Benoni Northerns Indians baseball field was awash with red on April 12 as players eagerly took their seats for the season’s encore.

Having swung, pitched and run to home base, the players put on an exceptional show of gamesmanship

and talent, ensuring that the junior prize-giving was greeted with resounding applause.

This year’s event was met with history being made, twice.

Kimberly Dowling (16) became the club’s first female player to receive the coveted Sportsman of the Year award.

The Maranatha Christian School learner first stepped out to the mound in 2023.

“I wanted to try my hand at baseball as I was looking for a sport that wasn’t mainstream but that would still challenge me physically and mentally,” she said.

“Receiving this award is one of the biggest honours. Being the first female player, of the club’s first all-female team to receive it, is exciting.

“I feel truly accomplished and grateful that my efforts were recognised.”

Reflecting on the past season, Kimberly said one of the highlights was being selected to represent the club as well as the country at the U15 Rising Stars Friendly Baseball Series, in Uganda, in January.

Kimberly was among 14 junior Indians players who qualified to participate in various series across the globe.

“Wearing the green and gold was probably my biggest achievement,” she said.

“It was refreshing to pit my abilities alongside fellow players who worked tirelessly to represent their country on international diamonds.”

The club had even more reason to celebrate after being awarded the Gauteng Province Baseball Council’s Gauteng Club of the Year award.

Club president Gareth Long said that the club, its players and committee are overjoyed with the accolade.

“It is the first time that we have received this prestigious award, and hopefully not the last,” he said smiling.

“This year was an amazing year for the club. We saw 16 teams participate in the league as well as the establishment of an all ladies team, who truly showed their mettle.

“We further celebrated the inclusion of 14 players in the South African team who toured Taiwan, Kenya and Uganda.

“This achievement is a testament of our player’ unwavering dedication and commitment to the sport as well as their parents’ support.”

Highlighting parent involvement, Byron Mitchell, received the Junior Merit Chairman Award.

“As a fairly new member, Byron has not only contributed significantly to various projects and upgrades at the club but has also committed a lot of his time and resources to every other need the club has,” said Gareth.

“Providing resources, labour, equipment and being on the call for club maintenance and machine repair, he has also been involved in the U8 development team as a coach and brings much enthusiasm to growing the game at the grassroots level. We are immensely grateful for his contributions.”

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