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BASEBALL ASSOCIATION Victoria Australia |
27 May 2009
World Masters: umpire and players sought
Victoria will be well-represented in the baseball competition at the World Masters Games to be held in Sydney from 10-18 October this year, with at least two teams from the Geelong region and a number from Melbourne having entered what is always a fantastic event.
While most players interested in going to Sydney will already have made a commitment, there is still scope to get on board with teams still finalising numbers. A Melbourne-based team - one of our regulars at the Victorian Masters - has spots for another couple of "fortyish" players. The team is also looking to take its own umpire, who will receive an allowance to help offset travel and accommodation costs. If you are interested either in playing or umpiring, please email kcollins@iprimus.com for contact details.
22 May 2009
Geelong juniors join U.S. baseball tours
The Australian Baseball Federation has recently named the squad to represent Australia at the annual Cal Ripken series to be held in Maryland (USA) from 15 - 22 August. Managed by Stephen Black and with Werribee's Phil Balzer as an Assistant Coach, the playing list includes three Victorians - one of them Matthew Howe, also from the Werribee Baseball Club. Guild's James Wood has been named as an emergency for the prestigious tour. Full squad and ABF story.
Baseball Victoria will be sending a Little League Touring Team to a series in San Francisco between 23 July and 2 August. The Geelong region has seven representatives in the squad - James Wood, Zac Buhrmann, Harry Levy (all from the Guild winter club), Jacob Gale, James Paterson (both from Lara), James Lewer and Max Katilius (Newport winter).
The Geelong Baseball Association congratulates all players and management staff on this fantastic opportunity. We wish them well for the "trip of a lifetime"!
31 May 2009
Brewers down Lions in thriller: Saints blank Deakin
Holding a 6-1 in the top of three, Guild looked on target for a big win over the league leaders. But the Brewers took full advantage of its scoring opportunities to hit back with three in the equaliser and another three in the fourth to set up a 7-6 result over the Lions in an entertaining match-up at Prince of Wales this afternoon.
Lee Poulter's two-out, two-run double was the decisive offensive blow in a pitcher-dominated 3-0 result for East Belmont Saints over Deakin. In stand-out pitching performances, Saints Dean Barker and the Blues' Scott Malthouse both conceded a miserly three hits. All senior scores. Senior Ladders. A Grade Match Reports as available.
30 May 2009
Giants drop third straight: Guild over Lara: Tigers break the ice
Ballarat Brewers stretched the Werribee losing streak to three with a comprehensive 9-1 result. Although the Giants scored in the first, Rory Meddick held them to three hits over the complete game while the Brewers mounted a telling offensive that produced nine runs in the middle innings after Darryl George was relieved.
A highlight of the A Reserve contest between Brewers and Werribee was surely the age disparity between the respective batteries. While the up and coming Webb brothers boast a total of 29 years on the planet, the winning Brewer battery of Gladman (below left) pitching to Phillips had a combined age of 89 years as testament to – ahem – healthy living.
In a quality game of baseball, Guild dispensed with Lara 6-2 after the Wildcats passed up a number of scoring opportunities. Pat Moulton was superb on the hill for the Lions and Dean Jones hit well, while Cameron Forbes was a stand-out performer - again - for the Wildcats.
Showing some improved form in recent weeks, Bacchus Marsh produced their "A" Game against the Bears for a 6-1 result - their first win of the season. Trent Pantelleresco threw a terrific eight digs for the Marsh, who were on top all day and produced key hits in run-scoring situations. All senior scores. Senior Ladders. A Grade Match Reports as available.
26 May 2009Umpiring Skills Session cancelled
Because of the lack of interested numbers, the Umpires Skills Session scheduled for Wednesday 27 May has reluctantly been cancelled. If you were planning on attending but had not let anyone know, please contact Fiona Lambrick on 0417 310628.
The session may be rescheduled at a later date, but only if sufficient interest is expressed by clubs.
23 May 2009
Bad news for Bears: Lara blanks Werribee: Saints shade Tigers
Teenager Tom Harrington threw a complete game shut-out as Ballarat Brewers whitewashed Bellarine 8-0 at Prince of Wales this afternoon. Although both sides committed defensive errors, they were far more costly for the Bears, who conceded six unearned runs.
Lara was too accomplished in a 4-0 result over Werribee, who have dropped three of their past five. Cameron Forbes was superb for the Wildcats, with a complete game one-hitter in a game in which Werribee starter Lindsay Webb also had a terrific outing over the early innings.
Bacchus Marsh conjured up a much-improved performance on recent weeks, going down to reigning premier East Belmont Saints in a 2-1 result that was up for grabs into the ninth innings.
Guild was never headed by Deakin in a 6-2 result, while the Blues backed up on Sunday for a 3-3 draw with Bellarine.
All senior scores. Senior Ladders. A Grade Match Reports as available.
22 May 2009
Ground change: Lara vs Werribee
With the Lara ground not yet available, the A Grade and A Reserve games scheduled for that venue have been transferred to Werribee (same times), with the Giants the "home" club. For their next meeting, the two games will be played at Lara.
21 May 2009
Aussie Sparks Tour: four places remaining
The Aussie Sparks tour to San Francisco during September has four places remaining for Victorian baseballers.
The tour consists of training sessions and instructional games at four American universities, along with eight games against elite high school teams.
If you are looking to expand your baseball career and get in front of US College coaches, then this is the tour for you.
For more information, refer to the Sparks flyer (pdf link) or contact Dean Anglin (0419 421927, email dean.anglin@three.com.au).
20 May 2009
By George, it's shaping as a busy few months
Back recently from the National Schoolboys' Championship and already preparing for a stint at the Major League Academy en route to a potential baseball career, Werribee's Darryl George has a busy few months ahead of him. Wyndham Leader has named the 16 year-old as a 2009 Sports Star nominee. Terry Mallinder reports on Darryl's progress.
19 May 2009
Umpiring Skills Session
In conjunction with the Umpires' Coordinator, the GBA is pleased to offer the opportunity for club members to attend a skills session to help strengthen our base of persons able to help out with umpiring. The session will be held at the Geelong Baseball Centre (Guild Baseball Club) on Wednesday 27 May, starting at 7.00 pm. Clubs are asked to encourage members to attend.
Confirmation of attendance should be notified by Monday 25 May. See flyer for details.
21 May 2009
Level 2 Coaching Course offered by Baseball Victoria
Interested parties are reminded of the Level 2 Coaching Accreditation course currently being offered by Baseball Victoria. The course will commence on 22 June and sessions will run through until September this year.
Places are limited. Course applications close on 3 June 2009. BV link for all details.
18 May 2009
Australian Provincial Tour Update
While it has been a challenge to formally monitor the progress of the Australia provincial team on its "goodwill" tour of Guam and Japan, the Baseball Radio Forum - as always - has its collective finger on the pulse of what is happening in the baseball world and continues to provide "first-hand" reports as they become available. Forum thread.
Although some of the touring squad are already posting messages on the forum, the GBA has also emailed team management to request some input. Pitching Coach David Hargreaves kindly responded today (18 May) with updates that are posted on our Australian Provincial page. Should you wish to pose questions or send goodwill messages to any of the Australian provincial squad, please do not hesitate to do so via the forum thread.
Aside from the fact that Australian Provincial is a squad of quality Australian baseballers playing against tough competition, the Asian tour is of huge potential significance to economic, cultural and sporting relationships in the Asia/Pacific region. It is bizarre - though not entirely surprising - that the tour has received minimal baseball coverage and zilch in the mainstream media.
17 May 2009
Brewers whitewash Werribee: Guild untroubled: Lara downs Saints
Adam Irons turned in a stunning complete game two hitter and his side's offence had a day out as the Brewers cut the Giants down to size with a 9-0 shellacking at Prince of Wales Reserve this afternoon.
Bacchus Marsh tried a number of hurlers but were unable to stay in the contest against the free-scoring Guild Lions, who were merciless in what was - for them - a percentage boosting 17-3 rout of an opponent still after its first win.
With Dean Barker not heading to the hill - as might have been expected - Saints struggled for pitching options and were over-run 8-3 by Lara Wildcats, who move into the top four for the first time this season.
All senior scores. Senior Ladders. A Grade Match Reports as available.
16 May 2009
Saints march on: Lara gives Deakin blues: Giants in slugfest
Reigning premier East Belmont Saints inflicted the Brewers' second loss on the trot with a 5-2 result that was decided - in the end - with a four-spot in the bottom of the second of a contest highlighted by another strong outing by Brad Egan (seven innings for two earned runs).
Lara was matched early before conjuring up the "big innings" that set up its 9-1 win over Deakin, who have battled after an impressive start to the season. The Blues were well in the contest until Lara smacked six runs in the seventh in support of a complete game on the hill by Cameron Forbes, who scattered four hits while his own club posted ten.
On a tough day for pitchers, Werribee out-hit Bellarine thirteen to twelve after the Giants pinched an 8-3 lead in the second and went on to take the game 14-6 - their fifth win from six outings. Walks and errors were again costly for the Bears, while Werribee was never seriously threatened as a prelude for the blockbuster in Ballarat tomorrow.
With four of the clubs involved in the second of their double-header tomorrow (Sunday), this shapes as a pivotal round of matches in the context of the season. High-balling in the early rounds, Ballarat Brewers may find themselves tumbling from first to fifth if they lose to Werribee (at Ballarat). The Giants may find themselves clearly on top by Sunday night, although Saints, Lara and Guild are well in the action as the A Grade competition reaches a fascinating stage.
Deakin, Bellarine and Bacchus Marsh have dropped off the pace, although the season is still in its infancy and much is bound to happen before there can be any degree of confidence about where we might be after another another three months of winter baseball.
14 May 2009
Senior Carnival news
The Winter Championships will be held at the Geelong Baseball Centre over the Queen’s Birthday Weekend (6/7/8 June).
Geelong was runner-up last year and will be looking to challenge again this year – particularly with the series at home.
The GBA is seeking expressions of interest from senior players available.
Please contact Roland Stott on 0409 358513 or email roland.stott@defence.gov.au.
Coaches and management staff are still to be appointed. If you are interested in a coaching or management role with the team, let Roland know as soon as possible.
14 May 2009GBA Executive Officer stands down
The Geelong Baseball Association Board has reluctantly accepted the resignation of Executive Officer Chris McManus, who has held the position for the past eight years.
During her tenure, the baseball landscape in Geelong has changed enormously with the establishment of the Baseball Centre and the hosting of numerous major baseball events including Provincial Championships and Masters series.
The Geelong Baseball Association has assumed delivery for many of those events – at senior and junior level - along with the regular seasons of one of Victoria’s largest winter leagues.
Chris has been, throughout, a diligent and efficient servant of the association. Her work as Executive Officer has been invaluable and very much appreciated by the baseball community.
We thank Chris and we wish her well in all her future endeavours.
The Board has advertised the vacant position and is calling for expressions of interest.
For the time being, all administrative correspondence and enquiries should be directed to the President, Fiona Lambrick (0417 310628 or email flambrick@iprimus.com.au).
14 May 2009Ground changes for this week
Unavailability of the Lara ground has necessitated the following venue changes for this weekend:
SATURDAY 16 MAY Lara vs Deakin A Grade and A Reserve to Pioneer Park 2 (same starting times)
SUNDAY 17 MAY Lara vs Saints A Grade to Pioneer Park 2 (1.00 pm start)
SUNDAY 17 MAY Lara vs Guild C Grade to Pioneer Park 1 (1.00 pm start)
Senior Draw. Umpire Appointments.
9 May 2009
Victoria wins National Schoolboys
After finishing last in 2008, Victoria turned it around in a big way to take the National Schoolboys title in Canberra. The Vics came from behind for a strirring 5-3 result over New South Wales. Final placings were Victoria (1), NSW (2), ACT (3), South Australia (4), Queensland (5), Western Australia (6). Our congratulations to the Victorian squad!
Congratulations, too, to Victorian players earning invididual honours and awards: Tom Shaw (MVP in final), Tom Shaw (pitcher of the Series), Tom Shaw (All-Star Pitcher), Sam Moon (All-Star Short Stop), Josh Hendricks (All-Star DH). Rhys Aldenhoven, Andrew Jones, Tom Shaw, Sam Moon and Taylor McEvoy were all nominated for the touring team to the United States.
Results, reporting service and statistics should be accessible via the ABF pages. Alternatively, updates may be posted on the Baseball Radio Forum either here or here. We especially thank our correspondent in Canberra - Shu - for keeping forum members informed on the Schoolboys' series.
9 May 2009
Lions down Brewers: Giants thrash Deakin: Saints third straight
Guild Lions inflicted Ballarat's first loss for the season with a come-from-behind 3-2 win in a game dominated by the pitchers. Guild's Jack Smyth (in action below) and the Brewers' Adam Irons restricted their opposition to one run each in quality starting stints. Out-hitting the Brewers ten to six, Guild overcame a deficit to plate two in the top of the eighth and make it a clean sweep of its senior games played today.
Werribee shares top placing with the Brewers after dispensing with Deakin 11-1. The Giants went on a hitting spree that saw the game virtually over in the fourth innings as Lindsay Webb and Jonathon Lowe kept the Blues offence well in check.
Brad Egan threw another quality game - and Dean Barker a dominant three innings in relief - as East Belmont Saints stretched their winning streak to three with a comfortable 9-1 result over Bellarine.
Lara established an early break and cruised to a comfortable 9-4 win over Bacchus, who are in a rebuilding phase and still looking for their first win.
All senior scores. Senior Ladders. A Grade Match Reports as available.
7 May 2009
Shaw and George impress at Schoolboys
After four days of competition at the Australian Schoolboys' Championship being held in Canberra, Victoria is in third placing (three wins and two losses) and will meet New South Wales on Friday afternoon as the tournament moves towards the play-offs.
Two of Victoria's stand-out players have been former Bacchus Marsh pitcher Tom Shaw and Werribee ace Darryl George. Shaw currently boasts an ERA of 0.00 over seven innings. While George has a respectable ERA for his mound appearances, he is also among the leading hitters for the tournament.
Results, reporting service and statistics should be accessible via the ABF pages. Alternatively, updates may be posted on the Baseball Radio Forum either here or here. We especially thank our correspondent in Canberra - Shu - for keeping forum members informed on the Schoolboys' series.
7 May 2009
Geelong names Under 14 Provincial squad
Geelong Baseball Association has named its Under 14 squad to contest the 2009 Provincial Championships to be held in Bendigo over 23 and 24 May.
Tyson O'Keefe, Keegan Davies, James Wood, James Edwards, Zac Buhrmann, Harry Levy, Ben Hodgson, Wade Linguey (all Guild), Jacob Gale, James Paterson, Eli Nafatali (all Lara), Mitch McCaffrey (Saints), Matt Howe, Alex Gouveia and Jacob Patterson (all Werribee). Head Coach is Gary Hicks, supported by Peter McNish (Assistant Coach), Bruce Wood (Assistant Coach), Leanne Gibbons (Executive Officer) and Olivia Levy (Scorer).
The GBA Board extends its congratulations to all squad members and wishes them well for the series.
7 May 2009
MLB Coaching Development Programme
Baseball Queensland reports that MLB has allocated positions for 2 coaches from Australia for the MLB Coaching Development Program as part of the Arizona Instructional League. The coaches will be placed with a MLB club and participate in the program for 1 week. The Arizona Instructional League runs from mid September to mid October (exact dates TBC) with placement dates depending on which club they are placed with. To nominate yourself for a position can you please fill out the nomination form and return it to:
Grant Weir
National Manager Game
Development
Australian Baseball Federation
PO Box
10468 Southport BC QLD 4215
Ph: 61+0-415 120517
Fax:
61+7-5509 4155
grant.weir@baseball.org.au
www.baseball.com.au
Ground changes Saturday 9 May
With a number of grounds still not available this week, the following senior changes are notified:
Deakin vs Werribee A and A Reserve to be played at GBC 2
Werribee vs Corio B and B Reserve to be played at Werribee 2
Colac vs Saints B and B Reserve to be played at Saints 1
5 May 2009
Lack of coverage by Geelong Advertiser
Supporters of Geelong winter baseball may have noted that there has been minimal "Advertiser" coverage of this winter's competition (sometimes some scores, sometimes not, with reports noticeably non-existent). As always, details, A Grade reports and images are - and will continue to be - submitted to the newspaper for inclusion in Tuesday's edition and/or on the Addy website. Junior details, as usual, will also be forwarded during the week.
As a sport very low in the food chain behind AFL football, golf, netball and soccer, winter baseball will always struggle for media space and attention. However, there is something that you - as a supporter of the game - can do at regional level.
Telephone or email the newspaper to express your disappointment that baseball does not receive the space to which it is reasonably entitled. By all means let newspaper staff know that you know that details and reports ARE submitted on a weekly basis. Demand that the newspaper honours its self-proclaimed "community" focus by being supportive of a grassroots sport that continues to bring so much economic benefit to Geelong. Remind the Addy, if you wish, of the support offered by print media counterparts in Ballarat, Bendigo, Colac and via the free Leader group of publications.
4 May 2009
Australian Schoolboys Championship
The 2009 School Sport Australia Championships start in Canberra today, with teams entered from the ACT, Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia and Victoria. The series will run until next Saturday.
The Victorian squad includes Daryl George, Tom Shaw and Samuel Morris, players currently or formerly involved with GBA clubs.
Results and reporting service should be accessible via the ABF pages. Alternatively, updates may be posted on the Baseball Radio Forum either here or here.
3 May 2009
Barker on song for Saints: Guild belts Bacchus Marsh
The usually impeccable GBA "mail" was that Saints Manager Dean Barker would be absent from the mound for several weeks yet. But he made a brief cameo against Werribee on Saturday before backing up today for five scoreless innings in relief that led his side to a 6-3 result over an enthusiastic young Deakin outfit who took it right up to the reigning premier.
No good news for Bacchus Marsh supporters in the second of its double-header, as Guild smacked eight in the first to set up a comprehensive 16-1 win that completes a percentage-boosting weekend for the Lions, who have moved to third placing. All senior scores. Senior Ladders. A Grade Match Reports as available.
2 May 2009
Brewers squeeze past Wildcats: Lions maul Bears: Saints by one
While the season is still in its infancy, today's "game of the round" may have foreshadowed the September action as Ballarat Brewers downed Lara 5-4 in a game of fluctuating fortunes decided in the bottom of the last.
For baseball aficionados, this was an absolute corker. It had just about everything - a great display by the league's premier throwers in Meddick and Forbes, quality defensive work, individual hitting heroics (including a solo bomb by Hamish Burrows), some terrific small ball, strategic management, sustained pressure and a couple of crucial errors that turned the game one way, then the other.
Guild smacked Bellarine 17-2 for the Bears' second heavy loss in a week. Amassing eighteen hits to seven, the Lions scored at will as Jack Smyth threw another impressive five innings for one earned run on five scattered hits, leaving Pat Moulton to assume mound duties against Bacchus Marsh at the Geelong Baseball Centre tomorrow.
East Belmont Saints took the points 8-7 over Werribee in a contest that saw the lead change several times. The difference, in the end, was in the consistency of the pitching. While big rightie Brad Egan was terrific for the Sainters, free passes hurt the Giants at crucial points in the game. The reigning premier wil be tested tomorrow, though, when it has to back up against Deakin Blues in the second of its weekend double-header. But the Blues will be coming off an impressive 8-1 win over Bacchus Marsh, who are yet to open their winning account.
All senior scores. Senior Ladders. A Grade Match Reports as available.
