The Fiji men’s baseball team is diligently honing its skills as it prepares for the 2025 Pacific Mini Games, which will take place from June 29 to July 9 at the Palau Nippon Stadium. The team has been in training for an impressive 20 months, guided by head coach Ken Tamaki, who has praised the players’ commitment and hard work.
Tamaki aims to assemble a squad of 16 players, selected through an internal process due to the absence of a domestic qualifier in Fiji. The team comprises working adults and students from the University of the South Pacific, with ages ranging from 17 to 48. They train three times a week, focusing on enhancing their physical fitness and mastering fundamental baseball skills, essential for success in the upcoming competition.
Despite baseball’s relatively low profile in Fiji, Tamaki recognizes the natural athleticism of Fijians, noting that the game’s physical demands complement their strengths. However, the team faces challenges, particularly a shortage of training equipment such as pitching machines, compelling them to adopt creative training methods.
The team’s aspirations are firmly set on winning gold at the Mini Games, and they include experienced athletes like former national captain Tavo Sorovakatini, who will play alongside his sons, Murphy and Marnoah. This familial aspect strengthens team dynamics, as the Sorovakatini family has been pivotal within Fijian baseball, previously making headlines as the first “sibling battery” at the 2022 Pacific Mini Games.
The final trials for the team concluded last month, and they are now awaiting approval from the Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (FASANOC) to announce the official lineup. The collective efforts and determination of the players and coaching staff highlight a promising outlook for the team’s performance at the Mini Games.
In a broader context, the commitment to nurturing local talent and the support from various organizations indicate a growing sports culture within Fiji. As the team prepares for the challenges ahead, there is a shared hope that their dedication will resonate positively, inspiring future success for baseball in the region.
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