The Londt Park Baseball Club could be well represented when the Mandela Bay team aims to make history at the interprovincial tournament in Cape Town in April.
The Eastern Cape team finished third last year in their best effort to date, but assistant coach, Hennie Stander firmly believes they could go one better this time.
According to Stander, Gary Bailey, Cameron van Niekerk, Connor Stopforth, and Jonothan Viljoen all have the ability to help the Nelson Mandela Bay team win the tournament for the first time ever.
“The players are in high spirits, and that clearly shows in training while we prepare for the event,” said Stander.
“All my players are in excellent form. Bailey, a second baseman and pitcher, has already played three years for the team and also attended a national training camp in Cape Town in December last year. And players like Van Niekerk, Stopforth, and Viljoen will never let the team down.”
He said the sport is healthy at Londt Park and the spirit is sound.
Stander is also full of praise for Viljoen, who is the chairman, for his efforts with the junior players.
“Jono does wonders with the youngsters,” said Stander.
“He spends a lot of time with them, and his success rate clearly shows. With him in charge of the juniors, the future is in good hands. The talent coming through is phenomenal.”
Viljoen is also the chairman of the Mandela Bay Baseball Association.
Stander himself is a legend at the club. He has been in charge of the senior side for the last four years and played for the club (formerly Parks) from the age of eight.
Stander has also been a member of the first team for the last 12 years.
Although there are currently only four senior clubs in the league, Stander believes the standard of baseball in the province is still excellent.
The other first-league clubs are Red Sox and Pirates in Despatch, and Gelvandale.
