Sox Sign 17 Year Old Kiwi Softball Player

The Celtbot · February 8, 2011

Thought this was kind of humorous, but who knows, maybe he could turn out to be a great find from our scouts :dunno:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/4631606/Kiwi-softballer-signs-with-Boston-Red-Sox

SoxFanForsyth · February 8, 2011

This sounds like a story you'd hear from the Pirates, not the Red Sox.

Unless of course he turns out to be a star. I gotta say though, if we're hittin up New Zealand for softball catchers, our farm system was totally overrated at #11. (joking)

bsox0407 · February 8, 2011

If he was playing fast pitch softball it may be an alright. The high speed fast pitch is very hard to hit as shown by ESPN with John Kruk against Jennie Finch. Not saying this guy is facing Jennie Finch.

Youk Of The Nation · February 8, 2011

Kiwi Softball sounds like it might get messy. I guess it's much safer than Coconut Volleyball, anyways.

Keeper · February 8, 2011

Neat story. He's only 17, so he could conceivably develop.

SoxFanForsyth · February 8, 2011

If he was playing fast pitch softball it may be an alright. The high speed fast pitch is very hard to hit as shown by ESPN with John Kruk against Jennie Finch. Not saying this guy is facing Jennie Finch.

Completely different. Softball rises, baseball goes on a downward plane. That's why Kruk had a problem.

Well, that and he's fat and out of shape.

Keeper · February 8, 2011

Kruk was also like what, 48 years old at the time? Put him up against Finch when he was 28 and it'd be a different story.

By the way, Finch is a babe.

a700hitter · February 8, 2011

Neat story. He's only 17' date=' so he could conceivably develop.[/quote']Into an ASA star if he is lucky.

Northern Star · February 8, 2011

This sounds like a story you'd hear from the Pirates, not the Red Sox.

Unless of course he turns out to be a star. I gotta say though, if we're hittin up New Zealand for softball catchers, our farm system was totally overrated at #11. (joking)

Yeah, those two Guardians didn't work out for them. In their position, I *almost* can't blame them for taking a shot, but c'mon, it was pretty obvious that just because someone can throw a baseball fast, doesn't mean they can pitch, or be taught it.

a700hitter · February 8, 2011

Last year they signed a midget, I.e. Nava and now they are signing New Zealand Softballers. What next, a Canadian Curler.

Dojji · February 8, 2011

Maybe a Canadian goaltender to play catcher.

I have no problem with these longshots. No one's calling Beau Bishop a sure thing, international signings are rarely sure things anyway, just that he has some skills that made a scout think he might be worth developing. You draft the best talent you can and fill the rest of the roster spots with as many of these as possible in the hopes that it nets you one or two decent players every once in awhile. That's what the minor league system is for. No one should have a problem with this.

a700hitter · February 8, 2011

Maybe a Canadian goaltender to play catcher.

I have no problem with these longshots. No one's calling Beau Bishop a sure thing, international signings are rarely sure things anyway, just that he has some skills that made a scout think he might be worth developing. You draft the best talent you can and fill the rest of the roster spots with as many of these as possible in the hopes that it nets you one or two decent players every once in awhile. That's what the minor league system is for. No one should have a problem with this.

Scouting a kid in New Zealand who is unlikely to progress beyond A ball just seems to be a little cost ineffective.

Dojji · February 8, 2011

Doesn't matter. As long as you're not doing it to the exclusion of smarter uses of money, such as Latin American scouting, go ahead and try some of these guys. Sometimes they work better than you thought they would. There are a couple Australians in the big leagues right now that came from this kind of scouting after all.

Similar signings such as the Flying Moanaroa Brothers are doing a decent job in the minors, and you don't need to find too many winners to justify scouting these regions lightly.

a700hitter · February 8, 2011

Doesn't matter. As long as you're not doing it to the exclusion of smarter uses of money, such as Latin American scouting, go ahead and try some of these guys. Sometimes they work better than you thought they would. There are a couple Australians in the big leagues right now that came from this kind of scouting after all.

Similar signings such as the Flying Moanaroa Brothers are doing a decent job in the minors, and you don't need to find too many winners to justify scouting these regions lightly.

How many New Zealanders are in the majors? I anxiously await your scouting report on this softballer.

BSN07 · February 8, 2011

You have to have all the same skills and tools for Fast pitch softball as you do baseball. If anything softball is a faster game overall and your reaction time needs to be quicker.

a700, you shouldn't just discount him as a talent just because he is from New Zealand. Did you discount Jackie Robinson because there were no black players before him?

a700hitter · February 8, 2011

You have to have all the same skills and tools for Fast pitch softball as you do baseball. If anything softball is a faster game overall and your reaction time needs to be quicker.

a700, you shouldn't just discount him as a talent just because he is from New Zealand. Did you discount Jackie Robinson because there were no black players before him?

LOL!! I'm old, but not old enough to remember the Negro Leagues. It just seems ridiculous to dedicate any resources to New Zealand where baseball is probably not a very popular sport and the country's population is roughly one-third that of Georgia. You are probably just angling for the Sox to come scout your Wooden Shoe League. :lol:

SoxFanForsyth · February 8, 2011

Dude. I'm raking in my city slow pitch league. Hittin like .627 with 3 bombs. Saw some Sox scouts at the last game. I crushed a hard foul ball. I think they noticed.

a700hitter · February 8, 2011

Dude. I'm raking in my city slow pitch league. Hittin like .627 with 3 bombs. Saw some Sox scouts at the last game. I crushed a hard foul ball. I think they noticed.

The season that I hit .714 I had groupies. My playoff average was even higher, because I am clutch. I should have sent the local press clippings to the Sox Scouting Department.

yeszir · February 8, 2011

How do they even find these guys?

BSN07 · February 8, 2011

LOL!! I'm old' date=' but not old enough to remember the Negro Leagues. It just seems ridiculous to dedicate any resources to New Zealand where baseball is probably not a very popular sport and the country's population is roughly one-third that of Georgia. You are probably just angling for the Sox to come scout your Wooden Shoe League.[/quote']

LOL Ya I took my jab there with the negro league reference

Listen it's not like they gave this guy some crazy amount of money that will have an adverse effect on the Red Sox day to day activities.

It be awesome to get some scouts here for the wooden shoe league!

EXman369 · February 8, 2011

Im worried about the posting fee.. 50 mill+?

a700hitter · February 8, 2011

Im worried about the posting fee.. 50 mill+?

The guy is not worth the plane fare to the mainland. They should make him swim. That would show some phenomenal athletic talent.

RedSoxfanforlife305 · February 8, 2011

Dude. I'm raking in my city slow pitch league. Hittin like .627 with 3 bombs. Saw some Sox scouts at the last game. I crushed a hard foul ball. I think they noticed.

The season that I hit .714 I had groupies. My playoff average was even higher' date=' because I am clutch. I should have sent the local press clippings to the Sox Scouting Department.[/quote']

I hit .1000 103 RBI 74 HR 95 SB

Get on my level scrubs.

a700hitter · February 8, 2011

I hit .1000 103 RBI 74 HR 95 SB

Get on my level scrubs.

I bow to you.

Flynnatic10 · February 8, 2011

I hit .1000 103 RBI 74 HR 95 SB

Get on my level scrubs.

so you hit the ball 1 out of 10 times and STILL managed to do that?

RedSoxfanforlife305 · February 8, 2011

I'm that boss son

SoxSport · February 9, 2011

I always found a softball easier to hit than a baseball--fast speed or slow--because it's bigger and easier to see. And more cross section of it to contact. Besides, a pitcher can do more with a baseball--fits in his hands better to make it curve, etc.

A fast pitch softball pitcher throws it straight and fast--and you can time it pretty easily.

I have to chuckle at those female fast pitch girls teams that get televised on ESPN. About the same level as intramural college teams I've played on. The girls are good, but TV good? LOL.

SCM33 · February 9, 2011

Its about time they signed a defensive catcher better than Salty, I was getting nervous.

/sarcasm.

Spudboy · February 9, 2011

Its about time they signed a defensive catcher better than Salty, I was getting nervous.

/sarcasm.

:lol: :lol:

EXman369 · February 9, 2011

Its about time they signed a defensive catcher better than Salty, I was getting nervous.

/sarcasm.

u beat my joke <_>

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