Baseball Victoria’s Behind the Mask Umpire Program is off to a great start, with more than 50 participants completing our free umpire accreditation courses at Knox Baseball Club last weekend. National Umpire Director Brett Robson led these courses for new umpires and current umpires wanting to refresh their skills.

We started with a community umpire course on Saturday morning, which included baseball rules, positioning, and signalling mechanics for umpiring at the beginner ball level and senior games.

Next came our association umpire course on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning, with theoretical and practical components to ensure umpires can officiate at club level.

“Thank you to everyone who participated in our Behind the Mask courses at Knox over the weekend,” Baseball Victoria CEO Chet Gray said. “We had a fantastic turnout of umpires, from junior players to experienced senior baseballers, and we hope to see them taking advantage of umpire opportunities throughout the summer season. We know the future is bright for our umpiring fraternity and we will continue to support and grow our sport.”

Junior player James Mills from Malvern Baseball Club found it to be a fantastic learning experience.

"It was great to practice with the Barclay Cup squad training," James said. "Brett and all the umpires were so willing to help us new recruits. I really want to do umpiring and keep my eye on the game."

The BV Umpiring Working Group was pleased with the turnout for their first seminar.

"Having Brett Robson from Baseball Australia here to run the community program was a great initiative and we look forward to what lies ahead for future seminars," said Geoff Dunn, State Umpire – Development. "Special thanks to parents, players and juniors for their attendance over the weekend."

Robson was happy to be involved as BA's National Umpire Director.

"The new Behind The Mask program is dedicated to umpire recruitment and development. I thank Chet, Brooke, and the four members of the BV Umpiring Working Group (Dave, Geoff, Dennis and Alan) for their support and assistance," Robson said.

"48 community accredited umpires were in attendance at the association umpire seminar in what is an exciting and fresh beginning for baseball umpiring in Victoria. I wish Chet and his team all the very best as they move forward in a positive and highly collaborative way. Thanks for the opportunity and I look forward to many more visits!"

Registered Behind the Mask umpires have an opportunity to receive game payments for plate and base umpiring. Please view the BV Umpiring Hub for more details.

If you require any information on starting your baseball umpiring journey, please contact the BV Umpire Technical Officer.

Jayden Kim is headed to the Arizona Fall Classic as part of the MLB World Select team.

He is one of ten Australian teens named to the team, which will take part in a prestigious showcase in front of college recruiters and MLB scouts. Read more about it HERE.

Congrats and good luck Jayden!

Baseball Victoria and Wyndham City Council have teamed up to bring the Brookdale Reserve Activation Project to life in Point Cook.

This partnership aims to activate and introduce baseball into the Point Cook community, with the goal of establishing year-round opportunities to deliver diamond sports at the new Brookdale Road Reserve.

Wyndham City Council recently completed the development of a baseball and softball field at Brookdale Reserve, which features diamond fencing, a batting cage structure, and a baseball clay surface. The park is now open to the public, marking the completion of stage two of the $5.6 million reserve. The final stage will see the installation of a modular sporting pavilion to the reserve, scheduled for completion in early 2024.

Baseball Victoria will oversee organised baseball activities at Brookdale Reserve, starting with phase one, which includes the appointment of a local development officer to deliver come-and-try activities and local school clinics.

Following this initial activation, Baseball Victoria will explore opportunities to launch more clinics and competitions at Brookdale Reserve throughout the 2023/24 summer season and beyond.

“We are excited to be working with Wyndham City Council on the Brookdale Reserve Activation Project, which will open up fantastic opportunities to grow our sport in Melbourne’s west,“ Baseball Victoria CEO Chet Gray said. “Wyndham City Council and Werribee Giants Baseball Club have been great supporters of our State Winter Championships in the past, and we are eager to strengthen our collaborative relationships with the local club, council and schools.”

Wyndham City Mayor, Cr Susan McIntyre said Council’s commitment to increasing opportunities for people of all ages to experience the benefits of exercise and sport helped to create a happy, healthy and well-connected community.

Wyndham City’s Active City portfolio holder, Councillor Peter Maynard, said he was pleased to see the activations of Brookdale Reserve taking place.

“We’ve got a strong following for baseball in Wyndham, and I look forward to Brookdale Reserve growing as a sporting hub for all our residents.”

To kick off this new partnership, Baseball Victoria will be hosting several come-and-try baseball sessions for kids 10 and under and 11 to 14-year-olds at Brookdale Reserve as part of Wyndham City Council’s Active Holidays program. Head to www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/whats-on for details.

It has been brought to Baseball Victoria's attention that certain constitutional aspects under the Victoria Incorporation Association Act have been called into question by a Member Body for the AGM scheduled for this Monday 25 September.

While we seek legal clarification regarding these queries, the BV Board has decided to postpone the AGM to a later date to ensure we follow the correct processes and procedures as per the Constitution.

Once the BV Board has reviewed the situation, a final date for the AGM will be communicated.

Please contact the BV office should you have any questions.

Baseball Victoria is pleased to welcome Greatrex Sporting Goods to the BV Diamond Partnership Program at the Home Run level.

Greatrex Australia specialises in baseball, softball and tee-ball equipment, and was established 48 years ago by former Australian baseballer Kevin Greatrex and his wife Judy. Now owned and operated by the couple’s children Jay and Kelly, Greatrex remains a trusted supplier of quality playing equipment and uniforms for baseballers around the country.

“Thank you to Greatrex for joining the BV Diamond Partnership Program,” Baseball Victoria CEO Chet Gray said. “It’s fantastic to have this long-standing baseball equipment supplier on board, and we greatly appreciate their support of Victorian and Australian baseball.”

Greatrex offers a wide range of playing equipment from brands including Wilson, Mizuno, Easton, Louisville Slugger, Nike, New Balance, Franklin, All Star, and many more.

“We’re excited to be a part of Baseball Victoria’s Diamond Partnership Program and look forward to working with the team at BV,” Director Kelly Greatrex said. “We are always looking to support grassroots baseball organisations and associations with equipment, uniforms and their baseball needs.”

Learn more on their official website: www.greatrex.com.au/

We are so proud of Team Australia and their efforts at the 2023 Under 18 Baseball World Cup in Taiwan.

Victorian players Declan Speirs, Jack Ratcliffe, Jayden Kim, and Lachlan Smith all had impressive performances alongside their teammates from around the country. They fought hard and never gave up against tough opponents, coming away with three big victories on the world stage.

We can't wait to see where their baseball journeys take them next!

Baseball Victoria is excited to launch our Behind the Mask Umpire Program and will offer a free community umpiring session at Essendon Baseball Club on Tuesday 19 September.

Starting at 6:30pm, the BV Umpiring Working Group and Technical Officer will present a community course for new umpires who wish to officiate at the beginner level.

All new and potential umpires are asked to register their interest HERE.

Click HERE to view more info.

 

Baseball Victoria is excited to announce My Sport Live has signed on to the BV Diamond Partnership Program and will serve as our official streaming partner for the 2023/24 VSBL Finals.

My Sport Live is a sports promotion company offering a range of services to help sporting organisations and events grow, including livestreaming, video production, and podcasting.

After working with My Sport Live in 2020 and 2021, Baseball Victoria is pleased to secure their streaming solutions to once again showcase the strength of summer baseball during exciting grand finals.

“Thank you to My Sport Live for joining the BV Diamond Partnership Program and supporting VSBL Grand Finals livestreaming,” Baseball Victoria CEO Chet Gray said. “We are excited to connect the Victorian baseball community through livestreams and we can’t wait for an awesome summer of baseball ahead.”

The My Sport Live team shares the sentiment and looks forward to further supporting baseball in Victoria.

“Streaming is a great way to shine a spotlight on VSBL teams and showcase the best in Victorian summer baseball,” My Sport Live Managing Director Andrew Weiss said. “It will be fantastic to bring awesome baseball action to the screen to finish this summer season off strong as teams chase premiership glory.”

Learn more about My Sport Live and the BV Diamond Partnership Program.