It’s fair to say Baseball South Africa has enjoyed a stellar year so far with national teams swinging it out with the best the world has to offer at international events.
SA teams from the under-12s to the under-23s competed in their age groups’ world cups this year, with the under-23s coming back this week from the global showpiece in Taiwan. With the international competitions done and dusted for now, the focus shifts back to the local front where the likes of Bellville and Bothasig will again seek to show their dominance in the Cape Town Baseball Federation.
That is not to say teams like Athlone A’s will let them have it however they want as the strengthening of teams means they will seek to challenge the apex teams.
A’s captain, Jason Carelse is positive that this season will fare even better than the last and says the addition of the Ripepi brothers, Jayson and Kyle, will add the much-needed experience to the side. The two brothers join their older brother Casley in the side, making it a family affair for the Bridgetown-based side.
“That just helps our family dynamic that we also try to instil at the club as well,” said Carelse on the new squad additions.
A’s have enough experience and depth to challenge the top two sides who have dominated the league for quite some time.
Last season A’s finished fourth on the log standings, winning 10 of their allotted 18 games.
“For us here at A’s, our plans always follow what we did last season and look to build on that. Last season we had a really good season with a lot of games unfortunately not going our way.
“So our goal this year is to change those results into wins and that will put us on the right path to challenge for the league this year, which is what we plan to do.
“There’s a lot of work that needs to go in but the boys are confident and they’re gelling well together, hungry for success, and putting in the hard work at training so that will only lead to good results and competitiveness in our games,” said Carelse.
The captain again reiterated their goal of mounting a challenge this season and says the hunger and confidence of the squad will put them on par with the top sides.
Athlone have had a great start to the season, winning their three opening games.
The latest win being 8-3 coming against VOB Macaws at Chukker Road at the weekend.
The other two wins came against Durbanville in week two and the win against Westridge Yankees in the opening week.
A’s are outscoring their opponents 33-3 after their three games and will aim to keep the runs piling up as the road to league glory is only getting started.
The three runs they conceded so far in the season came at the weekend in their derby game against VOB. Against Yankees and Durbanville they got the job done with scores of 10-0 and 15-0 respectively.
