ROCK STAR COACH in SOUTH AFRICA!

1 BASEBALL... 3 GAMES TO PLAY!

The following are a couple emails Baseball Training Magazine received from Dion Wasserman, a Dad, Coach and founder of the newly formed Third Base Baseball Academy in South Africa.

His spirit, passion, dedication and infectious humor resonates.

What really distinguishes Dion are his efforts to do anything and everything he can to help all his kids in his area of South Africa.

I'm sure you will find a new appreciation for what most players, coaches and programs have here in the United States.

If you would like to contact Dion you can email him at: coach@thirdbase.co.za

Enjoy the read!

 EMAIL #1

Hey Dusty,

Really can't thank you enough, for your help and in put. l have done my level 1 coaches course, last year, so l do understand a lot of what you were saying, but think its more the experience l lack, and a lot of it. Reason being, for one, we only train twice a week and play at most, 25 to 30 games the whole season, sad but true!!!

l appreciate your positive in put on the web page, as l was saying it still being put together. But yea Dusty, well get it going. One of the things l want to do on the web site, is a players profile.  Of the kids that are part of the academy. As you were saying, "keep it fun"!!!! Were there friends can go onto the site and read up on thair mates, and see how cool baseball really is, and hopefully get some of them to come down to the ball park.

Baseball is lot different than you guys have it in the US. we only have one ball park in Durban, were we play, (senior only) the juniors ( 7-16yrs old) they play on soccer fields with a make shift diamond marked on it. No dug out or big catch net, just a 3m x 3m frame,  with net on it to stop the ball. Oh! ! And the ball, gets used up to 3-4 games at atime. As you can pay up to $ 12 for a junior ball. A juniors bat l saw on one of your web sites in the states, for $ 30, we pay upto R600. ($70). So as you can see it not only tough, not having the right facilitys, but equipment is very expensive,

l am funding this project on my own, with a bit of sponsorship for one or two of my mates. l have made a lot of the equipment my self, catch nets, portable pitching mound, etc. The academy its self, is really a facility were kids, from the area, as well as disadvantage kids, can come together and learn to play this great game called baseball, which l as a kid grow  to love so much. We train outside on the field, just with the equipment l have.

It free of charge to the kids, as a lot of them can't afford the fees of the other clubs, or even buy kit /equipment they need to play. (Bold print added by Baseball Training Magazine)

My son also plays, he's a lefty batter, and throws and pitches right hand. He was picked to play in Poland last year, at the EMEA  (Europe, Middle East and Africa) Regional tournament, for a place to play in the world junior league baseball tournament in the USA, but lost to Italy in the semi final! !! Chase (my son) pitched his team, the KZN seals (South Africa) to a 3-1 win  over the Cech Republic, in the play offs. So this is a another Reson why l have started the academy.

So Dusty, it would be awesome to have you on board with third base and my self. l am very excited to be chatting and sharing info with you. Hopefully day in the near future, Chase and l can make a trip to you guys. Would love to attend a training camp, with him and one or two of the kids.

Look forward to chatting soon. What l am looking for, is a throwing and pitching program, we start our season in two weeks time. Thanks again! !!!

All the best mate, take care
AND LET PLAY BALL!!
Dion.

EMAIL #2

Hey Dusty

hope you are all well? Yes! No problem to put my letter on your page, l have some pic which l am sending you of the equipment l have made for the academy, and don't laugh! !!!

My bucket of 15 practice balls (the brown ones) and 10 new game balls (the white one) for the season.

Being six months long,in which l well play 25-30 games. Out of the 10th new balls, l keep back 2 for my pitches, to train with.

Now Dusty try Get your head around this one! !! I get Chase, at lest every second week, too wash and scrub the brown practice balls clean, with a bucket of water and soap powder!!! Yes crazy as it sound, you guys have ball boys, l have a ball boys "washer" !!

our junior season starts this weekend, so a lot still too do, and that's why l am so grateful to you for your input and assistance Dusty! !
Thanks a ton.
Dion.

NOTE FROM BASEBALL TRAINING MAGAZINE:

5 of the best words anyone can live by:

"How Can I Help You?"

I'm sure many of us can help Dion with some baseball equipment! If you can't, ask around!

Anything! A few baseballs? An extra bat collecting dust? How about a glove? Hitting tees, nets etc. 

If you feel you would like to help Dion and his kids, you can contact Dion by email at coach@thirdbase.co.za

Thanks "mates!"

All the best,

Dusty Rhodes
Baseball Training Magazine

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