The duo, according to the club’s website, are learning English by watching ESPN’s Baseball Tonight on television, apart from taking online courses to continue their studies.

Switching roles

Even before Rinku was spotted by baseball scouts, he always dreamt of sporting success. The 20-year-old started off as a cricketer, but switched to athletics when things didn’t go his way. He had spoken about how when his former team mates, now star cricketers, Suresh Raina and RP Singh used to visit the sports college, they were followed by cameras all the time. “Several times, I have tried standing next to the two so that I could be in the photographs that were published in the papers. Not once did I manage that,” he had said.

Today things have changed. On the US baseball circuit, Rinku and Patel are a rags to riches story many are talking about.

The Pirates vice-president and general manager Neal Huntington, while showcasing their new signings, spoke about his club’s foray into baseball’s untapped market and potential of the rookies. “We are intrigued by Patel’s arm strength and Singh’s frame and potential. These young men have improved a tremendous amount in their six month exposure to baseball and we look forward to helping them continue to fulfil their potential,” Huntington said.

In case they do, the long distance calls to the Sports College in Lucknow will get more frequent.