![Metro South MOD batter Chrizaan Smith strikes the ball. Metro South MOD batter Chrizaan Smith strikes the ball.](https://www.westerncape.gov.za/sites/www.westerncape.gov.za/files/metro_south_mod_batter_chrizaan_smith_strikes_the_ball_3.jpg)
A total of 405 junior baseball players from across the Western Cape gathered in Cape Town for a festival of baseball on 23 and 24 March 2014. Fourteen MOD (Mass participation; Opportunity and access; Development and growth) Centre teams were joined by four girls’ teams and six Western Province (WP) league junior teams at the event.
The tournament was not scored, so there was no team winner. The purpose was to identify talented players who can benefit from focused training. Baseball Curriculum Developer Paul Bell said: “Learners gained a lot of confidence when they realised they could compete against the WP league teams.”
An under-13 and under-15 All-Star team was selected on 24 March which played against the Western Province under-13 and 15 side. The under-15 MOD All-Star team lost 7-4 to WP and the under-13s had a narrow 8-7 defeat. “The margins of the losses are very encouraging. The WP players have been playing for a lot longer and the MOD learners are starting to catch up. This can be directly linked to the good work being done by MOD coaches,” said Bell. He plans to arrange a match between the MOD All-Star team and the visiting Western Australia team later this year.
Tania Colyn
Acting Head of Communication Service
Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport
Tel: 021 483 9877
E-mail: tania.colyn@westerncape.gov.za