2026 PERFORMANCE PATHWAYS TRIALS
Baseball South Australia is pleased to announce upcoming pathway opportunities for athletes looking to be part of our 2026 Performance Pathways Programs. Our pathway is made up of three key streams:
Elite pathway
Invitation-based opportunities for identified athletes performing at the highest level, regardless of age. Entry into this level is determined by Baseball SA through ongoing assessment and identification, including, where relevant, input or identification through Baseball Australia.
Prospects pathway
Athletes in the 2009 to 2012 birth years.
Emerging pathway
Athletes in the 2013 to 2014 birth years. Entry into this part of the pathway begins through direct registration into the Term 2 Emerging Development Program. Trial #1 is not required for athletes in this age group. However, a trial will be conducted during the Term 2 break for selection into the Emerging Select and Emerging Development Programs, which will take place during school Term 3. These Term 3 programs will also be available to athletes in the 2015 and 2016 birth years.
These programs are designed to provide athletes and families with more than just additional training. Through structured development, regular testing and assessment, and clear progression points across the year, our aim is to give athletes a better understanding of where they are at, what they need to improve, and what the next step in the pathway looks like.
As part of this model, Baseball SA will use term breaks as key testing and assessment points throughout the year. This will allow us to track development more consistently, provide clearer feedback to athletes and families, and support more informed program and selection decisions. For athletes and families, the key information is below.
Prospects pathway (2009 to 2012 birth years)
Entry into the Prospects pathway begins through Trial #1, which will take place during the Term 1 break.
Athletes who attend Trial #1 will be assessed for placement across the Performance Pathways structure. Depending on performance, fit, and current stage of development,
athletes may be invited into one of a number of programs, including:
• Elite Program
• College Pathways Program
• State Prospects On Ramp Program
• future progression opportunities within the pathway
Trial #1 is important because it is the first formal opportunity for athletes in the prospects age group to be assessed within the 2026 pathway structure and considered for May
program commencement.
Prospects Program Structure
The Prospects Program will be separated into position players and pitchers to allow for more targeted development in each area.
• Pitchers will train on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7:00pm to 9:00pm
• Position players will train on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:00pm to 9:00pm
If an athlete is identified as a two-way player, Baseball SA staff will determine an appropriate schedule that allows for both pitching and position player development across the week.
This structure allows for smaller group sizes and a greater focus on individual development. Each athlete will train a total of two days per week (4 hours total). Limited spots apply.
Emerging pathway and Trial #1
Athletes in the emerging pathway (2013 to 2014 birth years) are not required to attend Trial #1 for entry into the Term 2 program.
Trial #1 schedule
2009 birth year and older
Tuesday 21 April
5:00pm to 8:00pm
West Beach
2010 birth year
Wednesday 22 April
5:00pm to 8:00pm
West Beach
2011 birth year
Thursday 23 April
5:00pm to 8:00pm
West Beach
2012 birth year
Friday 24 April
5:00pm to 8:00pm
West Beach
Trial information
• Cost: $20
• Registration is required
• Athletes will complete a series of baseball-specific and performance-based
assessments
• Results will be used to help determine program placement
• Placement decisions will be based on assessment, fit, and progression
• If you are unable to trial due to unforeseen circumstances, please contact
austin.gallagher@baseballsa.org.au
What happens next for prospects athletes?
Following Trial #1, selected athletes may be placed into the following programs:
Elite Program
This program is designed for high-performing athletes identified in alignment with Baseball Australia benchmarks and future representative potential. It provides an advanced training environment for athletes already showing the capacity to perform at a high level and continue pushing toward state, national, and longer-term pathway opportunities.
College Pathways Program
This program is designed for athletes who have aspirations of pursuing baseball and education opportunities in the United States college system. It is intended to help athletes and families better understand what is required from both a baseball and academic perspective, while also supporting preparation, exposure, and long-term planning.
State Prospects On Ramp Program
This 9-week program will run during Term 2 and is designed to build a strong foundation heading into the winter off-season and beyond.
The program will focus on:
• arm care and throwing progression
• building physical capacity
• developing skill foundations for the next stage of the pathway
• ongoing feedback informed by testing, observation, and performance data
The cost for this program is $600 including GST for the full 9 weeks.
Strength and conditioning is strongly encouraged for athletes within our prospects-aged programs and will continue to be delivered separately through our on-site partners at The Studio at West Beach, with those sessions arranged and paid for directly through that program.
Further pathway progression
Following the Term 2 program, selected athletes may progress into a more advanced next phase later in the year, with placement to be determined through ongoing assessment and Trial #2 during the Term 2 break. Further details will be provided closer to that time.
Emerging pathway (2013 to 2014 birth years)
For athletes in the 2013 to 2014 birth years, entry into the pathway begins through direct registration into the Term 2 Emerging Development Program.
Program Structure
• Athletes will train one night per week, either:
– Monday from 6:30pm to 8:00pm, or
– Wednesday from 6:30pm to 8:00pm
• Training group allocation will be determined by Performance Pathways staff and communicated directly to each athlete and family
Game Component
• Games will take place on Saturdays in one of two time slots:
– 12:00pm to 1:30pm, or
– 1:30pm to 3:00pm
Each athlete will receive:
• 1.5 hours of training per week
• 1.5 hours of game time per week
Testing will be conducted throughout each training block to support player tracking, monitor development, and provide ongoing feedback to athletes and families across the program. This is a 9-week program, providing a total of 3 hours of baseball activity per week.
Program Cost
$450 per athlete for the full program
A trial for selection into the Emerging Select and Emerging Development Programs will be held during the Term 2 break, with those programs delivered in Term 3 and will also be available to 2015 and 2016 birth year athletes.
Why this matters
These programs are designed to give athletes and families a clearer and more connected pathway experience. Through structured training, testing, feedback, and progression opportunities, athletes will have a better understanding of what is expected, how they are developing, and what opportunities may sit ahead of them.
For families, the aim is to provide clearer planning around when assessment takes place, when programs begin, and what the likely commitment will be across the year.
What parents need to do now?
• If your athlete is in the 2009 to 2012 birth years, register for Trial #1 in the relevant age group session above : Choose Type - Baseball SA States Pathways Program - GameDay Registration
• If your athlete is in the 2013 to 2014 birth years, register directly for the Term 2 Emerging Development Program : Choose Type - Baseball SA States Pathways Program - GameDay Registration
• If your athlete has already been identified for Elite pathway opportunities, those invitations will continue to be managed directly
What to bring
All athletes attending Trial #1 are required to bring full baseball equipment, including:
• cleats for on-field activities
• running shoes for indoor training facility use
• bat, glove, and helmet
• baseball pants and training attire
• water bottle and any personal items needed
We look forward to seeing the next group of athletes take the field and begin their journey within our Performance Pathways system.