by Austrian Baseball Academy
September 1st 2014 marked not only the beginning of a new school year in Vienna, but also of a new chapter in Austrian youth baseball: The launch of the Austrian Baseball Academy’s high school model for competitive athletes.
For the next five years, four young Austrian baseball players will attend high schools which offer modified curricula and timetables especially designed for the needs of young competitive athletes. Each year, a few others will follow their example. The harmonic co-existence of sport specific and school education will enable the young athletes to target a professional career in baseball without having to cut back on their academic careers. The athletic and sport-specific portion of this education will be covered by the Austrian Baseball Academy. The players will also still be active with their respective clubs and take part in club practices and competitions.
The four “pioneers” in this endeavour are Nicolas Cartes, Christoph Hoscher (Vienna Wanderers), Tobias Mathes (Stockerau Cubs), and Sascha Obermayer (Traiskirchen Grasshoppers). The schools involved are both situated in Austria’s capital, Vienna: The “Brigittenauer Gymnasium” (BORG Karajangasse) and the “Oberstufenrealgymnasium” of the “SLSZ Wien West”.
The Austrian Baseball Federation (ABF) and youth baseball in Austria is taking this big step forward on a path that other sports in Austria have been treading long before. Leading European baseball countries (like the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Czech Republic) have been operating similar academies and produced top baseball athletes. A considerable number of these players have already been signed by MLB Clubs.
Major League Baseball and their support of associated academies like Austria’s academy play an essential role in the development of baseball in Europe. MLB provides a platform and network where young baseball players can put their skills and ambitions on display and present themselves to international scouts and media, but also sets the general framework that the academy programs are based on.
The Austrian Baseball Academy is scheduled to be transformed entirely into a school based model over the next five years – possibly even including a boarding option. At the same time, the ABF is determined to expand and adapt its other development programs across Austria.
Photo by Manfred Heisler, ABA
left to right:
standing: Manfred Heisler (ABA Manager), Peter Ferak sen. (ABF Vice President), David Körber (ABF Youth Coordinator)
seated: Nicolas Cartes, Tobias Mathes, Sascha Obermayer, Christoph Hoscher