OSCAR Saggus has been chosen to represent his country.
The Coffs Coast baseball player has been selected to represent Australia as part of the Australia Expos team on an upcoming tour to the United States.
The 15-year-old will take his place in the Australian junior side for the tour in June and July, which will see the national team take on high-level American teams in Hawaii and Los Angeles.
The young gun currently plays for the Sawtell Dodgers in the Coffs Harbour Baseball Association A-grade competition, as both a catcher and infielder.
The Australian junior selectee was looking forward to mixing it against the top-class American talent.
“It’s going to be tough competition, and I’m going to give it my all and hopefully learn a lot from them, and try to help make myself a better player,” he said.
“And hopefully catch the eye of the scouts as I hope to play college baseball one day.”
A current Sawtell Dodgers teammate will be accompanying him on the US trip.
“Michael Crossland will be taking me over as he’s the Expos team manager,” he said.
“He’s been a good mentor for me, as have my other Dodgers teammates.”
The St Louis Cardinals fan explained why he loved playing the pivotal position of catcher.
“You get to control the field and tell everyone what to do, it’s like being a captain,” he said.
Before heading to the US, Oscar will line up for the Far North Coast side at next month’s Junior League State Championships in Sydney.
To help support the costs of the trip, Oscar’s family and local community have been organising a number of fundraisers.
By Aiden BURGESS
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