The selection of the Australian team that will compete at the annual Cal Ripken World Series event in Aberdeen, Maryland from August 15-22, 2009 has been officially announced.

Since 2001 the Cal Ripken program has been steadily developing some of Australia's youngest stars, highlighted by the large number of former Cal Ripken players who have gone on the represent their country at under-17 or under-19 level.

In fact so rich in talent are the Cal Ripken alumni, that an incredible 18 players have gone on to sign professional contracts, with two (James Beresford and Stefan Welch) even graduating to become part of the National Men's Team at the recent World Baseball Classic tournament in March!

As is the process each year, the 15 players selected were nominated by their respective state associations after ongoing scouting and selection trials, and each will carry the hopes for Australia - building on the solid performances displayed by Aussies in the Cal Ripken Series over the past eight years.

2009 will also see Stephen Black promoted to Head Coach of the team; who hopes to build on the indelible legacy left by Bob Nilsson, who led the Cal Ripken team in the previous eight World Series. Assisting Stephen will be Coaches Jason Fenwick and Phil Balzer, who both bring years of experience to the side. The staff will be supported by Robert Moden, who returns for his third stint as Executive Officer.

The ABF would like to congratulate the following players on their 2009 Cal Ripken Team selection:

	FIRST NAME	LAST NAME	POSITION	STATE
1	Justin	Aron	PITCHER / INFIELD	Victoria
2	Jake	Bowey	CATCHER	Western Australia
3	Bryce	Collins	PITCHER / INFIELD	Queensland
4	Joel	Dyer	INFIELD	New South Wales
5	Nicholas	Eckberg	PITCHER / INFIELD	New South Wales
6	Dean	Frew	UTILITY	New South Wales
7	Damien	Goodman	UTILITY	Victoria
8	Robert	Herzfeld	PITCHER / OUTFIELD	Western Australia
9	Wez	Hewett	UTILITY	Queensland
10	Matthew	Howe	UTILITY	Victoria
11	Benjamin	Keeping	PITCHER / INFIELD	South Australia
12	Lachlan	Mayo	PITCHER / INFIELD	New South Wales
13	Ethan	Packer	CATCHER	New South Wales
14	Cameron	Power	UTILITY	New South Wales
15	David	Smith	PITCHER / INFIELD	Western Australia
	COACHING STAFF
	Stephen	Black	Head Coach	Victoria
	Jason	Fenwick	Assistant Coach	New South Wales
	Phil	Balzer	Assistant Coach	Victoria
	Robert	Moden	Executive Officer	Queensland