IT IS A sport which has spawned countless stock phrases for our daily life – ‘coming out of left field’, ‘stepping up to the plate’ and ‘touching base’ among them.

And now Breckland children will get the chance to try baseball for themselves with the Feltwell Redbacks.

The club, which is based at RAF Feltwell, is looking for youngsters between the ages of 14-16 to take part in the British Baseball Federation Pony League against teams across the south of England.

The Feltwell Redbacks are an expansion team for the Essex Redbacks Baseball Club, which was established in 2009 to include three senior teams and now, with the introduction of the Feltwell side, three junior teams.

Head coach Sean Kiefer, who works at the air force base, is confident that the offer of baseball to children in the region will provide an excellent chance to enhance local sporting opportunities.

“Last year there were two senior baseball teams in the local area, at RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall, with many of the players coming from the US,” he said.

“Being able to offer junior baseball gives some of the children of staff who are stationed at the air force bases a chance to play the sport that they would be playing back home, while reaching out to provide a new sport for local kids. We already have the ready-made facilities here, so this is a perfect opportunity to play baseball.”

There has already been good progress, with parents and coaches coming forward to volunteer their time to help develop the team, and over 15 juniors have been recruited to wear the Redbacks uniforms.

Traditionally, the Redbacks play in red jerseys, grey trousers, red socks and wear both a black cap and black belt, but the Feltwell Redbacks will play all in black apart from the socks and belt.

Kiefer is hopeful that along with quantity, the team can provide some quality during their debut season as well

“I think we already have a few very promising players who will be able to give the top guys a real challenge in some of the big matches,” he said. “We are looking to grow the team here to be able to compete with the best clubs in the country, and if we’re successful I fancy our chances of winning either the division or perhaps even the national title.”

Essex Redbacks youth officer Neil Hall added: “We are looking forward to the Feltwell Redbacks players joining our club and hope this will give the opportunity for girls and boys and their family members to enjoy basebal, make new friends and be a part of our community.”

For more information contact Sean Kiefer at: stcmkiefer@yahoo.com or 07769581498.