participation, with October 2025 registrations climbing 22% compared with the same point last year.

It’s an early-season indicator that the sport’s growth trajectory is accelerating across the country.

The latest figures highlight a substantial year-on-year increase in total registrants.

By the end of October 2024, there were just under 26,000 registrations. By the end of October 2025, that number has surpassed 31,500.

Based on current trends, the sport is now projected to exceed the 34,000 participants recorded during the 2024–25 financial year, marking another major milestone for the national game.

Junior baseball drives much of the upswing. The strongest growth was recorded in the 5–11 age bracket, which jumped 19.48%, while registrations among 12–17-year-olds rose a further 6%.

Participation increased across all major states — including Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.

The October surge follows Baseball Australia’s announcement earlier this year of an 11% participation increase over a two-year period (2022–23 to 2024–25).

Baseball Australia also acknowledges the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) for its vital support through the Play Well campaign.

The early impact of the initiative is already evident in the latest participation data, and the organisation extends its thanks to the ASC for its continued investment in helping more Australians connect with the sport.

With registrations rising sharply and junior engagement at record levels, baseball enters the 2025 season with renewed momentum and a rapidly expanding player base nationwide.

If you’d like to get involved, you can find a club near you by using our Club Finder.

23 November 2025 By Staff Writers

By Staff Writers

Community

Victorian Government to support Australian Youth Championships (AYC) for next three years

The Victorian Government has thrown its support behind Australia’s premier youth baseball tournament, securing the Australian Youth Championships (AYC) in Melbourne for the next three years.

The AYC features two marquee national titles – the Under 16 and Under 18 divisions – and serves as the nation’s leading Performance Pathways event, where emerging baseball talent showcase their skills in front of more than 15 Major League Baseball scouts and college recruiters each year.

From 2026 through 2028, fourteen teams across both divisions will compete at a tournament in Melbourne, continuing the city’s legacies as one of the greatest sporting capitals in the world.

In 2026, the tournament will be held at Essendon, Preston and Port Melbourne Baseball Clubs. The schedule will be announced later this week.

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.

Baseball Australia Event Manager Michael Ibbotson said the three-year commitment provides stability and opportunity for the tournament to grow.

“This partnership gives us the chance to plan ahead, improve operations, and build an even better experience for players and families,” Ibbotson said. “Melbourne has a proud baseball history, and we’re thrilled to see the next generation of talent compete here over the coming years.”

The 2026 Australian Youth Championships will run from January 7–15, with the full tournament schedule to be announced soon.

More than 320 players and coaches, plus their families, are expected to travel to Victoria for the event, creating opportunities for local tourism and sporting engagement across Melbourne’s north and inner west.

For those wanting to maximise their stay while in Victoria, visit the following link to explore what Victoria has to offer here.

21 November 2025 By Staff Writers

By Staff Writers

Aussies Sign Pro Women's Baseball

Nine Australians selected in Women's Professional Baseball League Draft

All nine eligible Australians have been selected in the inaugural Women’s Professional Baseball League (WPBL) draft.

The first professional baseball league in America is schedule to begin in the American summer with a four team competition. The four teams are New York, Boston, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Here are the Australians selected:

– Round 2, Pick 9 – Boston: Ticara Geldenhuis (NSW)
– Round 3, Pick 7 – Los Angeles: Caitlin Eynon (WA)
– Round 3, Pick 12 – Boston: Molly Paddison (QLD)
– Round 3, Pick 14 – New York: Claire O’Sullivan (NSW)
– Round 4, Pick 2 – New York: Maddison Erwin (ACT / NSW)
– Round 4, Pick 3 – Los Angeles: Leah Cornish (WA)
– Round 4, Pick 17 – Boston: Allie Bebbere (VIC)
– Round 5, Pick 7 – Los Angeles: Elodie O’Sullivan (WA / NSW)
– Round 6, Pick 2 – New York: Chloe Atkinson (WA)

BY TEAM

Boston: Ticara Geldenhuis, Molly Paddison, Allie Bebbere
New York: Claire O’Sullivan, Maddie Erwin, Chloe Atkinson
Los Angeles: Elodie O’Sullivan, Leah Cornish, Caitlin Eynon

BY STATE

New South Wales: Elodie O’Sullivan, Claire O’Sullivan, Maddie Erwin, Ticara Geldenhuis

ACT: Maddie Erwin

Queensland: Molly Paddison

Victoria: Allie Bebbere

Western Australia: Caitlin Eynon, Leah Cornish, Elodie O’Sullivan, Chloe Atkinson

19 November 2025 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

Aussies Sign Pro

Lachlan Wells Secures KBO Opportunity, Signs with LG Twins

Adelaide Giants left-hander Lachlan Wells is heading back to Korea to one of the biggest stages in Asian baseball, signing with the reigning KBO champions, the LG Twins, under the league’s new Asian League import rule.

Wells, from Newcastle, was in Korea this week finalising the details of the contract, and the agreement is now official.

It is also the reason he has missed the opening weeks of the Adelaide Giants’ 2024–25 campaign.

He becomes the first Australian player signed through the KBO’s updated designation, which allows clubs to add an additional import from Asian federations outside Korea.

The 27-year-old’s latest opportunity follows another standout ABL season and a strong stint earlier in 2025 with the Kiwoom Heroes. Wells posted a 3.17 ERA across ten starts for Adelaide in 2024–25, striking out a league-best 66 hitters over 54.0 innings on his way to being named the Giants’ Pitcher of the Year.

He also won the ABL’s Helms Award for Most Valuable Player in 2023–24 after a dominant season in which he posted a 0.94 ERA—one of the best single-season marks in league history.

Wells returned to Korea in 2025 as a Temporary Foreign Replacement Player with the Kiwoom Heroes, where he recorded a 3.15 ERA in 20.0 innings and established himself firmly on the radar of KBO organisations.

He now joins the LG Twins, the defending champions, where he is expected to provide important innings as part of the club’s expanded pitching depth allowed under the new import structure.

Wells originally signed with the Minnesota Twins as a teenager and has represented Australia at multiple levels, including the U-18 World Cup and the World Baseball Classic. After taking 2022 off, he returned to the ABL in 2023–24 and quickly re-established himself as one of the league’s most dominant arms. He later signed with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2024, reaching Triple-A during the U.S. season.

Wells will report to LG Twins spring training after the conclusion of the ABL season and is expected to rejoin the Giants around Christmas.

The Adelaide Giants congratulate Lachlan on this exciting next step in his professional career.

18 November 2025 By Staff Writers

By Staff Writers

Women's Baseball

Why Allie Bebbere dropped everything for a chance at the Big Leagues

feature story by Jena Osman

Allie Bebbere has accomplished a lot in her baseball career. She’s won gold with Victoria, represented Australia at a World Cup, and collected multiple Golden Arm Awards.

Most athletes would be satisfied.

Allie Bebbere isn’t most athletes.

At 31 years old, she’s taken a leap of faith for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Allie left her life in Victoria behind to chase a dream that’s never existed before: a professional contract in the United States.

This week, on Friday, the first ever Women’s Professional Baseball League (WPBL) draft will take place.

From over 600 triallists, only 150 women made the draft pool. Approximately one hundred will be selected across four teams – San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York and Boston.

Allie is one of only nine Australians anxiously waiting to hear her name. She joins Ticara Geldenuis (NSW), Claire O’Sullivan (NSW), Elodie O’Sullivan (NSW / WA), Maddison Erwin (ACT / NSW), Molly Paddison (QLD), Leah Cornish (WA), Caitlin Eynon (WA) and Chloe Atkinson (WA) as the Aussies on the draft list.

Allie recalls first hearing of the league’s establishment and initially feeling a wave of disbelief.

“It was a bewilderment… and trying to wrap my head around the possibility,” she said.

For someone with a long, settled and accomplished career, the move might look like a gamble, but Allie only sees potential.

Why leave comfort for something unknown? Her answer is simple: hunger.

The decision

The WPBL allowed players to trial via video submission or in person. With the encouragement of past Australian greats, including longtime friend and Australian coach Sam Hamilton, Allie chose the hard road: a flight to Washington, D.C., to stand on the mound in front of the scouts.

“There were no guarantees that she would get through day one,” Sam said. “She could have flown all the way over there and been cut after one day. Thankfully she was there the whole duration of the time… she took a massive chance.”

To put herself in the best position, Allie pushed her training to new heights. She competed in both men’s and women’s baseball, increased activity at the gym, focused on recovery and did some coaching on the side.

“She’s a competitive beast, she eats baseballs for breakfast,” Sam joked.

How much dose Allie love baseball? She got married on a baseball field and returns each anniversary to take a photo.

“I was definitely going, I was trialling, I was doing whatever I needed to do to try and be considered,” Allie said.

Allie’s biggest challenge wasn’t commitment; it was logistics.

“It wasn’t really a matter of deciding whether or not to go, it was more of figuring out how to make it happen… my husband [Daniel] and I took the approach of ‘we’ll make it work’,” Allie said.

Sacrificing work and sorting finances wasn’t easy, but Daniel helped to push her over the line.

“I told her, ‘You’re going to kick yourself if you don’t go. Give it a shot, see what happens, and we’ll go from there’,” he said.

Allie is no stranger to putting life on hold for baseball.

“Even before the WPBL, for World Cups we’ve continued to put family plans on hold for this,” she said.

As the trials quickly approached, the unknown created plenty of anxiety for both Allie and Daniel.

Despite the chaos, Daniel couldn’t hide his admiration.

“There was no security of anything… but for me it was great,” he said. “She’s getting opportunities that I never had, and I’m just happy that we’re in a position where she can pursue them.”

Above: Daniel and Allie on their wedding day at Fitzroy Baseball Club

THE LEAP

From pitching at her local club at Doncaster to hitting inside Nationals Park, a Major League stadium, Allie has literally and figuratively taken a massive jump – not just for herself but for all the women before her and those still to come.

“She’s doing this not just for herself; she’s doing it for the people that came before her that didn’t have the same opportunity, and she’s also doing it for those girls that are 14–15 and need a role model,” Sam said. “You can’t be what you can’t see.”

There is no professional baseball league for women in Australia – or anywhere outside of Japan. In the United States, softball has been the diamond sport of choice for female athletes.

The establishment, support and success of the WPBL could critical for the sustainability of girls in baseball.

“Until this moment that was never any girl’s dream, and now it is,” Sam said.

Above: Sam Hamilton fist bumping Allie at the 2023 Women’s Baseball World Cup

It won’t be without its challenges for the Aussie athletes.

“The gap between female baseball in Australia and what the league will look like, I think it’ll be massive. The names they have are some of the most elite female baseballers from around the world,” Sam said.

Some names Allie will mix with are among baseball royalty – Ayami Sato and Mo’ne Davis. Sato is widely regarded as the greatest women’s baseball pitcher of her generation and a multi-time World Cup MVP for Japan. Davis is a U.S. sports phenomenon who made global headlines as the first girl to star on the mound at the Little League World Series.

The Trial

Trials are second nature to Allie – familiar faces and predictable drills. She’s done hundreds in Victoria, but Washington was a whole new experience.

“I wasn’t surrounded by people I knew…these were girls that I’ve never met, never seen play, so it was scary,” she admitted.

Sixteen thousand kilometres from home without her support system, Allie was forced to rely solely on her preparation and mental game.

Above: Allie Bebbere (right) with Queenslander Molly Paddison at the in person trials at Nationals Park.

“I didn’t know what I was going to be asked to do, but I knew I had to be prepared to do everything.”

But the moment she stepped onto the field, all nerves settled.

“Once I was on field and I was playing baseball, I was playing baseball. It didn’t matter who I was playing with, where I was playing, I know how to do that,” she said.

Allie prides herself on her mental resilience.

Her mental strength has been a defining piece of her career, a trait her husband knows well.

“No one’s allowed to tell Allie that she can’t do anything,” Daniel laughed.

“The odds were stacked against her. She just stuck it out and kept on grinding,” Daniel said.

He was hesitant to talk about draft day. He laughed as he explained he’s aimed to avoid all bad energy to have no interference with the result.

To Daniel, hearing his wife’s name called on draft day would mean everything.

“All of the nights where we’d miss each other… barely any time to see each other, it would all be worth it,” he said.

The legacy

Being selected is no guarantee. What if the draft doesn’t go her way?

Allie’s fire will only be fuelled.

“It would drive her into another gear,” Sam said. “As soon as she puts her mind towards something, she really works her arse off to do it.”

No matter the outcome, Allie’s influence is undeniable.

She is paving the path for young girls across the nation and allowing them to stamp their place in the sport.

As Sam Hamilton summed up:

“Her age doesn’t recognise her game. Game recognises game.”

18 November 2025 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

College Baseball Community

Hard-throwing Queenslander Luka Moore commits to college

One of Australia’s hardest-throwing pitching prospects has committed to college.

Queenslander Luka Moore, a Redcliffe Padres pitcher who can throw up to 92 miles-per-hour, has committed to Midland Community College — a JUCO in Texas.

It’s one of the top junior colleges in the baseball landscape, ranked No. 10 to start the 2025 season.

Moore says his strength is his velocity and mound presence.

“I’m tall. I’m 6’4, 100kg and I get a lot of reach,” says Moore. “I have a good pitch mix that produces a lot of swings and misses.”

Moore has a five-pitch mix: four-seam fastball, two-seam fastball, Vulcan change-up, slider and curveball.

He says he hopes to become a more complete pitcher at Midland.

“While I’m away, I hope my velocity will jump but more importantly my strike-to-ball ratio will improve,” says Moore. “I also hope that as I progress, my mentality and attitude improve also. It’s a different game in the States and if I want to succeed then I will need to be at the top of my game physically and mentally. Being around a bunch of new faces and having a whole different lifestyle means that I can improve as a teammate and person.”

Moore follows in the footsteps of fellow Aussie Luke Hayhow, who transferred to Midland this year after redshirting his freshman year at San Diego State University.

Moore will study STEM and Engineering.

Baseball Australia Player Development Manager Andrew Riddell says he is happy that Luka was able to commit to a top ten program with a history of moving players on to Division I universities and professional baseball.

“He had a number of full scholarship offers from some really good schools that we were able to work through and narrow down his focus to the best fit for him,” says Riddell. “After discussion with the coaching staff – and also Luke Hayhow – Luka and his parents decided that Midland will best prepare him for the rest of his career.”

Moore missed out on national team selection this year despite attending camp. Riddell says he was very impressed with how he bounced back and earned himself opportunities in baseball.

“Luka remained positive and went straight back to training to keep improving his command and secondary pitches,” he says. “That’s a big credit to his work ethic and determination to be successful. He knows what he needs to improve on and it’s going to be fun watching him keep developing at college.”

Moore says his experience at the Australian Youth Championships helped prepare him for this opportunity.

He also attended the U18 National Team Camp with 34 other top Australians.

“Facing the best of the best in Australia meant I had to be on my A-game and get comfortable with the fact that everyone in a line-up can hit,” says Moore. “It’s a different feel from club ball. I also felt it at national team camp because I was narrowed down to the best 30–35 players in Australia, which meant I had to be even better and more efficient in what I do.”

Moore says he would like to thank everyone in the Redcliffe community, his mum, dad, Chris Maguire, Barry Kairl, Ted Roebuck and Phil Overlack.

Australian debuts and career firsts highlights return of Australian Baseball League

The Australian Baseball League returned over the weekend.

Plenty of young Australians had career firsts. Let’s take a look below.

Don’t forget, you can watch and support these athletes by attending a game or by purchasing an ABL Access on Baseball+.

ADELAIDE GIANTS

Sean Maple: The South Aussie utility man returned from four years at college. He made his first career start and went 2-for-6 on the weekend and picked up his first career hit and RBI.

Cooper Morgan: First appearance since returning from college (Cumberlands). The U23 Team Australia member from Canberra delivered big time. He threw 2.0 shutout innings on Friday and struck out the first five batters he faced.

James McFarlane: The Team Australia U18 outfielder from West Torrens wrote his final Year 12 exams on Tuesday. He played his first game Thursday as a pinch-hitter and recorded his first hit on Saturday.

Liam Scott: The right-hander out of Goodwood pitched in the ABL for the first time. He just returned from four years at college. Scott registered his first strikeout in a two-inning outing on Thursday.

AJ Verastegui: Venezuelan-born Verastegui came to Australia in 2019 with five years experience in the Rays organisation to play club ball. Now a resident, he’s played seven seasons of South Australian Baseball League for Golden Grove Central Districts and Woodville. He made a long-awaited ABL debut on the weekend, throwing 3.0 innings of shutout, hitless baseball with just one walk. He struck out six.

BRISBANE BANDITS

Luke Krkovski: The lefty made his ABL debut after returning from NCAA Division I (Lamar). The New South Wales product tossed 1.1 scoreless innings on Thursday. He pitched a perfect 1.0 innings in a shutout win on Sunday. In a cool connection, he threw to his Cronulla junior baseball tournament Jake Burns on Sunday.

Jackson Grounds: The 20-year-old Queenslander pitched in his first ABL game since being released from the Pittsburgh Pirates, and first for the Bandits. He did pitch 2.0 innings a couple years ago, but this was a return to his home ground and organisation he grew up with. He threw 3.1 shutout innings on Saturday.

Liam MacDonald: Liam stepped in for a pinch-hit with bases loaded on Saturday. His first ABL hit? A grand-slam.

PERTH HEAT

Kristian Hauesler: Fresh off an appearance at the 2025 U18 World Cup, Kristian tossed 2.0 innings in his debut and registered his first strikeout.

Ben Nesbit: After playing for Australia at the 2025 U18 World Cup and the 2025 U23 Oceania Championships, Nesbit drove in his first career run in front of a hometown crowd on Saturday.

SYDNEY BLUE SOX

Josh Bishopp: After returning from college, Bishopp threw 3.1 innings in his ABL debut with nine strikeouts.

Ky Jackson: Made his return to Australia after spending five years in Japan. He threw 1.1 shutouts in his ABL debut.

Josh Nati: In his first career game, the two-time Team Australia U18 World Cup rep, delivered. His first hit? A three-run homer.

11 November 2025 By Staff Writers

By Staff Writers

College Baseball

From Blacktown to Texas: Ethan Bickel commits to North Central Texas College

He’s a national champion, a state league winner, and a U18 World Cup representative.

Now, Ethan Bickel is a college commit.

The Blacktown Workers pitcher from New South Wales has confirmed his commitment to North Central Texas College, capping off what has been an impressive 2025 campaign across club, state and international levels.

Bickel was a key contributor to New South Wales’ U18 National Championship in January and a member of Blacktown’s premiership-winning State League side.

His success carried onto the international stage, where he threw 8.0 shutout innings across three appearances at the recent U18 World Cup, including 3.1 scoreless frames against the powerhouse USA lineup.

Bickel was one of 11 Australians selected to attend an MLB College Showcase Tour immediate following the U18 World Cup.

“I think the Australian Youth Championship tournaments we have every year have really helped me develop and learn the standard of baseball and talent around our country,” Bickel said. “That’s helped me find things to work on and get better. Playing in events like the World Cup has shown me that I can compete at that level.”

A right-hander with a four-pitch mix — fastball, sinker, slider and change-up — Bickel is known for his ability to throw strikes with any pitch in any count. He says his next goal is to add velocity as he transitions to college baseball.

“That’s a big goal of mine to move onto the next level,” he said. “I’m always refining my pitches in a way that will help me compete at the next level.”

Baseball Australia Player Development Manager Andrew Riddell says Bickel has been on the radar for the last few years.

“It’s been great getting to know him and his family better throughout the years,” says Riddell. “He was part of the Team Australia U16 camp in Canberra in 2023 which really put his name on the map with how many strikes he threw with multiple pitches and his poise on the mound.”

Riddell says Bickel’s work ethic and determination stood out.

“He made improvements to jump to the U18 bracket at the AYC as a first-year player and was selected in the U17 squad to head to Fort Myers for the WWBA Underclass World Championship. He continued to refine and develop his secondary pitches.”

“At the World Cup, we saw what he was able to do with eight scoreless innings in really pivotal and high-leverage situations. I’m really looking forward to continue watching his development in college. Big congratulations to him, his family & all the coaches throughout Sydney that have helped him become the person and pitcher he is today.”

Bickel will study Sports Business Management at North Central Texas College.

He credits his family, community and coaches for shaping his journey so far.

“I’ve had some amazing coaches throughout my journey,” he said. “My dad taught me the basics and really got me into baseball. The coaching staff at Blacktown Workers changed the way I approach the game and helped me understand the fundamentals behind everything. I’ve also been very fortunate to have great coaches at both state and Australian level who’ve helped me develop over the years.”

11 November 2025 By Staff Writers

By Staff Writers

- Little League Community

From Cairns to Williamsport: Daniel del Nido’s Little League Dream

feature story by Connie Rowe

Time stood still for Daniel del Nido.

The 18,000 strong crowd faded into white noise.

He had been umpiring baseball for the best part of 20 years, yet never faced scrutiny like this before.

Forty seconds felt like a lifetime as he held his breath for the verdict of his first challenged call.

“Call stands,” echoed across the stadium as del Nido let out a sigh of relief and a little smile.

It was a surreal feeling.

The stadiums were packed out with upwards of 20,000 spectators. In them, some of the best baseball the world has seen. The athletes aged out at 12 years old.

It was the Little League World Series and del Nido was there to call the shots.

“These kids were doing things with baseballs that I had never seen before,” del Nido admits.

From 80 mile an hour fastballs to curves that broke further than he’d ever seen, del Nido was in awe of the sheer talent exhibited by the players.

They weren’t selected to play though.

Each team was made up of Little Leaguers playing alongside their teammates from back home. They had started a journey together at the start of the season, beating everyone in their region to progress.

The umpiring crew didn’t get there by chance either.

Every umpire had been through rigorous testing and scrutiny prior to their selection. del Nido was there to represent the entirety of Asia-Pacific. He too had been selected over some 500 comrades in black.

With ESPN cameras following their every move and major sponsors galore, it made everyone feel like they were a part of the major league. Umpires too.

“I couldn’t believe it when they wanted to make us all custom uniforms,” he said.

For years he’d been funding his own and knew a good pair of pants aren’t exactly cheap.

Del Nido had been a part of numerous national and state tournaments but this was a spectacle unlike anything he had ever witnessed before. It only added to the pressure to perform.

“I knew that any call I made had the potential to be replayed over and over again,” he said.

Despite feeling a few fractions off the mark, del Nido went on to call his first no hitter. Not that he realised.

“I was so locked in throughout the game, it wasn’t until my crew chief told me,” del Nido said.

The intensity of umpiring at this level meant he was riding one pitch at a time. Everything else became a blur.

To prepare for such an event was just as much of an exercise.

Dan del Nido hails from Cairns, a town in the far north of Queensland, Australia, more known for its rainforests and coral reefs than for its baseball.

But when del Nido received the call that he’d been selected, the baseball community rallied around him.

“Our local team, the Cairns Cubs, ran situational trainings,” he said. “They would hit the ball randomly. No one knew where it was going. This meant that I could work on my reactions and mechanics.”

Except for one fundamental issue. They played on a full sized diamond. Little League is played out on 60ft base paths.

So, every time he stepped out a rotation, visualisation took over as he mentally corrected how far he would have to go.

Distance wasn’t the only difference.

At the World Series, umpiring crews were made up of four. In Cairns, you’d be fortunate to work with one other qualified umpire.

But again, the local community were quick to step up with fellow umpires putting their hands up to run extra games to give him bigger crews to work with.

Despite his rigorous commitment to training, del Nido still had doubts.

The league of World Series umpires is an exclusive club. The likes of Mark Gilmour who had been before him were invaluable.

“I could ring him with any question, no matter how trivial,” del Nido said gratefully.

No matter how much they tried to describe the experience to him, nothing could truly prepare him until he experienced it himself.

The Little League World Series is a purely volunteer run exercise. Given the grandeur of the event, it’s no wonder that gratitude flows thick.

Above: A pin that del Nido made for an exchange with other umpires.

In fact, for del Nido, it was almost as though he’d been elevated to celebrity status. From the moment he landed in the US, he could barely walk 10m without being stopped for a chat.

“People really appreciate you,” he said. “They recognise that if you’ve been chosen as a World Series umpire, then you have given up many years of your own time and money towards training opportunities and gear.”

From being fast tracked through security at the airport to free bus rides, everyone wanted to show him and his crew their support.

There was a form of currency at the event, however. Pins.

“Everyone had their own unique pin,” del Nido said.

His was among the rarest.

Players, officials and volunteers alike would collect, trade and barter to extend their collection of pins.

To umpire at the Little League World Series was a goal ten years in the making for del Nido.

A Queensland Baseball Umpires Association accreditation course in Cairns opened a door to an experience he had never fathomed.

While it is one that he would eagerly repeat over and over, del Nido is humbled to now be there to help make someone else’s dream come true.

“Being appointed for the World Series is an incredibly competitive opportunity,” he said. “After applying, you have to be endorsed by your region, then your state, then your country before finally being appointed by Little League as the single representative for Asia-Pacific.”

“I have had such incredible mentors,” he said. “I hope to be that for someone else, to help them have the same experience.”

For del Nido, umpiring is more than a pastime. It has opened so many doors. But whether he is umpiring internationally or at his home ground in Cairns, every time he steps on the diamond he does so with the utmost professionalism.

His mantra – every call means something to someone.

04 November 2025 By Staff Writers

By Staff Writers

- Team Australia College Baseball

Team Australia U18 pitcher-catcher combo Riley Puckett and Cooper Teichmann commit to Galveston College

Australia’s battery at the 2025 Under 18 World Cup will attend college together.

Queensland catcher Cooper Teichmann and New South Wales pitcher Riley Puckett both confirmed their commitment to Galveston College this week.

They both join a growing list of Australians attending the Texas based junior college. Nic Paparella (SA), Ben Karakasis (NSW) and Flynn McKee (SA) are already in the program.

“I mean it’s pretty special,” says Teichmann. “To have a guy who I first met at the U18 World Cup training camp to then have him throw to me at the World Cup for our country to now getting the opportunity to get to the next level together, I think it’s something not many people get to do. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Both Teichmann and Puckett are promising prospects.

Puckett (below) is a crafty right-handed pitcher out of MacArthur Orioles. He has a six pitch mix in his arsenal – a four-seam fastball, sinker, cutter, knuckle curve, change-up and slider.

It was Puckett’s ability to keep batters off balance that helped him win the Golden Arm at the 2025 U18 Australian Youth Championships en route to helping NSW win a gold medal and earning an invite to the U18 national selection camp.

He says he hopes to take his game to the next level at junior college.

“I’m super excited to work with the coaches at Galveston to continue to develop strength and velocity,” says Puckett. ” My strengths are being able to make batters feel uncomfortable and reading hitters. I am hoping to extract the most out of my body whilst continuing to maintain great control over my pitches. I think the coaches there will help me achieve this.”

Teichmann is a reliable catcher out of the Pine Hills Lightning in Queensland. He threw out multiple runners for Australia at the U18 World Cup.

“My strengths are my arm strength, power with the bat and game IQ when it comes to quick thinking,” says Teichmann, who will study Sports Psychology.

Teichmann grew up close family friends with legendary Australian catcher and Team Australia Manager Dave Nilsson, calling him one of his idols and mentors. Teichmann has grown up around the Brisbane Bandits and was their bullpen catcher the last two seasons.

He says he hopes to become more well rounded at college.

“I want to improve overall game play, fitness and further develop my bat-to-ball skills for my overall toolset as a catcher,” he says.

After the U18 World Cup in September, both players attended the MLB International College Showcase Tour.

Both trips played a key part in their recruitment.

“Riley and Cooper were both on the MLB trip this year and with the relationship that Baseball Australia has formed with the coaching staff at Galveston, they come across to Arizona to see our players every year,” says Andrew Riddell, Baseball Australia’s Player Development Manager. “They loved what they saw from both of them and immediately started the process with their families to get on calls to discuss scholarships.”

The two new recruits both think the trips helped develop themselves as players and people.

“I think the World Cup and the MLB trip helped prepare me the best because I knew what the talent was going to be like,” says Teichmann. “To see myself be able to compete at those levels helped me to believe I was ready for the next step.”

For Andrew Riddell, there is high praise for both players.

“Both Riley and Cooper have come a long way and overcome adversity as players and as young men in the last 12-18 months to get to this point,” he says. “Riley missed out on NSW selection as a first-year U18’s player and did a really good job for Country New South Wales in 2024 while still under-sized and at a relatively low velocity. He then went away and got more physical with his body which translated into an uptick in velocity and we saw the hard-work he put in all year by throwing 12 shutout innings at AYC the next year and winning the Golden Arm.”

As for Teichmann, Riddell says he is blown away by his progression too.

“Cooper was with the U16 National Squad last year in Atlanta and is one of those players who was a first year U18 this year. He also currently is in Year 12 so he needed to put in a lot of work on both his body and his game to be successful this year. He definitely did both of them, which we saw at our national camp, the World Cup and the MLB trip where he put on a show throwing runners out in-game and was also able to drive in some huge runs in pivotal situations with the bat.”

Both players are incredibly thankful to their communities for their development.

“I’ve had many coaches and mentors all of whom I am extremely grateful for,” says Puckett. “They’e all helped me out in so many ways – from my early days with the Macarthur Colts, to the more recent years with the Macarthur Orioles, NSW Australian Youth Championship Teams and the national U18 team. Thanks to my mum, dad and sister for all the sacrifices they made to give me this opportunity.”

Teichmann says he’s super thankful for all the opportunities from his community but was quick to highlight his dad Russell as his biggest baseball influence.

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