Two young guns in the local baseball scene will head to Sydney in June to represent WA in the 2024 Australian Little League Championships.
In their first season of junior baseball, Kelmscott Baseball Club’s Alessio Biancotti and Bryce Riches (both 10) were selected for the Under 13 Southern Hills Warriors charter team – an all-star team which draws on talent from the Gosnells Hawks, Roleystone Diamond Sports, Byford Bushrangers, Kelmscott Bulldogs and Harrisdale Hawks.
Charter baseball is a grassroots pathways program that develops up-and-coming players and local clubs. It is designed to extend player skills at a higher-level to club ball, and exposes athletes to national and international programs.
Teams qualify for the national championship through their state championships. And after a huge comeback at the Easter Little League State Championships, the Southern Hills team was chosen to head to Blacktown to do WA proud.
Alessio and Bryce are both quietly chuffed at the honour, which brings them both a step closer to achieving their dream of playing Major League baseball.
They will be supported along the journey by Kelmscott Baseball Club’s Junior Coordinator, and Good Sports Western Australian Volunteer of the Year Patrick Carlin.
Patrick was tapped on the shoulder to coach the Southern Hills charter team because of his decades of experience and dedication to junior baseball.
He couldn’t be prouder of the boys and the dedication they’re bringing to the game.
“They’re both very passionate, and work hard, but they each have unique talents,” he said.
“Bryce is a power hitter and he’s got a great glove at first base.
“Alessio is a silent assassin – he’ll just pull something out of the hat that’ll make you wonder how he did it. He’s always watching, taking everything in.
“It’s been good watching them develop from their first game, through selection, and to see how much they’ve grown.
“I hope they both have a great time over in Blacktown, and show the rest of Australia that WA baseball is quite strong and competitive – we can take it to the bigger states.”
While the boys have their eyes on the prize, putting in two sessions of training each week in between their footy commitments, their mums are focussed on raising the funds to get the boys over east.
To attend the national championships, each player will be required to front the $3300 needed to cover travel, accommodation and meals, and entrance fees.
So far, the team has raised $900 of their $10,000 target through their GoFundMe page.
They will be holding a Barefoot Twilight Bowls fundraiser at the Gosnells Bowls Club on May 18 from 6pm, with sausage sizzle, door prize, silent auction and raffles throughout the evening.
For more information or to buy a ticket, click here.
To donate to their crowdfunding page click here.
