South African Baseball

[DownUnderDodger]

After reading that Sth Africa were mentioned as possible starters in the 2006 World Championships I have tried to research baseball in that country - so far not much info found. Three reference sites as follows:
http://www.baseball.ch/2003/F/MC/RSA.html - 10k
http://www.maykuth.com/Africa/base506.htm
http://www.modernerabaseball.com/id41.html

Hmmm....the MLB ulteria motive. Is this why they want Sth Africa in the WC?

[DownUnderDodger]

In trying further research I found the following link which I have posted in the Seattle Mariner's forum, but will copy the Sth African references here:

We have got representatives all over the world," Engle said............ "We have them in South Africa and China, too. We've had to analyze the level of baseball they play in those countries and blend that into our analysis. It's not hit-and-miss, at least not much."

Some Mariners scouts have got to be frequent flier All-Stars. Wayne Norton, for example, has responsibility for Canada and Europe but heads the charge into South Africa, too.

South Africa? Don't they play rugby, cricket and soccer? Well, yes. But they have Little League and high school baseball, too. Norton got Seattle its first signee from South Africa 18 months ago when he brought right-handed pitcher Tyrone Lamont into the organization.

The Mariners don't want to tip their hand, but it's no secret that South Africa, where baseball is played more often and at a much higher level than is generally acknowledged in the U.S., figures to be a gold mine for talent in the next decade or two.

If you want to read the whole article click on the following link - truly international flavour!

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/baseball/218001_tabminors31.html

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

With all sorts respect, they are playing a lot better than me, but why should a South African baseball team play at this tournament? Only to give the continent of Africa a representative?

Come on. They don't even get close to the MLB level.

[Augustin_"Gus"]

The argument that you have to have a representative from the african continent, wich is so often forgotten and left to his own misery, is a very valid one if you ask me. They would get killed but still, I think Africa deserves the be there.

[Gamingboy]

Yes, there should be one from every continent. Sure, South Africa may not come to mind when you think of "Baseball Powerhouse", but international competition isn't just over who'll win and who'll lose. It's also national pride and the chance to meet the world's best. I mean, look at the Little League world series, every year there's a team from Europe or Africa that has no chance and they know it. They just come to have fun and play against the world's best in a world class ballpark.


So I say South Africa should come. Even though they'll end up losing games by double digits, it'll still be a great thing, to see the world's best, not just the Western Hemispheres.

[DownUnderDodger]

I think it is apparent in a couple of the sites I have listed that the MLB themselves see South Africa as a probable future drawing point for players for MLB teams, and they are keen to involve S.A. at this level of competition. S.A. did compete at the 2000 Olympics and have competed at some of the World Championships. I guess they need to start somewhere and it is wonderful that the game should be fostered in more parts of the world, but from what I have read it seems to be all about MLB. Whether that is a good or bad thing is up to everyone's individual opinion.

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

I think it is apparent in a couple of the sites I have listed that the MLB themselves see South Africa as a probable future drawing point for players for MLB teams, and they are keen to involve S.A. at this level of competition. S.A. did compete at the 2000 Olympics and have competed at some of the World Championships. I guess they need to start somewhere and it is wonderful that the game should be fostered in more parts of the world, but from what I have read it seems to be all about MLB. Whether that is a good or bad thing is up to everyone's individual opinion.

I know that they have played at the 2000 Olympics. They have beaten the Netherlands overthere. Because of that defeat, the Dutch did not reach the final four. :grouchy

But two years ago I have seen them play here in the Netherlands at an international tournament. Then they didn't look that good.

But you are right. They have to start somewhere.

[MudvilleMike]

With all sorts respect, they are playing a lot better than me, but why should a South African baseball team play at this tournament? Only to give the continent of Africa a representative?

To be honest, I consider that a perfectly reasonable justification. If we're going to have a world cup, let's include at least one African team.

[Licey Fan]

That seems like a really good reason to have them in the tournament if you ask me... I couldn't be a "world" classic without having all the world represented.



With all sorts respect, they are playing a lot better than me, but why should a South African baseball team play at this tournament? Only to give the continent of Africa a representative?

Come on. They don't even get close to the MLB level.

[Mike South Africa]

Hey all you guys on here. I'm Mike and i'm a player in the South African National Team. I managed to find this site by chance and was quite amused when i did. On the one hand i liked some of the posts and on the other you guys just seemed to shoot our team down a little....dont you think we deserve the bennifit of doubt? Sure we aren't the greatest baseball nation, having national sports such as cricket and rugby and soccer makes it a little tough to persue it as much as you guys do. We are really excited to have the opportunity to play in your country against the worlds best. I have been in many tournaments, but none i'm sure will ever compare to this one next year.

We have so many passionate players here that eat, sleep and just dream baseball, and wish we had what you guys have. I admit we might not be on a MLB Standard, but i still believe we are contenders, and believe me, i dont ever see any country beating us by double didget figures.

I hope you guys respond to me and maybe we can chat a little and learn a little more bout each other and the game.

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

Hey all you guys on here. I'm Mike and i'm a player in the South African National Team. I managed to find this site by chance and was quite amused when i did. On the one hand i liked some of the posts and on the other you guys just seemed to shoot our team down a little....dont you think we deserve the bennifit of doubt? Sure we aren't the greatest baseball nation, having national sports such as cricket and rugby and soccer makes it a little tough to persue it as much as you guys do. We are really excited to have the opportunity to play in your country against the worlds best. I have been in many tournaments, but none i'm sure will ever compare to this one next year.

We have so many passionate players here that eat, sleep and just dream baseball, and wish we had what you guys have. I admit we might not be on a MLB Standard, but i still believe we are contenders, and believe me, i dont ever see any country beating us by double didget figures.

I hope you guys respond to me and maybe we can chat a little and learn a little more bout each other and the game.

Hi there Mike South Africa. Good to have you around. Enjoy your stay here.

Well, I was the one being a bit sceptical about the South African team participating with the world cup.

You guys beat the Netherlands in the 2000 Olympics, but I have seen you play two years ago in the Netherlands, during a international tournament. You were a lot better than I will ever be, but you didn't have a chance against our national team.

But never mind my criticism. Baseball can use some other countries than the usual. The more, the better.

[RebelBaseball44]

I hate to give the bump to a thread that's so old, but I find S. Africa as a very intriguing baseball country. They can definately count me as a fan in the WBC in March, even though they are probably bound to get slaughtered.

[runningshoes]

I have a good friend in South Africa. I'll ask him to find out what he can

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

It is sad that South Africa's best pitcher is on the DL of the Wichita Wranglers.

[Dutch Girl]

Hi there! Just wanted to let you know that I am also fan of South African Baseball.

Sure, they did end up last at the Worldchampionship in Holland, but I do think they are capable of ending up higher in the coming years! They have a very young team so.......... The baseball game was sure interesting enough to watch (you go, Mike!).

By the way, we have an event coming up in July 2006 in Haarlem/The Netherlands: De Haarlemse Honkbalweek. It´s great to visit this tournament, so just come on over!!!!!

So Mike South Africa, please come and visit Haarlem (again), so we can talk some more about South African Baseball ;)

greetings, Dutch Girl

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

Hi there! Just wanted to let you know that I am also fan of South African Baseball.

Sure, they did end up last at the Worldchampionship in Holland, but I do think they are capable of ending up higher in the coming years! They have a very young team so.......... The baseball game was sure interesting enough to watch (you go, Mike!).

By the way, we have an event coming up in July 2006 in Haarlem/The Netherlands: De Haarlemse Honkbalweek. It´s great to visit this tournament, so just come on over!!!!!

So Mike South Africa, please come and visit Haarlem (again), so we can talk some more about South African Baseball ;)

greetings, Dutch Girl

Hi Dutch Girl,

Welcome to this fabulous baseball forum, where Yankee fans and Red Sox fans can live in relative harmony.

So you're from Haarlem. I have lived in Amsterdam until I was 30, then I moved to Hoorn and now I am living in Etten-Leur, near Breda for four years already.

I write in English, otherwise our fellow forum members can not understand what we are talking about.

For which ball club do you play? I am very curious.

[Cuba_fan]

HI Yankees rules...

I know dutch girl (we played together for 8 years softball in Heemstede)...she is a pitcher ...

We also went a few years ago to New York to watch a Yankee game....very nice!!! :D

[Dutch Girl]

Hi Yankees rule!

Thanks for the warm welcome...

As the Cuba_fan mentioned, I have been pitcher (softball) for eight years (softballclub in Heemstede).

Do you play baseball yourself?

gr. Dutch girl

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

Hi Yankees rule!

Thanks for the warm welcome...

As the Cuba_fan mentioned, I have been pitcher (softball) for eight years (softballclub in Heemstede).

Do you play baseball yourself?

gr. Dutch girl

So you have played for RCH?

I do play again. I started my "career" playing softball at Amstel Tijgers in Amsterdam. After this club folded and officially merged with HCAW from Bussum, I moved to Pirates in Amsterdam. After that I have played two more years for Nedlloyd. It was a sports club for the employees of the Nedlloyd transportation company.

In 1992 I started to play baseball at Quick in Amsterdam, still the oldest existing baseball club in Europe (founded in 1913). When I moved to Hoorn I have played for Urbanus. After we moved to Etten-Leur I haven't played for four years because I hardly had time. But this season I started to play again at The Stags in Etten-Leur. I used to play catcher in Amsterdam and Hoorn, but I am a bit too old for that (and the team I play for has better catchers than I ever was). Now I play mainly left field and center field.

I said that Yankee fans and Red Sox fans can live next to each other in relative harmony on this board. Of course it is the same with White Sox and Cubs fans and Cardinals fans and Cubs fans, a.s.o., a.s.o.

This is a great forum where people respect each other.

I hope to see you around on this board many times.

Regards,

YR

[Dutch Girl]

RCH indeed. I have pitched from the beginning and this position is the position I love the most. I played first base sometimes, but let's just say I am a much better pitcher than a first-baser!!!!!!

I have stopped playing softball two years ago because of my job. It was no longer possible for me to combine a teamsport & a busy job.

Miss it very much though, but hey, watching baseball is a very good alternative. It is a shame that the Dutch tv stations do not show that many baseball games (national or international).

Are there people out there who are going to visit the World Baseball Classic in March 2006???? Or better yet, the Baseball week in Haarlem, The Netherlands in july 2006??? ;)

gr. Dutch girl

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

RCH indeed. I have pitched from the beginning and this position is the position I love the most. I played first base sometimes, but let's just say I am a much better pitcher than a first-baser!!!!!!

I have stopped playing softball two years ago because of my job. It was no longer possible for me to combine a teamsport & a busy job.

Miss it very much though, but hey, watching baseball is a very good alternative. It is a shame that the Dutch tv stations do not show that many baseball games (national or international).

Are there people out there who are going to visit the World Baseball Classic in March 2006???? Or better yet, the Baseball week in Haarlem, The Netherlands in july 2006??? ;)

gr. Dutch girl

Yes. Two team mates of mine are going to Puerto Rico to support the Dutch team. Lucky b...ds.

I definitely will be in Haarlem again next year.

[DownUnderDodger]

Great to have you aboard Dutch Girl, and also you Mike South Africa. I was the one who started this thread out of interest in world baseball. Mike South Africa, any information you can offer to this forum would be very well received, and will be a great learning experience for us all!!

After that I have played two more years for Nedlloyd. It was a sports club for the employees of the Nedlloyd transportation company.

Very interesting YR, I worked for P&O Nedlloyd for 6 years (after P&O and Nedlloyd merged in the mid 1990's) and spent a week at the Nedlloyd shipping office in Rotterdam in 2001 for training - they made me redundant later that year :noidea

[jestak]

Hi....just joined Baseball Fever, but due to a specific reason. I am an American, married to a South African. She introduced me to Springbok rugby, so I am trying to introduce her to baseball. While baseball has a very small following in South Africa, I believe it is a growing sport there, and it is possible that if South Africa has ANY success in the 2006 WBC, there might be even more coverage there. While Barry Armitage is the only AA player on the squad, there seems to be a growing interest in talent there. If only they could beat Canada, maybe even Mexico...you never know. It could happen!
Let me know what you think.

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

Hi....just joined Baseball Fever, but due to a specific reason. I am an American, married to a South African. She introduced me to Springbok rugby, so I am trying to introduce her to baseball. While baseball has a very small following in South Africa, I believe it is a growing sport there, and it is possible that if South Africa has ANY success in the 2006 WBC, there might be even more coverage there. While Barry Armitage is the only AA player on the squad, there seems to be a growing interest in talent there. If only they could beat Canada, maybe even Mexico...you never know. It could happen!
Let me know what you think.

Hi Jestak,

Welcome to BBF. Enjoy your stay here.

About South African baseball... I really don't think they don't have any chance against the countries in their group: Canada, Mexico and USA.

Last night The Netherlands were beaten by a split squad of the Atlanta Braves. The Dutch team is build out of minor league players and a bunch of players of the Dutch Major League and Andruw Jones. When you consider that Holland is the strongest European country, you may say that the Dutch don't have a chance either.

As long as South Africa will be beaten by China (like they did in the last World Cup), they won't have any chance against teams loaded with Major League players.

But I do think that this tournament will be a good opportunity for the South Africans to improve themselves.

[jestak]

With Carl Michaels starting, Barry Armitage in the bullpen, lots of guts, and a few breaks, we can beat Canada. Yes, Canada has several AAA players and a few Major Leaguers, but in a short series, at the beginning of the season, good and great pitching can win. Now, I'm not saying our pitchers are great, but all we need is an edge, with good defense, and we can beat Canada. Maybe wishful thinking, but I can hope, can't I? To beat Canada would the best win for the South African squad ever, in my opinion.
Go South Africa!

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

With Carl Michaels starting, Barry Armitage in the bullpen, lots of guts, and a few breaks, we can beat Canada. Yes, Canada has several AAA players and a few Major Leaguers, but in a short series, at the beginning of the season, good and great pitching can win. Now, I'm not saying our pitchers are great, but all we need is an edge, with good defense, and we can beat Canada. Maybe wishful thinking, but I can hope, can't I? To beat Canada would the best win for the South African squad ever, in my opinion.
Go South Africa!

A win over Canada would be nice. And of course you can hope. I also hope that Holland can beat Panama or Puerto Rico, but I really don't think that they are able to beat them. Same for South Africa.

But nevertheles I hope that you will enjoy the tournament.

[Andruw]

I also hope that Holland can beat Panama or Puerto Rico, but I really don't think that they are able to beat them.

I think Oranje beats Panama and Cuba.;)

[jestak]

Wow! Canada, loaded with Major League and AAA talent won a close one over South Africa. Well done, boets! Bell was 3 for 3, 4 RBI's, Willemburg was 1 for 3, 3 RBI's, Dempsey was 2 for 5, and Ekermans was 2 for 4. The pitching was okay, but showed promise. Seeing as Elario is only 17 years old, wow! Before the game, the announcers were talking the Mercy Rule! Hah!
South Africa rules!

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

Wow! Canada, loaded with Major League and AAA talent won a close one over South Africa. Well done, boets! Bell was 3 for 3, 4 RBI's, Willemburg was 1 for 3, 3 RBI's, Dempsey was 2 for 5, and Ekermans was 2 for 4. The pitching was okay, but showed promise. Seeing as Elario is only 17 years old, wow! Before the game, the announcers were talking the Mercy Rule! Hah!
South Africa rules!

I just read it. Wow. They were close to a big upset. I rest my case.;)

[Red Sox]

Hey there,

Im a South African. And im full of pride for my beautiful country, sure baseball isn't a 'big' sport here but we do have clubs and teams who play, now we may not have the 'skill' you Americans do simply because we lack support and professional training, but when we do play we play for the love of a sport that you 'westerners' are good at, so what if we cant play like you, we play for the love and enjoyment of the game!

[ElVenado]

Hi, Red Sox! Well, if you read the earlier posts in this thread, none tried to disrespect your team nor your country :D
Like most of the people who posted in this thread, I think all of the teams that came to compete at the WBC, deserve respect; all of them were like great warriors and they should be honored back home, nonetheless their results.
I can barely imagine, what's the feeling of facing a challenge like this, head to head with the top teams that play the sport I like the most.
Just look at Italy! They even got the chance to win over Australia, the latter with a "better" baseball tradition.
I can only speak for my country (México), although there are 2 professional leagues (summer & winter), but before the WBC, you could turn on the TV and all day long, sports shows were devoted to football soccer... I like soccer, I really do, but this is sick, hehe :p. And even after we lost to USA, the media paid attention to the Mexican Baseball team and started to present WBC results before football soccer.
It's not gonna be easy, just remember Football Soccer World Cup is ahead for 100 years... but tournament after tournament, baseball will be spread and be as important as "the kicking game"...

peace, bros ;)
Alex

[Oddjob]

Even though the score was a bit out of hand i think the SA team wasnt all that bad.

They put the bat on the ball and played sound defense. Michaels just fell behind hitters and make some critical mistakes.....i thought he actually had pretty good stuff and mechanics for the most part. Good luck to anyone facing a lineup like that. The 17 year old Elario also looked good shutting down Winn, Barrett and Lee...all top notch hitters.

And hitting Roger Clemens isnt easy for top notch professional clubs. He hasnt been dominating for 20+ years for nothing.

As a Yankees fan, i tip my cap to the South African team for their effort today, hopefully they can get the funding to really start pressing baseball over there. I think they'd like it.

[Dutch Girl]

Hi! Just been to PR (WBC) to see the Dutch team in action. I think Holland has almost the same problem as South Africa.

We lack the support and money that teams have in the US or other countries for developing this sport. We do have the "advantage" that we have a few (professional MLB) players from Aruba, Curacao or Bonaire to play for our team, like Andruw Jones. Not that he was so great in this tournament.............:ughh

Our local press hardly paid attention to this tournament. I don't know if this was the case in South Africa, but it is a shame! :grouchy

Our team wasn't so bad, eventhough they didn't proceed to the next round. I didn't follow the games of South Africa...

Perhaps Holland and South Africa will do better in the next WBC????

gr. Dutch girl ;)

[ElVenado]

Hi, Dutch Girl! As I said in a post before:

It's not gonna be easy, just remember Football Soccer World Cup is ahead for 100 years... but tournament after tournament, baseball will be spread and be as important as "the kicking game"...

It's a matter of time before baseball takes attention of the media. Too bad it hasn't during this tournament, but just bear in mind that almost every Forbes-top-10 company wants to sponsor soccer because it's a sure profit. After this results, the media should pay more attention to this kind of tournament and sponsorship will come to make it worldwide :clapping . Can you think of soccer without Coca-Cola's sponsporship? or without Adidas'? without Toyota's? and a hughe list of companies that invest in that sport... They will come, you'll see...
BTW beautiful country you have... I met a boy and a girl from Maastricht a few years ago; we were working for the same company and learn a lot from your country and your culture. Even my (female) boss got married to a dutch and they live here in Mexico right now :)

peace! :D
Alex

[Dutch Girl]

BTW beautiful country you have... I met a boy and a girl from Maastricht a few years ago; we were working for the same company and learn a lot from your country and your culture. Even my (female) boss got married to a dutch and they live here in Mexico right now :)
peace! :D
Alex

Hi Alex, thanks, Holland is indeed a beautiful country (and with lots of beautiful girls:D )!!!

gr. Dutch girl

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

Hi! Just been to PR (WBC) to see the Dutch team in action. I think Holland has almost the same problem as South Africa.

We lack the support and money that teams have in the US or other countries for developing this sport. We do have the "advantage" that we have a few (professional MLB) players from Aruba, Curacao or Bonaire to play for our team, like Andruw Jones. Not that he was so great in this tournament.............:ughh

Our local press hardly paid attention to this tournament. I don't know if this was the case in South Africa, but it is a shame! :grouchy

Our team wasn't so bad, eventhough they didn't proceed to the next round. I didn't follow the games of South Africa...

Perhaps Holland and South Africa will do better in the next WBC????

gr. Dutch girl ;)

Did you make any pictures? Show them. Pleeeeeeaaaaase?

[Dutch Girl]

Hi Yankees rule,

Ofcourse I will post them asap....

A lot of pictures are from the Dutch & Cuban guys :D

gr. Dutch girls ;)

[ElVenado]

Hi Alex, thanks, Holland is indeed a beautiful country (and with lots of beautiful girls:D )!!!

gr. Dutch girl

Yeah! I remember that too, Dutch Girl! hehehe :D to bad Joris didn't like the idea of his sister becoming part of my family :ughh hehehehe :P
And as you said in an early post, too bad the Nederland didn't pay too much attention to the WBC, maybe in part because many dutch ignore the fact many people in your country plays baseball...
I remember talking to Joris about a bunch of dutch kids visiting my hometown when I was around 11 y/o to play an under-15 baseball championship there; and let me tell you, they were good, they even made it to the second round :eek: And he wasn't even aware baseball was played there in the Netherlands (and he was in his early 20s then)
That championship was very interesting for me, I didn't make it for México team but the league I played in lended its fields for the games, so we attended most of the games.
There were teams from almost all around the globe, including Europe (Netherland and other country I can't remember), Asia (Taipei, Japan), America (USA, México, Canada, Nicaragua, Brazil -yes! the play it almost as well as soccer!-, Venezuela, PR, Dominican Republic, Peru and Panama, no cubans) and Australia, no african teams.
If you think about it, maybe it was not a "world" championship, but having those many countries represented (although most of them from America), whatever happened to those kids? I don't think anyone made it to the MLB, maybe not even to professional baseball...
After WBC, it would be good to start getting those kids' kids to the game and let them develope it the best way they can; in matter of few years, WBC will be a hughe success as any other world championship should be...

peace!
Alex

[Oddjob]

in matter of few years, WBC will be a hughe success as any other world championship should be...


It already was as successful as any other world championship is....all of the countries actually competed....there was no one country that stole the show.

Europeans have the ability to pick up some shovels and make a baseball field. They just choose not to.

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

It already was as successful as any other world championship is....all of the countries actually competed....there was no one country that stole the show.

Europeans have the ability to pick up some shovels and make a baseball field. They just choose not to.

What do you mean????

Two baseball stadiums in the Netherlands. Left in Haarlem, right in Rotterdam.

[Dutch Girl]

What do you mean????

Two baseball stadiums in the Netherlands. Left in Haarlem, right in Rotterdam.


HAARLEM RULEZZZZZZZZ!!!!!!!!!!;)

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

HAARLEM RULEZZZZZZZZ!!!!!!!!!!;)

That's near you Dutch Girl.:D

Where is this year's tournament. In Rotterdam or Haarlem?

[jonesboyz]

Hey guyz, I came here to ask you a guyz if you know a site where they show photos of the south african world baseball team. I have looked through goggled for hours and I could not find any pics of the players. This is for a project in my world georgraphy class. I would greatly appreciate your help!

This was the only reason i came here, but looking at all the forums and the number of members you have active. This seems like a pretty cool site. I will probably post be more active here during the weekends. :waving

[Dutch Girl]

That's near you Dutch Girl.:D

Where is this year's tournament. In Rotterdam or Haarlem?

In Haarlem. I have read that Japan and Chinese Taipei will be there too (and of course the Dutch Team), so this should be interesting, since Japan won the WBC.....

Any predictions which others teams will participate in the Baseball week of Haarlem????

gr. Dutch girl

[Dutch Girl]

Hey guyz, I came here to ask you a guyz if you know a site where they show photos of the south african world baseball team. I have looked through goggled for hours and I could not find any pics of the players. This is for a project in my world georgraphy class. I would greatly appreciate your help!

This was the only reason i came here, but looking at all the forums and the number of members you have active. This seems like a pretty cool site. I will probably post be more active here during the weekends. :waving

Hi Jonesboyz,

Perhaps you can find pictures on www.wkhonkbal.nl??? or on www.worldbaseballclassic.com (check multimedia/photo galleries, just pick one game and then you can look through other photo galleries...)....

Good luck with your project!!!

gr. Dutch girl

[jonesboyz]

Hi, and thank you dutch girl. I found images of some of the players of south africa on the multimedi page on the wbc site. I never looked there before. I already had tried the other site. They have their names when you click on them to see the person it says image is not available.
But this is better than nothing. I need to find pics of the roster of the SA players, and make a baseball card for each player. This is the creattivity part in my project.

Once again tx 4 the help.

[jonesboyz]

in regard to the first post of this thread, here's another site about SA basball info.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/worldclassic2006/news/story?id=2291556

[jonesboyz]

in regard to the first post of this thread, here's another site about SA basball info.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/worldclassic2006/news/story?id=2291556
http://www.amaboston.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=115
http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/baseball/20060302-9999-lz1s2poolb.html
http://allafrica.com/stories/200603150368.html
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Baseball/WBC/2006/03/06/1475639-cp.html
http://www.answers.com/main/ntquery;jsessionid=561ktnev7cdrj?method=4&dsid=2222&dekey=South+Africa+national+baseball+team&curtab=2222_1&sbid=lc05b&linktext=South%20Africa

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

In Haarlem. I have read that Japan and Chinese Taipei will be there too (and of course the Dutch Team), so this should be interesting, since Japan won the WBC.....

Any predictions which others teams will participate in the Baseball week of Haarlem????

gr. Dutch girl

We all know that Japan never participates with it's best players. It is always some university team or a team of an industrial plant.

[Dutch Girl]

We all know that Japan never participates with it's best players. It is always some university team or a team of an industrial plant.

Yeah, that's true. The only thing is the Dutch press puts it this way. If a Cuban team plays at the Baseball week, it sure is going to be a C-team.....

I have checked the site of www.honkbalweek.nl again, but still no further details...

gr. Dutch girl

[Ex-Pat Chicago Guy]

Been coaching baseball on and off for last 15 years so if anyone wants to know a bit more give me a shout. Cheers, Gary Burns

[adamsowell]

Hey guys,

I was wondering if anyone lives or has been to Cape Town before?

I'm wanting to find out more about the local leagues there.

[Cadworks]

I was searching the web for info on the World Baseball Tournament that SA competed in, was nice to see they almost beat the Canadians. It is also a pleasure for me to see SA compete.

Sorry to post in an old thread....

I played baseball in SA in the sixties and seventies, for a team called Rhodes Park Bears. Competed against Southern Suburbs, Crown Mine Giants, And Yeoville Squares, to mention a few. Started when I was six and played off and on until 21. The coach for the "Bears" was a quadraplegic whose name was Rodney Park. A great individual who knew a great deal about baseball. The team was Little League Champs for many years, and as we grew, Minor, and Major League Champs. We had three teams, and the whole family participated. Mother sewed uniforms, kept score, and my father coached the "B" teams. We were great competitors, and had great fun playing all those years ago. It is encouraging to see that this has continued.

[Rally Monkey]

Not sure if there are any South Africans still reading these boards. If so, here's my question: What's the largest baseball facility in South Africa? How many spectators can it hold?

[Cadworks]

I have not been to SA in a long time, but I do not believe they have any "Baseball Stadiums". This is not a pro sport there. Baseball is set up in places like wanderers for each game, but there is no pitchers mound or diamond. These stadiums are for soccer(football) or cricket etc. Look up Ellis Field, Wanderers stadium.

[Duwane]

Deep dark Africa is slowly getting on to the web, here are some web pages I found of baseball in South Africa

www.bawp.co.za
www.baseballacademy.co.za
www.ballcharts.com/goodwooddemons
www.bothasigbaseball.co.za
www.athloneathletics.co.za
www.geocities.com/westridge_yankees/index.htm
www.metsbaseball.co.za
www.gautengmastersbaseball.sa.gs
www.giantsbaseball.co.za
www.gpcrusaders.co.za
www.kznbaseball.co.za
www.durbanvillebaseball.co.za