This weekend marks an exciting milestone for South African Baseball as multiple districts come together to compete in the various Baseball5 Provincial Championships. As part of our South African Heritage Month celebrations, these events are the culmination of a month filled with Baseball5 trials, competitions, coaching clinics, and online courses for Baseball5 in South Africa.
Throughout September, various provinces have hosted baseball5 district trials and competitions, allowing participants of all ages and backgrounds to showcase their skills and passion for the sport. It’s been a month of not only competition but also learning and community building. Several coaching clinics have taken place, equipping aspiring athletes with the knowledge and skills to excel in Baseball5.
The month of Baseball5 action has provided an opportunity for several South African Baseball Clubs and schools to gain valuable Baseball5 experience in our rapidly growing new code in South Africa. In addition to player interaction, the month has seen an added focus on officials, and the events have now provided an opportunity for first-hand experience for game and table officials. A new dimension for South African Baseball is the issuance of Baseball5 official certificates of attendance by South African Baseball, and in some cases, player certificates of attendance.
Not only are we seeing additional officials in action, but there’s also a remarkable increase in the ranks of our Baseball5 commissions stationed in each region and province under the guidance of the South African Baseball5 national commissions.
For South African Baseball, we are thrilled to see a hands-on approach from our National Coach, Americo Juma, and now additional expertise at the table, with International baseball umpire Jason Bell joining in with officiating experience
This weekend sees the Western Cape action get underway as Cape Winelands face off against Cape Town Baseball at the Durbanville Baseball Club Limpopo is set to host their championships at the Shesego Sport Stadium in Polokwane, and Gauteng will see their Inter-district Champions in action on both Saturday and Sunday at the Montana Hoerskool in Pretoria. Last week saw the Eastern Cape Baseball Federation host their Baseball5 Championships at Richardson Park in the OR Tambo District with multiple schools and age groups in attendance and several of the accolades going to the OR Tambo region.
Baseball5 is a mix gender sport that can be played everywhere with no bat and only requires a soft ball. To find our more about Baseball5 in South Africa or to join the ever growing ranks of South African Baseball5 click here.