Baseball teams from around Gauteng gathered in Edenvale for the fourth annual senior baseball draft on January 21.
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Three senior draft teams were chosen on the night namely the Hitmen, Grizzlies and Wildcats.
Players from various clubs in Ekurhuleni and beyond put their names forward for the draft and were then graded and given a status of either a bronze, silver, gold or platinum player.
During the draft, each coach was given a fictitious budget with which they needed to bid for players.
The coaches had to ensure that they could get all the players they needed to fill various fielding, batting and pitching positions without running out of money.
While the draft was underway, three u-18 teams were also chosen.
The three draft teams and the three u-18 teams now take part in the u-18 and Senior Draft League.
The league was set up to prepare players for the National Baseball Championships (NBC), which will be held in Cape Town in April.
All players heading to the NBC will showcase their skills in the hopes of national selection to represent South Africa on national and international stages.
While all three senior draft teams will play at the NBC. The u-18 players will have to wait for the much-anticipated capping ceremony to find out who will make the trip to Cape Town.
Until the NBC junior and senior draft league, players will face off weekly against each other to strengthen team bonds and heighten skill levels.
Edenvale’s Brad Erasmus who was previously selected for the national side was drafted as the highest-paid player in this year’s draft league.
He was “bought” for R12 000 and has taken up the position of a pitcher for the Grizzlies.
“The draft league gives players an opportunity to play with and against other top-rated players from around Gauteng,” Brad said.
He added that it was important for players to step away from their usual teams and get a chance to interact with players from other teams.
“The vibe is always great at the games. The draft league is a great way to build baseball in Gauteng.”
Brad said that over the last four years, the draft league had attracted growing attention.
“Parents and younger players hang around after their games to watch the draft games and support their coaches and teams.
“It’s great to see crowds at the games and I believe it inspires the younger players to want to get there too.”
He said that the various clubs each get a chance to host the weekly games.
“This gives everyone a chance to play at different fields and also for different clubs to play host so everyone benefits from the games.”
Dean McKinon, the vice-president for Gauteng Provincial Baseball Council (GPBC) and coach at Imps and Giants, said the u-18 and draft leagues also give players from development sides at the Palm Ridge and Alexandra clubs a chance to play in bigger games.
“It’s great exposure for the sport. Everyone just gels together and it builds baseball for everyone,” he said.
The first of this year’s draft league games were played at the Benoni Indians Grounds on January 23.
Players aged six to 18 are invited to join the Giants Baseball Club.
Practises are held every Tuesday and Friday evening from 17:00.
For more information, contact Kate on 082 577 8214.
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