News

44 of Australia’s most talented junior baseball players are in to Atlanta, Georgia with the National Under-16 Junior Squad from September 7-16.

They’ll have an experience of a lifetime and a huge opportunity to learn & grow.

Their experience includes a five-game series vs the United States 15U national team, training sessions and games at U.S junior colleges & universities plus a tournament at the prestigious Under 16 Perfect Game Fall World Series vs some of the best junior baseballers in America.

Rosters were split into two evenly balanced teams. You can find the breakdown below.

The 44 players were initially selected off their performances at Australian Youth Championships and through their work with their respective states Performance Pathway Programs.

In the five-game series, Team Green & Team White will each play two games vs the USA 15U national squad, alternating days of play. The roster for Day 5 will be be a combination of the two rosters.

The rosters are below. The Perfect Game Event Hub, with broadcast links, scoring information and schedule (coming soon) can also be found below.

EVENT HUB: 2024 16U PG Fall World Series

Congrats to all named!

Make sure you follow @TeamAustraliaBaseball and @Baseball.com.au on relevant social medias for updates.

SCHEDULE / RESULTS

September 7
– Training at Georgia Highlands University
– MLB Game with Team USA 15U: Blue Jays @ Braves

September 8:
– USA 14 def Team Australia White 0 – BOX SCORE | VIDEO 
– Workouts for Team Green

September 9:
– USA 13 def Team Australia Green 0 – BOX SCORE | VIDEO
– Workouts

September 10:
– Team Australia White U16 vs USA 15U – BOX SCORE | VIDEO 
– Workouts

September 11:
– Team Australia Green U16 vs USA 15U @ Georgia Gwinnett – BOX SCORE | VIDEO 
– Workouts

September 12:
– Team Australia Combined U16 vs USA 15U @ East Cobb Complex –  BOX SCORE | LIVE STREAM
– Workouts

September 13-16

– 2024 16U PG Fall World Series

September 14, 6:00AM AEST – Australia Green 11 def Slammers Bitzer 1
September 14, 6:00AM AEST – Soldier Spects 4 def Australia White 1

September 14, 10:00PM AEST – Canes International 8 def Australia White 2
September 15, 12:20AM AEST – Australia White 10 def East Cobb 0

September 15, 2:40AM AEST – East Cobb 14 def Australia Green 2
September 15, 5:00AM AEST – Australia Green 3 tie EBC Griggs 3

September 16 – Australia White 3 def Knights Baseball 1
September 16 – Dirtbags National 8 def Australia Green 2

FINAL RECORDS:
– Australia Green 1-2-1
– Australia White 2-2

Australia’s U16 national squad players will get a chance to see how they stack up against some of the world’s best when they play in a five-game exhibition series vs the United States National 15U Team in September, 2024.

Australia’s U16 squad was already scheduled to be in America for the 2024 U16 Perfect Game World Series tournament in September, playing against current NCAA Division 1 commits and future MLB draft picks in Atlanta.

Now, their trip will also include a five game series vs USA’s 15U team before they even reach their original scheduled  Perfect Game tournament.

It’s an incredible addition to an already great experience.

Baseball Australia’s national player development manager, Andrew Riddell, says this signifies a huge step for this age group in playing against the best players possible and showcasing themselves against the highest level available.

“This series will be the first time in history where Team Australia and USA play each other in a stand-alone series younger than the U18 level.”

“It is a great chance for our players to go toe-to-toe with the best nationally identified American baseball players, who are in the same high-school academic graduation year as ours,” says Riddell.

“With the combination of games, campus visits to top universities in the area, Perfect Game showcases, watching MLB games and most importantly representing the Green & Gold – this trip really is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

The 44-man squad (below) will be split into two teams upon arrival in the USA. One team will be managed by 2023 U18 National Championship winning coach David Badke (QLD) and the other will be managed by Melbourne Aces’ coaching staff member Scott Meager (VIC).

Dan Wilson (QLD), Daniel Calverley (WA), Donavon Hendricks (VIC), Justin Clark (SA), Phil Hemmer (NSW) and Austin Gallagher (SA) will assist.

The executive officers for the trip are Val Langworthy and Louise Riddell.

The exact schedule and locations will be announced at a future date.

The squad can be viewed below.