A young South African baseball player has an opportunity of a lifetime to showcase his talents in the USA.
Seventeen-year-old Luke November has been selected for a World Select Team and for a period of more than two weeks, will be able to exhibit his skills in front of nearly 300 college coaches and Major League Baseball scouts.
November, who attends Grassy Park High School, represented South Africa at the under 18 Baseball World Cup in Canada last year.
Baseball runs deep in the November family.
Luke started playing the sport at the age of three, has represented Western Province from the age of eight and hasn’t missed a year since.
His dad was a provincial player and his young brother Josh has represented SA under 12.
“This is a one in a lifetime trip. I was chosen out of the whole of Africa. I think it’s a tour to display your best skills to try and get a college scholarship or even a professional scholarship.
“One of the goals is to represent South Africa. To go to a college in the US this could lead to me even staying there and studying.”
Luke is predominantly a catcher but is a versatile player, a very strong batter and can also play in the infield and as a pitcher.
Sean Campbell former national coach says: “This is an awesome opportunity for Luke November to represent the world tour with all the colleges. His success will be great for SA baseball and hopefully create opportunities for more players.”
The World Select Team was selected from four different continents, Africa, Australia, Europe and South America.
During their trip to the United States, the youngsters will also participate in the Arizona Fall Classic — the premier collegiate fall showcase tournament in the United States.
“From this trip I’m going on I would like to learn a lot of information transfer that into my game become a better baseball player then to come back and share whatever I have learnt and experienced,” says November.
It’s only the start for Luke November.
Hopefully he will go on to bigger and better things that will benefit South African baseball in the years to come.
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