By Sean Talbot
Local Upwey baseballers Ryder Wilson and Jack Ratcliffe have received news that they will represent Australia in the Under 18 National Junior Squad.
The duo are set to tour the United States in September and October of this year and for Ratcliffe, it represents his second opportunity to compete in the World Cup whilst Wilson will fly the flag for the first time.
Ratcliffe said that the feeling of playing for your country is a really unique and special feeling.
“You will forever be able to say you played for Australia, nobody can take that away from you. It’s an amazing honour I do with great pride,” he said.
Wilson said that the thought of pulling on that green and gold jersey that says Australia on the front is absolutely electric.
“Easily one of the best feelings if my career so far,” he said.
The squad, made up of 43 of the country’s best young players (including fellow Victorians Tane Graham, Robinson Smith, Addison Bishop-Worn, Ty Daniels, Ben Howard, Will Kent (a teammate of Ratcliffe and Wilson during winter season at Greenhills Montmorency) and Pittsburgh Pirates recent signee Jayden Kim) will take part in high intensity training sessions and games against other local representative squads and will be witnessed by professional scouts and college recruiters from multiple Division 1 schools from around the country in an opportunity that is sure to lead to more signings for the young group.
Ratcliffe was born into the baseball world as both his father Simon and Uncle Brendan both played for Upwey, Victoria and Australia.
“I was always at the field watching Dad’s games,” he said.
“I always wanted to play baseball and started with playing t-ball from the age of 6, I joined the U10 baseball team and immediately fell in love with the sport and since then,
Ratcliffe has previously been selected in multiple representative teams for Charter, State, and National teams and even played for the US touring team in January of 2024.
“The reward of selection in last year’s U18 Australian World Cup team gave me more knowledge and confidence to strive to develop to keep playing at an international level,” he said.
“I’ve worked hard and have been fortunate enough to see my hard work pay off.”
Wilson grew up watching a lot of cricket and his Dad is from England.
“I enjoyed watching Glenn Maxwell play, especially given how well he hit the ball and how strong his throwing arm was in the field,” he said.
Wilson’s parents found a local baseball club for him to try as a way to keep my throwing arm in shape and continue to work on my hand-eye coordination during the winter.
“Since then, I gave away cricket and focused all my time and energy on baseball,” he said.
Ratcliffe has predominantly played a shortstop position but often plays second base, mixing in some pitching appearances, while Wilson is more of a utility player – playing middle infield, all of the outfield and more game time as a pitcher.
“I was selected as a pitcher only for the recent National Championships – which we won,” Wilson said.
Ratcliffe and Wilson have both played in the USA before – going to South Carolina to represent Australia at the Senior League World Series along with other Upwey teammates Ash Geary-Smith and Ethan Jenkins
Practice for the upcoming will be coordinated in each state through a specialised program and the team won’t play as a complete squad until they get to America.
Wilson said that along with the duo working with Victoria’s high-performance Coach Damian Shanahan he will be working out multiple times a week.
“It’s to ensure we are in peak shape once it’s time to go away as we want to put our best foot forward for the coaches and scouts in attendance,” he said.
“I will continue to take batting practice and groundballs with Dad and be working out in the gym to be ready,” Ratcliffe said.
Upwey Ferntree Gully club coach Donavon as well as Greenhills Montmorency Baseball Club head coach and Upwey Ferntree Gully teammate Wade McConnon also reached out to Sean wanting to wish their two superstars the best of luck.
Coach Donavonsaid he couldn’t be prouder of both players and that Wilson has worked hard on both baseball and himself.
“His maturity, focus on detail and work ethic have provided him these recent opportunities in the game and he has the talent and charisma to go with it,” he said.
“Ratcliffe has had an exceptional year and comes from great pedigree –he is forging his own path now.
“He is a brilliant ball player who knows the game and what needs to be done.”
Teammate Wade McConnon said both players have worked incredibly hard to get where they are.
“The opportunity in front of them is a testament to their unwavering commitment and passion to their craft,” he said.
“Not only is it a pleasure to coach these two young men, but I also get to play alongside them which is special to me – they both provide me with a ton of energy when I take the field and I’m sure they will offer their teams mates the same.”
Wilson and Ratcliffe will continue to both play key roles for the Upwey Ferntree Gully Tigers as they march towards finals and a potential three-peat of the Division 1 championship before turning their attention to winter season, where they along with Wade McConnon and Sean Talbot they will represent Greenhills Montmorency as they continue preparations leading up to their departure.
