Blue Jays sign Sydney Schoolboy

Shane Benson

Blue Jays sign Sydney School Boy

The following article was sourced from the BJS Management website

Like most parents of an active 5yr old Shane Benson's parents thought sport would keep him occupied. He began playing T-Ball for the local Kings Langley Club but he was soon promoted to pitch ball and spent 10 years as a junior with the Club which played in the powerful 'Hills' district in Nth West Sydney.

His natural talent and his physical size ensured that he was soon playing representative ball for the Hills District in the NSW Junior Leagues U12 competition. He played the maximum time of two years in each of U12 U14 & U16 competitions.

Baseball wasn't his only love when he was at Girraween Primary school and he also participated in Soccer, Athletics and Cricket. But it was in Baseball that he found his greatest success and was soon attracting attention. At 10yrs of age he was 1 of 5 Aussie boys to be sent to Japan to take part in the 'World Childrens Baseball Fair'.

Naturally NSW selection soon followed and Shane first played in an Australian Championship in 1999 and again in 2000 in the National U14 Tournament. He again played for NSW in the U16 Championships in 2001, pitching a complete game against SA.

His first bout with injuries occurred the following year when he was sidelined from the 2002 U16 National Tournament. Despite the injury to his right elbow he played in the U18 National Tournament in Canberra in 2003 but was clearly still suffering the affects of his injury and the decision was made to have an operation on his arm.

The operation excluded him from competing in the 2004 U18's in Geelong but he had recovered in time to take part in the National Schoolboys tournament in Perth where he performed the remarkable feat of finishing one game pitching left handed and then next day finishing another game pitching right handed. Whilst sidelined following the operation on his elbow he had taught himself to throw left handed and was able to continue to play in the local competition for the Baulkham Hills Club playing as a left handed 1st base.

This amazing determination to play despite many setbacks no doubt contributed to his early success and he was selected as a scholarship holder to the NSWIS as a 15yr old having attended his first MLBAAP on the Gold Coast as a 14 yr old in 2001. He attended again in 2002 and 2004. His operation excluded him from the 2003 camp.

Andre Desjardin, the Head Coach of the NSW Institute had always believed that Shane would sign a pro contract: - “The Blue Jays have acquired a multi talented athlete in Shane who is every bit as good a bet as a position player as he is on the mound', he said from his Sydney office. 'It is always great to see a player overcome adversity and realize his dream. We wish him every success in his career.”

The MLB clubs certainly agreed with Andre with his agent, Trevor Jarrett, receiving offers from a number of clubs, many of whom were interested in him as a hitter. It was the Blue Jays who out bid the rest and they see him principally as a pitcher.

Twice selected to represent Australia in the AA's in 2002 and then this year at the World Youth Championships in Taiwan, the Westfield Sports High School student is quietly pleased at his pro signing. 'I am really happy to finally get my professional career under way, especially with the Blue Jays', he said from his western Sydney home.

Blue Jays scout, Greg Wade said that 'Shane has an advanced understanding of the game for his age. We like that he is capable of getting hitters out with his fastball and has confidence in his off speed pitches and can throw them for strikes. We think he has a lot more room to get stronger and additionally he can swing the bat with authority. Greg said that they were also impressed with his passion for the game. 'This should give him a good chance to excel in professional baseball.

'Shane is ready for Spring Training', continued Greg from his Brisbane home, 'where he will play for our Pulaski Blue Jays.'