Youngster who died after fluke baseball accident is remembered at Northerns
The smiling sportsman is remembered.
The Benoni sporting fraternity has been left reeling by the death of 17-year-old Jamie Ludick who died on March 13 in the Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital following a head injury sustained while playing a baseball game at Benoni Northerns Indians Ball Club’s main diamond on March 10.
The Grade 11 Noorderlig learner suffered the injury after hitting his head against the baseball diamond’s home-run wall while backtracking to take a catch in the outfield during a warm-up game ahead of the junior South African National Baseball Championships (NBC) in the Eastern Cape where he was set to represent the Gauteng u-18 baseball team.
The incident was described as a fluke accident.
A memorial was held on March 20 at Benoni Northerns Sports Club for the Crystal Park resident who played football for Old Bens Football Club, baseball for Benoni Northerns Indians Ball Club, cricket for Benoni Northerns Cricket Club and Action Cricket at the Benoni Action Arena.
He also represented a number of age-group provincial teams in those sports.
Many mourners gathered at the club to pay their respects to the talented sportsman including coaches who had watched him grow over the years, teammates who played alongside him, schoolmates, friends and family.
Another memorial service was held in his school’s hall on March 14.
He was described as a positive, ever-smiling individual whose giggle was captivating.
His attitude and commitment to his sport was praised as well.
His mother Janine explained that she and her husband Theuns adopted the youngster as a baby from the Princess Alice Adoption Home in Westcliff in 2001.
“A staff member took us aside and showed us Jamie.
“She lifted his arm and tickled him and that was the origin of this infectious laugh that everybody knew.”
Janine added that his father got him involved in sport from a young age.
“He started riding a pony at the age of three and was entered into many school league equestrian competitions.
“He then got going very early on with baseball, soccer and cricket,” she said.
“Everyone knew him for his positive nature, but, from a mom’s point-of-view, he was like living with a whirlwind.
“He was very busy and had both his good and bad moments.
“Everyone knew the high-flyer, but I saw his quiet side too and I cherish that side of him most.
“Jamie picked people up when they were down, embraced them, made them feel happy and had an amazing character.
“I am heartbroken to let him go, but I go in faith that when it’s your time to go it’s time to go.
“We miss him, but he is safe.”
Jamie is survived by his parents, Janine and Theuns, sisters Kim and Jesse and brother Juan, as well as nephews Damian, Dominic and Daniel.
He was set to be a father after his girlfriend, Mihle, gave birth to a child on March 19, named Desean Jamie.
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