World Series Junior League - Game 4 v Venezuela

Whether you think you can or

Whether you think you can't...

You're right.

- HENRY FORD -

So says the grandfather of Detroit, Henry Ford, whose local Museum of American Innovation delighted the masses on a really wet morning yesterday, in Taylor, Michigan. The significance of this famous quote would not be lost on our team whose self belief and confidence was to be challenged once again today against Venezuela on an ever sharpening international baseball stage at the pointy end of this tournament.

Yesterday, we had what Forrest Gump called "little bitty stinging rain and big old fat rain, rain that flew in sideways, and sometimes rain even seemed to come straight up from underneath". Too wet for play at the scheduled 4.00pm Thursday (local time) timeslot. However today (a spare day on the tournament calendar) we were back on schedule. Bright skies and a strong breeze greeted us at the ground.

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After beating the Europe-Africa Champions (Czech Republic) and the Puerto Rico champions, today we set our sights on the Latin American champions, Maracaibo, Venezuela. Another challenge of significance.

Our starting side for the assignment was Alex Ranieri (catcher), Liam McCallum (Pitcher), Ryan Franks (1B), Riley Watson (2B), Brent Iredale (3B), Clayton Campbell (Short Stop), Andrew Martin (LF), Sam McGoldrick (CF), Jack Grey (RF).

It was blowing a Scott, Terry and Brett Gale for the start of the game at 4.00pm local time. Blowing in and out under clearing skies and mild temperatures.

The enthusiastic Latino twang was in the turbulent air early. A rapid 'three up and three down' for us was followed by Liam McCallum working the mound. A tough assignment. A bleeder to short stop saw an early single as their runner beat Clayton Campbell's bullet throw. A double followed. A cheeky stolen run on a delayed steal, with a dubious call on the end of it, announced them. Cunning.  At 0-2 down at the end of the first innings, we needed to be sharper.

We needed to match them with precision and patience, yet we were surprisingly lethargic at key times. Venezuela swooped and scrapped and their third baseman's footwork and play early on was outstanding, while their short stop exhibited a clinic on precision play brilliantly - time and time again.

With the bat, Liam secured a well earned walk early but their pitcher pounded us to be true. He was bold and brutal. His long levers to intercept return hits also proved to be amazing. Reflexes of a cobra. Sting of a scorpion. 

Sadly, our infield anticipation was not a patch on theirs. Venezuela were simply more athletic and crisp. Top shelf. Their enthusiasm and energy lapped us today. We really looked slow in comparison at times and their base running - regardless of circumstances - was quick and inspired on every occasion, making our fielders make tough and fast decisions... to their advantage.

Alex Ranieri took a classic diving catch from the catcher position down the first base line, which offered a little inspiration, but it was lonely. Errors in the infield by us were really costly. There were a few boys very disappointed in their efforts today after so many excellent outings and plenty of practice. The sustained focus and concentration required at this level is a massive step up. Especially when fatigued. Consistency day in and day out in tournament play is always the clipboard for success. Lessons regarding preparation and readiness are hopefully realised too in young minds. Learning accompanies such experiences and our earnest hope is that this will propel those that learn fastest to even greater heights. 

Walks don't help either and Liam delivered four of them. One gifted run to the opposition right there. The pressure on the pitcher against a sparklingly aggressive hitting side allows only for a small margin for error. A brutal truism: runners on base often equal runs on the scoreboard. 

Strike outs continued and so did the hits, but the scoreboard screamed 0-6 after three completed innings. Pressure bends logic and commonsense and sadly so it was with our team today. Errors beget errors and runs leak. This pattern was hard to shake today.

However, Clayton Campbell gave the crowd a well hit single through the second base gap to cheer and become momentarily excited about. Rare gold. Good contact was made by many others, but with no result. Venezuelan fielders snaffled up catches and half chances like hungry seagulls at the beach. Conversely, tragic lack of communication between our fielders saw a skied ball fall into space between two fielders. Just when you did not need it. A ball through the legs of a fielder is also mightily embarrassing, as were throwing errors over first base or a baseman dropping the ball. 

It was part of a blurry picture of regret. Coach killers, pitcher killers and crowd killers all abounded today. At times the errors seemed like a disease spreading through the field, in need of rapid inoculation. The dugout cannot cure this.

At 0-8 down, the coach's words matter most at such times..."good work kid"... "you can do it" are valuable and more powerful than most other things in that moment.

Andrew Martin, a sprightly lad of growing stature and height, entered as our pitcher in the fourth innings and was tidy, securing valuable outs when at times we felt they were seemingly not to be found. His body language was upbeat and positive - his arm reliable. The cheering and banter from the opposition dugout rose as the thought of a mercy win beckoned. Hits rained down. Pass balls crept it. It was a kaleidoscope of horror. 

Yet we were resolute and stronger towards the end of the game.

At the end of the fifth innings, an excellent double play from Riley Watson to Clayton Campbell and then to an outstretched Liam McCallum at first base was an exception play to beat yet another rapid fire Venezuelan base runner, demonstrating to the doubting crowd that precision and skill has been the hallmark of this talented team. The cruelty of this play was that it served to highlight that the field did not always meet their capability today.

At the top of the sixth, a crisp flat line drive single hit to Riley Watson was a really positive punctuation mark in an otherwise quiet showing for our hitters too. We only had two hits (Campbell and Watson) and one walk (McCallum) all game. Venezuela dominated and were classy and may give Chinese Taipei some trouble tomorrow.

However today's effort was not to distract from a wonderful trip and campaign where other Australian teams now are challenged to win three games and contest the international final. Our team has made a significant dent in the world order of baseball at this year's Junior League World Series and made many critics eat their words and humbly visit the hall of mirrors.

The international teams do not get an opportunity to play the USA teams in the tournament (unless you reach the final) unfortunately. They sit insulated in their own side of the draw (as they do in Little League) and this needs to change to truly improve our baseball - and world baseball. Our administrators need to represent this "crossover" ethic as an invigorating, rejuvenating force to inspire our players in their work and in their baseball learning journey. Break a few traditions of USA self perception perhaps.

After seven innings and a complete game, a 0-9 result seemed a harsh report card on the effort of all across the past week. No matter, the sun comes up tomorrow and hopefully with it, comes improvement and harder work to reach improved levels of excellence. Stronger arms, sharper fielding, more base running speed, better decision making under pressure, quicker hands, batting technique...Plenty to improve. Plenty to celebrate.

World Series Junior League - Game 3 v Czech Republic

Under bright sunny skies, the crowd today had broken out the sunscreen and were in the full tempo of summer for a late morning start at 11.00am against the South Czech Republic team from Brno.

Beautiful barmy conditions which were not too hot prevailed. It was comfortably summery. Of course in tournament play like this, any loss would end our campaign, but the legal firm of coaches - Stockdale, Wright and Riddell - have been composed, forthright and fearless to date. Today was no different. Our starting lineup was Brock Tonna (C), Alex Ranieri (Pitcher), Ryan Franks (1B), Riley Watson (2B), Brent Iredale (3B), Nick Chappell (LF), Liam McCallum (CF), Sam McGoldrick ((RF) who all ran out with vigour, confidence and respect.

The Czech team bounced out of the blocks swinging their bats hard, surprising us a little with their solid hitting early. Not negotiable. They were even chanting an elegant nursery rhyme or two with their remarkable clipped tongue. With loaded bases, a crisp double play to Clayton Campbell at short stop ended their first innings. The gusty winds which swept across the field may also have helped blow off a few early cobwebs. 0-0. It was tense early. Quiet as a BETA video shop.

Our aggression was commendable. Les Stockdale has a remarkable strength in this area as coach. We attacked them with great belief and put immense pressure on their pitcher and field. Riley Watson (donning the 'Charlie Brown' nickname) secured a walk as lead off, propelling us in the right direction. Brent Iredale then punched a nice infield single to a sprawling third baseman.

With two runners on, Liam McCallum then belted one through second base to right field to score two and after Ryan Franks massacred one to centrefield, Liam was in a scoring position, hurtling around the bases and setting sail for home. When a catcher is standing on the line at home plate, there are unfortunately only two options to avoid getting out: run into him or run over him. Liam chose the latter. Westbrook and Swans readies you for these moments. Liam scored for 3-0 and their catcher was regretably replaced, sick and sore in the dugout. Checkmate.

A Sam McGoldrick double then to centre right was a sparkling moment as warm applause rippled across the stands, but ultimately it was sadly left unrewarded on the scoreboard. Sam's intelligent play and quiet confidence has been a team strength. Reliable as spam mail and just as diverse.

All the while Alex Ranieri was pitching with measured gusto, the true 'Panda Express'. He was strong under pressure as he was as catcher yesterday and as he has been with the bat in hand in all games. Positive and steely eyed. Strength when it mattered saw us secure three quick second innings outs. It remained 4-0 up after two innings.

However, the lot of a pitcher is tough. No place to hide. The game is in your hands. Their third innings was a struggle for us. A couple of walks and suddenly loaded bases were capitalised upon. This time their hitting reduced our lead to 4-1 up. A bunt then scored two with a throwing error to first. A diving catch to right field by Sam McGoldrick stopped the rot. 4-3 up.


Soon after, a Liam McCallum hit to right field was followed by a rifled single to centre field by Alex Ranieri. Sadly neither runner scored before Jack Grey entered the game as our new pitcher. 'All the way with Jackie Grey'....four tough innings to pitch us to victory. Yet another right field catch to McGoldrick into the swirling breeze delighted the crowd. But it was to get better for Sam McGoldrick despite the narrow scoreline. Narrower than a McDonald's drive thru in Sydney.

As expected to some degree, our batting became a little more inconsistent as the game progressed and of course cannot be stunning across all seven innings of a game. However, Brock Tonna hit a clever hit to right field, before strike outs and fly outs wasted a few other opportunities. Suddenly a cracking home run to Brent Iredale awoke the crowd as it sailed brilliantly over the dead centrefield fence for a 313 feet home run. Brent is a whippet with a lion heart. Outstanding in the moment of the game too. A beautiful strike which took us to 6-3. The ghost of "fire up Hills ...ready to go", echoed around Heritage Park.

At the top of the fifth, we needed precision. The Czech team had other thoughts. The outfield surface was cruel...apparently a local legal case centres around the condition of it after earlier drainage works went awry. Ask Sam McGoldrick, who unfortunately couldn't field a leg break despite his best efforts, cruelly resulting in a double. It was suddenly 6-5. None out. A poor throw by us then saw it reach 6-6. A strikeout and a great throw from Sam McGoldrick from right field kept it there. Sam stunned the Czech team with his bullet arm skidding across the infield on the second bounce for an excellent tag at home plate. We were still under pressure but upbeat and positive even if it was 6-6.

Our fifth innings saw Alex Ranieri lead off with a walk. Liana Davidson was hit by pitch and was tough in taking an awkward blow to the body and two runners were suddenly on base. A pitching change by the Czech was our chance to pounce. They knew it too. Nick Chappell scored a runner for 7-6. Nick backed this up with one of two runs on a Czech catcher's surprising botched throw to first base, striding out impressively Bolt-like... Liana too scurried home busily and at pace. 9-6 up and a lottery ticket in the pocket.

Jack Grey continued in the sixth. Jack, a quiet, unassuming young lad with impeccable manners from the Blacktown baseball club, today rose to another level under the microscope of international baseball.

He persevered, he stammered, he shone, but he never lost focus and a sense of purpose, striking out a few and leading the way with a controlled nerve. Six outs till the end. Victory was in sight. A strikeout, a ground out then another strikeout left it at 9-6 at the top of the sixth - with an innings to play.

The last innings saw Jack Grey reap the rewards of his four innings outing. Another neat low catch to McGoldrick who had ventured over to centrefield was superb. The final out was hard earned, but the fly ball to McGoldrick (who else?) punctuated a 10-6 victory for our second win. Rapturous applause circled the ground with many appreciative locals marvelling at the tenacious, spirited play exhibited by this Australian team.  More popular than an electric light at a wind farm.

We have now reached a pointy end of the International side of the draw with two wins. Our next game is to try and qualify for the International final. Either against Chinese Taipei again - or Venezuala, more than likely. The coaches will be plotting and scheming with the same resolve that has underlined our campaigns to date, making Hills an even more well recognised baseball brand worldwide. We are set to impress further, but know it gets no easier now. We are in good hands.

World Series Junior League - Game 2 v Puerto Rico

Our assignment in the second game of a double elimination competition like the Junior League World Series was pretty straightforward - win. A win would keep us alive and a loss would see us bow out.

The assignment was immense again - Yabucoa, Puerto Rico - a small but significant Latin American island nation...another world baseballing nursery near to the Dominican Republic, Cuba and Florida, USA.

Our line up was as follows: Alex Ranieri (catcher), Clayton Campbell (pitcher), Andrew Martin (short stop), Brent Iredale (3B), Sam McGoldrick (2B), Ryan Franks (1B), Nicholas Chappell (RF), Liam McCallum (CF), Jack Grey (LF) and Liana Davidson.

The day got underway with sodden grounds underfoot after early morning conditions that were better suited to the Latin Americans - and their Latin - than Australians. However clearing late morning skies and humid conditions paved the way for the showdown. Early pitching exchanges were fierce on both sides with Clayton Campbell leading the way from the mound for us with a mix of power, grace and charm. A bit like his dad.

Arriving at the ground, the news travelled quickly that Riley Watson and Brock Tonna were ill. We were down to ten fit players with Soloman Maguire already upended at Westmead Hospital back in Australia. A skinny roster with a big task ahead. Early fielding errors cost us dearly...but Campbell was having none of it, working over the batters to get out of early jams.

At 0-0 after three innings it was Alex Ranieri - 'The Panda' to his teammates - who hit beautifully today. His double shot to left field was followed up by a later single in the same direction. He hit as clean as a whistle and crisp as a frosted lawn. Cool. Impressively, both were in pressure moments. His hit was followed up by Brent Iredale who skied one over their left fieldsman who was running in more directions simultaneously than the Federal Liberal party. Scoring one run, Iredale then reached home for our second run after Clayton Campbell tucked one through the short stop gap. Liam followed suit, belting one to the right of the short stop who scratched and nested in the dolarite, without a result. Two batters on base were then scored when 'The Lad', Sam McGoldrick eased one on the ground to left field and both Campbell and McCallum scored. The latter in a flurry of dust, face first like that old Tooheys commercial.

At the top of the fourth it was suddenly 4-0 our way. Campbell's off speed deception, kept things quieter than Alison Moyet's post 1990 career. He was tight off his own pitching, taking a brilliant return catch and feasting on lots of dribblers into the lush infield.

The Puerta Rican horns and cheering did not deter us today. They were soon put on silent. They were a jolly crowd... laughing and hooting (until we hit the front) and they thought Liana was great, albeit shocked that a girl might enter the junior league fray - and be standing on second base when you are down by four runs!

Jack Gray and Ryan Franks earned walks, so did Clayton Campbell. The precision of the Chinese Taipei team earlier in the week was replaced by the bravado and confidence of the free swinging Puerta Ricans. They had swagger and aggression. Misplaced too often.

By the top of the fifth innings, Stacy Campbell's lovely motherly chirp of "c'mon son", filled the ears of those in the ever increasing crowd in the stands. Clayton responded. Locals were applauding and getting quite excited for the Australian team, willing resilience and strength as a possible victory approached.

Suddenly Liam then crushed a well hit line drive to right field in the bottom of the fifth innings setting us up for the kill. We soon had three runners on base... yet none scored. The tension mounted.

When a Puerto Rican runner reached third base from a skied ball to right field that we missed (thereby destroying a likely 'no hitter' for the pitcher), their next batter hit what he thought would be a sac fly. All the while Liam McCallum was patrolling centre field. Stalking and hunting.

Liam McCallum then moved to his right, took the catch, swivelled and threw it eighty metres home laser-like over the home plate to nail the runner from third base. It was a double play sensation that had the stadium in raptures. It held Puerto Rica scoreless. Magic clutch play.

By the last innings, Clayton Campbell strode the hill with a 4-0 win in sight. His concerned mother assured him from the stands..."patience son, patience". Nothing like a mother's wisdom. A strikeout followed then another and yet another. Despite the late baseballing tricks and ploys from the Puerta Ricans - injury delays, gamesmanship at its finest - we triumphed. They had more injuries and drama than Erin Molan, Jana Pittman and Anthony Mundine combined.

The Puerto Rican archipelago (what do they taste like?) is a busy stretch of many islands. Their history involves repelling the French, the Dutch and the British. However, they didn't get the email from Australia. They were swimming for their lives most of the game, playing catch up and being hosed at key moments. We were busier than a Kardshian make-up artist - and looked just as stunning, with the first ever Australian Junior League World Series victory by an Australian team.

A famous victory of style and substance. The boys defied many odds today - illness, scheduling, weather, the lot - and were inspirational as a group, achieving what many Australian boys of this age or older have never done - beating a Latin American baseball team. 

We are still alive with a chance to move even further into the tournament. Pitching restrictions enforce extended rests on our boys thus far, so our depth will be tested when we meet the Czech team tomorrow.

World Series Junior League - Game 1 v Chinese Taipei

In Chinese Taipei or Taiwan, they are very good at making things..."Made in Taiwan" is a familiar slogan. In fact the generous Chinese government has also made them 'Chinese Taipei' rather than 'Taiwan' now. No matter, they are a cheerful and determined people who will make their own way and impression regardless.

This was reflected in the crowd at tonight's game with some fans labelling themselves "Taiwan" and others "Chinese Taipei". Two flags, two political ideologies humbly sitting in a foreign land at a Detroit ballpark...a polite, silent protest perhaps - or just a struggle for their lost identity. We hope their imperial government is equally as silent and understanding on the matter.



It had zero effect on the game of course. Chinese Taipei are still world junior league baseball champions in this realm and have been for four successive years...travelling silently in buses from the airport, eating meals in their own rooms, devoid of contact with other teams and players. Precision?... yes...Fun? well...ummmm...

Sadly, today their Junior League World Series baseball team - Shing-Ming Junior League - made us look twice at our game. They were exceptionally powerful, executing a mercy win 11-0 after five completed innings.

We started with some good quality at bats from Riley Watson and Clayton Campbell. No results on the scoreboard however. Number 15 - Liam McCallum - then set a strong and enterprising tone, cracking a beautiful line drive to left field off their incredible pitcher for a safe base hit. Neon LED bright start. No runs however.

Then with Chinese Taipei at the crease, our pitching, led by Liam McCallum, came under intense scrutiny. A copious umpire struggled to bend to see much below waist level and we had to earn every call. Bunt plays abounded as they always do in the Asian baseball game, before a couple of mishit chinkers got runners on. A booming home run was emphatic from a ill timed fast ball and the runs rifled along to 4-0 with some uncharacteristic lazy fielding helping. Liam was under pressure and a hit by pitch and pick off attempt added to a messy and somewhat costly start. A second home run really hurt from a low off speed pitch. We must ask them where they got their team baseball bat used by all players.

Conversely, our batting never really fired despite the rich array of fluro blades of all manner and price. Their pitcher was decidedly quicker. Powerful and quicker than anything most boys would have ever seen before - in Australia and anywhere else. All off the full pitching distance - a new experience too for most of our boys. We edged and fouled...we nicked and scrapped. We never gave in, but we were up against it. Some raced to first base unsuccessfully against powerful fielders of grace and dexterity. Nick Chappell got on base from a first baseman who stepped off the bag, we rolled over and ran hard...but all to no effect.

All the while our fielding and pitching did not always combine warmly. However, Sam McGoldrick's throw from right field to third base saw Brent Iredale execute it perfectly for an excellent out, Riley Watson took a neat catch over his head running in behind first base, Liana Davidson scooped one up nicely at right field and Jack Grey tracked down a nice snare at centre field. Andrew Martin pitched too and mixed it up for some neat moments. The Chinese/ Taiwanese aggression at the plate and speed between the bases was immense. We looked to be in slow motion at times in comparison. Barely was anything left by them - like a pizza shop dog - yet for us, much was left as nervous bats clung to certain shoulders.

Liam McCallum's walk got us another runner on base - and a huge cheer - with their determination to eliminate his repeat performance of his first at-bat, satisfied with that outcome. We had two batters get on base (Liam) and one other (Nick) all night.

Looking at past winners in the last 37 years, Taipei figure strongly. They have form and may have in fact written this manual based on their performance today.

Sure, for us jet lag was evident, energy was a little 'off' and fatigue was evident from the start. Although jets also travel from Chinese Taipei. Why we do not throw full distance from the bump in our national tournament - and are asked to do it internationally - is also a perplexing mystery that the national governing body need to look closely at - and the draw. Australia's automatic entry to this tournament is met with the repeated privilege of playing Chinese Taipei each year. We cannot be seen as a baseballing speed bump. It surely cannot be tolerated by our administrators, who rightfully expect excellence but are seemingly unaware of the impact.

Australia needs to exercise more muscle on the back of 9.000 miles and be humbly courageous in so doing. Postcodes or zipcodes determine all team composition on a world stage we are told. There are clearly big postcodes and baseball populations in Chinese Taipei and in the southern Americas. Countries with human rights issues surprisingly think little of Junior League zipcode accuracy.

The Chinese Taipei discipline, their power and their precision - all hallmarks of this proud and highly successful baseballing nation - were on full display. Their short stop was immense... athletic and powerful. Their catcher could have hit Bill Shorten's credibility from a hundred yards, such was his laser like arm. Their pitcher was a metrometer set on super fast by a playful schoolkid. We could only marvel at their might. They sang, they banged drums and they chanted to pressurise the opposition. We were a little overawed and silent. Internationally we need to bear the fangs sometimes.  However, as Kerry Packer used to say: "Don't explain. Don't complain".

We will all learn from the experience and witness what it takes at that next level. Internationally, U/15 and U/18 World Cups await. Learn and grow...and take that back to their games 9,462 miles (15,228 kilometres) away. Spirit, drive, determination and precision.

Baseball Australia described the outcome as follows: http://baseball.com.au/News/Latest-News/hills-fall-in-jlws-opener

World Series Junior League - Arrival and Opening Ceremony

 

The historical and somewhat sleepy venue of Heritage Park in Taylor, Michigan sprung to life on the eve of the tournament in a solid 26 degrees earlier this afternoon. A patchy outfield was a little disappointing, but the infield glistened in this 37 year old tournament's historical splendour. The delights of a door-to-door journey of 27 hours and some 9,000 miles was now behind us...for at least a further week. The loss of our third baseman and number two hitter, Solomon Maguire to an appendectomy earlier this week before our departure, was an untimely and major disappointment for him and his family, but the team remains buoyant and optimistic. They trained well today and will be experiencing the might of Taiwan, a geographically small, but ruthless opponent. They will need to be in their best form. 

With the final touches being applied to the field today, the tournament's opening ceremony took place tonight in downtown Wayne County. The team wore their new undershirts - a little uncharacteristic in hue and style - but these are determined by creative designers positioned well away from the team. Guests can only thank and hosts can only hope.

A baseball opening ceremony brings with it a walk-on of all teams who assemble facing home plate (just off the infield)...there are speeches from local dignatories, pledges and oaths of fair play, an anthem or two and a ceremonial first pitch before a fireworks crescendo, which was up there with the New Year's Eve fireworks in Sydney harbour.

Liam had the honour of flag bearer for our team who are on a big stage here now. A warm appreciation of their presence from so far afield, rippled through the bulging stands from a healthy and chiefly local crowd which had gathered enthusiastically under the tiring sun.

This sport is magnificent for its worldly perspective, for its camaraderie and will forge friendships and memories for many years to come.

We await the start of the tournament tomorrow where more rainbows and fewer fireworks would suit us just fine. Baseball fans around the world can visit the website www.ustream.tv/channel/jlws to catch live streaming. Our first game is at 10.00am on Monday morning Sydney time.