Jackie limbers up for the big baseball challenge in Miami

Kilkenny star, Jackie Tyrrell, could be heading to big time baseball in the US, writes John Knox.

The James Stephens defender is up for the challenge with top club, Miami Merlins, and it could all be happening next month.

Hurling fans should fear not, however. Tyrrell ain’t leaving. He has been invited to participate in a TV documentary planned by Dublin based, Motive Television in which he would trade places with a professional baseball player for a week or so.

“It would be very interesting to see how I might get on, and even more so to see how he might,” Jackie laughed.

“They will obviously have to get someone with an open mind to give up a professional environment to come to cold Ireland to play with The Village and try and sell milk for a living,” he added.

The documentary is entitled ‘Trading Places’. Tyrrell would get to experience the baseball player’s life, and vice versa.

Two GAA players have been invited to participate.

“Nothing is signed off yet, but it is in the pipeline,” Jackie explained yesterday at the Glanbia/Kilkenny sponsorship launch. “He tries my life. I try his.

“I never even held a baseball bat in my hand. Hopefully it will happen,” he added.