Persephone Schoeman has sounded a warning to their competitors at the Baseball for All tournament in Chicago, saying they will soon learn that baseball talent exists beyond the United States.

The Benoni Northerns Indians Ball Club player is part of the South African Baseball Union (SABU) U14, U16 and U18 national squads invited to compete at the Rockford leg of the tournament.

Baseball for All, which promotes gender equity in the sport, was founded by American baseball coach and sports educator Justine Siegel after growing up being told baseball was a sport for boys while softball was for girls.

Schoeman is confident the South African girls will make an impact when they take on some of the sport’s best female players in the USA from July 19 to 25.

“It’s about time we teach them that there’s someone else besides America that can play baseball. We can do it too,” she said.

She initially took up baseball believing it would help improve her softball skills, but soon realised it offered much more than she expected.

“It became something I could do to represent my country and my family and take pride in what I do. I take pride in the symbol on my shirt and the name and number on my back.”

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Schoeman, Carly Steyn, Kimberly Dowling, Lucy Miller and Emma Lake are the only Benoni Indians players selected for the tour. Schoeman, Miller and Dowling are part of the U16 squad, while Lake and Steyn will represent the U14 team.

The club will also be represented by coach Dave Lake (U16).

Dowling said she felt immense pride when she received news of her selection.

“I felt an immense sense of pride because I’m playing for my country alongside these girls on an international stage. I’m proud of everyone who has made it this far and put in the work to earn this opportunity. I’m excited to see where it takes me,” she said.

For Steyn, wearing the green and gold comes with added responsibility, but she is ready for the challenge.

“Wearing the national colours and representing my country is huge. I want to make my family, teammates and the whole country proud,” she said.

Although the trip will not be their first international experience following the Rising Stars Uganda tour in January, Lake said she is eager to learn from some of the best players in the game.

“The biggest lesson is to be grateful for the opportunity, do your best and make friends. Win or lose, we’ll be proud of ourselves for making it there.”

According to SABU, the tour represents an important development opportunity, providing South African players with high-level competition, international exposure and continued growth within the national women’s baseball pathway.

The team is also seeking support ahead of the tour, and anyone able to assist, whether through large or small contributions, is encouraged to support the national squad through its BackaBuddy campaign.

Go to https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/south-africa-junior-womens-baseball-tour-to-usa to help.

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