Baseball: Batter close to hitting baseball's big time

New Zealand baseball player Travis Wilson looks likely to be based in South Carolina next year as his path to the big leagues takes another forward step.

Wilson, who has been in Wellington to assist at the national men's softball training camp, has been told by his agent that at this stage he will be the starting second baseman for the Atlanta Braves organisation's "high A" team, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans.

"I'm 99 per cent sure I will be at Myrtle Beach," Wilson said. "They don't let on much. The numbers I put up last year and this year are pretty good and they realise that. It is just a matter of time."

This year, Wilson, aged 22, played for the Macon Braves in the South Atlantic single A competition. He was among the league's leading batters until he had his right forearm broken by a pitch in July.

If his form continues the former national men's softball representative should get his opportunity to step into the national league in a couple of seasons.

- NZPA