Hills head to the Junior League World Series in Taylor, Michigan, as the most experienced charter to represent Australia Region.
The NSW charter has represented Australia Region at the 2016 and 2017 Little League World Series and last year’s Junior League World Series.
Les Stockdale will again manage Hills at a World Series after taking the charter to the Junior League World Series last year and Little League 12 months earlier.
“We haven’t got one kid that hasn’t been to a World Series on the team,” Stockdale said.
“They’re all experienced which is great but managing their expectations is the next thing.
“The majority came out of Little League last year which is one of the greatest shows on earth
“To go over to Taylor is quite a different experience.”
Hills open their campaign against Europe-Africa on Monday morning (Australian time) with Canada awaiting the winner.
After drawing powerhouse Asia-Pacific in the opening round last year before falling a win shy of the International Championship Game, Stockdale knows Hills has a great opportunity this time around.
“We wanted to be the first Australian team at Junior League to win a game and we won two so that was fantastic,” Stockdale said.
“You’ve always got to better yourself, so we’d love to win three games if we can and make it to the International Championship Game.
“The cards get thrown at you differently every time though, so it’s how you manage that.”
Stockdale was confident players making the transition from last year’s Little League World Series were up to the task.
“We’ve just focussed on the baseball and made it about that,” he said.
“We’ve pushed how important the baseball is and the calibre of player they’re going to come up against.
“They understand they’re coming up against big, strong kids, the velocity is going to be different and the pitching and hitting quality is all different.”
Hills’ first game against Europe-Africa on Monday starts at 10am.