If you’ve ever met Phil Hearn, chances are the conversation has eventually turned to baseball.
In fact, Phil proudly describes himself as the owner of the largest private baseball memorabilia collection outside of the United States and Canada. From rare collectables to treasured pieces of baseball history, his collection tells the story of a lifelong passion that began with a single trip.
In 2016, Phil travelled to Toronto, Ontario, Canada, where he attended his very first baseball game at the SkyDome.
Having never experienced baseball in person before, he had no idea what was waiting for him.
“It was absolutely incredible,” Phil recalled. “There were more than 40,000 people screaming, singing the national anthem and completely invested in the game. Once it started, you were absolutely attracted to what was happening on the field.”
Trying to describe the atmosphere back home isn’t easy.
“The closest thing I can compare it to in Australia is a T20 cricket match,” he said. “But even that doesn’t come close.”
That one experience sparked an obsession that has lasted decades.
For Phil, baseball isn’t just about collecting memorabilia or watching games—it’s about sharing the sport with others.
“It’s about taking my passion and sharing it with the community.”
Now he’s on a mission to introduce baseball to the next generation in Rockhampton.
Every weekend, Phil packs up his equipment and heads to a local park in Edenbrook, where he runs free T-ball sessions for children in the community. There are no registration fees, no expectations and no pressure—just a chance for kids to pick up a bat, throw a ball and discover a sport many have never had the opportunity to try.
He doesn’t have to look hard to see the impact these games have on the local children.
“When you’re standing there looking at all the kids squealing and laughing with delight, having fun, loving to catch the ball. They all want to hit the ball out of the park.”
Week after week, more families are joining in, proving that all it takes is someone willing to create an opportunity.
“They come up to you afterwards and say when’s the next one, we want to do it again… Now we play every weekend!”
Now, Phil’s efforts are set to reach even further.
Working alongside Baseball Queensland, he will help deliver introductory baseball programs to schools, Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) services, kindergartens and childcare centres throughout the Rockhampton region.
The partnership aims to bring baseball directly to where children already learn and play, making it easier than ever for young Queenslanders to experience the game in a fun, welcoming environment.
It’s a significant step towards growing the sport in Central Queensland and creating pathways for children who may never have considered baseball before.
For Baseball Queensland, community champions like Phil are invaluable.
While his memorabilia collection may be extraordinary, it’s his willingness to invest his time, energy and enthusiasm into local families that makes the biggest difference. Every child who picks up a glove, every family who discovers the sport and every smile at a Saturday T-ball session is helping build something much bigger than a collection.
It’s building a baseball community.
From one unforgettable game in Canada to inspiring the next generation in regional Queensland, Phil Hearn is proving that passion really can change a community—one swing at a time.