Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Dynamic young duo all set to smash home runs
THERE aren’t many dynamic duos in sports, especially not ones whose ages are still in the single digits, but two young city baseballers are creating a stir. Seven-year-old athletes, Zeake Johnston, from Ottery, and Caleb Abrahams, from Portland, are close friends who were selected for the Western Province under 10 baseball team.
Zeake’s mother, Felicia
Johnston, said he had been playing since he was two. “Zeake started playing for PeeWees at Thistle Baseball Club and then moved to VOB Baseball’s under 10 team. He sometimes even plays for the under 12 team, if they are short.
“When the Western Province trials started, his coach asked us to send him to the trials.”
Caleb’s mother, Judy Hickley said: “Caleb refused to play in PeeWees when he was younger and has been playing for the under 10 team from the age of five. He eats, sleeps and dreams baseball. He will even teach my friends’ kids how to play when they visit.”
Caleb has been playing since he was four.
While both have a great love for baseball, Zeake also enjoys other sports, like soccer and cricket. Caleb also plays cricket but would choose baseball over any other sport in a heartbeat.
“I just like to play baseball all the time. I did play cricket for my school but baseball is better,” said Caleb, adding he hopes to become a firefighter one day.
Both children’s parents are immensely proud of their achievement.
Johnston said: “I’m very proud of Zeake. Since he was a baby he has been independent and he is always playing ball with his dad and grandfather on the baseball field.
“He loves the challenge of hitting a home run. We are so proud and believe he should be a South African sportsman.”
Hickley said: “Caleb has really done us proud and we are glad that he made the WP team, as he loves his baseball.
“He is a tiny seven-year-old but he’s fast and he knows the game, and where to make the plays.”