Geelong junior baseballer Maisen Ricketts to play for Australia at the under-12 Baseball World Cup

A junior baseballer has received the perfect gift for his 12th birthday: national selection for the junior Baseball World Cup in in Chinese Taipei.

A junior Geelong baseballer received the perfect 12th birthday present late last month: national selection for the under-12 Baseball World Cup.

Maisen Ricketts started playing T-ball at Lara Baseball Club at age four, following his father Joel into the sport who played college baseball in Kansas.

Maisen is part of an 18-member team and one of two catchers picked for the tournament (July 26 to August 8) in Tainan City, Chinese Taipei.

It’s a great reward for sacrifice, with the Ricketts family living in Geelong and travelling to Melbourne four times a week for Maisen’s training and games with Essendon Baseball Club.

Maisen Ricketts followed his father Joel into the sport. Picture: Jayde Ricketts.

Proud mother Jayde said Maisen’s development had been fast tracked by playing in the under-15 state competition, plus guidance from former Pittsburg Pirate Gift Ngoepe and Baseball Victoria pathways coach Keli Zablan.

Maisen’s name was put forward by Baseball Australia as a potential candidate following his performances at state championships and through Baseball Victoria’s Performance Pathway.

“A representative from Baseball Australia came to assess his abilities and take video footage at Altona ballpark,” Jayde said.

Maisen Ricketts will play for Australia at the Baseball World Cup. Picture: Jayde Ricketts.

“(They) did this in each state across the country and put a team together based on these assessments.

“He got the news on his 12th birthday (on June 23) that he made the Australian team and said it was the best birthday present ever!

“They did quite a bit of work in assessing his skills along with his ability to throw out runners attempting to steal bases.”

Maisen said he was “super excited” to get the national nod.

“It feels like a dream,” he said.

Maisen Ricketts will play for Australia at the under-12 Baseball World Cup. Picture: Jayde Ricketts.

“I’m really looking forward to going overseas to meet and compete against the best in the world.”

He said he became a catcher at the age of seven because an 11-year-old teammate was the pitcher and nobody wanted to glove his “really hard” pitches.

“That was when I fell in love with catching,” he said.

“I feel like I am really involved in the game and can make an impact behind the plate.

“My hitting and throwing has been a big strength of mine.”

Originally published as Geelong junior baseballer Maisen Ricketts to play for Australia at the under-12 Baseball World Cup