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South Africa loses games but wins respect with effort
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-03-11 14:16
SCOTTSDALE, Arizona, March 10 (Reuters) - The scoreboard will show South
Africa lost all three games at the World Baseball Classic, capped off with a
17-0 blowout to the United States on Friday.
But the South Africans will not return home losers having won plenty of
respect for their gritty play.
A team of amateurs, who have to pay to play in their domestic league, the
South Africans displayed plenty of fighting spirit and enough skill to throw a
scare into the United States after forcing Canada and Mexico to work hard for
their wins.
Needing a victory over South Africa to clinch their place in the second
round, the U.S. took no chances, fielding perhaps their strongest starting
lineup of the tournament led by future Hall of Fame pitcher Roger Clemens and a
New York Yankees trio of Derek Jeter, Johnny Damon and reigning American league
Most Valuable Player Alex Rodriguez.
The David and Goliath matchup of the 16-nation tournament produced the
predictable result but the 17-0 thrashing did nothing to diminish South Africa's
heroic effort.
WORLD GAME
MLB commissioner Bud Selig, who watched the contest, will be pleased by the
performance of a young South African team as the inaugural World Baseball
Classic looks to the future.
"The thing is not what only happens in this country, what happens all over
the world," said Selig.
A cult sport in South Africa introduced to the country by American gold
miners, baseball has been slow to catch on in a nation where cricket and soccer
remain king.
South Africa's appearance in the World Classic, however, has, for a brief
moment at least, put the spotlight on the sport.
"I don't think you can describe how important that is and the legacy it will
leave as this country tries to grow the game," said South Africa manager Rick
Magnante. "It was a thrill and privilege to be here."
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