Essendon 1, Cheltenham 0
A bottom of the first run was all the Bombers needed in this titanic battle between league heavyweights. That’s how good Essendon’s pitching staff was on Sunday. While their hurlers only allowed two knocks (singles each from Paul Rutgers and Dylan Trevorah), the Bombers pounded eighth hits, including two from Liam Bedford and a triple—the game’s only extra-base hit—from MVP candidate Tom Dicker.
The top-of-the-table finish means Essendon (19-6-1) opens up a three game series with their conference’s second place team, Geelong, tonight at 7.30 at Melbourne Ballpark. Games 2 and 3 will be played at the Bombers and Baycats grounds, respectively, on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
The Rustlers (14-9-1) finished second in their conference so they take on Melbourne at Preston Ballpark this evening. First pitch is also slated for 7.30.
Geelong 15, Springvale 6
A seven run fifth after the Lions plated three in their away half was the difference in a ballgame that was more competitive than the score indicated. Multiple runs in the first (three) and sixth (four) buoyed the Baycats win.
Springvale had three players—Lucas Anderson, Freddy Flores and Glenn Mascoll—record multiple hits and Matthew Hayle added a double and three RBI.
Across the diamond, Cameron Gibbons, Liam Spence and Matthew Zablan all had three knocks, with the latter pacing Geelong with two doubles and five runs driven in.
The Baycats (16-9-1) face the Bombers tonight in semifinal action while the Lions season comes to a close with an 11-15 record.
Newport 10, Waverley 0
The second shutout of the day was of the mercy rule variety. Four runs in the first, one in the second, four more in the fourth and a single consequential marker in the seventh provided the winning margin.
The Wildcats hits (all singles) came from Harvey Chinn, Ryan Dale, Tyler Dale and Chase Hodkinson. The Rams, meanwhile, had four players—Heath Black, Mathew Lawman, Dean Malthouse and Zac Seipolt—record multiple knocks, with Lawman slugging a double and Black knocking in three.
The win moved Newport (9-16) out of relegation contention, while Waverley (12-13-1) finished fourth in their conference, behind stalwarts Melbourne, Cheltenham and Blackburn.
Sandringham 2, Melbourne 0
Single runs in the fifth and eighth were just enough for the Royals to end their season on a winning note.
The Sandringham staff was brilliant all day, ceding only two hits (both doubles) in nine sterling innings.
Their bats came alive too, with three players (Anton Cevec, Declan Ferguson and Joshua Meyer) recording multiple knocks, Jordan Barnett adding a double (Ferguson had one too) and Meyer responsible for the lone RBI.
Despite the defeat, the Demons (19-5-2) finished on top of their ladder and will play Cheltenham in a three game series beginning tonight.
The big win netted the Royals (11-15-1) a third place finish after an up-and-down campaign.
Blackburn 9, Preston 2
In the last game for both teams this season, the Orioles started fast and finished stronger, tallying thrice in the first and another three teams in the ninth to bookend an impressive win.
Blackburn also added two runs in the fifth and one in eighth. Both the Pirates runs came in the last half of the middle frame.
The Preston hitters accounted for seven hits, but none went for extra bases. Shogo Gokita and Mitchell Legge scored the Pirates two runs.
Ryan Berg, Jacob Evans and Jarryd Rogers each had two hits and Ross Hunter slugged a double and had two RBI. The other runs were produced by Berg (two), Evans and Blake Hodgson.
Blackburn (15-11) finishes a fine season in third place, behind conference leaders Melbourne and Cheltenham. Preston (9-16-1) finished fourth in their conference, trailing Essendon, Geelong and Sandringham.
Doncaster 1, Sunshine 0
In a battle to avoid possible relegation to Division 2 next season, the Dragons eked past a motivated Eagles squad in a tense, riveting tilt.
Scott Carr had the game’s lone RBI and Marcel D’Avoine and Billy Findlay contributed two hits apiece. The latter also had a double.
Doncaster’s victory leaves them at 7-16-2 on the season while the loss pushes Sunshine to a disappointing 7-18 mark.
A bottom of the first run was all the Bombers needed in this titanic battle between league heavyweights. That’s how good Essendon’s pitching staff was on Sunday. While their hurlers only allowed two knocks (singles each from Paul Rutgers and Dylan Trevorah), the Bombers pounded eighth hits, including two from Liam Bedford and a triple—the game’s only extra-base hit—from MVP candidate Tom Dicker.
The top-of-the-table finish means Essendon (19-6-1) opens up a three game series with their conference’s second place team, Geelong, tonight at 7.30 at Melbourne Ballpark. Games 2 and 3 will be played at the Bombers and Baycats grounds, respectively, on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
The Rustlers (14-9-1) finished second in their conference so they take on Melbourne at Preston Ballpark this evening. First pitch is also slated for 7.30.
Geelong 15, Springvale 6
A seven run fifth after the Lions plated three in their away half was the difference in a ballgame that was more competitive than the score indicated. Multiple runs in the first (three) and sixth (four) buoyed the Baycats win.
Springvale had three players—Lucas Anderson, Freddy Flores and Glenn Mascoll—record multiple hits and Matthew Hayle added a double and three RBI.
Across the diamond, Cameron Gibbons, Liam Spence and Matthew Zablan all had three knocks, with the latter pacing Geelong with two doubles and five runs driven in.
The Baycats (16-9-1) face the Bombers tonight in semifinal action while the Lions season comes to a close with an 11-15 record.
Newport 10, Waverley 0
The second shutout of the day was of the mercy rule variety. Four runs in the first, one in the second, four more in the fourth and a single consequential marker in the seventh provided the winning margin.
The Wildcats hits (all singles) came from Harvey Chinn, Ryan Dale, Tyler Dale and Chase Hodkinson. The Rams, meanwhile, had four players—Heath Black, Mathew Lawman, Dean Malthouse and Zac Seipolt—record multiple knocks, with Lawman slugging a double and Black knocking in three.
The win moved Newport (9-16) out of relegation contention, while Waverley (12-13-1) finished fourth in their conference, behind stalwarts Melbourne, Cheltenham and Blackburn.
Sandringham 2, Melbourne 0
Single runs in the fifth and eighth were just enough for the Royals to end their season on a winning note.
The Sandringham staff was brilliant all day, ceding only two hits (both doubles) in nine sterling innings.
Their bats came alive too, with three players (Anton Cevec, Declan Ferguson and Joshua Meyer) recording multiple knocks, Jordan Barnett adding a double (Ferguson had one too) and Meyer responsible for the lone RBI.
Despite the defeat, the Demons (19-5-2) finished on top of their ladder and will play Cheltenham in a three game series beginning tonight.
The big win netted the Royals (11-15-1) a third place finish after an up-and-down campaign.
Blackburn 9, Preston 2
In the last game for both teams this season, the Orioles started fast and finished stronger, tallying thrice in the first and another three teams in the ninth to bookend an impressive win.
Blackburn also added two runs in the fifth and one in eighth. Both the Pirates runs came in the last half of the middle frame.
The Preston hitters accounted for seven hits, but none went for extra bases. Shogo Gokita and Mitchell Legge scored the Pirates two runs.
Ryan Berg, Jacob Evans and Jarryd Rogers each had two hits and Ross Hunter slugged a double and had two RBI. The other runs were produced by Berg (two), Evans and Blake Hodgson.
Blackburn (15-11) finishes a fine season in third place, behind conference leaders Melbourne and Cheltenham. Preston (9-16-1) finished fourth in their conference, trailing Essendon, Geelong and Sandringham.
Doncaster 1, Sunshine 0
In a battle to avoid possible relegation to Division 2 next season, the Dragons eked past a motivated Eagles squad in a tense, riveting tilt.
Scott Carr had the game’s lone RBI and Marcel D’Avoine and Billy Findlay contributed two hits apiece. The latter also had a double.
Doncaster’s victory leaves them at 7-16-2 on the season while the loss pushes Sunshine to a disappointing 7-18 mark.
Baseball Australia is pleased to announce the appointment of 2012 Hall of Fame inductee, Simone Wearne, as Manager of the National Women’s Team – The Emeralds.
Arguably one of the best female ball players this country has produced, the eleven times Australian representative retired from elite competition in 2008, after ten years of State and National representative baseball. Simone was a member of the Women’s National team from 2001 to 2008 competing in 4 World Series and 3 World Cups, resulting in her 2012 induction into the Australian Baseball Hall of Fame – the only female to ever receive the honour.
With years of playing success under her belt, Wearne provides leadership and stability both on and off the field. A true mentor to all female players of the game, Simone understands what it takes to be successful on the diamond but also knows the sense of pride that can only come from playing for your country.
“It’s a huge honour for me as a coach, to be given the opportunity to lead the Women’s National Team for another year and compete at the World Cup”, said Wearne. “The Women’s program has developed some really talented players over the years, and the caliber of the ones coming through the ranks now, makes me excited to think what the future holds for Australian Women’s Baseball”.
With focus now on the Emeralds preparations for the VIII WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup, which will take place September 3 to 11, in Gijang City, South Korea, Baseball Australia is confident that under the helm of Wearne, The Emeralds will continue the success of past World Cup campaigns.
“The knowledge and experience that Simone brings to the table, will be integral to the success of the Women’s Team at the WBSC Women’s World Cup”, Baseball Australia’s Head of High Performance Glenn Williams.
The seventh edition of the Women’s World Cup will see the number of countries competing expanded, from the eight who took part at Miyazaki, Japan two years ago, to twelve for 2016 event. Tournament hosts, South Korea make their return to the competition along with current World Cup Champions Japan, United States, Canada, Cuba, Venezuela, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, India, Pakistan, The Netherlands and Australia.
Baseball Australia wishes to congratulate Simone on her appointment.
Simone's Coaching and Support staff will be announced in the coming months along with the WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup Schedule.
Baseball Australia is pleased to announce the appointment of 2012 Hall of Fame inductee, Simone Wearne, as Manager of the National Women’s Team – The Emeralds.
Arguably one of the best female ball players this country has produced, the eleven times Australian representative retired from elite competition in 2008, after ten years of State and National representative baseball. Simone was a member of the Women’s National team from 2001 to 2008 competing in 4 World Series and 3 World Cups, resulting in her 2012 induction into the Australian Baseball Hall of Fame – the only female to ever receive the honour.
With years of playing success under her belt, Wearne provides leadership and stability both on and off the field. A true mentor to all female players of the game, Simone understands what it takes to be successful on the diamond but also knows the sense of pride that can only come from playing for your country.
“It’s a huge honour for me as a coach, to be given the opportunity to lead the Women’s National Team for another year and compete at the World Cup”, said Wearne. “The Women’s program has developed some really talented players over the years, and the caliber of the ones coming through the ranks now, makes me excited to think what the future holds for Australian Women’s Baseball”.
With focus now on the Emeralds preparations for the VIII WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup, which will take place September 3 to 11, in Gijang City, South Korea, Baseball Australia is confident that under the helm of Wearne, The Emeralds will continue the success of past World Cup campaigns.
“The knowledge and experience that Simone brings to the table, will be integral to the success of the Women’s Team at the WBSC Women’s World Cup”, Baseball Australia’s Head of High Performance Glenn Williams.
The seventh edition of the Women’s World Cup will see the number of countries competing expanded, from the eight who took part at Miyazaki, Japan two years ago, to twelve for 2016 event. Tournament hosts, South Korea make their return to the competition along with current World Cup Champions Japan, United States, Canada, Cuba, Venezuela, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, India, Pakistan, The Netherlands and Australia.
Baseball Australia wishes to congratulate Simone on her appointment.
Simone's Coaching and Support staff will be announced in the coming months along with the WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup Schedule.
Premiership Coach Commits to Research Lower Plenty Baseball Club
After the Clubs 60th anniversary season and a year that saw the Research Lower Plenty Baseball Club capture both the MWBL A Grade and A Reserve Premierships.The Research Lower Plenty Baseball Club is proud to announce that Thomas Dicker has been appointed as the Club Coach for Seasons 2016 and 2017. Thomas has been instrumental in leading the club to its most successful period and will be working towards capturing back to back A Grade premierships, a feat the Club has never achieved.
Given a large proportion of the baseball community is still participating in the Summer League, Thomas has announced that winter basic- preseason training will begin from Wednesday the 9th of March
Training will start at 6pm, continuing from the 9th of March each Wednesday at Glenauburn Park, Lower Plenty through till the start of the MWBL season.
Thomas has also scheduled a Practice game for Saturday 2nd April, starting from 10am.The Research Lower Plenty Baseball club currently has 5 x senior teams and 4 x junior teams scheduled to participate in the upcoming season.
If you are interested in playing this season please visit the clubs website www.research.baseball.com.au for further information and contact details.
The Club currently has both Senior coaching and playing position vacancy’s for those interested please don’t hesitate to contact any of the clubs key personal.
Both the A’s and Mariners were undefeated on the weekend in the latest iteration of the Under 12s contingent in the Little League Charter & Junior League Charter Academy.
Southern Mariners (A) 8, Geelong Baycats 5
Resilience, experience and chutzpah: All were on display in equal measure as the host Southern Mariners (A) team rallied from a mid-game 5-0 deficit to score eight runs in the last three innings and record the victory.
The Mariners scored two in the bottom of the third, added a couple more in the fourth before sealing the game with a four-run fifth.
Five pitchers took the hill for Southern, throwing a combined 80 pitches. Across the diamond, just three hurlers (85 pitches) threw for Geelong.
The win boosted the Mariners record to 6-2 on the season. The Baycats, meanwhile, fell to 3-6.
Eastern Athletics (Gold) 13, Northern Diamondbacks (Orange) 9
The A’s (Gold) started fast, blanking the D’Backs (Orange) in the top of the first and then scoring four times in their home half. They ceded two runs in the second but then came right back to score five of their own, taking a 9-2 lead.
Northern kept coming, scoring twice in the third only to see Eastern score four more runs. Resilient though the D’Backs were—they scored four more in the top of the fourth—they could never catch the A’s, falling by four runs.
The A’s were led on the mound by starter Bronson Neave (16 pitches), followed by Austin Neave (57) and James Jones (29).
Sam Skinner (57) and Lachlan Davis (50) handled the pitching duties for the D’Backs.
The Gold’s win put them at 5-3 on the season while the Orange team dropped to 2-5.
Eastern Athletics (Green) 10, Northern Diamondback (Green) 3
This one was over early with the A’s (Green) team putting up five in the first, two in the second, one in the third and two in the fourth to win going away, 10-3.
Nick Parton (61 pitches) was stellar on the mound for the first three innings before he was replaced by Kobi Lyon (18). Austin Thorne and Zac Dawes split the catching duties.
For the D’Backs, Zac Gorman started and threw 62 pitches before leaving the mound for Denzel Pelelometi (19) and Joel Prpic (19). Joshua Dawson caught the entire game.
The win put the A’s in a first way tie with the Southern Mariners (A) team with identical 6-2 records. The Green team fell to 1-6.
Southern Mariners (B) 8. Geelong Baycats 7
Undoubtedly inspired by their brethren in the first game of the doubleheader, the Mariners (B) side put together a scintillating come back of their own, trailing 3-0 early they rallied for four in the second to the take the lead, then lost it in the third (trailed 6-5) and were down 7-5 in the bottom of the last when with two outs they scored three runs on a double and an error by the Baycats’ center fielder.
What made it even sweeter for the Mariners was who hit that winning two-bagger: Tyler Ellis. It’s the same Ellis who started the game but didn’t record an out, giving up three earned runs after loading the bases on a hit and three walks before departing for reliever Josh Tribe.
Ellis (20 pitches), Tribe (29), Joel Poole (23) and Cooper Williamson (37) handled the duties on the mound.
At the plate, Tribe, Ellis, Matt Kaplan, Tahj Russell and Flynn Lhuede all had hits while Joel Poole had two knocks.
Hudson Carter of the Baycats had three hits, Cooper Tipping two and Jordan Baumann, Josh Smith and Maxton Sherry one apiece.
Carter (46 pitches) and Hayden Peoples (53) threw for the Baycats and Harper Rickard caught the entire game.
The loss drops the Baycats to 3-7 and ups the Mariners B side to 5-3.
Eastern Athletics (Gold) 7, Northern Diamondbacks (Green) 6
What a cracker of a game! Down three in the bottom of the last, the A’s (Gold) team scored four to win in a walk-off, 7-6.
The D’Backs started well, scoring one in the first and led 2-1 heading to the bottom of the second.
They let in three runs but responded with five of their own to lead 6-3 after three. That was the three-run deficit when the Gold capped their heroics in the last of the fourth.
Ethan Scalzo (58 pitches) started before giving way to Lachlan O’Connor who entered in the second and only threw 29 pitches.
Connor Sahbeci (64) and Campbell Hutton (14) handled the pitching duties for the D’Backs.
With the two victories, Gold is now in third place with a 6-3 record. Struggling so far this season, Green is now 1-7 on the season.
Eastern Athletics (Green) 13, Northern Diamondbacks (Orange) 9
It wasn’t pretty, but the A’s came away with their fourth victory of the weekend by hitting extremely well all game.
Down 2-0 after a half inning, they scored five in their half of the first. Fully keeping the momentum, the Green team shut down Orange in the second and then scored five more runs to lead 10-2 after two.
Undaunted, the D’Backs tallied four of their own to close the gap but would get no closer. The A’s scored three in the bottom of the third and though they gave up three more in top of the fourth, the result was never really in doubt.
The A’s Charlie O’Connell caught the whole game for Kynan Jones (62 pitches), Tyler Evans (18) and Austin Thorne (16).
Adam Jirik (18), Mace Poole (19) and Jaycob Pascuzzi (52) threw to Jimin Lee for the D’Backs.
The win puts the A’s Green team one-half game ahead of the Southern Mariners (A) team for top-of-the-ladder status. The Northern Diamondbacks (Orange) falls to 2-6 on the season.
Here is how the comp stands after the fifth round: https://sportsdesq.imgstg.com/portal/index.cfm?fuseaction=competition&competitionID=10393&OrgID=16724&clubOrganisationId=0#ladder. Next week the Under 14s are back in action. Check back here for a full report of all six games.
Southern Mariners (A) 8, Geelong Baycats 5
Resilience, experience and chutzpah: All were on display in equal measure as the host Southern Mariners (A) team rallied from a mid-game 5-0 deficit to score eight runs in the last three innings and record the victory.
The Mariners scored two in the bottom of the third, added a couple more in the fourth before sealing the game with a four-run fifth.
Five pitchers took the hill for Southern, throwing a combined 80 pitches. Across the diamond, just three hurlers (85 pitches) threw for Geelong.
The win boosted the Mariners record to 6-2 on the season. The Baycats, meanwhile, fell to 3-6.
Eastern Athletics (Gold) 13, Northern Diamondbacks (Orange) 9
The A’s (Gold) started fast, blanking the D’Backs (Orange) in the top of the first and then scoring four times in their home half. They ceded two runs in the second but then came right back to score five of their own, taking a 9-2 lead.
Northern kept coming, scoring twice in the third only to see Eastern score four more runs. Resilient though the D’Backs were—they scored four more in the top of the fourth—they could never catch the A’s, falling by four runs.
The A’s were led on the mound by starter Bronson Neave (16 pitches), followed by Austin Neave (57) and James Jones (29).
Sam Skinner (57) and Lachlan Davis (50) handled the pitching duties for the D’Backs.
The Gold’s win put them at 5-3 on the season while the Orange team dropped to 2-5.
Eastern Athletics (Green) 10, Northern Diamondback (Green) 3
This one was over early with the A’s (Green) team putting up five in the first, two in the second, one in the third and two in the fourth to win going away, 10-3.
Nick Parton (61 pitches) was stellar on the mound for the first three innings before he was replaced by Kobi Lyon (18). Austin Thorne and Zac Dawes split the catching duties.
For the D’Backs, Zac Gorman started and threw 62 pitches before leaving the mound for Denzel Pelelometi (19) and Joel Prpic (19). Joshua Dawson caught the entire game.
The win put the A’s in a first way tie with the Southern Mariners (A) team with identical 6-2 records. The Green team fell to 1-6.
Southern Mariners (B) 8. Geelong Baycats 7
Undoubtedly inspired by their brethren in the first game of the doubleheader, the Mariners (B) side put together a scintillating come back of their own, trailing 3-0 early they rallied for four in the second to the take the lead, then lost it in the third (trailed 6-5) and were down 7-5 in the bottom of the last when with two outs they scored three runs on a double and an error by the Baycats’ center fielder.
What made it even sweeter for the Mariners was who hit that winning two-bagger: Tyler Ellis. It’s the same Ellis who started the game but didn’t record an out, giving up three earned runs after loading the bases on a hit and three walks before departing for reliever Josh Tribe.
Ellis (20 pitches), Tribe (29), Joel Poole (23) and Cooper Williamson (37) handled the duties on the mound.
At the plate, Tribe, Ellis, Matt Kaplan, Tahj Russell and Flynn Lhuede all had hits while Joel Poole had two knocks.
Hudson Carter of the Baycats had three hits, Cooper Tipping two and Jordan Baumann, Josh Smith and Maxton Sherry one apiece.
Carter (46 pitches) and Hayden Peoples (53) threw for the Baycats and Harper Rickard caught the entire game.
The loss drops the Baycats to 3-7 and ups the Mariners B side to 5-3.
Eastern Athletics (Gold) 7, Northern Diamondbacks (Green) 6
What a cracker of a game! Down three in the bottom of the last, the A’s (Gold) team scored four to win in a walk-off, 7-6.
The D’Backs started well, scoring one in the first and led 2-1 heading to the bottom of the second.
They let in three runs but responded with five of their own to lead 6-3 after three. That was the three-run deficit when the Gold capped their heroics in the last of the fourth.
Ethan Scalzo (58 pitches) started before giving way to Lachlan O’Connor who entered in the second and only threw 29 pitches.
Connor Sahbeci (64) and Campbell Hutton (14) handled the pitching duties for the D’Backs.
With the two victories, Gold is now in third place with a 6-3 record. Struggling so far this season, Green is now 1-7 on the season.
Eastern Athletics (Green) 13, Northern Diamondbacks (Orange) 9
It wasn’t pretty, but the A’s came away with their fourth victory of the weekend by hitting extremely well all game.
Down 2-0 after a half inning, they scored five in their half of the first. Fully keeping the momentum, the Green team shut down Orange in the second and then scored five more runs to lead 10-2 after two.
Undaunted, the D’Backs tallied four of their own to close the gap but would get no closer. The A’s scored three in the bottom of the third and though they gave up three more in top of the fourth, the result was never really in doubt.
The A’s Charlie O’Connell caught the whole game for Kynan Jones (62 pitches), Tyler Evans (18) and Austin Thorne (16).
Adam Jirik (18), Mace Poole (19) and Jaycob Pascuzzi (52) threw to Jimin Lee for the D’Backs.
The win puts the A’s Green team one-half game ahead of the Southern Mariners (A) team for top-of-the-ladder status. The Northern Diamondbacks (Orange) falls to 2-6 on the season.
Here is how the comp stands after the fifth round: https://sportsdesq.imgstg.com/portal/index.cfm?fuseaction=competition&competitionID=10393&OrgID=16724&clubOrganisationId=0#ladder. Next week the Under 14s are back in action. Check back here for a full report of all six games.
The Geelong Baycats and Western Mets will join together to fill an all girls team to represent as the Invitational Stars at the upcoming first ever Girls Only State Championships.
The team will be run by head coach Duane Davenport from Geelong and assisted by Lynne Fraser (Footscray) with guest coaching from Victorian representative Risa Tanaka.
Come and try sessions will be conducted at two locations this weekend:
Saturday 20 February from 9 a.m. in Geelong at Saints Baseball Club in Pioneer Park, Pioneer Rd, Grovedale.
Sunday 21 February from 10.30 at Footscray Baseball Club located at McIvor Reserve, Benbower Street, Yarraville.
If this is of interest to you, turn up to one or both of the sessions or register for the tournament now at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/girlsstatechamps.
Please email Bronwyn Gell at Baseball Victoria with any queries.
Australia has been selected to participate in the World Children’s Baseball Fair in Japan from 17-25 August 2016.
Australia has the opportunity to send five children and one chaperone to participate in this international event.
Each state will be required to send their recommended nominations of two players (one boy and one girl) and a chaperone to Baseball Australia along with a short essay of what they would like to experience in Japan.
Players:
This program is for participants in Little League and must be aged 10 or 11 on 17 August 2016, be outgoing and able to be away from home for the period of time. Please consider your selections carefully. They must also have a current Australian passport.
Selection of Chaperone:
The nominating chaperone must be an adult and not be a parent. They must have experience in dealing with groups of children and be a good disciplinary role model. The chosen chaperone should have good knowledge of baseball and will be expected to provide supervision at all times. The attending chaperone will be assigned to a group at the baseball clinics, to assist with translation and to help the coaches instruct the children.
The nominating chaperones are required to submit a brief résumé stating their baseball job history. This will be submitted to WCBF upon selection.
The WCBF will cover expenses include international airfares, accommodation, meals and uniform. There will be some extra expenses for the players which will some ancillary costs.
Note: Applications require a short essay and a passport size photo attached.
All information and nomination forms are attached.
Nominations close Friday 26 February.
Springvale 10, Essendon 4
In a showdown between the two top women’s teams, the host Lions were too mighty for the Bombers, mauling them 10-4.
Springvale jumped on top early and never looked back, scoring three runs in the first, two in the third, another four in the fifth and an insurance run in the sixth to take an insurmountable lead.
Valliant though they were, Essendon only could push across a single run in the fourth before tallying thrice in the top half of the last inning, the seventh.
The Lions were led at the plate by Shae Lillywhite (3-4 with a double, run and two RBI), Sinead Flanigan (2-3 with a double), Nicole Garner (2-3 with a run and three RBI), Hannah Jackson (2-3, crossed the plate three times) and Kelly Manzie/Novotny (2-4 with a run and an RBI).
On the mound, Victoria Brown threw a complete game, striking out one and walking two.
Across the diamond, the Bombers got three hits from Vibeke Pedersen and two each from Georgia Page, Abbey Kelly and Courtney Foura. Pedersen had two doubles and Page, Kelly and Bronwyn Gell had one apiece.
Emma French and Kelly split the pitching duties evenly with each tossing three innings.
The victory for Springvale (14-1) sets up a rematch with second place Essendon (9-6) in this Saturday’s semifinals.
Doncaster 14, Footscray 7
A preview of Saturday’s other semifinal saw the Dragons completely flummox the Bulldogs, 14-7.
Madeline Davis led Doncaster with four hits (including two doubles, two runs scored and three RBI), while Belinda Cannington contributed three knocks (also with two doubles and three RBI) and Vanessa Clifford, Erin Peterson and Lauren Wong each added two hits apiece.
Footscray got three hits each from Alanna Kappler and Heidi Northcott and Brittney Cedelland, Tiffaney Colquhoun, Amanda Napier and Risa Tanaka all had two hits. Kepler and Northcott each stroked doubles and combined for five runs batted in.
Malvern was idle.
In a showdown between the two top women’s teams, the host Lions were too mighty for the Bombers, mauling them 10-4.
Springvale jumped on top early and never looked back, scoring three runs in the first, two in the third, another four in the fifth and an insurance run in the sixth to take an insurmountable lead.
Valliant though they were, Essendon only could push across a single run in the fourth before tallying thrice in the top half of the last inning, the seventh.
The Lions were led at the plate by Shae Lillywhite (3-4 with a double, run and two RBI), Sinead Flanigan (2-3 with a double), Nicole Garner (2-3 with a run and three RBI), Hannah Jackson (2-3, crossed the plate three times) and Kelly Manzie/Novotny (2-4 with a run and an RBI).
On the mound, Victoria Brown threw a complete game, striking out one and walking two.
Across the diamond, the Bombers got three hits from Vibeke Pedersen and two each from Georgia Page, Abbey Kelly and Courtney Foura. Pedersen had two doubles and Page, Kelly and Bronwyn Gell had one apiece.
Emma French and Kelly split the pitching duties evenly with each tossing three innings.
The victory for Springvale (14-1) sets up a rematch with second place Essendon (9-6) in this Saturday’s semifinals.
Doncaster 14, Footscray 7
A preview of Saturday’s other semifinal saw the Dragons completely flummox the Bulldogs, 14-7.
Madeline Davis led Doncaster with four hits (including two doubles, two runs scored and three RBI), while Belinda Cannington contributed three knocks (also with two doubles and three RBI) and Vanessa Clifford, Erin Peterson and Lauren Wong each added two hits apiece.
Footscray got three hits each from Alanna Kappler and Heidi Northcott and Brittney Cedelland, Tiffaney Colquhoun, Amanda Napier and Risa Tanaka all had two hits. Kepler and Northcott each stroked doubles and combined for five runs batted in.
Malvern was idle.
Ormond Glenhuntly 6, Chelsea 2
In the biggest game of the Division 3 season so far, the Hunters clinched the last spot in finals with a resounding 6-2 win over the Dolphins.
After ceding two runs in the top of the first, Ormond Glenhuntly dominated, posting two runs in each of the first two innings and then single runs in the third and eighth to close out the contest.
The victory, the Hunters eighth of the season against 11 defeats, sets the stage for a showdown with Research in a semifinal tilt.
Chelsea finishes their campaign in fifth place with a 6-10 record.
St Kilda 14, Footscray 6
Oh what could have been!
Behind club coach Brett Elliott, the Saints dominated early, scoring six runs in the first, one in the second and four in the third to take a commanding 11-0 lead. Elliott’s scintillating time on the mound complete, St Kilda used a hodgepodge of pitchers and catchers for the rest of the game.
All the runs they allowed were in the fifth inning.
For good measure the Saints added three more in the bottom of the eighth to finish off the season in style.
In an up-and-down campaign, the St Kilda finished 5-10-1 while the Bulldogs fell to 3-15-0.
Mulgrave 13, Pakenham 2
Once again the Pumas tried to assert their dominance in Division 3 and again they were thwarted. The Rebels beat them down for the third time (average margin of victory: eight runs) and finished the season without a loss, their only blemish a home tie against St Kilda.
A classic formula—scoring early and often—once again figured prominently in this victory.
Four Mulgrave batters—Nigel Camm, Rhys McDonnell, Warwick Poole and Nicholas Thompson—had two hits apiece and four others chipped in with single knocks. McDonnell and Daniel van den Hoek each had doubles and Camm (three), Trent Watkinson (two), and McDonnell (two) led the team in runs batted in.
The Rebels finished their regular season campaign with a 16-0-1 record while the Pumas ended up in second place with an admirable 14-4 mark.
These two will renew acquaintances on Sunday in the semifinals, with the winner advancing to the Grand Final two weeks hence at their home ground.
Research was idle.
In the biggest game of the Division 3 season so far, the Hunters clinched the last spot in finals with a resounding 6-2 win over the Dolphins.
After ceding two runs in the top of the first, Ormond Glenhuntly dominated, posting two runs in each of the first two innings and then single runs in the third and eighth to close out the contest.
The victory, the Hunters eighth of the season against 11 defeats, sets the stage for a showdown with Research in a semifinal tilt.
Chelsea finishes their campaign in fifth place with a 6-10 record.
St Kilda 14, Footscray 6
Oh what could have been!
Behind club coach Brett Elliott, the Saints dominated early, scoring six runs in the first, one in the second and four in the third to take a commanding 11-0 lead. Elliott’s scintillating time on the mound complete, St Kilda used a hodgepodge of pitchers and catchers for the rest of the game.
All the runs they allowed were in the fifth inning.
For good measure the Saints added three more in the bottom of the eighth to finish off the season in style.
In an up-and-down campaign, the St Kilda finished 5-10-1 while the Bulldogs fell to 3-15-0.
Mulgrave 13, Pakenham 2
Once again the Pumas tried to assert their dominance in Division 3 and again they were thwarted. The Rebels beat them down for the third time (average margin of victory: eight runs) and finished the season without a loss, their only blemish a home tie against St Kilda.
A classic formula—scoring early and often—once again figured prominently in this victory.
Four Mulgrave batters—Nigel Camm, Rhys McDonnell, Warwick Poole and Nicholas Thompson—had two hits apiece and four others chipped in with single knocks. McDonnell and Daniel van den Hoek each had doubles and Camm (three), Trent Watkinson (two), and McDonnell (two) led the team in runs batted in.
The Rebels finished their regular season campaign with a 16-0-1 record while the Pumas ended up in second place with an admirable 14-4 mark.
These two will renew acquaintances on Sunday in the semifinals, with the winner advancing to the Grand Final two weeks hence at their home ground.
Research was idle.
Upwey Ferntree Gully 12, Ballarat 2
The lone Saturday game in Division 2 wasn’t much of a contest. The Tigers batted well all day, amassing 10 hits from six different players in the rout. Headlining the onslaught were Ashley Winton (3-4 with a run and two RBI) and Jackson Hunkin (2-4 with two runs scored and a triple). Donavon Hendricks also knocked in two.
For the Brewers, five players—Ethan Etheridge, David Haehl, Ricky Howell, Mathew Jones and Scott Jones—each had one hit apiece with Haehl and Howell both slugging doubles.
Their two RBI went to Hamish Burrows and Howell.
It’s a huge win for Upwey as they are now alone in fourth place with a 14-11 record. The loss drops Ballarat to 10-14-1 on the season.
Berwick City 5, Williamstown 3
As big a win as the Tigers enjoyed, the Wolves from Williamstown suffered an equally devastating defeat.
Despite getting hits from Braxton Conroy, Aaron Green, Jason McDonald and Staci Rogers—including doubles from Conroy and Rogers—the three runs produced were not enough for victory.
The loss pushed Williamstown (13-12) down to fifth place, a game behind Upwey. Berwick is two rungs below the Wolves in seventh, with a record of 10-15.
Bonbeach 2, Port Melbourne 1
What a game! Scoreless through nine innings, the Mariners finally managed to scrape a run across against the Bluejays, only to see Bonbeach tally twice in the bottom of the 10th to secure an epic victory.
The winning side was led by Ben Donald (2-4 with a double), Andrew Webber (1-4 with a two bagger), Jason Corbin (1-4 with an RBI) and Jack Pierson (1-5 with an RBI). Brendan Kelly and Adam Major scored the Bluejays’ runs.
Fitzroy 15, Malvern 3
A game for the ages. How else to better describe what Taylor Eichhorst did on Sunday? In his six plate appearances he reached base every time. He had four hits and scored five runs. One of those hits was a single. The rest were home runs. And he knocked in six. His box score for a Valentine’s Day to remember: 4-5-4-6.
And his teammates weren’t half bad either.
Luke McClain went 5-6 with two runs scored, a double and an RBI. Brock Pawley was 4-6 with two runs, two doubles and an RBI. And Alex Turlea finished 4-5 with two runs scored, a home run and two driven in.
Across the diamond, Simon Willox and Gavin Woolger each collected two hits, with Willox, Scott Ashton and Steven Carota all pounding doubles. Ashton paced the Braves with two RBI.
Now 14-9-1, the Lions are in third place all alone, 1.5 games ahead of the Tigers. The loss pushes Malvern to 6-19 on the season, a half-game back of Port Melbourne for second-to-last in the competition.
Werribee 3, Moorabbin 0
Stellar pitching and timely hitting earned the visiting Giants a huge win over the top-of-the-ladder Panthers on Sunday.
Werribee tallied twice in the fourth than added an insurance marker in the seventh to provide the final margin.
At the plate, Oliver Box and Daine Gregory had two hits apiece with Josh Lee and Simon Riches each contributing one. Gregory also had the lone extra base hit for the Giants and knocked in two of the three runs.
Moorabbin’s Cain Bumpstead (two hits), Grant Irving (one), Ricky Wheeler (one) and Brendan Wilson had the knocks for the Panthers.
Despite the defeat, Moorabbin still sits two games up on Werribee with just two games left in the Victorian Summer League Baseball regular season.