Canberrans Abroad
June 2nd, 2010
Steve Kent - Rome Braves, Georgia U.S.A
In the first of a weekly column in the lead up to the inaugural season of the Australian Baseball League (ABL), the “Let’s do it Canberra” team will be profiling some of Canberra’s best overseas talents as they set their sights on returning to their home town and hopefully pulling on a Canberra ABL shirt.
This week we’ll be focussing on Atlanta Braves signed pitcher, Steve Kent.
Following a self funded try out with the Atlanta Braves at spring training back in 2004, Steve signed a contract with the Braves and was considered a promising future talent at the age of sixteen.
Spending his first two years in the States with the Rookie Level, Gulf Coast League Braves, the Golden Arm award winner at the 2004 Australian MLB Academy was moved to the Advanced Rookie, Danville Braves team in the Appalachian League.
At the back end of his successful season in Danville, Steve tore his Glenoid Labrum, requiring shoulder surgery in February 09. The surgery and subsequent rehab has meant that until recently, Steve has been unable to pitch in the competitive arena.
Steve has spent most of the year in rehab in an effort to get his shoulder back into shape again, meaning long stints away from home.
“Unfortunately because of the rehab work I’ve had to do I haven’t been able to spend as much time at home which has been disappointing.”
This weekend Steve will be making his comeback to the mound at the Braves spring training facility in Orlando, Florida.
“My shoulder is feeling awesome, I really can’t wait to get out there and have a go,”
“Once I get a few innings under my belt and get back into the swing of things here I can head back to Rome and join the team again.”
Steve will be looking to re-establish his career at the Atlanta Braves affiliate team, the Rome Braves, a small town about 45 minutes outside of Atlanta.
Having not pitched in Canberra since the 07-08 season, Steve hopes to be back in peak form by the time the ABL kicks off in November.
“I can’t wait to play for a Canberra side in the ABL. It will be great to be able to play in front of my friends and family who really haven’t been able to watch me play in a long time.”
“I represented the ACT all the way from the U/12’s through U/14’s, U’16’s, U18’s junior national championships. I then represented ACT in the senior ranks at the Australian Provincial championships and ultimately in the Claxton Shield.”
Steve also says that Canberra’s participation in the ABL will give the juniors in Canberra something to strive for as they move through the ranks.
“The kids will see just how good the players in this league are going to be and it will give them something to strive for. Hopefully they will stick with baseball then one day move up and play in the ABL.”
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