TOKYO — As the final of the 2026 World Baseball Classic approaches, it gives every baseball fan across the globe an opportunity to look back at the best moments and stories from pool play at the tournament.
In a group that featured international superstars like Japan’s Shohei Ohtani and Seiya Suzuki, Czechia’s Ondřej Satoria who made headlines as the electrician-by-day struck out Shohei Ohtani at night, the team that made the most noise and won the hearts of baseball fans at home and abroad was Australia.
Despite the heartbreaking exit in the team’s final pool play game against Korea, Team Australia let the baseball world know that they will be a force to be reckoned with in the future, and a big part of that statement was made by many of Western Australia’s own.
This tournament saw eight players on Team Australia’s roster who are either currently on the Perth Heat roster or are former Heat players from Western Australia.
Ulrich Bojarski: The right-handed pitcher from the Melbourne Aces who grew up in WA and a one-time Heat pitcher did not make an appearance for the green and gold this tournament.
Robbie Glendinning: Although the former Wanneroo Giant and Perth Heat utility player only appeared in three of Australia’s four games, he made an impact in his limited appearances. In the do-or-die pool play finale against Korea, Glendinning’s fifth inning solo home run cut the team’s deficit to four runs, meaning had that result held, Australia would have advanced out of the group stage. Overall, Glendinning went two-for-five at the WBC with just one RBI and a walk in six plate appearances.
Alex Hall: The Perth Heat catcher and midseason Australian Baseball League all-star started all four games for Australia at this year’s World Baseball Classic as the team’s designated hitter. For a second consecutive tournament, Hall finished as one of the green and gold’s top hitters. Hall finished the tournament tied for the second-most hits on the team with four (tied with Jarryd Dale), while leading the team in home runs (2), and extra-base hits (3). Both of Hall’s home runs came in the ninth inning in the pool play matchups against Czechia and Japan.
Kieren Hall: Despite not making an appearance on the mound this tournament for Australia, Hall cracked the Australian senior team roster for the first time in his career. He has previously pitched on the international stage before, having thrown at the 2019 U18 WBSC World Cup in Korea, where he posted a 1.80 earned run average while recording a pair of saves.
Josh Hendrickson: Former Perth Heat southpaw started Australia’s second game of the World Baseball Classic, an eventual 5-1 victory over Czechia. Hendrickson struck out the first two hitters he faced and then let his defense behind him go to work as he tossed three innings of one run baseball, allowing just two hits on his way to a no decision. Manager Dave Nilsson highlighted his ability to execute and limit the walks, which Hendrickson did allowing just one free pass on the day.
Tim Kennelly: Western Australia’s own, the captain of both his club and country, just completed his fourth and final World Baseball Classic. In his final run with the green and gold, he went two-for-10, including a pair of walks. Kennelly’s on-base percentage for the week was an impressive .333, which marks the second-highest on the team (of players who recorded at-least 10 at-bats). His final plate appearance in an Australian jersey saw him drop a sacrifice bunt to advance a crucial runner into scoring position (a runner who would later come around to score).
Mitch Neunborn: The right-handed pitcher and former member of the Braves Baseball Club threw a scoreless ninth inning to secure the 5-1 victory for Team Australia versus Czechia.
Warwick Saupold: The Australian Baseball League’s co-reliever of the year winner completed his fourth trip to the World Baseball Classic in his accomplished professional baseball career. Saupold entered the pool play clash against Japan as the first pitcher out of the bullpen for Dave Nilsson’s squad, and the veteran right-hander did not allow a run in two-thirds of an inning of work. Saupold’s shutout performance against Japan means he has completed three consecutive World Baseball Classic appearances without allowing a run.
Although the magical run for Australia is over, the effort from these Western Australian ballplayers has left an imprint on baseball in this country forever.
These eight represented not just Australia, but Western Australia, with pride and class, and we’re excited to see what’s ahead for all of them.
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For more from the tournament, check out the online World Baseball Classic hub.
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Photography: Scott Powick