Edenvale baseball players return shine World Cup
"The victory against Germany was the first under - 12 international victory for South Africa,"
Edenvale baseball coach, Colin Barret, recently had the opportunity and honour of taking SA’s u-12 baseball team to compete in the Baseball World Cup.
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While speaking to the NEWS at his home grounds, Edenvale Sports Grounds, Barret said although the team came 11th, fun was had by all.
At the tournament in Taiwan, SA faced off against 12 other nations which were “bigger, stronger and faster than SA”.
“It was the first time the SA u-12 team had left our shores,” said Barret.
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When the team arrived at the tournament, Barret said it felt like they were at the Olympics.
He said the team and the coaches were treated like royalty.
At the world cup SA faced off against some of the world’s best baseball nations which included America, Japan and Germany.
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Barret said nobody had expected the South African team to win a game but when the SA team beat Germany, the European baseball champions, the players were elated.
“The boys reacted like they had actually won the world cup title,” said Barret.
Before playing against Germany, the SA team had played four games and lost.
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“The victory inspired them to keep on going,” continues Barret.
Leading up to the competition the team had no international playing experience.
“The victory against Germany was the first u-12 international victory for South Africa,” he explained.
As a baseball coach Barret has 40 years of experience and is one of four sons who all have their SA baseball colours.
He said despite baseball not being a big sport in South Africa the sport is growing more and more.
Barret said a big obstacle for the sport is the lack of funding.
He encouraged those interested to join the Edenvale Giant, Imps Ball Club.
The new league will begin at the end of September and new players are welcome.
Barret added that the club also hopes to partner up with local schools to grow the sport.
For more information visit the club’s website or email the club president Dean McKinon at dean@loadsdirect.co.za
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Email benews@caxton.co.za
