Team Australia has finalised its roster for next month’s WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup in Taiwan.
Eighteen players aged 11 and 12 will represent Australia in Tainan from July 26 to August 4.
The roster was finalised following this month’s 2019 Australian Little League Championship in Lismore.
New South Wales will have nine representatives, Queensland four, Western Australia three and South Australia and Victoria one each.
Team Australian general manager Glenn Williams said it had been a difficult task trimming the final roster to 18 players.
“There are so many quality young players spread all the way across the country,” Williams said.
“We rely heavily on advice from state associations and the respective Little League charters.
“We saw the players live in Lismore to make the final decisions.
“There was difficult decisions to make … this is probably the most difficult national team to select.”
The 2019 edition of the U-12 World Cup will be the first at the US$130 million Tainan Asia Pacific Stadiums.
“It’s an exciting event for all of the kids to take part in,” Williams said.
“The local organising committee do an amazing job with a heavy focus on making sure the kids have a great experience.
“(It is) something they will never forget and I am looking forward to seeing how they go at the event.”
Brian Murphy will return as Australia’s manager for a third-straight U-12 World Cup.
Murphy will be assisted by Nick Hutchings and Scott Meager.
The U-12 team will earn ranking points towards world number seven Australia’s tally.
Australia is in Group B alongside three-time defending U-12 world champions USA, Mexico, Korea, Venezuela and Italy.
The U-12 Baseball World Cup is the only global sporting event to feature national teams at this age group.
Australia finished with a 2-6 record at the 2017 event.
WBSC will release broadcast details for the U-12 World Cup shortly.
PLAYERS
Alasdair Ballantyne, NSW | P/OF
Riley Cooper, NSW | P/IF
Max Durrington, QLD | UT
Kristian Haeusler, WA | P
Lachlan Heap, NSW | P/IF
Will Kent, VIC | IF/OF
Liam Kiddle, QLD | UT
Kason King, SA | C/IF
Isobel Lambert, NSW | P/IF
Sam Levick, NSW | P/C
Riku Mochizuki, QLD | P/IF
Austin Moyle, WA | P/IF
Joshua Nati, NSW | P/IF
Riley Oliphant, WA | P/IF
Rubens Romero, QLD | P/IF
Simon Slapeta, NSW | P/IF/OF
Daniel Thwaites, NSW | P/IF
Lachlan Vella, NSW | P/IF/OF
STAFF
Brian Murphy | Head Coach
Nick Hutchings | Pitching Coach
Scott Meager | Assistant Coach
Beth McVicker | Executive Officer