World No. 15 Australia will play five warm-up games against five Industrial Japanese League opponents during their 10-day training camp in Fuchu City, a Tokyo suburb in Japan, ahead of moving to Nagoya for the WBSC Premier12 2024 presented by RAXUS opener against No. 1 Japan.
"We worked hard and injury free," said Aussie manager Dave Nilsson before the games.
Nilsson also discussed Australia's goals: "We have two goals. One is to get to the Super Round. After that, the goal would be to win the competition."
The five exhibition games are a relevant part of the preparation for the Premier12.
"Guys need to play," Baseball Australia CEO Glenn Williams commented. "They need to have at-bats and face high-quality opponents, and that's the quality of the opposition we are facing. We are very appreciative," the 2004 Olympic silver medallist added.
In the first warm-up game, Australia faced Nippon Express. The Japanese starting pitcher was Ky Jackson, who started two games for the Aussies at the WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup 2024.
Jackson, 23, has lived in Japan for five years to attend University and earn a sports psychology degree. He also has a baseball dream. Next year, he will become eligible for the Nippon Professional Baseball Draft.
After facing World No. 1 Japan at the Vantelin Dome Nagoya on November 13, Australia will play No. 12 Dominican Republic on November 15 at Tianmu Stadium in Taipei City, No. 9 Cuba on November 16 at Tianmu Stadium, No. 2 Chinese Taipei at the Taipei Dome on November 17 and No. 6 Korea at Tianmu Stadium on November 18.
The III WBSC Premier12 will open with Group A action on November 9 in Guadalajara and Tepic, Mexico. The hosts and world No. 2 Mexico will face No. 4 Venezuela, No. 5 USA, No. 7 Netherlands, No. 8 Puerto Rico and No. 10 Panama.
