Many enthusiastic young players took part in the trials for the 2019 Charter Player Development Program these past two weekends.
Southern Mariners, Eastern Athletics, Twins and Baycats all hosted tryouts that were well-attended by junior players. Participants wishing to make the 2019 CPDP squads turned out to their respective charter’s trials for some intense and enriching sessions in which they showed off their skills and their desire to further learn and improve.
Overall across the four charters, there were upwards of 270 players who participated in the trials, displaying their talent in throwing, fielding, hitting, pitching and more.
Charter Head Coaches Marshall Skinner, David Hargreaves, Scott Meager and Kelli Zablan led the way with the help of their fantastic assistant coaches. After watching so many talented youths make the most of this opportunity and give it their best shot, coaches are finalising their squad selections, which will be announced on Friday, December 14th.
The first session of the 2019 CPDP will commence on Monday, January 28th. All-Star teams will be announced on Friday, March 1st.
Baseball Victoria would like to thank all players, coaches and volunteers who made the tryouts such a success. The BV team is looking forward to seeing the progression of these players through the program over the upcoming months.
Many enthusiastic young players took part in the trials for the 2019 Charter Player Development Program these past two weekends.
Southern Mariners, Eastern Athletics, Twins and Baycats all hosted tryouts that were well-attended by junior players. Participants wishing to make the 2019 CPDP squads turned out to their respective charter’s trials for some intense and enriching sessions in which they showed off their skills and their desire to further learn and improve.
Overall across the four charters, there were upwards of 270 players who participated in the trials, displaying their talent in throwing, fielding, hitting, pitching and more.
Charter Head Coaches Marshall Skinner, David Hargreaves, Scott Meager and Kelli Zablan led the way with the help of their fantastic assistant coaches. After watching so many talented youths make the most of this opportunity and give it their best shot, coaches are finalising their squad selections, which will be announced on Friday, December 14th.
The first session of the 2019 CPDP will commence on Monday, January 28th. All-Star teams will be announced on Friday, March 1st.
Baseball Victoria would like to thank all players, coaches and volunteers who made the tryouts such a success. The BV team is looking forward to seeing the progression of these players through the program over the upcoming months.
The three-way tie for first place in the VSBL 2018/19 season has finally been broken after two of the top teams faced off for a thrilling series. Cheltenham has pulled away unscathed, holding on to their undefeated record after Werribee and Newport fought gallantly against one another, with the Giants taking two out of the three games. Now 13-0, the Rustlers will look to go 15-0 before the break as they cement their position as a Div 2 leader. Some teams have slipped in recent weeks while others have picked up the pace, and the competition will be fierce heading into the New Year. Good luck to all players, teams and clubs in the final round of VSBL play in 2018!
Sunday, Dec. 9th (Round 13 – 1sts, Round 11 – 2nds, 3rds, 4ths)
Cheltenham Rustlers vs. Newport Rams 1sts
2 0
One of the most dominant teams in Div 2 have managed a perfect 13-0 record with just two games to go in the first half of the season. Facing off against the third-place team, the Rustlers relied on superb starter Jesse Remington, who threw the whole game, giving up just two hits and four walks while striking out eight to bring his season total to 71 K’s. With such faultless command on the mound, the Rustlers were able to focus on building their lead with some solid offensive moments. Singles for Dante Caruso, Kane Davidson and Ben Fierenzi did the trick, while Jackson Hunkin’s RBI double allowed Cheltenham to pull ahead. Coming off his fantastic round 12 performance, Conor Myles did it again, knocking in a run on a massive triple. He’s now had hits in 11 out of 12 games this season. Another key player was Sam Michael, who went 2-for-4 with a single, a double and one run scored.
Newport’s Scott Barr had a good day on the mound, but the two runs he gave up would come back to haunt the Rams as they struggled to answer against Remington and the rest of the Rustlers. Barr threw 7.1 innings, giving up seven hits while striking out nine batters. David Asp kept the game under control in relief, but with singles from just Dean Malthouse and Justin Gil, the Rams couldn’t avoid their third straight loss. As Cheltenham sits comfortably at the top of the ladder, with Werribee and Newport in hot pursuit, the Rustlers will host the Rams on Thursday night before Sunday’s return game.
Cheltenham Rustlers vs. Newport Rams 2nds
12 2
The Rustlers enjoyed a big rout of the Rams as they earned their 10th win in thrilling style. Cheltenham hasn’t lost a game since round 4, and with their first-place spot closely chased by Werribee and Williamstown, they will need to bring their best form into their final first-half game at Newport. With two losses in their last three games, the Rams (will look to rebound when they play at home this weekend.
Cheltenham Rustlers vs. Newport Rams 3rds
2 14
Both these teams are neck and neck with 72.73 win percentages thanks to their 8-3 records. 14 has been the magic number for Newport this past month, with three of their last four wins involving a final tally of 14 runs for the Rams. The Rustlers managed to put up 22 runs against the Port Melbourne Mariners the week before, but this time around they were held down by a strong Newport pitching staff. Cheltenham will have another shot on Sunday as they hit the road to visit Newport.
Cheltenham Rustlers vs. Newport Rams 4ths
4 5
A tight game saw the Rams pull away to further cement their second-place position. Newport is now 9-2, with their last loss coming in round 5 vs. Malvern. The Rustlers are following up in third-place with 7-4, with their most recent loss going back to round 8’s 13-15 run frenzy at Mulgrave. Cheltenham will try to prevent another loss at the hands of the Rams when Newport hosts the round 12 game this weekend.
Malvern Braves vs. Doncaster Dragons 1sts
6 5
The Braves had endured some ups and downs this season, but when they faced this depleted team of Dragons, they knew it was a must-win situation. Especially after losing back-to-back games in rounds 11 and 12, Malvern wanted to avoid a three-game skid at all costs. The Braves battled hard against starting pitcher Rhys Otter and the rest of Doncaster’s defense. In his first appearance in the ones this season, he threw 6.2 innings, giving up eight hits, four walks and five earned runs while striking out two. At times he was able to keep Malvern’s bats off balance to give Doncaster more chances at the plate.
Entering the 7th with a 3-run-lead, the Braves fell asleep in the top of the inning. Starter Chance Hicks went deep into the game, but he was hurt by poor fielding and throwing the ball around. In addition to knocking in a run on a sacrifice fly, he covered the first 6.1 innings on the mound with six hits, two walks, one HBP, three earned runs and two unearned runs. Hicks also struck out seven batters, bringing his total for the season to 31 K’s.
With their chances for a win in jeopardy, Malvern brought their bats back in the bottom of the 7th to regain the lead, giving Simon Fitzmaurice the opportunity to jump in and pitch two scoreless innings. Hicks joined Geoff Holland, Travis Cutt and Chris Godfrey with RBI’s on the day as the middle and bottom of the order showed much-needed patience. Holland’s double and a walk did the trick, while Gavin Woolger and Billy Findlay both had a single, double and run scored on the day. Nic Unland recorded a pair of singles, a walk and a run scored, while Mitchell Wilhite also had a single, BB and run scored.
A handful of 2nds players stepped up for Doncaster, with several batters recording their first hits in the top nine. An RBI single for Jed Bastian, as well as a single and double for Lachlan Craven and a pair of singles for John Britton highlighted Doncaster’s day at the plate. Jimin Lee also had a hit, while Bransen Gibson managed a single and a walk before coming in to face six batters in relief, giving up one hit, one walk and no runs with a lone strikeout.
After a slow start that saw the Dragons in the bottom half of the ladder, they have rebounded nicely to remain in the running. Following round 13, Doncaster and Malvern are tied for fourth-place with seven wins and six losses, so the competition will be fierce as the series continues.
Malvern Braves vs. Doncaster Dragons 2nds
3 7
Following a disappointing performance last weekend that saw the Braves go down to the Wolves 2-20, Malvern had their sights set on avoiding their third consecutive loss. At the start, things looked good for the Braves as Jonte DeZwart was pitching well and the bats were moving enough to secure an 2-0 lead heading into the 5th. A tiring pitcher and lack of relief proved detrimental for Malvern, as the Dragons went on to stack seven runs in the final four innings. In their last game before the break, the Braves will be looking forward to the return of Eddie Gibbs after an injury. With four wins, five losses and two draws on the season, Malvern will hope to liven up their bats and return to their winning ways, while 4-7 Doncaster will aim for three in a row.
Doncaster Dragons vs. Malvern Braves 3rds
0 14
Steady scoring was the name of the game for Malvern as the Braves racked up a huge score line in their best offensive outing so far this season. Josh Brown did a fantastic job on the mound and was relieved by Coach Dean for a combined shutout. Stu Holland picked up 2 doubles and a triple to lead the 6-5 Braves at the plate as they inch closer to breaking into the top four. Doncaster suffered their seventh loss, with their last win coming in round 8 when they beat Williamstown 11-3.
Doncaster Dragons vs. Malvern Braves 4ths
13 4
After a challenging series vs. Williamstown that saw Malvern give up 44 runs while only scoring six, the Braves were pleased to face a new team. Although they didn’t achieve the end result they wanted, there were still some exciting highlights, including Doug Miller’s single to right field that brought two runners home. The Dragons proved too strong at the plate as they cruised to their fifth win, snapping a four-game losing streak. Malvern is now 2-9, tied at the bottom of the ladder with Werribee.
Mulgrave Rebels vs. Springvale Lions 1sts
16 2
The Rebels have endured some disappointing losses thus far this season, but they’ve now won back-to-back games to stay out of the lowest ladder position. Now 4-9 after this big win, the Rebels were able to make it happen thanks to phenomenal plate appearances from several key contributors. Nick Thompson had 4 RBI’s with two singles and a double, while Anthony White went 4-for-4 with 4 singles, a walk and 3 RBI’s. A bases-clearing double from Thomas Ondra gave him 3 RBI’s, and he also pitched an easy inning of relief later in the game.
Donnie Poole joined in the fun with an RBI and three runs scored, as did Chris Anderton, Grant Miller and Scott Oldin who all had a hit on the day. Caleb Poole was relentless in his efforts to get on base, coming around to score four times following a single and three walks. Pitcher Liam Richardson didn’t have any troubles on the mound, giving his teammates the chances they needed to pull ahead of the Lions and stay in the lead. He threw six innings, allowing five hits, four walks and two earned runs along with six strikeouts.
It was a much quieter day for Springvale, as the lineup, supported by 2nds players, managed just two runs for the third game in a row. Neal Cavanagh had a single and a double, although they couldn’t score him either time, while Dan Linton had a single and a walk. Anna Kimbrell enjoyed a pair of singles and a walk to score one run, batted in by a blazing 2-RBI double from Liam Madden. Although he had success at the plate, he struggled on the mound against Mulgrave’s unstoppable lineup, giving up five earned runs and six unearned runs for a total of 11 runs. In 2.2 innings of work, he faced 22 batters and threw 73 total pitches as defensive mistakes proved costly. Pitcher Ben Pittaway also had a rocky outing, allowing five earned runs across 3.1 innings with four walks and two strikeouts. Springvale is sitting just off the bottom of the ladder in second-last place with a 2-11 record they’ll hope to improve in the New Year.
Mulgrave Rebels vs. Springvale Lions 2nds
13 9
The Lions put up an honorable fight, but ultimately, they couldn’t overcome the Rebels. Mulgrave has won three in a row to improve their record to four wins, six losses and one draw, while the Lions are sitting in the same position with one game left in 2018.
Mulgrave Rebels vs. Springvale Lions 3rds
7 7
A gallantly-fought battle between these two sides saw both lineups do their best to stay in the game. This back-and-forth affair ended in a draw, a result that both Springvale and Mulgrave could use rather than a loss. The Lions have moved into the first-place position following a Cheltenham loss to Newport. With seven wins, two losses and one draw, Springvale is looking good heading into the break, while the Rebels are rounding out the top four with six wins, four losses and one draw.
Werribee Giants vs. Mulgrave Rebels 4ths
6 15
The Rebels hit the road to take on the Giants, and they didn’t disappoint as they worked the game in their favour. This was a strong showing for Mulgrave after two tough losses to Bonbeach with final scores of 10-14 and 3-18. The Rebels are now tied for fourth place with Doncaster at 5-6, while Werribee is a few paces behind with a 2-9 record. They lost won a game in round 7 at Malvern with a score of 15-12.
Bonbeach Bluejays vs. Williamstown 1sts
0 10
The Wolves are finally clicking on all cylinders after suffering some painful losses as they went 1-9 in the first 10 rounds. Since then, they’ve won three straight as they begin to resemble the team that led the division for so long last season. Their latest game at Bonbeach was an exceptional result, particularly after offensive struggles earlier in the year that saw the Wolves score just one run, if any, in four of their games.
While the Bluejays were kept off the scoreboard, the same could not be said for the Wolves as they went wild at the plate, knocking in run after run on huge hits. This past few weeks have been a turning point for Williamstown, with this game showcasing some of their best stuff. Justin Gourlay went 3-for-4 with two singles and a triple, bringing his hit total to 20 on the season and his RBI total up to seven. Aaron Green recorded a single, a walk and an RBI, while Bill Millar hit an RBI single and Jason McDonald added a single and scored a run.
The entire lineup contributed, with Troy Malthouse taking a walk and smashing a double with two runs scored, along with 2 RBI’s for Daniel Chircop on a single and a walk. Robert Higginson had a double and a single, while Jayde Thorne went 3-for-5 with a double, two singles and 2 RBI’s. Robert Higginson had a single and a double, and Sam Thompson knocked in a run with his base hit.
Six innings of one-hit baseball for Dennis Neal sealed the deal, with just two walks and 10 strikeouts. He’s now struck out 21 batters in his last 14 innings of work. Thompson followed up with an easy inning of relief, allowing just one hit but squashing the Bluejays’ chances to come home.
Since their first big win 10-7 over Mulgrave in round 11, Bonbeach has struggled to achieve a repeat performance as they drop to a dismal 1-12. Mitchell Sheldon-Collins threw for six innings, giving up 11 hits and six earned runs with two strikeouts along the way. Matthew Prior came on for one inning, in which he struggled to control the Wolves, giving up three hits, three walks and four runs – three of them earned. Both teams will be eager to finish out the first half of the season on a high note as round 15 draws near.
Bonbeach Bluejays vs. Williamstown Wolves 2nds
2 16
The Bluejays woes continued as they fell to 0-11 after yet another stomping, this time at the hands of the formidable Wolves who have remained in the top four throughout the first 11 rounds. Coming off a big 20-2 victory over Malvern, Williamstown won their fifth straight in dominating fashion, quickly shutting down the Bluejays hopes of finally getting in the win column. The Wolves are now 9-2, not far behind the Giants and the Rustlers. They’ll be eager to keep up the momentum when 2019 arrives.
Williamstown Wolves vs. Bonbeach Bluejays 3rds
2 12
The 3rds lifted the spirits of Bluejays fans with a convincing victory over the Wolves. The week before was rough for Bonbeach, as they fell 12-25 to Mulgrave. They bounced back with big bats and confident pitching, giving the Wolves little to work with. Bonbeach has improved to 5-6, giving them the potential to break the top four in the second half of the season if they can continue playing like this. Meanwhile the Wolves are third from the bottom at 4-7, a record they’ll try to build upon throughout January and February.
Williamstown Wolves vs. Bonbeach Bluejays 4ths
13 4
The top-of-the-ladder team had no problems against the Bluejays. Williamstown hit well once again on their way to their fifth straight victory. With reliable pitching and hot hitting, the Wolves don’t have much to worry about as they sit at 10-1 above 9-2 Newport. At 4-7, the Bluejays have some work to do,
Port Melbourne Mariners vs. Werribee Giants 1sts
3 7
The Mariners have been struggling lately, with seven straight losses after starting the season 5-1. The same cannot be said for the Giants, who have been on fire with just one loss in the first 12 rounds. Although the Mariners looked promising at the beginning of the game, the Giants took a late lead to take home the victory.
Werribee got things started in the first inning when Oliver Box singled on a 3-2 count, scoring one run. Port Melbourne got a single in the bottom of the first from the bat of Kevin Desmedt, but they were unable to convert and bring the runner home. Both teams then went hitless until the 5th inning before Port Melbourne scored their first run in the 6th inning from an error in the Giants defense.
Werribee answered back in the top of the 7th with a sacrifice fly from Wesley DeJong, although Port Melbourne once again tied the game up in the bottom of the 7th from a wild pitch. With both teams tough and relentless, the game went to extra innings. Werribee struck first in the tenth when Ryan Balzer stole second and third before scoring from a Wade Balzer single. Port Melbourne then tied things up at three after another Werribee error allowed the run.
The game was tied at three with Werribee batting in the top of the eleventh when W. Balzer doubled on a 1-1 count, scoring three runs to set the Giants up for the win. DeJong took the win for Werribee. He lasted ten innings, allowing six hits and one earned run while striking out nine. Guillermo Salazar threw one inning in relief out of the bullpen. Aaron Petri took the loss for Port Melbourne. He surrendered five earned runs on eight hits over six innings, striking out six. Desmedt started the game for Port Melbourne. He lasted five innings, allowing four hits and one earned run while striking out five and walking one.
Werribee tallied 12 hits on the day. Salazar went 3-for-5 to lead the team, while, R.Balzer, Josh Lee, and W.Balzer each collected multiple hits. On the Port Melbourne side, Kevin Ung stood out with his 3-for-5 performance, including a double and two singles. The 5-8 Mariners will look to get back to their earlier-season form, while the Giants will hope to keep on rolling in their comfortable second-place position.
Port Melbourne Mariners vs. Werribee Giants 2nds
4 16
The Giants were on a roll on Sunday, as they smashed their way to their ninth victory over a struggling Port Melbourne side that still hasn’t managed a win after the first 11 rounds. The Werribee lineup was especially pleased with this result after losing their first game 0-6 to the Newport Rams. Now the Giants will turn their attention to their final game of 2018 at home vs. the Mariners this weekend.
Werribee Giants vs. Port Melbourne Mariners 3rds
13 6
After a lackluster 14-0 loss at Newport the week before, Werribee came back in full force to overpower the Mariners and achieve their fifth win. The Mariners are still hanging out at the bottom of the ladder with one win and ten losses, with their only victory coming in the very first game of the season when they got the best of Williamstown, 15-6. Port Melbourne will look to regroup and reenergize over the break, and make a stronger push in the second half of the season. If Werribee can get the upper hand in January and February, they could still find themselves in the running for playoffs.
Sunday, Dec. 9th (Round 13 – 1sts, Round 11 – 2nds, 3rds, 4ths)
Cheltenham Rustlers vs. Newport Rams 1sts
2 0
One of the most dominant teams in Div 2 have managed a perfect 13-0 record with just two games to go in the first half of the season. Facing off against the third-place team, the Rustlers relied on superb starter Jesse Remington, who threw the whole game, giving up just two hits and four walks while striking out eight to bring his season total to 71 K’s. With such faultless command on the mound, the Rustlers were able to focus on building their lead with some solid offensive moments. Singles for Dante Caruso, Kane Davidson and Ben Fierenzi did the trick, while Jackson Hunkin’s RBI double allowed Cheltenham to pull ahead. Coming off his fantastic round 12 performance, Conor Myles did it again, knocking in a run on a massive triple. He’s now had hits in 11 out of 12 games this season. Another key player was Sam Michael, who went 2-for-4 with a single, a double and one run scored.
Newport’s Scott Barr had a good day on the mound, but the two runs he gave up would come back to haunt the Rams as they struggled to answer against Remington and the rest of the Rustlers. Barr threw 7.1 innings, giving up seven hits while striking out nine batters. David Asp kept the game under control in relief, but with singles from just Dean Malthouse and Justin Gil, the Rams couldn’t avoid their third straight loss. As Cheltenham sits comfortably at the top of the ladder, with Werribee and Newport in hot pursuit, the Rustlers will host the Rams on Thursday night before Sunday’s return game.
Cheltenham Rustlers vs. Newport Rams 2nds
12 2
The Rustlers enjoyed a big rout of the Rams as they earned their 10th win in thrilling style. Cheltenham hasn’t lost a game since round 4, and with their first-place spot closely chased by Werribee and Williamstown, they will need to bring their best form into their final first-half game at Newport. With two losses in their last three games, the Rams (will look to rebound when they play at home this weekend.
Cheltenham Rustlers vs. Newport Rams 3rds
2 14
Both these teams are neck and neck with 72.73 win percentages thanks to their 8-3 records. 14 has been the magic number for Newport this past month, with three of their last four wins involving a final tally of 14 runs for the Rams. The Rustlers managed to put up 22 runs against the Port Melbourne Mariners the week before, but this time around they were held down by a strong Newport pitching staff. Cheltenham will have another shot on Sunday as they hit the road to visit Newport.
Cheltenham Rustlers vs. Newport Rams 4ths
4 5
A tight game saw the Rams pull away to further cement their second-place position. Newport is now 9-2, with their last loss coming in round 5 vs. Malvern. The Rustlers are following up in third-place with 7-4, with their most recent loss going back to round 8’s 13-15 run frenzy at Mulgrave. Cheltenham will try to prevent another loss at the hands of the Rams when Newport hosts the round 12 game this weekend.
Malvern Braves vs. Doncaster Dragons 1sts
6 5
The Braves had endured some ups and downs this season, but when they faced this depleted team of Dragons, they knew it was a must-win situation. Especially after losing back-to-back games in rounds 11 and 12, Malvern wanted to avoid a three-game skid at all costs. The Braves battled hard against starting pitcher Rhys Otter and the rest of Doncaster’s defense. In his first appearance in the ones this season, he threw 6.2 innings, giving up eight hits, four walks and five earned runs while striking out two. At times he was able to keep Malvern’s bats off balance to give Doncaster more chances at the plate.
Entering the 7th with a 3-run-lead, the Braves fell asleep in the top of the inning. Starter Chance Hicks went deep into the game, but he was hurt by poor fielding and throwing the ball around. In addition to knocking in a run on a sacrifice fly, he covered the first 6.1 innings on the mound with six hits, two walks, one HBP, three earned runs and two unearned runs. Hicks also struck out seven batters, bringing his total for the season to 31 K’s.
With their chances for a win in jeopardy, Malvern brought their bats back in the bottom of the 7th to regain the lead, giving Simon Fitzmaurice the opportunity to jump in and pitch two scoreless innings. Hicks joined Geoff Holland, Travis Cutt and Chris Godfrey with RBI’s on the day as the middle and bottom of the order showed much-needed patience. Holland’s double and a walk did the trick, while Gavin Woolger and Billy Findlay both had a single, double and run scored on the day. Nic Unland recorded a pair of singles, a walk and a run scored, while Mitchell Wilhite also had a single, BB and run scored.
A handful of 2nds players stepped up for Doncaster, with several batters recording their first hits in the top nine. An RBI single for Jed Bastian, as well as a single and double for Lachlan Craven and a pair of singles for John Britton highlighted Doncaster’s day at the plate. Jimin Lee also had a hit, while Bransen Gibson managed a single and a walk before coming in to face six batters in relief, giving up one hit, one walk and no runs with a lone strikeout.
After a slow start that saw the Dragons in the bottom half of the ladder, they have rebounded nicely to remain in the running. Following round 13, Doncaster and Malvern are tied for fourth-place with seven wins and six losses, so the competition will be fierce as the series continues.
Malvern Braves vs. Doncaster Dragons 2nds
3 7
Following a disappointing performance last weekend that saw the Braves go down to the Wolves 2-20, Malvern had their sights set on avoiding their third consecutive loss. At the start, things looked good for the Braves as Jonte DeZwart was pitching well and the bats were moving enough to secure an 2-0 lead heading into the 5th. A tiring pitcher and lack of relief proved detrimental for Malvern, as the Dragons went on to stack seven runs in the final four innings. In their last game before the break, the Braves will be looking forward to the return of Eddie Gibbs after an injury. With four wins, five losses and two draws on the season, Malvern will hope to liven up their bats and return to their winning ways, while 4-7 Doncaster will aim for three in a row.
Doncaster Dragons vs. Malvern Braves 3rds
0 14
Steady scoring was the name of the game for Malvern as the Braves racked up a huge score line in their best offensive outing so far this season. Josh Brown did a fantastic job on the mound and was relieved by Coach Dean for a combined shutout. Stu Holland picked up 2 doubles and a triple to lead the 6-5 Braves at the plate as they inch closer to breaking into the top four. Doncaster suffered their seventh loss, with their last win coming in round 8 when they beat Williamstown 11-3.
Doncaster Dragons vs. Malvern Braves 4ths
13 4
After a challenging series vs. Williamstown that saw Malvern give up 44 runs while only scoring six, the Braves were pleased to face a new team. Although they didn’t achieve the end result they wanted, there were still some exciting highlights, including Doug Miller’s single to right field that brought two runners home. The Dragons proved too strong at the plate as they cruised to their fifth win, snapping a four-game losing streak. Malvern is now 2-9, tied at the bottom of the ladder with Werribee.
Mulgrave Rebels vs. Springvale Lions 1sts
16 2
The Rebels have endured some disappointing losses thus far this season, but they’ve now won back-to-back games to stay out of the lowest ladder position. Now 4-9 after this big win, the Rebels were able to make it happen thanks to phenomenal plate appearances from several key contributors. Nick Thompson had 4 RBI’s with two singles and a double, while Anthony White went 4-for-4 with 4 singles, a walk and 3 RBI’s. A bases-clearing double from Thomas Ondra gave him 3 RBI’s, and he also pitched an easy inning of relief later in the game.
Donnie Poole joined in the fun with an RBI and three runs scored, as did Chris Anderton, Grant Miller and Scott Oldin who all had a hit on the day. Caleb Poole was relentless in his efforts to get on base, coming around to score four times following a single and three walks. Pitcher Liam Richardson didn’t have any troubles on the mound, giving his teammates the chances they needed to pull ahead of the Lions and stay in the lead. He threw six innings, allowing five hits, four walks and two earned runs along with six strikeouts.
It was a much quieter day for Springvale, as the lineup, supported by 2nds players, managed just two runs for the third game in a row. Neal Cavanagh had a single and a double, although they couldn’t score him either time, while Dan Linton had a single and a walk. Anna Kimbrell enjoyed a pair of singles and a walk to score one run, batted in by a blazing 2-RBI double from Liam Madden. Although he had success at the plate, he struggled on the mound against Mulgrave’s unstoppable lineup, giving up five earned runs and six unearned runs for a total of 11 runs. In 2.2 innings of work, he faced 22 batters and threw 73 total pitches as defensive mistakes proved costly. Pitcher Ben Pittaway also had a rocky outing, allowing five earned runs across 3.1 innings with four walks and two strikeouts. Springvale is sitting just off the bottom of the ladder in second-last place with a 2-11 record they’ll hope to improve in the New Year.
Mulgrave Rebels vs. Springvale Lions 2nds
13 9
The Lions put up an honorable fight, but ultimately, they couldn’t overcome the Rebels. Mulgrave has won three in a row to improve their record to four wins, six losses and one draw, while the Lions are sitting in the same position with one game left in 2018.
Mulgrave Rebels vs. Springvale Lions 3rds
7 7
A gallantly-fought battle between these two sides saw both lineups do their best to stay in the game. This back-and-forth affair ended in a draw, a result that both Springvale and Mulgrave could use rather than a loss. The Lions have moved into the first-place position following a Cheltenham loss to Newport. With seven wins, two losses and one draw, Springvale is looking good heading into the break, while the Rebels are rounding out the top four with six wins, four losses and one draw.
Werribee Giants vs. Mulgrave Rebels 4ths
6 15
The Rebels hit the road to take on the Giants, and they didn’t disappoint as they worked the game in their favour. This was a strong showing for Mulgrave after two tough losses to Bonbeach with final scores of 10-14 and 3-18. The Rebels are now tied for fourth place with Doncaster at 5-6, while Werribee is a few paces behind with a 2-9 record. They lost won a game in round 7 at Malvern with a score of 15-12.
Bonbeach Bluejays vs. Williamstown 1sts
0 10
The Wolves are finally clicking on all cylinders after suffering some painful losses as they went 1-9 in the first 10 rounds. Since then, they’ve won three straight as they begin to resemble the team that led the division for so long last season. Their latest game at Bonbeach was an exceptional result, particularly after offensive struggles earlier in the year that saw the Wolves score just one run, if any, in four of their games.
While the Bluejays were kept off the scoreboard, the same could not be said for the Wolves as they went wild at the plate, knocking in run after run on huge hits. This past few weeks have been a turning point for Williamstown, with this game showcasing some of their best stuff. Justin Gourlay went 3-for-4 with two singles and a triple, bringing his hit total to 20 on the season and his RBI total up to seven. Aaron Green recorded a single, a walk and an RBI, while Bill Millar hit an RBI single and Jason McDonald added a single and scored a run.
The entire lineup contributed, with Troy Malthouse taking a walk and smashing a double with two runs scored, along with 2 RBI’s for Daniel Chircop on a single and a walk. Robert Higginson had a double and a single, while Jayde Thorne went 3-for-5 with a double, two singles and 2 RBI’s. Robert Higginson had a single and a double, and Sam Thompson knocked in a run with his base hit.
Six innings of one-hit baseball for Dennis Neal sealed the deal, with just two walks and 10 strikeouts. He’s now struck out 21 batters in his last 14 innings of work. Thompson followed up with an easy inning of relief, allowing just one hit but squashing the Bluejays’ chances to come home.
Since their first big win 10-7 over Mulgrave in round 11, Bonbeach has struggled to achieve a repeat performance as they drop to a dismal 1-12. Mitchell Sheldon-Collins threw for six innings, giving up 11 hits and six earned runs with two strikeouts along the way. Matthew Prior came on for one inning, in which he struggled to control the Wolves, giving up three hits, three walks and four runs – three of them earned. Both teams will be eager to finish out the first half of the season on a high note as round 15 draws near.
Bonbeach Bluejays vs. Williamstown Wolves 2nds
2 16
The Bluejays woes continued as they fell to 0-11 after yet another stomping, this time at the hands of the formidable Wolves who have remained in the top four throughout the first 11 rounds. Coming off a big 20-2 victory over Malvern, Williamstown won their fifth straight in dominating fashion, quickly shutting down the Bluejays hopes of finally getting in the win column. The Wolves are now 9-2, not far behind the Giants and the Rustlers. They’ll be eager to keep up the momentum when 2019 arrives.
Williamstown Wolves vs. Bonbeach Bluejays 3rds
2 12
The 3rds lifted the spirits of Bluejays fans with a convincing victory over the Wolves. The week before was rough for Bonbeach, as they fell 12-25 to Mulgrave. They bounced back with big bats and confident pitching, giving the Wolves little to work with. Bonbeach has improved to 5-6, giving them the potential to break the top four in the second half of the season if they can continue playing like this. Meanwhile the Wolves are third from the bottom at 4-7, a record they’ll try to build upon throughout January and February.
Williamstown Wolves vs. Bonbeach Bluejays 4ths
13 4
The top-of-the-ladder team had no problems against the Bluejays. Williamstown hit well once again on their way to their fifth straight victory. With reliable pitching and hot hitting, the Wolves don’t have much to worry about as they sit at 10-1 above 9-2 Newport. At 4-7, the Bluejays have some work to do,
Port Melbourne Mariners vs. Werribee Giants 1sts
3 7
The Mariners have been struggling lately, with seven straight losses after starting the season 5-1. The same cannot be said for the Giants, who have been on fire with just one loss in the first 12 rounds. Although the Mariners looked promising at the beginning of the game, the Giants took a late lead to take home the victory.
Werribee got things started in the first inning when Oliver Box singled on a 3-2 count, scoring one run. Port Melbourne got a single in the bottom of the first from the bat of Kevin Desmedt, but they were unable to convert and bring the runner home. Both teams then went hitless until the 5th inning before Port Melbourne scored their first run in the 6th inning from an error in the Giants defense.
Werribee answered back in the top of the 7th with a sacrifice fly from Wesley DeJong, although Port Melbourne once again tied the game up in the bottom of the 7th from a wild pitch. With both teams tough and relentless, the game went to extra innings. Werribee struck first in the tenth when Ryan Balzer stole second and third before scoring from a Wade Balzer single. Port Melbourne then tied things up at three after another Werribee error allowed the run.
The game was tied at three with Werribee batting in the top of the eleventh when W. Balzer doubled on a 1-1 count, scoring three runs to set the Giants up for the win. DeJong took the win for Werribee. He lasted ten innings, allowing six hits and one earned run while striking out nine. Guillermo Salazar threw one inning in relief out of the bullpen. Aaron Petri took the loss for Port Melbourne. He surrendered five earned runs on eight hits over six innings, striking out six. Desmedt started the game for Port Melbourne. He lasted five innings, allowing four hits and one earned run while striking out five and walking one.
Werribee tallied 12 hits on the day. Salazar went 3-for-5 to lead the team, while, R.Balzer, Josh Lee, and W.Balzer each collected multiple hits. On the Port Melbourne side, Kevin Ung stood out with his 3-for-5 performance, including a double and two singles. The 5-8 Mariners will look to get back to their earlier-season form, while the Giants will hope to keep on rolling in their comfortable second-place position.
Port Melbourne Mariners vs. Werribee Giants 2nds
4 16
The Giants were on a roll on Sunday, as they smashed their way to their ninth victory over a struggling Port Melbourne side that still hasn’t managed a win after the first 11 rounds. The Werribee lineup was especially pleased with this result after losing their first game 0-6 to the Newport Rams. Now the Giants will turn their attention to their final game of 2018 at home vs. the Mariners this weekend.
Werribee Giants vs. Port Melbourne Mariners 3rds
13 6
After a lackluster 14-0 loss at Newport the week before, Werribee came back in full force to overpower the Mariners and achieve their fifth win. The Mariners are still hanging out at the bottom of the ladder with one win and ten losses, with their only victory coming in the very first game of the season when they got the best of Williamstown, 15-6. Port Melbourne will look to regroup and reenergize over the break, and make a stronger push in the second half of the season. If Werribee can get the upper hand in January and February, they could still find themselves in the running for playoffs.
Werribee got things started in the first inning when Oliver Box singled on a 3-2 count, scoring one run. Port Melbourne got a single in the bottom of the first from the bat of Kevin Desmedt, but they were unable to convert and bring the runner home. Both teams then went hitless until the 5th inning before Port Melbourne scored their first run in the 6th inning from an error in the Giants defense.
Werribee answered back in the top of the 7th with a sacrifice fly from Wesley DeJong, although Port Melbourne once again tied the game up in the bottom of the 7th from a wild pitch. With both teams tough and relentless, the game went to extra innings. Werribee struck first in the tenth when Ryan Balzer stole second and third before scoring from a Wade Balzer single. Port Melbourne then tied things up at three after another Werribee error allowed the run.
The game was tied at three with Werribee batting in the top of the eleventh when W. Balzer doubled on a 1-1 count, scoring three runs to set the Giants up for the win. DeJong took the win for Werribee. He lasted ten innings, allowing six hits and one earned run while striking out nine. Guillermo Salazar threw one inning in relief out of the bullpen. Aaron Petri took the loss for Port Melbourne. He surrendered five earned runs on eight hits over six innings, striking out six. Desmedt started the game for Port Melbourne. He lasted five innings, allowing four hits and one earned run while striking out five and walking one.
Werribee tallied 12 hits on the day. Salazar went 3-for-5 to lead the team, while, R.Balzer, Josh Lee, and W.Balzer each collected multiple hits. On the Port Melbourne side, Kevin Ung stood out with his 3-for-5 performance, including a double and two singles. The 5-8 Mariners will look to get back to their earlier-season form, while the Giants will hope to keep on rolling in their comfortable second-place position.
Port Melbourne Mariners vs. Werribee Giants 2nds
4 16
The Giants were on a roll on Sunday, as they smashed their way to their ninth victory over a struggling Port Melbourne side that still hasn’t managed a win after the first 11 rounds. The Werribee lineup was especially pleased with this result after losing their first game 0-6 to the Newport Rams. Now the Giants will turn their attention to their final game of 2018 at home vs. the Mariners this weekend.
Werribee Giants vs. Port Melbourne Mariners 3rds
13 6
After a lackluster 14-0 loss at Newport the week before, Werribee came back in full force to overpower the Mariners and achieve their fifth win. The Mariners are still hanging out at the bottom of the ladder with one win and ten losses, with their only victory coming in the very first game of the season when they got the best of Williamstown, 15-6. Port Melbourne will look to regroup and reenergize over the break, and make a stronger push in the second half of the season. If Werribee can get the upper hand in January and February, they could still find themselves in the running for playoffs.
Baseball Victoria is pleased to announce a new partnership with Sixteen23, a Perth-based baseball development group that will be running their first Victorian program during the upcoming summer school holidays.
This is a new and exciting direction for the beloved Baseball Victoria school holiday camps, as Sixteen23 will be bringing their Sandlot Little League Camp and a 12+ Camp to the local baseball community. This program will combine skills development and game play with a fun and lively environment to keep kids entertained and active throughout the school break.
This partnership will further improve the tradition of offering opportunities for young players to get involved with baseball during the school holidays. With plenty of fun to be had and memories to be made with new friends, this is the perfect program for kids who want to improve their skills under the leadership of professional baseball players.
The 2019 Sandlot Little League Camp will run from 7th – 11th of January at Cheltenham Baseball Club from 9.00am-3.00pm daily. The first day will concentrate on skills and testing before participants are drafted into teams, with the next four days featuring a round robin competition where players get to partake in nine games before a home run derby to finish off the program.
The camp is open to boys and girls of all abilities who are eligible to play Little League, and the program offers a fun, safe, and healthy atmosphere where participants learn from Melbourne Aces stars including Luke Hughes, Allan de San Miguel and many more.
Baseball Victoria CEO Justin Huber is thrilled with this partnership. “We can’t wait to see what the Sixteen23 team accomplishes with this program. We have been on a difficult journey over the last few years with our school holiday offering. We understand the need to provide a quality experience to our participants and this is a key driver in our retention strategy. We believe partnering with Sixteen23 will give this program the kick it needs and the enthusiasm that will no doubt result in many smiles.”
Sixteen23 Director Luke Hughes says he’s confident this program will have a positive impact on young baseball players. “It’s exciting to partner with Baseball Victoria on our first program here,” Hughes said. “We’re all looking forward to having a lot of fun, and getting kids out having a blast on the baseball field.”
The camp is limited to 100 participants, so those interested are encouraged to sign up soon to secure their spots.
Please keep in mind that final details and registration for the 12+ camp will be released very soon. For more information, please contact the BV office on 03 9645 8000 or kellie.thomas@baseballvictoria.com.au. You may register for the program by following this link: https://eventdesq.sportstg.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=main&EventDesqID=30696&OrgID=16724
The VSBL 2018/19 Division 3 season is heating up as two top teams emerged, followed by some close competitors that could pull off some surprises in the second part of the season. The St. Kilda 1sts are holding on to their undefeated record, while the Ormond Glenhuntly – Blue 2nds are doing the same. There’s plenty of baseball left to be played this season, with two games remaining ahead of the winter break. Good luck to all players, coaches, teams and clubs in rounds 11 and 12! Keep up with all the division 3 action with our results and recaps below.
Round 10 Recaps – Dec. 2nd
Pakenham Pumas vs. Ormond Glenhuntly – Gold 1sts
8 1
The Pumas have won three of their last four, and they’ve bounced back after a tough loss 13-0 in round 9. Pakenham now has a 5-5 record to put them in fourth place, a spot they’ll be looking to hold on to as they set their sights on their last two games before the break vs. OGH – Blue and North Western.
A great day at the plate sealed the deal for Pakenham, as the Pumas pounced on their scoring opportunities. OGH – Gold didn’t have much of a chance as they managed just a lone run, a trend that has haunted them throughout the season. In 6 of their 10 losses, the Hunters have been shutout or held to just one run. Their final two games before the break will see them host the top two teams, St. Kilda and OGH – Blue. It will be a challenge but the Hunters will be hungry for a win, so anything is possible.
Pakenham Pumas vs. Ormond Glenhuntly – Gold 2nds
12 11
This runfest was a hard-fought battle between these two sides, with Pakenham determined to get a win on the board. They finally succeeded after narrowly edging the Hunters despite their best efforts to take a home a win of their own. Now 5-5, OGH – Gold continues to hold down their third-place spot while Pakenham and North Western are now tied for fifth place.
St. Kilda Saints vs. North Western Titans 1sts
14 1
The Saints are on a roll! They’re now 10-0 after a convincing win over North Western. The hard-hitting, hardworking St. Kilda lineup couldn’t be contained by North Western’s pitcher Ben Trudel, who struggled on the mound against this formidable offense. Mariano Favia had a great day with a single and a double for 2 RBI’s and 2 runs scored, while Mariano Heyden’s first game in the 1sts this season saw him smash an RBI double and get two walks. Nigel Burrows had two singles for 3 RBI’s, while Alan Ortiz kept his hitting streak alive with a double, a single and an RBI.
Other offensive contributions included an RBI single from Roland Curiel, as well as two doubles, a single and an RBI for Daniel Hogg. Satoro Adachi hit a single an took two walks to score twice, while Franco Caramia hit two singles and had a walk on top of his scoreless relief pitching performance in support of Tom Snowden. The starter threw five solid innings with just three hits, three walks and one earned run while striking out six. With this momentum, the Saints are in tip-top shape ahead of rounds 11 and 12, while the Titans have lost seven straight and will be eager to turn things around this weekend.
St. Kilda Saints vs. North Western Titans 2nds
20 2
The Saints continued their strong showings with their seventh win of the season, having won six of their last seven games. There was no slowing down St. Kilda’s lineup that loves to hit the ball hard, having scored 37 runs in their past two games. North Western is continuing to struggle, with one win, seven losses and one draw on the season heading into round 11 at Chelsea.
Ormond Glenhuntly – Blue vs. Chelsea Dolphins 1sts
3 12
The Hunters were surprised by a ready-to-go Chelsea side that was clicking on all cylinders. After a big 10-4 win in round 9, the Dolphins came back to secure their second win in a row thanks to a great offensive outing. 12 runs is the most the Dolphins have managed since round 6 when they racked up 28 runs. OGH – Blue had a quieter day at the plate, with a pair of singles for Ben Gaplin, an RBI single from Geoff MacDonald and hits from Jarrad Barrow and Andrew Clark rounding out the offensive efforts.
Despite a season-high seven walks, MacDonald held the Dolphins at bay. A few fantastic innings at the plate for Chelsea made it possible for the team to improve to 6-4, closing the gap between the 7-3 OGH – Blue side. These second place and third place teams will go on to face Pakenham and North Western, respectively.
Ormond Glenhuntly – Blue vs. Chelsea Dolphins 2nds
13 1
There’s no messing with the Hunters! The 10-0 OGH – Blue 2nds are tough to beat, with an offense that just won’t quit and pitching to match. The Dolphins were disappointed to lose two in a row, with their base runners kept to a minimum thanks to the Hunters’ spot-on pitching. Chelsea is now 4-6 with two games left before the break, which will include a home game vs. North Western and a tough away game at St. Kilda.
Round 9 Recaps – Nov. 25th
Ormond Glenhuntly – Gold vs. Chelsea Dolphins 1sts
4 10
The Dolphins have made it two in a row with their convincing win over the Hunters, bringing their record up to 5-4 on the season. This was made possible by a team that worked well together and capitalised on scoring chances. Shane Jeffrey was the standout hitter of the day, going 5-for-5 with four singles and a double for 2 RBI’s. Matthew Burton followed with three hits of his own, including two singles and a double.
The Dolphins dominance was made possible by the pitching efforts of Jasmin Tsai, who threw a nine-inning no-hitter with just two walks and four unearned runs while striking out nine batters. Tsai will be a great resource for Chelsea moving forward, as they look to keep up this fine form in their final three rounds ahead of the break. The Hunters are still searching for their first victory, but they’ve shown some promising signs of being able to score runs if they could just steady their pitching.
Ormond Glenhuntly – Gold vs. Chelsea Dolphins 2nds
8 6
Although the OGH – Gold 1sts can’t seem to catch a break, the 2nds team is faring better this season, with a 5-4 record putting them in a comfortable third place position. The Hunters have now won two in a row and will look to continue with their winning ways as they tackle the last three weeks of the season’s first half. On the Chelsea side, the Dolphins are rounding out the top four with a 4-5 record after losing two of their last three. Rounds 10, 11 and 12 will see Chelsea take on OGH – Blue, North Western and St. Kilda.
St. Kilda Saints vs. Pakenham Pumas 1sts
13 0
The Saints have proven to be unstoppable thus far this season, with an exceptional 9-0 record thanks to a tight-knit team that just won’t slow down. After a close comeback win in round 8, the Saints set out to get back to their regular form that sees them jump out early and carry the lead late into the game. Although Pakenham came into this game having won the last two games, their hopes for a three-game streak were squashed by St. Kilda’s shutout pitching made possible by a complete game from Tom Snowden. In his seven innings of work, he gave up six hits and one walk with no runs scored as well as nine strikeouts.
With everything under control on the mound, the Saints were able to go hard at the plate, with several batters recording multiple hits. The starting pitcher had a single and a double for 2 RBI’s, as did Paul Paskar. Robert Lewis had his second four-hit game of the season, recording three singles and a triple to knock in 4 RBI’s. Alan Ortiz kept his season-long hitting streak alive with one single, two walks and an RB along with two runs scored.
Daniel Hogg smashed a double and had two walks, while Mariano Favia was a team player with a single, sacrifice fly and two walks to bring in two runs. Franco Caramia joined in the fun with an RBI single and two walks, while Eduardo Escalona contributed a single and a walk.
The Pumas had scored 15 runs over the last two games, but their offense was much quieter against the Saints. Pakenham now sits at 4-5 to maintain their fourth-place position, but they will look to get some more wins on the board in the last three rounds of 2018 as they face OGH – Gold, OGH – Blue and North Western. The Saints will have a shot at a 12-0 record if they can win their last three against North Western, OGH – Gold and Chelsea.
St. Kilda Saints vs. Pakenham Pumas 2nds
17 3
The Saints had no trouble polishing off the Pumas thanks to a hard-hitting lineup that’s outscored their opponents 116-27 thus far. In fact, the only trouble St. Kilda has really had came in their games vs. OGH – Blue and OGH – Gold. Now sitting comfortably in second place with a 6-3 record, St. Kilda will remain eager to take home some big wins in the upcoming weeks, while the Pumas will share the sentiment as they strive for their first victory of the season.
North Western Titans vs. Ormond Glenhuntly – Blue 1sts
0 32
This game belonged to the Hunters, with the Titans scrambling for each and every out. OGH – Blue was in stellar form once again as they racked up a season-high in runs scored. The Hunters have outscored opposing teams by 112 – 34, and their only two losses have come at the hands of the unbeaten Saints.
OGH – Blue was hitting the ball hard all day long, with Jarrad Barrow and Andrew Clark leading the way with four hits apiece. Two singles, two doubles, two walks and a HBP helped Barrow secure a .857 OBP as he brought home an impressive five runs, while Clark had 2 RBI’s and five runs scored on three singles and a double. Other key contributors included Tim Carracher & Michael Sullivan with three hits each. With fantastic starting pitching and an unstoppable offense, OGH – Blue improved to 7-2 to remain in second place, while North Western dropped their sixth straight to make their record 2-7 ahead of their final three games vs. St. Kilda, Chelsea and Pakenham.
North Western Titans vs. Ormond Glenhuntly – Blue 2nds
0 15
The Hunters prevailed in the 2nds game as well, with the Titans failing to get on the board against the top team. OGH – Blue is now 9-0 after exceptional showings all season long, with the team’s pitching depth and hitting capacity on full display. The Hunters have won by at least 15 runs in four out of their last five. The Titans now drop to one win, six losses and one draw on the season, a record they’ll be hoping to improve as they look to make their way into the middle of the ladder rather than the bottom two.
Round 8 Recaps – Nov. 18th
St. Kilda Saints vs. Ormond Glenhuntly – Blue 1sts
4 3
For the first meeting between these two top teams since last season’s Grand Final, the Saints narrowly edged the Hunters to remain undefeated. Their stellar 8-0 record was made possible by a come-from-behind victory after falling to a 3-0 deficit. OGH – Blue got on the board with a big RBI single from Archie Lygris, as well as an RBI from Jarrad Barrow and starting pitcher Kyungsoo Jeon. He pitched nine innings, giving up 11 hits for four runs – three of them earned – along with one walk and one HBP. He managed to strike out 10 batters along the way, protecting the Hunters’ lead for the majority of the game. Other offensive moments for OGH – Blue included singles from Ben Gaplin and Jason Maxwell, as well as Geoff MacDonald’s 2-for-3 day with a double, single and a walk with one run scored.
It wasn’t until the 7th inning that the Saints were able to answer – a usual occurrence considering this team has outscored their opponents 118-20 in the first seven rounds. Heading into the 9th, St. Kilda was down by one run with two outs. Robby Lewis sent a ball up the middle, challenging the second baseman who couldn’t quite get the throw on time to first. After a wild pitch, Mariano Agustin Favia singled to score Lewis, tying the game and keeping their chances for a win alive. A single from Alan Ortiz put Favia in scoring position, setting the stage for a thrilling victory. Thomas Snowden jumped on the first pitch, sending the ball to the centre right gap for an electrifying walk-off double to keep the team’s undefeated streak going.
Starter Franco Caramia got the win after pitching the entire game, giving up six hits, three walks and three runs – two of them earned – while striking out five. Now 8-0, with the Hunters not far behind at 6-2, St. Kilda will aim to keep up the pace as they head into the last month of baseball before the break.
St. Kilda Saints vs. Ormond Glenhuntly – Blue 2nds
4 5
Despite some close calls, the Hunters pulled away in the end, protecting their unbeaten record for another week. The Saints are following in second place with a 5-3 record, which they will look to improve on in the coming weeks as they face Pakenham, North Western and Ormond Glenhuntly – Gold. Meanwhile the Hunters will just keep on doing what they’re doing as they prove just how tough they are to beat, with their top pitching and hitting putting them in prime position for another Finals run.
Chelsea Dolphins vs. Pakenham Pumas 1sts
1 2
The Dolphins fell for the second week in a row as the Pumas narrowly got the win. A one-run advantage was all Pakenham needed to improve their record to 4-4, thanks to the efforts of starting pitcher Trent Job, who pitched the entire game with ease, giving up just three hits and one unearned run while striking out seven. On the offensive side, Chris Cumming, Simon Ferris and Martin Kennedy all had a single and a walk, while Shaun Fahy smashed a single and a double. Scott Dale recorded an RBI to get the team on the board. Chelsea’s lone run was brought in by Matthew Burton, who had a single and a walk on the day. Mitch Bowen had a single, but otherwise the Dolphins were pretty quiet.
Now that their record is 4-4, Chelsea will look ahead to their upcoming games against Ormond Glenhuntly, North Western Titans and St. Kilda. Next up for the 4-4 Pumas is St. Kilda, followed by Ormond Glenhuntly’s two teams.
Chelsea Dolphins vs. Pakenham Pumas 2nds
13 2
It was not a pretty day at the plate for the Pumas, who dropped their sixth game of the season against a hard-hitting Dolphins side. Chelsea cruised to a big win after a tough 15-1 loss to St. Kilda the week before. With a 4-4 record heading into round 9, the Dolphins will be eager to maintain their momentum as they head into the final few weeks this side of Christmas, while the Pumas will look to finally get in the win column and move out of their spot on the bottom of the ladder.
Ormond Glenhuntly Gold vs. North Western Titans 1sts
5 10
The Hunters have yet to find their footing this season as they dropped their eighth game, despite some offensive action after several shutouts in the past few weeks. The first time these two sides met back in round 3, it was a crazy runfest. The Hunters put 16 up on the board, only to be outpaced by the Titans with their 22 runs. Since then, the most runs OGH – Gold has managed in any game is just one, while North Western has struggled too, losing their last four games. These bottom two teams will look to turn things around before the first half of the season is over.
Ormond Glenhuntly Gold vs. North Western Titans 2nds
17 4
The Hunters fared much better in the 2nds, as they blasted their way to their fourth victory of the season. With their big bats in tow, the Hunters managed to bounce back after their disappointing 16-0 loss at the hands of OGH – Blue. The Titans have fallen to a dismal 1-5-1, which they’ll be determined to improve heading into the final four weeks ahead of the break.
Baseball Victoria is pleased to announce a new partnership with Sixteen23, a Perth-based baseball development group that will be running their first Victorian program during the upcoming summer school holidays.
This is a new and exciting direction for the beloved Baseball Victoria school holiday camps, as Sixteen23 will be bringing their Sandlot Little League Camp and a 12+ Camp to the local baseball community. This program will combine skills development and game play with a fun and lively environment to keep kids entertained and active throughout the school break.
This partnership will further improve the tradition of offering opportunities for young players to get involved with baseball during the school holidays. With plenty of fun to be had and memories to be made with new friends, this is the perfect program for kids who want to improve their skills under the leadership of professional baseball players.
The 2019 Sandlot Little League Camp will run from 7th – 11th of January at Cheltenham Baseball Club from 9.00am-3.00pm daily. The first day will concentrate on skills and testing before participants are drafted into teams, with the next four days featuring a round robin competition where players get to partake in nine games before a home run derby to finish off the program.
The camp is open to boys and girls of all abilities who are eligible to play Little League, and the program offers a fun, safe, and healthy atmosphere where participants learn from Melbourne Aces stars including Luke Hughes, Allan de San Miguel, Darryl George, Christian Meister, John Kennedy and more.
The 2019 School Holiday Camp for Ages 12+ will take place the following week on January 14th - 16th at Essendon Baseball Club from 9:00am - 3:00pm daily. Sixteen23 will provide players and parents with an introduction to the Victoria Aces High Performance Pathway with player assessment results added to the Aces' High Performance tracking database.
Baseball Victoria CEO Justin Huber is thrilled with this partnership. “We can’t wait to see what the Sixteen23 team accomplishes with this program. We have been on a difficult journey over the last few years with our school holiday offering. We understand the need to provide a quality experience to our participants and this is a key driver in our retention strategy. We believe partnering with Sixteen23 will give this program the kick it needs and the enthusiasm that will no doubt result in many smiles.”
Sixteen23 Director Luke Hughes says he’s confident this program will have a positive impact on young baseball players. “It’s exciting to partner with Baseball Victoria on our first program here,” Hughes said. “We’re all looking forward to having a lot of fun, and getting kids out having a blast on the baseball field.”
The camp is limited to 100 participants, so those interested are encouraged to sign up soon to secure their spots.
For more information, please contact the BV office on 03 9645 8000 or kellie.thomas@baseballvictoria.com.au. You may register for the Little program by following this link: https://eventdesq.sportstg.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=main&EventDesqID=30696&OrgID=16724 and the 12+ camp here: https://eventdesq.sportstg.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=main&EventDesqID=30709&OrgID=16724&fbclid=IwAR3UlY2WY8SBDyeq_FskiBrg1Om6YT1KQ20U2AIl96Cds1Qqf22iuilaBVA
Baseball Victoria had a terrific turnout for the Coaching Clinic for ASD last week at Melbourne Baseball Club. Presented in partnership with Scope Australia and the Department of Sport and Recreation Victoria, this event was well-received by local baseball members, some of whom travelled from as far as Bendigo and Ballarat to show their support and learn more about coaching kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other disabilities.
The clinic provided an opportunity for meaningful education and discussion surrounding inclusive coaching styles that open doors for children with ASD to succeed on and off the field. This is an important mission for Baseball Victoria as the organisation aims to enhance baseball experiences for all players, including those who may have ASD and find change or certain situations challenging.
With a patient and positive coaching style, it's truly remarkable what coaches can accomplish with their entire team. This message was promoted throughout the clinic, which included an introduction from Baseball Victoria CEO Justin Huber and General Manager of Baseball Operations Jeff Paull, as well as a session on Autism & Sport with Scope Australia. As a non-profit organisation that supports people with physical and intellectual disabilities and helps them achieve their goals, Scope Australia informed attendees about Autism Spectrum Disorder and how it can impact a child's participation in sport.
To apply this information to baseball, Level 3 Accredited Coach Jo Schutt went over coaching techniques that can provide the best chances for growth and development for players with ASD and their peers. Throughout the night, guests were able to ask questions and discuss with speakers and one another how they can ensure the most inclusive environment possible. Shawn Stevenson, Project Officer with the Department of Health and Human Services, was able to offer valuable insight into specific situations that may trigger a child with ASD, and how these circumstances can be addressed to make sure these kids can still have a fun and safe time at baseball practice and games.
"It was so great to see such dedicated coaches and committee members take part in this educative session to understand how to best include and approach young players with ASD who have so much to give but may need some extra support and guidance," Huber said. "We are so proud to be taking this step toward greater inclusion and awareness, and the fantastic response from our baseball community is greatly appreciated and demonstrates the bright future ahead for our sport and all people who wish to participate."
The coaching clinic was livestreamed with viewers tuning in from as far away as Georgia, U.S.A. to participate in the initiative and contribute their thoughts and questions. This coincided with the International Day of People with Disability on Monday, December 3rd. Baseball Victoria staff reunited with Scope Australia for the 2018 Victorian Disability Sport and Recreation Festival at Crown Riverwalk Southbank. There, dozens of children with disabilities took part in an exciting T-ball game as part of the wonderful day of festivities.
Baseball Victoria is looking forward to continuing to promote inclusion efforts and activities within the baseball community to secure an enriching future for all participants. “Baseball is a terrific sport for kids of all ages and abilities, and we hope to continue growing our sport by giving our coaches the tools and resources they need to best serve children with disabilities,” Huber added. “It’s so important for families with ASD to have options in the sporting field, and we are thrilled to present such positive places for these children to thrive.”
To view the Livestream, please visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BaseballVictoria/videos/353271138757923/
To view the BV introduction presentation, please see here: BV Intro.pptx
To view the Scope Australia presentation on Autism, please see here: Coaching for ASD - SCOPE.pptx
To view the BV Coaching presentation, please see here: BV Coaching for ASD.pptx
The Baseball Northern Territory Incorporated (Baseball NT) Annual General Meeting (AGM) was hosted by Baseball Australia (BA), and chaired by BA Chief Executive Officer Cam Vale, at the Novotel Darwin CBD at 7pm local Darwin time on 26 November 2018.
A great turn out was received with multiple members of the wider baseball community in attendance showing their support and interest in the future of baseball in the Northern Territory.
The new Constitution, revised by BA, the Northern Territory Government and the Regional Associations of Darwin and Alice Springs, was ratified on the night allowing for a fresh, new start for Baseball NT.
The new Constitution (version last reviewed on 4 September 2018) has been uploaded to http://nt.baseball.com.au/ and a direct link can be found here.
The new Constitution has provided the opportunity for a new Board structure and for new Directors bringing with them valuable experience and skills covering key portfolio areas such as finance management, governance, law, and business development, that combine to give Baseball NT a clean slate and the best chance for a successful future.
Dedicated to growing the game, both Lachlan Modrzynski, President of Alice Springs Baseball Association, and Rodney Hardy, President of Darwin Baseball Association, accepted re-election as Directors of the two representative Regional Associations of the Affiliated Members.
Expressions of Interest to fill the 3 appointed Director vacancies of the Board were publicly advertised online on 2 October 2018 with 7 high-calibre candidates applying.
After consideration of all applications, the quality of the candidates and the contributions they could make, the recommended preferences: Mark Stead of Sydney; Gemma Scales of Darwin; and Josh Ang of Darwin; were successfully appointed as Directors at the AGM completing the final 3 vacancies of the Baseball NT Board.
On making the right choices from the start, BA’s CEO Cam Vale commented.
"The election of the new board members for Baseball NT is an important step in ensuring an independent and well governed Association is in place”
“I am particularly pleased with the diverse experience of the board members and their willingness to take on the responsibility.”
“It was also great to see such a strong representation from the clubs at the meeting to ensure that they are now properly represented into the future."
BA and the Board of Baseball NT would like to thank the baseball community, and particularly the NT Government, for their continued support and ongoing assistance over the last 12 months. It has been a difficult time for all parties involved but the cooperation and commitment from everyone has enabled a smoother-than-expected transition to the revised Baseball NT.
The Board are excited to take on this challenge and ready to hit the ground running. The next step for the new look Board of Baseball NT, after appointing a Chairperson, is to engage with local stakeholders and local baseball associations to re-group, re-align and re-focus on what is happening, what is driving the baseball community, and how they can turn this around to create a positive pathway for substantial growth in the near future.
Cam Vale is excited about the future of Baseball NT remarking “Baseball can be a strong growing sport in the NT, with opportunities from grassroots to a possible ABL team into the future”.
Mildura will host the Australian Intermediate League Championship (AILC) for the next four years in a joint partnership between Baseball Australia and the Sunraysia Baseball League.
The Aerodrome Sporting Complex will host the second AILC from 17-21 June 2019 after the championship’s successful debut on the Australian Little League calendar in 2018.
The Sunraysia Baseball League has a long history of hosting local, state and national tournaments, most recently the 2018 U12 and U14 Victorian State Championships.
Baseball Australia chief executive officer Cam Vale said the tournament was another opportunity to showcase baseball in regional Australia.
“We have made a concerted effort to expose more regional Australians to high quality baseball,” Vale said.
“The Sunraysia Baseball League has a long and proud history of hosting successful tournaments, and we’re looking forward to bringing the Australian Intermediate League Championship to Mildura.”
Sunraysia Baseball League president Nick Carroll said this hosting the championship is a great opportunity for Mildura.
“We are thrilled and honoured to be chosen by Baseball Australia to host the Australian Intermediate League Championship,” Carroll said.
“The support we have received from the Mildura Rural City Council has been fantastic, and we look forward to their continued support during the Australian Intermediate League Championship.
“This will be a great boost to our local baseball community and we are excited to be able to witness Australia’s best kids play some great baseball.”
Perth’s Northern Metros were crowned champions of the inaugural AILC in May 2018, and represented the Australia Region at the Intermediate League World Series in Livermore, California.