Baseball Victoria, Author at Baseball Victoria

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. We anticipate the initial announcements regarding these events to be published tomorrow.

We urge the baseball community to adhere to the restrictions in place and review all health information available.

Baseball Victoria is pleased to announce the launch of BV TV, the new Baseball Victoria YouTube channel.

In the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic and a break in all Victorian baseball activity, BV TV will feature plenty of exciting baseball content, not only from Victoria but across Australia and even the globe. As part of the BV TV launch, a series of training videos will be released in the next week to help athletes stay on top of their training even during this extended break. The At-Home Baseball Training: Drills and Exercises for the COVID-19 Break video series offers guidance on drills recommended by Baseball Victoria Talent Development Manager Damian Shanahan.

“During this unique time where so much is changing, one thing can stay the same and that’s putting the effort in to train at home,” Shanahan said. “We don’t want you to miss your baseball, and we are looking forward to bringing you these videos that will help you stay in shape and continue training at home during the COVID-19 break.”

Today’s videos will feature Walk Thrus (Happy Gilmores), Ready Right Now Toss, Hookems and Gauntlet exercises.

Videos will be released several times a week as Baseball Victoria looks to share more content with the community throughout the COVID-19 break and beyond.

WATCH BV TV

and follow along with the
At-Home Baseball Training: Drills and Exercises for the COVID-19 Break video series

Genevieve Beacom had a thrilling finish to her 2019/20 VSBL season, making history once again by becoming the first woman to pitch in a VSBL Division 1 Firsts game.

Although Sandringham Royals missed out on finals, 15-year-old Genevieve was excited to have the chance to pitch in the firsts. She impressed in her debut outing in Sandringham’s final midweek game of the season, pitching the last inning and striking out the Newport Rams batter with runners on for the third out as the Royals won 4-3.

“I felt empowered and very grateful that I was given the opportunity to play for Sandringham’s ones,” Genevieve said. “I never think about how I'm going to go before I pitch. I just concentrate on getting my work done in the warm-up.”

Looking poised out on the mound, Genevieve held her own and got the job done for her team. She was pleased to get the strikeout to end the game on a great curveball. Now that the season is over and she’s looking ahead to what’s next, Genevieve has big goals for next season. “I want to continue to play and pitch in the VSBL and strive to do my best.”

Sandringham Baseball Club President Rick Wills says Genevieve’s accomplishment is a testament to her tireless dedication to the sport, both at the junior and senior level. “For a starting pitcher to record a "0" earned run average at any level of baseball is truly a very unique occurrence, and Genevieve recorded that result this season at U16 State level at Sandringham,” Rick said.

With Genevieve competing for the U16 State team this season, she proved to be prepared to take her athletic ambitions to the next level. “In senior baseball with the Royals, Genevieve progressed through to pitch at the Division 1 level,” Rick said. “Plus, meritorious outings with Victorian and National teams this season underlines her emergence as a skilled and composed talent ready to progress rapidly in the sport of baseball.”

Genevieve Beacom had a thrilling finish to her 2019/20 VSBL season, making history once again by becoming the first woman to pitch in a VSBL Division 1 Firsts game.

“I felt empowered and very grateful that I was given the opportunity to play for Sandringham’s ones,” Genevieve said. “I never think about how I'm going to go before I pitch. I just concentrate on getting my work done in the warm-up.”

With Genevieve competing for the U16 State team this season, she proved to be prepared to take her athletic ambitions to the next level. “In senior baseball with the Royals, Genevieve progressed through to pitch at the Division 1 level,” Rick said. “Plus, meritorious outings with Victorian and National teams this season underlines her emergence as a skilled and composed talent ready to progress rapidly in the sport of baseball.”

As a junior pitcher rising through the ranks at Moorabbin Panthers Baseball Club, 16-year-old Andrei Popa-Smith had his sights set on a strong summer season and he did just that, playing for his beloved club and continuing to improve his skills along the way.

At the start of the 2019/20 VSBL season, Popa-Smith was eager to keep developing his talent, something that’s a priority for the Panthers. Over the course of the season, the former Victorian State Team representative capitalised on chances to boost his game with his young teammates, especially against seasoned competitors. “Older men hit better and hit the ball further than we do, so it’s a bit hard trying to put balls over and catch up with ex-major leaguers,” Andrei said. “It’s just a bit difficult but it’s a great challenge and it prepares us.”

Training with Moorabbin coach Ben Laux has given Andrei a lot to work on in his game going forward. “He has great experience,” Andrei said. “If you’re in a slump, your swing is off, or you’re not hitting all your spots with pitching, the coaches offer great hitting, pitching and fielding help. If you put in the work at training, they will definitely invest in you and make sure you come out as a better player and person.“

No matter what the VSBL competition brings in the future, Andrei remembers his recipe for team success. “To be good on the diamond you have to have a good connection with all your friends obviously,” Andrei said. “You’ve got to have a great atmosphere, nothing toxic or anything so that’s what we really do at Moorabbin. All of us are really pretty close.”

Every baseball season gives Andrei the opportunity to keep working toward his long-term goals. “I want to play in the bigs,” Andrei said. “I just want a better life for my mom and my brothers, that’s why I continue to play, and I love the game obviously.”

With another strong summer season in the books, Andrei is focusing on the future and putting the effort in to succeed later on down the track. He hopes to continue doing what he loves while also encouraging other players to get involved. “Baseball is a great sport with great people and a really good culture,” Andrei said. “It’s exciting, as something is always going on and there’s always going to be that next play, if you’re active and into that kind of sport give it a go.”