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14 year-old chosen to represent Australia |
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Written by Administrator
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Thursday, 16 November 2006 |
JESSE Michel has been selected to represent Australia at the Baseball Confederation of Oceania Training Academy to be held in Christchurch, New Zealand. The Academy will host 12 countries around Oceania including Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, New Caledonia, Samoa and Micronesia.
When Jesse heard the news that he’d been chosen, “It all felt surreal,” he said. “Then when I got the training regime from the head coach, it really sunk in!” Now Jesse is counting the weeks and days.
Jesse’s goal is to play major league baseball in America and if his achievements over the past four years are anything to go by, he has a very good chance of doing it! His baseball career started in the summer of 2002 when he played for Nambour under 12s. He was named Rookie of the Year and selected for the All Star Team.
In the years that followed, Jesse was awarded Most Valued Player many times over, selected for numerous All Star and Regional Teams, competed in State Titles and was invited to attend baseball camps. He played for many clubs, including Maleny and last year captained the year eight and nine interschool baseball teams at Maleny State High School.
His dad Wayne used to play baseball and coach juniors and seniors. Wayne still umpires and does a little coaching while proud Mum Michelle has been a scorer for 20 years. “I’m also Jesse’s biggest fan, well apart from Wayne and his older brother Ryan, who played baseball from the time he was four.”
The family has always supported Jesse. “He lives and breathes baseball,” said Michelle. “We’re very glad for him. When your child shows a talent at something you have to support them. Whatever he chooses to do, we’ll be there for him, to encourage him.”
During the 2005/2006 summer baseball season, Jesse played for the Pine River Rapids under 14 Div One team who went on to win the Grand Final. He was then selected to play in the U14s combined Brisbane North and Sunshine Coast Region Super League Competition that was played on Sundays and his team took out the grand final.
Jesse is currently representing the Sunshine Coast in Super League and is playing for the Redcliffe Padres in the summer Brisbane competition. As well as playing Jesse is also coaching a teeball team in the Sunshine Coast teeball competition. To help support his trip Jesse has done many fund raising activities and would like to thank all the local business and all who have bought raffle tickets or cakes or had their car washed.
Jesse has just been given the opportunity to represent Australia again in going to Japan in March and the USA in June. To help him get there he will need to do a great deal of fund raising or look for a major sponsor. Michelle said “Jesse is very focused on his trip to New Zealand and is following a strict training regime.”
He starts his mornings with three sets of push ups, three sets of sit ups and 15 x 30 yard sprints. In the afternoons it’s a two mile run in 13 minutes, 60 yard sprints in 7 seconds, bullpens, long toss and batting practice.
“Most people don’t realise just how hard he has worked to get where he has,” said Michelle.
He’s certainly an inspiration and a great example of putting your mind to something you believe in. Go for it Jesse!
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 16 November 2006 )
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Range News 2005 - ON 
