By RUSSELL BENNETT
THE area’s baseball community is rallying behind one of its own, helping super talented 14-year-old hitter Jesse ‘Boof’ Hunter realise his dream of wearing the Australian green and gold at the Under-15 Baseball World Cup in Mexico later this month.
A ‘Go Fund Me’ page has been set up in his honour, accepting donations to help get him on the plane overseas.
Though he can’t understand the fuss his club mates at the Pakenham Pumas are making over him, he’s humbled by everyone in the local area who has chipped in to help.
“I’m just so thankful to everyone for their support – it gives me heaps of confidence,” he said.
Jesse was selected in the national squad after a standout showing recently at the Australian Academy.
“There were nine or 10 of us from Victoria as under-15s who got selected to go to the World Cup tryouts,” he explained.
“I was lucky enough to make the team and we leave on 27 July.”
Jesse could barely contain his excitement with a grin from ear to ear plastered across his face at Pumas training during the week, despite the freezing cold conditions.
He’ll head across to California and Mexico in a huge step in his baseball journey. The utility plays everywhere but he prefers life as a hitter because, in his own words, he puts too much pressure on himself at the pitching mound.
Though he’s still only 14, he’s been playing baseball for six years and already has a wealth of experience learning from team mates and coaches through the Pumas, Berwick Cougars, and the Victorian state system.
Jesse wants to make baseball his life – he’s just not yet sure how to go about it.
“I’m not sure if I want to go to college or just get signed but I’m still thinking about it,” he said.
“Dad wants me to go to college because baseball isn’t going to last forever and I could get a degree at college, so I’m thinking about that.”
Baseball never stops for the youngster, who also trains with the Berwick Dodgers DBA side during the week in addition to his commitments with the Pumas.
“I just like to get as much practice in as I can,” he said.
“Before I went to Queensland I was working with a Victorian coach – Dan Betreen – and he was helping me a lot with my hitting and fielding.
“He’s involved with the Victorian Academy and at the Cougars as well.”
Jesse was also coached by Cougars’ coach Ronnie Carothers at a junior level last year.
The young hitter’s favourite team in the MLB is the Boston Red Sox and he idolises Dustin Pedroia and LA Angels’ star Mike Trout.
But he looks a lot closer to home for inspiration, as well. Rumour has it he was at fellow young local star Lachie Beasley’s house as he was getting his head around his selection in the MLB’s Australian Academy Program.
To help Jesse on his mission to the World Cup in Mexico, visit www.gofundme.com/ak8p10
