Pitch and win

A rare talent hunt on baseball to be held in 6 cities with a prize money of $ 1 million

MUMBAI: Cricket and baseball are somewhat similar games and while India already commands respect in the former sport, it is yet to carve a niche in baseball. 

Creating an opportunity for youngsters to pursue an international sports career, a one-of-a-kind talent hunt is being organised to identify and groom the most powerful pitcher in the country and introduce him to the professional world of baseball.

Called “The Million Dollar Arm”, the contest aims at handpicking the fastest arms in the country and select the best to be trained in the US upto 12 months to learn the art of competitive pitching.

The winner will not only be groomed by international trainers abroad, but will walk away with a cash reward of $1,000, 000, the highest booty ever offered for any talent hunt in India.

This apart, the winner will go for trials with American Professional Baseball teams and will get an opportunity to make an international career.

The talent hunt will be conducted in six major cities across India and a five-day training camp will be held with trainers from the US guiding the finalists before the final showdown in Mumbai next year.

Brian Patrick Wilson, one of the reckoned death pitchers in the US and currently playing with the San Francisco Giants, said:

“There is a dearth of good pitchers in the US. Indian youngsters look most promising considering their verve for cricket.”