Christopher Horne hopes to catch the eye of Major League Baseball talent scouts during a competition in Japan
this week.
Surrey Downs baseballer Christopher Horne is making an early pitch this week to catch the eye of professional
scouts. Christopher, 11, is one of two South Australians in a 15-strong national squad chosen to play at the World
Children’s Baseball Fair in Japan, spending 10 days with Major League Baseball coaches and playing in front of
scouts from around the world.
The pitcher, who plays for Golden Grove Central Districts Baseball Club’s under-12 team, was named in the squad
after writing to the Australian Baseball selection committee explaining why he wanted to represent his country.
"I was really excited and I really couldn’t believe I got selected to go overseas". Christopher, a Golden Grove
Lutheran Primary School student, said before catching his flight last Friday (July 25). "Some of my mates at school
also play baseball, so a couple were a bit jealous but they were really stoked for me. I’ve never been (to Japan)
but I’ve had sushi before".
His passion for baseball runs in the family. "My dad started playing when he was young and he brought it on to
me and asked me to play a couple of years ago. "He’s always been there for me and I’ve always looked up to him
and hoped I can be like him". " I also look up to New York Yankees player (Hideki) Matsui a Japanese player".
Christopher hopes to play professionally for the LA Dodgers or New York Yankees one day.
"I’m going to just have fun ... train hard and listen to what other people tell me".
by Francesca Belperio, LEADER MESSENGER, 30.7.08
Congratulations CHRIS HORNE - GGCD Little League Major North player.
Chris Horne has been selected by the ABF to participate in the World Children's Baseball Fair to be held in Aichi,
Japan from July 28 to August 4 2008. Chris and another player from SA (Naracoorte) were chosen to represent
South Australia along with players from other states to represent Australia in this prestigious, annual event.
Players are selected firstly by their birth date and then nominated by their LL State coach. Each candidate must
then write to their governing body as to why they want to be chosen and is then forwarded to the ABF with
recommendations by Baseball SA. Chris was chosen from the Metropolitan area and the other lad from the
country to represent our state.
The World Children's Baseball Fair was founded over a decade ago by Mr Sadaharu Oh (Famous Japanese Coach
& Home Run King) and Mr Hank Aaron (USA's Home Run King) in the interest of promoting baseball and providing
an opportunity to develop international friendship, goodwill and cultural understanding among the youth of the
world. It is held every year, to also promote worldwide baseball expansion and at the same time provide a tool
for international exchange among the different nations of the world. Australia have also received a special
invitation this year to participate in the International Exchange Games with three other countries, which is a huge
privilege offered to the Australian team and given because of the performance and behaviour of our
representatives in previous years. During these games Chris will be wearing his club uniform, the GGCD Dodgers
uniform in Japan.
All GGCD players, Members and Supporters congratulate Chris on his selection. We wish him well for a successful
trip and know that he will represent the Club, SA & Australia proudly. Well done, Chris!