About the Downunder Elite Athletes
WHAT DO WE DO
Downunder Travellers is a showcase team that takes talented, college and professional prospect baseball players from Australia, to play in quality tournaments and against tough competition in the USA.
Our showcase tours are designed to give Aussie players an advantage that cannot be achieved from playing in Australia alone. We tour in the most competitive baseball locations in the US to allow us to play against the best competition, in the best facilities.
Baseball is the national sport of the USA and the opportunities that are available there will never compare to what is available in Australia. Our showcase tours are for those players who want to chase those opportunities to further their playing careers, wether it be playing college, independent or professional baseball.
In addition to playing in quality tournaments and games, players are introduced to US college life by going on campus tours, speaking with coaches and student advisors.
WHY WE DO IT
Ben, the head coach of the Downunder Travellers, grew up playing baseball in Canberra. He was selected for the ACT Academy of Sports Baseball Team at the age of 13, which was the youngest ever at that time. In 1998, the ACT Academy of Sport coach decided to take the squad on a tour of the US. Until this day, that trip has been a treasured memory and Ben credits it for giving him the determination and drive to continue playing baseball at a high level and follow his dreams.
On this trip, Ben was seen by someone who recommended him to one of the coaches at Howard College. Ben went on to sign and play with Howard, which is located in West Texas and is one of the best JUCO baseball colleges in the US. For those that follow the ABL, it is the same school that Tyler Collins (ex Blue Sox) played at before making the majors with the Detroit Tigers.
Playing baseball in the USA is competitive, with players from all over the country wanting their education paid for and with the cost of university, it is not surprising! Downunder Travellers has been developed to give Australian players the exposure to allow them to get those opportunities to further their playing careers, that aren’t available to them here in Australia.
WHAT WE LOOK FOR IN A PLAYER
Our players must have a good attitude and be a good teammate. You can have all the talent in the world but being coachable and having an ability to get on with your team is essential to becoming best player you can be.
Ability to play at college or professional level baseball.
Desire and drive to play baseball at a higher level.
WHAT WE PROVIDE
Exposure to MLB scouts from teams who aren’t represented in Australia.
Promotion to an extensive network of college coaches.
An advantage over players who are trying to gain spots in college teams using video alone. Colleges can receive 100 plus videos per week and do not have the staff or time to go through them all. Selecting a player from video alone is like buying a house without seeing it in the flesh. The exposure of playing in the US, against international, quality college and independent teams will get players noticed as it is an environment that US college coaches understand.
Games against quality teams at quality facilities.
Opportunity to meet and build relationships with coaches and players, which may be the connection that opens doors for the player.
Tailored recruiting videos and scouting reports that are used to promote players.
Dedicated coaching staff, who are driven and go above and beyond to see players get picked up, with proven results.
