BASEBALL pitcher Jackson Boyd, of Langwarrin competed against the “world’s best” at the under-18s Baseball World Cup in Thunder Bay, Canada earlier this month.
This was Boyd’s first time representing Australia at the World Cup and he helped the side finish just one win shy of playing for a bronze medal.
Boyd, 17, said the tournament was a good challenge to see how his pitching would hold up against baseball players from around the world.
“It wasn’t easy but I was able to see how my game goes compared to the best,” he said.
“It was something I have never really done before so it was great to have the experience.
“The way they go about their baseball is just a whole other level. They’re like robots compared to us, USA just don’t do anything wrong.
“I would have thrown over 100 pitches in a match and then have four days rest but the Japanese and the Koreans would just go out and do it again the next day.”
The Australian side was defeated in the opening round by Korea but Boyd said they were still understanding what the World Cup was about and the nerves might have just gotten the best of them.
After having his first taste at competing at the top level, Boyd relished his second match and the Australian side went on to win their next three games.
They then faced Canada for a chance to play for a bronze medal but their streak came to an end when defeated by the host country.
The Australian side then faced world number 1, Japan, in the super rounds of the tournament to have one last crack at making it into the bronze medal play-off. Being highly competitive, the side didn’t go down without a fight but was narrowly defeated by one run.
