The Australian team bus was a few steps in front of the glass doors at the main entrance to Fuchu City Stadium, waiting to carry the squad back to its hotel after a practice game against a local team. The Australians were on a tight schedule and looking to make a quick getaway so the players could swap dirty uniforms for clean suits before an appointment at the Australian Embassy.
Most of the players made it to the bus in a few steps. It was not, however, that simple for infielder Travis Bazzana, who was met by a throng of fans eager to get close to the No. 1 pick in this year¡¯s MLB draft. The 22-year-old happily obliged as long as he could, standing in the middle of a large pack, calmly alternating between scribbling his name on various items and posing for photos.
Bazzana will make his debut for the senior national team during this year¡¯s Premier12, but he is already the center of attention after becoming the first Australian to be taken with the No. 1 pick ¡ª or even selected in the first round ¡ª in the MLB draft when the Cleveland Guardians chose him on July 14.
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