Ngoepe feat a home run for SA baseball
The President of the South African Baseball Union Marc Moreau says the success of Pittsburgh Pirates rookie Gift Ngoepe will do wonders to elevate the profile and popularity of the sport in South Africa and Africa.
Ngoepe on Thursday became the first African-born player to appear in a Major League Baseball game and marked his debut by recording his first career hit, a single off Chicago Cubs' starting pitcher Jon Lester.
Moreau spoke to Jacaranda FM Sport from New York, where he is currently on business.
A former Randburg resident, 27-year-old Ngoepe became the first black South African, and the sixth South African to sign a professional baseball contract when he signed in October 2008.
He said it had been his dream since the age of 10 already to play Major League Baseball.
When Ngoepe was growing up, his mother was a clubhouse attendant for the Randburg Mets club and they lived in one of the clubhouse rooms.
He was initially invited to Major League Baseball's academy in Tirrenia, Italy, where the Pirates signed him.
"I think the timing is fantastic considering baseball has been re-introduced again as an Olympic sport," said a beaming Moreau.
"Coincidentally I am in the States and it's fantastic to see the high profile that Gift has attained on all the major networks here in view of his humble beginnings."
LISTEN: Trevor Cramer speaks to SA Baseball Union President Marc Moreau in New York
South Africa's national baseball team last featured in the 2000 Sydney Olympics where they only managed a single victory over the Netherlands.
The sport, which is massive in North America, Cuba and Japan in particular, has always been a fringe sport in this country and has numerous challenges in its attempt to garner sponsorship and financial backing.
Participation at a high level is also limited since the sport was dropped as an Olympic sport and the qualification route to the 2020 Olympics is very difficult.
Moreau says as a federation, the level of coaching and development in baseball remains a priority to produce more Gift Ngoepes.
"We have fairly good structures in place and have national championships at all age levels every year. With our strategic plan, we really hope we will be able to capitalise on baseball being re-introduced into the Olympics," he added.
"Gift's success story can only serve to propel the game in South Africa and Africa to greater heights, but it still requires hard work. Hopefully this will assist in drawing attention to the game and assist in promoting the sport and introducing new sponsors to the game."