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– Fuchu City, Japan | Training Camp Report, Day 2
by Eric Balnar

At 10:30AM, in six-degree temperatures at a city field in the Tokyo suburbs, first baseman Rixon Wingrove charged down the line at a slow rolling bunt dribbling towards him.

Wingrove hustled, handled and fired the ball across to third base with urgency, gave a fist pump and got a big reception from his teammates standing nearby after he made the play.

That’s the kind of effort Team Australia General Manager Russell Teichmann loves to see right from the start of their 10-day World Baseball Classic training camp in Fuchu City. He says it helps set the tone for what’s to come.

“We are not easing into this experience. This is the speed we go at. This is how tournament baseball works – everything happens so much faster. Let’s do it from the get-go,” he says.

Team Australia’s first training as a group was littered with these moments. Coaching staff constantly pushed the players defensively, tested them, had them moving quickly in the outfield, and drove home a message of “pace” in a four-and-a-half hour practice session.

Rixon Wingrove fields a ball at first base (PHOTO: Scott Powick)

“This isn’t a 162-game season,” says Teichmann. “In a tournament that moves fast everything is magnified. Moments are bigger and they can come at any stage – the first inning, the last inning, the third inning. You just have to be ready for it and not let the moment catch up to you.”

When the World Baseball Classic begins on March 9 with a game vs South Korea, Teichmann knows the margin for error is almost zero.

He stresses that Team Australia will have to play nearly perfect and be ready for those big moments when they come, whenever they come. Afterall, the equation for Australia to make it out of the first round in Tokyo is to finish Top-2 in a five-team group with Japan, South Korea, Czech Republic and China.

“We need to establish that pace and expectation right away,” says Teichmann.

That’s why these next 13 days are important.

Australia will train every day between February 24 and March 3 in Fuchu City. It’s their own training camp before an official WBC Camp plus exhibition games in Miyazaki from March 4-7.

Veteran pitcher Tim Atherton has been to a World Baseball Classic before and knows just how crucial a good training camp is to set a team up for a competitive run.

He says because you only play four games in a group-stage of a tournament – and then single elimination games after that – teams empty the tank to try to win every one. There is no ‘long game’ – it’s a sprint to win as many games as you can early and often. Because of that, things in game scenario will happen quicker.

“Our training has to match the speed we will experience at the Tokyo Dome,” he says. “It’s an astro-field so the ball will travel quicker on the ground. We are playing the best players in the world so they will run faster, hit harder, swing harder and throw harder. Teams can bunt at any time. All of these things create a pace of play that is more than just going through the motions of training.”

“We need to emulate the game. Practice doesn’t make perfect…perfect practice makes perfect,” he says.

Australian players were put to their paces in the outfield, focused on team defense, threw some bullpens and got in batting practice in a full-on first training session.

“Everything needs to be quick-quick-quick so when that moment comes it can be slow,” says Atherton.

Tomorrow, Australia will play two exhibition games vs local Fuchu teams in an effort to get some live batting practice in and to face different styles of pitching.

Veteran pitcher Todd Van Steensel says he liked the tone that was set.

“This was really good,” he says. “10 days of this will be really challenging. It’s what we need. You have to be ready to scrap. Each run scored or stopped is so valuable. Things happen early and it can happen at any moment.”

Team Australia head coach Dave Nilsson (right) and assistant coach Graeme Lloyd (left) oversee Australia’s practice (PHOTO: Scott Powick)

Together.

That was the word that came up in constant conversation as Team Australia players and staff gathered in Fuchu on Thursday afternoon for their World Baseball Classic training camp.

It felt a lot like a long overdue baseball version of a family reunion.

Players who spend their professional careers battling against each in the Australian Baseball League flew in from around the country to become teammates at the highest international level.

Others cut time short with training camps at their professional team in the USA to join the squad for what could be a month.

Guys from all different stages and ages of life put their routines on hold to meet in an outer suburb of the biggest city in the world to come play baseball…together.

“It’s good to have all that behind us,” said manager Dave Nilsson. “We won’t be talking about the past or ABL anymore. It’s all Team Australia. We’re all Australians. We all come together to represent the past. We represent the future. Having everyone together…it’s an honour.”

26 of Australia’s 30 rostered players are in Fuchu for the camp.

Starting Friday morning, players will be put through high-tempo training sessions for nine consecutive days in order to tune up for the upcoming World Baseball Classic.

There will be morning team workouts, exhibition games, team building moments and cultural visits. It will all happen at a rapid pace. It is intense preparation for international baseball’s biggest stage.

“Everyone has put their life aside with one goal in mind,” said Team Australia captain Tim Kennelly, who is preparing for his third World Baseball Classic. “We’re here to win.”

It’s been a long time since Australia’s senior men’s team was together at a tournament like this. The last World Baseball Classic was in 2017. The Premier-12 tournament was in 2019. Then there was a global pandemic, travel restrictions and a major halt to international baseball for Australia.

But now it’s back and players say it feels so good to be under the Team Australia banner.

“There’s so much excitement around today,” said Kennelly. “A lot of the guys are really close and really good friends and we’re finally touching base. Guys are so excited to just catch up with each other.”

There were some important moments for new members of the senior squad, too.

Players like Jordan McArdle, Liam Doolan, Blake Townsend, Rixon Wingrove, Jake Bowey and Liam Spence all picked up their first uniform for a senior international tournament. Even veteran players shared in the thrill of receiving an international jersey.

“This is what it’s all about,” said an excited Luke Wilkins, a 32-year-old pitcher making his WBC debut. “It feels like Christmas every time you get handed that Australian uniform. This is why we do it.”

26-year-old Jake Bowey receives his first WBC hat (Photo: Scott Powick)

Players spent 20+ hours travelling to Tokyo before transferring to the hotel. The day was mostly spent exploring a new country in the immediate area around the hotel, catching up on sleep, trying some new food and strengthening relationships with teammates. Kennelly noted that it’s fun to try all these new things with a group of Australians, too.

The group finished the day with a half hour team meeting that outlined expectations for the group, led by Dave Nilsson.

“I think the first day in people are feeling a lot of anxiety and excitement,” said Nilsson. “The main emotion is excitement to be around the guys. But I want the guys to feel very comfortable all day whether that’s at the field or at the rooms at night.”

Now that the initial excitement is out of the way, players know the focus must ramp up.

There is an expectation around camp that every day will be intense, players will get sore, training will be hard, and it will be fast.

Everything Australia does from this point forward is about being the most prepared for the March 9th opening game vs Korea – a traditional baseball powerhouse. Over the opening round, Australia will play Korea, Czech Republic, China and World #1 Japan.

Kennelly assures you that Australia is not here to make up the numbers.

“This is tournament baseball. We are here to win,” he says. “We know if we can get through to the second round, we have a good chance to get to the finals. In a nine-inning game of baseball we know we can beat one of those big teams.”

But for now, Kennelly is just trying to soak up the moment and enjoy what it means to represent Australia.

“It’s been a long time since we wore the uniform and played some really meaningful games,” said Kennelly this afternoon. “It’s like an out of body experience [when you wear it]. You are representing so many people and to do that on the world stage, against the best players on the planet, in front of thousands of people…it’s surreal.”

Stay tuned for more coverage as the week progresses.

Baseball Australia has today selected a squad of 28 players for the National Junior Squad from the Australian Youth Championships in January. The selection of the squad marks the second milestone in Team Australia’s campaign for the 2023 Under 18 World Cup.

The National Junior Squad will commence their World Cup preparation at the conclusion of the summer season, which will culminate in a selection camp to be held in August. Complementing the named squad will be a shadow squad of players that will continue to prepare across the winter. Based on the development of the shadow squad players, there will be additional invitations for the selection camp throughout the year.

Performance Pathway lead, Michael Crooks outlined the plans moving forward. “We learnt a lot of very good lessons over the course of the 2022 Under 18 World Cup campaign, and we are putting those lessons into action with this year’s group. Specifically, being able to return to the normal timing of the AYC’s has given us great intel on our players across the country coming off an extremely competitive event. Being able to now focus on the physiological and technical development of the players over a longer uninterrupted timeline this winter will put our players in the best possible position to maximise the winter development window not just for this year, but their entire careers.”

Crooks highlighted the focus on the shadow squad members equally. “We have chosen a National Junior Squad off the AYC’s, and those selected should be very proud, however we are continually looking forward. We know that there are players within the shadow squad who have a lot of potential. We want to see tremendous dedication from members in both squads across the winter program to ensure our final selection is as difficult as possible come August.”

The WBSC U18 World Cup is to be held in Chinese Taipei September 1^st to 10^th 2023.’

Team Australia announced their 30-man roster for the upcoming World Baseball Classic last week.

The team will head to Tokyo next week for a 10-day training camp in preparation for the biggest international baseball tournament on the planet.  If you’re new to the World Baseball Classic, it’s baseball’s equivalent of the FIFA World Cup

The top players from all the best baseball countries on the planet go head-to-head to see which country reigns supreme.

Countries around the world have stacked their lists with the best available players including the last eight MLB MVPs.

Australia will have to deal with World #1 Japan and Shohei Ohtani – a dual threat player widely regarded as the best in the world.

WBC HUB – All your latest WBC News from Team Australia!

The field is made up of 20 teams divided into four groups of five. You must finish Top 2 in your group to advance to the next round. Australia is in a group with World #1 Japan, Korea, Czech Republic and China.

Here is who will be wearing the Green & Gold during the tournament. Make sure you stay tuned to baseball.com.au channels including ‘Team Australia Baseball’ social media.

PITCHERS

Tim Atherton (pictured above, Brisbane Bandits): The co-captain, Atherton has pitched professionally since 2010 and reached as high as Triple-A with the Oakland Athletics. Atherton has won three Claxton Shields and is the ABL’s all-time leading strike-out leader. He’s been on the national team for over a decade and famously was on the mound when Australia upset USA 2-1 at the Premier-12 tournament in 2019.

Sam Holland (Brisbane Bandits): Holland is one of the most versatile pitchers in the country. He played affiliated baseball with the Padres and Angels from 2013-17, reaching as high as Double-A. Holland won four straight Claxton Shields with the Bandits from 2015-19. This past season, Holland was one of the best pitchers in the ABL. He had a 5-1 record and 2.14 ERA in 42.1 innings pitched after being used both as a starter and reliever.

Warwick Saupold (pictured below, Perth Heat): One of Australia’s MLB players. He spent parts of three seasons in the Big Leagues with Detroit from 2016-2017 and has a professional career that reaches back to 2010. Saupold pitched two seasons in the KBO for the Hanwa Eagles before returning back to the ABL to play for the Perth Heat.

Will Sherriff (pictured middle below, Perth Heat): The 20-year-old is about to make his senior men’s debut. Sherriff pitched the last two seasons in the ABL and has a 3.24ERA in 18 games. One of Australia’s emerging talents.

Josh Guyer (Sydney Blue Sox): The 28-year-old ace of the Sydney Blue Sox will make his World Baseball Classic debut. Guyer spent three seasons affiliated with the Minnesota Twins between 2013-15. His best ABL season was in 2018-19 when he went 7-1 as a starter with a 2.60 ERA.

Liam Doolan (Sydney Blue Sox): The 23-year-old doesn’t have a lot of ABL experience but he’s coming off a solid college career split between Lamar Community College and Tennessee Wesleyan University. He didn’t allow a run in four appearances for the Blue Sox this past season out of the bullpen.

Steve Kent (pictured below, Melbourne Aces): One of Australia’s most experienced arms, the 33-year-old reached as high as Triple-A with the Atlanta Braves in 2016. He’s pitched 12 seasons in the ABL (11 with Canberra, one with Melbourne). Kent pitched in the 2013 and 2017 World Baseball Classics and has been part of the national program for well over a decade.

Jon Kennedy (Melbourne Aces): Returning for his second WBC, Kennedy is a tall, crafty left-handed pitcher with two Claxton Shields to his name. The 28-year-old reached has high as Triple-A with the Atlanta Braves in 2018. Kennedy is coming off a season where he had a 2.55 ERA in 13 appearances for the Melbourne Aces.

Blake Townsend (Seattle Mariners / Melbourne Aces): The 21-year-old is promising prospect making his WBC debut. Townsend pitches in the Seattle Mariners’ organisation and has already appeared in Triple-A games.

Dan McGrath (Melbourne Aces): The 27-year-old spent seven seasons in the Boston Red Sox organisation and pitched as high as Triple-A in 2019. This is his second World Baseball Classic. McGrath transitioned to a closing pitcher role with the Aces in 2023 and picked up five saves late in the season.

Mitch Neunborn (Adelaide Giants / Quebec Capitales): The 25-year-old from Western Australia put up some of the best numbers by an Australian pitcher in the recent ABL season. Neunborn had a 2.25 ERA and struck out 40 batters in 28.0 innings while pitching for the Claxton Shield winning Giants. He has a career 1.99ERA in three ABL seasons and is about to make his WBC debut.

Luke Wilkins (Adelaide Giants): The 33-year-old just won his first Claxton Shield after spending 13 seasons in the ABL. Wilkins pitched for Australia at the 2019 Premier-12 Tournament and is making his WBC debut. Wilkins can start games and come out of the bullpen. He’s spent time as an Independent Ball pitcher in the American Assosciation.

Todd Van Steensel (Adelaide Giants / Gastonia Honey Cutters): Making his second WBC roster, the 32-year-old was the closing pitcher for the Giants in their recent Claxton Shield win. Van Steensel spent seven seasons in the minors with the Minnesota Twins reaching as high as Double-A. He’s also pitched professionally in Mexico, Venezuela and France. He will play in the Atlantic League this season.

Jack O’Loughlin (Adelaide Giants / Detroit Tigers): The 22-year-old left-handed pitcher makes his World Baseball Classic debut. He’s spent the last six years affiliated with the Detroit Tigers, playing as high as High-A. O’Loughlin was the starting pitcher in the Giants’ Game 3 win over the Perth Heat to decide the Claxton Shield. He allowed just two earned runs since Christmas in the ABL.

Kyle Glogoski (pictured middle, Auckland Tuatara / Cincinatti Reds): He’s one of Australia’s highest regarded prospects. The 24-year-old spent the last four years in the Phillies’ system before being picked up by the Cincinatti Reds in the Rule 5 Draft. Glogoski has pitched as high as Triple-A and is making his WBC debut. Glogoksi a New Zealand native has an Australian mother making him eligible to represent Australia.

Position Players

OF – Aaron Whitefield (Melbourne Aces / LA Angels): At 25-years-old, Whitefield is one of Australia’s most accomplished and exciting players. He’s reached the Big Leagues on two occasions – in 2020 with the Twins and 2022 with the Angels – and has dominated domestically. Whitefield has won three Claxton Shields, two ABL MVPs and spent most of last year in Double-A with the Los Angeles Angels. Whitefield is known for his high-end defense in centrefield and is making his second WBC appearance. Pictured above.

OF – Tim Kennelly (Perth Heat, pictured above): Often regarded as the “GOAT” of the modern-day ABL, Kennelly has four ABL Championships to his name and two league MVPs. Kennelly, the co-captain, is making his third appearance in the WBC. The 36-year-old spent nine seasons in the minors with the Philadelphia Phillies and reached as high as Triple-A.’

Left-to-right: McArdle, Bojarski, Campbell (PHOTO: SMP Images)

OF – Ulrich Bojarski (Perth Heat): The 24-year-old put up MVP style numbers in the ABL, hitting .352 with 8HR and 35RBI in 38 games. Bojarski was affiliated with the Detroit Tigers from 2018-22 and reached as high as Double-A. Bojarski hit seven homers in 33 minor league games this year for the Tigers before being released.

OF – Andrew Campbell (Brisbane Bandits): Campbell is a four-time Claxton Shield winner and has appeared for Australia at the Premier-12. The 31-year-old was affiliated with Cleveland for three years.

OF – Jordan McArdle (Adelaide Giants): McArdle is coming off an impressive January where he won the ABLCS MVP and a Claxton Shield for the Adelaide Giants where he hit three homers and drove in eight runs. The South Australian captain has been affiliated with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Philadelphia Phillies. He makes his WBC debut.

1B – Jake Bowey (Perth Heat): 26-year-old Bowey had a break-out ABL season where he hit .291 with eight homers. He also hit 5 long balls in the ABL playoffs, forcing his way onto a maiden senior national team appearance.

1B/3B – Darryl George (pictured below, Melbourne Aces): The two-time Claxton Shield winner and 2021 ABL MVP makes his debut appearance in the WBC. The 29-year-old played three seasons of minor league baseball for the Tampa Bay Rays and in 2017 played in the NPB for Orix Buffaloes.

1B – Rixon Wingrove (Adelaide Giants / Philadelphia Phillies): 22-year-old Wingrove is coming off a Claxton Shield win in the ABL where he hit in the middle of the line-up for the Giants. The powerful left-handed bat has spent three years in the minors with the Philadelphia Phillies and has played as high as High-A.

INF – Robbie Glendinning (Melbourne Aces / Kansas City Royals): The Western Australian is a solid Kansas City Royals prospect who plays in Double-A. 26-year-old Glendinning has a career .331 average across five ABL seasons making him one of the country’s most dangerous and consistent hitters.

INF – Jarryd Dale (Melbourne Aces / San Diego Padres) – The 21-year-old has already played Triple-A baseball for the San Diego Padres and won two Claxton Shields in Australia. He makes his WBC debut.

INF – Liam Spence (pictured below, Adelaide Giants / Chicago Cubs) – Spence’s spectacular 2021 college season with the Tennessee Volunteers where he led the SEC in hits led him to a fifth round selection in the MLB draft. He’s already appeared in Triple-A and won a Claxton Shield with the Giants. This is Spence’s first WBC selection.

IF – Logan Wade (pictured below, Brisbane Bandits) – A four-time Claxton Shield winner with the Brisbane Bandits makes his second WBC squad. Wade spent time in the Twins organisation and has been one of Australia’s best infielders for nearly a decade.

C – Alex Hall (Perth Heat / Milwaukee Brewers) – The U23 National Team captain who put up MVP-like numbers with the Perth Heat, leading the ABL in average and OPS. The switch-hitting catcher is a promising Brewers prospect who has already received a Big League call up for a day.

C – Ryan Battaglia (Brisbane Bandits) – A four-time Claxton Shield winner with the Brisbane Bandits who brings strong international experience to the table, including catching a famous win over the USA.

C – Robbie Perkins (Canberra Cavalry) – The Canberra catcher is ready for his second WBC. He’s one of the most respected Australian hitters in the game, has won a Claxton Shield and reached as high as Triple-A with the Rockies.

Team Australia has announced the 30-man roster that will travel to Tokyo to compete at the World Baseball Classic beginning on the 9th March.

Team Australia will compete in Pool B, which features current world No.1 Japan, as well as Korea, China and Czech Republic.

Pool B will compete in Tokyo from the 9-13^th March. The top two teams from Pool B then advance to the quarterfinals, which will be held in Tokyo on the 15^th and 16^th of March 2023. 

Securing a top-two finish in the quarterfinals would then qualify Team Australia to travel to Miami, Florida to compete in the semi-final and championship games, held on the 20^th and 21^st of March.  

“It’s been brilliant to see the emergence of baseball within Australia, coming from a challenging 24-month period into an exciting ABL season and now to announce our 30-man Team Australia squad that will head to Japan,” Baseball Australia CEO Glenn Williams said. 

“To go up against Japan, who are sitting at number one in the world, and for our players to face Shohei Ohtani, will mean our team will be able to pressure test all the hard work and preparation we have done before stepping onto the world stage. Every game will be tough, but the team that has been selected is more than ready for the challenge.” 

Following the conclusion of the Australian Baseball League Championship Series, Team Australia will begin their WBC campaign in Fuchu City, Tokyo from February 23^rd before heading to the MLB camp in Miyazaki, Japan and then onto the World Baseball Classic. 

 “Team Australia features mainstays like captains Tim Kennelly and Tim Atherton as well as numerous players with significant professional experience including Warwick Saupold and Steve Kent. Additionally, we welcome members of the victorious Adelaide Giants such as Jordan McCardle (championship series MVP), Rixon Wingrove, Mitch Nuenborn and Todd Van Steensel who’ll bring energy and excitement.  ” Williams added.  

“On top of this, we have exciting professional talent like Alex Hall, who has served as Australia’s under-23 captain. Ulrich Bojarski and Will Sheriff will join us. They both posted phenomenal seasons for the Perth Heat. And Blake Townsend boasts Triple-A experience with the Seattle Mariners and pitched for Melbourne this season. The future bodes well for Team Australia.”  

“Covid put quite a hole in National Team play so an event like the World Baseball Classic takes on an even bigger meaning as get our players back together to represent their country. We have a blend of experience and youth which always holds us in good stead as we continue the development of our program while competing on the international stage” said Team Australia Manager, David Nilsson.  

“Our captains Tim Kennelly and Tim Atherton have played at this level for a number of years so there is an understanding of what is required which permeates across the playing group”. 

To stay up to date with all Team Australia news, head to www.baseball.com.au or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @teamaustraliabaseball and @teamausbaseball 

A 20-man roster has been announced for the upcoming WBSC Oceania U18 World Cup Qualifiers.

The team will head to Auckland, New Zealand in early December to play against Guam, Northern Marianas Pacific and host New Zealand.

The winner of this tournament will book their spot in the 2023 WBSC U18 World Cup.

There is a solid combination of players from all over the country as the roster is comprised of 2 QLD, 7 NSW, 4 WA, 3 VIC & 4 SA players.

8 of the 20 were selected as first-year players in the 2022 U18 National Junior Squad that were in Florida earlier this year and are back.

The tournament is from 12 December-15 December in Auckland. Follow all Team Australia social media accounts to stay up to date with the results of the games.’

Team Australia have concluded their IV WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup with a 3-0 victory over World Number 2, Chinese Taipei in the final game of the Super Round to finish sixth.

In an outstanding achievement Team Australia’s Chris Burke was named in the outfield as part of the IV WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup All-World Team.

The WBSC’s U-23 World Championship was contested over 50 games, with the world’s best young baseball prospects and teams battling it out over eleven days of competition.

Team Australia featured in Group B along with World No 3 and 2014 bronze medallists Korea, No. 4 Mexico, No. 8 Netherlands, No. 9 Cuba who finished fourth in 2022 and No.16 Puerto Rico in what was a tight race for the three Super Round spots.

The tournament followed the usual WBSC World Cup format with the 12 teams being split into two groups of six teams, with the top three finishers of each group competing for the title in the Super Round. The first and second-place teams of the super round will play for the title.

In Team Australia’s final game of the Super Round, Australia took advantage of four walks allowed by Chinese Taipei starter Chen Wei Lin and held on to the lead, delivering a solid performance in pitching and defence to close out their campaign.

In earlier matches Australia kicked off their campaign with a narrow loss to Mexico (3-2) and Korea (4-3) before defeating the Netherlands (5-4) and Puerto Rico (8-0) in a double header after two rain days. They lost their last pool game to Cuba (3-0) which made it an anxious wait to find out if the group had made it through to the Super Round. They eventually went through as the second ranked team after five teams all finished 2-3 but Team Australia had the best run differential of them.

World No.1 Japan was to strong (2-1) against Team Australia in game 1 of the Super Round and a late charge by Team Australia wasn’t enough to get back Columbia, falling in score (8-6). David Nilsson’s men ended the tournament on a good note securing the win against Number 2 ranked Chinese Taipei on the final day.

To keep up with all the action head to Team Australia’s Facebook and Instagram pages.