In the summer of 2017, Roman Coote was asked by one of his primary school friends to come play baseball at the Williamstown Baseball Club.
He made his first state team in 2021 which he didn’t get to play due to Covid.
In 2023 as a bottom age player he made the under-16 team and again as top ager this year.
“Baseball try outs are a little different to other sports,” Coote said. “Anyone can go and try out for a spot in the Victorian team.
“I wanted to get chosen, it was my single focus, I was driven, motivated and disciplined.
“For me, 2023 was certainly my breakout year. I went from just your average player to making the under-16 Australian team.
“I was selected to attend the under-16 national camp in Canberra at the AIS.”
In September, Coote will fly to America to play baseball for Team Australia in the Under-16 Perfect Game World Series.
“I was never a gifted player, but I know how to work hard for what I want,” Coote said before flying out.
“Footy never really gripped me, baseball had a winter and summer season, so I played all year round.
“The baseball club is like family. The senior players are like my older brothers and my coaches just got involved to make us all better. It is a good place to be.”
Coote plays centrefield and lists his strengths as being fast, a good catch and throws hard.
When he bats, his base running is fast, something that coaches are looking for.
“Arm strength is something I’m working on,” he said. “I injured my shoulder in January while making a base run.
“I dived to make the plate and got caught up in play. I was pretty frustrated and I have spent many hours in rehabilitation.”
Coote is part of Baseball Victoria’s pathway program which trains three times a week. They work through a three hour program focusing on strength, throwing, hitting and fielding drills.
Coote then has his Maribyrnong Sports Academy and club training which rounds out a very full week.
Baseball is a family affair for the Cootes’ with his mother and brother involved.
Coote said he’d had some fabulous coaches throughout his career so far.
“All of them have had the players’ best interests at the centre of their work,” he said. “They have certainly helped make me who I am today.”
Coote still plays with Williamstown in the summer, while he plays the junior winter season with Essendon.
Long term, Coote would like to achieve an MLB contract but his major focus is to represent Australia.
“In the short term I’d like to earn an ABL [Australian Basketball League] contract and make the under-23 Australian team and perhaps the Olympics in the long term.”
The Don Deeble Sports Star Award is sponsored by the Yarraville Club Cricket Club, Strathmore Community Bank, the Deer Park Club, Ascot Vale Sports and Trophies and Star Weekly Newspapers.
If you would like to nominate a monthly winner or attend a dinner, contact swrsportsclub@gmail.com or 0408 556 631.
Peter Howe
