Eli Abdy-Hardy has found his niche on the sports field and that is playing baseball and softball.
Eli was and integral member of our Glasshouse Christian College A boys softball team at interschool sport but baseball is his passion. He has also played in several other Glasshouse District representative teams during the year.
Eli was selected in the Glasshouse District softball team and his team were unbeaten at the Regional Carnival earning the title of Regional Champions. Eli was named Players Player by his teammates which was a great honour. At this carnival, Eli was selected in the Sunshine Coast team and played at the State Championships last week. Eli excelled at the Regional Carnival where his team was unbeaten and won the final against Redcliffe 10 to 4. Eli played shortstop and catch/pitcher and hit at least five home runs and showed fantastic energy in the diamond.
Eli has just returned from competing in the Queensland School Sport State Softball Championships in Mackay. A very eager Eli flew with his team to Mackay on 11 September to play against other very talented players at the State Championships. Eli’s favourite part of the experience was meeting so many other players as keen and interested in softball as he is.
Sunshine Coast started strong with two wins on the opening day. After some hard-fought battles between all teams, Sunshine Coast played in the third and fourth playoffs. After losing a very close game against the eventual State Champions Capricornia, the Sunshine Coast team defeated Wide Bay to take out the bronze medal. Eli had a great tournament with many hits and points scored, including a bunt that got him to third base. When fielding, Eli played shortstop so had to be ready and alert at every moment, getting many batters out with his accurate throws to first base.
While Eli wasn’t selected this year for the Queensland State team he has had the best time and is excited for 2020.
This, however, is just the extra discipline in Eli’s sporting experience and he has plenty more to focus on in 2019. Elis interest in baseball and softball kicked off last year when he joined the Redcliffe Padres baseball club. Eli plays baseball with the Redcliffe Padres and competes against Brisbane teams each weekend. The last year has seen him play in State titles in Runcorn, Nationals in Lismore, and he has been selected to advance his skills in the recently completed Brisbane Bandits U13s Development Squad.
A highlight for Eli was playing in the National Little League Baseball Championships held in Lismore In June. This competition was televised live around Australia and is the qualifying tournament for the World Little League Baseball Championships. What an experience this was for him and it has given him more passion to follow his dream of playing baseball at the very highest level.
Eli is currently training with the Queensland Dolphins who are preparing to play baseball against New Zealand in December. We look forward to hearing how this competition goes and we wish Eli well as he competes internationally.
Wendy Stott