At the start of the 2019/20 VSBL season, 15-year-old Tom Brookes had his sights set on another strong summer with Moorabbin Panthers Baseball Club.
The outfielder made that happen, as his hard work and dedication paid off with not one but two premiership flags. Tom was part of the winning U16 State and Division 2 Reserves teams, both of which finished atop their respective ladders before securing Grand Final glory.
In order to achieve such great results with his beloved teammates, Tom remembered some valuable baseball advice over the course of the season. “I think that what I’ve been taught in baseball is when you have a low, its real low but when you succeed its really good,” Tom said. “I was taught to wait for success and when it comes you celebrate that.”
There was certainly a lot of success to be celebrated at the end of this season, which Tom attributes to a great team spirit on and off the field. “I think our team has succeeded because chemistry is important, being friends with all your teammates and working together,” Tom said. “A baseball team will always have more success if they can perfect the small ball, hitting a single to score a runner and playing for your teammates, not playing for yourself.”
With a memorable season in the books, Tom is grateful he decided to give baseball a try a few years ago. “My brother moved to Moorabbin from another club, and they were short on numbers, so he suggested that I come down and give baseball a try,” Tom said. “I thought it was very different because I came from a cricket background. I thought it was really exciting and fast.“
Tom’s been able to integrate some of his cricket skills like hand-eye coordination into his game, but at the end of the day what he loves the most is getting play with his teammates. “Moorabbin is where it all started, and my mates are there,” Tom said. “I think every year is more fun than the last, so it brings me back the next year. I play summer and winter and I keep coming back to baseball to have more fun.”
In addition to making memories out on the field, Tom also wants to further develop his skills. “As I get older, I get exposed to more knowledge and coaching and I feel like I’ve expanded my own abilities,” Tom said. “Moorabbin has put lots of work in with the juniors mixing with the seniors. The seniors at all clubs have lots of knowledge because they’ve played the game for longer, and this year Moorabbin had the seniors talking to the juniors a lot more about the game.”
No matter where his baseball journey may take him next, Tom will forever hold fond memories of playing for Moorabbin, which ultimately led to him earning a spot to represent the Southern Mariners Baseball Charter at the 2018 Australian Junior League Championship. “We didn’t win the final, but that match is probably the best experience of my life,” Tom recalled. “We went to extra innings, lots of people were watching and I had so much fun playing with this awesome group of kids. I kept on winning games and everyone was playing their best baseball. The whole tournament and especially the grand final was the best.”
Playing for the Mariners and taking part in Aces Academy helped to prepare Tom for what turned out to be a massive summer season with Moorabbin. He hopes to see others give the sport a try and find a local club where they can thrive. “I wasn’t sure about it when I came down and now I’ve stopped playing other sports because I love baseball so much,” Tom said. “I’d say give it a shot, you never know, you might end up being really good at it.”
The Panthers prevailed in this past season under the watchful leadership and guidance of coach Ben Laux, and Tom was thrilled to learn from him as he keeps working toward his goals and prepares for a bright future in baseball. “I think most people, when they are playing baseball around U14 or U16 age, are aiming high for college or to play in the big leagues even,” Tom said. “You have to aim high and see what happens, there’s no point in hanging low.”
Springvale Lions Baseball Club celebrated a seventh Women’s Division 1 premiership in eight years to wrap up the 2019/20 VSBL season on a high note.
The Lions won 9-7 over Doncaster on Women’s Super Saturday, securing the club’s 12th Women’s Division 1 championship. Springvale's women’s program continues to go from strength to strength, with a core group of leaders and supporters including head coach and Australian Emeralds player Shae Lillywhite.
Reflecting on this sweet victory, Shae couldn’t be prouder of her team and their determination to promote women’s baseball year in and year out. “It was a very special and proud moment for the club and the people that have been involved along the way,” Shae said. “To see and be part of this team’s continued success and growth with the program is very rewarding. A lot of time, effort and planning goes into a season every year for it to not only be successful, but sustainable.”
Springvale entered the Grand Final with a few more victories than Doncaster, but they needed to band together and put on a winning performance. “We knew it was going to be a tough, hard-fought game as most of our games are against Doncaster,” Shae said. “We needed to be ready to take any opportunities that they gave us. Doncaster can overrun you very quickly with their hitting lineup, so the goal was to try to hold our nerve defensively and put runs on the board early to give our pitchers a bit of room to move.”
The Lions had an early 9-1 lead but Doncaster battled back in the later stages to come within two, although Springvale held on for the win. Shae thinks it’s a worthwhile challenge for the Lions to face tough, seasoned competitors like Doncaster every season. “They will always fight to the end as they are a good team, and that pressure is something I look forward to with Doncaster,” Shae said.
While Shae had her fair share of offensive contributions in the Grand Final, she’s most excited that some of the younger players had the chance to step up and shine in a high-pressure situation. “The whole team contributed, and I was proud of our hitting performance, especially our young stars Lili Cavanagh and Hanami Campitelli,” Shae said. “Siobhan Stephenson and Sinead Flanigan also picked up some big hits for us in clutch situations.”
The Lions were sad to lose import Ayumi Ikeyama to an ACL injury the first week of finals, but veterans like Hannah Jackson filled the void and performed well in the finals too. Shae says the all-around team success comes down to never-ending support and encouragement from the Springvale baseball community. “We have a great group of people who care about the players’ wellbeing and try to create a culture that’s inviting to be around,” Shae said. “We love to teach whoever wants to be taught more about the game and it’s important to have them playing in the right divisions for them to succeed.”
Springvale continues to field three teams for Women’s Division 1, 2 and 3, giving players of all levels the chance to develop their skills and fall in love with the game. It’s worked well for Springvale thus far and is something the club will continue to aim for in the future. “Having three teams is vital to the success of the club and has been for a number of years,” Shae said. “The leaders and veterans hold each team together very well and the twos did a fantastic job getting there this year.”
Looking forward to the next season, Shae hopes to see the Lions continue their dominance. “We will regroup leading into the next season with preseason planning to see how our numbers are fairing and work out coaching staff,” Shae said. “We will start communication with the players as to their commitment situation and individual goals, and then the rest is just hard work at training and making sure people get what they need from the staff.”
While Shae hopes some time off will give the women a chance to come back stronger and refreshed, she will remain proud of everything they accomplished in the grand final and this season as a whole. “Definitely a few moments stand out for me, one being Hannah Jackson’s catch at left field that I think saved the game,” Shae recalled. “Also, Kellie Manzie closing on the mound, after taking that role on for me many times this season. I knew she could and she did.”
Shae’s never-ending passion for the game is something she wants to keep sharing with other players as she helps them get better. She credits the support of Simone Wearne, Mandi Avent, Siobhan Stephenson and Jess Adkins for making their strong season a reality, as well as all the friends, families and club members. “It was a wonderful team effort this year with our group of talented young players mixed with the veterans still leading the way,” Shae said. “The future looks bright for the kids as they are surrounded by committed passionate players who love to play.“
Baseball Victoria continues to closely monitor the complicated, shifting COVID-19 pandemic as we follow all state and federal restrictions to protect the health and safety of the community.
Baseball Victoria confirms that at this stage, the current shutdown of all baseball activity will be extended through Sunday, 31 May 2020.
This includes all forms of baseball training, club activities and team meetings, as well as events, tournaments and competitions.
Decisions that are being made continue to evolve, and we are unable to say with any certainty across a range of contributing factors how the next months will progress to allow us to return to playing baseball. As the landscape shifts, we will continue to monitor these changes and apply them as necessary.
The winter competitions for Bendigo, Dandenong, Geelong, Latrobe Valley and North Eastern Baseball Associations and Melbourne Winter Baseball League and Sunraysia Baseball League will not commence until after Monday, 1 June 2020. We are currently anticipating the opening day for those seasons to fall on Saturday, 13 June 2020.
“In these unprecedented times delaying the start of the winter baseball season, while understandably disappointing to the Victorian baseball community, is the only course of action available to the Baseball Victoria Board to ensure compliance with government measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and to provide clarity for Winter Associations and Winter Clubs planning purposes,” Baseball Victoria President Myles Foreman said.
“This decision has been taken in consultation with the Winter Associations and Summer Clubs participating in the VSBL. I would like to take this opportunity to thank these Boards and Committees for the collaborative spirit in which we have worked together to navigate the direct and indirect impacts of COVID-19.”
“Thank you also to Baseball Victoria CEO Kristie Middleton and the Baseball Victoria Office team who have continued to provide leadership and support to the Victorian Baseball Community during the same challenging times we are all facing in our personal, professional sporting worlds.”
“The constantly changing situation will continue to be monitored and Baseball Victoria will continue to work with the Winter Associations and Clubs in preparation of resuming baseball in Victoria. In the meantime, please stay safe and healthy in these unsettling and unprecedented times,” Foreman added.
“In these unprecedented times delaying the start of the winter baseball season, while understandably disappointing to the Victorian baseball community, is the only course of action available to the Baseball Victoria Board to ensure compliance with government measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and to provide clarity for Winter Associations and Winter Clubs planning purposes,” Baseball Victoria President Myles Foreman said.
“This decision has been taken in consultation with the Winter Associations and Summer Clubs participating in the VSBL. I would like to take this opportunity to thank these Boards and Committees for the collaborative spirit in which we have worked together to navigate the direct and indirect impacts of COVID-19.”
“Thank you also to Baseball Victoria CEO Kristie Middleton and the Baseball Victoria Office team who have continued to provide leadership and support to the Victorian Baseball Community during the same challenging times we are all facing in our personal, professional sporting worlds.”
“The constantly changing situation will continue to be monitored and Baseball Victoria will continue to work with the Winter Associations and Clubs in preparation of resuming baseball in Victoria. In the meantime, please stay safe and healthy in these unsettling and unprecedented times,” Foreman added.
Baseball Victoria and the Winter Associations are working together on the format of those seasons and how these competitions will impact the commencement of the 2020/21 Victorian Summer Baseball League season.
The Baseball Victoria state capitation fees will be reduced by 10%, and members who have already paid will be refunded via Sports TG. These refunds will be processed in the next 48 hours.
The Sports TG portal for registering for the winter season will be closed until Friday, 1 May 2020.
Baseball Victoria and the Winter Associations have also concluded the 2020 State Winter Championships should be abandoned, allowing the Winter Associations to conduct the longest possible winter season.
The State Winter Championships have been rescheduled to the same dates and locations for 2021:
12-14 June 2021 Senior Geelong
26-27 June 2021 U14 Bendigo
03-04 July 2021 U18 Mildura
17-18 July 2021 U16 Morwell/Traralgon
24-25 July 2021 U12 Werribee
“Our organisation is conscious of the long-term effects this pandemic will place across our economy, sporting bodies, associations and clubs,” Baseball Victoria CEO Kristie Middleton said. “We have prepared a page with information as it is applicable to share with you to assist in navigating this space.”
Please click HERE for COVID-19 resources. We would also like to make our members aware that Major League Baseball (MLB) has issued a mandate for scouts to cease operations in their entirety during the shutdown of professional baseball.
Click HERE to read the full notice from Baseball Australia on what clubs and players should know about the current scouting shutdown.
If you have any questions please contact Baseball Victoria by clicking HERE for full contact details.
Mitch Thomas, a dedicated Waverley Baseball Club player who just wrapped up another great VSBL season, was named the 2019 Victorian School Sports Award winner for baseball.
Earning recognition for his outstanding sporting achievements was a big moment for Mitch. “I feel incredibly privileged to have received a Victorian School Sport Award,” Mitch said. “This award means a lot to me as it represents the countless hours of hard work I put in to better myself as a baseball player.”
Mitch is pleased to follow in the footsteps of some of his teammates. “Many senior baseball players I play with or against have also won this award and it's an honour to join them on the list,” Mitch said.
The award comes after Mitch had a big year of baseball. “I made huge strides in improving my baseball abilities and I also had many amazing opportunities to experience what it takes to get to the next level,” Mitch said. “I was fortunate enough to be exposed to many college and professional athletes whilst in America and I got to witness just how good you have to be and how hard you have to work to reach the elite levels of baseball.”
After winning the Victorian School Sports Award, Mitch is more motivated than ever to pursue his baseball dreams. “In my future baseball career I want to attend college in the United States to further my education and baseball career, but to also open a pathway to hopefully get drafted by a professional ball club,” Mitch said.
It was a VSBL season to remember for Zack Kamerman.
Not only was it his first-ever VSBL season, but it was also his first time playing in Australia. The American right-handed pitcher came over as Moorabbin’s import for the season, and he enjoyed every moment with the Panthers.
Zack continues to chase his baseball dreams, with his independent baseball career including a championship with the High Desert Yardbirds in Los Angeles, as well as stints in Bakersfield and Kansas City. But for the past six months, his focus was on giving Australian baseball a red-hot crack.
After meeting Australian players back home in independent ball, he got connected with Moorabbin coach Ben Laux. Before he knew it, he was traveling 20+ hours to make it to Australia from Huntsville, Alabama. He faced his jet-lag head on by going to practice on the same day he arrived.
“The travel was worth it, it’s a beautiful place,” Zack said. “The second I stepped on the field, I knew it was a fun environment. I had so much fun with all the guys that I didn’t want to go to bed, I just wanted to chill with the team. Everyone was super welcoming, and it was such a good environment.”
That was just the beginning of an amazing season for Zack as he focused on making a difference to Moorabbin and improving his own game at the same time. “Being a pitcher, there’s always something you can work on,” Zack said.
Zack was a big team player as Moorabbin made it into the VSBL Division 2 semi-finals before falling to Williamstown. He proved his versatility, batting .360 with 32 hits in 23 games, including four doubles, one triple, three home runs and 25 RBIs. With an on-base percentage of .408 and only nine strikeouts all season long, he proved to be an offensive threat to many teams while also serving as a standout starting pitcher. Out on the mound in the regular season, Zack had a 2.24 ERA over 92.1 innings with 94 strikeouts.
Zack’s contributions as a player were welcomed by Moorabbin in a successful year for the club, with the Reserves and Thirds joining the U16 State and Women’s Division 3 East teams as Grand Final winners. The Panthers also loved having Zack as a coach for the U16 Metro Team. Under his leadership and guidance, the Panthers made it to the finals, ultimately falling just short of the premiership flag but nonetheless it was a great season that only further fuelled Zack’s commitment to coaching and helping young players follow in his footsteps
All in all, playing for Moorabbin gave Zack new opportunities that he’ll never forget. Now Australia is another place on his list he can tick off thanks to baseball, a passion that has allowed him to make friends all over the world. He can’t get enough of his favourite sport, even after trying his hand at soccer, basketball and football growing up. “There’s just something about it,” Zack said. “It just keeps drawing you back in and even when you think you’re done with it, you’re not.”
As a personal trainer outside of his baseball career, Zack’s entire life is centred around the sport. “There’s a lot of things that bring me back to it,” Zack said. “Pitching wise, it’s standing on that mound and running the game. Every season I step on the mound and look around, it’s a just a cool feeling.”
Zack embraces everything about baseball, not only his pitching passions but also the chance to hit, throw and catch out on the field. “I still learn stuff in every game I play,” Zack said. “Rules happen I’ve never seen before; baseball is a never-ending learning experience for me.”
Playing alongside his teammates and making long-lasting memories with his friends is another reason why Zack can’t imagine his life without baseball. “Baseball builds a lot of relationships and friendships,” Zack said. “Every season with a different team and different guys can be hard but that also makes it a lot of fun, and I know people all over the world because of that.”
No matter where his journey may take him next, Zack has the fond memories of this season and his proudest sporting moments to back him up and keep him motivated. One thing he will never forget is throwing a no-hitter in his senior year after moving to a new school. “I was told I wouldn’t really go anywhere and that my baseball career was over, but in the second game I threw a no hitter,” Zack recalled. “I got in the paper and it helped me a lot to get my spot in college. Being told you’re not going to do it and then doing it is nice.”
Zack hopes to see more players pursue their passions and see where the journey takes them, whether that be indy ball, the big show, or anything in between. His advice for young players is simple. “No one can tell you not to try and no one can stop you, so you might as well go for it.”
Further to the updates provided on Sunday, 22 March 2020 at 8:00 PM, as anticipated Baseball Australia has now postponed all Little League national events:
- Australian Junior League Championship, Adelaide previously scheduled for 5-9 May 2020
- Australian Senior League Championship, Lismore previously scheduled for 17-21 May 2020
- Australian Intermediate League Championship, Mildura previously scheduled for 26-30 May 2020
- Australian Little League Championship, Lismore previously scheduled for 4-8 June 2020.
Click HERE for the full Baseball Australia Update.
Baseball Victoria reiterates our previous message in relation to all baseball activity and confirms that the current complete shutdown of all baseball activity in Victoria has now been extended to Tuesday, 14 April 2020.
All forms of baseball training, club activities and team meetings, as well as events, tournaments and competitions should have ceased last week, and at this stage the shutdown will remain in place until 14 April 2020.
Baseball Victoria continues to work with the Winter Associations regarding the upcoming winter season, scheduled to commence on 18 April 2020. Contingencies will be considered, taking into account the fast-paced ongoing nature of further restrictions, long-term restrictions that have already been foreshadowed and suitable timelines for training before the commencement of the season.
We urge the baseball community to adhere to the restrictions in place and review all health information available.
Further to the updates provided on Sunday, 22 March 2020 at 8:00 PM, as anticipated Baseball Australia has now postponed all Little League national events:
· Australian Junior League Championship, Adelaide previously scheduled for 5-9 May 2020
· Australian Senior League Championship, Lismore previously scheduled for 17-21 May 2020
· Australian Intermediate League Championship, Mildura previously scheduled for 26-30 May 2020
· Australian Little League Championship, Lismore previously scheduled for 4-8 June 2020.
Click HERE for the full Baseball Australia Update.
Baseball Victoria reiterates our previous message in relation to all baseball activity and confirms that the current complete shutdown of all baseball activity in Victoria has now been extended to Tuesday, 14 April 2020.
All forms of baseball training, club activities and team meetings, as well as events, tournaments and competitions should have ceased last week, and at this stage the shutdown will remain in place until 14 April 2020.
Baseball Victoria continues to work with the Winter Associations regarding the upcoming winter season, scheduled to commence on 18 April 2020. Contingencies will be considered, taking into account the fast-paced ongoing nature of further restrictions, long-term restrictions that have already been foreshadowed and suitable timelines for training before the commencement of the season.
We urge the baseball community to adhere to the restrictions in place and review all health information available.
Upon the updated requirements of the Victorian and Federal Governments, Baseball Victoria confirms that the current complete shutdown of all baseball activity in Victoria will now be extended to Tuesday, 14 April 2020.
All forms of baseball training, club activities and team meetings, as well as events, tournaments and competitions should have ceased last week, and at this stage the shutdown will remain in place until 14 April 2020.
The Victorian Government, along with any additional Federal Government restrictions put in place, will be making further statements tomorrow Monday, 23 March 2020, at which time Baseball Victoria will also provide additional information.
Baseball Victoria continues to work with the Winter Associations regarding the upcoming winter season, scheduled to commence on 18 April 2020. Contingencies will be considered, taking into account the fast-paced ongoing nature of further restrictions, long-term restrictions that have already been foreshadowed and suitable timelines for training before the commencement of the season.
Non-essential travel restrictions look certain to affect the National Little League events scheduled in the coming months and Baseball Victoria is working with Baseball Australia and our state and territory colleagues.
Updated 23 March 2020 - HERE is the information provided by Baseball Australia postponing all National Little League events.
We urge the baseball community to adhere to the restrictions in place and review all health information available. You can find information on how to keep yourself and your family safe and healthy HERE from the Victoria Department of Health.