06 November 2026
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.
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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.”
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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.
