Red Sox sign Aussie Pitcher .

[NateGrey]

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http://www.baseballagent.com.au/Players_News_Pages/Harriott20.jpg

 

 

 

 

A few years ago in the Bankstown Junior Association Annual report a reference was made to 15yr old David Harriott. "Look out for David's name in years to come. It doesnt matter to David if he has a bat or a ball in his hand - it was always 100%". The report finished with the following:- "Can I have your autograph now David - It will save me asking in a few years".

 

Its to be hoped that the writer got his autograph as David will soon be out of the country for much of the year, making America his new home. Ft Myers in Florida to be specific, spring training home of the famous Boston Red Sox who is David's new employer.

 

 

http://www.baseballagent.com.au/Players_News_Pages/Harriott21.jpg

 

 

Jon Deeble the Red Sox scout who covers the whole pacific rim for the recent World Champions had seen David at the MLB Academy on the Gold Coast and liked his attitude and quick strong arm. "When I saw him on the mound with his strong arm and long legs I was immediately interested", said the veteran scout who is building up the Red Sox involvement with Australians. Having that former Aussie Major League pioneer Craig Shipley as his boss certainly helps.

 

Like most Australians, David started at the T Ball level having been taken down to the tryouts by a friend up the road. "I started in the Bankstown U6's and played with them all the way up to the U16's."he said from his Yagoona West home following his signing. "I played in every single Bankstown Rep team at the U12; U14 and U16 level." He now plays for the Canterbury/Bankstown Major League club under veteran coach Barry Holland. His weekend performances on the mound for the U18's are intermingled with time in 1st grade mid week - the nursery for so many recently signed players such as Shaun Tabrett; Josh Wells and Gavin Dlouhy.

 

His first experience of the life of the traveling baseballer occurred in 2002 when he went on trips to Osaka with the NSW U12 juniors and also to Melbourne to participate in an U12 rubber ball tournament. His next overseas trip will be next month to Ft Myers. He traveled regularly after that with the Winter Development Squad that is one of the innovative programs in NSW for elite players. One of the highlights of the Winter Development visits to QLD was a visit to the MLB Academy and David was inspired to work hard towards getting a scholarship.

 

His State representative career began as it so often does for the elite athlete with the NSW U14's in 2004, then two years with the NSW U16's and finally this year as a bottom age U18 in Geelong where Jon Deeble noted his pitching potential. It was when he was in the U16 NSW team that he came into contact with pitching coach Rob McLean who has been responsible for developing so many young NSW pitchers. Rob spent many hours working on David's action and this signing is a result of Rob's patience and David's determination to perfect his action.

 

Last year, following his success with the NSW U16's in Mt Gambier he gained scholarships to both the NSW Institute of Sport under Andre Desjardin who proved a hard task master and emphasised the need for regular gym work and increased fitness and also the prestigious MLB Academy.

 

He has dreamed of baseball as a career for as long as he could remember. "Being with Boston of all clubs is the most amazing thing that could have happened. I watch them on TV and now to be part of them is fantastic".

 

On the 1st March he will travel to Ft Myers along with TIm Cox and Mitch Denning, both from NSW, to his 1st spring training, returning to Australia in June to attend the MLB Academy again. This time he will not have to pay to go there and will receive his rookie ball salary whilst he is there. In the meantime he's practising his signature for all those baseballs that will need to be signed. The writer of that Bankstown Juniors annual report can consider himself smarter than the rest with his early request for an autograph.

 

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> http://www.baseballagent.com.au/Players_News_Pages/Harriott.htm

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[TGov]

sounds like he has a lot of potential and he's really young also...

does anyone know what kind of pitches he throws?

[Cocos Disciples]

Baseball pitches?

[mrsoxprospect]

he signed as an infielder

[TGov]

o well i thought he was a pitcher because the title says"Red Sox sign Aussie Pitcher"

[mrsoxprospect]

o well i thought he was a pitcher because the title says"Red Sox sign Aussie Pitcher"

 

He plays infield and also pitches

[TGov]

He plays infield and also pitches

 

gotcha...

[a700hitter]

I guess this is good news if we are going to face a team of Kangaroos.