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Australian native Edwards carrying on family tradition

Mitch Edwards wants you to know if you walk outside in Australia, you’re not going to die. The Williamsport Crosscutters catcher, who hails from Canberra, Australia, said it’s the biggest misconception Americans have about his home country.

Oh, and don’t worry about the big spiders either. They’re harmless. It’s the small ones you need to concern yourself with.

“I think every American thinks everything in Australia is set out to kill you,” Edwards said following batting practice Monday at Bowman Field. “As long as you don’t swim in water, walk in long grass or stick your head in dark places, you’ll be good.”

The catcher turned 20-years-old on Aug. 1 and has been playing professional baseball since he was 16 when he began playing with the Canberra Cavalry of the Australian Baseball League. After a season there and another with the Sydney Blue Sox, the Phillies signed him for a reported $100,000 signing bonus. They were able to buy Edwards out of his commitment to play at Arizona Western College.

Since then he’s been a reliable option behind the plate in both the Gulf Coast League and Williamsport. He’s made just one error in 153 innings behind the plate, and he has a career on-base percentage over .300.

This is exactly what Edwards had hoped to be able to do from the time he was a kid. His grandfather played baseball in Australia, and his father, John, played five seasons in the minor leagues for both the Minnesota Twins and the Colorado Rockies. Baseball has always been in his blood and it’s why he found his way to the sport when there are so many other options in Australia.

“It kind of runs in the blood,” Edwards said. “I followed the tradition and turned it into professional baseball. I always had hopes I would be able to play pro ball, but at a young age I didn’t necessarily have the talent. So it took a lot of working hard and my dad helped me get to the next level.”

Despite Major League Baseball terminating its 75 percent ownership stake in the ABL in 2016, the sport continues to grow in the country. Despite getting its first Little League charters in 2007, Australia began hosting its own regional and sending the champion to the Little League World Series in 2013. Previously, it had played in the Asia-Pacific Region with the likes of Taiwan and South Korea.

Edwards is hoping to get the opportunity to visit with the Australian representative at this year’s World Series when the tournament begins in a little over two weeks. He said it’s important for the growth of the sport in the country to see players from there can make it to the professional ranks.

Two Australian-born players have played Major League Baseball this season – Oakland’s Liam Hendriks, who was an All-Star this year, and Minnesota’s Lewis Thorpe. While in the Gulf Coast League, Edwards played with fellow Australian Rixon Wingrove, who is from Newcastle, Australia. Both players’ hometowns are located in New South Wales, but are separated by about a 5-hour drive.

The Phillies have previously had Australians Josh Warner (2012, 2013) and Alan Schoenberger (2009) play in Williamsport.

“I think baseball is gaining a lot of traction in Australia,” Edwards said. “We need a lot more kids playing. The more people who are playing, the more people who are likely to become professional or go to college to play.”

Edwards’ father, John, flew to Florida a couple weeks ago for a three-week stay to watch his son play in the Gulf Coast League. But after about a week, Edwards was promoted to Williamsport to replace Juan Aparicio, who was promoted to Lakewood.

John had to find a way to get to Williamsport and has been here the entire homestand to watch his son play. He was able to see his son reach base three times and guide the pitching staff to a three-hit shutout of Brooklyn on Friday night, and he saw Mitch get a crucial single to help setup Johan Rojas’ walk-off single Sunday.

“It’s turned into an expensive trip for him,” Edwards said with a laugh. “But it’s always good when you have family come watch you. It makes you play a little better.”

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