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News Archive

2 August 2009
Guild leads Giants throughout
Guild remains a shot at the double chance after its comfortable 8-3 result over Werribee Giants this afternoon. With Pat Moulton scattering four hits over seven, the Giants struggled for offensive production, all of their runs (two unearned) coming in the top of nine.

Lindsay and Tom webb shared pitching duties for the Giants, while MItch Miller (two hits and three RBIs) continued his hitting streak for the Lions. Teammate Ben Jensz posted three hits, as did Lindsay Webb for the Giants.

All senior scores. Senior Ladders. A Grade Match Reports.

2 August 2009
Thanksgiving Service for Rohan Crotty: Sunday 9 August
Friends and baseball associates are informed of a Thanksgiving Service to be held for Rohan Crotty, who passed away recently.

The service will be held at Saints Baseball Club (Pioneer Park, Geelong), starting at 11 am on Sunday 9 August.

Contact: David Crotty on 0418 520259

1 August 2009
Brewers blank Tigers: Deakin splits with Bears
In another game played in miserable weather conditions (ah, winter baseball....), Ballarat Brewers delivered Bacchus Marsh a 12-0 trouncing after the Tigers had kept well into the game until the bottom of four. Taking advantage of nine walks and six HPBs, the Brewers wrapped it up in seven on the back of another superb outing by Rory Meddick, who by contrast issued no passes in a three-hitter that yielded eleven strikeouts.

Deakin overcame a 0-6 deficit to force a 6-6 draw with Bellarine. With Sam Gibbons (Deakin) and Duane Davenport (Bellarine) on top early, the game was tight until the bottom of five, when the Bears plated five. But Deakin came back strongly in the sixth and seventh, while still coming up short of a win against their nemesis of recent times. Deakin have not beaten Bellarine in their past six encounters, with the Bears winning four and the other two drawn.

Lara retained a top two placing by downing Saints 7-0 in what was touted as the match of the round but turned into a rout as Cameron Forbes threw a complete game blinder (with twelve strikeouts) for the Wildcats.

All senior scores. Senior Ladders. A Grade Match Reports.

29 July 2009
Geelong baseball introduces "Rally Cap" programme
An exciting initiative to help draw children to baseball-related activities has been developed through Geelong baseball's "Rally Cap" programme. Information and contact details are provided on the flyer.

A "Rally Cap" Launch will be held at the Geelong Baseball Centre on Monday 3 August, starting at 6.00 pm. All GBA Club Presidents and delegates are urged to attend to find out more information about a programme that may be vital for the development of Geelong junior baseball. Contact Leanne Gibbons (0418 510914 or email).

28 July 2009
Ballarat baseball enters exciting new era
Ballarat Baseball Association has embarked on initiatives that it is confident will lead to an exciting new era of baseball development in the region and enhance its presence in the GBA winter competition.

Down on senior and junior playing numbers in the past few years, the local baseball community and the two existing clubs (Brewers and Mounties) have worked collaboratively with Baseball Victoria to deliver “starting points” for a resurrection.
More detail.

28 July 2009
Bellarine Poker Tournament: 15 August

Bellarine Bears extend an invitation to players from all GBA clubs to join them for their annual Poker Tournament on Saturday 15 August. Details.

25 July 2009
Guild overpowers Lara: Deakin upsets Saints: Brewers in a canter
Quite an extraordinary day of A Grade baseball today. Partly in a couple of the final results, but more particularly the manner in which some games were played out.

On their knees 0-3 against Lara, Guild outfielder Hiroke Sekine blasted a solo bomb in the sixth to spark an unlikely Lions revival that saw them plate five in the eighth and another six in the ninth to set up a 12-6 result over the league leader and flag favourites - who for the first time this season showed some chinks in their defensive armour.

Deakin has played some terrific baseball this season. Today, again, they put it all together to down Saints 6-2, a result that the reigning premier would not relish with four weeks to go before a shot at defending the league title.

Werribee used four pitchers, with all struggling for control against a rampant Brewers offence that blasted five in the first and another six in the third to set up a staggering 26-1 result. Rory Meddick threw a two hitter over five for the Brewers, the Giants' only run coming via a Leo Appledorf solo shot off closer Hamish Burrows.

Despite home runs to Adam O'Keefe and Simon Murry, Bellarine could not withstand a withering late burst that saw Bacchus Marsh score eight runs in the sixth to set up the Tigers' 11-7 win - their third of the season.

All senior scores. Senior Ladders. A Grade Match Reports.

24 July 2009
Geelong sporting legend passes at 93
Kingsley Collins
Geelong sport has lost one of its genuine icons - with Colin King passing away late this week.

Colin King crammed a whole lot of living - and a whole lot of sport - into a life that spanned 93 years.

I was fortunate to have spent some time with Colin a couple of years ago, when the man held me spellbound for a couple of remarkable hours talking about baseball, cricket, football, Geelong and the world - about life. A lovely, generous and insightful man who I have no doubt was a fierce, uncompromising competitor and staunch teammate during his outstanding sporting career.

For many years, the GBA has honoured Colin's contribution to Geelong and Victorian baseball by presenting an A Grade Pitching Trophy in his honour. It is ironic that one of the award recipients passed away late last week - tragically at a much earlier age.

The Board of the Geelong Baseball Association extends its condolences to Colin's family and friends.

A service in Colin Kings's honour will be held at the Uniting Church, Ash Road, Leopold, starting at 11.00 am on Monday 27 July. A private cremation will follow.

This is what I wrote after speaking to Colin King during 2007. Legends.

23 July 2009
Giant George makes Australian "AA" side for Taiwan

Werribee's Darryl George (pictured) is one of nine Victorian players selected in the Australian "AA" team to contest the World Youth Baseball Championships. The series will be held in Taiwan from 15-23 August.

The GBA Board extends its congratulations to Darryl and all team members on this exciting opportunity. Squad.

23 July 2009
Baseball Victoria releases competition structure for 2009/10
After much discussion and controversy over recent months, Baseball Victoria has released the senior competition structure for the upcoming summer season. Structure (pdf).

22 July 2009
New Executive Officer: new website
Some ancient Greek guy said that "nothing is permanent but change".

Well, your trusty GBA administration has just come up with a couple of exciting developments........

Andrew Clacy has been appointed as the new Executive Officer of the Geelong Baseball Association after the resignation of stalwart Chris McManus a few months ago. Welcome aboard, Andrew!

Andrew has recently returned to Melbourne after working in golf course management overseas. His baseball background includes playing and coaching stints at Boneo Baseball Club (DBA), Federals in Mount Gambier and as a player at Springvale.

President Fiona Lambrick will be assisting Andrew during a transition phase to the position. Andrew can be contacted on 0435 442889 or email acclacy@yahoo.com.au

Secondly, the Geelong Baseball Association is moving house on the web. After a few years of flying by the seat of our pants on the dynamic site for which we have received world-wide renown for visual craziness and website invention, the GBA Board has opted to go to a BVT (My Club) site that will link us directly to the state and national website system. Apart from allowing us to access the national system, the new site will allow for greater continuity and far easier transition to webmasters in the future.

The changeover will take place progressively over the next few months as the new site takes shape. Bookmark us: http://www.geelongassociation.baseball.com.au

22 July 2009
Vale Rohan Crotty
The Geelong Baseball community is saddened by the passing of Rohan Crotty last Friday evening.

Rohan was a member of a family that has had a long-standing involvement in Geelong baseball. He was a former top-line player who earned a number of accolades at association and club level. He was a dual A.E.Gear Best and Fairest A Grade Player with the Saints club in 1991 and 1992 and was awarded the Col King Pitching Trophy in 1992.

Rohan had been living up north for some years and will be farewelled in Clontarf, Queensland, tomorrow (Thursday).

The Board of the Geelong Baseball Association extends its sympathy and best wishes to Rohan's family and friends.

19 July 2009
Brewers too strong for Bears
Ballarat Brewers have regained second placing with a comfortable 7-3 result over Bellarine this afternoon. With just five rounds to play, Lara, Brewers, Guild and Saints are all assured of a play-off berth - although the finishing order is by no means decided. All senior scores. Senior Ladders. A Grade Match Reports.

18 July 2009
Wildcats shade Giants: Saints over Bacchus: Deakin downs Guild
Lara retained top placing on the A Grade table with a 5-4 result over Werribee. It was a hard-fought contest in stark contrast to the Wildcats' free-scoring wins of recent weeks. Pitchers on both sides did a great job, with Jason Lester and Cameron Forbes holding the Giants to five hits. Three of them were off the bat of Werribee powerhouse John Curnow, who blasted a two-run homer in the fourth - from his three RBIs - to keep his side well in the hunt.

Bacchus Marsh continued to show some improved offensive form against Saints, who held on for an 8-6 win. Saints set up an early break, although the Marsh took advantage of some sloppy defence to hit back with five of their own in the third innings of a game that saw pitchers on both sides struggle for ascendancy.

Guild dropped their second straight, going down to Deakin 3-2 in a quality game of baseball dominated by the pitchers. Scot Malthouse was terrific for the Blues and Pat Moulton his usually efficient self for the Lions, who will be hoping that Bellarine can upset the Brewers at Wallington on Sunday.

In B Grade, the undefeated streak came to an end for Mounties YC, who were comprehensively outplayed 7-1 by East Belmont Saints. With a seasoned lineup boasting the likes of Mick Alldis (who threw the complete game), Peter Alldis, Brennan, Kelly (the elder) and Hurst, Saints played a clever game of team-oriented baseball that had Mounties seriously rattled and playing catch-up throughout. All senior scores. Senior Ladders. A Grade Match Reports.

17 July 2009
Changes to GBA Junior Rules
Coaches and club officials are reminded of changes to GBA junior rules. Changes are effectively immediately and will affect finals. GBA Junior Rules Update (Word).

15 July 2009
2009 Umpires' Seminar: 18-20 September
The Baseball Umpires' Association of Victoria (BUAV) is inviting interested parties to attend its annual Umpires' Seminar. The seminar will this year be held at Geelong Baseball Centre, from Friday 18 September to Sunday 20 September.

As an added incentive to those wishing to join umpiring ranks or to improve upon existing expertise, Geelong Baseball Association will pay the registration fee for persons associated with Geelong Baseball who wish to attend. BUAV link for more information.