Hey, it seems the President of Marshall University isn’t the only red-blooded American male who is queer for softball. Add Red Sox GM Theo Epstein to the list, as Duncan Johnstone of Stuff.nz announces Boston’s signing of New Zealand teen softball prodigy Te Wera Bishop.
The Porirua 17-year-old was spotted by Red Sox scout Jon Deeble while he was in New Zealand checking out the Oceania AA Baseball Championships in Auckland last month.
Bishop, a Black Sox catcher, had a younger brother, Te Kahui, playing in the baseball tournament but caught the eye of Deeble.
“I don’t know what to expect. I’m just over the moon,” Bishop said.
Bishop will officially sign his Red Sox contract in Auckland tomorrow and then faces a busy time getting up to speed with his new game.
“We have been impressed by his abilities behind the plate, he has excellent hands and a strong throwing arm, and with instruction from our Boston Red Sox coaches, we are confident he can make the appropriate changes from softball to baseball,” Deeble said.
“We believe he shows the aptitude and willingness to be a successful baseball player. He has also showed us the ability to hit the ball out of the park. There needs to be a few minor adjustments made from the softball swing to baseball with the ball coming from different angles.
“This will also take time, but watching him hit some baseballs, he showed us a great amount of bat speed.”