Baseball Australia president David Hynes was thrilled to announce Williams as the sport’s new leader.

“Glenn needs little introduction across the baseball community in Australia, whether as part of the silver medal team at the Athens Olympics or signing for the Atlanta Braves as a 16-year-old prospect before reaching the Major League in 2005,” Hynes said.

“(He) has excelled at every role he has performed within the sport, both as a player and administrator, and the board of Baseball Australia is excited about Glenn continuing to excel as CEO of our sport.”

Baseball Australia engaged leading recruitment firm SRI International to conduct an exhaustive search for Vale’s replacement.

“The opportunities for baseball in Australia and the Australian Baseball League meant we were able to attract interest from an exceptional group of internal and external candidates,” Hynes said.

“It’s rare to find a CEO who brings innovation in sports management, deep understanding of our baseball family, and a focus on our future as a growing participation and competitive sport, where we’re ranked sixth in the world.

“Following the very successful four-year tenure of Cam Vale, Glenn will ensure baseball further thrives through emphasis on moving up the competitive ladder such as Olympic qualification, more people playing all forms of our sport, a cutting-edge professional league with great Aussie and Major League Baseball talent and building bridges with international baseball including the booming Asian baseball scene.”

Williams joined Baseball Australia in 2015 and oversaw Boral Team Australia’s rise from 13th to a new high of sixth, while providing opportunities for future stars through various development programs.

“It’s a testament to our sport’s standard and culture that our next leader has literally come through every rank of Australian baseball,” Hynes said.

“He is a product of our sport, but also has great new ideas about how we become more fun, more sustainable and more competitive.”

Williams said he was excited about the opportunity to continue his involvement in growing the game he loves.

“It’s an absolute honour to have the chance to lead the game I grew up in and love,” he said.

“We’ve had a terrific era of success, and everything says we can now go even further, both on and off the field.

“Through Cam’s leadership of the sport and the tremendous effort put in by a wide range of baseball stakeholders, we are well positioned to seek great opportunities for baseball in Australia.

“I’m thrilled to be in a position to build on the legacy and excellent contributions to baseball Cam leaves the sport.

“I’m grateful to the BA board for appointing me as the next CEO for Baseball Australia and entrusting me to lead the growth of Baseball in Australia.’

“As a player, coach and administrator I’ve spent a lifetime in baseball.

“I’ve experienced first-hand how great our game is and the passion our baseball community has.

”I’m excited to work closely with the baseball community to grow our great sport here in Australia.”

There are currently more than 55,000 Australians playing baseball across 300-plus clubs.

Australia has a proud history of developing elite talent with Aaron Whitefield last year becoming the 35th player born in the country to make their MLB debut.

Both Team Australia and the Australian Emeralds are ranked sixth in the world.

The eight-team Australian Baseball League has established itself as the premier winter league since relaunching in 2010.

Williams will start in the role on April 19.