National age-grade baseballer Carlos Thompson is trading Nelson for Virginia as he steps up his push to eventually play professionally.
Carlos has finished his Year 12 studies at Garin College after securing a merit-based sponsorship to the Hargrave Military Academy in the country town of Chatham, population about 1200.
“We emailed several US schools and the academy coach reached out,” says his father Hayden, who coaches and co-ordinates the Nelson Heat baseball side.
The timing was perfect, a bit like the pitches Carlos hurls down.
En route, the 16-year-old will be representing the New Zealand Pacmen team at the Babe Ruth World Series in Branson, Missouri.
Athletes have to pay their own way, so raffles, fundraisers and support from local businesses have helped get Carlos there.
The left-handed pitcher was the only South Islander picked in the team following the annual Summer Blast tournament in Levin.
“Being a lefty is a huge advantage, especially in this country. If a right and left-handed pitcher have the same ability, lefties always seem to get picked,” declares Carlos, who is deadly accurate with his fast ball.
Carlos took up the sport when he was eight years old, and quickly benefitted from Nelson’s legendary pitcher-turned coach, Marty Grant.
Seeking stronger competition, Carlos played for the Hutt United U16 and senior sides in Wellington last year, travelling to Wellington every second or third week.
“I am super proud,” says Hayden, who is the sole New Zealand-based coach going to Missouri. “He has been very committed all the way through and the American move is a huge stepping stone,”
The tournament will pit the Pacmen against American, Mexican and English opposition, with baseball scouts bound to be watching.
Three other Nelson baseballers will also be competing in the younger grades – U14 Tama Kotua and U12’s Sonny Polanco and Tom Cable.
While they will then return home, Carlos will relocate to Chatham and the Hargrave Military Academy.
The name might suggest weapons and the like, but Carlos says it is more about discipline and structure at the private school.
“A 6.30am wake up, breakfast, then into the gym, three hours in the class and then a couple of hours on the field or looking at tapes.”
The academy is better known as a basketball nursery, having produced more than 30 NBA players.
“It has state-of-the-art technology. Next level,” enthuses the Redwood Valley teenager.
As for his new hometown, which is about an hour south of Durham and Duke University in North Carolina.
“I hear it has one long main street, two private schools, a couple of diners and a Mexican restaurant.”
“About the size of Wakefield,” quips dad.
