Dubai Little League gives young UAE baseball hopefuls the chance to shine

Jay Asser 22:06 25/04/2017
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Dubai Little League’s 12th annual Baseball and Softball Tournament afforded young players in the emirate a platform to showcase their talent against fellow Middle East nations for college and professional scouts.

    Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia took part in the three-day tournament, held this past weekend, which featured 60 games across five baseball divisions and two softball groups, from ages seven to 18.

    Dubai impressively topped the table in Under-8, U14 and U18 baseball, while the U14 and U18 softball squads also captured first.

    The overall success for Dubai was promising, but just as encouraging was the presence of scouts to check out potential prospects.

    Dubai teenager Sean Fekete was one of the players to put his skills on display, with the 17-year-old pitcher doing his best to catch the eye of scouts.

    “Every year we hold this tournament, the level of play increase and the games get more competitive as we go on,” Fekete said.

    “I think Dubai, our leagues, gets better every year and there’s more talent every year we hold. You can just see our level increasing exponentially while other countries and cities might not be increasing as fast as ours.”

    “As we get better players here, it gives more chance to the young guys who are good. They get more exposure because the coaches in the states realise there’s more talent here than they think. It gives them a second look at Dubai.”

    One of the talent evaluators in attendance was Steve Fish, who scouts for Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox. The former collegiate and minor leaguer player has built a close relationship with Dubai Little League and Fekete has taken full advantage of his advice.

    “He always gives me pointers and tells me what I can do better because ideally I’m always looking to improve,” Fekete said.

    “It helps him letting me know mechanically what I can do to throw harder and be more accurate with my pitches.”

    Like his peers, Fekete has aspirations of playing baseball at the next level in college, whether on scholarship or not.

    He’s in the process of sending emails and videos of him pitching to potential coaches in the United States. Fekete certainly has talent colleges would covet, with the right-hander standing 6-foot-3 and armed with a fastball that can reach up to 87 miles per hour on the radar.

    Fekete is eyeing colleges like Notre Dame, University of Ohio and University of Tampa, among others, but his top choice would likely be the alma mater of his sisters, Michigan State. “If I have the chance I’d love to play there,” he said.

    While Dubai Little League is done for the season, Fekete and other standouts will begin training next week in preparation of summer ball in the US.

    Recommended