A LOCAL baseballer is hoping to catch the eye of college scouts this weekend when he plays in a junior tournament billed as the biggest in the southern hemisphere.
Noah Nichols, a third baseman, will represent the Victorian T-Bones at the Down Under Winter Classic which will be played on the Gold Coast in July.
The 18 year-old said that he was excited for the tournament which would feature teams from all over Australia and New Zealand.
“I’m really excited to head up, it’s a really big tournament and those that play well can get selected to represent the Australian team over in America,” he said.
Although Nichols was grateful for the Sunraysia Baseball League where he currently played with the Eagles, he said that it was the trips down to Melbourne to train with an academy that had helped the most in giving him exposure.
“One of the scouts I spoke to said that he had never heard of Mildura,” Nichols said.
“It’s good to get the playing time up here, we’re (Eagles) going alright this year, we’re a bit of a developing team.
“It’s my third year in the (Academy of Baseball Excellence). Training is on Wednesdays and Sundays, obviously I can’t make the Wednesday but usually I try and get down every second Sunday.”
Nichols said that given he had just obtained his P-plates, the drive wasn’t too bad but the assistance of his mother who shared the driving duties had definitely helped
The Academy of Baseball Excellence was a program that Nichols originally found on Facebook, one that has provided a potential pathway to America where he has aspired to play.
“Currently been talking to a college scout who said there was interest in Washington and California, but they’ve only just sorted out there squads for this year so they aren’t too concerned about next season yet,” he said.
“They said they were open-minded and if something pops up, we would chat in the future.”
Currently working at the Irymple Pub, The young Los Angeles Angels fan seemed to enjoy where things were at but definitely had his sights set on making it to America for the first time.
“I plan to move to America next year if I get into college,” he said.
The Down Under Winter Classic will run from July 1 until July 8.
