From Auckland Now (www.stuff.co.nz)
Joseph Kohlhase, 19, has made the switch from softball to baseball and will head to the United States with the hope of playing in the Major Leagues.
The family name was strongly associated with the sport’s history.
Father Eddie was one of the most decorated in the sport, winning four world championships with the Black Sox – coaching the national side from 2004 to 2013. Uncle Chris was also a Black Sox member as was grandfather Eric who made the team in 1968.
The family legacy was set to continue when Joseph picked up softball at age five, however, the 19-year-old former St Peters College student has decided to switch codes.States next week to play baseball for Fort Collins in Colorado. He’ll spend two months there before moving to San Francisco where he’ll play at a junior college – San Mateo.
It is an extraordinary feat given Kohlhase has only started taking baseball seriously in the last 12 months. The fact he’s made the transition from softball – a sport he played for 14 years – is also impressive.
Click here to read the rest of the story and view photo at Auckland Now.