Aside from providing elite playing opportunities and creating the environment for personal growth within a team setting, the National Schoolboys has for many years served to bring the sport into focus for young men as a potential career path.

“The most crucial part this tournament plays is that it gives young men options for where they might see themselves playing baseball,” Giles explained. “The schoolboys programme often provides seminars conducted by college recruiting experts as to the processes involved in getting to college.”

“Several states – including Victoria – are continually pushing the college pathway. From my experience, this is the best avenue for the majority of players to achieve their potential in baseball. Seeing first-hand a number of great college programmes, the support, the coaching, the strength and conditioning programmes and the overall team experience for me is the perfect fit for the majority of Australian baseballers.”

“Schoolboys is the perfect launching pad for this,” he said.

While the number of our young players heading to college in United States has increased dramatically over the past twenty-five years – in part because of the exposure offered to the college option in a range of disciplines under the aegis of School Sports Australia – over one hundred and fifty Australian baseball players have signed professional contracts either during or after their participation in schoolboys baseball.

It is an extraordinary statistic. And of that impressive total, a significant number have gone on to play Major League baseball, from Queenslander Cameron Cairncross (Golden Arm Award at the National Schoolboys in 1989) through to current Oakland staffer Liam Hendriks (who won the Golden Arm playing for Western Australia in 2006). Even earlier than, and since 1989 have been the likes of David Nilsson, Travis Blackley, Brad Harman, Josh Spence, Damian Moss, Peter Moylan, Chris Oxspring, Chris Snelling, Phil Stockman, Rich Thompson, Glenn Williams and Jeff Williams – all of whom played schoolboys baseball and all of whom reached the pinnacle in professional sport.

There are more, many more household names in Australian baseball to have represented their state at National Schoolboys level – including the likes of numerous current Australian Baseball League players and others who have gone on to achieve at high levels in the sport both here and overseas.

Inaugural winner of the National Schoolboys Championship in 1989, Victoria has been victorious seven times, while Western Australia and Queensland have both won two titles behind schoolboys powerhouse in New South Wales – with a remarkable record of sixteen championships.

Pressed on the prospects that he could see for the various states this time around, returning Victorian Head Coach Peter Giles is eminently well-placed to comment.

“I have no doubt that New South Wales will be strong again,” he said. “The combining of city and country into one team allows them to continually pick a powerful team filled with consistent hitting and solid pitching from at least six starters. Whoever beats them will have to bring their A Grade game on the day.”

“South Australia has had a resurgence over the last couple of years. Last year they were desperately unlucky to miss the gold medal game and with them winning the Under 16 national tournament this year, I have no doubt they will be fielding an extremely talented and competitive side.”

“Western Australia - as the hosts - will be very strong. Missing out last year on a top four spot will have stung them and I have no doubt that the calibre of side that runs out onto the field this year will place them in medal contention.”

“Queensland is always strong,” he said, “and any side which Chris Norrie is involved with you know will be competitive. ACT has the smallest playing pool to call upon, but for me they are consistently the role models that I tell my players to watch and learn from. They play the game the right way, they consistently hustle and they play hard for nine innings.”

“They are a side that should never be underestimated.”

“Victoria have been runners-up the past two years. Losing in a fifteen-inning marathon in 2014 and again losing to NSW in a close final last year certainly has the team primed for another tilt at this year’s title.”

While teams are still finalising their rosters, Peter Giles expects that the standard of play at the National Schoolboys Championship will again be outstanding as our emerging superstars strive for team success while seeking to impress the legion of scouts, families, club supporters and other interested parties who will be in attendance.

“I am reluctant to mention individuals at this stage – especially with teams not finalised – although I am expecting big things from the likes of South Australian Jack O’Loughlin, who had an outstanding series last year,” he said. “From a Victorian perspective, I expect right-armed pitcher Jackson Boyd and shortstop Aaron Ouwehand to come under notice in Perth.”

“The beauty of this series, though, is that it allows everyone – including some of the less heralded players - to step up and command serious attention as prospective college or professional baseball players. Baseball can be a very democratic team sport, where anyone - on any given day or in any situation – can do something out of the ordinary.”