C.J. Beatty From Australia 2015 Blogpost #3

C.J. Beatty - Brisbane Bandits

Well the time has come and the Australian Baseball Season has ended. We missed the barely missed the playoffs but this season for me and my team was a blast. Playing for the Brisbane Bandits again this season has made me into a better baseball player and person. We fought super hard to get to the playoffs but at times it felt like the opposing team had 45 players on defense hahaha.

I leave to go back to the USA in about a week and I am happy to officially start my 2015 season. I'm heading to White Sox spring training motivated to show them what I have learned over in Australia and hopefully they will see what I have to offer. I would love to make it to the big leagues one day but I am very thankful to have played in some amazing places already. God has put a talent inside of me and I plan to continue to use it to reach and inspire others.

Thanks for the support from all my Cardinals Family. I will love you always. You were the very beginning for me in my professional career. The "2 Red Birds" on the bat will always hold a special place in my heart. Hey.........you never know.....CJ "HOLLYWOOD" BEATTY may roam the outfield in Busch Stadium one day

C.J. Beatty From Australia 2014 Blogpost #2

Good Afternoon or as we say in Aussie Land.....Good "Arvo". I just got back from Melbourne, Australia this morning so I have slept all day hahaha.

I was selected to play in the 2014 ABL All-Star Game and represent the World Team. It was a goal me and my family set before I came to Australia this season. To complete that goal was a great accomplishment. The All-Star game was sponsored by LEVI Jeans and aired on ESPN and MLB Network. I went 1 for 2 and started at third base. Grant Balfour threw out the first pitch and I was in awe to see one of baseball's best pitchers. We ended up losing the game because we ran out of pitching but it was all fun in the end.

Next goal on my list is to help my team get to our first playoff in the new ABL. You may not know what your calling in life may be.....but if you focus on winning the daily battles you will soon be within sight of your destination in no time. Playing in the ABL All-Star game might not be the Big Leagues but for that night I felt like a big leaguer. ESPN Game is so big to me and my family and I'm forever thankful for the opportunity to play.

This weekend we have Canberra coming in and we are hungry to not only win the series....but we are looking to get better as a team. Until next time family.

C.J. Beatty From Australia 2014 Blogpost #1

C.J. Beatty - Brisbane Bandits

Staying positive and making things happen in one's career is something C.J. Beatty knows all about.

Beatty, who was once a prospect on the rise in the Cardinals farm system, now seeks his second chance at a run for his MLB dream.  He was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2009 draft out of North Carolina A&T State University and made a quick jump to A-Advanced Palm Beach in his second professional season.  Unfortunately he was released during spring training in 2011 after having collected 25 doubles, ten home runs, 53 RBIs, and hitting .244 in 105 minor league games.

The 26-year old switch hitter spent the next two seasons battling it out in the independent league circuit with the now-defunct North American League and American Association, before settling in the Frontier League with the Washington Wild Things.  

While with Washington, Beatty put up some of the best numbers of his baseball career hitting .292 with 39 doubles, 36 home runs, 123 RBIs, and 86 walks in 616 at-bats the last two seasons in the independent Frontier League.  The utility player also earned a spot on the All-Star rosters in 2013 and 2014.

C.J. finally got his wish and caught the eye of the Chicago White Sox and they purchased his contract and assigned him to A-Advanced Winston-Salem, where he spent the remainder of the 2014 season.

Along the long road back to affiliated ball, he made a trip to Australia to play for the Brisbane Bandits during the 2012-2013 winter season.  Beatty made a decision to return for a second tour this offseason and work on his talents and skills so he can make it further up the line to his major-league dream.

C.J. Beatty will join Cardinals Winter League to share some of his experience from the ABL

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C.J. Beatty:

Hello from "down under" again! I was over joyed to get the opportunity to play for the Brisbane Bandits again this winter. I needed a place to play to continue to gain experience for competition here in the USA. God gave me another opportunity to play affiliated for the Chicago White Sox. Playing here in Brisbane, Australia will give me the best chance to compete for a spot this coming spring training.

When I got off the plane it felt like I had never left. I felt like I went on a long vacation. This time was to be different. More business than pleasure. This time I'm here to not only get better as a professional athlete but I'm here to help increase Brisbane's chances to garnish a Championship trophy. Things I did not miss: 1. High Prices for McDonalds 2. Extra Hot Hot Hot Heat outside everyday 3. The Huntsmen Spider 4. Vegiemite

This time I am here to play solely for the Brisbane Bandits and no club ball like last time. We are doing well as a team so far and I'm enjoying making new friends and connections. I'm here with the Tampa Bay Imports and we are having a blast learning a different culture and most of the time "aussie slang".