Baseball Victoria looks forward to the 2022 National Showcase Series – Victoria.
This follows Baseball Australia’s announcement on the cancellation of the 2022 Australian Youth Championship in January due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. The tournament, which traditionally takes place during the January school holiday period and includes U16 and U18 age players, will be replaced by a local showcase series in each state.
Following the state showcases, Baseball Australia’s revised national event calendar includes an 80-player National Junior Camp across the Easter holidays and a U16 Australian Youth Championship in July 2022. There will not be a U18 Australian Youth Championship with preparation and selection for the 2022 WBSC U18 World Cup, which was postponed from this year, taking priority.
The National Showcase Series – Victoria will be held at Melbourne Ballpark from Monday 10 January – Sunday 16 January 2022.
Similar to the traditional AYC tournament, this Victorian event will take place during the January school holidays and include the U16 and U18 age brackets with a combination of showcasing and a series of games.
The National Showcase Series – Victoria will include:
1. Local Showcase
Monday 10 and Tuesday 11 January 2022
Players will participate in a showcase for data collection and scouting purposes. The showcase format and data collection will be coordinated nationally with all players across Australia participating in the standardised event.
2. Local Underage Tournament
Two teams in both the U16 and U18 age brackets will compete in a 7-game series from Wednesday 12 January – Sunday 16 January 2022.
3. National Program Selection
The U18 National Junior Camp will be selected from the players who participate in the National Showcase Series. Selected players will be invited to a camp in Canberra over Easter 2022. Following this camp, select players will be invited to be part of the Baseball Australia U18 International Tour. Participation in the touring program will be facilitated locally by Baseball Victoria. The international touring program is scheduled for late August to mid-September 2022 (TBC).
4. U16 Australian National Championships
Baseball Australia has announced the U16 Australian Youth Championship will be held in the 2022 July school holidays. The National Showcase Series – Victoria will be used as one component of player evaluation for this event.
5. Baseball Victoria Aces Academy
The National Showcase Series – Victoria will be used as one component of player evaluation for potential invites to the 2022 Baseball Victoria Aces Academy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are several frequently asked questions regarding the 2022 National Showcase Series – Victoria.
Am I required to be vaccinated to play community sport?
All participants are required to follow government COVID-19 vaccination regulations for Victoria.
How much will the showcase series cost?
We are still confirming final costing. At this stage we anticipate the costs for the local showcase, along with the 5-day tournament series, to be approximately $440.00.
What will the uniforms for the showcase be?
Uniforms will be provided once you have been selected to participate. They will be included in the costs.
What happens if I can’t attend the showcase?
If you are unable to attend the showcase, you can discuss your absence with Baseball Victoria’s Talent Development Manager Damian Shanahan. Click HERE to view the National Junior Selection Policy.
How are Baseball Victoria and Baseball Australia making sure the showcase provides the same level of opportunity and exposure as the AYC?
Baseball Victoria and Baseball Australia are collaborating in the collection and distribution of data and video plus performance assessment within the National Showcase Series to ensure player exposure is maximised at a level that exceeds the traditional AYC.