South Africa national baseball team
Encyclopedia
The South African national baseball team is a baseball team which represents the Republic of South Africa
in international baseball competitions such as the World Baseball Classic
and formerly the Summer Olympics.
in 1999. South Africa won the gold medal with ease, by defeating all of the other national teams. In order of the wins South Africa won against Lesotho
(43-0) with Ian Holness hitting 4 home runs and 14 RBIs, Zimbabwe
(37-2), Nigeria
(19-1), Uganda (31-0) and Ghana
(28-3). South Africa was again the dominant power in the 2003 Games held in Abuja
, cruising to the final where they beat Nigeria 15-0 to win Gold. Baseball is scheduled to make a return to the All-Africa Games
in Mozambique in 2011.
. The team finished with a record of 1-6 with their only win against the Netherlands
.
The win against the Netherlands was thanks largely to two key players:
South Africa gained entry into the tournament by beating Guam 3-0 in a Best-Of-Five Africa/Oceania playoff series.
, indeed, the highest a South African player has ever gotten in the minor leagues has been Triple-A (Mark Miller, a catcher in the Cincinnati Reds
organisation who reached AAA with the Indianapolis Indians
in 1980).
In the team's first game, South Africa nearly pulled off an upset of Canada, a team consisting of mostly Major League Baseball players. South Africa took an 8-7 lead into the ninth inning before falling 11-8. This would be as close as the team would get to winning a game. The South Africans lost the next two games to Mexico 10-4, and to the United States in a mercy rule-shortened 17-0 rout.
in Group B with Mexico
, Cuba
and Australia
.
In game 1 South Africa were overpowered by international powerhouse Cuba, giving up 6 home runs in an 8-1 loss. The South African defense was a bright point in the match however, turning three double plays and 2 pickoffs.
In the group elimination match South Africa lost heavily to hosts Mexico 14-3. Although the South Africans kept it a one-run ball game heading into the 7th inning, the Mexican team pounced on the inexperienced bullpen pitchers that entered the game late on and scored 11 runs in the final three innings.
South Africa finished the 2009 WBC with an 0-2 record, with 4 runs scored and 22 conceded.
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
in international baseball competitions such as the World Baseball Classic
World Baseball Classic
The World Baseball Classic is an international baseball tournament sanctioned by the International Baseball Federation and created by Major League Baseball , the Major League Baseball Players Association , and other professional baseball leagues and their players associations around the world...
and formerly the Summer Olympics.
All-Africa Games
South Africa was the host of the All-Africa GamesAll-Africa Games
The All-Africa Games, sometimes called the African Games or the Pan African Games, are a regional multi-sport event held every four years, organized by the Supreme Council for Sport in Africa...
in 1999. South Africa won the gold medal with ease, by defeating all of the other national teams. In order of the wins South Africa won against Lesotho
Lesotho national baseball team
The Lesotho Baseball and Softball Association is a body responsible for development and organization of baseball and softball sporting activities in Lesotho. The Association also represents Lesotho on baseball and softball internationally...
(43-0) with Ian Holness hitting 4 home runs and 14 RBIs, Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe national baseball team
The Zimbabwe national baseball team is the national baseball team of Zimbabwe. The team represents Zimbabwe in international competitions....
(37-2), Nigeria
Nigeria national baseball team
The Nigeria national baseball team is the national baseball team of Nigeria. The team represents Nigeria in international competitions and is known to be a baseball powerhouse in Africa ranking 2nd in the continent and the Top 30 in the world....
(19-1), Uganda (31-0) and Ghana
Ghana national baseball team
The Ghana national baseball team is the national baseball team of Ghana. They are currently the 3rd team in Africa and the 42nd ranked men's baseball team in the IBAF World Rankings.In June 2008, US President George W...
(28-3). South Africa was again the dominant power in the 2003 Games held in Abuja
Abuja
Abuja is the capital city of Nigeria. It is located in the centre of Nigeria, within the Federal Capital Territory . Abuja is a planned city, and was built mainly in the 1980s. It officially became Nigeria's capital on 12 December 1991, replacing Lagos...
, cruising to the final where they beat Nigeria 15-0 to win Gold. Baseball is scheduled to make a return to the All-Africa Games
All-Africa Games
The All-Africa Games, sometimes called the African Games or the Pan African Games, are a regional multi-sport event held every four years, organized by the Supreme Council for Sport in Africa...
in Mozambique in 2011.
Summer Olympics
The national team appeared in their first and only Olympic tournament in 2000Baseball at the 2000 Summer Olympics
Baseball at the 2000 Summer Olympics was the third time an Olympic baseball tournament had been held as a full medal sport, and the ninth time it had been part of the Summer Olympic Games in any capacity. It was held in Sydney, Australia from 17 September through to the bronze and gold medal games...
. The team finished with a record of 1-6 with their only win against the Netherlands
Netherlands national baseball team
The Netherlands national baseball team is the national baseball team of the Netherlands. They are currently the top team in Europe and currently the sixth ranked men's baseball team in the IBAF World Rankings....
.
The win against the Netherlands was thanks largely to two key players:
- Tim Harrell (P) pitched all 10 Innings in the game, giving up just two un-earned runs on five walks and six hits, with four strikeouts.
- Ian Holness (RF) knocked in all three of South Africa's runs. He hit a Solo Home Run in the 6th Inning against Dutch starter Patrick de Lange, followed by an RBI Double off reliever Radhames Dykhoff. He finished off the run scoring by hitting another Solo Home Run in the 10th Inning, off Dutch closer Rikkert Faneyte.
South Africa gained entry into the tournament by beating Guam 3-0 in a Best-Of-Five Africa/Oceania playoff series.
2006
South Africa's inclusion in the WBC was considered rather surprising by many observers. South Africa has never sent a player to Major League BaseballMajor League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
, indeed, the highest a South African player has ever gotten in the minor leagues has been Triple-A (Mark Miller, a catcher in the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
organisation who reached AAA with the Indianapolis Indians
Indianapolis Indians
The Indianapolis Indians are a minor league baseball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club. The Indians play at Victory Field, located in downtown Indianapolis...
in 1980).
In the team's first game, South Africa nearly pulled off an upset of Canada, a team consisting of mostly Major League Baseball players. South Africa took an 8-7 lead into the ninth inning before falling 11-8. This would be as close as the team would get to winning a game. The South Africans lost the next two games to Mexico 10-4, and to the United States in a mercy rule-shortened 17-0 rout.
2009
South Africa competed at the 2009 World Baseball Classic2009 World Baseball Classic
The 2009 World Baseball Classic was an international baseball competition. It is the only international baseball tournament to feature a large number of players from the major leagues of North America and Asia. It began on March 5, 2009, and finished March 23, 2009.Japan emerged victorious for the...
in Group B with Mexico
Mexico national baseball team
The Mexico national baseball team is the baseball team which represents Mexico in international tournaments. They are currently the eighth ranked baseball team in the world.-Pan American Games:*1951 Bronze Medal *1963 Bronze Medal...
, Cuba
Cuba national baseball team
The Cuba national baseball team is the national team of Cuba. The team is made up of amateur players from the Cuban national baseball system, as there are no professional sports leagues in Cuba...
and Australia
Australia national baseball team
The Australian national baseball team represents Australia in international baseball tournaments and competitions. They are ranked as the top team in Oceania, and are the Oceanian Champions, having been awarded the title in 2007 when New Zealand withdrew from the Oceania Baseball Championship. They...
.
In game 1 South Africa were overpowered by international powerhouse Cuba, giving up 6 home runs in an 8-1 loss. The South African defense was a bright point in the match however, turning three double plays and 2 pickoffs.
In the group elimination match South Africa lost heavily to hosts Mexico 14-3. Although the South Africans kept it a one-run ball game heading into the 7th inning, the Mexican team pounced on the inexperienced bullpen pitchers that entered the game late on and scored 11 runs in the final three innings.
South Africa finished the 2009 WBC with an 0-2 record, with 4 runs scored and 22 conceded.
Rosters
2000 Summer Olympics
- Neil Adonis
- Clint Alfino
- Francisco Alfino
- Paul Bell
- Vaughn Berriman
- Jason Cook
- Errol Davis
- Simon de la Rey
- Nick Dempsey
- Ashley Dove
- Darryl Gonsalves
- Brian Harrell
- Tim Harrell
- Richard Harrell
- Ian Holness
- Kevin Johnson
- Willem Kemp
- More MacKay
- Liall Mauritz
- Glen Morris
- Alan Phillips
- Darryn Smith
- Russell van Niekerk