Praised for pitch-perfect performance

A PROMISING young baseballer has been recognised for his pitching efforts at the National Youth Championships.

Baulkham Hills' Liam McCallum received the U16 Pitching Award at the conclusion of the Baseball Australia National Youth Championships in January.

• Hills players help Australia to victory
• Strong growth for local women’s AFL

A PROMISING young baseballer has been recognised for his pitching efforts at the National Youth Championships.

Liam McCallum, of Baulkam Hills, received the Under-16 Pitching Award at the conclusion of the Baseball Australia’s National Youth Championships last month.

Baseball Australia said Liam’s award followed his “standout performance on the mound”.

He made three starts and only gave up three earned runs in 10.2 innings of work, while hitters only managed to hit .189 off him.

Liam, 14, said he was “a bit surprised” when he was named as the award recipient.

“I was pretty pleased with how I pitched throughout the tournament,” he said.

Liam was part of the NSW under-16 team at the tournament, which was held at the Blacktown International Sportspark between January 6-15.

The team finished third after defeating South Australia 11-1 and Liam said they played well together.

“Our batting was one of our strengths, same with our fielding … and as a team we pitched heaps better than other teams thought we would,” he said.

Liam, a player for both the under-15s and under-17s teams at Winston Hills Baseball Club, started playing baseball when he was about six.

He said he hoped to play for the under-16 team again at next year’s National Youth Championships, with the aim of winning gold.