Local to represent SA in major baseball tournament
Their first game will be against New Zealand on February 11
LOCAL Kempton Park Red Sox baseball player and sales manager by day, Brandon Bouillon, will represent South Africa at the World Baseball Classic Qualifiers tournament in Blacktown, Australia from February 11-14.
The team, made up of players from all over the country, will play a double elimination format, in other words, two losses will eliminate them from the tournament. Their first game will be against New Zealand on February 11.
“Being chosen for the team is a thorough process and I am very privileged to be part of it. To be selected for the South African national team, you are selected from your club on your performance throughout the local league, to represent your province at the annual national tournament. From there I was selected for the national training squad and then made the final team to represent my country internationally,” explained Bouillon.
The tournament is sanctioned by the World Baseball Softball Confederation and was inspired by Major League Baseball.
The two other teams participating is Australia and the Philippines.
The tournament will crown the true world champions as they have opened the competition up to the world and have funded each team through qualifying rounds to ultimately make the final 16 teams at the World Baseball Classic.
“I am very grateful to be part of the team and it is always a privilege representing your country. We have a great vibe among the players and we also have a couple of new guys on our team that are eager to get going,” said Bouillon.
“It is very hard work to be selected at a higher level and I would like to thank my parents for introducing me to the game at a young age as well as the numerous coaches that have worked with me through the years to get me to where I am today.”
