Jack Besgrove took the softball world by storm last December, with an astonishing performance that led Australia to their second WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup title. Four months later, the left-handed dominated the WBSC U-23 Men’s Softball World Cup, claiming the title in the first edition of the event.
Besgrove’s meteoric rise sent him from high school to the top of the softball world in just a few months. “It’s kind of a big step... you go from hitting the books hard and then suddenly, a year ago you've got to start training and next you’re pitching in a World Cup and winning it... so it’s pretty exciting,” he said during an interview with Big Sports Breakfast, a Sky Sports Radio show.
Besgrove, who relies on his nasty riseball and curveball to dominate opponents, pitched a gem in the U-23 World Championship Final against World No. 3 Japan, in Australia’s 1-0 win. He led his team with another masterpiece, pitching a complete-game shutout with 11 strikeouts. “It was pretty intense. We had a lot of opportunities and we just couldn’t come through,” he recalled. “So as a pitcher you go out there, get ready and give us another opportunity... yeah, it was very stressful.”
Established now as one of the top players in the sport, the New South Wales native has started playing in Japan after his U- 23 World Cup in Argentina and will then go to America to complete the 2023 season. “And then set my sights on 2024, in next Men’s Softball World Cup, and hopefully we can go back to back,” he said. “The World Cup is what we really want to play and we really want to win.”
A World-Cup holder for both the senior and U-23 Men’s Softball World Cups, the lefty was asked about the competition level of both tournaments. “I think the skill level is the same, but the experience is a lot different. And the ability to adapt to those high-pressure situations,” he explained. “I would say the skill level is definitely the same, but the decision-making process is much better in the senior level.”
