THE sky seems to be the limit for Nowra’s Jayden Brain, who continues to star in the baseball diamond.
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The 14-year-old has just returned from representing the New South Wales Country at the under 16s national championships at the Blacktown International Sports Park.
To make the NSW under 16s Country team was a long and rewarding process.
- Jayden Brain
“To make the NSW under 16s Country team was a long and rewarding process,” Brain said.
“I first played for the Dapto Chiefs in the Illawarra competition and then from that, I was selected to try-out for the Illawarra Baseball Leagues squad, which I got selected in.
“This team played a three day tournament over the October long weekend at Berkeley.
“During that tournament, we played six games, winning three, tying two and losing one. “
“On the back of these strong performances, I was chosen to try out for under 16s NSW Country team and after two tryouts, I was named in the team, which I was stoked about.”
For Brain, who has been playing baseball for five years with the Shoalhaven Mariners (during the winter) and Dapto (during the summer), this was his first time in the NSW Country squad.
“I believe I was named in this squad thanks to me busy training schedule,” he said.
“I train Wednesday and Fridays in Nowra, while playing in Sydney with the Chiefs on a Monday night.
“Then leading into the tournament, we had some tough sessions with NSW Country coaches Ian Hook , Adam Szutowicz and Greg Allen.”
During the national championships, which ran from January 5-16, Brain’s team managed two victories from their 11 games played.
Despite the results, NSW Country coach Adam Szutowicz was impressed with what he saw from Brain.
“Leading into the tournament, I was more than impressed with Jayden’s training and commitment to the team,” Szutowicz said.
“On top of that, he impressed his fellow team mates and other coaches".
While Brain hopes this is just another stepping stone to a big future in the diamond, he knows he wouldn’t have got to this point without the commitment of certain mentors.
“I like to thank everyone at the Mariners who have mentored me, especially Murray Lugg, who has worked with me on a weekly basis,” Brain said.
“On top of that, Michael Taylor has had a big influence on my career and helped me get to where I am today.”
The Shoalhaven Mariners open their 2017 Illawarra Baseball League campaign on Saturday, March 25.