LISTEN: U-23 World Cup in Colombia calls for Benoni Northerns Indians baseball players

Six members of Benoni Northerns Indians Ball Club are part of the South African men’s national u-23 baseball squad which will compete at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) u-23 Baseball World Cup.

The u-23 World Cup takes place from October 19 to 28 in the Colombian cities of Barranquilla and Montería.

Benoni Indians’ Major A baseball players Rowan Ebersohn, Tyler Croft, Brenton Faulds, Bradleigh Peeters and Anthony Sayers will don the green and gold as players while Richard Greenslade will serve as an assistant coach.

They jetted off for South America on October 14.

The South Africans will play all of their Pool A matches at the Edgar Renteria Baseball Stadium in Barranquilla.

Theirs is a tremendously tough pool though with the team pitted against Japan (the highest ranked nation at the World Cup), Chinese Tapei, Mexico, the Netherlands and host nation Colombia.

With a 2018 world ranking of 26, the South Africans are fully cognisant that it will be an uphill task to reach the Super Round of matches, (the top three teams of Pool A and Pool B advance to the Super Round and the bottom three play for consolation positions thereafter) which take place once the final pool positions have been finalised.

For Greenslade, the opportunity to work with the team is an exciting one.

“It’s my first time as an assistant coach and I’m really looking forward to it.

“I’ll try and use my experience to help some of the youngsters by giving good advice and sound knowledge.

“Japan is our first game up and it’s going to be tough.

“They are in the top two in the world standings, but the boys are excited.

“We always look forward to the first game and to what will be a world-class challenge.”

The veteran Indians club man added: “We always hear about Colombia for the negative reasons but after finding out that we were going there we decided to do a little bit of homework and it really looks like it is a beautiful place.

“We’re at the northern-most point of Colombia and it has apparently got a coastal feel to it, sort of like Durban.

“We are going to be playing at a stadium that is less than two years old, this huge purpose-built baseball stadium is named in honour of an old Colombian pro.

“The facilities look amazing so we’re really looking forward to that.”

Asked about the prospect of playing against some seriously strong opponents, Greenslade said: “We’re the lowest ranked team at the tournament and I guess our biggest weakness is the amount of game time we have had at international level so for us it’s going be a huge challenge.

“For most of the boys it’s not their first rodeo though, they have been to world championships before so they certainly are prepared.”

Ebersohn, who has played baseball in the USA and for the u-23 national team at the previous World Cup in Mexico in 2016, said: “This year, with the team we have now, we’re in with a good shot to open up some eyes and cause a few upsets.

“Individually, I hope to drive a couple of runs and hit a few home runs.”

The Indians boys have grown up playing the sport together and this could stand them in good stead.

“It’s pretty cool,” added Ebersohn.

“There are quite a few friends of mine who are joining me in the squad and the camaraderie we have is quite tight.”

Peeters, who also played in Mexico in 2016, said: “We’ve got the best team we could have, better than what we had in Mexico.

“We’re all prepared and have trained really hard.

“We are ready to cause a few upsets there.”

Croft, whose first time it will be touring with a national side, said: “I am excited, but it’s also a bit nerve-wracking.

“As a baseball player in South Africa, wearing the green and gold is something that everyone wants to achieve.”

Faulds added he will be trying his best in every game.

“I will give 100 per cent and hopefully that’s good enough to help the team achieve our objectives.”

Sayers, who represented his country at the u-18 World Cup in Canada last year, was a late call-up to the squad.

“I want to contribute to the side and be as good as I can be,” he said.

“When I was called up I was quite surprised, but I’m quite happy about it and I hope I can help the team achieve our goals.”

LISTEN to Logie G’s Weekend Sports Wrap for October 15 on Caxton Radio featuring some members of the team:

https://soundcloud.com/benoni-city-times/logie-gs-weekend-sports-wrap-on-caxton-radio-monday-october-15

ALSO READ:

Feathers in the caps for Benoni Northerns Indians baseball players

For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp: 079 431 1217
Instagram: benonicitytimes.co.za

For more #hyperlocal news at your fingertips, visit Boksburg Advertiser, Springs Advertiser, Brakpan Herald, African Reporter and Kathorus Mail.