By JARROD POTTER
A STELLAR year spent on baseball diamonds across the country and the world was duly recognised for Endeavour Hills’ baseballer Ben Aslett.
Aslett, 18, from Lyndale Secondary College, was awarded a secondary school Sporting Blue for his baseball achievements in 2013, including representing Australia at the Under-18 Baseball World Cup in Taichung, Taiwan and earning his place at the Australian Baseball Academy where he won the Golden Glove.
An Olympic gold medallist and Western Bulldogs champion awarded him his Blue and considering the previous winners of the award – such as Major League Baseball brothers Travis and Adam Blackley – Aslett considers their successes a sign of his promising future.
“It was an honour really, especially receiving it off Steve Hooker and Brad Johnson,” Aslett said. “Knowing a few of the people who had won the award previously that have gone onto bigger and better things was a great honour.”
His supreme highlight of 2013 was wearing the green and gold and representing his country, but on a smaller scale Aslett also enjoyed playing school baseball with his school friends.
“I suppose just playing school baseball with my mates was a bit of fun really and had a good time doing that and it’s always good to be able to enjoy the game,” Aslett said.
“Had a big year up at the academy and then with the Australian team so it was really a great year.”
His recently finished summer season with the Waveley Blackcats capped off his Australian baseball stint for the time being as he heads over to America to join Seminole State College in Oklahoma to play junior college baseball.
“I head over to America in August – going to Seminole State in Oklahoma,” Aslett said.
“I just hope I improve, get better and after two years hopefully get into an NCAA Division 1 college.
“They’re going pretty good this year and hopefully can have a good season when I head over there – where I hopefully play middle infield at shortstop or second base.”
Aslett wanted to thank Lyndale Secondary College and sports coordinator Ryan Rooney for nominating him for the Blue and his parents – Sue and Steve – for their support throughout his baseball journey so far.
