By JARROD POTTER
MARCUS Graham better brush up on his Japanese as the Berwick baseballer is set to trade Cyril Molyneux Reserve for the bright lights of Tokyo.
Graham, 12, who plays for both Berwick Dodgers and Berwick Cougars baseball clubs, has recently been selected to represent Australia in the International Baseball Association Under 12 Championships.
He currently plays in the Berwick Dodgers Under 13 team as its star catcher and he’s also one of a select few south-paw sluggers going around batting left handed.
Getting the chance to don the green and gold was an amazing feeling for Graham, who was elated to get a chance to play baseball on the international stage.
“It felt pretty good – they told me three weeks ago I was going,” Graham said.
“They (the tryouts) were tough – we had to do sprints, batting, fielding and out-fielding practice to make it.
The competition will take place in July and he wants to excel behind the catcher’s mask and hopefully slug a few homers.
“Doing well with my catching overseas – there’s about four catchers on the team – and seeing all the other international teams will be good,” Graham said.
“It feels pretty good to be one of the catchers on the team.”
“Catching is cool – catching is my favourite position.”
Graham wanted to thank Berwick Dodgers and Cougars coaches as well as his parents for their support.
The team is looking for sponsorship to help get it across to Japan and for anyone interested in supporting the Australians or donating, a GoFundMe page has been set up at www.gofund.me/AussiesBBJapan.
