TEAM AUSTRALIA'S OPPONENTS & SCHEDULE AT THE 2023 WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC LOCKED IN!

18 October 2022 By Staff Writers

By Staff Writers

TEAM AUSTRALIA'S OPPONENTS & SCHEDULE AT THE 2023 WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC LOCKED IN!

Team Australia’s opponents and schedule at the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC) has been finalised.

Australia will compete in Group B with some of the best countries in the world including Japan (#1), South Korea (#3), Czech Republic (#14) and China (#21).

Australia, currently placed 10th in the WBSC Rankings, will travel to Tokyo to face their Group B opponents from March 9-13. Each team will play each other once in the tournament’s opening round.

There are four groups of five teams across the tournament with opening round games in Taiwan, Japan and the United States.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the second round in Tokyo from March 15-16.

The championship round will be contested in Miami from March 19–21

The WBC is an international professional baseball tournament featuring the best players from across the globe. The 2023 tournament will be the fifth edition of the WBC after 2021 was cancelled due to COVID-19. The last one happened in 2017.

Australia has played in all four previous World Baseball Classics but has yet to advance to the second round.

This summer is important for Australian baseball players vying to make the roster for the most prestigious baseball tournament in the world.

Coaching staff and selectors will have plenty of upcoming opportunities to scout talent. The first comes next weekend when Team Australia plays the Perth Heat in an exhibition series from October 28-30 in Western Australia.

The best test will come November 9-10 when Australia travels to Tokyo to play Japan in a two-game exhibition series.

The Australian Baseball League starts November 10 with ten rounds of exciting baseball featuring teams from across the country, New Zealand and Korea.

Some of the country’s best young talent is also currently competing at the Under-23 World Cup in Taiwan.

Stay tuned to baseball.com.au for more information as the tournament approaches.

GROUPS AND SCHEDULE

Group A – Contested in Taichung, Taiwan from March 8–13.
Panama
Chinese Taipei
Cuba
Netherlands
Italy

Group B – Contested in Tokyo, Japan from March 9-13
Australia
China
Czech Republic
Japan
South Korea

Group C – Contested in Phoenix, USA from March 11-15
Canada
Colombia
Great Britain
Mexico
USA

Group D – Contested in Miami, USA from March 11-15
Dominican Republic
Israel
Nicaragua
Puerto Rico
Venezuela

TEAM AUSTRALIA SCHEDULE (local time)

March 9 – vs South Korea (12:00PM)
March 11 – vs China (12:00PM)
March 12 – vs Japan (7:00PM)
March 13 – vs Czech Republic (12:00PM)

Written by Eric Balner for Baseball Australia

13 October 2022 By Staff Writers

By Staff Writers

National Participation Plan

BASEBALL AUSTRALIA TO GROW GAME WITH NATIONAL PARTICIPATION PLAN

Baseball Australia is proud to launch the National Participation Plan 2022 to 2027. This plan has been designed through consultation with our stakeholders and will take us all working together to achieve our goals.

The plan focuses on three main segments those who play the game, those who put on the game and those who facilitate the game. Our success will be based on growth in all three of these segments.

Baseball Australia has worked with the Member Associations to be able to outline the role each of us play in the implementation of this plan and look forward to working with them all.

Baseball Australia CEO Glenn Williams is excited about launching the plan with those who love the game.

“During the process we have identified the themes and then prioritised them based on what will see us able to provide amazing experiences for everyone participating in Baseball.”

“We have had a collaborative approach to developing the plan, working closely with our State and Territory partners, this plan maps out how we will work together to help the grow the sport we all love”

Baseball Australia is committed to ensuring that the delivery of the plan is supportive and empowering to those best placed to deliver it, that we are all aligned and united to ensure we are working together to deliver, is insight driven by ensuring our decision making is driven by data and insight and are customer focused by putting our customers at the centre of our decision making.

To read more about the National Participation Plan and how you can grow the game CLICK HERE

11 October 2022 By Staff Writers

By Staff Writers

Australian Youth Championships The Perfect Game

SUMMER OF BASEBALL - THE PERFECT GAME AND THE AUTRALIAN YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIPS UNITE

Baseball Australia have locked in an exciting summer of baseball for talented young players.

Over the course of late December into early January, in partnership with The Perfect Game, six international teams will be arriving on our shores to play a series of 48 games over nine days against Under 18 state squads in Brisbane, Melbourne, Geelong and Sydney. The games, held from December 29^th to January 6^th will provide additional competition opportunities for players that will be going on to play at the 2023 Australian Youth Championships in mid January.

The Australian Youth Championships will be held a Blacktown International Sports Park, where both the Under 16 and Under 18 events will be held for the first time since January 2020. The revised Championship format will see further innovation from the 2022 U16 AYC’s held in Redcliffe during the July school holidays.

Players will arrive into Sydney on the 9^th of January prior to taking part in Showcase activities and workouts presented by The Perfect Game on the 10^th and 11^th. Teams will then move into six double header days of completion to crown the Australian Champions with the finals being played on the 17^th of January. In all, over 60 games will be played across the six days of competition, with all games of Field one broadcasted and games on fields 2 and 3 also streamed.

The event will see further integration of strategic partners with Synergy Sport once again providing scouting analysis of the event at both age groups, and the attendance of Driveline Baseball at the Championships to provide workshops and coach education for the 50+ coaches who volunteer their time to support the AYC teams.

General Manager – Performance Pathways & Player Development Michael Crooks was excited about the summer ahead: “We have been waiting desperately for not just our country but the world to open up again for key under age baseball events. Over the last two years, we have been working incredibly closely with our state associations, The Perfect Game, Driveline Baseball and Synergy Sport to execute the plans that we have been making to both rethink and revision what a summer of baseball can look like for our talented young players. These plans will come to life in January and we cannot wait for everyone in attendance to see the program that has been set for the teams.

Crooks was especially buoyed by the opportunities created by the inbound Perfect Game teams.

“We have spent close to two years working with The Perfect Game on how we can create opportunities for US based teams to come to Australia at the right time of year to play our state teams. The timing of the games is perfect preparation leading into the AYC’s, and it will provide a fantastic framework of where we can build into South Australia and Western Australia in the summer of 2023/24 then reach down to the U16 age group the following year.

The selection process for State teams is well underway, with squads of 20 players to be announced by State Associations in the coming weeks.

06 October 2022 By Staff Writers

By Staff Writers

College Baseball

STAGG AND BERTUCCI COMMIT TO THE DEFENDING JUNIOR COLLEGE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

Max Stagg (SA) and Nick Bertucci (VIC) have both committed to Central Arizona to begin their college baseball careers.

Central Arizona is the defending Junior College National Champions and have won two of the last three Division 1 Junior College World Series.

The commitment to Central Arizona wraps up a huge few months for Stagg who had this to say about his development and the process:

“Committing to Central Arizona means so much to me. To have the opportunity to play at a tier 1 junior college program and be able to continue developing my craft as a baseball player is really exciting. I can’t wait to start working with the coaching staff over there as well as fight for a national championship.”

“It has been a long but very thoughtful process for me. The opportunities of attending Perfect Game National Showcase, the U18 World Cup, and the MLB College Showcase Tour have really exposed me to a much wider range of high-level colleges. I am very grateful for the opportunities Baseball Australia, Perfect Game and MLB have provided me with and I can’t thank them enough.”

“I would like to give a huge thanks to Riley Moore (Baseball SA High Performance Manager) and the West Torrens Baseball Club for playing a huge role in my development and my journey.”

“Committing with Nick is really special. Throughout the World Cup experience, we became much closer as mates and are super excited to continue working together to reach the goals we each aspire to.”

It has been a goal of Nick’s to further his career in the States and that dream has now become a reality for the talented Victorian.

“Having been able to get the chance to come to the States has led to the opportunity of committing with Central Arizona College, an opportunity that I’m very much appreciative for, as prior to coming to America I had my eyes on furthering my schooling and baseball career with Central Arizona and now I get to say I’m a Vaquero.”

“The opportunity wouldn’t have been possible without being able to train with their squad and I have been fortunate enough to showcase my skills, which they were fond of and offered me a scholarship alongside Max Stagg which we both agreed to and will have a successful time with Central Arizona especially with a familiar face around.”

“It is an amazing school with an amazing program and is exactly what I was aiming for. My family and I are super excited that this is the school I will be attending and couldn’t ask for much more. Dreams really do come true when you put the work in.”

Stagg and Bertucci will remain in Arizona to represent Australia as part of the MLB World Select Team in front of colleges and professional scouts.

They become the first players out of the U18 National Team to narrow down their college commitment with others still in the recruiting process and currently deciding their futures.

Baseball Australia would like to congratulate both athletes on their amazing achievements thus far and look forward to seeing them compete in one of the best college programs in the U.S.

04 October 2022 By Staff Writers

By Staff Writers

- Team Australia

TEAM AUSTRALIA ANNOUNCES LINE-UP TO TAKE ON SAMURAI JAPAN

The Team Australia line-up to take on World Champions Japan in a two-game series at the Sapporo Dome on the 9th and 10th of November 2022 has been announced.

David Nilsson’s men return to the world stage with an action-packed line-up filled with international and ABL experience.

Leading the team are co-captains Tim Atherton and Tim Kennelly, with five players each from the Brisbane Bandits, Adelaide Giants and the Perth Heat, eight from the Melbourne Aces ABL champion team, the Sydney Blue Sox with three players and Robbie Perkins from Canberra Cavalry. Kyle Glogoski from Auckland Tuatara will make his debut for the team to round out a Team Australia side loaded with talent and experience.

The roster features some of Australia’s up and coming professional players who will debut for the Men’s team. Cameron Gibbens, Jarryd Dale, Rixon Wingrove and Solomon Maguire will come off professional seasons in the USA to debut for the Senior Men’s team.

It has been a long three-year absence of international baseball for our Men’s Team Australia side to which our representatives will be looking to pick up where they left off from the Premier12.

Baseball Australia CEO Glenn Williams, believes the team has what it takes to compete against the world number 1’s.

“It will be great to see this team compete against the Olympic Gold Medallists and current World Champions; it has been a while since they’ve had the chance to compete on the world stage and it will be a great content and the perfect start to a big six months for Team Australia with the WBC right around the corner.”

It will be the first senior international game for Samurai Japan since the Olympics where they claimed gold against the best in the world.

The two-game series will take place before the Australian Baseball League (ABL) season with ABL players set to join their teams for the commencement of the Opening Round.

Stay across Team Australia and Baseball.com.au social media for all the latest team and where to watch information.

30 September 2022 By Staff Writers

By Staff Writers

- Team Australia College Baseball

AUSTRALIAN PROSPECTS PICKED FOR MLB WORLD SELECT TEAM

Baseball Australia is proud to announce the seven young men that will represent us as part of the MLB World Select Team at the upcoming Arizona Fall Classic in Phoenix, AZ.

Max Stagg – SA

Nick Bertucci – VIC

Adam Bates – NSW

Jayden Kim – VIC

Liam Grant – NSW

Josh Nati – NSW

Alistair Tanner – SA

Stagg, Bertucci, Bates and Kim were all part of the Team Australia side that played in the U18 World Cup earlier this month in Florida. Team Australia concluded their campaign with a 7-2 victory over South Africa to finish ninth.

The group has been joined by Liam Grant, Josh Nati and Alistair Tanner who flew from Australia this week. Grant, Nati and Tanner participated at the U-16 National Championships in Redcliffe this year and were selected out of that event to join the older players.

National Player Development Manager, Andrew Riddell was at the U-18 tournament and has remained with the group ahead of the upcoming competition.

“It’s been an exciting and action-packed month, with the under 18’s taking on the best in the world and growing as a group, to now having these seven athletes compete at another exceptional level is a credit to the guys, their families and the opportunity they have been provided in Australia.”

“To travel, experience what international baseball is like and then to put on the MLB logo and represent a world selected team is amazing for our young players and will help them continue to develop as well as showing them how much work needs to be done to compete at the very top.”

One of the main purposes of the MLB World Select Team is to showcase members of MLB’s international academies, with players from eleven countries including Australia, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, Czech Republic, France and Brazil to be exposed to college/professional level baseball.

The team will be playing multiple games in Arizona in the leadup to the Arizona Fall Classic, which begins on the 29^th of September.

Make sure you keep up with the progress of the Australians in the MLB World Select Team via the Team Australia Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

30 September 2022 By Staff Writers

By Staff Writers

- Team Australia

U-18 BASEBALL WORLD CUP RECAP

Team Australia have concluded their XXX World Cup campaign with a 7-2 victory over South Africa to finish ninth. Touching down in Florida on 28^th of August, the touring team of over 45 players and coaches saw their first taste of international competition since 2019.

Bringing together some of Australia’s best underage players, the tour saw Team Australia preparing for the World Cup at The Perfect Game’s Fort Myers facility, which included lead up games against Chinese Taipei, Canada and the USA.

The WBSC’s 30th U-18 World Championship was contested over 50 games, with the world’s best young baseball prospects and teams battling it out over nine days of competition at LECOM Park and Ed Smith Stadium.

Group A featured host No. 5 USA, No. 3 Korea, No. 8 Netherlands, No. 12 Canada, No. 25 Brazil and No. 26 South Africa.

Group B featured world No. 1 Japan, No. 2 Chinese Taipei, No. 4 Mexico, No. 10 Australia, No. 13 Panama and No. 17 Italy.

The top three teams from Group A played the top three teams from Group B in the Super Round, with the top two teams meeting ‘For the Title of World Champion’ which was awarded to Team USA.

In Team Australia’s final game four Australian pitchers combined to pitch a one-hitter in their last game at the XXX WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup.

World No. 10 Australia closed their participation at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup with a 7-2 victory over South Africa, ranked 26th in the world, in the last game played at LECOM Park.

Travelling across the world to compete against the best in the World was an exciting experience for the athletes.

Baseball Australia’s GM of Performance Pathways & Player Development Michael Crooks put the tour into perspective.

“The opportunity for our talented young players to recommence international competition is critical for our athletes. With the majority of two years lost to lockdown and weather events in Australia, our players have not been able to play in any higher-level tournaments since January 2020. “

“While we have done everything in our power to simulate higher level events locally, there is nothing like international competition, and all of our touring party, players and coaches, will be better off for the experiences in August and September. We look forward to this tour providing the foundation for our player’s growth into the future.”

In earlier matches Australia kicked off their campaign with a loss to Mexico (9-5) Chinese Taipei (13-2) and Japan (0-10) before securing their first win again Italy (5-4) in Game 4. With the game ties at two, Australia scored three in the top of the seventh and then withstood Italy’s last attack to clinch the win.

On day five Team Australia has a narrow loss to Panama (2-3) and Canada held on in a (7-6) thriller to open Placement Round.

Brazil came within one strike from a win that would have meant a seventh-place finish with one game to play in the Placement Round, but Team Australia tied the game in the seventh with their first hit and went on to win (5-4) in the ninth.

Team Australia now returns to home to the 2023 WBSC U-18 Qualifier in December and the Australian Youth Championships returning to their regular scheduling in January.

Crooks said, “We have a very exciting summer of baseball planned for our performance pathways players. The return of the AYC’s under the new format trialled at the U16’s last July is exciting, but in addition, we have additional competition content that will tie into the event with our overseas partners that we will be announcing soon”

“Equally, the ability for the U-18 age group to get a taste of more international competition within the World Cup Qualifier in December will round out a huge summer for our players. We look forward to sharing the details of that event once they are finalised.”

Looking ahead the U-23 team begins their World Cup campaign on the 14^th of October. To keep up with all the action head to Team Australia’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

16 September 2022 By Staff Writers

By Staff Writers

ABL

BRING ON THE B5 WORLD CUP

Baseball Australia have qualified and will be entering a team in the inaugural Baseball5 World Cup. The event will be held in Mexico City, Mexico, 7-13 November 2022.

The team will compete in the inaugural world cup which will be a mixed gender event. Four (4) female and four (4) male players will make up the Australia team and travel to this historic event in Mexico City.

An event will be hosted in Sydney in the lead up to the World Cup to select the team that will travel.

Baseball Australia CEO Glenn Williams is excited to bring the Baseball 5 community together in Sydney before providing a pathway to the World Cup for the best B5 athletes in Australia.

“The inaugural Baseball5 World Cup promises to be an exciting event. Mexico City a vibrant and exciting place to host the first World Cup. We’re excited to be sending a team”

Baseball Australia are now calling for expressions of interest for people who would like to be considered for selection for the national team. Register your interest here – https://forms.gle/8Jr5dtSu41pwR1R9A

15 August 2022 By Staff Writers

By Staff Writers

Corporate News

VALO STRENGTHEN TIES TO EXPORT MARKETS WITH NEW BASEBALL AUSTRALIA PARTNERSHIP

Australian ultra high-powered sports lighting manufacturer, VALO has continued as a valued partner with Baseball Australia in an exciting new partnership. With common goals in mind, Baseball Australia and VALO plan a strategic relationship that provides direct engagement to a national and international network.

The two-year partnership will see VALO’s name across Baseball Australia and Team Australia as the Official Lighting and LED Display Screens Partner.

VALO CEO & Founder Aaron Hickmann highlighted the significance of VALO’s relationship with Baseball Australia.

“With VALO moving into the US later this year, our relationship with Baseball Australia is paramount,” Aaron said.

“Baseball is one of the biggest sports in the US and with our export plans focused on supplying our Australian made product into that specific market, it is critical to have the right relationships in place,

“This partnership will help further relationships in sports internationally – helping get our Australian made product to the world.”

Baseball Australia CEO Glenn Williams said the partnership is an exciting showcase of two Australian establishments.

“Baseball Australia is looking forward to working closely with VALO to showcase their Australian made product to international markets that we have ties in,” Glenn said.

“There’s a synonymous alignment between the two brands that makes the partnership really special – an Australian made brand supporting an Australian Team.”

VALO will be working closely with Team Australia athletes to profile both brands and their logo will be prominent on all Team Australia media and travelling polo shirts.

About VALO

VALO was founded in 2012 and has completed a range of lighting and visual display installs across the country. VALO is a manufacturer and exporter of Australian designed and made ultra high-powered sports lighting products.

28 July 2022 By Staff Writers

By Staff Writers

- Team Australia

TEAM AUSTRALIA OPENS 2022 CAMPAIGN AGAINST SAMURAI JAPAN

Team Australia is set to take on World Champions Japan in a two-game series at the Sapporo Dome on the 9th and 10th of November 2022.

It has been a long three-year absence of international baseball for our Men’s Team Australia side to which our representatives will be looking to pick up where they left off from the Premier 12s.

It will be the first senior international game for Team Japan since the Olympics where they claimed gold against the best in the world.

The two-game series will take place before the Australian Baseball League (ABL) season with ABL players set to join their teams for the commencement of the Opening Round.

These games will be a preview of how Team Australia will line up for the upcoming World Baseball Classic, which is set to launch on March 8th 2023.

Team Australian Manager David Nilsson is thrilled to be back in the green and gold and ready to lead the team into a new season of international baseball.

“It is always and honour and very challenging to play against Team Japan and this will be a great opportunity to bring new players into the team and start our preparation for the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC).”

Baseball Australia CEO Glenn Williams is thrilled to be able to bring international baseball to the fans at home and abroad.

“ Our relationship with the NPB and Samurai Japan is strong, and we’ve worked closely for quite a while to secure this series. It will be amazing to be in Sapporo in November competing against the number 1 team in the world.”

“ This series, followed by ABL season 22/23 and then the WBC in March 2023, promises to be an actioned packed period of time for baseball fans.”

The full team roster, details on how to watch and other information about the series in Japan will be released in the lead-up to the series.

20 July 2022 By Staff Writers

By Staff Writers

ABL

Max Stagg to feature at Perfect Game National Showcase

Max Stagg accepts invite to Perfect Game National Showcase at Tropicana Field (Home of the Tampa Bay Rays) in St Petersburg, Florida from July 20-24.

South Australian (West Torrens) outfielder Max Stagg, a member of the U18 National Junior Squad, will get a chance to showcase himself and play games in a big-league stadium this week.

Through our ever-evolving relationship with Perfect Game, Baseball Australia was given an invite for one of our players to take part in their biggest showcase of the year.

Perfect Game National Showcase brings together the best Year 12 students across the US in one place to see them perform and play against each other. Max will get an opportunity to participate in a showcase which consists of running a timed 60 yard sprint, defensive work/throwing to bases from right-field & batting practice. He will then play in multiple games against the best players in the US in front of college coaches and professional scouts.

Max has his showcase day on July 22 and then will play games July 23^rd and July 24^th.

National Player Development Manager Andrew Riddell will also be there with Max as we continue to build and develop our relationship with Perfect Game. More social posts to come during the event.

Some info about PG National Showcase below off the website below.

Perfect Game National Showcase

PG helps players achieve their dreams of playing baseball at the collegiate level, and for some, the professional level. These events are highlighted by the Perfect Game National Showcase and the WWBA World Championship tournament. These are considered to be the most prestigious events in all of amateur baseball, as they contain the highest level of talent across the country. To ensure this high level of talent, Perfect Game has elected to make this an invite-only experience. With such a high concentration of talent, these two events alone, attract hundreds of college coaches and professional scouts.

This event is also utilized to make selections for the Perfect Game All-American Classic, which is a match up of the top high school seniors in the country. Other showcase events and tournaments are factored in when making selections, but a strong performance at the National Showcase will help players lock in a roster spot.

Expectations and Past Results

Attending a Perfect Game events comes with a variety of benefits. Along with in person exposure to coaches and scouts, Perfect Game also provides scouting reports, player ratings, video footage, and national/state rankings if applicable. All of the information is stored in an online player profile, which can be accessed by hundreds of college coaches and scouts. In a traditional showcase, the player’s exposure ends once the event is over. However with Perfect Game, the player’s exposure continues to build after the event finalizes.

The Perfect Game National Showcase is recognized as the premier baseball showcase in the country, and for good reason. Since its inception in 2001, 4,683 attendees have made college commitments, 2,539 were selected in the MLB draft, and 416 have played in the MLB. Some of the MLB players include Nolan Arenado, Javier Baez, Kris Bryant, and many other well known players. On the Perfect Game website, you can actually view these players’ profiles which contain their performance data and even video footage from the events. It’s pretty interesting to watch the current superstars of the MLB as high school players.

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