Cal ready to start US college baseball journey
Moriah College 2024 graduate Cal Fingleson has secured a US baseball college scholarship.
Talent, determination, a willingness to put in the hard work, and a proud family history in his chosen sport, have all played a part in Sydney teenager Cal Fingleson’s dream of earning a US college baseball scholarship come true.
The 18-year-old Moriah College graduate accepted a two-year offer last month from Tyler Junior College in Texas, commencing on August 28, but will head first to Salt Lake City in June to play in the SummerBall League, where teams comprised of top tier freshman will play 55 games in 55 days.
“I’m incredibly excited to get over there, and have the opportunity to learn and further develop into the player I want to be,” Fingleson told The AJN this week.
“Here in Australia, the nearest baseball field where I can play and train on is a 45-minute drive away, but over there, I’ll be able to walk to a baseball field, live and breathe baseball, and see where it takes me.”
Fingleson’s road to earning a college scholarship was far from easy, and it took a inner strength, belief, and persistence to bounce back from a serious injury.
Good form for Baulkham Hills Baseball Club in the NSW Youth League saw him selected in the NSW U16 team for the 2022 national youth championships.
But he was ruled out on the tournament’s eve with two stress fractures in his back, and could not play again for 12 months.
“I worked hard doing rehab for six months, then two months of full throttle training to get back into form and shape, and then I got selected in the U18 Australian squad, which I was so grateful for.”
The squad travelled to Fort Myers in Florida last September to play against several American teams, and there were some college scouts watching on.
“Everyone in our squad got something out of that tour, and I was honoured to wear a green and gold shirt, especially as my dad (Gavin) had done that before [and was part of Australia’s baseball team that won silver at the 2004 Olympics].
“I’d only arrived back home four days before my HSC exams, but it turned out okay!”
Fingleson began seeking US scholarship opportunities from late last year, and then flew with his dad to visit six colleges in Texas and Arizona in February and early March.
“As soon as I got to Tyler Junior College, it felt like this was the place for me . . . the coaches, the facilities, and the whole environment was everything I was looking for.
“So, when I received an offer from their head coach by phone, I just looked at my dad, he nodded, and literally four minutes later I phoned back and accepted it.
“I’m grateful to everyone in my family for their support and encouragement, and particularly my grandfather Frank [a former player for South Africa], who is my biggest fan, and drove me to so many matches since I was a kid.”
Fielding has always been Fingleson’s strength, but he has also improved significantly in his batting, and is keen to soak up every learning opportunity at the Tyler Apaches, who play in division one of the National Junior College Athletic Association’s Region 14 conference.
“I want to keep improving in every area of my game, and can’t wait to develop further at Tyler, and start the next chapter in my career.”
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