Interview with Geelong Baycats Manager, Sean Arnott. Postmatch.
This game started like so many others have in the Division 1 VSBL season so far when there were very few runs scored in the early innings.
In the second frame Geelong got the only score of the first five innings when Harry Levy was HBP, then after two wild pitches put him at third, a single from Mark Rigby made it 1-0.
Luke Abels started for Essendon and managed to scatter the hits across five innings and hold the visitors to that solitary run. Kyle Bedford then took the mound to start the sixth. Kelii Zablan led off and singled for Geelong then Bedford settled and got the first two outs. Zablan had other plans though and got a good jump to steal second and made it to third on a wild pitch. With two out Essendon still looked in control, but that was when an error on a routine play at first proved costly and another Geelong run scored to make it 2-0.
The pressure that Geelong applied with the pitching of Rudy Jaramillo shouldn’t be underestimated as he scattered four hits through seven innings. At that stage of the game the Bombers were not out of it, below their best and still only trailing by two.
Then in the eighth it was Jaramillo who again stamped his influence on the contest, but this time with the bat. Having completed his pitching duties for the day Rudy stepped up to the plate with two out and tripled to clear the bases and make the score 5-0. After that the Baycats didn't look back
Cameron Forbes pitched the remaining two innings for the Baycats giving up one walk and two hits with two strike outs to leave the Bombers scoreless.
The other stand out performance was from Chris Webb who got three hits for the winners.
Hits
Essendon- 6
Scott McIntyre 1, Dean McIntyre 1, Shane Lindsay 1, Michael Formisano 1, Daniel Fornito 1, Brett Tamburrino 1 (double).
Geelong- 8
Chris Webb 3, Chris Durston 1 (double), Liam Spence 1, Kelii Zablan 1, Rudy Jaramillo 1 (triple), Mark Rigby 1.
Baseball Victoria Melbourne Aces Membership
In a first for the Australian Baseball League and the States Governing Baseball Associations, earlier this year Baseball Victoria and the Melbourne Aces announced the Baseball Victoria Melbourne Aces Membership.
All registered Baseball Victoria players 12 years of age and over participating in the Victorian Summer Baseball League (VSBL) 2015/2016 Season receive automatic Baseball Victoria Melbourne Aces Membership as a benefit of being a Baseball Victoria player.
The benefits include:
Four (4) single game general admission vouchers to any 2015/16 Melbourne Aces home game;
Access to exclusive members reserve seating packages;
Access to exclusive member food and beverage packages;
Access to party deck and luxury box events;
Ten percent off Melbourne Aces merchandise at the team shop;
Discounts and offers from Melbourne Aces sponsors;
Invitations to exclusive member events, Melbourne Aces players meet and greets and member days;
Priority 2016 playoff tickets;
2015/16 membership bumper sticker; and
Other deals and discounts.
Myles Foreman President of Baseball Victoria said; “The launch of the Baseball Victoria Melbourne Aces Membership and the addition of SportsPass is an important step in forging closer ties between our local Australian Baseball League team the Melbourne Aces and Victorian Baseball. We are one baseball community and the Melbourne Aces is our States team. Embracing the Melbourne Aces is critical to ongoing growth and development of Baseball in Victoria. The Baseball Victoria Melbourne Aces Membership provides many benefits and opportunities for the Victorian Baseball Community to head out to the Melbourne Ballpark this summer and support the Melbourne Aces as well as receiving great member benefits with many product and service providers”.
Justin Huber General Manager of the Aces said; "This membership highlights the growing ties between the Aces and Baseball Victoria. This relationship is critical to the future of the sport in this state and the strong links between both parties will see all Baseball stakeholders benefiting both in the short and the long term."
Individual Baseball Victoria Melbourne Aces Membership kits will be distributed via the Victorian Summer Baseball League Clubs from Wednesday 28 October 2015. While this will be after the first Melbourne Aces Home Series, Baseball Victoria Melbourne Aces Members will enjoy the benefits for the remainder of the 2015-2016 Australian baseball League season.
SportsPass Player and SportsPass Supporter Card Benefits
Baseball Victoria is pleased to announce the addition of SportsPass Players Card to the benefits provided to Baseball Victoria players for the Victorian Summer Baseball League (VSBL) 2015/2016 Season. In conjunction with the Baseball Victoria Melbourne Aces kit every member will also receive a SportsPass member card.
SportsPass is a member rewards program which has partnered with leading brands to provide exclusive discounts and deals benefits on products and services including; AMF Bowling, Australian Unity, Bank of Melbourne, Baskin Robbins, Brumby’s Bakery, Donut King, Expedia, Goodlife Health Clubs, Masters Home Improvement, Michael’s Patisserie, Pizza Capers, Priceline, Red Balloon, Sea Life, St. George Bank, Ticketek, VroomVroomVroom, and Webjet.
In addition to providing direct benefits to Baseball Victoria players, the SportsPass Supporters Card is available to non registers players such as Social Club Members and supporters.
Importantly activation of the Supporters SportsPass Card and usage provides a funding return to Victorian Baseball. Information on SportsPass will be distributed from 28 October.
Ashley Blair Interim General Manager Baseball Victoria said; "The partnership with SportsPass brings great benefits to our members as well as putting money back into the sport for the long term. It is of great importance to Baseball Victoria to bring as much value to our members as possible as well as helping the sport gain long-term financial stability."
Make sure you receive your Baseball Victoria Melbourne Aces membership pack and SportsPass card via your Victorian Summer Baseball League club in the coming weeks to enjoy the benefits of this exciting new Baseball Victoria, Melbourne Aces and SportsPass initiative.
The Melbourne Aces season commences tonight with a three game series against the Sydney Blue Socks.
For More Information on SportsPass
www.sportspass.com.au
SYDNEY, 21 October - Postseason rematches and renewed regional rivalries highlight the first weekend of play in the Australian Baseball League's 2015/16 season, which begins this Friday, 23 October.
All teams are in action on Opening Night, and this year features an extended 56-game regular season followed by the preliminary final and championship series in the last week of January and early February.
Brisbane Bandits, proudly presented by WellDog at Canberra Elite Cavalry
The first pitch of the 2015/16 ABL season will be tossed in Canberra, where the Cavalry host the Bandits on Friday at 7:00pm AEDT. The Cavalry won last year's season series 4-2 despite three rainouts.
Canberra have assembled a team this year that mixes past and present, with the return of several stars from the club's historic 2013 Asia Series win alongside prospects from the Toronto Blue Jays, San Diego Padres and Philadelphia Phillies. The team will also be joined by Minnesota Twins MLB pitcher Aaron Thompson at the end of November, and look to start 2015/16 strong after narrowly missing the playoffs last year.
The Bandits look to make the club's first postseason appearance in the new ABL, with a squad managed by former MLB All-Star David Nilsson and comprised of equal parts returning Aussie stars and up-and-coming MLB prospects. MLB's Tampa Bay Rays sent four players to Brisbane for the third year in a row, highlighted by top prospects Nick Ciuffo and Justin Williams.
After Friday's opener under the lights, the teams play a Saturday doubleheader starting at 4:00pm and continuing with the second game at 7:00pm. The series concludes with Sunday afternoon baseball at the Fort, with a 12:00pm first pitch on 25 October.
CompassMarkets.com Sydney Blue Sox at Jet Couriers Melbourne Aces
Sydney and Melbourne renew a Hume Highway rivalry to open the 2015/16 season, with a four-game set at Melbourne Ballpark. The Blue Sox enter the new campaign on the heels of the club's fifth-straight playoff appearance, while the Aces will try to work their way up the ladder after finishing last in 2014/15. Sydney won last year's season series 4-2 despite three rainouts.
The Blue Sox continue their relationship with MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks this year, hosting two Diamondbacks players, and also feature prospects from the Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies and Colorado Rockies. Team mainstays including Craig Anderson, Josh Dean and Trent D'Antonio return as well, giving Sydney a strong foundation for the season.
Melbourne are led this year by Minnesota Twins bench coach Joe Vavra, who formerly managed the old ABL's Adelaide Giants and becomes the first active MLB coach to lead a new ABL team. In addition to a group of players from Nippon Professional Baseball's Saitama Seibu Lions, the Aces are joined this season by MLB prospects from the Atlanta Braves, Kansas City Royals and Minnesota Twins.
The series opens 23 October at 7:35pm AEDT, followed by a doubleheader the next day with first pitches at 5:05pm and 7:35pm. Sunday's series finale is scheduled to start at 1:05pm.
SA Power Networks Adelaide Bite at Alcohol. Think Again Perth Heat
It seems fitting that the Bite and Heat face each other to start the 2015/16 season after sparks flew in the 2015 championship series between the two clubs last February, which Perth won 2-1. The Heat also won last year's regular season head-to-head 5-3, and both sides look to build off of their respective successes last year in the new season, which starts with a 10:05pm AEDT first pitch on 23 October.
Perth returns most of its core Aussies this year, including veterans Tim Kennelly and Warwick Saupold along with young stars Sam Kennelly and Ben Shorto. The Heat also host prospects from the Baltimore Orioles and Colorado Rockies this season, including Rockies' 24-ranked prospect Correlle Prime.
Adelaide's returning players include veteran and silver medalist Brice, Welch, former ABL Rookie of the Year Ben Lodge and 2015's Rookie of the Year and Reliever of the Year Josh Tols. The team also hosts prospects from the Houston Astros, Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers.
After Friday night, the two teams play a doubleheader on Saturday, with games at 7:05pm and 10:05pm AEDT. The series concludes on Sunday with a 7:05pm AEDT first pitch.
Team rosters for the 2015/16 season can be found here. Tickets for this weekend's games are still available and can be purchased online at theabl.com.au/tickets. Games will also be streamed live and free on ABLtv.com.
Wednesday 28 October 2015
6.30pm – 7.30pm | Sports House
“Corporate Governance for Victorian Baseball Club Committees & Boards”
Presentation by Garth Towan Lawyer Lander & Rogers
Wednesday 28 October 2015
6.30pm – 7.30pm | Sports House
“Corporate Governance for Victorian Baseball Club Committees & Boards”
Presentation by Garth Towan Lawyer Lander & Rogers
Baseball Victoria is hosting a "Corporate Governance for Victorian Baseball Club Committees and Boards" Seminar on Wednesday the 28th of October.
The seminar will be led by Garth Towan, who is an experienced corporate advisory and commercial disputes resolution lawyer, specialising in sports law at Lander & Rogers. In his role at Lander & Rogers, Garth regularly assists and provides legal advice to international, national and state sporting organisations, professional sporting clubs, government sport and recreation departments and agencies, sport and recreation facility managers and event managers.
Consistent with Baseball Victoria’s core focus of (1) Gain, (2) Train and (3) Retain, the Seminar is open to our many volunteers who currently serve on or are considering volunteering to serve on Baseball Committees and Boards.
Don’t miss this free opportunity to learn about or update your understanding of Committee and Board governance obligations.
The new Baseball Victoria template Club Constitution developed in conjunction with Landers & Riders and incorporating feedback from Clubs will be launched at the session.
To register and confirm your attendance simply click on the link below.
Baseball Victoria is hosting a "Corporate Governance for Victorian Baseball Club Committees and Boards" Seminar on Wednesday the 28th of October.
The seminar will be led by Garth Towan, who is an experienced corporate advisory and commercial disputes resolution lawyer, specialising in sports law at Lander & Rogers. In his role at Lander & Rogers, Garth regularly assists and provides legal advice to international, national and state sporting organisations, professional sporting clubs, government sport and recreation departments and agencies, sport and recreation facility managers and event managers.
Consistent with Baseball Victoria’s core focus of (1) Gain, (2) Train and (3) Retain, the Seminar is open to our many volunteers who currently serve on or are considering volunteering to serve on Baseball Committees and Boards.
Don’t miss this free opportunity to learn about or update your understanding of Committee and Board governance obligations.
The new Baseball Victoria template Club Constitution developed in conjunction with Landers & Riders and incorporating feedback from Clubs will be launched at the session.
To register and confirm your attendance simply click on the link below.
For more information and to register please visit their website.
Ballarat 8, Berwick City 3
Pitching his first game for the Ballarat Brewers, southpaw Ricky Howell spun a quality start against a visiting Berwick outfit that opened the scoring but was unable to withstand an offensive assault that delivered the home side a decisive break with a four-spot in the fourth. Scattering five hits over seven innings of work, Howell conceded a solitary earned run before handing the ball to Seth Haehl in the set-up role before Tom Harrington closed out the last, with the Brew Crew having stretched the lead with a flurry of late runs.
A progressive club with a wealth of emerging young talent, Berwick entered this contest undefeated after two rounds and with a reasonable expectation of producing the goods against the new kids on the Division 2 block. It was never going to be easy for the Cougars, however—playing on an unfamiliar field against a vastly experienced opposition approaching full strength after a poor showing in its loss to Williamstown last Sunday.
While Berwick starter Mark Surtees went scoreless through the first three, he ran into strife in the fourth, when Ballarat mounted a two-out offensive assault that resulted in four runs and what translated into an insurmountable lead. Despite not having pitched in a game for seven weeks, Howell appeared to get stronger through the contest to post an impressive win—one that his club will be hoping is the first of many for a multi-skilled player already with a solid existing record at Division 1 level.
Looking to its relievers in Matt Chilcott and the rangy Cameron Gibbens, Berwick remained an ever-present threat but was unable to hold off a Brewers offence that amassed 13 hits to seven as it edged away in the seventh and eighth innings.
Eight players posted hits for the Brewers in a strong team effort, with Ethan Etheridge, Stewart Jeffery, Scott Kerr, Scott Jones and Haehl among the multiples while Leigh Ashmore and Matt Jones both drove in two of their side’s runs. Berwick City, meanwhile, was paced by Ryan Shane (scored two runs) and six other players who contributed singles to the cause. Sam Beasley and Andrew Gibbens also knocked in runs for the Cougars.
Now at 2-1—and still finding their legs in the higher division—Ballarat will start Seth Haehl against Williamstown at Altona on Wednesday evening before making the trek to Werribee for what shapes as a blockbuster against the Giants next Saturday.
Moorabbin 10, Williamstown 0
Consistent in all facets of the game, Moorabbin tallied once in the first, five times in the fifth, added another in the sixth, and completed their bravura performance with three runs in the seventh to shutout Williamstown 10-0 in a mercy-rule shortened contest.
Fitzroy 5, Port Melbourne 1
The host Lions scored once in the first, twice in the fifth, and added two more in eighth to combat the Mariners only marker in the top of the sixth inning. In a losing effort, Port Melbourne’s Nicholas Coy had two hits (including a double and the lone run batted in) and Will Musson and Jordan Osborne also contributed two baggers.
Werribee 2, Upwey FTG 1
In a nip-and-tuck back-and-forth affair the Giants eked past the Tigers, 2-1. With the victory, Werribee improved to 2-1 on the season while Upwey fell to 1-2. In mid-week tilts, Werribee and Malvern square off on Wednesday and Upwey takes on Fitzroy on Thursday. Both games will be held at the Melbourne Ballpark with first pitch slated for 6.30 p.m.
Bonbeach 4, Malvern 2
It took an extra inning, but the Bonbeach Blue Jays outlasted the Malvern Braves, 4-2, in a spirited contest. The winning runs were scored on a bases loaded hit and the victory secured when hurler Jon Bannister (who earned the win) struck out the side to end the game. Despite leadoff men reaching base in both the fifth and sixth innings, Bonbeach couldn’t push a run across.
Instead it was Malvern who struck first, scoring once in the bottom of the sixth. The Blue Jays answered in the seventh with a double by Ben Donald (one of two in the game) plating Andy Webber before coming home himself on a sacrifice fly. The Braves tied it in the bottom of the seventh before the extra innings heroics.
Footscray 13, St Kilda 9
On a beautiful afternoon at Tom O’Halloran Field in St Kilda, the Bulldogs defeated the Saints, 13-9, in a game that lasted three hours and 11 minutes. Footscray started quickly, plating multiple runs in the first three innings. The Saints answered back in the second and third, tallying twice in each to cut the deficit to 9-4. St Kilda hurler Robbie Lewis finished strong, holding Footscray scoreless his last three innings. Overall he pitched very well, dealing admirably with both a tight strike zone and a suspect defence. The Saints trimmed the lead to 9-5 before surrendering four runs in the top of the seventh. Though they rallied for four in the eighth, their comeback ultimately fell short. After turning three more double plays on Sunday the Saints now have six twin killings through the first 17 innings of the season. With the win, Footscray evens their record at 1-1 while St Kilda falls to 0-2.
Ormond Glenhuntly 6, Chelsea 4
Imposing their will as the host team, Ormond Glenhuntly tallied twice in the second to take a 2-0 lead. Undaunted, the Chelsea Dolphins answered back with one in the third and three in the fifth to lead 4-2 halfway through the game. The Hunters, however, scored four in the bottom of the seventh to grab a lead they would never relinquish. Trent Wilford pitched well for Chelsea in defeat, allowing just two runs in six strong innings, and he also contributed the only multi-hit game for his side on a windy afternoon in Caulfield South.
Mulgrave 6, Pakenham 5
Following their stellar performances the previous two weeks, the Mulgrave Rebels looked to continue their winning streak against the competitive Pakenham Pumas. The Rebels got off to a slow start, trailing 2-1 after the first frame. In the middle innings, however, they vaunted back on top, 3-2. On the mound, winning hurler Stuart Phillips pitched well for the first six innings before Matthew Young earned a three inning save. Young’s efforts were buoyed by a clutch three run double in the top of the eighth that pushed the Mulgrave lead to 6-2. The Pumas responded immediately, narrowing the lead to 6-5 going into the ninth. In the end, though, Mulgrave (and their defence) stood tall, ending the game on a slick double play.
The two teams combined for 27 hits—including three doubles by Mulgrave batters and a triple for Pakenham’s Andrew Sullivan—and Scott Dale pitched eight strong innings for the Pumas.
Research had a bye this weekend.
Springvale 17, Footscray 0
Can Springvale be stopped? More pressingly: Will Springvale ever give up a run? After blanking Malvern 13-0 last week, the Lions did the same to the Bulldogs on Saturday, whitewashing Footscray, 17-0. Up next trying to score a single run: a showdown with visiting Doncaster on 31 October after this weekend’s bye.
Doncaster 18, Malvern 12
In a wild back-and-forth affair on a perfect Saturday afternoon, the Lady Braves took on last year’s Grand Final runner up, Doncaster, in a spirited game. After four innings, Malvern held a four run lead but a disastrous fifth frame saw eight Dragons cross the plate—many thanks to a series of miscues—and the game turn inevitably toward a Doncaster victory.
Essendon had a bye this week.