Lismore Baseball players selected for National Showcase in Sydney

Three Far North Coast Baseball players have been selected to strut their stuff for both Australian and American talent scouts in the Baseball NSW National Showcase in Sydney.

Far North Coast Baseball had players strutting their stuff for Australian and American baseball scouts in Sydney this week after being selected in the NSW Baseball National Showcase series.

The showcase, held at Blacktown International Sports Park in Sydney, provided an excellent opportunity for the cream of local crops to pit their skills against their peers from across Australia.

George Cooper and Liam Weekes from Norths Baseball Club and Jayden Battese from Lismore Workers Baseball Club were chosen to represent the Far North Coast after selectors ran testing clinics late last year.

Far North Coast Baseball spokesman Jeremy Sexton said it was a great achievement for the boys.

“They all showed huge improvements in their development throughout the last year considering restrictions on playing and training,” he said.

Far North Coast Baseball players left: Jayden Battese and Liam Weekes

All three players are “big impact players” in the local competitions and the recognition of selection into the national showcase was well deserved.

“The whole association couldn’t be more excited to see where this leads for their development and baseball career,” Sexton said.

Liam Weekes said he was honoured to represent the Far North Coast Baseball community.

“I’m enjoying the challenge to play at this next level,” he said.

Coach Geoff Baxter said Liam was selected as a catcher, 3rd base.

“His ability to defend strongly and to keep base runners from stealing are his strong points,” Baxter said.

Jayden Battese was selected as a pitcher.

“He has the ability to defeat any team,” Baxter said.

“He has numerous pitches that can fool many batters.”

Jayden, 16, said was a privilege being selected for the showcase.

“Getting the opportunity to come down amid the challenging and uncertain times of Covid but still being able to get some high quality ball in is a real privilege,” Jayden said.

Coach Baxter said George Cooper is the most talented player, already playing in the Australian Baseball U19 team.

Far North Coast Baseball pitcher George Cooper

“Unfortunately George fell ill and couldn’t go,” Mr Baxter said.

“He is very disappointed that he could not attend as this was a chance for American baseball scout to see him perform.”

Baseball NSW spokeswoman Karen Doane said the showcase had scouts from both Baseball Australia and from the USA that had come to watch some of the best up and coming U16 and U18 players in action as they bat, pitch, field and run.

“The week has been a tremendous success,” she said.

Players were distributed into two teams, black and blue to compete in a series of games held each day culminating in the “Golden Game” to conclude the event on Saturday.

Recap Golden Game NSW Showcase U18 Black vs. NSW Showcase U18 Blue

Saturday’s game against 2022 NSWSC U18 Black was a heartbreaker for 2022 NSWSC U18 Blue, as they lost the lead late in a 6-3 defeat.

The game was tied at three with U18 Black batting in the top of the sixth when Jackson Campbell’s sac fly scored one run for U18 Black.

2022 NSWSC U18 Blue lost despite out-hitting U18 Black five to four.

U18 Black took an early lead in the second inning.

Owen Glover‘s sac fly scored one run for U18 Black.

U18 Black knotted the game up at three in the top of the fourth inning, when an error scored one run for U18 Black.

Koby Chesterton led things off on the pitcher’s mound for U18 Black.

The hurler surrendered two runs on two hits over one and one-third innings, striking out two and walking one.

2022 Baseball Showcase Series is on now!

Excited for Baseball Australia and US scouts to come to NSW to watch some of our best up and coming U16 and U18 players in action as they bat, pitch, field and run⚾️

Check out the schedule on our Facebook!! https://t.co/TaeW8XVsYf

— Baseball NSW (@BaseballNSW) January 11, 2022

Ethan Treble started the game for U18 Blue.

The pitcher went three innings, allowing two runs on two hits and walking one.

Nic Typenou, Christos Lyberopoulos, Daigo Yamaguchi, and Tyler Spiteri each entered the game as relief, throwing one inning, one inning, one inning, and one-third of an inning respectively.

Callum Donnelly led the U18 Blue with two hits in two at bats.

U18 Blue stole five bases during the game as two players stole more than one.

Donnelly led the way with two.

Liam batted in five games, hitting three home runs from 14 plate appearances.

Jayden pitched in two games for three innings.

He was the starting pitcher in Friday’s game where he pitched two innings, allowing three hits, six runs, six earned runs, six base on balls (walks), struck three batters out, hit two batters and achieved an earned run average of 18.000.

In Monday’s game Jayden pitched one innings, struck out one batter, allowed one walk, and hit one batter.

Baseball NSW have also announced dates and venues for the 2022 representative events with the seniors back in Blacktown International Sportspark from April 9-12.

Junior and Intermediate, Little League and Division II are scheduled for April while Rookies have been slotted in for February 27 at Kelso Park.