How Baseball Came to Australia (Pt.2)

Note: Last week, we looked at how the sport started and grew in Australia. In this episode, we follow the league’s growth in popularity, where the sport is today in Australia, and profile some of the most famous players from the country to play in Major League Baseball.

Australian Baseball Grows On its Own

Australia’s Canberra Cavalry baseball team, with the Championship Claxton Shield for 2013. (Wikimedia Commons)

Let’s pick up where we left off in 1914, where baseball in Australia was still finding its footing. Over the next few decades, the sport grew from a casual pastime into a competitive tradition.

Thanks to events like the Claxton Shield, Australia’s longest-running baseball tournament, and the creation of the country’s very own Australian Baseball League.

The Claxton Shield

Named after Norrie Claxton, an early champion of the sport, the Claxton Shield was established in 1934 and became the heart of Australia’s baseball scene. 

Claxton was a well known athlete in Australia, and had excelled as a cricketer, and Australian rules football player. He had even won major cycling events. He became the first president of the South Australian Baseball League and worked tirelessly to promote baseball across the country.

The Claxton Shield became critical because it wasn’t just a trophy – it was a bragging right, uniting players from all over the country and giving fans something to rally around.

The Australian Baseball League (ABL)

Fast forward to 1989, and the Australian Baseball League (ABL) took things up a notch. Here was a league set up to showcase the best talent the country had to offer, and it did just that – until financial struggles led to its suspension in 1999. 

But baseball is a game that doesn’t quit. In 2010, the league came back stronger, thanks to support from Major League Baseball (MLB). The MLB didn’t just bring funding; they shared knowledge and resources to help the ABL grow sustainably, making it a true game-changer for baseball in Australia.

---

Australia on the World Stage

Credit: baseball.com.au

Australia hasn’t been just content with domestic growth; it has made its mark on the global stage, too. In the 2004 Athens Olympics, the Australian national team shocked the world by clinching the silver medal, cementing their place as a force in international baseball. 

This victory set the tone for their participation in other major competitions, like the World Baseball Classic, where Australia consistently showed it could compete with the best.

In the 2009 WBC, the Australians secured a significant victory over Mexico with a commanding 17-7 win, showcasing their offensive capabilities. However, they were unable to progress beyond the initial round.

Most notably, at the 2023 WBC Australia achieved a historic milestone. The squad advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time by securing victories over South Korea, China, and the Czech Republic in the group stage. 

In the quarterfinals, they faced Cuba and were narrowly defeated 4-3, marking their best performance in WBC history.

---

Australian Players in Major League Baseball

(Left to Right) Dave Nilsson, Joe Quinn, Liam Hendricks, Travis Bazzanna (Wikimedia Commons)

Australia’s journey in Major League Baseball began with a handful of determined players who paved the way for future talent. These athletes brought skill, grit, and a taste of Aussie spirit to the big leagues, representing their country with pride.

Joe Quinn – The Original Trailblazer

Joe Quinn was the first Australian-born player to step into the MLB, debuting all the way back in 1884 with the St. Louis Maroons. He didn’t just play – he played for an incredible 17 seasons and even served as a player-manager for a few teams.

Quinn was a jack-of-all-trades, showcasing the versatility and leadership that would come to define Australian players. His early presence set the stage for those who would follow decades later.

Dave Nilsson – An All-Star for Australia

Dave Nilsson, a game-changer for Australian baseball in the modern era, made his MLB debut in 1992 with the Milwaukee Brewers. Known for his strong bat and adaptability, Nilsson became the first Australian to make an All-Star team in 1999.

He played multiple positions and consistently hit well, establishing himself as a respected figure in the league.

Grant Balfour – Intensity on the Mound

Grant Balfour was as fiery as they come. This hard-throwing reliever, known for his intense presence on the mound, debuted in 2001 and quickly earned a reputation for his no-nonsense pitching. Over his career, Balfour played for several teams, including standout years with the Oakland Athletics and Tampa Bay Rays.

He made the All-Star team in 2013 and closed games with over 80 career saves. Balfour’s competitive spirit and Aussie grit made him a fan favorite.

Liam Hendriks – One of MLB’s Top Closers

Liam Hendriks is redefining the closer role for Australian players in MLB. Since debuting in 2011, Hendriks has become one of the most reliable relievers in the game, earning multiple All-Star nods and leading the league in saves.

Known for his powerful fastball and relentless approach, Hendriks has pitched for teams like the Oakland Athletics and Chicago White Sox. His success as a closer underscores just how far Australian pitching talent has come.

Travis Bazzana – A Rising Star

In 2024, Australia hit a new milestone when Travis Bazzana, a young infielder from Sydney, became the first Australian player ever selected at the top of the MLB Draft.

Picked by the Cleveland Guardians, Bazzana’s selection signals the rising influence of Australian baseball talent on the global stage and gives Australian fans a new hero to cheer for as he begins his journey.

Curtis Mead – A New Chapter Begins

Curtis Mead brought fresh excitement for Australian baseball fans with his 2023 debut for the Tampa Bay Rays. A talented infielder from South Australia, Mead’s journey through the minors was marked by standout hitting and versatility in the field.

Now playing in MLB, Mead represents the next wave of Australian players making their mark on the sport’s biggest stage.

---

Australia’s Baseball Roots Run Deep (and Continue Growing)

The 2013 Australian national baseball team (Wikimedia Commons)

So there you have it – Australia’s journey through the world of baseball. From the Claxton Shield days to the establishment and revival of the ABL, to Australian players hitting the big leagues and making their mark, it’s clear that baseball Down Under is a story of baseball’s ability to take root and grow strong globally.

And while the sport might not be as deeply followed in Australia as in other countries, each milestone – from Olympic achievements to World Baseball Classic success and the rise of MLB talent –will continue to expand much baseball means to Aussie fans and players alike.

What’s exciting now is seeing where the next generation will take it. Young players like Travis Bazzana and Curtis Mead are proving that Australian talent has a place on the international stage, inspiring new fans and players back home. With the continued support of leagues like the ABL and a growing community of fans, Australia’s baseball story is far from over.

Thanks for joining me on this journey through Australia’s baseball history. I’ll be back next time with more on baseball’s travels around the world. Until then, keep loving the game – wherever it takes you.

---

Premium Subscriber Corner: What’s New and Upcoming