Meet Queensland’s U15 World Cup Trio
For Zavier Leigh, Chase Crew and Archer Petersen, earning a place on Australia’s U15 World Cup team has been a journey built on determination, hard work and a love of baseball.
Each has taken a different path to the green and gold, with setbacks, sacrifices and countless hours of training along the way.
Now, the three Queenslanders are preparing to take on the best young baseballers in the world at the WBSC U15 Baseball World Cup in Mérida, Mexico.
Zavier Leigh: A goal born from recovery
When Andrew Riddell called, Zavier Leigh was sitting on the couch with his parents.
The news was exactly what he had been hoping to hear: he had made the Australian U15 World Cup team.
“I was very excited and am very excited to play for Team Australia,” Zavier said.
The moment carried even more significance given what he had overcome to get there.
In April 2025, Zavier broke his tibia and fibula. During his recovery, however, he kept his eyes firmly on one goal — making the World Cup team.
“My goal during my recovery was to be selected for this team,” he said.
That goal helped drive his return to baseball, with his Dad playing the biggest influence in his journey.
Zavier has continued to build his game through Queensland training with Wato and Shanas, pitching sessions with Dylan Sippel, private training with his Dad and work with his strength and conditioning coach.
Now, he has the opportunity to represent his family, club, state and country on the biggest stage of his young career.
“I want to play at this level to represent my country and to face the best players in the world,” he said.
That includes the chance to face international powerhouses such as the USA and Venezuela.
For Zavier, a successful tournament will be about more than individual performances.
“A successful tournament to me is everyone contributing towards playing our best baseball,” he said.
He hopes to contribute through his work ethic, plate discipline and defence in centre field.
His message to younger players is simple.
“Have fun and play the game the right way and have a good work ethic.”
Archer Petersen: Being yourself on the world stage
Archer Petersen was sitting on the couch watching television when the call came.
His mum answered the phone, and Archer quickly recognised Andrew Riddell’s voice.
Then came the news.
“I was so excited I immediately rang my dad and told him,” Archer said.
“I still don’t think it’s sunk in completely but I’m very excited to go and experience this trip.”
Archer has been working towards the opportunity since he first realised he could be part of the Australian squad.
That meant making sacrifices, including spending less time with friends so he could dedicate more time to developing his game.
“My biggest challenge has been cutting out time hanging with my friends so I can get better,” he said.
For Archer, baseball provides more than competition.
“I play baseball as an escape to get into a positive state of mind,” he said.
His journey has also involved plenty of self-driven development, with Archer identifying himself as one of the biggest influences on his own baseball journey.
“I learnt and figured out a lot of things I didn’t know and strengthened myself,” he said.
The Queensland program has played an important role in his preparation, helping him stay in good shape while continuing to develop his skills within a structure similar to the state’s older age groups.
Now, he will have the opportunity to see how he measures up against players from around the world.
“I’m excited to play the kids at my level and see what I’m working against and learn the way they train,” he said.
And there is one opponent in particular that has caught his attention.
“I’m very pumped to play USA. I wanna show them what us Aussies can do.”
For Archer, a successful tournament is about winning, but also about the relationships created along the way.
“Playing with your boys and making some new lifelong friends” will be an important part of the experience.
He hopes to contribute leadership, connection and a winning mindset to the Australian group.
His advice to younger players is perhaps the simplest of all: stay true to yourself.
“Strive for your goals and be the best version of yourself,” Archer said.
“No matter what people say, always be yourself. Play like yourself and act like yourself on and off the field and always show up to the field wanting to learn.”
Chase Crew: Persistence pays off
For Chase Crew, the call came on the drive home from baseball training with his Dad.
It was a moment he had been working towards for a long time — and one that brought plenty of emotion.
“I definitely got emotional as it has been something I have been working hard for, for a long time,” Chase said.
“The first person I called was my mum. She was just as excited as we were.”
Chase had already experienced representing Australia at the U12 World Cup, but this opportunity carries a different significance.
The U15 World Cup has been on his radar for the past 18 months, and he had been working towards it when a serious knee injury in October 2025 threatened to derail his plans.
The injury kept him out of action for four months and forced him to miss the World Cup qualifiers.
Rather than allowing the setback to define his season, Chase focused on his recovery before working his way back into baseball form and ultimately earning his place in the squad.
One of the biggest influences throughout that journey has been his pitching coach, Sam Holland, who has worked with Chase for more than three years.
“He has helped me make great improvements in my pitching,” Chase said.
“He mentors me in both the physical and mental side of the game.”
Chase has also been part of the Queensland performance squad since May, completing both strength and conditioning and skills sessions as he prepares for Mexico.
For him, representing Australia is an opportunity to acknowledge everyone who has helped him along the way.
“It is an honour to represent my family, my club Redcliffe Padres and Baseball Queensland on the international stage,” he said.
He is particularly looking forward to travelling overseas with his teammates and facing Team USA.
“A successful tournament would be making the Super Round,” Chase said.
He hopes to bring a calm head and the experience he has gained from previous international tournaments.
And his advice to the next generation reflects his own journey.
“Keep training hard as persistence pays off.”
Ready for Mexico
Three Queenslanders. Three different journeys. One opportunity to represent Australia.
For Zavier, it is the culmination of a comeback from a serious injury.
For Chase, it is the reward for persistence after another significant setback.
For Archer, it is the next step in a journey driven by self-belief and a desire to keep learning.
Now, all three will take their place in the green and gold, carrying the support of their families, clubs and Queensland baseball community with them.
The next chapter awaits in Mexico.