The Redcoats competed on the field and earned the respect of the opponents with their tenacity and never-say-die attitude
Very little was expected from the Ghajnsielem Redcoats going into the XXVI Memorial Federico Zuttion International Youth Baseball Tournament. As a small club based on tiny Gozo facing heavyweights from Italian, Serbian and Czech baseball academies, with no experience in such tournaments, the odds were very much against the Redcoats who also had the lowest average age of the eight teams participating in the competition.
Still, the Redcoats competed on the field and earned the respect of the opponents with their tenacity and never-say-die attitude. Off the field the Redcoats also made an impression. Pins with the logo of the club were given to each member of the four teams they faced including coaches. Booklets and souvenirs of Gozo were also given to each club as well as to the hosts. The officials of the Redcoats also conducted several meetings with some of the clubs who were participating in the four tournaments that were taking place concurrently at Castions Delle Mura over the weekend. Some of these clubs expressed their wish to visit Gozo for a training camp or to participate in a tournament.
The hosts were also pleased with the Redcoats and invited the club to return in 2018 not just to participate in the 27th edition of the Memorial Federico Zuttion International Youth Baseball Tournament, but to also bring a team to take part in the 12th edition of the Summerdays International Youth Softball Tournament which has an U13 and an U17 competition.
It was always the objective of the club to participate in tournaments held abroad. The first step was always going to be difficult. That initial hurdle has now been overcome successfully. Work will start immediately to prepare the players to participate in baseball and softball competitions abroad next summer and do well. If over the coming months the players practice and play baseball and softball with purpose and with determination to compete against European clubs and do well, there is no doubt that the Redcoats will continue to impress.
