How old are you? I am 15 years old and this was my first time competing in the AYC’s.
What position(s) did you play during the tournament? In the AYC tournament I played mainly catcher with a half a game at first base.
How did it feel representing Queensland in the U16 team at such a big event? It felt great being able to represent Queensland at AYC. From getting the hat, to putting on the jersey for the first time, to stepping on the field at Blacktown – every game felt like a huge honour.
What were you most excited about leading up to the Championships? Leading up to AYC, the thing I was looking forward to the most was the talent level we were going to be going up against. Whether it be the harder throwing pitchers, the better hitters or the great defence, I was looking forward to the challenge of playing the best baseball players in the country.
What was it like being part of the Queensland U16 team with your teammates? Being on the U16’s Queensland team was a lot of fun. Everyone got along well and there were no real fights or arguments among the players. It created a team culture that was easy to enjoy and appreciate.
How do you think the Queensland U16 team performed overall during the tournament? As a team, we went in with high expectations and unfortunately, we didn’t leave everything on the table or show our full potential. This is due to the high level of errors and walks. We struggled with momentum in the games. That being said, there were some bright spots which included great hitting throughout the week and exciting rally moments.
What did you do during the rain delays—did you bond as a team, or take the time for personal reflection or training? During the rain delays there was a mixture of both bonding and preparation. In the early stages of the delays while we waited for decisions to be made, the team would talk together and bond however, once the game time was set, we flicked the switch and used that time to prepare ourselves for the game.
What’s your favourite fun moment from the whole experience (it doesn’t have to be baseball-related)? My favourite moment outside of baseball was probably the pool sessions. Being able to play volleyball and go in the ice baths was fun and it brought the team together for something other than baseball.
What was your proudest moment, either individually or as part of the team, during the Championships? I think the proudest moment as a team was probably fighting back against WA. Down 8 runs at the start of the inning, the team was able to crawl back and put up a 7 spot in the 3rd. Even though we had already been eliminated from the top pool, the team worked rallied hard and tied the game on the final pitch.
How is playing in a national tournament different from competing in the Queensland State Titles? Playing in a national tournament is completely different to playing at club ball due to the type of pitching and the increase in mental pressure to perform at such a high level. With the pitching, everyone was throwing harder than you usually see in club ball with better command and off-speed on a consistent basis. In addition, knowing you are representing your state puts an added level of pressure that you don’t have in club ball.
How do you feel about your performance in your position during the tournament? Overall, I felt good about my performance at AYC. We had hard training and preparation before the tournament that led me to feel very comfortable with the intensity – I hit really well and thought I played solid defensively however, I can always ask and give myself feedback on what I should improve on.
Did you set any personal goals for the tournament, and do you think you achieved them? Two of my main goals entering AYC were to win the tournament and to be able to play well with the additional pressure. We didn’t win, but I thought I handled the additional pressure as well as I could.
From your AYC experience, what do you think you could work on as an individual or as part of the team? As an individual, I think the main thing I need to work on is being louder. As a catcher, I need to direct everyone on the field, and I can’t do that being quiet.
What was the biggest challenge you faced playing in such a competitive environment, and how did you overcome it? The biggest challenge for me was the negative self-talk after I made an error or struck out. I overcame this by riding off my highs and pushing away the negativity when I stepped into the box or before the next pitch.
What’s one thing you learned during the Championships that will help you improve in your position? One thing I learned during the championships was how to call better pitches. Being able to learn from Phil Stockman and the other players around me is something I will definitely take to club ball.
What would you say to other players about the experience of playing for Queensland at the Australian Youth Championships? The experience of playing for Queensland was one of the highlights of my baseball journey so far. I didn’t make the team last year and that motivated me to put in the extra sessions and practice almost every day to better myself as a player. I guess I would tell other players that if you want it bad enough, go work for it.
How has competing at the Australian Youth Championships shaped your future goals for baseball? Playing in AYC has shaped my future goals by understanding what it is like playing at a higher level. I want to play for a USA University and this tournament was a glimpse of what rising to the next level means to compete against the best.
