Recently selected to participate in the Baltimore Orioles baseball Academy Lindani Jamal Anderson, who wings out today for the commencement of his stint in Florida, said that he plans to make the most of his journey to the Major Leagues.
Anderson, speaking to Stabroek Sport also said that he was optimistic about placing himself and Guyana on the map.
Anderson, who was a part of the E-Networks/ Guyana Baseball League (GBL) baseball star search, was signed to the Baltimore based franchise by international veteran scout of the Orioles Fred Ferreira following his visit to Guyana a few months ago in quest to sign players from Guyana who he admitted to Stabroek Sports upon his visit, “Can be forces to reckon with.”
At a brief press conference held at the E-networks Camp street branch, GBL President Robin Singh along with Anderson and
the company’s Managing Director Vishok Persaud expounded on their proudness and willingness to continue giving players the opportunity to mainstream themselves while representing their country as ambassadors of the sport.
An emotional Anderson spoke about his life changing journey leading up to his international selection. The near seven feet tall burly youngster who is a member of the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC), said that he was first spotted one day by Singh’s younger brother who encouraged him to pitch a few balls and was so impressed, further encouraged him to participate in the search for the next star.
The 24-year-old explained that he was met by various challenges especially from other players whom he saw as possible competition for selection to the team, going on to say that at one point he was outshone by a specific player who actually received the nod as a possible pitcher who the scouts were favoring.
But a determined Anderson said that on June 2nd when he was told that Ferreira also known as the “the Shark of the Caribbean” will be present for the final tryout, he immediately brought his A-game to the table outpitching his competitors with his consistent speeds which hovered between 84-87 miles per hours.
Impressed by his pitching prowess, Anderson claimed that he was then tasked by Ferreira with displaying his hitting ability where he then sought to impress the scouts by smoking balls approximately 500ft, a feat which the GBL President said was not impossible but is also a rarity among players who have not yet been fully polished.
“They were looking for a pitcher and found a batter as well,” said Anderson.
Meanwhile GBL President Robin Singh said that he will continue to throw his support behind the finding and processing of the country’s next generation of Major League baseball players, adding that with Anderson’s selection, other players will be encouraged to be a part of the sport.
E-networks Managing Director Persaud said that his company was proud to be a part of the history making moment and will continue to operate in the professional manner which they have done in the past leading up to the ground-breaking moment for all Guyanese.
