The pint-sized 13-year-old represented his province at the South Island championships last year, so this is his sophomore year and expectations have lifted a notch.
''We've got some new guys in the team so, hopefully, we'll go OK,'' Will said.
The Otago Boys' High School pupil switches between shortstop and catcher and can bat left-handed or right-handed, which is a very handy skill.
''I played cricket when I was little and batted left-handed because dad was left-handed and always did his demonstrations left-handed.
"So when I got into softball I went right-handed because it was more natural but I can still bat left-handed.''
Otago came second last year and the team is keen to improve one spot. Will bats at the top of the order and his role is to get on base the best way he can.
''Sort of not really,'' he responded when asked if he gave the ball a whack.
''I just usually go for the safe hits.''
He plays for Cardinals club.
They were leading their grade before the Christmas break.
He is also a talented rugby player.
He represented the province in the under 48kg grade last year and played on the side of the scrum.
Otago under-15 team: Will Bathgate, Kaleb Carey, Jake Day, Perryn Fisher, Teremoana Hamblin (captain), Josh Hastie, William Hewett, John Hook, Tamiawhitia Te Nahu, Callum Rowley, Harley Ruru, Nathaniel Wallace-Neil (vice-captain), Caedyn Webster.
