Aussies fine tune their game in Owen Sound

July 13, 2016

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Shallow Lake Sting Bantam's Cody Cunnigham, 16, left, sets up to bunt on a ball thrown by Australian National U-19 team player Alex Cleary, 3rd from right, during a fastball clinic with the Australian National U-19 team at Duncan McLellan Park on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 in Owen Sound, Ont. James Masters/The Owen Sound Sun Times/Postmedia Network

 

ORIGINAL STORY by Bill Walker, Sun Times

 

Twenty-two games in 12 days against some of the top fastball teams in Ontario makes for a lot of long nights for Australia's national junior fastball team.
But head coach Laing Harrow says it's the price his players are willing to pay in their quest for an International Softball Federation world junior championship.
“We're in winter back in Australia and we do believe that we need to get a lot of games – and not just games but quality games,” the Milverton-born Harrow said.
“We're lucky enough to come to Ontario where fastball is still popular and we can see quality pitching and quality hitting so we can get to the level we need to before the world championships.”
The Aussies have history on their side with staying in Ontario.
They based themselves in Kitchener in 2005 for almost a month before going to the ISF tournament in Summerside which they won.
This year they're based out of Milverton where Harrow is from. His family moved to Australia when he was 16 because his dad Bob had a coaching contract. His family returned to Ontario but he stayed down under to go to school and to play hockey.
“It's a month tour so that's a big task for these young men,” Harrow said.
“I always believe when you go home after something like this you gain a greater appreciation of your own country.”
Harrow won a national championship in Australia with Owen Sound Junior Selects coach Jamie Simpson in 1991/1992. Simpson helped arrange Tuesday's exhibition doubleheader.
“I think any time you play an international team and get to do it at home, it's a great experience,” said Simpson, recounting that the Selects beat Team Australia when they visited in 2009 – one of only two losses that squad suffered en route to the ISF senior championship.
“We still talk about it. I know over the years being able to play internationally myself, it's something you always remember. I know our guys guys are pretty excited about this.”
The Aussies have been in Ontario for a week and they've already played 12 games.
Harrow said the plan is to play 22 games prior to the ISF Junior World Championships which run from July 24 to 30 in Midland, Mich.
“We've played Hill United and the Toronto Gators and then some local teams so it's really opened up the boys eyes about the level of competition,” Harrow said.
“I'm not about the W's (wins) at the moment. We got our first win (on Monday over Elmira) but it's really about getting that improvement. That's what I want to see.”
The Owen Sound stop on the Aussie's fastball barnstorming tour included a first for the juniors - a clinic with a local bantam team.
The Shallow Lake T. McComb Sawmilling Sting bantams – the host team for the 2016 Canadian Bantam Fastball Championships next month – took to the field with the Australians for 90 minutes prior to the doubleheader.
“I can't say enough about (the Australians),” said Shallow Lake coach Chris McComb who also played in Australia.
“They're working so hard with our guys and our guys really look forward to being here. They're going to see what good ball players they are.”
Sting catcher/first-baseman/outfielder Cody Cunningham missed out on a chance to practice with Australia's senior men's team last summer so he was looking forward to Tuesday's clinic.
“It was really helpful because they gave us a lot of pointers on things we should do,” the 16-year-old Tara native said after the clinic.
“It's pretty cool (that Australia's youngest player is also 16 years old).”
And it turns out that the Aussies were also looking forward to the clinic too.
“It's good fun to see how other boys play and talk so it's a good experience,” said 19-year-old centrefielder Alex Cleary, who is from Mount Isa in Queensland.
“I really like it (in Ontario). We get to play some of the best ball in the world and doing this kind of stuff (the clinic) is heaps of fun.”
The Australians still have stops in Niagara Falls tonight, Milverton on Thursday, the Tavistock tournament this weekend, and Milverton again on Monday.
Owen Sound won the first game of the doubleheader, edging Australia 3-2.
Luke Zettel allowed 11 hits while striking out nine.
Matt Wardrop was two-for-three for Owen Sound while catcher Mitchell Pringle was two-for-two.
Australia pitchers Michael Ludkin and Luke Ollerenshaw combined to allow nine hits while striking out 14.
Australia stranded 11 baserunners over seven innings.
Izack Rossi was three-for-four with a run scored.
Results for Game 2 were not available at the Sun Times deadline.


bill.walker@sunmedia.ca
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