Baseball Australia is pleased to announce the coaching staff and groups for the upcoming WBSC U-23 World Cup in Sinaloa, Mexico.
Australia has been drawn in Group B, with the top three teams in each group progressing to the Super Round. Japan and Chinese Taipei will serve as Australia’s toughest opponents, while the group is rounded out by Nicaragua, Argentina and Austria.
Leading the team will be long-time Team Australia coach Tony Harris, who continues his affiliation with the national team program after returning from Honkbalweek in The Netherlands during July.
Joining Harris will be Team Australia manager Jon Deeble. Deeble’s role as bench coach at the U23 World Cup will give him a great opportunity to focus on the development of these prospective Team Australia members in the future.
Luke Prokopec joins the coaching staff as a pitching coach after spending time in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a right-handed pitcher. Prokopec had a stint with the Toronto Blue Jays and LA Dodgers during his time in the MLB.
The final member of Harris’ coaching staff for the U23 World Cup is Sydney Blue Sox Manager Jason Pospishil. Pospishil has been involved with countless development programs including the MLB Australian Academy Program.
The support staff is rounded out by physiotherapist Ben Onofrio and executive officer Mark Chandler.
Baseball Australia’s Head of High Performance Glenn Williams is excited to see the team perform in Mexico.
“This tournament is really important for our future high performance endeavours,” Williams said.
“This is an important cycle for the national team program with the World Baseball Classic coming up soon. The team’s performance at the U23 World Cup is critical for our World Ranking, we’re looking forward to seeing how the team executes."
The U23 World Cup will begin on the 28th of October, with the Championship Game being held on the 7th of November.
To stay in touch with roster announcements, live-streaming schedules and more, visit baseball.com.au or head to the Team Australia Baseball Facebook page.
COACHING STAFF
Head Coach – Tony Harris
Bench Coach – Jon Deeble
Pitching Coach – Luke Prokopec
Assistant Coach – Jason Pospishil
Physiotherapist – Ben Onofrio
Executive Officer – Mark Chandler
U-23 WORLD CUP GROUPS
|
GROUP A |
GROUP B |
|
Mexico (#8) |
Japan (#1) |
|
Korea (#3) |
Chinese Taipei (#4) |
|
Venezuela (#7) |
Australia (#13) |
|
Czech Republic (#14) |
Nicaragua (#18) |
|
Panama (#15) |
Argentina (#27) |
|
South Africa (#36) |
Austria (#33) |
GROUP A
GROUP B
Mexico (#8)
Japan (#1)
Korea (#3)
Chinese Taipei (#4)
Venezuela (#7)
Australia (#13)
Czech Republic (#14)
Nicaragua (#18)
Panama (#15)
Argentina (#27)
South Africa (#36)
Austria (#33)
*Numbers denote world ranking