From West Torrens to the Ivy League: James McFarlane Commits to Columbia University

Baseball South Australia is proud to recognise Performance Pathways athlete James McFarlane on his commitment to continue his academic and baseball career at Columbia University in Upper Manhattan, New York City.

Currently an outfielder with the West Torrens Eagles and a member of the Adelaide Giants development squad, McFarlane has earned the opportunity to compete in NCAA Division I baseball while pursuing an Ivy League education  a significant milestone that reflects years of dedication, resilience, and growth within South Australia’s high-performance system.

“My baseball journey started when I was eight years old, playing for Essendon Baseball Club in Melbourne,” McFarlane said. “I fell in love with the game then, and my love for the game hasn’t changed ever since.”

His development has been defined not by early accolades, but by persistence and work ethic.

“Growing up, I was never the first kid picked. I never won an MVP or Best and Fairest,” he said. “But baseball taught me early that success comes from hard work, being coachable, and showing up every day. Those lessons shaped the player I am now.”

After learning about the U.S. college pathway, competing at the collegiate level became a clear objective.

“Playing the game at a high level while studying was something that really appealed to me. To now earn the opportunity to play Division I baseball and get an Ivy League education at the same time still feels unbelievable.”

Columbia’s recent success  including an Ivy League championship and NCAA Regional appearance  reinforced his decision. The program has won seven Ivy League titles and made multiple NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament appearances since 2012, demonstrating sustained competitiveness.

“What attracted me to Columbia was their recent victory as Ivy League champions and appearance in the NCAA Regional Tournament, but also their winning history,” McFarlane said. “That level of success is simply remarkable.”

The recruitment process began in late 2024 when Columbia assistant coach Canyon Kyle initiated contact. Communication progressed through performance data and video exchanges before a pivotal in-person evaluation at a Boston tournament, where head coach Brett Boretti extended a scholarship offer.

“From there, he liked what he saw, and he offered me a scholarship,” McFarlane said. “That was a really special moment.”

McFarlane credits a wide network of support for helping him reach this point, including his family, coaches, and the high-performance environments he has been part of along the way.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the support from my parents, Gally from Baseball South Australia, and especially the work through the Performance Pathways, which helped me get into college,” he said.

He also acknowledged his first coach Jarrod Liersch, the ongoing support of West Torrens Baseball Club, charter coaches Ron Harvey and Brian Cakebread, and opportunities provided through Baseball Australia  including representing Australia at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup in Japan.

His time within the Adelaide Giants program has also been instrumental in his development.

“I’ve loved my time with the Giants. I’m extremely grateful to Coach Chris Adamson for giving me the opportunity,” McFarlane said. “That environment gave me a glimpse into professional baseball and showed me what it takes at the next level.”

Balancing elite sport with academic achievement has been another defining component of McFarlane’s journey, reinforcing discipline, time management, and long-term focus — skills that will serve him well as he transitions to collegiate baseball in the United States.

“Balancing baseball and academics was not easy. It taught me focus, discipline, and being able to strategize how I use my time,” he said. “Baseball has opened this door, and I’m ready for what’s next. I’m incredibly grateful for everyone who’s helped me along the way, and I’m excited to see where this journey takes me.”

Baseball South Australia congratulates James on this outstanding achievement and looks forward to following his continued success on and off the field