Amanzimtoti baseball player overjoyed at making SA U18 squad

KINGSWAY High School’s Michael Jordan (17) earned himself bragging rights by being selected to the South African Baseball Union U18 SA national baseball squad.

The grade 11 pupil participated in the inter-provincial tournament as outfielder and lead off batter at Hoy Park, Durban between 31 March and 3 April where he wowed the spectators.

Taking up the sport at the tender age of four-years-old, baseball has been a crucial part of the sportsman’s life.

“Annamarie Ackermann is a family friend and baseball coach, and was the reason I began playing the sport,” he explained. “I loved it immediately. What I love most is the atmosphere that comes with it.”

Michael admitted that at age 12, he battled to balance school work and sport, and packed in baseball for two years. Since he rejoined baseball in grade 8, with Cubs Baseball Club, his passion has been reignited. Last year and this year he made the KZN team – with little difficulty – but this was the first year he has advanced to be selected to represent his country.

“Coming up to the tournament, I was pretty nervous,” he admitted. “But once it kicked off and even in hindsight, I was confident in my performance. I felt there was a good chance that I would be selected.”

Specifically during this tournament some of the sportsman’s statistics included a batting average of 0,375, fielding a 1,000 and 11 stolen bases. His performance during the tournament and over the past two years, along with his commitment to the sport, led to Michael being selected for the 24-man national team.

Despite his confidence, Michael admitted that when his name was announced, he was filled with disbelief that his long-time goal had been attained. The sportsman has since set a new goal for himself – to play in the 2020 and/or 2024 Olympic Games, as baseball has since 2008 been re-included in the event.

Michael now looks forward to preparing himself for the 2019 International World Baseball Cup, where he will compete against more than 130 national teams including USA, Japan, Korea, Germany, Mexico, Italy and Canada. The venue for the event has yet to be decided.

He will now train a minimum of three times a week. He has decided to make a move from Cubs to Sluggers, which is a higher-ranked club – the ‘major As’. Making the most of his school days, Michael also participates in hockey, cricket and softball. He has also obtained KZN colours for softball.

Michael advised those who are interested in the sport to find a club and coach that works well for them.

The sportsman extended his gratitude to his parents and all his coaches over the years, as they played an integral part in his success.

His school, friends, family, coaches and town as a whole look forward to following the success of a local sportsman, as he takes his talent to international levels.

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