Baseball is not your everyday sport in the Southwest Pacific but Fiji has been fielding a team and participating in the Pacific and Mini Pacific Games since 2003.
The last time Fiji’s baseball team participated in the Pacific Mini Games was in Saipan in 2022 and now they are gearing up for the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau.
Baseball was introduced to Fiji in May 2000 through the efforts of the Baseball Confederation of Oceania (BCO).
The Fiji Islands Baseball Association was formed shortly thereafter, with the primary goal of establishing a national team to participate in the 2003 South Pacific Games.
The Japanese Government played a crucial role in this early stage by providing a coach through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) volunteer scheme to develop the game at the primary school level.
This marked the beginning of baseball’s grassroots journey in Fiji.
In 2002, a Little League (Kids Baseball) was established to grow children’s interest in the sport. This initiative laid the groundwork for future talent, fostering a love for baseball among the youth.
The first national team was formed for the 2003 South Pacific Games, with a brand-new baseball diamond built in Laucala Sports City.
This early investment in infrastructure and youth development set the stage for the growth of the sport.
Fiji Baseball is yet to medal at the Pacific Games and they are on a quest for redemption, aiming to reclaim their place on the podium.
The current Fiji baseball team is a blend of experienced players and young talents, all products of the grassroots program that started in 2012.
90 per cent of the team were part of the Under-15 development side that won a medal at the 2019 Oceania Qualification event.
The team is coached by Ken Tamaki, a JICA volunteer who has been working with the team for the past 20 months.
Tamaki’s focus has been on improving the players’ physical fitness and mastering the basic skills of the game. Despite the lack of modern training equipment, such as a pitching machine, the team remains undeterred.
A notable part of the team’s journey is the involvement of the Sorovakatini family.
Tavo Sorovakatini, a former national captain and current vice president of the Fiji Baseball Association, will be playing alongside his sons, Murphy and Marnoah in Palau later this month.
The team’s youngest member, 17-year-old William Michael Johns was inspired to take up the sport by his late uncle, William Johns, who represented Fiji in the 2003 South Pacific Games. His inclusion in the team proves that the grassroots program is effective and interest in the sport is growing.
The journey of Fiji’s baseball team is not just about winning; it is about the development of the sport from the grassroots level, the dedication of its players and the support of the community.
With hard work, determination and the lessons learned from past experiences, Fiji’s baseball team is ready to make their mark on the international stage once again.
The team prepares to leave for Palau on June 27, their goal is clear: to redeem themselves and showcasing the potential for baseball as an alternative sport.
