Pieterse looking forward to first world cup appearance
This is the player's first ever national call-up.
Boksburg resident Cullen Pieterse “went mental and couldn’t believe it” after learning he was selected to represent SA at the U23 World Baseball and Softball Confederation (WBSC) Baseball World Cup to be held in China next month.
This is the 17-year old Benoni Indians player’s first ever national call-up. He is part of the 24-man travelling squad that was recently announced by South African Baseball.
He will be joined by his Indians teammates, catcher Corbin Greenslade, pitcher Robert White and middle infielder Kyle Schwartz.
“I was in the car with my brother. When he showed me the team list, I got out of the car. I went mental and I was screaming. I couldn’t believe it. I checked my phone and there lots of notifications from friends and family congratulating me,” he said.
Representing the country would be a big honour for the CBC Boksburg Grade 11 learner and is the biggest reward in his career since he started playing the game.
He’s looking forward to donning the green and gold and belting out the national anthem, a moment his teammates described as exciting and wonderful.
“It’s a new experience for me. I’ve never been to a World Cup before. It will also be my first time overseas. It’s nerve-wrecking. At my age, it’s going to be hard but I know I can achieve what I need.”
During the interview at the Benoni Indians clubhouse on July 27, Pieterse sat with his hands on his lap and listened attentively to Greenslade, White and Schwartz narrate how much playing college baseball in the USA has improved their game.
He said he wants to expose himself to high quality baseball, learn new skills and better his game in the USA.
As the youngest member of the squad and without overlooking his own abilities, he acknowledged that this is a learning phase for him, adding that the World Cup will provide him with a platform to learn from his more experienced teammates.
“I can’t wait to learn from them. They know way more than I do. I see them as role models. It’s a dream to further my studies and play baseball overseas. I’m in Grade 11. I’m working towards that dream and hopefully I can achieve what they have achieved,” Pieterse said.
South Africa are in group B with Nicaragua, Netherlands, South Korea, Veneuzela and Chinese Taipei. They open their account against Nicaragua on September 6.
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