Springvale 16, Essendon 5
Though they finally conceded a run, the Lions continue to be sensational, winning their fourth game in as many tries. After trailing for the first time this season (3-1 after one) they responded with eight runs in the third and another seven in the fourth to prevail 16-5.
Doncaster 12, Footscray 2
Three hits by Belinda Cannington, Samantha Hamilton, and Amy McCann buoyed the Dragons to their second win of the season. The loss for Footscray was their fourth in as many games. They have been outscored 44-10 in those contests.
Malvern had a bye this week.
Though they finally conceded a run, the Lions continue to be sensational, winning their fourth game in as many tries. After trailing for the first time this season (3-1 after one) they responded with eight runs in the third and another seven in the fourth to prevail 16-5.
Doncaster 12, Footscray 2
Three hits by Belinda Cannington, Samantha Hamilton, and Amy McCann buoyed the Dragons to their second win of the season. The loss for Footscray was their fourth in as many games. They have been outscored 44-10 in those contests.
Malvern had a bye this week.
Chelsea 8, St Kilda 0
Struggling St Kilda couldn’t push a run across as the Chelsea Dolphins blanked them, 8-0, only surrendering six hits while striking out nine. Next Sunday, the Saints travel to Ormond Glenhuntly while Chelsea, after playing at Pakenham in the first midweek game of the comp, finally has their bye week. These two squads then meet again on Wednesday 18 November in Chelsea.
Research 10, Ormond Glenhuntly 5
By doubling up Ormond Glenhuntly, 10-5, Research improved its mark to 3-2 and now is tied with Footscray for third place. The loss dropped the Hunters to 2-4 after six games.
Pakenham 10, Footscray 0
James Mills pitched four scoreless innings, helping the Pumas to an impressive 10-0 win. With the victory Pakenham solidified its hold on second place while Footscray now sits tied for third with the Roadrunners.
Mulgrave had the weekend off.
Moorabbin 5, Ballarat 2
Two runs in the first, another two in the seventh and an insurance marker in the eighth proved enough for the Panthers to record an impressive road victory. The Brewers scored once in the fifth and again in the seventh but it was not enough. The loss, their fifth in eight games, drops Ballarat in to a three way tie for sixth. With the win, Moorabbin stays tied atop the Division 2 ladder with Berwick City and Werribee.
Werribee 4, Berwick City 1
Speaking of the Giants and Cougars … they played a whale of game, dominated by hurlers Wes De Jong for Werribee and Mark Surtees for Berwick. The Giants struck first, scoring one run in the second on a Jon Lowe double and an RBI single by Even McPherson. Undaunted, the Cougars answered back in the fourth courtesy of a walk to Sam Beasley, a Jesse Hunter single and a clutch RBI base hit by Hayden Wood. Matt Chilcott was then brought on to replace Surtees in the fifth frame.
In the top of the seventh, Werribee inched ahead on a run-scoring single by Simon Riches, who plated Charles Thompson who had doubled earlier in the inning. Josh Lee replaced De Jong in the bottom of the half inning, shutting out the Cougars for the remaining of the contest to record the save. The Giants added two more runs in the ninth to provide the final margin of victory.
At the plate, Lowe and McPherson starred for the visitors, each recording three hits, while Jesse Hunter, playing for the home team, had two knocks.
Original report supplied by Mark Gibbens.
Malvern 5, Port Melbourne 2
A three run third proved the difference as the host Braves bested the Mariners, 5-2. Single runs in the second and seventh countered Port Melbourne’s production in the third and fifth frames. Malvern’s victory, their third of the season, pushes them up into a tie for sixth. The loss for Port Melbourne was their seventh of the season.
Williamstown 4, Upwey Ferntree Gully 3
On this day, the Williamstown first nine did not Glen Hardy. Earlier the Williamstown legend, playing in his 500th game, led his reserves team to a 7-5 victory. In the nightcap, the Wolves, trailing the entire game, mauled the Tigers for four runs in the bottom of the seventh before hanging on for the win.
Fitzroy 5, Bonbeach 3
A three run fifth was not enough for the host Bluejays to pull out the victory on Sunday afternoon. Down 1-0 in the middle frame, they scored thrice but surrendered one in the seventh and a three-spot in the eighth to fall for the fifth time in eight games. The Lions victory was their fifth; Fitzroy now sits all alone in fourth place.
Round seven of the Division 1 Victorian Summer Baseball League began after all teams played their first mid-week games on Wednesday 4 November. The good news of the week belongs to Doncaster who broke their winless drought with a victory against Springvale in the second leg of their series. Even better: the Dragons then backed that up with another win on Saturday against Sunshine. The boys from Deep Creek not only threw two shutouts in a row but managed to score nine runs in support of that phenomenal pitching. Melbourne continued their undefeated ways as Nathan Aron and Matthew Kent are on quite a roll at the plate. Blackburn continued to score runs with batters up and down the order hitting well and Geelong, led by Rudy Jaramillo at the bat and on the bump, are also looking confident.
Doncaster 5, Springvale 0
Mike McGillivray started on the hill for visiting Springvale on Wednesday and went five innings. The Dragons looked as though they were keen to hit. Although they struck out six times in the first five, they also collected seven knocks and amassed five runs, two of which were earned. Springvale’s pitching performed well but the night belonged to Justin Lawrence—who in his first appearance for the Dragons on the hill got the win—and Marcel D’Avoine who has been solid out of the bullpen all season.
Doncaster 4, Sunshine 0
Despite outhitting the host Dragons seven to three, the Eagles couldn’t bring a single man home in the entirety of the nine innings. It was during an error filled fourth inning that Doncaster’s only runs of the day were scored and Sunshine dealt the loss.
Simon Fitzmaurice continued his superb work starting for Doncaster as he went six innings. Fitzmaurice managed to scatter six hits, spreading them evenly over his outing. Marcel D’Avoine was masterly in the final three frames, issuing no walks and only surrendering one hit while striking out three.
Doncaster’s hits were courtesy of D’Avoine, Glenn McColl, and Andrew Reeves. For Sunshine, Lewis Weldon and Adam Irons got two hits while Shannon Hornstra, Brad Jones and Daniel Wilke all chipped in one apiece.
All hits in the game were singles.
Blackburn 9, Preston 5
After scoring five runs in their midweek win over Cheltenham, Blackburn’s bats stayed hot, collecting eight more knocks against visiting Preston. Ryan Berg, Ross Hunter and Jacob Evans each collected two hits. Hunter, the Orioles catcher, stood out as he picked up four RBI in the win. Staying true to form, Blackburn again used four different pitchers: Matt McQuiggan, Jesse Gavin, Nick Mason and Jake Tuck. McQuiggan started and went six and two-thirds innings, striking out eight and allowing five hits.
Cheltenham 7, Essendon 3
A huge home win for the Rustlers improved their record to 3-4 heading into a big game at Preston on Sunday. With the loss, the Bombers fell to 5-2, one game behind Geelong on the ladder.
Melbourne 5, Sandringham 2
Evan Brisintine started for host Melbourne, hurling six innings before handing the ball to Andy Mann (two) and Matthew Blackmore, who reprised his usual role of closer for the Demons. The three pitchers restricted the Royals to four hits. Ryan Morris and Dave Armstrong each recorded singles while Marco Lezaic got the other two hits for Sandringham. Both their runs scored in the top of the sixth.
Terry Jeon, Brayden McConkey and Spencer Jack shared the pitching duties for the Royals, allowing two runs in the second inning, one in the third, and two in the seventh. The undefeated Demons achieved the win thanks to 10 hits, including two doubles by Nathan Aron and two singles credited to both Matthew Kent and Alex Hondramatis.
Geelong 5, Springvale 3
After accounting for Sandringham during the week Geelong went to Springvale for the Sunday game. Ace Rudy Jaramillo started for the Baycats and got through the first two innings without conceding a run. The versatile lefty again showed his hitting chops when he spearheaded a four run rally. Springvale answered in the third on hits by Freddy Flores, Myles Barnden and Sam Drummond (4 for 4 on the day), plating two runs.
Springvale scored another in the fourth when Lucas Anderson and Sam Drummond singled, but they could muster no more offense. For insurance, Geelong scored once more in the top of the ninth when Jarred Durston singled and Chris Webb got his second hit of the afternoon.
Jaramillo pitched six innings for the winners before he was relieved by Cameron Forbes; Stephen Hughes went six full frames for the home team.
Newport 4, Waverley 3
Impressive pitching performances from Jon Kennedy and Gabriel Sandersius made for a tight contest that went down to the wire. For all the information on this game go to our Match of the Round feature.
Doncaster 5, Springvale 0
Mike McGillivray started on the hill for visiting Springvale on Wednesday and went five innings. The Dragons looked as though they were keen to hit. Although they struck out six times in the first five, they also collected seven knocks and amassed five runs, two of which were earned. Springvale’s pitching performed well but the night belonged to Justin Lawrence—who in his first appearance for the Dragons on the hill got the win—and Marcel D’Avoine who has been solid out of the bullpen all season.
Doncaster 4, Sunshine 0
Despite outhitting the host Dragons seven to three, the Eagles couldn’t bring a single man home in the entirety of the nine innings. It was during an error filled fourth inning that Doncaster’s only runs of the day were scored and Sunshine dealt the loss.
Simon Fitzmaurice continued his superb work starting for Doncaster as he went six innings. Fitzmaurice managed to scatter six hits, spreading them evenly over his outing. Marcel D’Avoine was masterly in the final three frames, issuing no walks and only surrendering one hit while striking out three.
Doncaster’s hits were courtesy of D’Avoine, Glenn McColl, and Andrew Reeves. For Sunshine, Lewis Weldon and Adam Irons got two hits while Shannon Hornstra, Brad Jones and Daniel Wilke all chipped in one apiece.
All hits in the game were singles.
Blackburn 9, Preston 5
After scoring five runs in their midweek win over Cheltenham, Blackburn’s bats stayed hot, collecting eight more knocks against visiting Preston. Ryan Berg, Ross Hunter and Jacob Evans each collected two hits. Hunter, the Orioles catcher, stood out as he picked up four RBI in the win. Staying true to form, Blackburn again used four different pitchers: Matt McQuiggan, Jesse Gavin, Nick Mason and Jake Tuck. McQuiggan started and went six and two-thirds innings, striking out eight and allowing five hits.
Cheltenham 7, Essendon 3
A huge home win for the Rustlers improved their record to 3-4 heading into a big game at Preston on Sunday. With the loss, the Bombers fell to 5-2, one game behind Geelong on the ladder.
Melbourne 5, Sandringham 2
Evan Brisintine started for host Melbourne, hurling six innings before handing the ball to Andy Mann (two) and Matthew Blackmore, who reprised his usual role of closer for the Demons. The three pitchers restricted the Royals to four hits. Ryan Morris and Dave Armstrong each recorded singles while Marco Lezaic got the other two hits for Sandringham. Both their runs scored in the top of the sixth.
Terry Jeon, Brayden McConkey and Spencer Jack shared the pitching duties for the Royals, allowing two runs in the second inning, one in the third, and two in the seventh. The undefeated Demons achieved the win thanks to 10 hits, including two doubles by Nathan Aron and two singles credited to both Matthew Kent and Alex Hondramatis.
Geelong 5, Springvale 3
After accounting for Sandringham during the week Geelong went to Springvale for the Sunday game. Ace Rudy Jaramillo started for the Baycats and got through the first two innings without conceding a run. The versatile lefty again showed his hitting chops when he spearheaded a four run rally. Springvale answered in the third on hits by Freddy Flores, Myles Barnden and Sam Drummond (4 for 4 on the day), plating two runs.
Springvale scored another in the fourth when Lucas Anderson and Sam Drummond singled, but they could muster no more offense. For insurance, Geelong scored once more in the top of the ninth when Jarred Durston singled and Chris Webb got his second hit of the afternoon.
Jaramillo pitched six innings for the winners before he was relieved by Cameron Forbes; Stephen Hughes went six full frames for the home team.
Newport 4, Waverley 3
Impressive pitching performances from Jon Kennedy and Gabriel Sandersius made for a tight contest that went down to the wire. For all the information on this game go to our Match of the Round feature.
The Little League Charter & Junior League Charter Academy made its debut on Saturday, 7 November, with four games in Sandringham (hosted by the Southern Mariners) and two in Geelong.
Southern Mariners (A) 13, Eastern Athletics (Green) 5
Dominant pitching and equally superb hitting buoyed the host Mariners (A) to a win over the Athletics (Green) squad, 13-5, in one of two inaugural games marking the official beginning of the Little League Charter & Junior League Charter Academy. Southern plated four runs in the first, five in the second and another four in the third before Eastern tallied four of their own in the final inning to provide the final margin.
Dante Cerusa, Rhys Fairweather and Marcus Graham all pitched for the Mariners while Zac Busch, Kye Stehr and Tom Seddon took the mound for the Athletics. The Mariners had five hits while the A’s managed only two.
Southern Mariners (B) 8, Eastern Athletics (Gold) 1
Similar to their brethren, the Mariners (B) jumped on their Eastern Athletics (Gold) competition early, responding to a top-of-the-inning marker by tallying four runs in each the first and second innings to cruise to an 8-1 victory. At the plate, Malcolm Elliot starred for the Mariners, recording two hits (including a two bagger) while Jed Woodger, Josh Ashen and Matt West also contributed a hit apiece. Elliot also made the play of the game gunning down a runner at home after catching a fly ball in left field.
Damian Hill recorded the only knock for the Athletics, a well-struck double. On the bump, Jed Woodger was brilliant, pitching three impressive innings, allowing only the sole hit while walking one and striking out four. Josh Smith entered in the last to secure the win. For the A’s, their pitchers were Cal Vance, Charlie Collins, Hill, and Koetsu Sakamoto.
Southern Mariners (B) 8, Eastern Athletics (Green) 6
Completing a hard fought sweep, the Southern Mariners (B) eked past the Eastern Athletics (Green), 8-6. The Mariners used two runs in the first, five in the second, and one insurance run in the third to record their second win of the season. That last run proved crucial as the game Athletics outfit tallied once in the third and five times in the last to tighten the game considerably. Jason Kane, Lucas Keyhoe, Mitch Thomas, and Will Richardson all pitched very well for the visitors while Josh Ashen, Shelby Miller, and Malcolm Elliot held their own for home side. Each team finished with four hits.
Eastern Athletics (Gold) 7, Southern Mariners (A) 5
Starting on time—five runs in the top of the first—proved key to the Eastern Athletic (Gold)’s first win of the season. They conceded two runs in the first and one in the second but then responded with a single run in the third to push the lead back up to 6-3. Two runs by the Mariners in the fourth pulled the home team within one, but an insurance run plated in the top of the fifth by the A’s provided the winning margin.
A balanced effort at the plate—seven different players contributed hits for the A’s, including two by Charlie Collins—helped ameliorate three knocks by the Southern Mariners Dante Caruso and two hits each by Will Tucker and Mark Turley.
On the mound Jacob Bald, Chris Neilson, Max Charlesworth, and Mitch Shane threw for the Mariners while Cameron Jones, Nick Cleland, Riley Light, and Mitch Homfrey toed the mound for the winners.
Geelong Baycats 12, Northern Diamondbacks (A) 2
Tossing four scoreless innings to start the season, the Baycats scored two, five and five runs in the first three innings to rout the Northern Diamondbacks, 12-2. Connor Hickey led the offensive onslaught for Geelong, slugging three hits; teammates Kobe Greenhalgh and Will Brennan each tacked on two more apiece. Nick Hau was stellar on the mound, allowing just one hit and walking none in three innings. Travis Duxson and Angus McNee also pitched well for the Baycats. Ryan Morrison, Bailey Marrola and Zac Kallis had the three hits for the D’Backs.
Geelong Baycats 7, Northern Diamondbacks (B) 3
Completing the Saturday sweep, the Baycats rallied from an early 2-0 deficit to plate four runs in the third and three in the fourth to complete the impressive weekend showing. Jarryd Wood had two of the Baycats six hits while Keenan Spence had the lone tally for Northern. Wood also pitched well in relief of Connor Hickey, who conceded only two hits in three innings pitched.
With two wins each, both the Southern Mariners B side and Geelong sit atop the ladder together after the first weekend of games.
The Little League Charter & Junior League Charter Academy made its debut on Saturday, 7 November, with four games in Sandringham (hosted by the Southern Mariners) and two in Geelong.
Southern Mariners (A) 13, Eastern Athletics (Green) 5
Dominant pitching and equally superb hitting buoyed the host Mariners (A) to a win over the Athletics (Green) squad, 13-5, in one of two inaugural games marking the official beginning of the Little League Charter & Junior League Charter Academy. Southern plated four runs in the first, five in the second and another four in the third before Eastern tallied four of their own in the final inning to provide the final margin.
Dante Cerusa, Rhys Fairweather and Marcus Graham all pitched for the Mariners while Zac Busch, Kye Stehr and Tom Seddon took the mound for the Athletics. The Mariners had five hits while the A’s managed only two.
Southern Mariners (B) 8, Eastern Athletics (Gold) 1
Similar to their brethren, the Mariners (B) jumped on their Eastern Athletics (Gold) competition early, responding to a top-of-the-inning marker by tallying four runs in each the first and second innings to cruise to an 8-1 victory. At the plate, Malcolm Elliot starred for the Mariners, recording two hits (including a two bagger) while Jed Woodger, Josh Ashen and Matt West also contributed a hit apiece. Elliot also made the play of the game gunning down a runner at home after catching a fly ball in left field.
Damian Hill recorded the only knock for the Athletics, a well-struck double. On the bump, Jed Woodger was brilliant, pitching three impressive innings, allowing only the sole hit while walking one and striking out four. Josh Smith entered in the last to secure the win. For the A’s, their pitchers were Cal Vance, Charlie Collins, Hill, and Koetsu Sakamoto.
Southern Mariners (B) 8, Eastern Athletics (Green) 6
Completing a hard fought sweep, the Southern Mariners (B) eked past the Eastern Athletics (Green), 8-6. The Mariners used two runs in the first, five in the second, and one insurance run in the third to record their second win of the season. That last run proved crucial as the game Athletics outfit tallied once in the third and five times in the last to tighten the game considerably. Jason Kane, Lucas Keyhoe, Mitch Thomas, and Will Richardson all pitched very well for the visitors while Josh Ashen, Shelby Miller, and Malcolm Elliot held their own for home side. Each team finished with four hits.
Eastern Athletics (Gold) 7, Southern Mariners (A) 5
Starting on time—five runs in the top of the first—proved key to the Eastern Athletic (Gold)’s first win of the season. They conceded two runs in the first and one in the second but then responded with a single run in the third to push the lead back up to 6-3. Two runs by the Mariners in the fourth pulled the home team within one, but an insurance run plated in the top of the fifth by the A’s provided the winning margin.
A balanced effort at the plate—seven different players contributed hits for the A’s, including two by Charlie Collins—helped ameliorate three knocks by the Southern Mariners Dante Caruso and two hits each by Will Tucker and Mark Turley.
On the mound Jacob Bald, Chris Neilson, Max Charlesworth, and Mitch Shane threw for the Mariners while Cameron Jones, Nick Cleland, Riley Light, and Mitch Homfrey toed the mound for the winners.
Geelong Baycats 12, Northern Diamondbacks (A) 2
Tossing four scoreless innings to start the season, the Baycats scored two, five and five runs in the first three innings to rout the Northern Diamondbacks, 12-2. Connor Hickey led the offensive onslaught for Geelong, slugging three hits; teammates Kobe Greenhalgh and Will Brennan each tacked on two more apiece. Nick Hau was stellar on the mound, allowing just one hit and walking none in three innings. Travis Duxson and Angus McNee also pitched well for the Baycats. Ryan Morrison, Bailey Marrola and Zac Kallis had the three hits for the D’Backs.
Geelong Baycats 7, Northern Diamondbacks (B) 3
Completing the Saturday sweep, the Baycats rallied from an early 2-0 deficit to plate four runs in the third and three in the fourth to complete the impressive weekend showing. Jarryd Wood had two of the Baycats six hits while Keenan Spence had the lone tally for Northern. Wood also pitched well in relief of Connor Hickey, who conceded only two hits in three innings pitched.
With two wins each, both the Southern Mariners B side and Geelong sit atop the ladder together after the first weekend of games.
Newport 4 Defeated Waverley 3 at Waverley. Sunday 8th November 2015.
Wildcats lefty Jon Kennedy was doing equally as well on the mound holding the Rams before his team came out and scored first in the third dig. The home side showed good team batting when Oliver Dunn doubled and advanced on a ground out then a double from Tyler Dale made sure of the run.
Newport were behind but not deterred as Tyson Foreman led off in the fifth and singled to right. Tyler then advanced all the way on errors, as did Dean Malthouse who followed him in the batting order. The score was 3-1 in the Rams favour when Waverley came to bat in the bottom of the frame.
The pressure of the contest was beginning to show as the Wildcats held tough in the batter’s box. Newport gave up a walk to Jamie Papanicolaou, Matthew Beattie got on after an error and Dunn was HBP. After five the match was drawn at 3-3.
Luke Papanicolaou took the mound (after some brilliant pitching from Kennedy) in the sixth for Waverley and Dean Malthouse doubled with a hard hit ball to left in the seventh. Malthouse ended up scoring as the go ahead run when Sandersius singled to centre and an error on the throw extended his run from third to home.
The pitchers had control of the game after that as Tyler Dale and Matthew Beattie closed it for Waverley and Cameron McNish pitched the remaining inning for the winners.
Beattie and Dunn both hit with two out in the bottom of the ninth in what made for an exciting end to a hard fought contest. It wasn’t to be for the home team though as McNish struck out the final batter and left the two winning runs on base.
Hits
Newport- 9
Foreman 2, Lawman 2, Dean Malthouse 1 (double), Sandersius 1, Dean Anglin 1, Siepolt 1, Stephen Pengally 1.
Waverley- 8
Chase Hodkinson 1, Justin Burke 1, Jamie Papanicolaou 2, Matthew Beattie 1, Oliver Dunn 2 (1 Double), Kane Hillier 1.
Main Pitching Stats
Sandersius, Newport- Innings 8, Ks 5, Hits 6, Earned Runs 2, BFP 30, Balls 37, Strikes 76, Total 113. Winning Pitcher.
Kennedy, Waverley- Innings 5, Hits 6, Ks 4, Earned Runs 1, BFP 25, Balls 24, Strikes 58, Total 82.
Twenty four years and 499 games ago a Williamstown Wolves right fielder stepped on to the baseball field for the first time in senior competition. He was 14.
And the rest is Victorian baseball history.
At home on Sunday Glen Hardy is set to play his 500th game for Williamstown in a Division 2 reserves tilt against Upwey Ferntree Gully, a remarkable accomplishment for its longevity alone.
But it’s his production that is even more startling.
He has played 348 first grade games, 127 with the reserves, 13 in the thirds and—just for good measure—12 in the fourths.
Two years after he made his first Williamstown appearance, Hardy debuted in the first nine, remaining with the 1s for a Ripkin-esque 300 consecutive games.
Primarily a leadoff hitter, his lifetime batting average in the top grade is .295 and in the reserves he is hitting such a stratospheric figure that it undoubtedly would have made Rogers Hornsby jealous: .462.
These audacious numbers helped Hardy gain selection to the Williamstown Team of the Century in right field.
His brother Murray is no slouch either, having played in over 400 games. Moira and Bill, his mother and father, are also heavily involved in Wolves baseball.
Off the field, Hardy has also been a star and team player. He served as Secretary in 2008 and President from 2009-12. He has also coached the juniors and, along with his family, been an instrumental member of the Williamstown club.
He was awarded Life Membership in 2013.
Twenty four years and 499 games ago a Williamstown Wolves right fielder stepped on to the baseball field for the first time in senior competition. He was 14.
And the rest is Victorian baseball history.
At home on Sunday Glen Hardy is set to play his 500th game for Williamstown in a Division 2 reserves tilt against Upwey Ferntree Gully, a remarkable accomplishment for its longevity alone.
But it’s his production that is even more startling.
He has played 348 first grade games, 127 with the reserves, 13 in the thirds and—just for good measure—12 in the fourths.
Two years after he made his first Williamstown appearance, Hardy debuted in the first nine, remaining with the 1s for a Ripkin-esque 300 consecutive games.
Primarily a leadoff hitter, his lifetime batting average in the top grade is .295 and in the reserves he is hitting such a stratospheric figure that it undoubtedly would have made Rogers Hornsby jealous: .462.
These audacious numbers helped Hardy gain selection to the Williamstown Team of the Century in right field.
His brother Murray is no slouch either, having played in over 400 games. Moira and Bill, his mother and father, are also heavily involved in Wolves baseball.
Off the field, Hardy has also been a star and team player. He served as Secretary in 2008 and President from 2009-12. He has also coached the juniors and, along with his family, been an instrumental member of the Williamstown club.
He was awarded Life Membership in 2013.
In order to maximise teams and participants at the National Championships, BA provides opportunities to players who are keen to further their baseball experience and meet the below criteria.
Friendship Player Eligibility
In order to be eligible to become a friendship player for another state, players must have registered and trailed unsuccessfully for their respective home state. Players who choose NOT to trial for their respective home states will be ineligible to be considered as friendship players.
Players wishing to be eligible as friendship players are required to register their interest online within the specified time frames as set forth by BA. At the completion of the registration process registered players will form the friendship player selection pool.
In making themselves available, those players are committing themselves to represent the relevant state and the costs associated with that representation.
Friendship Player Selection
The Head of High Performance (HHP) will liaise with the requesting team’s High Performance Manager (HPM) in regards to friendship player requirements. Once established the HHP will consult with State HPM’s and gather relevant information about players listed within the friendship player selection pool.
The HHP and respective National Team Head Coach will complete selection of friendship players. If considered for a friendship position, players will be contacted directly by BA.
Once a friendship player is selected, they are able to come back to represent their home state up until a reasonable date set by BA prior to the tournament. This date will take into consideration being able to find a player to replace the original appointed player and make any necessary changes to flights and other relevant details.
The relevant State Associations will be notified of the selections and provided two (2) days to lodge a valid objection for not providing a clearance. Should an objection not be forthcoming within the specified time frame, players shall be regarded as cleared
Should the State Association refuse clearance, BA will seek the reasons for such a refusal and seek to resolve any issues to the satisfaction of all parties.
BA retains the right to ultimately provide clearance or refuse clearance to any players making themselves available as Friendship Players.
U16 & U18 Register Here
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