It was around that time the promising cricketer pursued a career of leather and willow, before a u-turn soon after saw him donning a scrum cap instead.
Ball, whose father was born in Colwyn Bay, joined Scarlets in the summer of 2012 andit took him just 18 months to pull on a Wales shirt, coming off the bench against Ireland on Saturday.
"I went with cricket, and I played with the State-19s, with Western Australia, but I realised that wasn't the path I wanted to take," he told the Daily Post. "I converted back to rugby and things moved on quite quickly.
"I was trying to get myself a starting spot with the Scarlets, and then maybe the natural progression was into international rugby.
"I didn't think it would necessarily happen this year, but I am very, very proud that it has."
Ball was disappointed with the result on Saturday, as Ireland beat Wales 26-3 at the Aviva Stadium, but on a personal level the day was still a highlight.
"My dad came out from Perth to watch the game," added the 22-year-old. "It is a shame about the result, but it is back to the drawing board next week.
"I was nervous before the game, but as soon as I stepped onto the field I felt good and ready to get into it.
"It is one cap and I have got to try and build on that now. I have got to try and work as hard as I can and hopefully be a mainstay for Wales."
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