U16 & U18 Performance Program and State Team Trial Information Update

6 July

As Baseball SA begins preparations for selection into the 2027 Under 16 and Under 18 State Teams, we would like to provide athletes and families with clear information regarding the Performance Pathway process, upcoming trials, and state team selection opportunities.

Term 3 Performance Program Trials – Tomorrow

Athletes wishing to enter the Baseball SA Performance Pathway are reminded that the Term 3 Performance Program Trials will be held tomorrow.

Trial Details

Date: Tuesday, 7 July
Time: 5:30pm – 8:30pm

Eligibility

Under 18: Athletes born in 2009 or 2010
Under 16: Athletes born in 2011 or 2012

These trials will be used to identify athletes for inclusion in the Term 3 Performance Programs and provide an opportunity for players not currently involved in the pathway to demonstrate their skills and performance potential.

Athletes Who Participated in the Term 2 Performance Pathways Program

Athletes who participated in the Term 2 Performance Pathways Program are not required to attend the July trial.

Throughout Term 2, Baseball SA collected extensive performance information through physical testing, skill assessments and ongoing coach evaluations conducted during Weeks 1, 5 and 9 of the program.

This data will be reviewed and compared against performances from athletes attending the Term 3 trial before selections are finalised for the next stage of the pathway.

By utilising the comprehensive information already gathered during the Term 2 program, Baseball SA can ensure all athletes are assessed fairly while recognising the significant commitment made by those who completed the development program.

Term 3 Performance Programs

The Term 3 Performance Programs are designed to provide athletes with a high-performance development environment focused on improving technical skills, game awareness, athletic performance and overall readiness for representative baseball.

Athletes selected into the programs will work with experienced coaches and support staff while participating in structured training and evaluation opportunities.

Importantly, the Term 3 Program will also provide the primary state team evaluation environment for those athletes participating in the pathway.

State Team Selection Process

Participation in the Term 3 Performance Program is not mandatory for selection into the 2027 Under 16 or Under 18 State Teams.

However, athletes selected into and participating in the Term 3 Program will complete their state trial process as part of the program itself.

The final three weeks of the program will feature:

Live at-bats
Competitive game situations
Game simulations
Position-specific evaluations
Ongoing coach assessments
State team selection observations

These sessions will form a significant component of the state team selection process.

Evaluation Dates

Saturday, 5 September
Saturday, 12 September
Saturday, 19 September

Selectors and coaches will use these sessions to assess athletes in game-like environments, providing valuable insight into their baseball skills, decision-making, competitiveness and overall performance under pressure.

Standalone State Trial Opportunity

Baseball SA recognises that not every athlete will be able to participate in the Term 3 Performance Program.

To ensure all eligible athletes have access to state team selection opportunities, a standalone state trial option will also be available.

Athletes who do not participate in the Term 3 Program but wish to be considered for selection into the 2027 Under 16 or Under 18 State Teams will be able to attend designated state trial sessions conducted across the same evaluation dates: