Royals searching for talent down under
02/24/2006
MELBOURNE, Australia -- The Royals front office is searching all corners of the globe in an effort to make sure no stone is left unturned in Kansas City's quest to return as American League Central contenders.
Royals president and part-owner Dan Glass, general manager Allard Baird, and Baird's special assistant Louie Medina appointed Kansas City's first Australian scout during a ground-breaking excursion to Melbourne, Australia -- the home of first baseman Justin Huber, who made his Major League debut with the Royals in 2005.
The Royals power brokers hope that the installation of 1996 Atlanta Olympics Australian second baseman Matthew Sheldon-Collins as their newest scout will unearth more Australian talent down under -- and all things going to plan, have them playing in royal blue.
"We hope so, that's our goal," Baird said.
Baird was the prime mover in acquiring Huber in a trade from the New York Mets for infielder Jose Bautista in July, 2004.
With first basemen Mike Sweeney and Ken Harvey sidelined by injury in 2005, Huber got his Major League callup and hit .218 in 78 at-bats to close the season. He was also instrumental in showing his employers around his hometown during their January excursion.
"It was more than worth it just to see the country and hang out with Justin," Glass said.
However, Glass did a whole lot more than hang out. Huber introduced Glass, Baird and Medina to eight prospective candidates before they settled on Sheldon-Collins.
"It was very productive," Glass said hours before the 17-hour flight home from the whirlwind six-day tour of Melbourne.
During the southern project, Glass and Baird appeared on Melbourne radio and at the junior national championships being held outside Melbourne.
"It's not only the acquisition of players, it's promoting the game," Baird said.
Glass said the club will invest in junior baseball and promotion of the game in Australia.
"Putting back into the sport like the Royals organization is doing can only help our sport," Huber said.
Glass echoed Huber's wish for the growth of the game Down Under.
"We have a responsibility to not just take players away from the country. We have the responsibility to give back so that people learn about the sport and respect it," Glass said.
With the appointment of Sheldon-Collins, the Royals now have access to more than 50,000 Australian players -- a baseball hotbed that had gone unnoticed in Kansas City until its acquisition of Huber.
Australia won the silver medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, and will compete in Pool D of the World Baseball Classic against the Dominican Republic, Venezuela and Italy.
Huber will be Australia's biggest name at the Classic. Sheldon-Collins, who had overlooked previous approaches from Major League clubs, said the relationship with the Royals will be a win-win situation for Australian baseball and the Royals.
"These guys really have Australian baseball at heart," Sheldon-Collins said. "It's an easy fit that way. I have values on Australian players and the way they should be approached and treated."
While operating as the Royals' Australian scout, Sheldon-Collins will continue in his role as his Australian state's baseball institute head coach.
Sheldon-Collins's coaching position will give the Royals a head-start in identifying future stars. He said an average of five of his students had signed with Major League clubs in each of his 10 years as head coach.
Chances are, a few future signings will belong with the Royals.
Source: http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/
MELBOURNE, Australia -- The Royals front office is searching all corners of the globe in an effort to make sure no stone is left unturned in Kansas City's quest to return as American League Central contenders.
Royals president and part-owner Dan Glass, general manager Allard Baird, and Baird's special assistant Louie Medina appointed Kansas City's first Australian scout during a ground-breaking excursion to Melbourne, Australia -- the home of first baseman Justin Huber, who made his Major League debut with the Royals in 2005.
The Royals power brokers hope that the installation of 1996 Atlanta Olympics Australian second baseman Matthew Sheldon-Collins as their newest scout will unearth more Australian talent down under -- and all things going to plan, have them playing in royal blue.
"We hope so, that's our goal," Baird said.
Baird was the prime mover in acquiring Huber in a trade from the New York Mets for infielder Jose Bautista in July, 2004.
With first basemen Mike Sweeney and Ken Harvey sidelined by injury in 2005, Huber got his Major League callup and hit .218 in 78 at-bats to close the season. He was also instrumental in showing his employers around his hometown during their January excursion.
"It was more than worth it just to see the country and hang out with Justin," Glass said.
However, Glass did a whole lot more than hang out. Huber introduced Glass, Baird and Medina to eight prospective candidates before they settled on Sheldon-Collins.
"It was very productive," Glass said hours before the 17-hour flight home from the whirlwind six-day tour of Melbourne.
During the southern project, Glass and Baird appeared on Melbourne radio and at the junior national championships being held outside Melbourne.
"It's not only the acquisition of players, it's promoting the game," Baird said.
Glass said the club will invest in junior baseball and promotion of the game in Australia.
"Putting back into the sport like the Royals organization is doing can only help our sport," Huber said.
Glass echoed Huber's wish for the growth of the game Down Under.
"We have a responsibility to not just take players away from the country. We have the responsibility to give back so that people learn about the sport and respect it," Glass said.
With the appointment of Sheldon-Collins, the Royals now have access to more than 50,000 Australian players -- a baseball hotbed that had gone unnoticed in Kansas City until its acquisition of Huber.
Australia won the silver medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, and will compete in Pool D of the World Baseball Classic against the Dominican Republic, Venezuela and Italy.
Huber will be Australia's biggest name at the Classic. Sheldon-Collins, who had overlooked previous approaches from Major League clubs, said the relationship with the Royals will be a win-win situation for Australian baseball and the Royals.
"These guys really have Australian baseball at heart," Sheldon-Collins said. "It's an easy fit that way. I have values on Australian players and the way they should be approached and treated."
While operating as the Royals' Australian scout, Sheldon-Collins will continue in his role as his Australian state's baseball institute head coach.
Sheldon-Collins's coaching position will give the Royals a head-start in identifying future stars. He said an average of five of his students had signed with Major League clubs in each of his 10 years as head coach.
Chances are, a few future signings will belong with the Royals.
Source: http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/
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