Young baseball star to pitch on the world stage

A PROMISING pitcher is set to take his game to the international level with Billy McCarthy to represent Australia at the WBSC Under-12 Baseball World Cup in Taiwan.

The 11-year-old joins an elite list of Lismore baseballers from the Far North Coast association who have gone on to represent their country.

Billy will be one of the youngest and was first on the selection radar for the national team about 18 months ago.

His father Clint has coached each of his three sons, including Billy and his twin brother Jack.

“It really goes back to the state titles 18 months ago when Billy was in the younger year of his age bracket,” Clint McCarthy said.

“It was against a team where the Australian head coach is based.

“Billy pitched a large portion of the game against Ryde, helping shut them out before that team went on to the national titles.

“I always tell the kids you never know who’s watching and I think Billy’s selection highlights that.”

The family have spent this month in the United States with the boys playing for the Queensland Dolphins at the Cooperstown Allstar Tournament in New York.

It has been the perfect tune-up for his pitching and shortstop work with 80 teams from around the world competing.

They will return home this week before heading to the World Cup to be played between July 25 and August 3.

Australia is one of 12 teams and will play against the top-ranked Japan and Chinese Taipei in the pool stage.

“He’s (Billy) always been driven, but making this team has really taken that to the next level,” Clint said.

“He gives 100 per cent every time he trains or plays, and he just loves the game – that’s what really fuels him.”

News of his selection was extra special, with his twin brother Jack sharing the news at the dinner table earlier this month.

“We thought it would be a meaningful way for him to hear the news,” Clint said.

“He was a bit stunned, and it took a second to sink in but then you could see the excitement on his face.

“The whole family was just so proud. It was a really special way to share the moment together, and having his brother deliver the news made it even more memorable.”