If there was a way to squeeze more hours into a day, Cam Lewis would be the first in line to try.
An aspiring marine scientist, drummer, student and friend, Cam doesn't do things by halves. And somehow amongst all these commitments, chances are that on almost any given day of the week, you'll find him down at the ballpark playing the game he loves most.
Cam has been playing baseball for almost a decade. Coming up through the ranks of Taipans (then Avengers) T-ball, rookie-ball, little league and now finds himself a permanent fixture in any senior team that will take him.
When you want to fit in because they gave you a game, but still stay true to your colours. Cam fills in wherever he's needed - any position, any team. (Photo by Jo Weiss)
As the years have passed, Cam's love for the game has only grown.
"I had no idea what I was doing for most of it at the start, but I just turned up and played."
And turn up he did; over and over again.
Nominated for Rookie of the year in his A grade debut, and chalking up the most games played in a season, it is not uncommon to find Cam playing back to back games. He may be able to squeeze in as much baseball as possible into one Sunday, this doesn't compare to the intensity and adrenaline of Tournaments.
"There's nothing quite like tournament baseball," Cam says.
"It's everything you love about the game, but you get so much more of it."
Photos by Nicola Caldwell and Jo Weiss
This weekend marks the final round of the 2024 Intercity Challenge between Townsville Stealers and Cairns Cyclones.
"There is a deep history between our two cities," Cam says. "We know each other so well - playing against each other and then coming together to represent North Queensland."
The intercity challenge features representative players selected from both regions to play in both the U13 and U17 competitions. The tournament, run across two days, will see the teams go head-to-head in the best of three games. Despite coming off second best to Cairns in round one, Cam let slip that there is something special about his U17 team this year.
"It feels different this year,
"It feels like we are the best team from Townsville, rather than a team of the best from Townsville."
The reason - well he puts that down to the preparation that has gone into the team this year. Teamwork, attitude, effort and most importantly fun are the key pillars that have brought this U17 side together.
"There has been so much focus and investment into bringing us together as a unit this year,
"The best part about baseball is the team atmosphere that you get to be a part of. It just makes it that much more fun."
Across all levels, whether club ball or representative - the true secret behind successful North Queensland baseball is that we don't play to win, we play for each other.
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