Most dads play a major role in their children's sporting ambitions, but Brodie Cooper-Vassalakis' dreams wouldn't have been possible without father Theo.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Cooper-Vassalakis, 15, became the youngest player in Australian Baseball League history when he made his debut for the Canberra Cavalry last weekend.
The teenage pitcher backs up again when the Cavalry play the Sydney Blue Sox at Narrabundah on Thursday night and the man responsible will be sitting in the stands watching.
Theo Vassalakis was the driving force behind Canberra being included in the ABL and put together the Cavalry vision when the competition was being formed seven years ago.
Little did he know that his then eight-year-old son would make history at the club he started building.
"The reason why I'm so passionate about the Cavalry is that I felt Canberra deserved to have a team," Vassalakis said.
"I wanted Canberra kids to have the opportunity to play for their city in a national league rather than having to move interstate.
"I didn't think of my son in particular, but that was the plan. It's quite ironic that Brodie is one of those guys, I'm very proud of him and what he's done.
"It is a bit of a head spin. It's a small step in the journey that he wants to take, but he's been lucky enough to achieve a lot."
Baseball ACT commissioner Vassalakis was responsible for putting together Canberra's bid for an ABL team, garnering sponsorship and membership to present a case to league officials.
Fast-forward seven years and Cooper-Vassalakis will finish his school duties on Thursday afternoon before joining the Cavalry for their clash against arch rivals, the Blue Sox.
Cooper-Vassalakis is following in his dad's footsteps. Vassalakis was an Australian under-19s pitcher as well until he was hit in the shoulder by a ball and had to give it away.
Cooper-Vassalakis was part of the Australian under-19 side to tour the United States earlier this year at a spring training camp.
"I knew when dad was putting it all together and even then I knew it was something I wanted to do when I was older, but it's a surprise that I'm doing it at the age I am now," Cooper-Vassalakis said.
"I definitely wanted to play for the Cavalry. I remember Dad worried a bit about whether it would work because it's baseball in Australia.
"But it turns out we've got some of the best fans in the league. Dad's been teaching correct pitching mechanics for as long as I can remember."
Cooper-Vassalakis hopes to use the Cavalry as a launching pad to a Major League Baseball career in the US. But he's also juggling school work with his baseball ambitions.
"That's the goal, I'd love to play over there," Cooper-Vassalakis said.
"I had an exam on the [Monday morning] after our games last weekend against Brisbane. But the school is very supportive so I'll finish there on Thursday afternoon and then join the guys."
ABL ROUND TWO
Canberra Cavalry v Sydney Blue Sox at Narrabundah Ball Park
Game one: Thursday, 7pm
Game two: Friday, 7pm
Game three: Saturday, 7pm
Game three: Sunday, 3pm
