By LIAM TWOMEY
IT HAS been an impressive start to 2013 for softball star Hayden Masson.
The 19-year-old was named most valuable player for Victoria at the National Championships after a dominating tournament.
That performance saw him selected to represent Australia at the Friendship Series in Sydney, which will be played in the coming months.
Representative softball is nothing new for Masson, who for the past three years has been a constant figure in state and national based sides.
As his mother, Alicia Griffin explains, Hayden is truly a natural when it comes to the sport.
“He has been playing since he was six and now he has just turned 18,” she said.
“He can really play in any position. In the under-16 reps he was a pitcher. Under-17s he was a pitcher and a catcher. Then he was selected for the Australian team as a catcher.
“Last year he played in Perth and he was a first baseman.
“What ever position they put him in he will play it.”
Masson was the only Victorian selected to represent Australia at the Friendship Series.
There are no plans to slow down for the Hoppers Crossing resident, who has his eyes locked on pulling on the green and gold colours for the World Championships in Canada.
“That is his ultimate goal and then from there, to get into the men’s world team,” Alicia said.
