Baseball Australia is calling on the baseball community, for final nominations for the 2016 Diamond Awards. If you know someone who deserves to be recognised for what they contribute to the game, make sure you let us know, nominations close 7 January 2016.
Community nomination is open for the following categories:
- Volunteer of the Year
- Club of the Year
- Club Coach of the Year
Nominations can be submitted online by clicking on each award link above where you will also find full nomination criteria.
We encourage you to nominate those most deserving in your community, no contribution is too small. Your club can nominate more than once for each category, simply fill out a separate online form for each entry.
BA will seek State/Territory endorsement for shortlisted nominations. Nominations close Thursday 7 January 2016, and Finalists or Winner (depending on award format) will be announced in 2016.
View previous Diamond Award Winners and Hall of Fame Honour Roll HERE
The Essendon Baseball Club has beaten 41 other shortlisted sporting clubs to be awarded Australia's best club honours in the Inside Sport magazine Clubbie Awards for 2015.
The inaugural Inside Sport magazine and the Confederation of Australian Sport (CAS) Clubbie Awards were announced at the Ultimate Sport Expo at Melbourne Showground, Saturday 21 November. The Essendon Baseball Club was awarded Australia’s Best Club, winning the grand prize, a Hyundai iMax, valued at $40,000.
Inside Sport and CAS asked Australians: “What is it about your sports club that makes you so proud to wear their colours? What makes your mob special? Is yours the best sporting club in Australia?
Editor of Inside Sport, Graeme Sims, said the judges decision was tough.
“From hundreds of entries the judges’ decision on Australia’s Sports Club of the Year was tough – but we feel we have arrived at a very worthy winner. Essendon Baseball Club has been active for more than a century. They currently have 430 players and members, ranging from ages 5 to 80. Their record of playing success at all levels of the game is phenomenal.”
This award tops an amazing few years for Essendon Baseball Club. Awarded Baseball Australia’s Club of the Year 2015, recognised in the top five sporting clubs in Victoria, four premierships in a row and awarded six out of the past seven Baseball Victoria Club Championship Award Winners.
President of Essendon Baseball Club, Tony Cornish, said he could not be prouder.
“This recognition is a true reflection of all the hard work the Committee, coaches, players, WAGS, families and members have put into the club over the past 10 years. I am an extremely proud president at the moment and would like to thank all those that have contributed”.
Doncaster 27, Malvern 2
Two games on the weekend and neither of them were close. Host Doncaster started the trend by walloping Malvern, 27-2. With the resounding victory, the Dragons improve their record to 3-4. The loss (by whatever margin) drop the Braves to 2-6 so far this season.
Springvale 18, Footscray 2
After a half an inning the score read:
Footscray 2
Springvale 0
That Bulldog lead would go down as a footnote as the Lions roared back to plate four in the first, eight in the second, two more in the third and four in the fourth to round out the scoring.
Now 6-1 on the season, Springvale remains a half a game ahead of idle Essendon atop the ladder. Footscray is tied with Malvern with identical 2-6 marks.
Essendon had a bye this weekend.
Two games on the weekend and neither of them were close. Host Doncaster started the trend by walloping Malvern, 27-2. With the resounding victory, the Dragons improve their record to 3-4. The loss (by whatever margin) drop the Braves to 2-6 so far this season.
Springvale 18, Footscray 2
After a half an inning the score read:
Footscray 2
Springvale 0
That Bulldog lead would go down as a footnote as the Lions roared back to plate four in the first, eight in the second, two more in the third and four in the fourth to round out the scoring.
Now 6-1 on the season, Springvale remains a half a game ahead of idle Essendon atop the ladder. Footscray is tied with Malvern with identical 2-6 marks.
Essendon had a bye this weekend.
Chelsea 13, Footscray 3
The Dolphins stayed hot, scoring runs in six of the seven innings to handily win a mercy-rule shortened game, 13-3. The visiting Bulldogs tallied twice in the third and once in the fourth but it was no match for Chelsea’s hitting. The Dolphins plated two runs in the first, five in the second, three in the third and then added single markers in the fourth, fifth, and seventh to provide the winning margin.
With the victory Chelsea evens it’s record at 4-4 and now sits in third place alone, a half-game ahead of Research. Footscray drops to 3-5.
Mulgrave 13, Research 2
The mercy rule again came in to play with the unbeaten Rebels 13-2 victory over the visiting Roadrunners. Mulgrave plated two runs in the first, another two in the second, three in the third, went scoreless in the fourth, and tallied once in the fifth before erupting for five more in the bottom of the sixth. Stuart Phillips started for the Rebels, allowing both runs in the fifth inning, before giving way to Nash Moon in the seventh. Mulgrave outhit Research 12-7.
Original report supplied by Lincoln Ladds of the Mulgrave Baseball Club
Pakenham 11, Ormond Glenhuntly 1
The host Pumas prevailed again thanks to excellent pitching and timely hitting. Down 1-0 in the second, they scored twice in the bottom half of the inning before plating five in the third. Two runs in the fifth and single markers in the seventh and eighth provided the winning margin.
With the first trip through the competition complete, Pakenham heads to St Kilda on Sunday to renew acquaintances with the Saints. First pitch is scheduled for 3.30 p.m. at Tom O’Halloran Field.
St Kilda was idle this weekend.
The Dolphins stayed hot, scoring runs in six of the seven innings to handily win a mercy-rule shortened game, 13-3. The visiting Bulldogs tallied twice in the third and once in the fourth but it was no match for Chelsea’s hitting. The Dolphins plated two runs in the first, five in the second, three in the third and then added single markers in the fourth, fifth, and seventh to provide the winning margin.
With the victory Chelsea evens it’s record at 4-4 and now sits in third place alone, a half-game ahead of Research. Footscray drops to 3-5.
Mulgrave 13, Research 2
The mercy rule again came in to play with the unbeaten Rebels 13-2 victory over the visiting Roadrunners. Mulgrave plated two runs in the first, another two in the second, three in the third, went scoreless in the fourth, and tallied once in the fifth before erupting for five more in the bottom of the sixth. Stuart Phillips started for the Rebels, allowing both runs in the fifth inning, before giving way to Nash Moon in the seventh. Mulgrave outhit Research 12-7.
Original report supplied by Lincoln Ladds of the Mulgrave Baseball Club
Pakenham 11, Ormond Glenhuntly 1
The host Pumas prevailed again thanks to excellent pitching and timely hitting. Down 1-0 in the second, they scored twice in the bottom half of the inning before plating five in the third. Two runs in the fifth and single markers in the seventh and eighth provided the winning margin.
With the first trip through the competition complete, Pakenham heads to St Kilda on Sunday to renew acquaintances with the Saints. First pitch is scheduled for 3.30 p.m. at Tom O’Halloran Field.
St Kilda was idle this weekend.
Werribee 5, Ballarat 3
The Giants continued to assert their dominance with a 5-3 win over the Brewers on Saturday. With the victory, Werribee is tied atop the ladder with Moorabbin, each with an identical 9-2 record. The loss dropped Ballarat to 3-8 on the season and ninth place in the comp.
Upwey Ferntree Gully 5, Bonbeach 1
Reversing the result of their late October clash (in which the host Bluejays bested the Tigers, 11-4), Upwey rode the dominant pitching of Jarrod Turner to prevail at home, 5-1. Turner was masterful, hurling a complete game while only allowing six hits, a walk, a hit batter and striking out 11. It helped that he pitched with a lead throughout, buoyed by single runs in the first and third frames. Bonbeach halved the lead in top of the eighth but the Tigers response—three runs in the bottom half then a 1-2-3 top of the ninth—was impressive and resolute.
Nicholas Rice and Jayden Christie-Dossetter both had two hits for the Tigers while Dylan Archer, Evan Phillips, and Jordan Elliot contributed one hit each to the cause.
Across the diamond, Dayle Selleck pitched very well for Bluejays, allowing only two runs (both unearned) on five hits in six innings. He didn’t walk a batter and struck out one. His reliever, Jon Bannister, also held his own. He threw two innings, giving up two hits, two walks, while striking out three.
Selleck and Bannister also contributed a hit apiece.
Original reports supplied by Matty Prior (Bonbeach Baseball Club) and Greg Rice (Upwey Ferntree Gully Baseball Club)
Moorabbin 11, Fitzroy 1
Looking to hold on to a share of first place, the Panthers tallied three runs in the first, one in the second, before adding two in the fifth and five more in the eighth to coast to an 11-1 win. The victory, their ninth in 11 games, keeps them tied atop the ladder with Werribee.
With the loss, Fitzroy drops to 7-4 on the season.
Port Melbourne 6, Berwick City 0
Import Will Musson is worth every penny. Or so the Mariners must think after he shut down the Cougars in a dominating complete game shutout.
Port Melbourne scored their six runs in just two innings: the third (two) and the seventh (four). They outhit Berwick City, 8-3, and was led by Nick Hoy with three hits, Musson with two, and one knock each to Tyson Niddrie, Andy Krause, and Kevin Ung.
The Cougars were led by Ryan Shane, John O’Connor and Sam Beasley at the plate and Mark Surtees (five innings) and O’Connor on the mound.
Original report supplied by Mark Gibbens
Williamstown 15, Malvern 11
Last Sunday the Wolves scored 21 runs; a week later they only managed 15. It was enough to win, though, as they edged the host Braves, 15-11.
This was a wild game from start to finish.
Malvern jumped out early with three in the first, only to see Williamstown come right back and tie it in the second. They traded runs in the third and the Wolves pulled ahead in the fourth, 5-4. In the bottom of the sixth the Braves reclaimed the lead, 6-5, only to see Williamstown plate five in the seventh to lead 10-6.
The Braves narrowed the deficit to 10-8 in the eighth before allowing five runs to score in the top of the ninth. They had three more men cross the plate in their last at-bat but on this day it was simply not enough.
With the win Williamstown moves to 6-5 (and a tie for fourth rung on the ladder) while Malvern falls to 4-7 (tied for seventh).
The Giants continued to assert their dominance with a 5-3 win over the Brewers on Saturday. With the victory, Werribee is tied atop the ladder with Moorabbin, each with an identical 9-2 record. The loss dropped Ballarat to 3-8 on the season and ninth place in the comp.
Upwey Ferntree Gully 5, Bonbeach 1
Reversing the result of their late October clash (in which the host Bluejays bested the Tigers, 11-4), Upwey rode the dominant pitching of Jarrod Turner to prevail at home, 5-1. Turner was masterful, hurling a complete game while only allowing six hits, a walk, a hit batter and striking out 11. It helped that he pitched with a lead throughout, buoyed by single runs in the first and third frames. Bonbeach halved the lead in top of the eighth but the Tigers response—three runs in the bottom half then a 1-2-3 top of the ninth—was impressive and resolute.
Nicholas Rice and Jayden Christie-Dossetter both had two hits for the Tigers while Dylan Archer, Evan Phillips, and Jordan Elliot contributed one hit each to the cause.
Across the diamond, Dayle Selleck pitched very well for Bluejays, allowing only two runs (both unearned) on five hits in six innings. He didn’t walk a batter and struck out one. His reliever, Jon Bannister, also held his own. He threw two innings, giving up two hits, two walks, while striking out three.
Selleck and Bannister also contributed a hit apiece.
Original reports supplied by Matty Prior (Bonbeach Baseball Club) and Greg Rice (Upwey Ferntree Gully Baseball Club)
Moorabbin 11, Fitzroy 1
Looking to hold on to a share of first place, the Panthers tallied three runs in the first, one in the second, before adding two in the fifth and five more in the eighth to coast to an 11-1 win. The victory, their ninth in 11 games, keeps them tied atop the ladder with Werribee.
With the loss, Fitzroy drops to 7-4 on the season.
Port Melbourne 6, Berwick City 0
Import Will Musson is worth every penny. Or so the Mariners must think after he shut down the Cougars in a dominating complete game shutout.
Port Melbourne scored their six runs in just two innings: the third (two) and the seventh (four). They outhit Berwick City, 8-3, and was led by Nick Hoy with three hits, Musson with two, and one knock each to Tyson Niddrie, Andy Krause, and Kevin Ung.
The Cougars were led by Ryan Shane, John O’Connor and Sam Beasley at the plate and Mark Surtees (five innings) and O’Connor on the mound.
Original report supplied by Mark Gibbens
Williamstown 15, Malvern 11
Last Sunday the Wolves scored 21 runs; a week later they only managed 15. It was enough to win, though, as they edged the host Braves, 15-11.
This was a wild game from start to finish.
Malvern jumped out early with three in the first, only to see Williamstown come right back and tie it in the second. They traded runs in the third and the Wolves pulled ahead in the fourth, 5-4. In the bottom of the sixth the Braves reclaimed the lead, 6-5, only to see Williamstown plate five in the seventh to lead 10-6.
The Braves narrowed the deficit to 10-8 in the eighth before allowing five runs to score in the top of the ninth. They had three more men cross the plate in their last at-bat but on this day it was simply not enough.
With the win Williamstown moves to 6-5 (and a tie for fourth rung on the ladder) while Malvern falls to 4-7 (tied for seventh).
Geelong 7, Waverley 0
Staying true to their dominating form as of late, the visiting Baycats whitewashed the Wildcats, 7-0, to remain unbeaten in their last six games. With the victory, Geelong stays in first place in their division and tied atop the overall ladder with Melbourne.
Blackburn 8, Newport 7
A scintillating game ended in exhilarating fashion when the Orioles scored twice in the bottom of the ninth to win, 8-7. Blackburn scored first in the bottom of the second but the lead was short lived as the Rams answered with a run of their own in the third. The O’s responded immediately with two in their half of the inning before adding single runs in the fifth, sixth, and seventh to lead 6-1 after seven.
Undaunted, Newport scored six runs in the eighth to take the lead before Blackburn’s ninth inning heroics.
The win was the O’s seventh in 10 games while the Rams dropped to 4-5 on the season.
Doncaster 4, Essendon 3
In their biggest win of the year to date, the host Dragons upset the Bombers, 4-3. The victory was Doncaster’s third of the season. The loss puts Essendon one and a half games back of first place Geelong.
Cheltenham 3, Sandringham 2
For most of the game, the Royals were exactly where they wanted to be. After plating single runs in the second and third, Sandringham relied on superb pitching to lead 2-1 heading into the bottom of the seventh. Then things went sideways.
After Brayden McConkey (four innings, five hits) and Sam Street (two innings, a hit, and three strikeouts) pitched very well, Sandringham brought in their closer, Terry Jeon. A balk led to the tying run scoring in the seventh and an error on the shortstop, sacrifice bunt, and intentional walk to load the bases with one out failed to end with a double play—instead two consecutive hits by Cheltenham gave them a thrilling walk-off win.
Tony Cevec, Ryan Morris, and Marco Lezaic each had multiple hits for the Royals while Ben Leslie and Brad Kmet both contributed two knocks for the Rustlers.
The loss ended Sandringham’s modest two game winning streak; with the victory Cheltenham upped their mark to 4-5.
Original report supplied by Geoff Francis
Melbourne 12, Sunshine 2
Struggling Sunshine was no match for mighty Melbourne on this day. Five runs in the first, two more in the second, single markers in the third and fourth, an additional two in the fifth and a final tally in the sixth for good measure earned the Demons a 12-2 mercy-rule victory. Both Eagles runs came in the second inning.
Melbourne continues to lead their division and is tied atop the overall ladder with Geelong. The loss clouds Sunshine’s prospects, relegating them to 3-5 so far on the year.
Preston 9, Springvale 8
In a battle of teams struggling to get out of their respective divisional basements, the Pirates eked past the Lions, 9-8. The win, Preston’s third against six defeats, brings them within a half game of Sunshine. For Springvale, unfortunately it’s more of the same as they have now lost five straight games.
The annual Baseball Down Under Friendship Series, has Japanese team, Chuo University lining up against the Queensland All-Stars, Sunday November 22 at Surfers Paradise Baseball Club, Gold Coast, QLD, thanks to the Gold Coast City Council
The Friendships Series, aims to bring elite teams from Asia and North America to play tournaments against Australia’s future stars. It provides an opportunity for Australian baseball players to experience and learn from other varied baseball cultures.
Teams will take to the Surfers Paradise diamond, for Game one at 9am Sunday November 22, and wraps up the 4 day friendly, Tuesday November 24. All games are open to the public and spectators are welcome.
For team rosters and games schedule follow the links below.
Rosters
Chuo University
Queensland All-Stars
Schedule
Game Schedule
For live scoring, stats, results and rosters, visit the Baseball Down Under page, at baseball.com.au or follow us on Facebook
Baseball Australia will host the U15 Baseball Confederation of Oceania Qualifying Tournament, 21 to 26 January 2016. The winner of this tournament will gain entry to the 2016 U15 World Cup played in Fukushima, Japan.
Baseball Australia is calling for expressions of interest for the January tournament for the voluntary positions of;
Applicants are required to meet the following criteria;
*Note - Executive Officer role does not require a coaching accreditation.
Duty statements are listed below for each of the advertised positions, and applicants are expected to fulfill these duties in full.
Expressions of interest outlining experience and resume (no longer than 5 pages) are to be submitted via email to sharon.butty@baseball.org.au - addressed to Glenn Williams, Head of High Performance. Please place U15 National Team EOI in the email subject line.
Applications close Friday 27 November 2015
Baseball Victoria would like to announce the appointment of Bronwyn Gell in the role of Participation & Women’s Program Officer.
Please see the attached release below for all information regarding this news.