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08 November 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

Team Australia - U23

Game Notes: Australia 9 - Puerto Rico 1 | 2026 U-23 World Cup

Josh Nati homered twice as Australia powered to an authoritative 9-1 victory over Puerto Rico at the WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup in Nicaragua.

The win moves Australia to 2-0 in Pool A and puts them in the driver’s seat to advance to the Super Round.

It was an Australian hitting party, led by 19-year-old Nati and newly signed St. Louis Cardinals prospect John Lemm.

Nati launched a go-ahead solo home run in the second inning to give Australia a 2-1 lead. He struck again in the third, crushing a 425-foot homer to extend Australia’s advantage to 6-1.

Solomon Maguire and Nikau Pouaka-Grego followed Nati’s blast with back-to-back RBI doubles, capping a six-run third inning that put Australia firmly in control at 8-1.

Lemm finished a triple shy of the cycle, going 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBI. He tied the game at one with an RBI single in the first inning before launching a solo shot in the sixth to extend Australia’s lead to 9-1.

Lemm now has five hits through Australia’s opening two games.

Cal Fingleson also chipped in with two hits, including an RBI double in the third.

Overall, Australia outhit Puerto Rico 10-2, combining for three home runs, three doubles, five walks and a stolen base. Two Australian batters also reached base after being hit by pitches.

BOX SCORE: Australia 9 – Puerto Rico 1 

While Australia’s bats stole the show, the pitching staff continued its tremendous start to the tournament.

A day after Lachlan Brook and Will Page-Allen combined to one-hit Nicaragua in a 3-0 victory, Tyson Noel and Charlie Pierson were nearly as impressive.

Noel surrendered a first-inning solo home run to 19-year-old Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Gustavo Melendez but quickly settled.

HUB: News and Schedule from the U23 World Cup

He allowed just one hit and one walk while striking out one batter across 3.0 innings of work.

Pierson took over and shut the door, tossing 4.0 scoreless innings of relief while allowing just one hit.

Through two games, Australia’s pitching staff has conceded just three hits and one run across 14 innings.

Australia improves to 2-0, while Puerto Rico drops to 1-1.

Up next? Australia faces Czechia (0-2) in its next Pool A game at **3:30 AM AEDT on Monday morning (10:30 AM Sunday local time). The game will be available to watch for free on Baseball+ (Australia only) or internationally on Gametime.Sport.

GAME NOTES

Coach Quotes: Here’s what manager Shayne Watson had to say after the game:

“Another strong performance by the group against a quality Puerto Rico team. We knew they would challenge us from the first pitch, so it was important that we were ready to match their intensity early and stay focused throughout the game.

Tyson Noel gave us another quality start. He settled in quickly, mixed his pitches effectively, and did an excellent job controlling the running game, which allowed us to dictate the tempo early.

Charlie Pierson followed him extremely well. We had confidence in his ability to change speeds and keep hitters off balance, particularly after our six-run third inning when protecting momentum became important.

Offensively, our at-bats reflected the team-first approach we’ve been talking about all tournament. Our players competed for every pitch, took the free bases when they were available, and then capitalised on opportunities with timely hits.

Nati had an outstanding game at the plate and continues to grow in confidence with every at-bat. He’s in a position in the lineup where he can have a real impact on the game, and today he made the most of those opportunities.”

Starting Line Up: Here’s how Australia lined-up. No changes from yesterday.

Another Nati Team Australia masterclass: Josh Nati is just 19-years-old but already has a storied history in the Green & Gold. In 2023, he represented Australia at the U-18 World Cup as a 16-year-old. Two years later, he was named to the All-World Team at the 2025 U-18 World Cup. Just two months after that, he hit for the cycle at the U-23 Oceania Championships. Today, he added another chapter, launching two home runs, including a towering 425-foot moonshot. The New South Wales product now attends Oregon State University, the same school as fellow Australian Travis Bazzana.

Stay hot, John Lemm: Two hits yesterday, three more today. St. Louis Cardinals prospect John Lemm went 3-for-4 with a home run, finishing just a triple shy of the cycle. He leads all Australian batters with five hits through two games.

 

Tyson Noel and Charlie Pierson: Australia’s starting pitcher Tyson Noel surrendered a solo home run in the first inning but settled beautifully from there. Noel allowed just one hit and one walk across 3.0 innings, helping keep Puerto Rico’s bats quiet. Charlie Pierson must be feeling terrific. The right-hander, who attends Division II Eastern New Mexico University, made his national team debut with four shutout innings in relief.

Pitching precision: Australia’s pitching staff has combined to allow just three hits and one run across the first 14.0 innings of the tournament. That’s some outstanding work from Lachlan Brook, Will Page-Allen, Tyson Noel and Charlie Pierson.

Fingleson carries on the family legacy: Cal Fingleson is writing his own chapter in Australian baseball history. The 20-year-old is the son of Gavin Fingleson, a silver medallist with Australia at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Cal went 2-for-3 with an RBI against Puerto Rico, continuing the family’s proud tradition in the Green & Gold.

Welcome back, Nikau: Third baseman Nikau Pouaka-Grego made his presence felt back in Australian colours, delivering an RBI double in the third inning. Pouaka-Grego previously represented Australia at the U-15 World Cup before playing for New Zealand at the 2022 World Baseball Classic Qualifiers. Having grown up in Australia, he declared his intention to return to the national program and has already made an impact. He also contributed six defensive plays in the field today.

Up next: Australia faces Czechia (0-2) at 3:30 AM AEDT on Monday (10:30 AM Sunday local time in Managua). Czechia pushed Chinese Taipei in a competitive 5-2 opening-game loss before suffering a heavy defeat to Panama (1-1) in its second outing.

STANDINGS

As of 7:30AM AEDT, Sunday 8 November

Pool A

Australia 2-0
Chinese Taipei 1-0
Puerto Rico 1-1
Panama 1-1
Nicaragua 0-1
Czechia 0-2

Pool B

Venezuela 1-0
Korea 1-0
Japan 1-0
Great Britain 0-1
Cuba 0-1
South Africa 0-1

The top three teams in each group advance to the Super Round to compete for a medal. The bottom three will play in the Placement Round.

 

Tag Cloud:
2026 u23 World Cup

07 November 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

Team Australia - U23

Game Notes: Australia 3 - Nicaragua 0 | 2026 U-23 Baseball World Cup

A dominant pitching performance has guided Australia to a 3-0 victory over tournament hosts Nicaragua to open the 2026 WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup.

Starting pitcher Lachlan Brook and reliever Will Page-Allen silenced the home crowd, combining to allow just one hit across seven shutout innings.

The Australian duo retired the final 16 batters they faced, including nine straight from Page-Allen, who pitched three perfect innings to close out the victory.

Brook was outstanding in his four innings of work, throwing just 52 pitches while allowing one hit and two walks, striking out two.

Page-Allen was equally impressive, retiring all nine batters he faced and recording two strikeouts.

Australia wasted no time seizing an early lead. Quinn Johnson and Cal Fingleson each drove in a run in the first, putting the Aussies up 2-0.

Johnson extended Australia’s advantage in the third inning, collecting his second RBI of the day with a seeing-eye ground ball into right field.

Nicaragua’s pitching settled after the early damage, limiting Australia to just three hits for the game. John Lemm accounted for two.

Max Stagg led all batters with a pair of walks.

BOX SCORE: Australia vs Nicaragua 

Australia will look to build on the victory when they face Puerto Rico (1-0) at 12:00PM local time on Saturday (5:00AM AEDT).

The game can be watched live on Baseball+ within Australia and Gametime.sport internationally.

TOURNAMENT HUB: All the info for Australia from the U23 World Cup 

For more highlights, follow Team Australia Baseball on X

GAME NOTES

Coach Quotes: Here’s what manager Shayne Watson had to say after the game…

“Facing Nicaragua is always a challenge. They play with tremendous passion and the support of a home crowd fresh from the Opening Ceremony created a fantastic atmosphere and a great environment for international baseball.

Lachlan Brook settled into the game well and delivered exactly what the team needed from him. The composure he showed, particularly through the early innings, reflected a high level of maturity and allowed us to establish momentum.

Will Page-Allen followed that up exceptionally well. He attacked the strike zone, showed confidence in all of his pitches, and maintained control of the game while protecting the lead.

What pleased me most was the way the group stayed connected throughout the game.

The players consistently supported one another, remained committed to the team’s purpose, and showed real courage in key moments. Those qualities were important contributors to tonight’s result.”

Starting Line Up: This is how Australia lined up:

Setting the Tone: Australia made an immediate impact in the opening inning. After Lachlan Brook worked around a walk in a scoreless top of the first, the Australian offence went to work. John Lemm doubled, while Solomon Maguire, Max Stagg and Quinn Johnson all drew walks. Cal Fingleson brought home another run on a fielder’s choice. Five Australians reached base in the inning, forcing Nicaragua starter and former Milwaukee Brewers farmhand Melvin Hernandez to throw 40 pitches.

Key Outs in Key Moments: Nicaragua threatened in the second inning, loading the bases with two outs before Brook induced a ground ball to escape the jam. Callum Donnelly also provided a defensive highlight with a leaping catch at the wall to open the inning.

Here’s Johnny!: John Lemm enjoyed a terrific U-23 national team debut. Not only did he catch a combined one-hitter, but he also led Australia with two hits, accounting for half of all hits recorded by both teams in the game. Lemm recently graduated from the University of Alabama and signed with the St. Louis Cardinals. He’ll play for Brisbane in the 2026-27 ABL season.

Pitching Settles the Ship: After navigating some early traffic, Brook found his rhythm. He retired the side in order in both the third and fourth innings, finishing his outing by setting down seven consecutive hitters. Page-Allen picked up right where he left off, retiring the side in order in the fifth to extend the streak to 10. By the final out, Australia had retired 16 straight batters.

Free Bases: Australia walked just two batters and didn’t commit an error in the field. Meanwhile, they worked five walks and a hit-by-pitch. That’s a net ‘+4’ in the free base department.

Solo Returns: It was a significant moment for Solomon Maguire, who returned to high-level competitive action for the first time in 12 months. Maguire suffered a shoulder injury during the U-23 World Cup Qualifiers last November, requiring surgery and a lengthy recovery.

Brook’s Journey: Lachlan Brook has taken a different pathway to the national team than his 23 other teammates. While every other player on the roster has some university or professional experience, Brook has developed entirely within the Australian baseball system. He pitches for the Sydney Blue Sox in the Australian Baseball League and the Macarthur Orioles in the New South Wales State League.

Around the Tournament: It was an eventful opening day at the U-23 World Cup. Venezuela cruised past South Africa 10-0, while Chinese Taipei launched three home runs in a 5-2 victory over Czechia. Puerto Rico walked off Panama 2-1, Korea edged Cuba 3-2 in extra innings, and Japan needed extras to complete a comeback 5-4 victory over Great Britain.

Up Next: Australia faces Puerto Rico (1-0) at 5:00AM AEDT on Saturday, or 12 noon local time in Managua. Puerto Rico opened its campaign with a dramatic 2-1 walk-off victory over Panama.

Above: Scenes from the opening ceremony, held right before the game. Photo: WBSC

TOURNAMENT STANDINGS | CURRENT

Top three teams advance to the Super Round

Pool A

Australia 1-0
Puerto Rico 1-0
Chinese Taipei 1-0
Czechia 0-1
Panama 0-1
Nicaragua 0-1

Pool B

Venezuela 1-0
Korea 1-0
Japan 1-0
Great Britain 0-1
Cuba 0-1
South Africa 0-1

Full Tournament Info: WBSC Website 

Tag Cloud:
2026 u23 World Cup

06 November 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

Team Australia - U23

Connection, Commitment and Courage: Australia's guiding principles at the U23 World Cup | Preview

There are three words, all beginning with the letter ‘C’, guiding Team Australia in their journey at the 2026 Under-23 Baseball World Cup.

“It’s about connection, commitment and courage,” says manager Shayne Watson.

It’s a philosophy that will be tested in Nicaragua from November 6-15, where Australia has assembled a unique roster for a unique situation in international baseball.

With the Asia Professional Baseball Championship (APBC) taking place simultaneously in Tokyo, Australia has split its emerging talent across two tournaments.

In simple terms, Australia has chosen to send a predominantly professional roster to Tokyo, while assembling a largely college-based group to compete in Nicaragua.

Of the 24 players selected for the U23 World Cup, five have professional experience: Jake Burns, Solomon Maguire, Nikau Pouaka-Grego, Juan Ramirez and John Lemm. Nine players are aged 20 or younger.

MEET TEAM AUSTRALIA: Bios of each player on the U23 Roster

For Watson, the challenge isn’t just about preparing the roster for the tournament. It’s about bringing them together as one team.

That’s where those three guiding principles come into play.

Australia has already put them into practice, completing a five-day training camp in Texas before arriving in Nicaragua on Thursday.

The camp included two doubleheaders against junior college powerhouse San Jacinto College and a game against Galveston College. Team Australia also spent two days at Rice University, working on role clarity, team defence and tournament preparation.

Senior National Team manager Dave Nilsson joined the group for the final two days before heading to Tokyo for the APBC, helping to strengthen the connection and pathway between Australia’s national programs.

Watson says the camp delivered exactly what the team needed.

“We brought together players and staffs from a wide range of programs and the biggest outcome has been how quickly the group has connected and aligned with a shared purpose,” he says. “What gives me confidence is the willingness of the group to invest in each other. Every session has been approached with intent.”

HUB: Everything you need to know for the U23 World Cup 

Let’s start with connection.

Some players are meeting their teammates for the first time. Others are experiencing their first national team environment. Meanwhile, players like Solomon Maguire are in their second U23 World Cup and have played at every possible WBSC event.

Watson says the shared opportunity to represent Australia has helped the group come together quickly.

The coaching staff has been deliberate in conducting daily check-ins with players, understanding individual needs and establishing trust.

“What stood out most is how quickly the group moved beyond where they came from and started focusing on what we could achieve together,” says Watson. “One of the unique things about bringing players together in this environment is there is already a strong connection through a shared purpose. They all arrive with a deep appreciation for what the opportunity represents.”

For Watson, connection is about more than simply getting along.

He believes success in tournament baseball is built on collective effort rather than individual achievement, and he’s already seen examples of that philosophy in action.

Watson says trust is built through strong relationships, honest communication, and genuine support for one another.

“We consistently saw players at camp sharing information, experiences and learnings with teammates…often with no immediate benefit to themselves,” he says. “Whether it be discussing opposing pitchers, positioning, base running information, or preparation routines, there is a genuine desire to help the next player be successful.”

The second principle is commitment.

“It’s about bringing purpose, discipline, and consistency to everything we do, understanding that performance is built through daily habits and attention to detail,” says Watson.

With a challenging group awaiting Australia in Nicaragua, preparation will be critical.

Australia has been drawn into Pool A alongside hosts Nicaragua, World No. 2 Chinese Taipei, rising power Panama, traditional powerhouse Puerto Rico and European contender Czechia.

A top-three finish would see Australia advance to the Super Round, where they would face the three qualifying nations from Pool B, featuring Japan, South Korea, Venezuela, Cuba, Great Britain and South Africa.

There will be little room for error.

For a group assembled from different programs across Australia and overseas, Watson believes the commitment to a shared purpose will be crucial.

WATCH THE WORLD CUP: Free in Australia on Baseball+

Then comes courage. Against some of the world’s strongest baseball nations, Australia will need plenty of it.

Watson says the team is already establishing a culture of embracing pressure, welcoming challenges and competing with conviction.

“We need to be prepared to step outside our comfort zone, respond positively to adversity, and contribute whatever the team needs in the moments that matter most,” he says.

It’s a particularly important message for a squad featuring players at different stages of their baseball careers, many of whom will be experiencing international competition at this level for the first time.

Watson is urging his young Australian squad to focus on the behaviours that will give the team its best chance to succeed.

“World Cups are challenging, and every game demands your full attention. Rather than focusing solely on outcomes, our emphasis is on becoming the most connected, resilient, and competitive version of ourselves throughout the tournament,” he says. “We want to be known as a team that trusts each other, commits fully to a shared purpose, and competes with courage whenever the game demands it.”

“If we live those behaviours consistently, we’ll maximise our potential and ensure our actions match the responsibility that comes with representing Australia.”

The World Cup begins Saturday in Australian time. The tournament will be covered online at Baseball.com.au and across Team Australia social media channels.

30 October 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

Team Australia - U23

Team Australia announces roster for 2026 U-23 Baseball World Cup

Australia has named its squad for the 2026 WBSC U23 Baseball World Cup, taking place in Nicaragua from November 6–15.

National selectors faced an interesting ‘timing’challenge this year, leaving the U23 squad with a distinct identity. The Asia Professional Baseball Championship (APBC) runs at the Tokyo Dome at the same time, with both tournaments drawing from Australia’s emerging talent pool.

The result? Australia’s APBC squad features more established professional players, while the U23 World Cup team is largely made up of athletes competing in American college baseball.

Five players have professional experience: Jake Burns, Solomon Maguire, Nikau Pouaka-Grego, Juan Ramirez and John Lemm.

“There were a few key players we decided to send with the Under 23s to get more playing time and lead the group,” said senior national team manager Dave Nilsson in the APBC roster release.

The U23 squad will be led by manager Shayne Watson, who returns as head coach after leading Australia at the 2024 U23 World Cup.

Watson says selectors considered performance, physical readiness, previous national team experience and the ability to contribute to a tournament environment.

“We considered performances over an extended period, including domestic competition, US College and Professional environments, previous national team involvement, physical readiness, role suitability, character, and the ability to contribute towards a tournament team centred mentality,” he says.

Four players return from the 2024 U23 World Cup. They are pitchers Josh Beezley, Lachlan Brook, catcher Jake Burns and outfielder Solomon Maguire.

Maguire returns to the baseball field after missing a year because of a shoulder injury sustained in the U23 Qualifiers.

Another notable inclusion is Nikau Pouaka-Grego, who returns to the Australian national program after representing New Zealand at the 2022 World Baseball Classic Qualifiers. He previously played for Australia at the U15 World Cup and spent time in the Philadelphia Phillies organisation.

The squad also features recent college graduates Darcy Barry and Josh Beezley, with nine aged 20 or younger.

Watson says the team will be guided by three principles, all starting with the letter ‘C’: Connected, Committed and Courageous.

“We want to be connected in the way we support each other, committed to the work and standards required at this level, and courageous when the game is on the line,” he says.

Australia opens its campaign against hosts Nicaragua on November 6, with all games available to watch free on Baseball+ within Australia. International viewers can watch on Gametime.Sport.

Below is everything Australian fans need to know, including the schedule, tournament format and player profiles.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the U23 Baseball World Cup?

The WBSC U23 Baseball World Cup takes place every two years, with 12 national teams competing for a world championship.

Each country had to qualify through a local event. Australia qualified by defeating Guam in the Oceania qualifier.

Results count towards the WBSC Men’s Baseball World Rankings, where Australia currently sits 10th.

Nicaragua will host the tournament for the first time from November 6–15.

Where will it be played and how can I watch?

Games will be played across three venues in Nicaragua:

– Estadio Nacional Soberanía, Managua
– Estadio Roberto Clemente, Masaya
– Estadio Rigoberto López Pérez, León

Estadio Nacional Soberanía, in the capital Managua, will host the championship game.

Australian fans can watch games free on Baseball+.

International viewers can watch on Gametime.Sport, the WBSC’s streaming platform.

What is Australia’s schedule?

Australia has been drawn into Group A alongside Nicaragua, Chinese Taipei, Puerto Rico, Panama and Czechia.

The Australians will play five Opening Round games, beginning against hosts Nicaragua.

All times below are in Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT), with Nicaragua local times included for reference.

– Sat 7 Nov, 12:30 PM: Australia vs Nicaragua | 7:30 PM (Fri) |
– Sun 8 Nov, 5:00 AM: Australia vs Puerto Rico | 12:00 PM (Sat) |
– Mon 9 Nov, 3:30 AM: Czechia vs Australia | 10:30 AM (Sun) |
– Tue 10 Nov, 3:30 AM: Chinese Taipei vs Australia | 10:30 AM (Mon) |
– Wed 11 Nov, 11:00 AM: Panama vs Australia | 6:00 PM (Tues)

How does the tournament work?

The 12 teams are divided into two groups of six.

Group A features Australia, Nicaragua, Chinese Taipei, Puerto Rico, Panama and Czechia.

Group B features Japan, South Korea, Venezuela, Cuba, Great Britain and South Africa.

Each team plays five Opening Round games. The top three teams from each group advance to the Super Round, while the remaining teams enter the Placement Round.

In the Super Round, teams face the three qualifiers from the opposite group. Results against fellow advancing teams carry over from the Opening Round.

The Super Round runs from November 12–14, followed by the bronze medal game and World Championship Final on November 15.

Meet Team Australia | Roster and Player Profiles

INF | Darcy Barry | South Australia | Adelaide Giants / University of Arkansas at Monticello | Age: 23

He found his power. Barry left for college known as an elite contact hitter. He began his American college career in 2022, playing at North Iowa Area Community College. He hit below .200 his first season but saw dramatic changes after a transfer to Dakota State and Arkansas–Monticello. He hit .277 with 12 home runs, 44 RBI and 23 stolen bases in 2026, following a 2025 season in which he also hit 12 home runs and stole 24 bases. A lifelong Adelaide Giants supporter, Barry was announced as a signing for 2026–27, subject to final roster confirmation. Read the feature on his power transformation here. 

RHP | Joshua Beezley | New South Wales | Sydney Blue Sox / University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Age: 23

A returning Australian representative from the 2024 U23 World Cup in China. Beezley completed his college career at Little Rock in 2026, making 29 relief appearances with a 3–0 record, one save and a 3.57 ERA across 40.1 innings. He walked just nine batters and helped Little Rock win consecutive Ohio Valley Conference Tournament titles and reach the NCAA Super Regionals for the first time. The Sydney Blue Sox announced his signing in October 2026.

LHP | Lachlan Brook | New South Wales | Sydney Blue Sox | Age: 23

Australian developed. Brook doesn’t have college experience, he’s been developed at home. A Macarthur Orioles product who represented Australia at the 2024 U23 World Cup and 2025 Oceania U23 qualifiers. Brook joined Sydney as a development player and threw 4.2 scoreless innings late in the 2023–24 ABL season. He earned a call-up to the 2024 U23 World Cup, where he kept Japan scoreless through his first two innings. Brook credits experienced Blue Sox pitchers Josh Guyer and Chris Oxspring with helping his transition from starter to reliever.

 C | Jake Burns | New South Wales | Melbourne Aces / Former St. Louis Cardinals | Age: 23

A lifelong Australian representative. A familiar face in Australian baseball, Burns has represented his country at Little League, U15, U18 and U23 World Cups, plus the 2023 APBC. He spent three seasons in the St. Louis Cardinals organisation, learning catching techniques from nine-time Gold Glove winner Yadier Molina. Burns also travelled with Australia’s 2026 World Baseball Classic squad as a bullpen catcher. He has played in the ABL for Sydney and Brisbane and signed with Melbourne for 2026–27.

OF | Luke Donaghey | New South Wales | Galveston College | Age: 20

A national program debut. A Manly Baseball Club product making his WBSC World Cup debut. Donaghey was a freshman at Galveston College in Texas in 2026, alongside Australian teammates Ben Karakasis and Nic Paparella. He previously travelled with Australia’s U18 squad to a Perfect Game tournament in 2024 and earned selection to an MLB World Select showcase team. He has represented New South Wales at junior national championships and is known for his speed, throwing arm and ability to hit to all fields.

 OF | Callum Donnelly | New South Wales | Indian Hills Community College | Age: 21

His first time in the Green & Gold. Coming off an outstanding sophomore season at Indian Hills Community College in Iowa. Donnelly hit .409 across 44 games in 2026, collecting 70 hits, nine home runs, 46 RBI and 21 stolen bases. He finished with a 1.133 OPS and struck out just 15 times while drawing 15 walks.

OF | William Edwards | New South Wales | University of Sioux Falls | Age: 22

Edwards completed his senior season at NCAA Division II University of Sioux Falls in 2026, batting .326 with four home runs, 40 RBI and eight stolen bases across 52 games. He collected 62 hits with a .419 on-base percentage, improving on his .295 batting average from 2025. Edwards began his American college career at McCook Community College before transferring to Sioux Falls. Edwards earned Academic Achievement recognition and was a member of the NSIC Team of Excellence. He played for Australia at the 2016 Little League World Series and the 2018 Junior League World Series.

RHP | Deakin Filko | South Australia | Adelaide Giants | Age: 18

The young gun. A hard-throwing South Australian prospect who represented Australia at the 2025 U18 World Cup. Filko made his ABL debut in 2025-26 with the Adelaide Giants. Ahead of the 2026 Australian U18 Championships, Filko had touched 90 mph during winter training. He is one Australia’s youngest members on the team, yet to commit to college.

INF | Cal Fingleson | New South Wales | Tyler Junior College | Age: 20

An elite freshman year. Cal Fingleson put on a show in his first year in college as a designated hitter during his freshman season at Tyler Junior College in Texas. Fingleson batted .370 with 23 stolen bases, striking out just 14 times in 128 plate appearances. Son of former Australian baseball player and 2004 Olympic Silver Medalist Gavin Fingleson. 

INF | Quinn Johnson | New South Wales | Oklahoma Baptist University | Age: 22

A break out college season. Johnson earned All-Great American Conference Honourable Mention honours in 2026 after batting .345 with five home runs, 37 RBI and 14 doubles. He recorded a team-best 18-game hitting streak and 19 multi-hit games while posting a .988 fielding percentage at first base. Previously played at Pratt Community College in Kansas.

RHP | Benjamin Karakasis | New South Wales | Galveston College | Age: 20

An Australian representative at the 2023 U18 World Cup who began his college career at Galveston College in Texas in 2026. Karakasis also represented New South Wales at multiple Australian Youth Championships and participated in Team Australia and MLB development tours in 2024.

C | John Lemm | Queensland | Brisbane Bandits / St. Louis Cardinals / University of Alabama | Age: 23

A newly signed St. Louis Cardinals prospect. Lemm joined the organisation as an undrafted free agent following the 2026 MLB Draft after finishing his college career at Alabama. He previously hit .272 with 19 home runs, 56 RBI and a 1.104 OPS at Southern Illinois in 2025, earning Second Team All-Missouri Valley Conference honours. He followed with 10 home runs and 34 RBI against SEC competition at Alabama in 2026. He helped Alabama qualify for the College World Series. Lemm also signed with his hometown Brisbane Bandits for 2026–27.

OF | Solomon Maguire | New South Wales | Sydney Blue Sox / Former Pittsburgh Pirates | Age: 23

The only Australian to play in every major WBSC event. Maguire has represented Australia at U12, U15, U18 and U23 World Cups, as well as the 2024 Premier12. He homered on the first swing of his senior international career against Samurai Japan in 2022. At the 2024 U23 World Cup, he tied for the tournament lead with nine RBI and two home runs. Maguire spent five seasons in the Pittsburgh Pirates organisation, reaching Single-A Bradenton. He has re-signed with the Sydney Blue Sox for 2026-27 after missing all of last year because of a shoulder injury sustained at the U23 World Cup qualifiers.

INF | Joshua Nati | New South Wales | Sydney Blue Sox / Oregon State University | Age: 19

An All-World Team selection at the 2025 U18 World Cup. Nati hit for the cycle and drove in six runs against Guam during Australia’s 2025 U23 Oceania qualifying series. He hit two home runs in eight ABL games for Sydney in 2025–26 before beginning his college career at Oregon State, where his first hit was a pinch-hit home run against Mercer. His older brother Jimmy played at Stanford before signing with the Kansas City Royals in 2026.

RHP | Jesse Neretlis | Western Australia | Pima Community College | Age: 20

A two-way baseball product from the Rockingham Rams, Neretlis has developed as both a catcher and pitcher. He played State League baseball in Western Australia and spent time with Perth Heat Futures before joining Pima Community College in Arizona. His pitching earned NJCAA Division II All-Region Second Team honours in 2026 after posting a 3.69 ERA across 46.1 innings.

LHP | Tyson Noel | Western Australia | Perth Heat / University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma | Age: 22

A towering 6-foot-7 left-hander returning to Western Australia after four years of American college baseball. A Swan Districts product, Noel played at Cochise College before transferring to the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. He struck out 209 batters across 53 collegiate appearances, including 46 starts. His best statistical season came in 2024, when he recorded six wins and 89 strikeouts in 76.2 innings. Signed with Perth for the 2026–27 ABL season for his first official pro campaign.

RHP | William Page-Allen | ACT | Fresno State | Age: 22

A recent NCAA D1 transfer. A 6-foot-4 right-hander who completed his junior season at Fresno State in 2026, making 23 relief appearances with three wins, two saves and 25 strikeouts in 31 innings. Previously recorded a 2.80 ERA and 14 saves at Feather River College, striking out 89 hitters. Has also pitched for the Canberra Cavalry.

UTIL | Nicholas Paparella | South Australia | Galveston College | Age: 20

Homered at the 2023 U18 World Cup. Paparella returns to the national program three years later, this time with two years of experience at Galveston College. He hit .261 with six homers and 45 RBI for Galveston in 2026. He has also participated in Perfect Game and MLB World Select development events in the United States. Paparella represented South Australia at multiple Australian Youth Championships and appeared in the ABL as an Adelaide Giants development player.

RHP | Charlie Pierson | Victoria | Eastern New Mexico University | Age: 22

A 2022 U18 World Cup representative from the Mornington Peninsula. Pierson began his college career at Frank Phillips College in Texas before transferring to NCAA Division II Eastern New Mexico University. He pitched 61 innings during his sophomore season at Frank Phillips, including an eight-strikeout outing against Lamar Community College.

INF | Nikau Pouaka-Grego | Victoria | Former Philadelphia Phillies | Age: 22

Returning the Australian national program. Born in Christchurch, New Zealand, Pouaka-Grego developed his baseball career in Australia before signing with the Philadelphia Phillies in January 2022. He hit .301 in his first professional season before a serious knee injury interrupted his development in 2023. He later reached Double-A Reading in 2026. A former Australian junior representative and U15 World Cup representative.

RHP | Juan Manuel Ramirez | Queensland | Toronto Blue Jays | Age: 20

A young Toronto Blue Jays prospect coming off an impressive second professional season. Ramirez posted a 4–1 record and 1.16 ERA across 15 relief appearances for the DSL Blue Jays Red in 2026. He struck out 39 batters in 23.1 innings, averaging more than 15 strikeouts per nine innings. Born in Sydney, Ramirez has spent both professional seasons in the Dominican Summer League, compiling a 2.09 career ERA across 31 appearances. His fastball sits between 94mph and 96mph.

RHP | Lachlan Robinson | New South Wales | Blacktown Workers / Weatherford College | Age: 18

A young player with a national team debut. A Blacktown Workers product who helped New South Wales win gold at the 2025 U18 Australian Youth Championships. Robinson features a five-pitch arsenal. His junior performances earned an invitation to Australia’s U18 National Team Camp, but he did not make the final squad.  He committed to Weatherford College in Texas, where he is set to debut in 2027.

LHP | Lachlan Rosser | New South Wales | Sydney Blue Sox / University of Nebraska | Age: 21

A towering 6-foot-7 left-hander from Wollongong preparing for his ABL debut with Sydney. Rosser recorded 72 strikeouts across 73.2 innings at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas, holding opponents to a .231 batting average. His performances earned him a commitment to the University of Nebraska for 2027, where he will compete in the Big Ten Conference. Previously represented Australia at the 2023 U18 World Cup.

OF | Max Stagg | South Australia | UC Santa Barbara | Age: 22

A power-hitting outfielder with international experience. Stagg represented Australia at the 2022 U18 World Cup before starring at Central Arizona College, where he hit .382 with 14 home runs, 49 RBI and a .702 slugging percentage in 2025. He homered in all three games of a regional semifinal series against Cochise, including twice in the deciding game. Transferred to UC Santa Barbara in 2026, earning the program’s Golden Eagle Award for academic achievement while studying economics.

30 October 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

Team Australia U12

Australia names roster for 2027 U12 World Cup Qualifiers in Guam

Team Australia has confirmed their list of 18 players who will travel to Guam for the 2026 WBSC U12 Oceania Championships, with a place at the 2027 U12 Baseball World Cup in Tainan up for grabs.

Three nations will compete for the region’s lone qualification spot. Australia, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands (MNP) will face off in a triple round-robin tournament format.

Each country will play the other three times, with the team finishing with the best record earning a ticket to the World Cup in July 2027.

The tournament runs from November 27-30, 2026.

Australia enters the tournament as defending Oceania champions, having won the regional qualifier in 2024. Australia went on to finish ninth at the 2025 U12 World Cup – the best result in program history.

The Australian squad has been selected in consultation with state baseball bodies across the country.

FULL SCHEDULE: Grab the official U12 Qualifiers Schedule

A new face will lead the Australian dugout. 35-year-old Max Brennen will make his national program managerial debut, taking charge of the U12 squad for the first time.

A former Sydney Blue Sox player in the Australian Baseball League, Brennen also played collegiate baseball at West Texas A&M University in the United States. He currently serves as coach and president of Sydney’s Petersham Leichhardt Baseball Club and has been involved in Baseball NSW’s junior development pathways.

He’ll be supported by a coaching and support group spanning the country, with Western Australia’s Mark Pettit serving as Pitching Coach and Queensland’s Dan Wilson joining as Assistant Coach.

Val Langworthy returns as Executive Officer.

Australia will have another representative on the diamond, with New South Wales umpire Michael Bryan appointed to officiate at the tournament.

Fans and family can follow Australia’s qualification campaign through live scoring on the WBSC website, with tournament coverage, results and updates available at Baseball.com.au and across Team Australia’s social media channels.

Schedule
– Nov 27: Australia vs MNP, 10:30AM AEDT (9:30AM local)
– Nov 27: Australia vs Guam, 1:00PM AEDT (12:00PM local)
– Nov 28: Australia vs Guam, 3:00PM AEDT (2:00PM local)
– Nov 29: Australia vs MNP, 12:00PM AEDT (11:00AM local)
– Nov 30: Australia vs Guam: 12:00PM AEDT (11:00:AM local)
– Nov 30: Australia vs MNP: 3:00PM AEDT (2:00PM local)

30 October 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

APBC Team Australia - Men

Team Australia roster announcement for APBC

JAPANESE TRANSLATION AT BOTTOM / 日本語訳は記事の下部にあります

Australia has named its 28-player roster for the 2026 Asia Professional Baseball Championship (APBC), held at the Tokyo Dome from November 12–15.

The tournament brings together emerging professional baseball talent from major leagues in Australia, Japan, South Korea and Chinese Taipei.

For Australia, it’s another opportunity to build towards the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“With the Premier12 acting as an Olympic Qualifier in 2027, it is important as many potential players are exposed to the level of competition and the Tokyo Dome,” says manager Dave Nilsson. “This also helps build depth of competition for the Senior Team.”

The squad includes seven players from Australia’s 2026 World Baseball Classic team, nine returning from the 2023 APBC, and seven players currently signed to MLB organisations.

There are also two notable comeback stories. Jaylin Rae returns after a career-threatening hand injury interrupted his outstanding 2025–26 ABL season, while former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Liam Doolan is back following Tommy John surgery.

Roster rules are different from other major international tournaments. Players must meet at least one of three criteria:
– Be aged 24 or younger;
– Be within their first three years as a professional;
– Be one of three permitted over-age players, aged 29 or younger

Selection was complicated by Australia’s U23 World Cup campaign in Nicaragua, taking place at the same time.

“There were a few key players we decided to send with the 23s to get more playing time and lead the group,” Nilsson says.

Australia opens against South Korea on November 12, with all Team Australia games available on Baseball+.

Below is everything Australian fans need to know, including the schedule, broadcast information and player profiles.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ROSTER NOTES

What is the APBC?

The Asia Professional Baseball Championship (APBC) is an international tournament featuring emerging baseball talent from Japan, South Korea, Chinese Taipei and Australia.

First held in 2017, the tournament focuses on developing the next generation of international stars.

Australia made its APBC debut in 2023.

Where will it be played and how can I watch?

All games will be played at the Tokyo Dome, one of Japan’s most famous baseball venues.

The tournament attracts significant attention in Japan, with domestic coverage across Amazon Prime Video, TV Asahi and Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS).

In Australia, all Team Australia games will be broadcast on Baseball+, with further details to be announced.

Fans travelling to Japan can purchase tickets here.

What is Australia’s schedule?

All times are listed in Japan Standard Time (JST) and Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT).

– Thursday 12 November: South Korea vs Australia | 12:00 PM JST / 2:00 PM AEDT

– Friday 13 November: Chinese Taipei vs Australia | 12:00 PM JST / 2:00 PM AEDT

– Saturday 14 November: Japan vs Australia | 12:00 PM JST / 2:00 PM AEDT

– Sunday 15 November: Bronze Medal Game | 11:00 AM JST / 1:00 PM AEDT

– Gold Medal Game | 7:00 PM JST / 9:00 PM AEDT

Each team plays three preliminary games. The top two advance to the championship final, while the remaining teams compete for bronze.

Will Australia train before the tournament?

Yes. Australia will arrive in Japan ahead of the tournament for a four-day training camp, with sessions in Fuchu and at the Tokyo Dome during the week of November 9.

What happened when Australia last played at the APBC?

Australia made its tournament debut in 2023, playing in front of large crowds at the Tokyo Dome.

One of the more memorable moments came when Japanese baseball fans formed an unofficial Australian cheering section, adopting familiar Japanese baseball chants to support Team Australia.

The group became known as the ‘Kangaroo Club’, creating a unique atmosphere for the Australians.

Meet Team Australia | ROSTER |

Australia’s 28-player squad features a mix of World Baseball Classic representatives, professional prospects, ABL standouts and emerging national team players.

A few things to know about the squad:
– Nine players return from Australia’s 2023 APBC team.
– Seven players represented Australia at the 2026 World Baseball Classic: Chris Burke, Max Durrington, Alex Hall, Liam Doolan, Kieren Hall, Ky Hampton and Cooper Morgan.
– Six players currently hold MLB-affiliated contracts: Adam Bates, Clayton Campbell, Max Durrington, Brent Iredale, Jayden Kim and Rubens Romero.
– Every player has a connection to an Australian Baseball League club.

Scroll down to meet the players representing Australia in Japan, including their career highlights, international experience and stories worth knowing.

C | Alex Hall | Western Australia | Perth Heat / Ulsan Whales | Age: 27

One of the biggest names in Australian baseball. A two-time World Baseball Classic representative (2023, 2026) and 2023 ABL MVP. Hall homered at the 2023 APBC and spent 2026 with the Ulsan Whales in Korea’s Futures League, where he led the competition in RBI. He owns a career .287 batting average with the Perth Heat. Hall is a former Milwaukee Brewers prospect, reaching as high as Triple-A.

C | Zak Skinner | Victoria | Melbourne Aces / University of Central Florida | Age: 24

A college standout preparing for his next chapter. Hit .357 with six home runs, 41 RBI and a .937 OPS at UCF in 2026. Previously earned junior college All-American honours at Vernon College after batting .447 with 10 home runs. Also hit .339 with 10 homers at Lamar University in 2024. Represented Australia at the 2024 U23 World Cup and spent time with the Melbourne Aces as a teenager.

INF | Byron Armstrong | Western Australia | Perth Heat | Age: 25

Mr. Versatility. A Kalgoorlie-born infielder capable of playing shortstop, second and third base. A product of the Wanneroo Giants, Armstrong represented Australia at the 2019 U18 and 2024 U23 World Cups, and played in an exhibition series against Korea’s Hanwha Eagles in 2025. Has spent three seasons with Perth, batting .250 in the ABL.

INF | Jarrod Belbin | Victoria | Melbourne Aces | Age: 26

A power-and-speed threat with professional experience. Became the first Campbell University player to record 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in a season. Hit .289 across 51 games in the Seattle Mariners organisation in 2024 before batting .318 with 10 homers, 66 RBI and 17 stolen bases for Québec in 2025. A product of Essendon Baseball Club, Belbin returned to Melbourne for the 2025–26 International Baseball Showdown and KBO Fall League.

INF | Jo Stevens | New South Wales | Sydney Blue Sox | Age: 25

Mr. Reliable. A two-time Australian representative at the 2019 U18 and 2024 U23 World Cups. A product of the Ryde Hawks, Stevens played college baseball at Purdue University before joining the Sydney Blue Sox. Primarily a third baseman, he hit .214 with 13 RBI and seven stolen bases without being caught across 30 ABL games in 2025–26. He is entering his third ABL campaign.

INF | Clayton Campbell | New Zealand | Detroit Tigers / Erie SeaWolves | Age: 23

From Little League history-maker to Double-A prospect. Campbell pitched Australia to its first Little League World Series victory at age 12. Now in his fifth minor league season, he reached Double-A Erie in 2026 after hitting nine home runs in 81 High-A games, then batted .300 in his first 10 Double-A appearances. Represented Australia at the 2023 APBC and at the 2022 U23 World Cup, hitting .308 with a .500 on-base percentage. Previously played in the ABL for Auckland and Sydney.

INF | Blake Cavill | New South Wales | Sydney Blue Sox / Troy University | Age: 24

One of Australia’s biggest names in college graduates. Cavill spent five years in the US college system. His best came in his final two seasons at Troy University, where he helped the program reach their first ever College World Series. Cavill hit .293 with 25 home runs, 101 RBI, 117 walks and a .970 OPS across 128 games at Troy University in 2025 and 2026. Earned Sun Belt Conference honours, including preseason Player of the Year recognition. Previously represented Australia at U18 and U23 World Cups and is preparing for his first full ABL season with Sydney. Cavill had a prolific junior career which included stops at the Little League and Junior League World Series.

INF | Brent Iredale | New South Wales | Pittsburgh Pirates / Greensboro Grasshoppers | Age: 23

A rising Pittsburgh Pirates prospect. Iredale was selected in the seventh round of the 2025 MLB Draft after hitting 14 home runs for the University of Arkansas and reaching the College World Series. Iredale hit .250 with 16 home runs, 51 RBI and an .882 OPS across 80 minor league games in 2026, earning a September promotion to High-A Greensboro. A product of Blacktown Workers Baseball Club and the Ryde Charter.

INF | Jayden Kim | Victoria | Pittsburgh Pirates / Melbourne Aces | Age: 20

Born in Korea, developed in Australia, now turned pro. Kim moved from Goyang, South Korea, to Australia in 2021 and joined Sandringham Baseball Club. He signed with Pittsburgh in December 2023 and hit .298 with a .414 on-base percentage across 27 games in 2026, reaching Single-A Bradenton. Represented Australia at the 2023 U18 World Cup. His father, David Kim, played seven KBO seasons and later scouted for Pittsburgh.

UTIL | Jaylin Rae | New South Wales | Sydney Blue Sox | Age: 25

A remarkable comeback after a career-threatening injury. Rae was hitting .400 with an OPS approaching 1.000 during Sydney’s 2025–26 ABL campaign before a serious hand injury sidelined him for eight months. He struck out just 10 times in 101 plate appearances during Sydney’s championship-series run. Previously represented Australia at U18 and U23 World Cups. The APBC marks his return to high-level international baseball. Rae is a graduate of Western Kentucky University. He won a national Junior College Championship at Central Arizona in 2022. Podcast with Jaylin Rae here.

OF | Max Durrington | Queensland | Athletics / Stockton Ports / Brisbane Bandits | Age: 19

One of Australia’s most exciting young prospects.Hit .260 with a .709 OPS at Single-A Stockton in 2026. Australia’s youngest player at the 2026 World Baseball Classic, Durrington entered as a pinch-runner against South Korea, stole a base and scored a crucial run. Can play multiple positions and is the son of former MLB player Trent Durrington.

OF | Chris Burke | Victoria | Melbourne Aces | Age: 25

He’s grown up wearing the Green and Gold. Burke has represented Australia at the U15, U18 and U23 World Cups, 2023 APBC and 2026 World Baseball Classic. Won the batting title at the 2022 U23 World Cup and captained Australia in 2024. Delivered an RBI double against Japan at the 2023 APBC. Previously spent three seasons in the Phillies and Royals minor league systems. Burke started four games for Australia at the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

RHP | Adam Bates | New South Wales | Boston Red Sox / Greenville Drive | Age: 21

A young Red Sox prospect climbing the professional ranks. Bates reached High-A Greenville in July 2026, finishing the season with 60 strikeouts in 66 innings across 35 relief appearances. Previously represented Australia at the 2022 and 2023 U18 World Cups, recording a sub-2.00 ERA at the 2022 tournament. Signed with Boston following his junior international career.

RHP | Matt Beattie | Queensland | Brisbane Bandits | Age: 27

A veteran of the Australian baseball circuit. Beattie made his ABL debut at 17 and signed with the Detroit Tigers in 2017 before injuries interrupted his professional career. Won the 2025 Claxton Shield with Canberra and represented Australia at the 2022 U23 World Cup and 2023 APBC. Struck out Kota Ishibashi against Japan at the Tokyo Dome in 2023. Joined Brisbane ahead of the 2025–26 ABL season.

RHP | Brodie Cooper-Vassalakis | New South Wales | Sydney Blue Sox | Age: 25

Pitched professionally at age 15. Became the youngest player in modern day league history (at the time) when he debuted for Canberra during the 2016–17 season. The son of former Australian pitcher Theo Vassalakis, he represented Australia at the 2017 U18 World Cup and 2023 APBC. Recorded a 3.07 ERA, four saves and 18 strikeouts in 14.2 innings for Sydney in 2025–26.

RHP | Josh Bishopp | South Australia | Adelaide Giants | Age: 25

One of Australia’s breakout pitchers. Struck out nine batters in just 3.1 innings during his Sydney Blue Sox debut in 2025–26. Finished his rookie season with a 2–0 record, 1.96 ERA and 28 strikeouts across 23 innings, earning Rookie of the Year and Reliever of the Year nominations. Previously pitched at Missouri Valley College and Northwest Nazarene University. Signed with Adelaide for 2026–27. Feature on Bishopp here. 

RHP | Liam Doolan | New South Wales | Sydney Blue Sox | Age: 28

The flamethrower returning from Tommy John surgery. A former Los Angeles Dodgers prospect whose fastball has reached 99 mph. Recorded a 3.63 ERA with 43 strikeouts in 39.2 innings at Single-A Rancho Cucamonga in 2023. Represented Australia at the 2023 World Baseball Classic, striking out Lars Nootbaar and Kensuke Kondoh against Japan. Missed the 2025–26 ABL season following surgery.

RHP | Jackson Grounds | Queensland | Brisbane Bandits / Trois-Rivières Aigles | Age: 22

A former Pirates prospect rebuilding his professional career. Grounds signed with Pittsburgh in July 2022 before injuries limited his development, including missing the entire 2024 season. Released in July 2025, Grounds returned to independent baseball with Trois-Rivières in 2026. Represented Australia at the 2022 U18 World Cup and was part of the 2025 Oceania U23 qualifying squad against Guam.

RHP | Kieren Hall | Western Australia | Perth Heat | Age: 25

An experienced international arm. Has represented Australia at the 2019 U18 World Cup, 2023 APBC, 2024 U23 World Cup and 2026 World Baseball Classic. Recorded a 1.80 ERA with two saves at the 2019 U18 World Cup, including one against Japan. A product of the Morley Eagles and South Perth, Hall posted a 3.44 ERA for Perth in 2024–25 before moving into a starting role the following season.

RHP | Ky Hampton | South Australia | Adelaide Giants / Ottawa Titans | Age: 26

Key part of two championships in one year. Hampton helped Adelaide win the Claxton Shield before earning Frontier League Playoff MVP honours with Ottawa in 2026. Recorded a 0.60 ERA across 15 postseason innings, including eight scoreless frames in the Frontier League championship-clinching game. A 2026 World Baseball Classic representative, Hampton also threw three scoreless innings against Chinese Taipei at the 2023 APBC. He has made a name for himself for clutch international performances, including a complete-game shutout against Chinese Taipei at the 2017 U18 World Cup, helping Australia secure a 4–0 victory and strengthen its position to qualify for the Super Round.

LHP | Luke Krkovski | Queensland | Brisbane Bandits / Québec Capitales | Age: 24

A breakout year across three countries. Signed his first overseas professional contract with BarbaNegras Tijuana in Mexico in 2026, leading the Liga Norte de México in strikeouts. Later joined Québec in Canada’s Frontier League, recording 17 strikeouts in 23.2 innings. A Cronulla junior product, Krkovski also pitched for Brisbane in 2025–26 and previously represented Australia at Little League and Junior League World Series.

LHP | Cooper Morgan | South Australia | Adelaide Giants / Québec Capitales | Age: 24

Australian Baseball’s Reliever of the Year. Helped Adelaide win the 2025–26 ABL championship and earned co-Reliever of the Year honours with Warwick Saupold. Represented Australia at the 2026 World Baseball Classic before posting a 2.09 ERA across 61 innings with Québec in the Frontier League, earning All-Star recognition. Previously helped the University of the Cumberlands reach two NAIA World Series in his college days.

RHP | Max Mrakovcic | New South Wales | Sydney Blue Sox | Age: 26

A late bloomer making his national tournament debut. First tried baseball at 11 after playing rugby and soccer. Went on to pitch at Louisiana-Monroe and Arkansas at Monticello, recording an 8–3 record with four complete games and 58 strikeouts in his final college season in 2025. Joined Sydney for the 2025–26 ABL season. This is his national program debut.

LHP | Conor Myles | Victoria | Melbourne Aces / UTSA | Age: 25

The American Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year. Finished his final college season at UTSA with a 10–1 record, 3.28 ERA and 65 strikeouts in 74 innings in 2026. Earned unanimous First Team All-Conference honours. A product of Cheltenham Rustlers, Myles represented Australia at the 2018 U18 and 2024 U23 World Cups.

RHP | Jordan Power | Western Australia | Perth Heat | Age: 28

A first major Team Australia tournament appearance. A product of the Carine Cats, Power played college baseball at Chattanooga State and the University of Toledo before establishing himself with Perth. Went 4–1 with a 5.66 ERA across 35 innings in 2022–23. Recorded four wins in his first 11 appearances of the 2025–26 ABL season, striking out 19 in 21.2 innings. This is his first time wearing the Green & Gold.

 RHP | Aidan Torpey | New South Wales | Sydney Blue Sox / Augustana University | Age: 25

An ABL debut on the horizon. Born in the United States and raised in Sydney, Torpey developed with Manly before playing college baseball at Augustana University in South Dakota. Finished with an 11–1 career record and 87 strikeouts across 54 appearances. Helped Augustana reach the NCAA Division II College World Series in 2023 and was part of two conference championship teams.

LHP | Ben Walmsley | Queensland | Brisbane Bandits | Age: 21

A former Cincinnati Reds prospect with something to prove. Signed with Cincinnati as a teenager and spent time in its minor league system before being released in February 2024. A Sunshine Coast product, Walmsley pitched for Brisbane during the 2023–24 ABL season, making five relief appearances. The APBC offers another opportunity to showcase his left-handed pitching.

—–

オーストラリア代表は、11月12日から15日まで東京ドームで開催される「2026 アジアプロ野球チャンピオンシップ（APBC）」に出場する28選手を発表した。

この大会には、オーストラリア、日本、韓国、チャイニーズ・タイペイの各リーグでプレーする次世代のプロ野球選手たちが集まる。

オーストラリアにとっては、2028年ロサンゼルス五輪に向けた強化の重要な機会でもある。

デーブ・ニルソン監督は「2027年のプレミア12が五輪予選となることを考えると、代表候補の選手たちができるだけ多く、このレベルの試合や東京ドームを経験することが重要です。シニア代表の選手層を厚くすることにもつながります」と語った。

今回のメンバーには、2026年ワールド・ベースボール・クラシック（WBC）代表の7選手、2023年APBC出場経験者9選手、現在MLB球団と契約している6選手が含まれる。

復帰を果たす2選手にも注目したい。ジェイリン・レイは2025–26年ABLシーズン中に選手生命を脅かすほどの手の大けがを負ったが、今回代表に戻ってきた。元ロサンゼルス・ドジャース傘下のリアム・ドゥーランも、トミー・ジョン手術を経て復帰する。

APBCの出場資格は、ほかの主要国際大会とは異なる。選手は次のいずれかの条件を満たす必要がある。

  • 24歳以下であること
  • プロ入りから3年以内であること
  • 認められたオーバーエージ枠3人のうちの1人で、29歳以下であること

同時期にニカラグアでU23ワールドカップが開催されるため、代表選考は一段と難しくなった。

ニルソン監督は「より多くの出場機会を与え、チームを引っ張ってもらうために、何人かの重要な選手をU23代表に送りました」と説明する。

オーストラリアは11月12日の韓国戦で大会初戦を迎える。オーストラリア代表の全試合はBaseball+で視聴できる。

以下では、日程、放送情報、選手プロフィールなど、オーストラリア代表について知っておきたい情報を紹介する。

オーストラリア代表メンバー

よくある質問・代表メンバー情報

APBCとは？

アジアプロ野球チャンピオンシップ（APBC）は、日本、韓国、チャイニーズ・タイペイ、オーストラリアの若手有望選手が参加する国際大会だ。

2017年に初開催され、次世代の国際舞台で活躍するスター選手の育成を目的としている。オーストラリアは2023年に初出場した。

会場はどこ？ どうすれば観戦できる？

全試合が、日本を代表する野球場の一つ、東京ドームで開催される。

日本国内ではAmazon Prime Video、テレビ朝日、TBSなどで放送・配信され、大きな注目を集める。

オーストラリアでは、代表の全試合をBaseball+で配信予定。詳細は後日発表される。

日本で現地観戦するファンは、こちらからチケットを購入できる。

オーストラリア代表の試合日程は？

時刻は日本標準時（JST）とオーストラリア東部夏時間（AEDT）で記載。

  • 11月12日（木）：韓国 対 オーストラリア｜日本時間12:00／AEDT 14:00
  • 11月13日（金）：チャイニーズ・タイペイ 対 オーストラリア｜日本時間12:00／AEDT 14:00
  • 11月14日（土）：日本 対 オーストラリア｜日本時間12:00／AEDT 14:00
  • 11月15日（日）：3位決定戦｜日本時間11:00／AEDT 13:00
  • 11月15日（日）：決勝戦｜日本時間19:00／AEDT 21:00

各チームは予選で3試合を戦う。上位2チームが決勝に進み、残る2チームが3位決定戦に出場する。

APBC大会日程

大会前に合宿はある？

ある。代表は大会に先立って日本入りし、11月9日の週に府中と東京ドームで4日間の合宿を行う。

前回のAPBCでは何があった？

オーストラリアは2023年、大勢の観客が集まる東京ドームでAPBC初出場を果たした。

特に印象的だったのは、日本の野球ファンがオーストラリア代表の非公式応援団を結成し、日本の野球でおなじみの応援歌やコールで選手たちを後押ししたことだ。

「カンガルークラブ」と呼ばれたこのグループは、オーストラリア代表にとって忘れられない雰囲気をつくり出した。

当時の応援の様子を動画で見る

オーストラリア代表｜選手名鑑

28人の代表には、WBC経験者、MLB傘下の有望株、ABLの主力選手、そして代表の次世代を担う若手が名を連ねる。

今回の代表について知っておきたいこと：

  • 9選手が2023年APBCから引き続き選出された。
  • クリス・バーク、マックス・ダリントン、アレックス・ホール、リアム・ドゥーラン、キーレン・ホール、カイ・ハンプトン、クーパー・モーガンの7選手は2026年WBC代表。
  • アダム・ベイツ、クレイトン・キャンベル、マックス・ダリントン、ブレント・アイアデール、ジェイデン・キム、ルーベンス・ロメロの6選手が現在MLB傘下球団と契約している。
  • 全選手がオーストラリアン・ベースボールリーグ（ABL）の球団とつながりを持つ。

日本で戦う選手たちの経歴、国際大会での実績、そしてそれぞれの興味深いストーリーを紹介する。

C | アレックス・ホール | 西オーストラリア州 | パース・ヒート／蔚山ホエールズ | 27歳

オーストラリア球界を代表する選手の一人。2023年と2026年のWBCに出場し、2023年にはABLのMVPを受賞した。2023年APBCでは本塁打を放った。2026年は韓国フューチャースリーグの蔚山ホエールズでプレーし、同リーグの打点王に輝いた。パース・ヒートでの通算打率は.287。かつてミルウォーキー・ブルワーズ傘下に所属し、最高でトリプルAまで昇格した。

C | ザック・スキナー | ビクトリア州 | メルボルン・エイシズ／セントラルフロリダ大学 | 24歳

米大学野球で活躍し、新たなステージを目指す捕手。2026年はセントラルフロリダ大学で打率.357、6本塁打、41打点、OPS .937を記録。以前はバーノン・カレッジで打率.447、10本塁打をマークし、ジュニアカレッジのオールアメリカンに選ばれた。2024年にはラマー大学で打率.339、10本塁打。2024年U23ワールドカップに出場し、10代の頃にはメルボルン・エイシズでもプレーした。

INF | バイロン・アームストロング | 西オーストラリア州 | パース・ヒート | 25歳

内野の複数ポジションを守れる「ミスター・ユーティリティー」。カルグーリー出身で、遊撃、二塁、三塁をこなす。ワナルー・ジャイアンツで育ち、2019年U18、2024年U23ワールドカップでオーストラリア代表に選出。2025年には韓国ハンファ・イーグルスとのエキシビションシリーズにも出場した。パースで3シーズンを過ごし、ABL通算打率は.250。

INF | ジャロッド・ベルビン | ビクトリア州 | メルボルン・エイシズ | 26歳

長打力と走力を兼ね備え、プロ経験も持つ内野手。キャンベル大学では、同校史上初めて1シーズン20本塁打・20盗塁を達成。2024年にシアトル・マリナーズ傘下で51試合に出場して打率.289を記録し、2025年はケベックで打率.318、10本塁打、66打点、17盗塁。エッセンドン・ベースボールクラブ出身で、2025–26年にはメルボルンに戻り、インターナショナル・ベースボール・ショーダウンとKBOフォールリーグに参加した。

INF | ジョー・スティーブンス | ニューサウスウェールズ州 | シドニー・ブルーソックス | 25歳

堅実なプレーが持ち味の「ミスター・リライアブル」。2019年U18、2024年U23ワールドカップでオーストラリア代表を経験した。ライド・ホークス出身で、パデュー大学を経てシドニー・ブルーソックスに加入。主に三塁を守り、2025–26年ABLでは30試合で打率.214、13打点、盗塁失敗なしの7盗塁を記録。ABLで3シーズン目を迎える。

INF | クレイトン・キャンベル | ニュージーランド | デトロイト・タイガース／エリー・シーウルブズ | 23歳

リトルリーグの歴史をつくった少年が、今やダブルAの有望株に。12歳の時、投手としてオーストラリアにリトルリーグ・ワールドシリーズ初勝利をもたらした。マイナー5年目の2026年、ハイAで81試合9本塁打を記録した後、ダブルAエリーへ昇格。最初の10試合で打率.300を残した。2023年APBCと2022年U23ワールドカップにも出場し、後者では打率.308、出塁率.500。ABLではオークランドとシドニーでプレーした。

INF | ブレイク・キャビル | ニューサウスウェールズ州 | シドニー・ブルーソックス／トロイ大学 | 24歳

米大学野球を卒業したオーストラリア選手の中でも注目の一人。米国で5年間プレーし、最後の2シーズンを過ごしたトロイ大学では、同校初のカレッジ・ワールドシリーズ進出に貢献した。2025～26年の128試合で打率.293、25本塁打、101打点、117四球、OPS .970。サンベルト・カンファレンスの表彰を受け、開幕前の年間最優秀選手にも選ばれた。U18とU23ワールドカップに出場経験があり、リトルリーグとジュニアリーグのワールドシリーズにも出場した。シドニーで初のABLフルシーズンに臨む。

INF | ブレント・アイアデール | ニューサウスウェールズ州 | ピッツバーグ・パイレーツ／グリーンズボロ・グラスホッパーズ | 23歳

パイレーツ傘下で成長を続ける有望株。アーカンソー大学で14本塁打を放ち、カレッジ・ワールドシリーズに進出した後、2025年MLBドラフト7巡目で指名された。2026年はマイナー80試合で打率.250、16本塁打、51打点、OPS .882を記録し、9月にハイAグリーンズボロへ昇格。ブラックタウン・ワーカーズ・ベースボールクラブとライド・チャーターの出身。

INF | ジェイデン・キム | ビクトリア州 | ピッツバーグ・パイレーツ／メルボルン・エイシズ | 20歳

韓国生まれ、オーストラリア育ちのプロ選手。韓国・高陽市から2021年にオーストラリアへ移住し、サンドリンガム・ベースボールクラブに加入した。2023年12月にパイレーツと契約。2026年は27試合で打率.298、出塁率.414を記録し、シングルAブラデントンまで昇格した。2023年U18ワールドカップでオーストラリア代表に選出。父デービッド・キムはKBOで7シーズンプレーし、その後パイレーツのスカウトを務めた。

UTIL | ジェイリン・レイ | ニューサウスウェールズ州 | シドニー・ブルーソックス | 25歳

選手生命を脅かすけがからの劇的な復帰。2025–26年ABLで打率.400、OPSは1.000に迫っていたが、手に重傷を負い8か月間離脱した。シドニーがチャンピオンシップシリーズに進んだシーズン、101打席で三振はわずか10回。U18、U23ワールドカップの代表経験を持ち、APBCで国際舞台に復帰する。ウェスタンケンタッキー大学出身で、2022年にはセントラルアリゾナで全米ジュニアカレッジ王者に輝いた。レイのインタビューポッドキャストはこちら。

OF | マックス・ダリントン | クイーンズランド州 | アスレチックス／ストックトン・ポーツ／ブリスベン・バンディッツ | 19歳

オーストラリア屈指の若手有望株。2026年はシングルAストックトンで打率.260、OPS .709を記録した。同年WBCのオーストラリア代表最年少選手で、韓国戦では代走で出場し、盗塁を決めて貴重な得点を挙げた。複数のポジションを守ることができ、父トレント・ダリントンは元MLB選手。

OF | クリス・バーク | ビクトリア州 | メルボルン・エイシズ | 25歳

幼い頃からオーストラリア代表のユニフォームを着てきた選手。U15、U18、U23ワールドカップ、2023年APBC、2026年WBCに出場。2022年U23ワールドカップでは首位打者となり、2024年には代表主将を務めた。2023年APBCの日本戦では適時二塁打を放った。フィリーズとロイヤルズ傘下で計3シーズンを過ごし、2026年WBCではオーストラリアの4試合で先発出場した。

RHP | アダム・ベイツ | ニューサウスウェールズ州 | ボストン・レッドソックス／グリーンビル・ドライブ | 21歳

着実に階段を上るレッドソックス傘下の若手投手。2026年7月にハイAグリーンビルへ昇格し、シーズン通算35試合の救援登板、66イニングで60奪三振を記録。2022年と2023年のU18ワールドカップでオーストラリア代表に選ばれ、2022年大会では防御率2.00未満を記録した。ジュニア代表での活躍後、ボストンと契約した。

RHP | マット・ビーティー | クイーンズランド州 | ブリスベン・バンディッツ | 27歳

オーストラリア球界で経験豊富な右腕。17歳でABLデビューを果たし、2017年にデトロイト・タイガースと契約したが、けがでプロキャリアが中断した。キャンベラで2025年のクラクストン・シールド優勝を経験し、2022年U23ワールドカップと2023年APBCに出場。2023年の東京ドームでの日本戦では石橋康太から三振を奪った。2025–26年ABLシーズン前にブリスベンへ加入した。

RHP | ブロディ・クーパー＝バサラキス | ニューサウスウェールズ州 | シドニー・ブルーソックス | 25歳

15歳でプロのマウンドに立った投手。2016–17年にキャンベラでデビューし、当時の現行ABL史上最年少選手となった。元オーストラリア代表投手テオ・バサラキスの息子で、2017年U18ワールドカップと2023年APBCに出場。2025–26年はシドニーで14回2/3を投げ、防御率3.07、4セーブ、18奪三振を記録した。

RHP | ジョシュ・ビショップ | 南オーストラリア州 | アデレード・ジャイアンツ | 25歳

オーストラリア球界で急成長を遂げた投手の一人。2025–26年のシドニーでのABLデビュー戦では、わずか3回1/3で9三振を奪った。新人シーズンは23イニングで2勝0敗、防御率1.96、28奪三振を記録し、新人王と最優秀救援投手の候補となった。ミズーリバレー・カレッジとノースウェスト・ナザレン大学でプレーし、2026–27年にアデレードと契約。ビショップの特集記事はこちら。

RHP | リアム・ドゥーラン | ニューサウスウェールズ州 | シドニー・ブルーソックス | 28歳

トミー・ジョン手術から復帰する剛腕。最速99マイル（約159キロ）の速球を持つ元ドジャース傘下の有望株。2023年にはシングルAランチョクカモンガで39回2/3を投げ、防御率3.63、43奪三振を記録した。2023年WBCでは日本戦に登板し、ラーズ・ヌートバーと近藤健介から三振を奪った。手術の影響で2025–26年ABLシーズンは欠場した。

RHP | ジャクソン・グラウンズ | クイーンズランド州 | ブリスベン・バンディッツ／トロワリビエール・エーグルス | 22歳

プロキャリアの再構築を目指す元パイレーツ傘下投手。2022年7月にピッツバーグと契約したが、けがが重なり、2024年は全休。2025年7月にリリースされた後、2026年に独立リーグのトロワリビエールでプレーした。2022年U18ワールドカップに出場し、2025年のグアムとのU23オセアニア予選代表にも選ばれた。

RHP | キーレン・ホール | 西オーストラリア州 | パース・ヒート | 25歳

国際大会経験が豊富な右腕。2019年U18、2024年U23ワールドカップ、2023年APBC、2026年WBCでオーストラリア代表に選出された。2019年U18ワールドカップでは日本戦でのセーブを含む2セーブ、防御率1.80を記録。モーリー・イーグルスとサウスパース出身で、2024–25年はパースで防御率3.44。翌シーズンには先発投手へ転向した。

RHP | カイ・ハンプトン | 南オーストラリア州 | アデレード・ジャイアンツ／オタワ・タイタンズ | 26歳

1年で2つの優勝に貢献した立役者。2026年にアデレードでクラクストン・シールドを獲得し、オタワではフロンティアリーグのプレーオフMVPに輝いた。ポストシーズン15イニングで防御率0.60を記録し、優勝決定戦では8回無失点の好投。2026年WBC代表で、2023年APBCのチャイニーズ・タイペイ戦でも3回無失点だった。国際舞台での勝負強さは以前から知られ、2017年U18ワールドカップではチャイニーズ・タイペイを相手に完封勝利を挙げ、オーストラリアの4対0の勝利とスーパーラウンド進出への前進に貢献した。

LHP | ルーク・クルコフスキー | クイーンズランド州 | ブリスベン・バンディッツ／ケベック・キャピタルズ | 24歳

3か国で飛躍を遂げたシーズン。2026年にメキシコのバルバネグラス・ティフアナと初の海外プロ契約を結び、リーガ・ノルテ・デ・メヒコで奪三振王に輝いた。その後カナダのフロンティアリーグ、ケベックに加入し、23回2/3で17奪三振。クロヌラのジュニア出身で、2025–26年はブリスベンでも登板。リトルリーグとジュニアリーグのワールドシリーズでオーストラリア代表を経験した。

LHP | クーパー・モーガン | 南オーストラリア州 | アデレード・ジャイアンツ／ケベック・キャピタルズ | 24歳

オーストラリア球界の最優秀救援投手。アデレードの2025–26年ABL優勝に貢献し、ワーウィック・サウポールドとともに最優秀救援投手賞を受賞した。2026年WBCに出場後、ケベックで61イニングを投げ、防御率2.09を記録し、フロンティアリーグのオールスターに選出された。大学時代にはカンバーランズ大学のNAIAワールドシリーズ進出に2度貢献した。

RHP | マックス・ムラコフチッチ | ニューサウスウェールズ州 | シドニー・ブルーソックス | 26歳

代表の主要大会に初出場する遅咲きの右腕。ラグビーとサッカーを経て11歳で野球を始めた。ルイジアナ大学モンロー校とアーカンソー大学モンティチェロ校でプレーし、2025年の大学最終シーズンは8勝3敗、4完投、58奪三振を記録。2025–26年にシドニーへ加入し、今回が代表プログラム初参加となる。

LHP | コナー・マイルズ | ビクトリア州 | メルボルン・エイシズ／テキサス大学サンアントニオ校（UTSA） | 25歳

アメリカン・アスレチック・カンファレンスの年間最優秀投手。2026年、UTSAでの大学最終シーズンに10勝1敗、防御率3.28、74イニングで65奪三振を記録し、満票でオールカンファレンスのファーストチームに選ばれた。チェルトナム・ラストラーズ出身で、2018年U18、2024年U23ワールドカップに出場した。

RHP | ジョーダン・パワー | 西オーストラリア州 | パース・ヒート | 28歳

主要国際大会で初めてオーストラリア代表のユニフォームを着る右腕。カリン・キャッツ出身で、チャタヌーガ・ステートとトレド大学でプレーした後、パースの主力となった。2022–23年は35イニングで4勝1敗、防御率5.66。2025–26年は最初の11登板で4勝を挙げ、21回2/3で19三振を奪った。今回が初のオーストラリア代表選出となる。

RHP | エイダン・トーピー | ニューサウスウェールズ州 | シドニー・ブルーソックス／オーガスタナ大学 | 25歳

ABLデビューを控える投手。米国生まれ、シドニー育ちで、マンリーで野球を学び、サウスダコタ州のオーガスタナ大学へ進んだ。大学通算54登板で11勝1敗、87奪三振。2023年には同大のNCAAディビジョンIIカレッジ・ワールドシリーズ進出に貢献し、カンファレンス優勝も2度経験した。

LHP | ベン・ウォームズリー | クイーンズランド州 | ブリスベン・バンディッツ | 21歳

再起を目指す元シンシナティ・レッズ傘下の有望株。10代でレッズと契約し、マイナーリーグでプレーした後、2024年2月にリリースされた。サンシャインコースト出身で、2023–24年ABLではブリスベンで救援5試合に登板。APBCは左腕としての実力を再び示す機会となる。

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2026 APBCTeam Australia

23 October 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

Community

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

Some of the most legendary players in Australian baseball history have won the Helms Award, presented to the Best & Fairest player in the Claxton Shield competition.

Trailblazers like Dave Nilsson have their names etched on the award.

ABL record holders like Tim Kennelly and Andrew Scott have won the honour. Major Leaguers like Jake Fraley, Homer Bush, Alexander Wells, Chris Snelling and Aaron Whitefield have all sat on top of the Australian baseball world.

But the first to ever do it?

That would be New South Wales pitcher Tony Strand, who was recently named to the Baseball Australia Hall of Fame.

The inaugural winner of the Helms Award put together an incredible tournament at the 1962 Claxton Shield in Perth. It’s one of the performances that helped earn Strand his place among the six members of the most recent Hall of Fame class.

In just one week, Strand appeared five times and pitched more than 30 innings, including three nine-inning complete games.

Perhaps his most memorable effort came against hosts Western Australia. Strand went the distance in a 6-0 shutout, allowing just four hits and one walk while striking out four.

He also etched up two complete-game victories over South Australia. Strand allowed five runs in a 7-5 victory before holding SA to just one run in a 3-1 win.

Across those three starts alone, Strand pitched 27 innings, allowing 13 hits, six walks and six runs while striking out 11. He also came out of the bullpen twice during the tournament.

By the end of the week, Strand had been named an Australian All-Star and became the first player ever presented with the Helms Award.

His career extends well beyond his remarkable 1962 tournament.

Born in Kyogle, NSW, the strong right-handed pitcher joined Mosman Baseball Club in 1954. His first season ended with a Third Grade premiership before Strand made the jump to First Grade in 1955. He would remain a First Grade pitcher with Mosman through 1967.

Strand played for NSW at Under 21 level in 1955 and 1956 and went on to represent his state at senior level, including Claxton Shield appearances in 1960, 1961, 1962 and 1965.

He was also a regular in City v Country baseball.

More than half a century later, Strand’s place among the greats of New South Wales baseball was recognised with selection in the NSW 75th Diamond Claxton team.

Now, the first player to ever win one of Australian baseball’s most prestigious individual honours has a Hall of Fame Distinction next to his name.

MORE HALL OF FAME STORIES

23 October 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

ABL

The ABL is almost back: 8 big stories you may have missed

It’s been nearly nine months since the last pitch was thrown in the Australian Baseball League.

A lot has happened since the Adelaide Giants lifted the Claxton Shield on January 25. Players have changed teams, international partnerships have been announced, new managers have arrived and a fresh crop of Australians are returning from college.

With the 2026-27 ABL season opening on November 19, here are some of the biggest stories you might have missed during the off-season.

With less than four weeks to go, I’m sure there is more to come.

Australians return from college

One of my favourite parts of the ABL is watching young Australians get their first crack at professional-level baseball.

This season, there’s a growing list of Australians returning home after playing college baseball in the United States. Some have put up enormous numbers, some have signed professional contracts and others are looking to make their mark in the ABL.

I wrote about ten of them in an article here. 

Giants land former MLB pitcher and Helms Award winner Alexander Wells

This is the big free agent signing of the off-season, isn’t it?

Former Major Leaguer and Team Australia pitcher Alexander Wells has moved with his family to South Australia and will suit up for the defending champion Adelaide Giants.

Wells spent the last two seasons with the Sydney Blue Sox.

In his first ABL season in 2024-25, the left-hander dominated the competition, going 6-1 with a league-leading 1.55 ERA on his way to winning the Helms Award as the ABL’s Most Valuable Player. He followed that up with a 3.42 ERA across 50 innings in 2025-26, the fifth-best ERA in the league.

He was named to the 2026 World Baseball Classic roster.

Wells was handed the ball for Australia’s opening game against Chinese Taipei and delivered three shutout innings, allowing just one hit and striking out six hitters. He finished his outing by striking out the final five batters he faced.

Wells is one of just 41 Australians to have reached Major League Baseball, having last pitched for the Baltimore Orioles in 2022.

Perth lands one of Cincinnati’s top prospects

This feels particularly timely, especially with former Perth Heat player Junior Caminero featuring in the World Series.

Could Cincinnati Reds prospect Liberts Aponte be another future Major Leaguer to come through Perth?

The Venezuelan shortstop is ranked as the Reds’ No. 7 prospect by MLB Pipeline and was described as one of the best shortstops in the 2025 international signing class.

Aponte made his professional debut at just 17 years old. In 2026, he hit .351 with 11 extra-base hits and 18 RBI across 33 games in the Dominican Summer League.

He’ll be just 19 years old when the ABL season begins.

International partnerships bring MLB and Japanese talent to Australia

I love watching players from different countries express themselves through baseball.

Each ABL team has a partnership with a professional team around the world. It’s one of the best parts of the league. It benefits players, raises the standard of competition, helps with financial costs and assists Team Australia on the world stage.

Since professional baseball began in Australia in 1989, more than 170 players have gone on to reach Major League Baseball after playing in the country, with many others progressing to professional leagues in Japan and Korea. Names like Junior Caminero and Ronald Acuna have graced our league.

This season, clubs have announced players or arrangements involving the following organisations, with more to come in the coming days. Keep your eyes peeled. Let’s start with what has been publicly confimed:

– Chiba Lotte Marines (Adelaide Giants)
– Yomiuri Giants (Adelaide Giants)
– Tokyo Yakult Swallows (Sydney Blue Sox)

– Texas Rangers (Adelaide Giants)
– Philadelphia Phillies (Adelaide Giants)
– Kansas City Royals (Brisbane Bandits)
– Cincinnati Reds (Perth Heat)
– Tampa Bay Rays (Perth Heat)
– Houston Astros (Sydney Blue Sox)
– Texas Rangers (Sydney Blue Sox)

– NC Dinos (Sydney Blue Sox)

When you add it all up, that’s teams from Korea, Japan and the USA confirmed sending teams to Australia!

Here are some headlines within the…er…headlines?

Blue Sox expand international partnerships

The Sydney Blue Sox will welcome players from three major leagues – Korea, Japan and Major League Baseball!

The Houston Astros, NC Dinos and Tokyo Yakult Swallows will send players to Sydney this season.

Players are not yet announced.

Brisbane has three Kansas City Royals prospects heading its way.

The Bandits have announced outfielders Henry Ramos and Roni Cabrera, along with Hiro Wyatt, from the Royals organisation.

Ramos hit .258 with seven home runs, 41 RBI and 20 stolen bases across 99 minor league games in 2026. Cabrera brings a similar combination of speed and power, having recorded nine home runs, 45 RBI and 21 stolen bases in 104 games.

Reports: Five Japanese players heading to Adelaide

The Chiba Lotte Marines have announced infielders Atsuki Tomosugi and Kyuto Ueda, both 25, for the upcoming season. The pair have substantial NPB experience, with Tomosugi appearing in more than 390 top-flight games and Ueda hitting eight home runs in 2026.

Meanwhile, the Yomiuri Giants confirmed three more players on October 21. They are 22-year-old infielder Kota Hirayama, 23-year-old pitcher Yuki Hanada and 24-year-old catcher Tatsuya Sakamoto.

Hirayama brings first-team NPB experience, having played 40 games in 2026, while Hanada recorded a 1.99 ERA in Japan’s minor leagues. All five players are expected to be with Adelaide until December 21.

Perth has eight MLB-affiliated players

The Heat have announced that both the Cincinnati Reds and Tampa Bay Rays will send four players to Western Australia this season.

One to watch is Rays outfielder Slater de Brun, listed as Tampa Bay’s No. 14 prospect by MLB Pipeline in Perth’s announcement. De Brun hit .284 in 2026 and stole 23 bases in just 35 games across Rookie and Single-A baseball.

The Rays’ relationship with Perth has been particularly productive over the years, with players including Junior Caminero and Cristopher Sánchez going on to reach the Major Leagues.

Want to follow the latest roster announcements?

Keep an eye on each team’s official signing tracker as we get closer to opening day:

Return of Kyle Glogoski

Super excited for this one. King Kyle is back.

Glogoski was a member of Australia’s 2023 World Baseball Classic squad and last appeared in the ABL during the 2024-25 season. He’s signed with the Sydney Blue Sox.

The right-hander reached as high as Triple-A in the Philadelphia Phillies organisation in 2021, an impressive achievement for a pitcher who came through the New Zealand baseball system.

New management, ballpark changes in Adelaide

In September, it was announced that Black Pearl Sports Group (BPSG) took over the day-to-day operations and management of the Adelaide Giants, partnering alongside the Pelligra Group.

They also announced a significant investment in fan experience, including new grandstands.

Read about it here.

Three new managers

Here’s another interesting storyline.

Three of the ABL’s four clubs will have new managers in 2026-27.

That’s a lot of new faces in the dugouts for a four-team competition.

Perth Heat: Lance Rymel

The Heat have appointed Lance Rymel as manager.

Rymel brings more than a decade of coaching experience in professional baseball, including his work in the Chicago Cubs organisation.

Adelaide Giants: Landon Lassiter

The defending champions have turned to Landon Lassiter. Lassiter is a development coach in the Texas Rangers organisation, having spent the 2026 season with the High-A Hub City Spartanburgers.

Sydney Blue Sox: Mike Roberts

Sydney have gone with experience, appointing American coach Mike Roberts.

Roberts brings a lengthy background in college baseball and coaching to a Blue Sox club that has made a point of bringing home Australian talent this off-season.

How to watch the ABL in 2026-27

The ABL season begins on November 19, with four teams competing across a 39-game regular season.

The top two teams will advance to the best-of-three ABL Championship Series from January 29-31, hosted by the minor premiers.

If you can’t make it to the ballpark, there are a few ways to follow the action.

In Australia

– Watch through an ABL Access Pass on Baseball+.
– Watch through an existing MLB.TV subscription.

In Japan and Taiwan

– Watch through Baseball+.
– DAZN is also listed on the ABL’s international viewing page, although a new 2026-27 agreement has not yet been separately announced.

Around the world

– Watch through an ABL Access Pass on Baseball+.
– Existing MLB.TV subscribers can also access ABL broadcasts.

All 78 regular-season games and the playoffs will be available on Baseball+, with one selected game each week available free to viewers around the world.

23 October 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

ABL Community

Ten rookie Australians primed for their debut ABL seasons

There’s a good chance you’ve never seen some of these guys play baseball.

Or maybe you have. But I would wager the player you remember from an Australian junior championship might look a whole lot different now…

Every November, the Australian Baseball League brings home players who have spent years developing their game overseas, often largely out of sight of Australian baseball fans.

Some return with professional contracts, others with impressive college numbers, and a few with something to prove.

This year’s group is particularly interesting.

Among the crop, there’s a catcher who homered at the College World Series, an infielder who hit two grand slams in one game, a 7’2 giant from Country NSW, and a Pittsburgh Pirates prospect coming off his first professional season.

Here are 10 of the young Australians I’m particularly looking forward to watching this summer in their first full ABL seasons.

Action starts November 19.

Brent Iredale | INF | Sydney Blue Sox

Of all the Australian players returning to the ABL this summer, Brent Iredale might arrive with the highest profile.

The Sydney infielder is already a pro, and just had a really solid season in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ minor leagues.

Iredale was selected by the Pirates in the seventh round of the 2025 MLB Draft after an impressive college career that took him from New Mexico Junior College to the University of Arkansas.

In college, he was known for his power. At New Mexico in 2024, Iredale hit 25 home runs before transferring to Arkansas, one of the biggest college baseball programs in the United States.

With Arkansas, he hit .286 with 14 home runs, 57 RBI and a .994 OPS across 65 games for the Razorbacks, helping them reach the College World Series in Omaha.

In his first full professional season in 2026, Iredale hit .250 with 16 home runs, 51 RBI and an .882 OPS across 80 minor league games. He was also promoted to High-A by the end of the season.

An encouraging start.

 

Iredale is also a product of Blacktown Workers Baseball Club.

John Lemm | C | Brisbane Bandits

Imagine finishing your college career at the College World Series, signing a professional contract with the St. Louis Cardinals and then coming home to play for the Brisbane Bandits.

That’s been quite a year for John Lemm.

The Brisbane-developed catcher spent 2025 at Southern Illinois, where he smashed 19 home runs with 56 RBI before transferring to the University of Alabama for his final college season.

He didn’t slow down against SEC pitching – widely regarded as the best in the college system. Lemm hit another 10 home runs with 34 RBI for the Crimson Tide, helping Alabama reach the College World Series in Omaha.

Lemm has since signed with the St. Louis Cardinals organisation as an undrafted free agent.

Blake Cavill | INF | Sydney Blue Sox

How do you hit two grand slams in the same game? Ask Blake Cavill.

On May 16, playing for Troy University against Louisiana-Monroe, the Australian infielder launched two grand slams in consecutive innings. He finished with nine RBI, tying a Sun Belt Conference single-game record.

That’s one way to get everyone’s attention.

However, Cavill’s college career is about much more than one extraordinary afternoon.

The Sydney product spent five years playing college baseball in the United States, beginning at Northwest Florida State before moving to Western Kentucky and eventually Troy University.

It was at Troy where he really found his stride. Across the 2025 and 2026 seasons, Cavill played 128 games and hit .293 with 25 home runs, 101 RBI, 117 walks and a .970 OPS.

Those are serious numbers, particularly the walks.

He also played an important role in Troy’s historic 2026 campaign. The Trojans reached the College World Series in Omaha for the first time in school history, even recording their first victory at the tournament.

Cavill has been an impact player wherever he’s gone, including during his junior baseball days in New South Wales, helping Cronulla reach multiple World Series events and playing for his country in junior WBSC World Cups.

Now he’s returning to Sydney, where he made three brief ABL appearances back in 2020.

Tyson Noel | LHP | Perth Heat

At 6-foot-7, Tyson Noel shouldn’t be particularly difficult to spot when he takes the mound for Perth.

The left-hander is returning to Western Australia after four years of college baseball in the United States, where he pitched for Cochise College in Arizona and the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.

Across 53 collegiate appearances, including 46 starts, Noel recorded 209 strikeouts.

His strongest statistical season came in 2024, his first year at Science and Arts of Oklahoma, when he pitched 76.2 innings, struck out 89 hitters and recorded six wins.

He’s a product of the Swans District Baseball Club in Western Australia and represented his state at both the Under-16 and Under-18 Australian Youth Championships. For years, he was one of the young players working his way through the local baseball system.

Noel’s story a nice reminder of why the ABL matters to Australian baseball.

Koskei Partington-Hopes | RHP | Perth Heat

Koskei Partington-Hopes came awfully close to making his ABL debut last summer.

The Perth native joined the Heat ahead of their Round 9 home series against the Sydney Blue Sox in 2025-26. He was named on the roster for the final home series of the season but never made it onto the field.

He will be hoping his first ABL appearance comes in 2026-27.

Partington-Hopes has been developing his game with the Morley Eagles in Western Australia’s Harcher State League, where he’s contributed as both a pitcher and utility player.

Morley have claimed back-to-back State League championships, giving Partington-Hopes experience playing meaningful baseball in one of Australia’s strongest domestic club competitions.

His journey is a little different from some of the other Australians on this list. While many have spent recent seasons developing in American colleges, Partington-Hopes has been working his way through the Western Australian baseball system.

Darcy Barry | INF/OF | Adelaide Giants

Note: this signing was announced before new management of BPSG, but is still listed on the Giants’ website. Consider this one a ‘potential.’

Darcy Barry’s baseball story could be coming full circle.

The former West Torrens and Henley and Grange junior grew up watching the Adelaide Bite and Giants, dreaming of one day playing for his hometown professional club.

He was one of South Australia’s most exciting junior players, representing his state at national championships and earning MVP honours at the 2019 Australian Under-16 Championships.

By 17, he was hitting .430 in South Australia’s Division I competition.

Barry’s game has changed considerably since then.

He left Australia in 2022 to pursue college baseball in the United States, beginning at North Iowa Area Community College. Barry hit just .175 during his final junior college season before moving to Dakota State University.

That’s where the power started to arrive. In 2025, Barry hit 12 home runs, drove in 39 runs and stole 24 bases in 49 games at Dakota State. He followed that with an impressive final college season at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, hitting .277 with 12 home runs, 44 RBI, 23 stolen bases and a .966 OPS.

That’s 24 home runs and 47 stolen bases across his final two college seasons.

Quite the transformation for a player who once relied primarily on contact hitting and speed.

The club announced his signing in August, before Black Pearl Sports Group assumed management. His roster status under the new management group still needs confirmation.

Josh Beezley | RHP | Sydney Blue Sox

Josh Beezley knows what it’s like to pitch for Australia on the international stage.

The right-hander from Wheeler Heights in Sydney’s Northern Beaches represented Australia at the 2024 WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup in China. Now he’s returning home after three seasons at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where he developed into a dependable bullpen arm.

Beezley saved his best for his final college season.

In 2026, he made 29 appearances, posting a 3-0 record with one save and a 3.57 ERA across 40.1 innings. Perhaps most impressively, he walked just nine hitters all season, a significant improvement on the 19 walks he issued in only 24.1 innings the previous year.

He also helped Little Rock win consecutive Ohio Valley Conference Tournament championships and reach the NCAA Super Regionals for the first time in program history.

Beezley began his American college career at National Park College before moving to Little Rock. Now, with five years of college baseball behind him and international experience already on his résumé, he’ll look to establish himself in Sydney’s bullpen.

Beezley is from Manly Baseball Club.

James Boeree | RHP | Sydney Blue Sox

The tallest professional baseball player…ever?

At 7-foot-2, the towering right-hander is one of the tallest players to have competed in professional baseball. Imagine being a hitter trying to pick up a pitch coming from that height.

The tallest minor league player ever, for the record, is former Adelaide Giant / Brisbane Bandit Lock Van Mil (7’1).

Boeree’s baseball journey has taken him from Sydney to American college baseball, independent professional baseball and now back to the ABL.

He spent time at Salt Lake Community College in Utah before moving to the University of Colorado – Colorado Springs.

More recently, he pitched professionally for the Mississippi Mud Monsters in the Frontier League, an independent competition in the United States. Boeree struck out 32 hitters across 35.1 innings with Mississippi.

Boeree made a brief appearance for Sydney during the 2017-18 season, pitching just one inning.

Lachlan Rosser | LHP | Sydney Blue Sox

Here’s another tall, commanding Aussie pitcher heading to the ABL.

Lachlan Rosser is a product of Wollongong baseball who has spent the past two seasons pitching for Hutchinson Community College in Kansas.

The tall left-hander recorded 72 strikeouts across 73.2 innings, holding opposing hitters to a .231 batting average.

Those numbers have helped earn him an opportunity at the next level of American college baseball. Rosser had committed to the University of Nebraska for 2027.

If the name sounds familiar, Rosser also competed for Australia at the 2023 U18 World Cup.

Aidan Torpey | RHP | Sydney Blue Sox

An 11-1 college record is a pretty good way to finish your time in the United States.

That’s the career record Aidan Torpey brings home after four years at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Across 54 appearances for the Vikings, the right-hander struck out 87 hitters while establishing himself as a regular contributor to the pitching staff.

The 25-year-old right-hander was part of two NSIC Championship-winning teams and helped Augustana reach the Division II College World Series in 2023.

Torpey was born in the USA, but raised in Sydney while playing for Manly.

What’s Next?

Can they make the next step in the ABL?

The pitching is more experienced than a low-level minor league system and college.

The rosters include professionals from around the world – including from the NPB, former Major Leaguers, ABL veterans and top prospects from MiLB systems.

Some will be using the summer to prepare for their next professional season overseas. Others will be looking to establish themselves in the ABL and push towards future national team opportunities.

However, for Australian baseball fans, there’s the chance to see what our community helped create.

The 2026-27 ABL season begins November 19.

There are plenty of familiar names returning to the league, but I’m particularly looking forward to watching the next wave.

14 October 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

Community

The Whip Around: Australian Baseball Headlines From the Past Month

There’s always something happening in the world of Australian baseball, and I’m here to let you know a few of the headlines from around the world!

Let’s waste no time jumping into it. But if I missed something big, or just a genuinely cool story, please feel free to fire it through to marketing@baseball.com.au and we can include it in the next edition, or maybe even give it its own story! After all, we’re powered by you.

Let’s rip in.

RIXON WINNING IN JAPAN

Team Australia first baseman Rixon Wingrove has been playing in the Shikoku Island League, an independent professional baseball competition in Japan. Safe to say he’s harnessed his power overseas.

Wingrove and his team, the Tokushima Indigo Socks, were division winners and ultimately won their league championship. Rixon was named Championship MVP.

His season was beastly, too. In 22 games, Wingrove hit .377 with four homers, 12 RBI and a 1.154 OPS.

They advanced to the Japan Regional Professional Baseball League Grand Championship against other league winners from across the country, but ultimately fell in the early rounds. Although, Rixon did slug a homer in the playoffs…

If you want a further Aussie link, Sydney pitcher Josh Gessner played a couple of games alongside Rixon in the early stages of the season.

ALEX HALL LEADS KBO MINOR LEAGUES IN RBI

Alex Hall came through in the clutch in Korea this season. After playing for Australia at the World Baseball Classic, Hall signed with expansion side Ulsan Whales. He played in the KBO Futures League, South Korea’s second-tier professional competition.

In 96 games, Hall led the Futures League with 70 RBI. He hit .265 across the season. Hall was named an All-Star for his efforts.

Hall has re-signed with the Perth Heat for the upcoming ABL season.

BAZZANA-BALL COMES TO THE AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

The dream rookie season continues…

A call-up in April. An All-Star selection in July. A division championship in September. A playoff series win in October.

Now, Travis Bazzana and the Cleveland Guardians are in the American League Championship Series against the Tampa Bay Rays. If they win the best-of-seven series, we will see our first Australian in a World Series since Grant Balfour (2008, Rays). Balfour and Graeme Lloyd are the only Australians to have played in the Fall Classic.

The American League Championship Series schedule is as follows, with all game times listed in Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT).

– Game 1: Tuesday, October 13, 11:00 AM (Cleveland won 7–3)
– Game 2: Wednesday, October 14, 11:00 AM
– Game 3: Friday, October 16, 9:00 AM
– Game 4: Saturday, October 17, 9:00 AM*
– Game 5: Sunday, October 18, 11:00 AM (if necessary)
– Game 6: Tuesday, October 20, 8:00 AM* (if necessary)
– Game 7: Wednesday, October 21, 11:00 AM (if necessary)

JON KENNEDY PITCHING IN KOREAN PLAYOFFS

The Korean baseball playoffs are underway, and an Australian is set to play a key role. Jon Kennedy has pitched in 23 games this season for the LG Twins, posting a 3.80 ERA out of the bullpen with ten holds.

Kennedy’s improvement since arriving in Korea is particularly impressive. After an 8.31 ERA in his first five appearances in August, he posted a 2.25 ERA across 11 September outings, collecting seven holds.

The LG Twins vs Doosan Bears playoff game on Wednesday, October 14, starts at 8:30 PM Sydney time (AEDT). Aussies can watch on SOOP.TV.

Kennedy has already been announced as returning to the ABL with the Brisbane Bandits for the 2026–27 season.

ABL SIGNINGS COMING THROUGH

The ABL is scheduled to kick off in just over a month! Teams are beginning to unveil their rosters.

Brisbane have announced that core Australians like Robbie Perkins, George Callil and Jon Kennedy are returning. The Perth Heat will once again be anchored by Alex Hall. The Sydney Blue Sox have announced the return of the likes of Jaylin Rae and Jo Stevens, while adding some new up-and-coming Aussies like Lachlan Rosser and James Boeree.

In import news, the Heat announced that four Cincinnati Reds prospects and four Tampa Bay Rays prospects are coming to town, including a couple of big-name prospects!

The Adelaide Giants also announced their new coach, with American Landon Lassiter coming Down Under (photo below).

Make sure you follow the ABL on socials. They’ve announced some major news, including that games will be streamed on MLB.TV this season in addition to Baseball+.

On a personal note, I love tuning into Blue Sox Insider, a great podcast hosted by Andrew Reynolds that brings you closer to the behind-the-scenes action of the Blue Sox!

U15 AUSSIES SURGE TO BEST-EVER WORLD CUP FINISH

Australia’s Under-15 National Team has just returned from Mexico and the 2026 WBSC U15 Baseball World Cup. They were a fun team to watch because they clearly had a strong bond, looked like they loved playing ball together, and made notable improvements across the week.

Early in the tournament, walks and errors plagued the young bunch en route to a 1–4 Pool B record. But in the Placement Round, Australia lost by one run to Cuba and played some excellent baseball against Germany and South Africa to finish with a 3–5 record, good for eighth place out of the 12 competing teams.

One of the big moments came vs Germany. With Australia down 1-0 in the sixth, captain Archer Petersen launched a three-run homer to help win the game and end a ten-pitch at-bat.

The result improves on Australia’s previous best finish at a U15 World Cup, ninth in 2018. It also secures some important World Ranking Points.

It’s a cool tournament. The likes of Brice Turang, Luis Arraez, Freddie Freeman and Yordan Alvarez have played in this event. The Dominican Republic’s starting lineup in the gold medal game had more than US$19 million in reported pre-arranged signing money with MLB clubs to their names. Shows you the scale of the event…

AUSTRALIA REMAINS A TOP-TEN BASEBALL COUNTRY

On the theme of World Ranking Points…

WBSC released its latest World Rankings. Baseball World Rankings are unique because they incorporate the U12, U15, U18, U23, Premier12, World Baseball Classic, regional events and qualifiers. Essentially, it’s a measure of how your entire national team program performs, not just the senior men’s squad.

Australia dropped to tenth in the World Rankings, mainly because the Dominican Republic shot up the rankings with their superb finish.

Australia picked up 171 points at the U15 World Cup, closing the gap on ninth-ranked Panama and fending off 11th-ranked Netherlands.

Australia’s next opportunity for points is the U23 World Cup in Nicaragua.

KEY TEAM AUSTRALIA EVENTS INCOMING…

Oh, what a segue!

The first two weeks of November are big ones for the national team and its programs. Australia’s Under-23 National Squad is off to Nicaragua for the Under-23 World Cup.

Meanwhile, Australia’s U24 squad* is off to Japan for the 2026 Asia Professional Baseball Championship (APBC) against Japan, Chinese Taipei and Korea.

I use an * because the ‘under-24’ designation is a little loose at the APBC. Rosters primarily consist of players aged 24 or younger or in their first three professional seasons, with each team permitted up to three overage players aged 29 or younger.

Rosters and team announcements will be coming soon on Baseball.com.au.

BARCLAY CUP FINISHES IN MELBOURNE

This is one of the coolest events in Australian baseball because it harnesses the power of our community.

From September 27 to October 3 at Springvale Baseball Club, the event brought together junior female baseball players aged 13–16 from across the country. Established in 2022, the tournament honours the late, great Jacinda Barclay, a trailblazer who represented Australia at five World Cups and made a huge impression on and off the field.

It not only gives players a chance to compete nationally, but it’s also about developing skills, making connections and having some fun. Unlike traditional state championships, multiple teams from the same state can participate, helping create more opportunities for girls to experience national competition. It’s also an event organised and run by the states themselves.

A major addition in 2026 was the inaugural Under-21 Women’s Invitational, held September 27–30, helping bridge the gap between junior baseball and senior women’s competition.

The Victoria Hornets won the gold medal, but the tournament was about so much more than just the results on the field.

CAM BAHR ARRIVES AT COLLEGE

If you’ve been following the Baseball.com.au account for a while now, the name Cam Bahr will be familiar.

He’s starred on five Western Australian state teams from 2022–2026 at the U16 and U18 levels, while playing a key role with the Eastern Phantoms Charter Program. That includes a Senior League World Series appearance in 2025.

The Morley Eagles product recently arrived at Tyler Junior College in Tyler, Texas, where he’ll continue his baseball journey in the NJCAA Division I program.

He’s one of about 150+ Australians going to school and playing some baseball overseas.

TALES FROM CLUB BALL

The October long weekend has come and gone, which means local baseball is well and truly underway. I thought I’d use this chance to pass on a few accounts from around the country that provide some coverage of local competitions.

If I missed someone, I apologise. I am but a mere mortal! Please pass on any valuable info to marketing@baseball.com.au.

A great starting point is to follow your local state or territory association (for example: Baseball WA, Baseball SA, Baseball Canberra, Baseball Victoria, Baseball NSW, Baseball QLD and Baseball NT).

South Australia: Robert Laidlaw writes fantastic weekly recaps of the men’s and women’s competitions on PlayBall – All Things Baseball and Softball. Baseball SA also updates its website regularly with a monthly newsletter.

Western Australia: Baseball WA posts regular weekly recaps of the Harcher State League on its website. They also livestream select games on their Facebook page. Their podcast is great, too. Hosted by Brendan Sing and Jeremy Sexton, the State League Show is one of a kind in our country. Check them out on YouTube.

Victoria: Baseball Victoria does a good job of posting weekly results on its social media. Their page is absolutely worth a follow.

New South Wales: Love following Mick G Photography for some snaps of local action around the grounds. The clubs’ social media accounts do a good job of keeping you updated, too. The NSW State League Hub on the Baseball NSW website is great as well.

Queensland: The Greater Brisbane League is the one to watch, and the Baseball Queensland website provides a great hub. Make sure you follow each club’s account.

Northern Territory: The BaseballNT account is worth a follow. Kai posts some great recaps of competitions throughout the territory, from the senior competition to battles in Darwin and Alice Springs, and the vibrant women’s comp.

Canberra: They’ve launched a new account, BaseballCBR, so that’s the best way to support local coverage and find some stories.

—

Okay, that’s all I have for now. It’s a lot.

If you made it this far, congrats.

Otherwise, HAVE FUN ENJOYING BASEBALL!

We’ll chat soon.

—

by Eric Balnar | Eric is an Australian-based baseball broadcaster, journalist and storyteller who covers the game from local club diamonds to international World Cups. He’s passionate about sharing the stories of Australian baseball and the people who make the sport special.

06 October 2026 By Staff Writers

By Staff Writers

Community Women's Baseball

Lessons from the WPBL: Four Australian women lead the way in professional competition

For most of their lives, playing professional baseball was never an option for Australia’s best female baseballers. In 2026, that changed.

Ticara Geldenhuis, Claire O’Sullivan, Caitlin Eynon and Molly Paddison can now say something no other Australians can.

They were the first Australians to play in the Women’s Professional Baseball League (WPBL).

The four Aussies were drafted and signed for the inaugural season, which took place across August and September in Springfield, Illinois. Games were broadcast nationally in the United States on ESPN, bringing women’s professional baseball to a major television audience.

Each Australian arrived at the WPBL at a very different point in her baseball journey.

Paddison was 18 and only months removed from graduating high school. Eynon was Australia’s national team captain and became an inaugural WPBL champion. Geldenhuis described the season as one of the biggest periods of growth she has experienced as an athlete. At 31, O’Sullivan finally had the chance to experience something she never thought would exist during her playing career.

Their experiences were different, so let’s get into them! Here is how Australia’s first four WPBL players performed and what they took away from a historic first season.

CAITLIN EYNON | LA QUEENS

Our first champion learns from different cultures

At 23 years old, Australian national team captain Caitlin Eynon has another nice accolade to her name: Australia’s first WPBL champion.

Eynon kept progressing as the season rolled on for the LA Queens, eventually helping them capture the inaugural championship.

Her final regular season stat line: 12 games, a .368 average, one home run, 10 RBI and six doubles.

She ended the regular season on an eight-game hitting streak, going 11-for-24 down the stretch.

That carried into the playoffs, where she hit .440 across eight games on the way to the championship. That included a three-hit performance in the Championship Series, where she doubled and later put LA ahead with a sacrifice fly.

“This is probably the most fun I’ve had playing baseball in a really long time,” she told The IX Sports.

For Eynon, however, some of the biggest value came from the knowledge she gained by playing alongside people from around the world.

She loved learning about the different cultural styles of playing the game.

“We’ve got players from Mexico, from Japan, from Korea, like just being able to play with all these players from all around the world, you just learn different styles of baseball, and it’s good to have so much knowledge that you can just absorb, and then you choose what you wanna play with after that,” she said in the IX article.

Eynon returns to Australia where she is expected to play for Western Australia again at the 2027 Women’s Nationals. She captained Australia at the 2026 WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup Qualifiers and will hope to suit up again for the Finals. A WPBL return could also be on the cards.

Her fascination with learning from other baseball cultures extends beyond the WPBL. Eynon told This Is Women’s Baseball that her previous stint in Japan had already opened her eyes to different approaches.

“It’s cool to gain exposure to different training drills and exercises, learning new tools and learning the ways that other countries build athleticism and strength,” Eynon said. “This was something that was very evident in Japan. They train to move in a very different way than what we do in Australia. It’s also very interesting to learn what data and technology is used around the world to analyze different skillsets.”

After a season alongside players from across the baseball world, Eynon returns home with a championship and plenty of new ideas.

TICARA GELDENHUIS | BOSTON HUNTERS

A transformative experience

Ticara Geldenhuis, like the other three Aussies, went almost directly from Australia’s World Cup Qualifiers campaign to the WPBL.

Her parents even flew over to watch her play. Why would they miss it?

Geldenhuis has been playing baseball since she learned how to properly walk. At 25, she finally had the opportunity to call herself a professional baseball player.

She didn’t take it for granted.

“This is a dream I never thought I’d get to live out so to be sitting here reminiscing on this season is truly a fever dream,” she posted on Instagram.

The New South Wales outfielder hit .250 in 15 games, slugging two home runs with eight RBI.

Her Boston Hunters were eliminated in two games by the San Francisco Fireballs, but Geldenhuis finished strongly, going 4-for-6 across the two playoff games.

The numbers only tell part of her story.

When asked to reflect on what the WPBL experience had given her, Geldenhuis described one of the most transformative periods of her baseball career.

It’s probably best if we let Ticara take this one away…

“From my perspective, the WPBL was one of the biggest periods of growth I’ve experienced as an athlete. I went into the season knowing I was going to be challenged, but I don’t think I fully understood how much I would learn about myself and what it means to perform at a professional level.

One of the biggest things I learned was the importance of having a “goldfish memory.” You have to be able to let go of what happened yesterday, whether it was a great game or a difficult one, and come back the next day ready to learn, compete and get better. There were so many highs and lows throughout the season, and I learned to take something from every day without allowing one performance to define the next. I really learned what it means to show up day in and day out.

The culture within the WPBL was also something really special. It was one of the most supportive and powerfully positive environments I’ve experienced in baseball. Being surrounded by athletes and coaches who genuinely wanted to see each other succeed gave me the confidence to step outside of my comfort zone. I felt like I had the freedom to take risks, make mistakes, try things differently and really push the boundaries of my game. That gave me the courage to take some leaps as an athlete that I might not have been comfortable taking before.

I also learned what it means to compete with some of the best athletes in the world. The level of competitiveness was different to anything I had experienced before. Every day you were competing against players who are incredibly talented, athletic and driven, and there was no opportunity to switch off. It forced me to raise my standards and really understand what professional-level consistency looks like. I was also lucky enough to learn from some of the amazing athletes on my team, not just skill wise but who have been around the game at the highest level for many years.

I definitely feel like I got better as the season went on, but I think my biggest growth was in the way I approached the game. I became more adaptable, more confident and more willing to challenge myself. I learned to trust my preparation, embrace discomfort and keep moving forward regardless of what happened the day before.

I’m really excited to bring that back to Australia — not just the technical things I’ve learned, but the mindset, the standards and the culture. I want to share that experience with the next generation of Australian female baseballers and hopefully help them believe that they can take those same leaps too.”

MOLLY PADDISON | BOSTON HUNTERS

Learning how to be a pro

Molly Paddison was just 18 years old throughout the inaugural season, making her one of the youngest players in the competition.

For someone who only graduated high school in November, it has been quite a year.

Paddison represented Queensland at the Australian Women’s Championships, earned her first roster spot with the Emeralds, played in her first WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup event and then became a professional baseball player in the inaugural WPBL season.

Paddison finished the season 13-for-51 (.255) with three RBI and a stolen base.

For the teenager, the professional environment taught her how much the small details matter.

“I had a bigger purpose behind everything I did, whether that was getting enough sleep the night before a game or focusing on the little skills I was learning at practice,” she said. “It made me realise how important everything you do, both on and off the field, can be when it comes to your performance.”

She also began to understand what she needs from herself.

“I learnt more about what I personally need to do to perform at my best, while also learning how different players approach and play the game,” she said. “I feel like my defence improved, especially in the outfield, where I picked up a lot of little tips and tricks that I can bring back to Australia.”

At 18, Paddison has already experienced something generations of Australian women’s baseball players before her never had the opportunity to experience.

The good thing is now she knows a little more about what being a professional actually requires.

CLAIRE O’SULLIVAN | NEW YORK HEIGHTS

Gratitude, growth and living a baseball life

Claire O’Sullivan became one of the WPBL’s genuine two-way threats.

On the mound, she posted a 3.06 ERA across 16 innings and six appearances. At the plate, she hit .407 with a home run and eight RBI in 13 games.

Yet her reflections on the season have focused less on those numbers and more on gratitude.

“What a ride. An experience I never thought I’d get in my lifetime, and one that makes me so thankful through everything, that younger me didn’t give up,” she wrote on Instagram after the season.

For O’Sullivan, 31, those words carry some weight.

When she was growing up, becoming a professional baseball player wasn’t something she could realistically aspire to. She explained that perspective in a must-read interview with Channel Nine during the season.

“It was never even a thought that crossed my mind when I was a kid. Baseball was always going to be second-choice purely because I couldn’t make money from it,” she said. “But I’ve dropped everything so that I could come do this because it’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing for me.”

O’Sullivan certainly made the most of that opportunity. Her experience also gave her ideas about where the WPBL could go next.

“Getting around to all the different areas of America would be great for the sport. At the moment we are in the one location for the whole season which limits the number of people who are able to see our games,” she said.

For an even deeper insight into O’Sullivan’s experience, she joined Amy McCann on Women’s Baseball: The Inside Pitch after the season. It’s probably best you go there and listen.

O’Sullivan spoke about the demanding transition to professional baseball after moving from club baseball in Japan into the WPBL. Her journey to the league included flight cancellations and visa delays before she finally arrived in the United States and pitched four innings on the same day.

It was quite an introduction to professional baseball, as the game continued to bring her lessons.

“I learned how to [better] mentally re-set,” O’Sullivan told WBIP. “It’s really important to have a process of how you mentally reset. Something that helps me is no matter what happens I always get to eat dinner that day. I come home, I eat, I get my recovery and wake up the next day with a fresh perspective.”

O’Sullivan details her weekly schedule, including eating, practicing, playing and how to embrace just being a full time player.

Congratulations on becoming a pro, Claire – and leading the

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