For Jack and Nate, two of Taipans young up and coming ball players, having the opportunity to represent Townsville Stealers is the next great opportunity in their baseball career.
The Townsville Stealers showcases up and coming players from across the local league, and the gravity of representing their town is not lost on the pair.
Feeling “excited and a little nervous,” it is the prospect of testing their skills against others their age and older that the two Taipans are most looking forward to. As regular faces in the Little League competition, the Intercity Challenge will extend them, playing against different teams to what they do week to week.
Joining up with their regular opposition from Mustangs, Jets and Diamonds, Nate and Jack will be facing off against the best of Cairns Under 17s.
“We love the competitiveness that comes with tournament baseball,” says Jack who will be representing Townsville Under 17s for his second time.
And we are sure that the two will be up for the challenge. Putting in the hard work and effort, they have been training almost every night of the week to get the practice in ahead of the tournament. (Their sights may be set on the ballpark, but we know how grateful they are for their personal taxi drivers.)
“You have to train hard if you want to get better,” says Nate. “We’re lucky that we have each other. We’ve been playing together for the past three to four years. It’s really great to have someone your age who knows you, to work with, help you out and not make you feel so nervous.”
But it’s more than just the hard work that the two believe in.
“We know it’s all about your mood, your effort and your attitude,” says Jack. “The coaches are always watching – not just your skills but your behaviour too.”
Having played together since they were ten, the pair have got each other’s backs. With Nate a budding catcher and Jack honing his skills as a pitcher, the dynamic duo is ready to show their stuff to the Cairns batters.
“I love the pressure that comes with catching,” says Nate. “Most people don’t like the pressure, but I love knowing that I have to do what it takes. And I love that burn you feel in your legs after a long game.”
This weekend’s tournament finds them joining the ranks of the likes of Cam Lewis and Dion Searle who have come through the program before them and now left their mark on the Taipans senior competition. Cam will also feature in the Under 17 side, with Dion Searle joining Peter Riggs and Luke Ardill on the coaching staff.
For the pair heading off on what they hope will be just one of many tournaments to come, they have one simple message for everyone.
“Tell your friends! Come down and play. It’s a great game and we’d love you to join.”
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