30 December 2024
Australian Youth Championships
Western Australia figures to be a strong contender with each age group.
Can everything come together as Western Australia chases double gold?
For all your tournament information, head to www.baseball.com.au/ayc2025/.
29 December 2024
- Aussies Abroad College Baseball Community
One of Australia’s most promising infield prospects has committed to college.
17-year-old South Australian infielder Zach Altamura has committed to New Mexico Junior College – a school with a track record of propelling Aussies onwards and upwards.
It was a big decision for Altamura, a product of Sturt Baseball Club, whose solid track record of success landed him multiple offers.
Altamura won the 2023 Under 16 National Championship MVP, was key in Team Australia’s U18 World Cup Qualifying Series over New Zealand, has made his ABL debut with the Adelaide Giants, and attended two MLB International Trips.
Altamura says conversations with the program’s head coach helped give him confidence in his school selection.
“He was clear where he sees me playing. That, as well as the program’s recent success in getting players to the next level there was no doubt New Mexico Junior College was the place for me,” says Altamura.
New Mexico Junior College has been an excellent option for Australians lately and helped propel them to success.
New South Wales infielder Brent Iredale graduated from New Mexico last year after putting together one of the best year’s in school history.
There are two other Australians on the active roster right now – Callum Donnelly and Josh Marshall.
” The program’s success with Brent was another factor that led to my decision in choosing to commit to NMJC,” says Altamura.
Altamura has grown up around a baseball diamond. He started playing at eight years old and played all of his junior baseball there.
Now, Altamura is the starting shortstop on a prolific Division 1 side. He was a key part of the team’s 2024 South Australian Championships.
“I have had many influential people and coaches over my baseball journey,” Altamura says. “My coaches at Sturt, Tom Winter and Matt Williams as well as my high performance coach Austin Gallagher have had major influences on the player I am today. As well as this my parents have supported me throughout my entire journey and I wouldn’t have had this opportunity without them.”
Altamura is known as being a solid defender, good runner and contact hitter.
He says there are still lots of things to work on.
“When I first get on campus I plan to increase my strength and weight to ensure I can keep up with the physical demands of college,” he says. I hope to keep improving all aspects of my game so I can be consistent at the next level.”
Altamura will suit up for South Australia at the upcoming U18 National Championships.
29 December 2024
Australian Youth Championships Corporate News
CARVE Eyewear will be rewarding peak performance at the 2025 Australian Youth Championships.
The performance eyewear company and Baseball Australia finalised an agreement in time for January’s pinnacle youth baseball event.
For the first two days of each individual event – U16 and U18 – we will name a ‘Carve Performer of the Day’ for each team in the tournament.
The winner of each team will receive sunglasses courtesy of Carve.
Carve’s performance eyewear blends cutting-edge technology with sleek design to ensure optimal clarity, comfort and protection in every athletic pursuit.
Their products are crafted for sport. You can view their performance products here.
CARVE will also have a stall present from January 9-13 offering a wide selection of gear.
CARVE’s sunglasses are engineered with advanced UV protection, ensuring maximum defence against harmful rays during long hours on the field.
The impact-resistant lenses provide robust durability, perfect for the dynamic and fast-paced nature of baseball. Additionally, our anti-glare lens configurations enhance visual clarity, allowing players to maintain optimum depth perception even in the brightest conditions.
Ensuring highest technical standards, CARVE Eyewear delivers exceptional value, making top-tier performance sunglasses accessible to all Baseballers.
Elevate your game, your own way with CARVE Eyewear—where innovation meets affordability.
23 December 2024
- Aussies Abroad College Baseball
A star of Australia’s U18 National Team at the recent World Cup Qualifying Series has committed to a leading junior college baseball program.
Victorian infielder Andrew Land has committed to Arizona Western Junior College, a prominent program coming of a 37-17 season.
Land says he chose Arizona Western on reputation.
“It has a a reputation for player development and the reputation for Aussies and moving them on to bigger and better things,” says Land. “My goal is to eventually go D1 and then professional and I believe Arizona Western will be the best fit for me to achieve my goals.”
Other Australians like fellow Victorians Felix Brunner and Bronson Neave already attend Arizona Western.
Melbourne Aces utility man, and former Mariners prospect, Jarrod Belbin attended Arizona Western as did two-time U23 World Cup representative Jack Waters.
Land will head to college in August, 2025. He intends to play summer ball before the school season starts.
Land is a left-handed bat with a smooth swing. He has power to all parts of the field. He has some speed, so he can steal base paths.
“I’I’m a versatile and reliable fielder who can play any position if needed,” he says. “My [strength] is my contact attribute as I work on hitting the most. I have also had lots of success in previous tournaments because of my hitting.”
He recently played in the Perfect Game World Wood Bat Tournament in Fort Myers and for Australia at the U18 World Cup Qualifiers.
He went 8-for-18 with six RBI and 3BB in five games vs New Zealand.
“I believe these events prepared me for the speed of play as well as the level of play that I will need to reach in order to perform at the college level,” he says.
In the meantime, Land will compete for Victoria at the upcoming U18 National Championships.
Land is from Newport Baseball Club. He follows in the footsteps of his father who he calls a “huge inspiration.”
He’s also worked with ex MLB player Gift Ngoepe.
“He was the first African Born MLB player and I take inspiration from him as well,” says Land.
At Arizona Western, Land says he hopes to develop some physical aspects.
“My development at Arizona Western will consist of me getting bigger, faster and stronger by lots of gym work, running, and lots of games and training on the field,” he says.
“I hope to become more consistent in all fields of baseball and get more power in my hitting and more velocity across the diamond. I want to cement myself as the Arizona Western shortstop and make a name for myself and for Australian baseball. I want to inspire the next generation to Chase their dreams and never give up if they really want it.”
Do you have news of an Australian baseball player abroad or committing to college? I’d love to hear about it! Email me at eric.balnar@baseball.com.au.
20 December 2024
Baseball WA and Baseball Australia are thrilled to announce Andrew Kyle as an Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Gen32 Coaching Scholarship Recipient.
Andy will follow in the footsteps of Baseball Queensland Performance Program Manager Shayne Watson, who was selected to the program in 2022.
Andy will enter the program to develop his skills and expertise as a coach while having the opportunity to coach full-time.
“This is such a fantastic opportunity for a long-time leader in Western Australian baseball, specifically High Performance and the Australian Baseball League,” Baseball WA CEO Lachlan Dale said.
“Thank you to Michael Crooks, Baseball Australia General Manager – Performance Pathways & Player Development, and Shayne Watson for the support in making this a reality and showcasing baseball as a worthy recipient of this scholarship. We are so proud of Andy and congratulate everyone involved in a great result for baseball.”
Andy will remain based in WA and will be further integrated into BA national team activity while delivering great outcomes for WA athletes.
AIS Gen32 was created in 2022 to enhance the depth and diversity within Australia’s high performance coaching ranks ahead of the home Olympic Games in Brisbane and provides emerging or early-career coaches with a two-year paid internship in the nation’s top sporting programs.
Andy is part of a 30-strong group of up-and-coming coaches that will work across 23 sports.
“Coaching is a key focus in the remaining eight years to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games because you can’t have world-class athletes without world-class coaches,” Executive General Manager of AIS Performance Matti Clements said.
“The AIS Gen32 Coach Program is a partnership with our national sporting organisations and National Institute Network, with 29 coaches having a career-changing experience over the first two years of the program.”
The 2025-26 AIS Gen32 Coach Program will run from January 2025 to December 2026. For more information visit www.ais.gov.au/people-development/national-generation-2032-coach-program
09 December 2024
Hello baseball friends!
Eric Balnar from Baseball.com.au, the Australian Baseball League and Team Australia here.
One of my favourite moments of the week is a Monday after we have posted a status on Baseball.com.au social media asking for your favourite baseball moments from around the country.
This week produced some great responses. You can view the post here.
I want them to live in on forever, so consider this story a way to share with the community some cool moments across the country.
If you have a good story or something feel good I would love to hear about it. If I am interested in it, chances are other likeminded baseball family across the country will be too!
How about you email me at eric.balnar@baseball.com.au?!
Anyway, on to the pos…
Some great comments include:
– Jenine Brown: “Flinders University Baseball plating 20 runs, 19 of which were RBI’s. Every player in the line-up contributing”
– Grant Cole: “
” (we assume you talking about the Aces, right?!)
– Alicia Bowen: “Definitely watching the U18s do their thing in a clean sweep against NZ. Great sportsmanship and some serious talent out there!!”
– Jason Newell: “The effort of all the ground crews to get baseball in today. Hats off to all involved.”
But now….
Mick Goddard: “The Blue Sox winning three against the Cavalry.”
BMC Cavill: “Watching the 18U Aussie Boys win five games to gain entry to the 18U 2025 World Cup plus some important international ranking points.”
Ol Gators: “The canteen lady trying her hardest to get state league games on by digging trenches around the fences with the rest of the volunteers at the ground. Great work Curly”
Nicole Stevens: “Our girls today after winning the Gaynor Cup today”
Hayden Peoples: “The Chair Photo”
Jeanette Williams: “Father/Daughter success, sharing in the Hills victory at the inaugural Gaynor Cup. What a great achievement from Coach Dad and Daughter!!”
Keira Birtles: “Our girls making history winning the first ever Gaynor Cup – what a testament to their teamwork and camaraderie 
“
Alison Perrin: “A Melbourne Aces Clean Sweep”
Shannon Bickel: “We should also acknowledge an Dawg Todd Cougar Grattan getting his 100th SO
28 November 2024
Australian Youth Championships
JANUARY 10 UPDATE: If there are any weather updates, they will be communicated at the top of this page: www.baseball.com.au/aychub. You can also click AYC 2025 Hub at the top menu of the website to access.
FOR MASTER TOURNAMENT HUB, CLICK HERE: www.baseball.com.au/ayc2025.
—
One of the most exciting weeks of the Australian Baseball calendar will return to Blacktown, NSW from January 7-15.
State pride and passion is on the line, as the best U16 and U18 baseball players from across Australia head to Sydney for the marquee event over seven days.
Upwards of sixteen different MLB teams will have a presence at the event, looking to uncover talent.
It’s a pathway all of Australia’s best players have competed in – from past MLB stars like Graeme Lloyd, to current Big Leaguers like Curtis Mead, to recent minor league signings like Max Durrington or Ali Tanner – the country’s top talent will be here.
Here is all you need to know about the tournament:
Click the image below to head to each tournament’s hub for standings, results, stats and info.
Broadcast:
Every Diamond 1 game will be broadcast with multiple cameras and commentary. It will be available on Baseball+.
Baseball+ is now an app that can be downloaded on your smartphone. For links to download and more information, please click here.
The Diamond 2 and 3 games will be scored live on GameChanger with the intention of a single-camera feed available to watch (no audio). We will post on this page when the link is available.
Scoring:
All games will be scored through GameChanger. It will be free for all to access.
U18 Link: Click here.
U16 Link: Click Here.
The best bet is to download the GameChanger App, create an account and search your state’s age bracket and state abbreviation. Example: “U16 SA” or “U16 QLD” or “U18 WA” or “U18 NSWC”. Then click follow. The location of the event is Rooty Hill, NSW if you are using the search bar.
Note: For full functionality of GameChanger, you will need at least a “plus” account. You can register for a free trial with a new email address which last seven days – the length of the tournament.
Program & Playing Numbers: Click here to view
Coverage:
There is a professional photographer & videographer on hand to capture some great moments. We will post daily recaps, photos and stat updates on Baseball.com.au as the tournament progresses.
Please follow Baseball.com.au on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).
The 2025 schedule has been released! Download the schedule from the links below.
Program, Playing Numbers & Original Schedule: Click here to view. Please note that due to rain there has been changes to the schedule. Please check the tournament hub daily for schedule.
Here’s how the tournament will work:
– All seven teams play each other once in Round 1
– The top four teams advance to the finals
– Double-elimination bracket will determine national champion
You’ll notice a new team on the schedule in the Under 16 division: The Roos.
Unfortunately, Baseball Canberra is unable to field a team at the 2025 Australian U16 Youth Championships.
Baseball Australia wanted to make sure that the number of teams at the event remained consistent as planned, while also ensuring that opportunities for 140 players were available for players across the country at both age groups.
With BNSW already fielding two teams (State and Country), an opportunity presented itself where additional players from the next two largest baseball states, Queensland and Victoria, could be afforded opportunities to players who would ordinarily be friendship players for the Baseball Canberra team.
There are 10 players from Queensland and 10 players from Victoria on the Roos. They’Each state will also contribute towards the coaching staff to ensure that opportunities are provided to coaches similar to the opportunity provided to players.
The Roos will be wearing the indigenous artwork of Team Australia continuing the theme of representation of our entire community.
Program & Playing Numbers: Click here to view
23 November 2024
Australia has qualified for the 2025 WBSC U18 World Baseball Cup after defeating New Zealand in a best-of-five series in Blacktown by a score of 5-0.
Australia will play at the World Cup in Japan, 2025.
Game recaps are below. Scroll down for rosters and info.
LIVE SCORING LINK: Follow on Game Changer
Live Update: Australia leads best-of-five series 2-0.
Game 1 – Thursday 5 December – Australia 10 def New Zealand 0
Game 2 – Thursday 5 December – Australia 4 def New Zealand 2
Game 3 – Friday 6 December – Australia 19 def New Zealand 6
Game 4 – Sunday 8 December – Australia 11 def New Zealand 1
Game 5 – Sunday 8 December – Australia 5 def New Zealand 0
Game 5 – Australia 5 def New Zealand 0
Four Australian pitchers combined to one-hit New Zealand to wrap up the series.
Riley Peoples (3.0 innings), Mitch Evans (2.0 innings), Deakin Filko (1.0 innings) and Will Couzner (1.0) looked in fantastic form in the win.
New Zealand managed just one hit in the seance inning. The pitchers combined to strike out six batters and allowed just one walk.
Zach Altamura cashed in the first run of the game in the first inning on a two-out RBI single.
Ben Nesbit helped score a pair in the second to push Australia out to a 3-0 lead. Christian Lane and Riley Cooper each drove in a run to round out the scoring in the fifth.
It’s Australia’s fifth victory in the five game series.
Game 4 – Australia 11 def New Zealand 1
Australia has jumped out to a 4-0 series lead after another impressive batting display.
Max Durrington chipped in with three hits and two walks from the lead-off spot. Riley Cooper led the offence, going 2-for-4 with four RBI.
Australia came firing out of a cannon. They opened play with a pair of singles to Max Durrington & Ben Nesbitt.
Andrew Land followed by doubling in the first run. Three straight walks led to two more runs.
Riley Cooper soared Australia away with a two RBI single.
5-0 Australia, all before the first out.
Mason Malkoun added a sixth run with a ground out RBI.
Australia added two more in the sixth, and another pair in the seventh.
On the mound, Ethan Bickell provided a great start. He went 4.0 innings allowing just three hits, one run, two walks while striking out four.
Damien Wilson and Tyler Howarth closed things out for the Aussies.
Game 3- Australia 19 def New Zealand 6
It took about six hours because of rain & lightning delays, but Australia brought the thunder on Friday afternoon to take a 3-0 series lead.
The win guarantees a best-of-five series victory for Australia, with two games still to be played. We’re going to the U18 World Cup!
Ten different Australians reached in this one. Tahlan Cavill and Ben Nesbit each had two hits. Cavill had four RBI.
Max Durrington and Andrew Land secured a pair of base knocks for Australia.
Zach Altamura had three walks, Mason Malkoun had two.
Nesbit and Land also chipped in with 3 RBI.
Australia stormed ahead with a seven run third inning to put the game beyond reach for the Kiwis.
Game 2 – Australia 10 def New Zealand 0
Australia is knocking on the door of the 2025 Under-18 World Cup after a hard-fought win over New Zealand to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series.
A strong start from Mitch Evans on the mound and a pivotal fifth inning loomed large for the Aussies in the win.
All players in the starting line-up reached base.
Seven different Australians combined for eight hits: Mason Malkoun, Max Durrington, Ben Nesbit (x2), Zach Altamura, Andrew Land, Christian Lane and Riley Cooper.
Liam Kiddle and Cooper Teichmann had walks.
Altamura and Land had the RBIs for Australia.
Mitch Evans (SA) was superb in his start. He threw 4.0 innings, allowing one hit, two walks and struck out four.
Australia put their first runs on the board with a two-out rally in the third. Zach Altamura (SA) cashed in his fourth RBI of the day with a single which was promptly followed by an RBI single Andrew Land (VIC) to double the lead.
New Zealand cut the lead in half in the fifth off a sacrifice fly.
But another two-out rally in the fifth proved to be the difference for the Aussie hosts.
With the bases loaded, Riley Cooper singled in a run. A walk to Liam Kiddle and just like that, Australia earned a 4-1 advantage.
The runs were important because New Zealand wouldn’t quit. They added a run of an RBI from H. Wong and had two base-runners on with one out.
Australian pitchers Will Couzner and Riley Peoples held their nerve, striking out two batters to escape the jam.
Peoples continued his fine form in the seventh & final inning, working a 1-2-3 frame.
Australia returns to the diamond for Game 3 on Friday at 3:00PM. They lead the best-of-five series 3-0.
Game 1 – Australia 10 def New Zealand 0
Photo: Damien Garth. Recap: Eric Balnar.
Australia has secured a run-rule victory in the first game of five-game qualification series for the 2025 U18 World Cup.
It was a full-blown team effort with multiple characters contributing on the box score.
Max Durrington, Andrew Land and Zac Altamura all had two hits.
Andrew Land (VIC) opened the scoring for Australia in the first with a two-RBI single. They added another with a bases-loaded walk to lead 3-0 after one.
Zac Altamura (SA, below)) soared the Aussies in front with a bases clearing double in the second inning to push the scoreline to 7-0.
A Ben Nesbit sacrifice fly moved the score to 8-0 in the third.
New South Wales pitcher Damien Wilson turned in a great start for the Aussies. He went 3.1 innings allowing just four hits while strikeout out six.
South Australian Tyler Green followed with 2.1 innings of one-hit work with one strikeout.
Australia next plays at 3:00PM with a 1-0 series lead.
There has also been a roster adjustment. Queensland outfielder Liam Kiddle and Queensland catcher Cooper Teichmann have been added to the squad ahead of the qualifying event. The updated roster is below.
23 November 2024
Australia’s littlest national team is off to try to qualify for the 2025 U12 World Cup.
Australia is in Guam to compete with Guam and Northern Mariana Islands in games between November 29, 2024 and December 2, 2024.
UPDATE: THEY HAVE QUALIFIED!
Here you will find tournament information, roster details and results.
To qualify, Australia must either go undefeated in a double round-robin tournament, or qualify in the top two and play in a Gold Medal game.
The tournament will not be live streamed, but will be live scored. When the links are available we will post them here, with game recaps below. It appears games will be scored on the WBSC website by clicking here.
Game 1 – Friday 29 Nov – Australia 26 def North Mariana Islands 1
Game 2 – Sat 30 Nov – Guam 12 def Australia 5
Game 3 – Sat 30 Nov – Australia 19 def North Mariana Islands 6
Game 4 – Sun 1 Dec – Australia 16 def Guam 0
GOLD MEDAL GAME – Australia vs Guam, 11:30AM AEDT on Monday 2 December.
GOLD MEDAL GAME – Australia beats Guam to advance to the 2025 U12 World Cup
The Australian bats came ready to play,
Nine different players had runs for Australia. Eight different players combined for thirteen hits.
Guam scored first, leading 2-0 heading to the bottom of the first.
Then the Australians stormed home. Six in the first, two in the second, five in the third, six in the fourth. All of a sudden, a 19-4 scoreline.
There were numerous impressive offensive performances.
Harvey Ninnis, Jack Clarke, Liam Kelly and Ben Beezley all scored three runs. Clarke, Phillip Toye and Izzy Astill each had two hits.
Phillip Toye led the team with four RBI.
Ezekiel Coughlin and Izaac Johnson each pitched for Australia.
BATTING STATS
2B :(1) CLARKE, Jack
RBI :(1) MCCARTHY, Billy;(1) NEEDS, Koen;(1) MONCRIEFF, Felix;(2) KELLY, Liam;(1) BEVAN, Reef;(1) HARRIS, Jackson;(4) TOYE, Phillip;(1) BEEZLEY, Benjamin;(1) ASTILL, Isaiah;(1) COUGHLIN, Ezekiel;(1) JOHNSON, Izaac
BB :(1) MCCARTHY, Billy;(1) CLARKE, Jack;(3) KELLY, Liam;(1) BEVAN, Reef;(1) TOYE, Phillip;(3) BEEZLEY, Benjamin;(1) ASTILL, Isaiah;(1) COUGHLIN, Ezekiel;(2) JOHNSON, Izaac.
The U12 World Cup will be played in Tainan, Chinese Taipei from July 25 – August 3.
Game 4 – Australia defeats Guam to set up a gold medal clash
Australia won a must-win game over Guam to set up a Gold Medal medal at the U12 World Cup Qualifiers.
Preston Taylor pitched all four innings in the Australian win, allowing just one hit. He had four strikeouts and with the bat tallied an RBI.
The game was tied entering the third but Australia put up 14 runs in that inning. They added two more in the fourth before the game was called due to rule rule.
Guam made 15 errors in the loss.
Harvey Ninnis led the team with two hits.
Australia and Guam finish the double round robin tied with a 3-1 record. Tomorrow at 10:30AM local time, 11:30AM in Sydney, Australia will battle for a spot in the U12 World Cup in the Gold Medal Game. Their opponent? Guam.
Game 3 – Australia 19 def North Mariana Islands 6
Australia has bounced back after a morning loss with a resounding win.
The Aussies were trailing 3-2 in the second before taking the lead with two runs in the bottom of the frame, and exploding for eight runs in the third.
Reef Bevan and Izaak Johnson each scored three runs. Jack Clarke and Bevan led Australia with two hits apiece.
As a team, Australia combined for eight hits and eight walks.
Australia will need to beat Guam tomorrow to force a Gold Medal Decider Game to see who qualifies for the World Cup.
Game 2 – Guam 12 def Australia 5
Australia has dropped a game in the U12 Qualifiers to Guam.
The tournament hosts broke a 2-2 deadlock in the fourth with an RBI from Chad Atalig. Guam scored two in the fourth and five in the fifth to take a commanding 9-2 lead.
Australia fought their hardest to get back in the game, clawing back three runs in the bottom of the fifth. But Guam drew back with three runs of their own.
Phillip Toye, Ben Beezley and Harvey Ninnis had Australia’s hits.
Australia falls to 1-1 at the World Cup Qualifier while Guam improves to 2-0. Australia next plays this afternoon at 2:30PM AEDT vs North Mariana Islands.
Australia will likely need to beat Guam tomorrow afternoon to force a Gold Medal Game decider to advance to the World Cup.
Game 1 – Australia 26 def North Mariana Islands 1
An incredible full team effort in their first game together! 15 different Australian players scored a run in a big win to start the tournament.
Brock Harding, Isiah Astill, and Phillip Toye each had two hits as the team combined for 13 base knocks on the afternoon.
Toye led the team with 3 RBI and had a big double.
Izaac Johnson, Preston Taylor and Ezekiel Coughlin each pitched 1.1 innings. Coughlin had three strike outs to lead all Aussie pitchers.
Australia scored six in the first, eleven in the second, and nine in the third.
Australia also took care of the baseball. They only walked two batters while they earned fifteen base on balls as a group when at the plate.
The boys and girls will rest up for a big double-header of game tomorrow.
CURRENT STANDINGS
Here’s how it works:
– Each team will play each other twice;
– If one team goes undefeated (four wins), they will be declared the winner of the qualifier;
– If no team is undefeated, the top two teams will play in the finals
18 players have been named to the Qualification Squad. The list is below.
– Nov 27: Profile on Audrey Cheung
20 November 2024
Team Australia will play at home once again.
Hosted by the Melbourne Aces and the Victorian Government, Team Australia will play in a three-game series, showcasing a truly “International” Baseball Showdown, vs the Hanhwa Eagles.
Proudly supported by the Victorian Government through the Significant Sporting Events Program, the Eagles will train at Melbourne Ballpark from 25th January to 19th February 2025, culminating with the International Baseball Showdown series, played over 3 days from February 14th-16th 2025.
Steve Dimopoulos, Victoria’s Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events said he’s excited to welcome the Hanwha Eagles back to Melbourne for the three-game series in 2025.
“Victoria is the home of major events in Australia and the Melbourne Ballpark is the ideal venue for world class baseball.”
“We’re excited to host yet another elite sporting event thanks to the Significant Sporting Events Program.”
The Showdown set a record crowd attracting more than 4,000 fans across the two games, with Hanwha sweeping the inaugural series.
“It’s an honour for Team Australia to play in front of our fans here in Melbourne, especially against an international team of the Hanwha Eagles’ calibre,” said Baseball Australia CEO, Glenn Williams.
“These games wouldn’t be possible without the invaluable support of the Victorian Government, and we look forward to putting on an exciting display of baseball in February.”
For Melbourne Ballpark, the Aces relationship with the Eagles benefitted the facility – which included building a new practice field last year.
“The Hanwha Eagles are pleased to announce our return to Melbourne, drawn by the city’s excellent facilities, favorable training environment, warm weather, and little time difference with South Korea,” said General Manager of the Hanwha Eagles, Mr Son Hyuk.
“I extend my sincere gratitude to the Melbourne Aces and the Victorian Government for their invaluable support, allowing our players to dedicate themselves entirely to training during this period.”
“In addition to return matches against the highly competitive Australian national baseball team, the Eagles are looking forward to delivering an exceptional performance in the upcoming KBO league after the Melbourne spring training.”
Melbourne Aces General Manager – Justin Huber, is excited to see the event return in 2025.
“After such an overwhelming success, I just can’t wait to bring this event to Melbourne Ballpark again in February,” said Huber.
“The Hanwha Eagles are fast becoming a big part of the Aces community, we love hosting their spring training, and to be able to see this event come to life, with all that Australian baseball has to offer on show, is a dream come true.”
Tickets are now available for pre-sale for all 2024/25 Melbourne Aces members by logging into your member account or calling the Melbourne Aces Box Office on 03 8360 9371. Tickets will go on sale to the public shortly after through the Aces Website.
18 November 2024
Australia wrapped up its 2024 Premier12 campaign with a 5-2 loss to Korea at Tianmu Stadium in Taipei on Monday afternoon.
Three errors in the field, missed opportunities and a massive performance from Korean All-Star slugger Kim Doyeong led to the Korean victory.
Kim was an imposing force in the batter’s box. He went 3-for-4 with four RBI and a critical two-run homer in the sixth to sail Korea ahead.
Not long before the dagger home run, Liam Spence (below) had just pulled the Aussies back within one with his second hit of the afternoon.
Australia had their chances. They had bases loaded with nobody out in the fifth, and runners on the corners with one out in the sixth. Australia scored just one run each of those innings.
Meanwhile, Korea capitalised off Australian miscues.
Only one of their first three runs were earned. Australia made three errors in the first four innings which helped extend Korean innings.
“Defense and limiting free bases has not been where it needs to be the last two nights,” said Australia’s hitting coach Chris Adamson at the post game presser. “It’s going to continue to be a focal point for us and something we need to clean up.”
Australia finishes the Premier12 with a 1-4 record. They will have to await the outcome of tonight’s Japan / Dominican Republic & Cuba / Chinese Taipei games to see where they finish.
If Chinese Taipei & Japan both win, Australia will finish fourth in the group, and seventh overall in the tournament.
“Overall, we’re disappointed. That’s not where we wanted to be or think we should be,” said Adamson. “But there’s a lot of good foundations and young players coming through.”
Liam Spence led Australia in batting, collecting two of Australia’s five hits. Tim Kennelly, Rixon Wingrove & Darryl George had the other base knocks.
Australia used seven pitchers in the loss: Tim Atherton, Steve Kent, Josh Guyer, Warwick Saupold, Sam Holland, Coen Wynne and Todd Van Steensel. They combined to allow 10 hits, three walks and three earned runs.
BOX SCORE: Click here
Some sloppy play hurt the Australians.
Three Aussie errors in the first four kept extending batting innings for Korea and helped put runs on the board.
Of Korea’s first three runs, only one was earned. Australian pitching had its moments.
Tim Atherton had a huge bases loaded strikeout in the second to keep the game scoreless, bailing out a defensive error.
Darryl George also kept a run off the board off a funny deflection.
Kim Doyeong picked up his first RBI in the third, a single up the middle against Steve Kent.
Korea had their breakthrough in the fourth inning, to no fault of pitcher Josh Guyer.
In wet conditions, Chang-Ki Hong dribbled a ball down the line off a half-hearted swing.
It hugged the foul line between home and first, keeping the inning alive.
Guyer induced a weak ground ball to Shin Minjae. The ball rolled between first base and the pitcher but a slightly arrant throw from Rixon Wingrove allowed Minjae to reach and a run to score.
The next batter Kim Doyeong singled to left. 3-0.
Australia loaded the bases in the fifth with no outs.
But an Ulrich Bojarski strike-out, Jarryd Dale ground out, and Aaron Whitefield left them juiced. Travis Bazzana picked up the RBI with a bases-loaded walk to push the lead to 3-1.
Australia pressured again in the sixth. They had two on and one out. Liam Spence was able to grab his second hit of the night in his first Premier12 start.
“In a word, ‘no’, I am not surprised with Liam today,” said Adamson. “He is the ultimate professional and he took the opportunity presented with two hands and I think he’s going to be a large part of this team going forward.”
It didn’t take long for Korea to return serve after the Spence RBI.
Kim Dayeong continued his impressive day, launching a two-run homer off Sam Holland to extend the advantage back out to three. It was his fourth RBI and third hit of the day.
Coen Wynne kept Australia in the fight from there. Wynne, in his third appearance of the tournament, tossed 1.1 innings allowing just one hit with one strikeout.
Todd Van Steensel also pitched a perfect eighth inning.
Australia was sat down without a baserunner in the final two innings.
“Overall I think it’s a bit of a changing of the guard,” said Adamson in summary of the tournament. “We have some young talent, and we have some older players, and young pitchers like Coen Wynne continues to go strength to strength, so there’s a lot to build on. There’s exciting talent coming through.”
A huge thank you to our family and friends for coming to support.
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