AS an eight year-old playing for the South Perth Baseball Club, Warwick Saupold dreamt of playing baseball professionally in the US.
The Redcliffe boy knew it would not be an easy path for a kid from Perth, where baseball is not nearly as established as it is in the States.
But even big dreams can come true ... Saupold, now 22, has just been signed to the Detroit Tigers, where he hopes to work his way through the minor league ranks to the major league team.
The Perth Heat pitcher said he had the thought of playing in the USA in the back of his mind when he worked hard in the last off-season.
After four years with the Heat, a selector noticed Saupold’s good form in a game against Sydney in January and he was signed to the Detroit team the following day.
“I was throwing well with the Perth Heat and I’ve been lucky enough to be given a chance,” he said.
Saupold will leave Perth next month after playing in the grand final series of the Australian Baseball League this weekend.
He said the hardest part of making the move would be being so far away from his family and friends. Saupold said language would also be a challenge, as many of his team mates are Latin American and speak Spanish.
Saupold will start with spring training in Florida before settling into Detroit.
Kevin Hooker, the Detroit Tigers’ Pacific rim scouting co-ordinator responsible for the signing, said Saupold had had a terrific year.
“We see a quality pitcher who we believe deserves a shot to play professional baseball,” he said.
Heat manager Brooke Knight said Saupold had earned the chance to play in the USA.
“He has improved dramatically and I believe he's the type of guy that’s going to persevere and give himself every opportunity via a lot of hard work," he said.