BV Performance Pathway alumni continue to shine overseas with three Victorians named to the 2023 NJCAA Region 5 Division I All-Region Baseball Team.
Congrats to pitcher Conor Myles, catcher Zak Skinner, and outfielder Keenan Spence on this honour!
Read the full list of NJCAA All-Region 5 baseball honors and check out the latest stats from our Victorian representatives.
LHP Conor Myles (Odessa College)
The southpaw started 12 games for the Wranglers this spring going 6-1. From 53.2 IP, he has only given up 45 hits and 17 earned runs which is good for a 2.85 ERA for the year. The Baseball Victoria product has also punched out a significant 78 hitters. He will be taking his talents to the University of Texas San Antonio for the next two years after this spring.
Catcher Zak Skinner (Vernon College)
The versatile catcher from Melbourne batted .447 in 53 games with 61 RBIs and 10 home runs. He scored 57 runs and stole two bases, helping the Chaps to a 26-27 overall record. His slugging percentage was .737 and 21 of his 85 hits were doubles. In 222 plate appearances, he took 24 walks and only struck out 19 times.
OF Keenan Spence (Howard College)
The Victorian native has had a huge spring for the Hawks, hitting .348 with 11 2B, 23 HR & 63 RBI in only 50 games. The powerful outfielder has committed to Purdue University for the next two years if he is not taken in the MLB Draft in July.
Baseball Victoria is pleased to announce upcoming workshops for umpires and coaches next month.
After a strong turnout of past and current umpires at the BV Umpiring Workshop & Forum on 8 May, we look forward to another umpire meeting on Monday 19 June at Melbourne Baseball Club (6:30pm for a 7pm start). All umpires are invited as we continue planning for a strong future with a united umpiring fraternity. Please submit your RSVP online.
We will also host the BV Coaching Workshop & Forum on Tuesday 27 June at Melbourne Baseball Club (6:30pm for a 7pm start). All coaches are invited to attend, including accredited and club coaches and those new to coaching. This session will include an overview of the Canopi coach accreditation system, coach education, and the BV Performance Pathway. Please RSVP online.
“We are looking ahead to our umpiring and coaching workshops as we come together to discuss new opportunities to support baseball in Victoria,” BV CEO Chet Gray said. “We are committed to growing our umpire and coach community through dedicated training, accreditation, and on-field opportunities. We hope to see a great turnout of officials at these upcoming sessions and invite all those interested in attending to join us for productive planning and discussions.”
Check out BV umpire and coach resources online.
Congratulations to Team Vic on winning bronze at the 2023 School Sport Australia Championships!
It was a busy week in Lismore, NSW, with 10 athletes from the BV Performance Pathway Prospects/Select program representing Team Vic, including Addison Bishop-Worn, Blake Mitchell, Declan Speirs, Jack Ratcliffe, Jordan Ellis, Lachlan Amon, Lachlan Smith, Mitchell Denny, Ryan Williams, and Will Cavanagh.
Our Current Prospects/Select players were joined by fellow Victorians Tanner Stack, Bradyn Barker, James Squire, Campbell Every, Tane Graham, Cade White, Alex Duske, and Liam Sullivan as they represented Team Vic with pride.
Well done to all on a fantastic tournament - we are very proud of your efforts and excited to see what comes next!
Catch up on results HERE and view photos HERE.
Mariners Baseball Charter headed to Mandurah, WA to represent Victoria at the 2023 Australian Senior League Championship this week.
Congrats to Mariners on their hard work and perseverance through challenging competition to pick up two great wins and finish fifth overall.
Click HERE to catch up on all the #ASLC2023 action.
Next up is Intermediate League from 19-23 May in Mildura, followed by Junior League running 29 May-2 June at West Beach, SA and Little League Major & Division 2 from 7-12 June at Blacktown, NSW.
Baseball Australia has announced an NCAA college baseball rule change affecting player recruitment. After consultation with the NCAA, Baseball Australia has been able to get an exception to this rule for all Australian players.
Please see the attached memo outlining these exceptions and what it means for Australian players looking to play college baseball in the U.S.
If you have any questions, please contact Andrew Riddell, BA National Player Development Manager, at andrew.riddell@baseball.com.au.
Baseball Victoria is pleased to confirm the appointment of David Nagy as Performance Pathway Coordinator.
After supporting Performance Pathway programs and events over the last six months, David looks forward to continuing his work with BV on a casual basis.
"I appreciated the opportunity to assist BV with their successful Performance Pathways programs over many years. It’s once again great to reunite with Chet Gray as we go back to when we both lived in Adelaide and then again working together prior to and during the 2000 Sydney Olympic games.”
“Baseball Victoria State Teams and various programs are held in high regard around Australia, and I hope we will continue to improve our reputation everywhere by creating more pathway opportunities for both male and female players and coaches in the future.”
Born and raised in Adelaide, David spent 35 years in human resources for ABC, moving to Melbourne for work in 1988, then Sydney in 1997 before returning to Melbourne in 2017.
David’s passion for diamond sports goes back to his club coaching days, leading SA softball and baseball teams to premierships in the 1970s and 80s while also serving in committee roles. He represented Baseball SA as an umpire at U13 Nationals in 1978 and assistant coach from 1979-1985, helping the team bring home a championship.
He coached for SA through 1988 before making the move to Victoria, spending two seasons at Melbourne coaching the U18 team to a premiership and supporting the U16 & U18 Victorian State Teams as executive officer from 1988-1998.
David has extensive Australian team experience as well, serving as executive officer for four youth teams from 1999 to 2004 and 28 senior teams from 2001 to 2022. This includes World Cups, WBC Classics, Olympics, and qualifier/friendship series. He also served as Sports Information Supervisor at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.
As WBSC Technical Commissionaire/Director, he has covered 10 events over the past decade, including Premier12, World Cups, and university games. He was tournament director for WBSC Oceania World Cup Qualifiers in 2022 and most recently represented as a technical official at the 2023 World Baseball Classic Pool C in Phoenix.
“With decades of baseball leadership experience under his belt, David is a great asset to our organisation and we are thrilled to have him on board as we look to further enhance our Performance Pathway programs and open up more opportunities to benefit baseball in Victoria,” BV CEO Chet Gray said. “We appreciate David’s expertise and know he will continue to have a positive impact on our programs.”
Best of luck to Team Vic Baseball representing SSV at the School Sport Australia Championships this week.
Held in Lismore, NSW from 7-13 May, the SSA Championships are an exciting opportunity for Victorian baseballers 18 years and under to represent their schools and state.
View the full team roster HERE and follow along with the tournament HERE.
Baseball Victoria is looking forward to the 2023 State Winter Championships starting next month!
- Senior State Winter Championship: 10-12 June @ Geelong
- U18 State Winter Championship: 24-25 June @ Wangaratta
- U14 State Winter Championship: 1-2 July @ Bendigo
- U12 State Winter Championship: 15-16 July @ Werribee
- U16 State Winter Championship: 29-30 July @ Morwell/Traralgon
We are currently accepting applications for the role of BV Tournament Officer, which will oversee and manage all the tasks required to run our baseball tournaments in Victoria.
This role will be responsible for managing the 2023 State Winter Championships and ideally, the 2024 Little League State Championships and beyond.
The tournament officer will work alongside the Baseball Victoria Technical Officials Committee and office staff to deliver a high-caliber event.
Please view the full position description HERE and submit your interest via SurveyMonkey.
We are also seeking applications for a BV Umpire Coordinator to assist with the State Winter Championships. Please learn more about this opportunity and submit your interest HERE.
Baseball Victoria is looking forward to the 2023 State Winter Championships this June and July. Save the date for these upcoming tournaments:
- Senior State Winter Championship: 10-12 June @ Geelong
- U18 State Winter Championship: 24-25 June @ Wangaratta
- U14 State Winter Championship: 1-2 July @ Bendigo
- U12 State Winter Championship: 15-16 July @ Werribee
- U16 State Winter Championship: 29 – 30 July @ Morwell/Traralgon
As a reminder, we are seeking applications for a BV Umpire Coordinator to assist with the State Winter Championships. Please learn more about this opportunity and submit your interest HERE.
Stay tuned for more updates as the tournaments get closer.