Over the last couple years, I’ve been very fortunate to have writing for Nat Notes as a ‘past time’.  Because of this, I have been lucky enough to interview MLB greats (Tim Raines), MLB prospects (Corey Brown, Jeremy Barfield and Lance Sewell, left, to name a few), and great broadcasters, such as C’s PBP man Rob Fai, whose interview from last year remains the best – in my opinion – I’ve ever had.

But there’s always been a different aspect of the game I’ve always been interested in – that from Overseas.  I remember a couple years ago there was a Russian playing for the Everett Aquasox, and I thought that was odd there would be someone from over the Atlantic playing a North American game.

Then, just days before the first World Baseball Classic, Rick Magnante was announced as Vancouver Canadians field manager, at the same time as he was managing a different squad – that of South Africa (Magnante is from California by the way).

While I don’t remember much from that WBC – I remember two events: South Africa narrowly losing to Canada, and the Canadians beating the Americans.

What happened between Canada and South Africa?  The RSA bunch was up by a run before the 9th inning, when Canada rallied for 4 runs in the top half to take the game 11-8.  At the time, I was wondering how the hell this team from Africa could come close to beating Canada – but over the last couple years I’ve realized they’re not just ‘a team from Africa’, they’re the South African Baseball Team – who have produced maybe half-a-dozen minor league ball players in the last 10 years.

After seeing Rick Magnante guide our Vancouver Canadians for three seasons – as he approaches a fourth, it doesn’t surprise me, how South Africa almost beat Canada, and now I expect them to do some damage at the next WBC.

I talked with RHP Barry Armitage (top left), the first South African to play in an MLB Exhibition game, on the weekend, to get his thoughts on his team’s chances in March, and beyond.

 Jeremy Knight: Your story is one that might not be the top story on ESPN, but it’s pretty remarkable on how you were discovered.  Want to explain?

 Barry Armitage: Oh, that question has been asked several times throughout my career, and it always brings back a, well very special memory.  I remember that day like it was yesterday!  The funny thing is, I was so close to not making the tryout.  The Royals were having a tryout, and actually I wasn’t even aware of it until a good friend and then teammate called me at work.

He was talking to the Royals scouts (Alaird Baird and Louis Silverio) about me, as I had just happened to have a really good game the weekend prior.  They said I should come down and try out!

When my buddy called me, he told me to come try out, and I told him I couldn’t get off work.  He showed up at my work (a sports store) 5 minutes later, and made me go.

The rest, well that’s history.

But that day changed my life, I will never forget it.  Every little detail…it was incredible.  It still seams unreal to me!  Words cannot describe what an amazing day that was in my life,  It takes my breath away and pretty much brings a tear to my eye. 

I’ll never forget how proud my Mom and Step Father looked when we signed the contract, it was truly amazing! 

JK:  How was the transition after the tryout, to playing in North American parks, against guys who have been playing since they were little kids, with training you maybe didn’t have access to in South Africa?

BA: I’ll never forget my first day on the field.  I was there and they were doing PFP’s – which of course was German to me, I had no clue.  They said when it was my turn, they’d kinda explain.  I was the only pitcher on the field wearing a wristband/sweatband on my arm.  Before I even ran onto the field the manager was like, "Hey kid, take that off!"  And that was my introduction, haha.

But other than that, I adapted fairly well, I had to convince myself that I deserved to be there, that was the hardest part.  Once I got on the mound, well that will always be the place where I’m most comfortable (other than sleeping, haha), I was okay.  Everyone there made me feel so welcome as well, so the transition really wasn’t too bad.

JK: In Canada, with hockey being the big attraction, most kids dream of ‘dawning the Maple Leaf’ on the crest of their jersey.  When you put the RSA jersey on for the first time, were there goosebumps?

BA: No doubt.  I remember I was really young.  The first time I played on the National team, I was 17, and the rest of the team was filled with guys that were my idols growing up.  It too will be a moment I will never forget.  The greatest memories come from the moments you least expect!

JK: Being 17, was there also the intimidation factor, playing with guys who, like you said, were your idols?

BA: It was all very much overwhelming for me.  When I was young I could throw harder than most people, but the control aspect was still very new.  I also didn’t have a consistent second or third pitch.  I really didn’t have many highlights before I made the National team, but South Africans have an amazing ability to show confidence in one another.  As intimidated as I was, my teammates, my idols, were very quick to show their support and make me feel like I ‘belonged’.

JK: Other than the two obvious ones – Rugby and Cricket – and then of course Baseball, what were athletics like growing up in a country where politics were a big part of the picture?

BA: Growing up, I think I was more fortunate that politics and ‘apartheid’ weren’t so much of an issue.  I went to schools that had both blacks and whites and we participated in sports together.  The only unfortunate thing was really, was that Baseball was never given much respect as the other major sports!

JK: Was it eye-opening to see that across the world – in North America especially – that Baseball is such a phenomenon for some people?

BA: It was kinda hard to grasp, actually.  I kinda treated it (Baseball) as a hobby, but it was something I cared for very deeply.  It was strange to see on TV, the superstars making millions of dollars playing a sport, which was, well, just fun!.  I think even after I signed, I didn’t realize it was possible to play in pro ball.

I think the last World Baseball Classic opened the eyes of many South Africans.  So many people were able to watch the games live back in South Africa, almost beating your Canadians in the first game, well that showed every South African that watched, that we are on the map, and that we can compete!

JK: When you got word you were going to suit up for an MLB Exhibition game (His Royals against Roger Clemens and the Houston Astros), what immediately went through your head?

BA: [Laughs] Good one.  The first thing, was probably "Holy Crap I need to call my mom," but it could’ve been, "Shit, I need to get a Sportscoat," or a Blazer as we call it back home.

JK: So it wasn’t, "How much beer can I buy if I make the team?"

BA: [Laughs] No not at all.  It was the most amazing experience of my life.  I wrote everyone that I knew an email of the entire thing.  I wish I had a copy still.  Apparently it was posted on the wall at the fields where I used to play in Durban, South Africa, as inspiration.  Those 3 days made it all worth it, and I wouldn’t trade a thing for them.

JK: You already mentioned almost beating the Canadians – and I can’t say I was necessarily cheering for you guys at the time – but was lining up against Ken Griffey Jr, Derek Lee, Roger Clemens, the guys that will one day be in the hall-of-fame, was that an experience you can’t describe?  Especially since you faced Clemens in that exhibition game the year before?

BA: You know, it’s bittersweet.  It turns out I was injured at the time of the last classic.  Make no mistake, I still gave it everything I have, and wow what a lineup the US had.  I still remember, as a pitcher you were taught to play the match-ups  - you know right vs right etc. So I laughed when a lefty came up to bat, probably Chipper Jones and I looked on deck and thought, Geez can someone give me a break? [Laughs] Injured or not, it was an awesome experience, and I am just a little upset they’re not in our group this time around, for redemption.  All in all though, I’m 1-1 vs Clemens, who has always been my pitching idol.

JK: So did Roger get injected with steroids or not?

BA: There’s a lot of controversy in that one.  I believe he is a fantastic player, one of the best all-time.  And I will always be a huge fan!

JK: The WBC switched to a different format in 2009.  What could that mean to South Africa, having to face Cuba in a matchup that could spell trouble for you guys, if you lose?

BA: Cuba are known as a powerhouse.  But I think our pitching is different to what they’re used to.  I think we have a good shot.  Baseball is a funny game, anything can happen on the day and I believe this time around, the group is in our favour.

JK: The toughest batter I have ever faced is…

BA: Wow, that’s a good one.  Most hitters are ones that take advantage of pitchers mistakes.  In that case, guess I gotta say Griffey Jr [Laughs] (Ken Griffey Jr went long off of Armitage at the WBC, with such superstars as Derek Jeter on base for the 3-run blast)

JK: I wouldn’t be able to post this if I didn’t ask you about one of the reasons I still have this gig.  How has Rick Magnante transformed the South African baseball program?

BA: I gotta tell ya, I admire his persistence.  He has been there since a few months before the last World Baseball Classic.  I can’t begin to imagine how difficult it is building a team, when you don’t live in the same hemisphere, never mind the country.  He has brought a level of professionalism and helped players understand it with an amazing ability.  He really has been a breath of fresh air to South African baseball, and he does so much to help the team grow!

JK: What would be your best advice for a young baseball player, South African or otherwise?

BA: Hm, my best advice would be ‘never give up’.  If you love your sport, never give up.  I know that’s cliche’d, but when I was young, I was very, I mean very bad.  I could throw hard, but walked more players than I got out, and I felt terrible for my catcher – man he got abused.  But I loved baseball, and every week I was the first one there.  It paid off, I got better.

 Thanks again to Barry, and keep checking back on Nat Notes for coverage on the C’s, the A’s, and the RSA’s.