As Mayor, it gives me great pleasure to welcome competitors, officials, organisers, supporters and sponsors of the Baseball Australian Junior League Championships for 2015 to our city.
This is a particularly special event as it is the first time that these championships have been organised in Australia, not to mention being held on the Gold Coast.
As a city full of open spaces, extensive waterways and beaches, the Gold Coast supports a strong sporting lifestyle.
It will come as no surprise then that the Gold Coast is fast becoming the preferred location to hold major sporting events, such as the Baseball Australian Junior League Championships.
I have no doubt that with the growing popularity of baseball around the country, that this event will embrace the qualities of competitiveness, sportsmanship and friendship.
The Gold Coast has a proud history of hosting and producing world class sporting events and the Baseball Australian Junior League Championships is no exception.
With 16 of the best community baseball teams nationally descending on the Gold Coast for the six day event, it once again places the Gold Coast on the sporting stage, showcasing our facilities and outstanding local talent.
Known for our beaches and abundance of attractions, the Gold Coast warmly welcomes the interstate teams and hope that you have time to enjoy the sights and attractions that our city has to offer. I would encourage you to enjoy some of our award-winning restaurants and vibrant nightlife – there is something on offer for everyone.
I wish all those competing in the Baseball Australia Junior League Championships a safe and successful competition and hope that those of you visiting return to the Gold Coast again soon.
Mayor Tom Tate
City of Gold Coast
As Mayor, it gives me great pleasure to welcome competitors, officials, organisers, supporters and sponsors of the Baseball Australian Junior League Championships for 2015 to our city.
This is a particularly special event as it is the first time that these championships have been organised in Australia, not to mention being held on the Gold Coast.
As a city full of open spaces, extensive waterways and beaches, the Gold Coast supports a strong sporting lifestyle.
It will come as no surprise then that the Gold Coast is fast becoming the preferred location to hold major sporting events, such as the Baseball Australian Junior League Championships.
I have no doubt that with the growing popularity of baseball around the country, that this event will embrace the qualities of competitiveness, sportsmanship and friendship.
The Gold Coast has a proud history of hosting and producing world class sporting events and the Baseball Australian Junior League Championships is no exception.
With 16 of the best community baseball teams nationally descending on the Gold Coast for the six day event, it once again places the Gold Coast on the sporting stage, showcasing our facilities and outstanding local talent.
Known for our beaches and abundance of attractions, the Gold Coast warmly welcomes the interstate teams and hope that you have time to enjoy the sights and attractions that our city has to offer. I would encourage you to enjoy some of our award-winning restaurants and vibrant nightlife – there is something on offer for everyone.
I wish all those competing in the Baseball Australia Junior League Championships a safe and successful competition and hope that those of you visiting return to the Gold Coast again soon.
Mayor Tom Tate
City of Gold Coast
SURFERS PARADISE, QLD. – Threats of rain and stormy clouds couldn’t put a damper on the first day of the Australian Junior League Championships, where two grand slam home runs highlighted the first round of pool play.
Game 1: Brisbane Metro 12, Cronulla 9
Back-and-forth scoring paralleled the back-and-forth rays of sun that escaped the clouds. Brisbane Metro struck first, putting a six-spot on the board in the top of the first innings. Home-team Cronulla came chomping back in the bottom of the first innings, when the first home run of the tournament came in grand fashion. Cronulla’s Ben Carroll hit a grand slam, cutting the Metro lead down to two runs.
Brisbane Metro added to the lead with another run in the third and two more in the fourth, before both teams put up matching three-spots in the fifth innings. Trailing by five runs, Cronulla scored in the final two frames to pull within three runs, but Brisbane Metro hung on for a 12-9 victory in the first game of pool play.
The two teams collectively made several excellent defensive plays, including several by Metro shortstop Takumi Kimoto. First, in the second frame, Kimoto charged a slow chopper and made a strong throw to first base to complete the putout. He later made a nice attentive catch of a line drive to his position, and also crossed the diamond to snag a grounder up the middle and save a baserunner. Cronulla also shone on the defensive side of the game, with the Sharks’ right fielder making a highlight-reel catch in the top of the third innings.
Game 2: Coastal Bay 7, Adelaide North 1
Coastal Bay rode a six-run fourth innings to defeat Adelaide North 7-1 in the second game of the first day of the tournament.
Chase Diggins paced Coastal Bay’s offensive outburst, smacking a grand slam in the bottom of the fourth frame to cap off the rally. In addition to the slam, Diggins also made several strong plays at shortstop, stole two bases in a single innings, and spent some time on the mound to lead his team to victory.
Similar to the first game, defensive gems abounded, with Adelaide North turning a slick double play in the bottom of the fifth innings. Shortstop Sean Maple caught a line drive-pop fly hybrid in the middle of the infield and threw across the diamond to first baseman Blake Farr, doubling off the runner on first base, a play that drew awe-struck cheers from the crowd.
Game 3: Swan Hills 3, Brisbane South 1
Swan Hills got on the board early and hung on to a late lead to beat Brisbane South 3-1 in a five-innings ballgame cut short by darkness.
Despite trailing by one run in the bottom of the second frame, Brisbane South turned a cross-diamond double play. As the Swan Hills Aces batter struck out, Brisbane South catcher Aston Price threw to first base to complete the out. Then, the team’s first baseman saw the Swan Hills runner on second trying to advance to third, and threw across as the third baseman applied the tag in time to complete the unusual double play.
Swan Hills struck again in the third innings and Brisbane South countered with a run of its own in the next half-inning, but the Aces held on as darkness fell and the game was declared finished, resulting in a 3-1 Aces win.
Play is scheduled to resume at 8:00am Easter Sunday morning. Watch full game replays and highlights at ABLTV.com. Photo gallery and full information on the event website LITTLELEAGUE.ORG.AU
It is with great disappointment that Baseball Victoria advise David Zucchet has tendered his resignation as Competitions Manager of Baseball Victoria.
David has accepted a position at Football Federation Victoria in their competitions department.
David has been a valued member of the Baseball Victoria team since March 2009, initially in the role as regional administrator and then coordinating the state program and tournaments. For the last 3 years David has been the competitions manager.
On behalf of the Baseball Victoria Board and administration we thank David for his enormous commitment to the role and wish him all the very best in his future endeavors.
David will formally finish with Baseball Victoria on Thursday 2 April 2015.
Baseball Victoria will begin advertising for David’s replacement in the next week.
It is with great disappointment that Baseball Victoria advise David Zucchet has tendered his resignation as Competitions Manager of Baseball Victoria.
David has accepted a position at Football Federation Victoria in their competitions department.
David has been a valued member of the Baseball Victoria team since March 2009, initially in the role as regional administrator and then coordinating the state program and tournaments. For the last 3 years David has been the competitions manager.
On behalf of the Baseball Victoria Board and administration we thank David for his enormous commitment to the role and wish him all the very best in his future endeavors.
David will formally finish with Baseball Victoria on Thursday 2 April 2015.
Baseball Victoria will begin advertising for David’s replacement in the next week.
Division 1 First
Game 1: Essendon 9 - Blackburn 5
Game 2: Blackburn 6 - Essendon 4
Game 3: Essendon 4 - Blackburn 3
Division 1 Reserves
Essendon 0 - Cheltenham 3
Division 1 Thirds
Doncaster 3 - Geelong 7
Division 1 Fourth
Cheltenham 7 - Sandringham 1
Division 2 First
Game 1: Springvale 2 - Moorabbin 1
Game 2: Springvale 10 - Moorabbin 8
Division 2 Reserves
Berwick City 4 - Fitzroy 1
Division 2 Thirds
Malvern 13 - Springvale 8
Division 2 Fourths
Fitzroy A 1 - Berwick City 5
Division 3 First
Research Lower Plenty 9 - Ballarat City 7
Division 3 Reserves
Chelsea Blue 1 - Ormond Glenhuntly 15
Division 4 East
Melbourne 1 - Blackburn 5
Division 4 South
Waverley 11 - Springvale 20
Division 4 North West
Fitzroy B 12 - Ballarat City 7
Masters 38+ East
Croydon A 4 - Melbourne A 9
Masters 38+ North West
Essendon 5 - Geelong A 8
Masters 38+ South
Bonbeach St Chads 0 - Springvale Tomatoes 5
Masters 45+
Waverley 4 - Blackburn 1
Women’s Division 1
Springvale 12 - Doncaster 11
Women’s Division 2
Springvale 4 - Waverley 11
Women’s Division 3
Springvale 1 - Doncaster 10
VSBL U18 State League
Cheltenham 6 - Essendon 3
VSBL U18 Metro League
Cheltenham Rustlers 4 - Springvale 5
VSBL U16 State League
Sandringham 10 - Waverley 4
VSBL U16 Metro League - East
Waverley Black 6 - Waverley Red 1
VSBL U16 Metro League - West
Port Melbourne/St Kilda 2 - Fitzroy 9
Junior League - State
Waverley Red 1 - Waverley Black 11
Junior League - Metro East
Upwey FTG A 2 - Blackburn 6
Junior League - Metro West
Werribee 13 - Geelong 1
Little League - State
Cheltenham 13 - Waverley Black 3
Little League - Metro East
Blackburn 0 - Bonbeach St Chads 11
Little League - Metro West
Werribee 2 - Fitzroy Lions 15
Junior League - Southern Mariners
Cheltenham C 0 - Cheltenham B 5
Junior League - Wester Mets
Geelong B 9 - Newport B 8
Juniors League - Yarra Ragners
Waverley METS 1 - Waverley YANKEES 5
Junior League - Rays
Upwey FTG A 3 - Melbourne 2
Junior League - Northern Diamondbacks
Fitzroy/Preston 6 - Preston 4
Little League Major - Eastern Rays
Melbourne A 8 - Melbourne B 7
Little League Major - Northern Diamondbacks
Preston A 4 - Preston B 6
Little League Major - Yarra Rangers
Waverley DODGERS 10 - Waverley ANGLES 3
Little League Major - Western Mets
Newport 6 - Geelong 3
Little League - Southern Mariners
Bonbeach B 5 - Cheltenham Yankees 6
Winners of the various awards were:
Summer League Pitching Award
Division 1 (Women)
Vic Brown - Spingvale
Division 2
Tim Brown - Springvale
Division 1 - Harry Douglas Memorial Trophy
Gareth Formisano - Essendon
Summer League Home Run Award
Division 2
Lewis Weldon - Sunshine
Division 1
Andrew Russell - Williamstown
Summer League Hitting Award
Women's
Amy McCann - Doncaster
Division 2
Lane Koski - Sunshine
Division 1
Matthew Kent - Melbourne
Coach Of The Year
Peter Giles - Essendon
Umpire Of The Year
Greg Howard
Jet Couriers Melbourne Aces
Golden Glove Award
Adam Engle
Batting Award
Josh Davies
Pitching Award
Makoto Auchi
Most Valuable Player
Kellin Deglan
Club Volunteer Of The Year
Jacquie Bright - Blackburn
Baseball Victoria Volunteer Of The Year
Russell Hodgson - Melbourne Winter Baseball Association
Special Recognition Award - Service To Baseball
Michelle Brewster
Presentation Of Summer League Pennants
Division 2
Sunshine Baseball Club
Division 1 and Peter Dihm Shield
Essendon Baseball Club
Baseball Victoria Life Membership
John King
Summer League Most Valuable Player Award
Women's
Shae Lillywhite - Springvale
Belinda Cannington - Doncaster
Division 2 - RR Hindson Memorial Award
Will Musson - Moorabbin
Division 1 - George Heron Memorial Award
Luke Westphal - Doncaster
Baseball Australia is very saddened to hear of the passing of a great friend and longstanding member of our community, David Balfour.
David has been an important figure in the development of Australian Baseball for over thirty years, and his passion for the game is mirrored in his son Grant’s Major League Baseball success.
David passed away in Sydney at age 62 following a long and courageous battle with cancer. We would like to pay tribute here to David’s exceptional contribution to the game that he loved.
Affectionately known throughout the baseball community as “Balf”, David first became involved with the game in the early eighties as the treasurer on the founding committee of the Hills Junior Baseball League. David went on to form the Kings Langley Baseball Club who granted him Life Membership and named a field in his honour.
In the 1990s, David expanded his involvement when he became owner and General Manager of the Sydney Blues and then the Sydney Storm. In the current Australian Baseball League, he was the General Manager of the Sydney Blue Sox up until 2014. In 2013 David was awarded the Baseball Australia Presidents award for a life-long contribution to baseball.
Our deepest sympathy and thoughts are with David’s family, Grant, Corrine and Lynne, and all of his friends and colleagues at this time.
Funeral arrangements:
The Balfour Family have asked friends to join them to celebrate David's life at Woronora Cemetery and Crematorium on Friday, March 13th at 4pm in the South Chapel located at 121 Linden Street, Sutherland NSW 2232.
Details for the wake will be announced at the service.
Rest in Peace David.
Baseball Australia is very saddened to hear of the passing of a great friend and longstanding member of our community, David Balfour.
David has been an important figure in the development of Australian Baseball for over thirty years, and his passion for the game is mirrored in his son Grant’s Major League Baseball success.
David passed away in Sydney at age 62 following a long and courageous battle with cancer. We would like to pay tribute here to David’s exceptional contribution to the game that he loved.
Affectionately known throughout the baseball community as “Balf”, David first became involved with the game in the early eighties as the treasurer on the founding committee of the Hills Junior Baseball League. David went on to form the Kings Langley Baseball Club who granted him Life Membership and named a field in his honour.
In the 1990s, David expanded his involvement when he became owner and General Manager of the Sydney Blues and then the Sydney Storm. In the current Australian Baseball League, he was the General Manager of the Sydney Blue Sox up until 2014. In 2013 David was awarded the Baseball Australia Presidents award for a life-long contribution to baseball.
Our deepest sympathy and thoughts are with David’s family, Grant, Corrine and Lynne, and all of his friends and colleagues at this time.
Funeral arrangements:
The Balfour Family have asked friends to join them to celebrate David's life at Woronora Cemetery and Crematorium on Friday, March 13th at 4pm in the South Chapel located at 121 Linden Street, Sutherland NSW 2232.
Details for the wake will be announced at the service.
Rest in Peace David.
Funeral arrangements:
The Balfour Family have asked friends to join them to celebrate David's life at Woronora Cemetery and Crematorium on Friday, March 13th at 4pm in the South Chapel located at 121 Linden Street, Sutherland NSW 2232.
Details for the wake will be announced at the service.
Rest in Peace David.
Springvale came in leading the series 1 game to 0.
Umpires- Plate- Boyce, 1st- Legg, 2nd - Matters, 3rd- Steinberger
Starting line up for Springvale- Wearne 6, Poole 5, Mascoll 4, Price 2, Barnden 3, Richards 8, Brown D/H, Cavanagh 7, Drummond 9.
Croft- Pitching Only.
Moorabbin- O’Shea 4, Laux 3, Musson 5, Wheeler 7, A Katz 9, Karlson 2, Ballantyne D/H, J Katz 8, S Jansen 6.
Mulherin- Pitching Only.
Top 1st- Batting- Wearne Safe after DTS, Poole sac bunt, Mascoll E3, Price -9 RBI, Barnden -8 RBI, Richards 6-4 FC, Brown KC.
Springvale 2, Moorabbin 0.
Wearne got on after a DTS then Poole sac bunted him to 2nd. Mascoll was safe at 1st after the fielder was called off the bag. Price singled to right and scored Wearne then Barnden singled to centre for an RBI. Richards played into a fielder’s choice at short then Mulherin steadied and got a called strikeout.
Bottom 1st- Moorabbin O’Shea -9, Laux BB, Musson HR7, Wheeler BB, A Katz HBP, Karlson KC, Ballantyne =7 RBI, J Katz F9, Jansen F8.
Springvale 2, Moorabbin 4.
O’Shea hit to right then stole 2nd and advanced to 3rd after and error at 2nd base. Laux walked and then Musson hit a three run home run over the left field fence. After Wheeler walked Springvale changed pitchers and brought in Scott Baillie. A Katz got HBP then Karlson went down looking and Ballantyne doubled into the left field corner for an RBI and it was 2nd and 3rd occupied when J Katz flied out to right and Jansen did the same to centre to end it.
Top 2nd- Cavanagh BB, Drummond 1-6 deflected fly ball, Wearne =9, Poole safe on FC, Mascoll K, Price -8 2RBI, Barnden Groundout at 3.
Springvale 4, Moorabbin 4.
Cavanagh led off with a full-count walk when Drummond hit hard back at the pitcher and the fly ball deflected to the shortstop who caught it for the first out. Wearne hit a double to right but the runner stopped at 3rd. Poole got on after a fielder’s choice from short didn’t yield an out an home. Price singled for two RBIs and the game was tied. Barnden grounded out at 1st to end it.
Bottom 2nd- O’Shea K, Laux F3, Musson F7.
Springvale 4, Moorabbin 4.
Baillie of Springvale looked god when he started the innings with a strikeout then sat the batters down in order.
Top 3rd- Richards F2, Brown 6-3, Cavanagh F8
Springvale 4, Moorabbin 4.
Mulherin of Moorabbin looked to have settled when he got the batters in order.
Bottom 3rd- Wheeler BB, A Katz F6-3, Karlson KC.
Springvale 4, Moorabbin 4.
Wheeler drew a lead-off, full count walk then got doubled off after A Katz hit a line-drive straight to short. Karlson struck out looking. Baillie looking settled on the mound for the Lions after the second shut-out innings in a row.
Top 4th- Drummond 6-3, Wearne F8, Poole 6-3
Mulherin of Moorabbin consolidated on the mound as he sat the batters down in order again.
Springvale 4, Moorabbin 4.
Bottom 4th- Ballantyne groundout, Callum Holmes HBP, Jansen F9, O’Shea F6.
Jeremy Katz the eighth batter for Moorabbin was replaced in the line-up by Holmes who got HBP with one out then stole 2nd. After Jansen flied out O’Shea also holed out to short to end it.
Springvale 4, Moorabbin 4.
Top 5th- Mascoll HR to 7, Price -8, Barnden BB, Richards -7, Brown E9 RBI, Cavanagh FC RBI, Drummond E1 RBI, Wearne F6, Poole 6-3
Mascoll lead off with a solo home run to left and gave Springvale the lead 5-4. Price then singled to centre and Moorabbin made a pitching change. Wheeler took the mound from Mulherin. Barnden walked and the pressure was on Moorabbin with one out when Richards singled to left and loaded them up. Brown got on after an E9 that scored one run then a bobbled ball at 1st base after an out at the plate let another in for Springvale. Two outs at short ended the dig.
Springvale 8, Moorabbin 4.
Bottom 5th- Laux F7, Musson -7, Wheeler -7, A Katz -8, Mulherin F9 Homes K.
Musson singled with one out then Wheeler did the same to advance him to second. A Katz then made it three in row when he singled up the middle and loaded the bases. Musson scored after an interference call in a run down play then Ballantyne cleared the centre fielder and scored two more.
Springvale 8, Moorabbin 7.
Top 6th- Mascoll -1, Price BB, Barnden sac bunt, Richards F9 RBI, Brown K.
Pitching change for Moorabbin as Dewer takes the hill. Mascoll of Springvale bunted safely to lead off, then Price walked. Barnden sac bunted them into scoring position and Richards got an RBI on a sac fly to right. Dewer ended it with a strikeout.
Springvale 9, Moorabbin 7.
Bottom 6th- Jansen -9, O’Shea sac bunt, Laux 4-3, Musson -8 RBI, Wheeler -7, A Katz F9.
Pitching change for Springvale as Wearne took the mound from Baillie. Jansen led off with a hit to right then O’Shea sac bunted him to 2nd. A good play at 2nd got Laux and that advanced the runner to 3rd with two out. Musson singled up the middle for an RBI and halved the Springvale lead to 1. Wheeler singled to left and Wearne steadied to get the out after a fly ball in right.
Springvale 9, Moorabbin 8.
Bottom 8th- Jansen F1, O’Shea KC, Laux F1.
Wearne looked settled as he got a fly ball on the mound, a K looking and another pop-up that he took care of himself.
Springvale 10, Moorabbin 8.
Top 9th- Brown BB, Cavanagh K, Drummond F4, Wearne F7.
With none on and one out Moorabbin have opted for a pitching change. Musson took the hill from Dewer. Brown advanced to 2nd after a wild pitch. Musson threw accurately with off-speed to get a K swinging then Drummond holed out at 2nd. Wearne flied out to left to end it. Springvale need 3 outs to take the pennant, Moorabbin need 3 runs to do the same.
Springvale 10, Moorabbin 8.
Bottom 9th, Musson 6-3, Wheeler BB, A Katz FC 6-4, Mulherin FC 6-4.
Wheeler walked with one out and that brought the tying run to the plate. Springvale got two fielder’s choice plays at 2nd base to end the game and take the VSBL Div 2 Premiership.
After making the finals in the last week of the regular season Springvale won both of their series in two games. Congratulations to them.
Final Score- Springvale 10, Moorabbin 8.