Now the Garden Suburb 17-year-old plans to make the most of his opportunity on the world stage and use it as a stepping stone to a long-term dream.

“This has definitely been a goal of mine and it’s all in the greater scheme of things to hopefully one day play in the Olympics,” Wingrove said.

The Phoenix Charlestown player comes from strong baseball pedigree and has been around the sport his whole life.

He started playing at the age of 10 and has been in the NSW Country side for the past five years.

Wingrove’s first taste of national duty came in January when he helped Australia win the Oceania Cup and book passage to Canada.

“That was an amazing experience,” the Cardiff High School student said.

“I’m hoping to go away and play well for the team and I’m hoping to be able to come back and say we won a gold medal.”

The selection comes in a breakthrough year for the catcher/first base. Wingrove travelled to Florida in April as part of a Major League Baseball World Select side who played several games against young professionals from the minor leagues.

“There’s definitely a lot more opportunities for guys my age to hopefully go overseas and play professionally or college baseball and then come back and be successful in Australian national teams,” he said.

Australia fly out August 20. The cup starts September 1.