Tokens of appreciation for totem family
Benoni Northerns Indians Ball Club held their junior prize-giving on Friday, March 24 followed by their senior prize-giving a week later on Friday, March 31.
According to the club’s junior baseball chairman Richard Greenslade the club’s u-9 age group continues to flourish under the guidance of former provincial players and committed parents.
Their u-12 “Cheyenne” team finished their season in style by winning the knock-out plate final against a tough Boksburg team.
“The ‘Cheyenne’ are a young team and all bodes well for this age group over the next two years,” said Greenslade.
The Indians’ u-15 age group was dominated by Benoni’s “Dakota” team.
“The team scooped all three trophies available during the season and finished off the season in style by winning the knock-out final against Edenvale Imps by 15-1.”
The club’s women’s softball team the “Chiefs” also enjoyed a remarkable season with a handful of new and inexperienced players coming into the team.
The coaching staff and management were tasked with the challenge of moulding new players, bringing out the potential in each player and integrating the new players with the existing players.
Such challenges were eagerly met as the Chiefs are always looking for new players to expand the team and the club.
With the new team dynamics in place, the players rose to the occasion and integrated together as a new team ready to take on the league.
Playing in the Gauteng Softball Association’s (GASA) Major League Division, the team showed incredible promise and the potential to exceed expectations.
The Chiefs made it to the semi-finals of the Major League Division and will aim to win the league in the new season which is expected to start in September.
On the senior baseball side of things chairman Grant Sayers, also coach of the Major A side, said their season was an extremely successful one.
“We came second in the league against our nemesis, Giants from Edenvale,” he said.
“The greatly anticipated cup final between Indians and Giants was not to be after a shock defeat to Boksburg Cardinals in the semi-final.
“That game will always be at the back of our minds.
“Coaches, managers, players and Benoni supporters were devastated.”
He added that the club has had many Major A side achievements this past season.
Rowan Ebersohn, Keagen Palmer, Bradleigh Peeters and Brenton Faulds succeeded in making the u-23 South African baseball team where they competed in the 2016 World Baseball Cup in Mexico.
Tyler Croft and Anthony Sayers were selected to participate in the Major League Baseball (MLB) All African Elite Camp, held at Boksburg Cardinals in December, last year.
Croft then went on to be selected for the MLB Spring Tournament in Spain.
Meanwhile, umpire Brenden Burrows achieved his Level Three in umpiring while stats-keeper Marcelle Burrows obtained her Level Two in scoring.
They will be umpiring and scoring respectively at the 2017 National Baseball Championships underway at Marks Park.
The top performers in senior baseball were presented with the following awards:
• Top Batter: Brenton Faulds.
• Top Pitcher: Rowan Ebersohn.
• Top Fielder: Jacques Groenewald.
• MVP: Brenton Faulds.
• Players’ Choice: Tyler Croft.
• Coach’s Choice: Anthony Sayers.
• Senior Sportsman of the Season: Tyler Croft.
CLICK HERE for a GALLERY from the events.
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