Move the Mound Back

Grizzled veteran, Ian Hook takes charge of a NSWC team for approximately the 20th time and joins us to discuss the building of his U18 team and their unique preparation in the lead up to AYC 23. With players from across the state, Hook details how the team came about and the steps taken to ensure they're competitive.

NSW Country Head Coach terry Pearce battled a fierce storm and technical challenges to drop and talk about his squad for AYC 2023. Pearce, a seasoned campaigner believes in grit and defence and has worked his team hard in the lead up to the tournament ensuring they'll be ready to go. Stay to the end to hear Terry's view on the greatest player to come out of NSW Country baseball

ACT U18 Head Guy Matt Alt swings by to discuss his team in the lead up to AYC 23. With a smaller player base to choose from the ACT teams face unique challenges when assembling a squad but Alt feels the team is competitive and the preparations hold them in good stead.

ACT Head Coach Erni Rauter stops by to discuss his squad for the upcoming AYC including the challenges of blending players from other states and the unique approach they're taking in 2023 to ready the team.

Team Australia co-captain Tim Kennelly joins the podcast as the squad prepares to jet out to face Team Japan in November. With international baseball ramping up again, Kennelly shares his experiences representing his country, how things change from being a rookie to an established veteran and how Australia tackles tournament baseball. Tim shares insights into his preparation and how his understanding of his own game has evolved over time as well as the meal he is most looking forward to in Japan.

Baseball Australia Director Jessica Goddard joins the podcast to discuss her career as a sport administrator and to dive into the new national participation plan. Jess shares insights into driving female participation and why it is important to have female leaders in sport.

Australia's first female (and youngest ever) inductee to the Baseball Australia Hall of Fame, Simone Wearne visits to discuss her baseball career. Simone details career defining advice that only a dad can deliver (your future is on the mound), the support she felt from the baseball community and playing baseball on the biggest stage. 

As Baseball Australia rolls out its new National Participation Plan, Carla Pinder drops in to discuss her journey as a female umpire in a male dominated landscape. From her early days umpiring junior baseball to participating in national Tournaments, Carla provides humorous and endearing insights into umpiring as well as explaining why she doesn't have a carefully curated "strike 3" call.

Baseball Australia CEO Glenn Williams drops into discuss the brand new national participation plan being rolled out across the sport. Glenn dives into why such a plan is important and how we can grow the sport in Australia.

Max Stagg and Nick Bertucci have had a whirlwind month. Both represented Australia at the under 18 Baseball World Cup and followed that experience up by committing to Junior College powerhouse, Central Arizona. Both join the podcast to discuss their pathway to college baseball, what the world cup experience was like and how they prepared (including a  75,000 pushup effort). Max also breaks the record for most phone vibrations during a podcast.