By Tanya Faulkner
No need for three strikes for one local baseball player, who’s off to represent Australia in the sport he loves.
Upwey Ferntree Gully Baseball Club’s Jack Ratcliffe is one of a small pool of highly talented Australian baseball players that have been named in the Under 18 team going to Japan for the Baseball World Cup.
When Star Mail last spoke to Jack, he was preparing to go to New Zealand for the World Cup Qualifiers against Guam and New Zealand, in which he helped to secure Australia’s place in the upcoming tournament.
His career to date is next to none, after securing a division one senior premiership with the Upwey Ferntree Gully Baseball Club, and representing Australia in the United States, all before the World Cup qualifiers.
Now the young 17 year old has been selected to play for the team, after what his father described as a ‘gruelling’ selection camp.
Simon Ratcliffe, who also has a strong history of baseball with the Upwey Ferntree Gully club, said the boys were really put to the test to be selected for the team.
“They played around nine games in six days, and the team was finalised on Saturday night before they came back home.
“The boys got back to Victoria on Sunday, and they fly out for the World Cup on Thursday,” he said.
Mr Ratcliffe said it’s exciting to see his son living his dream.
“It’s always special when your son is coming up and he’s good enough to succeed and use these opportunities in his career.
“Jack is in the younger age bracket of the team, usually they select slightly older guys who will be moving into men’s open or senior baseball, so his selection is representative of his skills,” he said.
The World Cup will see Australia battle it out in pools, with 5 teams per pool against other countries, with goals of bringing home the world cup.
When the tournament kicks off in Japan, Australia will be up against Taipei for the opening match after the opening ceremony.
“The stadium they play in can seat 40,000 people, and for the opening match it’s already sold out.
“It’ll be an amazing opportunity for the young guys representing Australia,” he said.
Mr Ratcliffe said his son has big goals in baseball once he returns, with ambitions to play college-level baseball in the US before making a possible professional debut.
Upper Ferntree Gully Baseball Club head coach Donavon Hendricks said Jack has a big career ahead of him, and this is a great stepping stone towards his goals.
“As a club, and personally as head coach, we are so proud of Jack and what he’s achieving.
“Jack was a big contributor to our clubs’ two premiership wins in the past two years in our first senior team, and he’s an exuberant young talent in our group, who is going to do great things.
Mr Hendricks said Jack started as a T-baller in Upwey from around age six, and has been in the higher ranks of the club for the last four to five years, before making a break into their first team two years ago – the year of their first premiership win.
Since then Mr Hendricks said he’s progressed brilliantly, fitting in well with the top talent of Victoria Baseball, especially considering he’s in his late teens playing against 30-35 year old men in most of his matches.
“He holds his own very well, and has a big future ahead of him in baseball.
“The World Cup is one of the steps where he can show his talents on the world stage and start moving forward in his career,” he said.
Upper Ferntree Gully Baseball Club president Dwain said Jack is his families’ next generation of baseball players, following in the footsteps of his father and uncle.
“I’ve been with the club for around 42 years, and grew up playing with his father and uncle who are legends of our club, playing at some high levels in their own right,” he said.
Mr Richardson said the Ratcliffe’s were pivotal in the club’s junior program back in the 80s and 90s, as well as guiding Jack through his own baseball career.
But, to the club president, it’s not only Jack’s skills that are advancing his career.
“Not only is Jack an outstanding baseball player, he’s also an amazing young man and a good kid, and that’s really special,” he said.
Mr Richardson said his experience at the World Cup next month will put him in front of the eyes of those looking for players to take professional, and will be a big leg up in his future.
“Getting into college baseball is easier now than it was back in our day, and getting in front of these clubs on the world stage will give him a better position to move into that space or be taken professional,” he said.
The Australian team will play in Japan for three weeks, with a couple of lead-up matches against Japan and the US before the tournament begins on Wednesday, 30 August.
