The Australian participants for the 2014 Cal Ripken World Series are home from Aberdeen, Maryland, USA. They spent just under two weeks playing, watching and experiencing baseball.
For some of the players it was their first time overseas, their first time playing representative baseball and for most of them it was one of the most exciting events of their life. Kurtis King explains, “it was unbelievable, a once in a lifetime experience, and I can't wait to do something like this again”.
Overall it was a successful tournament for the team, winning three out of their four games, defeating Mexico (6-2), Canada (11-4) and New Zealand (11-10). Two of the participants were named on the International All-Star team, Ky Jackson as the 1st baseball and Travis Bazzana as the 2nd baseman. Ethan Stacy was also the winner of the Gold Glove as the short stop in the international section.
For more information at the Cal Ripken team visit baseball.com.au or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
Sherman Wallen was one of the umpires at the recent Bank of Queensland National Little League Championships on the Gold Coast. A Boston USA native, he traveled to Queensland to be a part of a national tournament in Australia.
Currently the head umpire of Little League Baseball in Boston, Massachusetts he has been officiating baseball for fifteen plus years.
Sherman explained how he first became involved in being a baseball umpire; “I started the same way as everybody else who is a Little League umpire. They asked if anyone in the stands could do it and they said to me ‘wait a minute you know how to be an ice hockey referee so you must know how to be an umpire!’” and that is exactly how the majority of major league umpires get started”.
Sherman, a native of Massachusetts and an avid Red Sox Fan assures us that Australian baseball is on par with many other regions of the world, where the game is more prevalent and popular.
“Your baseball is as good as anywhere in the world and your coaches and parents are just wonderful. I have been to tournaments all over the world, in Latin America, Canada and Europe and your baseball is definitely on the same level”
When asked exactly what is his favourite part of Little League Baseball, Sherman gave a response that can truly resonate with many fans, young and old.
“I enjoy little league because I’m helping the children, the whole point of youth baseball, and sports in general, is to teach children confidence and teamwork so they learn how to deal with successes and failures. Volunteering for little league I get to give back to the community, and that’s my favourite thing.”
In addition to officiating Sherman has completed some international to do’s while in Australia.
“As soon as I got to Australia the first thing I did was run to the bathroom sink, filled it up and watched the water go down the other way. With that checked off of my to do list, the next thing I had to do was have a Vegemite Sandwich”
When asked what he thought about vegemite he replied, “I’m glad that is over with and I’m not sure I ever want to experience that again”.
Events like the National Little League Championships require the hard work and dedication of numerous people, including umpires like Sherman, who also hopes to one day have the opportunity to umpire a game at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
For more information about being an umpire visit baseball.com.au and for more information about Little League visit littleleague.org.au.
The Perth Northern Metros, sponsored by the Bank of Queensland, grabbed an early lead in their elimination game against Mexico at the Little League World Series this morning. Starting the day the way they finished their last game: bats alive.
They were able to put a couple of runs on the scoreboard early, managing to take a 2-0 lead after two innings. However in the 4th inning Mexico took over following a couple of tough hops that got through the infield, and a couple of huge swings that cleared the fence. Mexico held onto their lead for the remainder of the game defeating the Aussies 6-2.
Standouts with the bat were Javier Pelkonen and Nicholas Riley who both collected 2 hits, while Blake Monaghan, Etienne Charette and Matthew Coleman each had one a piece. Callum Johnson continued the quality pitching for the team and threw all 5 innings.
Although the team did not come out victorious today, they are all winners. The way they have played and carried themselves throughout the tournament has been outstanding and the whole baseball community should be proud. They have displayed the true characteristics and sportsmanship of Little League.
For more updates about the team visit littleleague.org.au or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
The Pitch is a weekly news review of Australian’s in the Majors, Minors, College and other Professional Leagues compiled by Major League Baseball International (Australia).If you would like to subscribe directly to receive the pitch email majorleaguebaseball@bigpond.com
Current statistics of all active Australian and New Zealander players are attached.
AUSTRALIANS IN THE MAJORS
Week in Review
Here is the latest on the Australians participating in Major League Baseball. Note: hyperlinks in this section lead to MLB.com pages wrapping up these particular games, in-text hyperlinks are to video clips of those plays.
Grant Balfour (Glenwood NSW) is 1-4 with a 5.01 ERA in 48 appearances, 46.2 innings, for the Tampa Bay Rays this season. He has recorded 11 saves from 14 opportunities while allowing 26 runs, all earned, on 38 hits, two homeruns, and 35 walks while striking out 43.
The Rays are 60 - 61 (.496) in 4th place in the American League East, ten games behind the Baltimore Orioles.
Watch here as Grant accepts the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge
·10 Aug – Grant pitched 2/3 of an inning allowing one run on two hits in the Rays 3-2 12-innint loss at the Chicago Cubs. It was his 3rd blown save of the season. He came on in the 7th with the score 2-1 Rays and faced four batters before being relieved: Welington Castillo popped out to short; Chris Valaika grounded out; Ryan Sweeney doubled and Chris Coghlan tripled to right scoring Sweeney.
·11 Aug – Grant pitched one inning, walking two, and striking out one in the Rays 7-0 win at Texas. He came on for the 9thwith the final score in place and faced five batters: Adrian Beltre popped out to first; Mike Carp walked; Leonys Martin walked; Robinson Chirinos struck out swinging; and Rougned Odor lined out to right to end the game.
·12 Aug – Grant pitched two innings allowing one hit and striking out one in the Rays 3-2 14-inning loss at Texas. He came on in the 12th with the score tied at 2-all and faced three batters: Rougned Odor was called out on strikes; Logan Forsythe was called out on strikes; and Curt Casali flied out to left. In the 13th he faced four: Adam Rosales lined out to third; Adrian Beltre flied out to centre; Daniel Robertson tripled to left and Alex Rios flied out to centre to end the inning.
AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE IMPORTS IN THE MAJORS
Brandon Barnes (Sydney Blue Sox) is batting .253 for the Colorado Rockies with 19 RBI, 13 doubles, three triples and five homeruns in 225 at bats over 104 games while playing right field. Over his last ten games, dating to 3 August, he’s batting .304 with seven hits and three RBI in 23 at-bats. He’s made several video highlights which can be viewed here. The Rockies are 47 - 74 (.388), in fifth place in the National League West and 22 games behind the Dodgers.
Didi Gregorious (Canberra Cavalry) is batting .230 for the Arizona Diamondbacks with 15 RBI, three doubles, four triples and four homeruns in 152 at bats over 46 games while playing short stop. Over his last ten games, dating to 2 August, he’s batting .129 with one run on four hits with two RBI, in 31 at-bats. He’s made several video highlights which can be viewed here. The Diamondbacks are 52 - 69 (.430) in fourth place in the NL West 17 games behind Los Angeles.
James Jones (Adelaide Bite) is batting .257 for the Seattle Mariners with nine RBI, eight doubles and four triples in 292 at bats over 81 games while playing centre field. Over his last ten games, dating to 23 July, he’s batting .037 with one run on one hits with one RBI, in 27 at-bats. He’s made several video highlights which can be viewed here. The Mariners are 65 - 55 (.542) in fourth place in the NL West 7.5 games behind Oakland.
Kevin Kiermaier (Canberra Cavalry) is batting .270 for the Tampa Bay Rays with 29 RBI, 10 doubles, six triples and nine home runs in 226 at bats over 72 games playing right field for the Tampa Bay Rays. He’s scored 29 runs on 61 hits and has stolen five bases. Over his last ten games, dating to 4 Aug, he’s batting .125 with five runs on four hits with four RBI over 32 at bats. He’s made several video highlights which can be viewed here. The Rays are 60 - 61 (.496) in 4th place in the American League East, ten games behind the Baltimore Orioles.
AUSTRALIAN ESPN BROADCAST SCHEDULE (All times AEST)
MLB OWNERS UNANIMOUSLY ELECT ROBERT D. MANFRED, JR. AS THE GAME’S 10TH COMMISSIONER
MLB’s Chief Operating Officer Will Succeed Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig
RAYS TRYING TO FIND RIGHT SPOTS TO USE GRANT BALFOUR
TampaBay.com – 12 August
SINGLE-A LEAGUES:
COLOUR ME, AND JOE MAUER, IMPRESSED
Thorpe Pitches Well with All-Star Rehabing
Steve Lein, TwinsDaily.com – 11 August
NEW SIGNINGS:
LACHLAN WELLS SIGNS WITH MINNESOTA TWINS
Sam Rigney, The Herald – 11 August
THE AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE:
CAVS, BITE MAKE PICKS IN AUSSIE DRAFT
Canberra makes pitcher Crawford first homegrown selection
Tyler Maun, TheABL.com – 14 August
JUNIOR BASEBALL:
PETER MOYLAN DISCUSSES COACHING AND HIS FUTURE PLANS
Kerryn Costello, Baseball Australia- 13 August
AT A GLANCE
• Corey Adamson has retired from the San Diego Padres to take up an opportunity to revive his dormant AFL career with the West Coast Eagles. MLB Australia wishes him well in his new endeavours.
• Listen to a radio interview with Lismore’s Kodey Wilford on his return from the U15 World Cup with Team Australia.
• In case you missed it … this great story about the reception Kansas City rolled out for their most devoted Korean fan when he finally made it Kaufman Stadium.
The Bank of Queensland Australian Little League team created history, recording their first ever win at the Little League World Series defeating Europe-Africa 10-1. This is the second time Australia has received automatic entry to the tournament without having to qualify through the Asia Pacific Qualifying Tournament, and the first time they have won a game.
A relaxed Australian team was dominant from the start and the bats were alive recording hits every inning. Multiple hits were seen from Etienne Charette, Matthew Coleman, Javier Pelkonen, Tarrant Reimers and Nicholas Riley ensuring Austtralia was adding runs consistently. Javier Pelkonen was the star batter collecting 3 hits, 3 RBI’s and a home run.
The bats were not the only thing that were on song; the pitching from Callum Schipp was outstanding. He was in control the whole game striking out 11 hitters in 5 1/3 innings and only allowing 1 run on 3 hits. Nicholas Riley came on to close the game out to give Australia their first win.
Australia needed to beat Mexico in their next game in order to proceed to the next round. Although they grabbed an early lead they were unable to come out victorious, losing their last game 6-2. Overall Australia finished with a 1-2 record at the 2014 Little League World Series.
The way the team played and carried themselves throughout the tournament has been outstanding, they have displayed the true characteristics and sportsmanship of Little League.
For more information visit littleleague.org.au or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
For further information visit www.sport.vic.gov.au
Article by: Mathew Sundstrom
The Bank of Queensland Australian Little League team played their first game of the Little League World Series yesterday against the Caribbean in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, USA.
It was a tough first inning in front of a huge crowd at Volunteer Stadium, however as soon they made their first out the team settled down to play some great baseball.
The second inning saw Australia record their first hit of the tournament when Matthew Coleman crushed a double off the right field wall, while Calvin Eissens settled down and registered the first scoreless inning of the tournament.
By the third inning Australia was able to string some quality at bats together and get on the board scoring their first run. An outstanding catch by left fielder Carter Dowling ended the inning and brought the crowd to their feet in what may be one of the top plays of the World Series this year.
Australia fought to the very end trying to keep the game alive, hits from Javier Pelkonen, Carter Dowling, Daniel Stephenson and a double from Blake Monaghan allowed Australia to score 2 runs and give them a chance to extend the game. However great defense from the Caribbean team ended the game with a score of 16-3.
Although it was a tough start for the Aussies, the team finished the game in great style and looked to be enjoying the whole experience.
Australia will play its second game of the Little League World Series on Saturday August 16 at 12pm (Sunday August 17 at 2:00am AEST on ESPN2).
For more updates visit littleleague.org.au or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
Baseball Australia would like to announce the dates for the National Youth Championships and National Women's Championships set for January 2015.
Under 16 National Youth Championships
Blacktown Sports Park, Sydney, NSW
9-18 January, 2015
Under 18 National Youth Championships
Blacktown Sports Park, Sydney, NSW
9-18 January, 2015
National Women's Championships
Narrabundah Ballpark, Canberra
10-17 January, 2015
National Under 15 Women's Championships
Narrabundah Ballpark, Canberra
12-17 January, 2015
Visit baseball.com.au or follow us on Facebook or Twitter for more information about the championships as it is released.