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SA qualifies for baseball cup, thanks to local players

SA will now represent Africa at the WBSC U18 World Cup in September.

Benoni Indians players Caelum Stroberg and Connor Steyn helped SA qualify for the World Baseball and Softball Confederation (WBSC) U18 World Cup after a commanding 16-2 victory over Zimbabwe in the final of the African qualifiers at the Boksburg Cardinals main diamond on January 19.

The youngsters ensured SA overwhelmed the visitors with a five-nil clean sweep, which culminated in a comfortable victory in the final of the five-match contest, to seal their place in the global showpiece to be held in Japan in September.

Boksburg Cardinals and Benoni Indians players in the SA squad are (back): Joshua Botha, JP Samouilhan, coach Mark du Plessis, Lefa Motaung and Dean du Plessis. Front: Caelum Stroberg and Connor Steyn.

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“I feel proud to represent the country. It’s a good feeling to be playing here,” said Stroberg.

Stroberg and co started their campaign with a 19-1 win in the first match on January 17 and the Zimbabweans were again no match in the second fixture on day one as they lost by the same scoreline.

The team, led by coach Dean Mckinnon, continued their dominance on the second day on January 18 with a 24-3 win in the early match and then mauled their opponents 22-0 in the later game.

Benoni Indians players Caelum Stroberg and Connor Steyn.

With SA’s place in Japan already sealed, the final was a walk in the park as the boys concluded the competition spectacularly with another one-sided victory.

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Stroberg credited this success to their build-up in the lead-up to the competition but said the biggest factor that gave them an advantage was that most of the players had been playing together since U15 in Mexico in 2022.

“We participated in league matches and tournaments in our provinces before going down to Cape Town for an all-star week.

“We did lots of training before this tournament. And we know each other. This team played together in the U15 World Cup in Mexico,” he said.

The SA Baseball thanked the Boksburg Cardinals for hosting an exceptional tournament.

SA players warm up before the start of the final match against Zimbabwe on January 19.

“The tournament was hosted at the Boksburg Baseball Club, which played a key role in ensuring the event’s success.

“Under the leadership of chairman Gavin Watkins, the club ensured the fields were in excellent condition and that all logistical needs were met, even overcoming initial challenges like wet fields on day one.

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“Their dedication, on behalf of South African Baseball, was integral to the smooth operation of the championships,” the organisation said in a statement.

The team will turn its attention to the world cup at the Okinawa Cellular Stadium from September 5 to 14.

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