Junior Diamondback, Junior Black Sox and College first XV
Multitalented Marlborough teen Tailah Love knows he will soon have some tough calls to make – but for the moment he’s relishing being part of three high-profile sports teams.
In mid-May Tailah was chosen in the New Zealand under-18 baseball team, the Junior Diamondbacks, who will tour Arizona in October.
A few weeks later he was named in the New Zealand Junior Black Sox softball squad to prepare for next year’s world championships in Canada – all the while training and playing for the unbeaten Marlborough Boys’ College first XV in the demanding Press Cup rugby competition.
The MBC year 13 student knows it’s going to become progressively harder to fit all three codes into his busy life, especially with international training camps and such, but so far he has managed to find an acceptable balance.
“I’m not sure about [the clash of codes]. I need to speak to the coaches, see how it goes from there. I just want to play everything.
“I know I’ll most probably have to make a decision some time,” he said.
“I’m committed to the US trip, and I hope to play both baseball and softball, especially with the world junior series next year.
“My rugby coaches have been really good about [his various absences]. They know they are going to lose me at some stage.”
Tailah is particularly excited about his selection in the Junior Diamondbacks.
In a previous Express article he stated a desire to play baseball at the top level, and he has made rapid progress in a sport which is finding its feet in this country.
He was previously selected for a national under-16 side but had to pull out due to softball commitments. So far he has played just one tournament, a selection event in Auckland, where the outfielder and right-hand batter averaged .578, one of the best batting statistics in the team.
He is hoping to train in the United States for six weeks prior to the October tour and, long-term, is looking at the possibility of securing a baseball scholarship to an American university.
The Junior Black Sox, the national under-19 side, is coached by softball legend Thomas Makea, a major influence on Tailah’s development. The outfielder and third baseman also made the initial squad last year but failed to make the final team. They have a training camp in late July, and the final cut will be made next year.
Fellow Marlburian Tyler Bird is also a member of the initial Junior Black Sox squad.
Tailah won’t drawn on comparisons between the three codes but admits baseball and softball excite him the most.
“I still haven’t tossed up on which would be my preferred sport.
“I’ve played softball for longer. Baseball’s only new but it’s the rising sport to play.”
While he is able to juggle his busy schedule at the moment, that situation may not last.
“A few weeks ago both coaches were sort of trying to organise things to be around the same time, so the players had to choose.
“There were a few other softballers named in the baseball as well, and some have dropped out after making the team.
“I suppose I’m just waiting to see if the baseball and softball coaches force me to make a decision. I expect that – I think we all do.”
Leave a Reply