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Australian men’s softball team has long been considered the baby brother of baseball. No longer. Australia currently has the number one men’s side in the world.
One of the veterans of this team is Nathan Jones. Nathan plays for the Steelers, the Australian men’s softball team and has played in two World Championships for Australia. The first was in Christchurch New Zealand in 2009 and the second in Saskatoon Canada in 2012.
Nathan is right handed and being a junior baseballer has meant he has developed a strong batting and throwing arm. Most of his strength work comes from his softball training. He wears number 17 on his back.
Nathan made his debut for Australia against New Zealand in 2001. Ever since then he has played the positions of short stop and catcher. Nathan is renowned as one of the finest the fielder this country has ever produced.
Nathan resides in Perth playing for the “mighty” Freemantle Rebels. He says it is a “dream come true representing your country” and he is still, after 115 games for Australia “very passionate about sport.” This puts him in the top five of the most games played for Australia.
He started playing Softball in 2000 from a baseball background. He says he was lucky enough to be selected in the Western Australia state team in 2001. From there he was selected into the Australian team. “My journey has been an enjoyable one,” he simply states.
But it has not always been an easy road. He has recently had hand surgery which will take 12 weeks to heal but will hopefully be available for the 2013 World Championships being held in Auckland. He hits the gym three times a week and the rest of the time concentrates on softball training. Nathan gets Saturdays off and plays for the Rebels on Sunday.
He says he has always enjoyed the infield and says “Short ttop is definitely one of those positions where you are always involved in the play…fielding was one of the my strengths and short stop is one of those positions quite dynamic and unique. You have to have good glove work.”
In 2011 he was named in the Aussie Steelers ISF Oceania Team at Hawkers International Centre in Canberra, Australia. Despite an giving up an early lead to minnow Samoa, Australia managed to reduce the defecit to two runs thanks to runs to Nathan and Nick Shailes.
From that point on the Australians were in control of the match and went on to win 12-4. He says “it was great…to be selected to play in that series…It was really a team effort…we rose to the occasion.”
The Steelers are now ranked number one in the world after their defeat of New Zealand in the 2009 ISF Men’s World Championships in Canada. The 5-0 win over the Black Sox has meant New Zealands giant reign of supremacy was over.
Nathan says a strong junior men’s program and the hard work and the determination of the players has meant success. He also agreed that the coaches have been crucial to the Steeler’s success. However he says that New Zealand will be formidable opponents next year.
“Till 2009…we worked very hard to ensure that we were able to compete with them (New Zealand)” Nathan believes Canada, Japan and emerging powerhouse Argentina will be strong contenders in the 2013 ISF World Championships. Asked if he wanted to represent Australia again he said “that would be a massive yes…the hunger and the desire is still there…”
Nathan believes that softball should be an Olympic sport for men. He is also very supportive of the women’s game being reinstated. He’s got a young family which he hopes can come to the world championships next year and see him play. The men’s team will be highly competitive and formidable in their defense of their number one position.
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