The baseball and softball fraternity has lost a valuable coach following the death of Brian Leshokgohla.
A critical moment raised a pulse on an otherwise dull weekend of sport when news of the gruesome murder of a baseball and softball development coach flooded social media in Limpopo.
The tragic passing of Brian Leshokgohla has left the sport fraternity emotionally battered and bruised.
Leshokgohla passed on a critical juncture when development coaches in baseball and softball in the province are scares commodities.
Affectionately called “Brinco” is among his circle of ballgame lovers, Leshokgohla leaves behind a fledgling team comprising entirely of youngsters who were depending on him to a larger extend, educationally and socioeconomically.
Mokomene Trailblazers was Leshokgohla’s brainchild and with him gone, the club’s survival now hangs by the thinnest of threads.
While Leshokgohla was not yet counted among the legends, his contribution to the development of baseball and softball in Botlokwa would ultimately made headlines in the annals of sports.
He burst onto the scene as a relative rookie – no highlight in a high tempo game – but when he assumed the development coaching responsibility, he took the assignment by the scruff of his neck.
Sporting a dreadlock hairdo and maintaining a cool temperament, his voice in the coach’s box became influential like a conductor of a symphony orchestra.
On a good day, he led from the pitcher’s mound with annoyingly slow deliveries, much to the frustration of aggressive batters.
Leshokgohla only joined Red Ants Masters recently and when the coaching staff roped him in in the pitching department, his contribution was immense.
Expressing their deepest loss to a man who was dedicated to development, baseball and softball administrators were in unison in saying Leshokgohla’s death has robbed the two sporting codes a dedicated servant.
Limpopo Baseball Union chairman, Thabang Letsoalo said Leshokgohla will be solemnly missed for his commitment to improve the sporting life of youngsters in his community in Mokomene.
“Brian loved those boys and created a family out of that affection. Because of Brian, those young players who play for Trailblazers became instant friends. They were always together discussing baseball, particularly their team. “The timing of his death is just all too wrong because he leaves us at a crucial time when we are preparing for international tournaments. His passing has left a huge void” said Letsoalo.
Limpopo Softball Association deputy chairman, Benny Boshomane noted that Leshokgohla’s death has dealt his team a big blow.
“Trailblazers is about to navigate through a rough terrain without their devoted mentor. Brian was more than just a player to those youngsters. Some of those players saw him as a father figure. His death has affected them psychologically and could take a while before they heal. As the softball community we hope that his team continue to exist” said Boshomane.