Local baseball team makes a return

Kempton Park Red Sox Baseball Club was jam-packed with action as local junior baseball made a return on Sunday.

Junior games were the order of the day as U8 teams all the way to under 18 competed and coaches had the opportunity to put their new players to the test.

Among the games that took place, was a U12 game between Cheyenne and Southern Stars. Both teams started off strong and the game was tightly contested.

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Cheyenne managed to get an upper hand and they held on by winning 14-11.

Southern Stars secretary Tayrn Niemand said this was the first season for the newly established U12 team.

“The team hasn’t played many games but we do see a lot of potential. They have a lot of talent so all they need is a couple years to grow,” she said.

Anita Haines from Cheyenne said they made some changes and gave new players who have never played baseball a chance.

“It was a close game but we managed to shut it down at the end,” she said.

The Alexandra Badgers locked horns with Imps in another U12 game.

Badgers were the stronger side, with the Imps chasing the game.

Badgers won 13-4 and their coach Malebo Letswalo was impressed with the way they played.

“Our club has produced four national team players. I see a lot of potential on our current team and I think we can produce more national team players,” he said.

Another action-packed game was between Apaches and Palm Ridge. Both teams came well prepared as they matched each other pound for pound.

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The batting, pitching and fielding from both sides was impeccable.

Only one point separated the sides with Apaches claiming a 10-9 victory.

Apaches coach Craig Stevens said, “It was a tough game but our boys and girls brought it home. Palm Ridge was a great side but at the end, we managed to get the win,” he said.

Stevens said that the season is going great for them as they have only lost one game so far.