Article by the ABL
Grant Balfour, a cult-figure among baseball fans for his intense on-field persona, is coming home. Balfour, originally from Kings Langley in suburban Sydney, has put together, arguably, the finest career of any Australian Major Leaguer across eleven seasons.
He was selected to the 2013 American League All-Star Team, has pitched in the postseason with three clubs including with the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2008 World Series, and has a career 3.46 ERA over 528 games with 84 saves with 571 strike outs in 535.1 innings.
Balfour will arrive in Sydney on Thursday 11 December to commence an eight-day MLB Ambassador Tour:
Friday 12 December - Sydney:
Welcome Home Press Conference and Availability in Sydney
Will meet fans and throw out the first pitch as the Sydney Blue Sox host the Adelaide Bite
Saturday 13 December – Sydney & Canberra:
MLB Training with the Pros Session with local area junior players at Blue Sox Stadium
To present Ambassador’s Cup Trophy to the ACT Junior Club with the most new recruits this season and meet fans as the Canberra Cavalry host the Melbourne Aces
Sunday 14 December – Sydney:
Participate in tribute to his father, David Balfour, acknowledging his contributions to Australian baseball and meeting fans as the Sydney Blue Sox host the Adelaide Bite
Tuesday 16 December – Melbourne:
Press availability at Melbourne Ballpark with Australian Baseball League All-Stars
Wednesday 17 December – Melbourne:
To serve as honorary Team Australia Captain in the Australian Baseball League All-Star Game pitting the best home-grown talent in the league against the best of the imports
Thursday 18 December – Gold Coast
MLB Training with the Pros Session with local junior players at Coomera
Friday 19 December – Brisbane
Press Availability at AFA Stadium at Holloway Field
MLB Training with the Pros Session with local junior players at AFA Stadium at Holloway Field
Meet fans as the Brisbane Bandits take on the Canberra Cavalry
Training with the Pros is a long-standing program run by Major League Baseball in partnership with Baseball Australia and the teams of the Australian Baseball League which provides skill-training from Australian and imported professional baseball players.
For more information visit theabl.com.au or baseball.com.au
Baseball Victoria is pleased to announce its support of the Australian Baseball Alumni.
Australian Baseball Alumni is a not-for-profit organisation that has the support baseball's state and national governing bodies, as well as many recognised and dedicated Australian's who continue to help represent and grow our sport.
The ABA is overseen by a Committee of Management, many of which are tried and true baseball people. All funds generated by the ABA are directed to specific baseball projects – especially under-aged and developmental areas.
The ABA will be hosting a range of memorabilia auctions over the coming weeks with this mission in mind, with items donated by Australia's celebrated Major League players.
Baseball Victoria asks for its members to get behind this great initiative. For more info click here Australian Baseball Alumni
Baseball Australia is very pleased to announce Craig Shipley’s appointment as Head of National Teams.
Craig, an Australian native from has Parramatta, has a long and successful history in baseball. A highly acclaimed Major League Baseball player, executive and current Arizona Diamondbacks Special Assistant to the General Manager. Craig has also been on the national team and MLB Australian Academy coaching staff.
The newly created role will see Craig assume responsibility for delivering the performance outcomes of all national teams; guiding all national coaching and support staff, including Jon Deeble and Simone Wearne who remain Managers of the national men’s (Southern Thunder) and women’s (Emeralds) teams respectively.
Baseball Australia CEO, Brett Pickett, said Craig will bring a wealth of experience and intimate knowledge of the game to the BA management team, while continuing his international role with the Arizona Diamondbacks:
“While Craig will still reside in the USA, his unique international position will afford the opportunity to maintain personal contact with our young professional players throughout the gruelling professional season, as well as attend international tournaments Australia participate in.”
Speaking of his appointment, Craig explained why he has taken up this position to support the national teams program in a voluntary capacity:
“Having seen the game first hand throughout the world I can truthfully say Australia’s baseball community is as passionate as any baseball playing country. I look forward to assisting the many dedicated coaches, administrators and players who have worked tirelessly to help our national teams become as competitive as possible.”
Baseball Australia welcome Craig to the management team and look forward to moving the national teams portfolio forward under his leadership.
Baseball Australia is very pleased to announce Craig Shipley’s appointment as Head of National Teams.
Craig, an Australian native from has Parramatta, has a long and successful history in baseball. A highly acclaimed Major League Baseball player, executive and current Arizona Diamondbacks Special Assistant to the General Manager. Craig has also been on the national team and MLB Australian Academy coaching staff.
The newly created role will see Craig assume responsibility for delivering the performance outcomes of all national teams; guiding all national coaching and support staff, including Jon Deeble and Simone Wearne who remain Managers of the national men’s (Southern Thunder) and women’s (Emeralds) teams respectively.
Baseball Australia CEO, Brett Pickett, said Craig will bring a wealth of experience and intimate knowledge of the game to the BA management team, while continuing his international role with the Arizona Diamondbacks:
“While Craig will still reside in the USA, his unique international position will afford the opportunity to maintain personal contact with our young professional players throughout the gruelling professional season, as well as attend international tournaments Australia participate in.”
Speaking of his appointment, Craig explained why he has taken up this position to support the national teams program in a voluntary capacity:
“Having seen the game first hand throughout the world I can truthfully say Australia’s baseball community is as passionate as any baseball playing country. I look forward to assisting the many dedicated coaches, administrators and players who have worked tirelessly to help our national teams become as competitive as possible.”
Baseball Australia welcome Craig to the management team and look forward to moving the national teams portfolio forward under his leadership.
Two-time World Series champion and Olympic silver medallist, Graeme Lloyd, is a national hero in the baseball community.
The left-handed reliever also spent 10 years in the major leagues, winning a 1996 and a 1998 World Series with the New York Yankees.
Each year Lloyd participates in the New York Yankees ‘Old Timers Day’, where team legends play in an exhibition game. Now is your chance to bid on the signed NY Yankees Jersey he wore in the 2014 ‘Old Timers Day’ game.
All proceeds from the auction will be used by the Australian Baseball Alumni Association to give back to the Australian Baseball community. Auction ends Sunday, December 7 at 8:00pm AEDT.
BID NOW on Graeme Lloyds signed NY Yankees 'Old Timers Day' Jersey
Gates open at 5:30 PM. Melbourne Ballpark, home of the Aces, is located on Merton St, Altona VIC 3018.
In the past few years the baseball community has rallied support behind baseball loving Brooke Kennedy and her fight against Early Onset Generalised Primary Torsion Dystonia. Brooke suffers from a rare movement condition resulting in sustained muscle contractions producing twisting, repetitive movements and abnormal postures.
Brooke required a surgery to implant electrodes into her brain to help control her movement. In order to receive this surgery the hospital required a piece of equipment called a stereotactic frame to guide surgeons in the surgery.
The baseball community has helped raise the necessary funds to help purchase the piece of equipment and after numerous setbacks Brooke has received the surgery.
National team coach, Jon Deeble, provided an update on her progress:
“A week after the operation the doctors were amazed at the progress Brooke was making, and although it will be a long journey they are hoping she will be back on her feet soon.
We would like to thank the entire baseball community who helped raise the necessary funds to give Brooke this life saving operation. We now have the opportunity to not only improve Brooke’s life but other children who suffer from this same condition as well. “
We will continue to bring you updates on Brooke as we receive them.
Audio Interview with Matthew Taylor of Cheltenham Baseball Club. Can't see it? Click Here for the link.
Match Report- Division 1 Cheltenham at Sandringham
Tuesday 25th November 2014
Starting batting line-up for Cheltenham- Trevorah, Harman, Leslie, Rutgers, Curnow, Mack, Rossell, Holding, Michael, Cunningham (pitching only).
Sandringham- Cevec, Wonnacott, Glassar, Irving, Lezaic, Wills, Ferguson, Housden, Beaumont.
Top of the 1st- Grant Irving on the mound for Sandringham pressured the hitters and sat them down 1, 2, 3.
Bottom of the 1st- Blake Cunningham issued a two out walk but came back with a strike out to end it.
Top 2- Rutgers started with a hit to left, Rossell then scored him on a two out double, deep to left centre to give Chelt a 1-0 lead. Holding walked for the Rustlers to take the vacant base but Irving got a pop-up and ended the dig there.
Bottom 2- Cheltenham rolled a double play on high bouncing ball behind the pitcher’s mound then Declan Ferguson hit a line drive to left centre but was stranded at 1st after a ground out.
Top 3rd- Trevorah lead off with an infield single after he beat the throw to 1st then Harman hit a home run into the gum tree over left field to score 2 more. Cheltenham leading 3-0. Jack Wills of the Royals stole a hit off Rutgers with a diving catch in left to make two out. Sandy finished it with a pop-up to 2nd base.
Bottom 3- Sandringham started with an infield single from Cevec then a hit from Wonnacott that got him to 3rd and a sacfly from Glasser to score the run. Sandringham 1, Cheltenham 3. Irving walked after Wonnacott stole, then a missed fielder’s choice opportunity, which was tight, at 2nd loaded them up with two out. Cunningham finished off the innings with a comebacker groundout to 1st.
Top 4- Cheltenham hit out and scored three more runs to extend their lead to 6, leading 7-1.
Bottom 4- Sandringham got two hits and scored another on a ground out to reduce their deficit to 5. Sandy 2, Chelt 7.
Top 5- Pitching change for Sandringham, Lezaic in for Irving. Rossell lead off with a single then Holding did the same to get him to 3rd for Cheltenham. He advanced to second on a wild pitch then Michael singled to get the RBI and make it Cheltenham 8 to Sandy 2. Trevorah singled to 7 and batted in two RBIs to make it 10-2. Another pitching change for the Royals, Mitch Glasser in to replace Lezaic. Harman grounded into a fielder's choice at 2nd for the second out. Pinch runner "Hill" in for Harman at 1st base. Leslie walked for two on and two out. DTS and Rutgers got on to load them up. Curnow took a walk and forced in a run Chelt now leading 11-2. Daniel Mack then hit a grand slam over left field off the first pitch he faced to make it 15-2. DTS and Nick Rossell got to first but stayed there when the innings ended.
Bottom 5- Cheltenham made quick work of it and sat the batters down in order. Cunningham continued on the hill for the Rustlers.
Top 6- Sam Michael lead off with a single to left then Ben Leslie walked with two out for Cheltenham. That is where they stayed though as Rutgers holed out to centre.
Bottom 6- New pitcher for Cheltenham is Jack Enciato and he got the batters in order to end the game.
Cheltenham won 15-2.
Cheltenham stat sheet available here.
Report by Cam Gleeson.
Match Report- Division 1 Cheltenham at Sandringham
Tuesday 25th November 2014
Starting batting line-up for Cheltenham- Trevorah, Harman, Leslie, Rutgers, Curnow, Mack, Rossell, Holding, Michael, Cunningham (pitching only).
Sandringham- Cevec, Wonnacott, Glassar, Irving, Lezaic, Wills, Ferguson, Housden, Beaumont.
Top of the 1st- Grant Irving on the mound for Sandringham pressured the hitters and sat them down 1, 2, 3.
Bottom of the 1st- Blake Cunningham issued a two out walk but came back with a strike out to end it.
Top 2- Rutgers started with a hit to left, Rossell then scored him on a two out double, deep to left centre to give Chelt a 1-0 lead. Holding walked for the Rustlers to take the vacant base but Irving got a pop-up and ended the dig there.
Bottom 2- Cheltenham rolled a double play on high bouncing ball behind the pitcher’s mound then Declan Ferguson hit a line drive to left centre but was stranded at 1st after a ground out.
Top 3rd- Trevorah lead off with an infield single after he beat the throw to 1st then Harman hit a home run into the gum tree over left field to score 2 more. Cheltenham leading 3-0. Jack Wills of the Royals stole a hit off Rutgers with a diving catch in left to make two out. Sandy finished it with a pop-up to 2nd base.
Bottom 3- Sandringham started with an infield single from Cevec then a hit from Wonnacott that got him to 3rd and a sacfly from Glasser to score the run. Sandringham 1, Cheltenham 3. Irving walked after Wonnacott stole, then a missed fielder’s choice opportunity, which was tight, at 2nd loaded them up with two out. Cunningham finished off the innings with a comebacker groundout to 1st.
Top 4- Cheltenham hit out and scored three more runs to extend their lead to 6, leading 7-1.
Bottom 4- Sandringham got two hits and scored another on a ground out to reduce their deficit to 5. Sandy 2, Chelt 7.
Top 5- Pitching change for Sandringham, Lezaic in for Irving. Rossell lead off with a single then Holding did the same to get him to 3rd for Cheltenham. He advanced to second on a wild pitch then Michael singled to get the RBI and make it Cheltenham 8 to Sandy 2. Trevorah singled to 7 and batted in two RBIs to make it 10-2. Another pitching change for the Royals, Mitch Glasser in to replace Lezaic. Harman grounded into a fielder's choice at 2nd for the second out. Pinch runner "Hill" in for Harman at 1st base. Leslie walked for two on and two out. DTS and Rutgers got on to load them up. Curnow took a walk and forced in a run Chelt now leading 11-2. Daniel Mack then hit a grand slam over left field off the first pitch he faced to make it 15-2. DTS and Nick Rossell got to first but stayed there when the innings ended.
Bottom 5- Cheltenham made quick work of it and sat the batters down in order. Cunningham continued on the hill for the Rustlers.
Top 6- Sam Michael lead off with a single to left then Ben Leslie walked with two out for Cheltenham. That is where they stayed though as Rutgers holed out to centre.
Bottom 6- New pitcher for Cheltenham is Jack Enciato and he got the batters in order to end the game.
Cheltenham won 15-2.
Cheltenham stat sheet available here.
Report by Cam Gleeson.
Match Report- Division 1 Women’s- Doncaster at Essendon
Saturday 16th November 2014
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Interview with Sam Hamilton. Can't see it? Direct link is here.
Doncaster came into the game as the favorites with seven wins from ten games whilst Essendon sat third, one rung below them on the ladder. Doncaster has many talented bats but at the moment Belinda Cannington is starring for the Dragons as she is batting well above 500. The Dons are being lead by Vibs Pedersen and Bronwyn Gell who are in equally as good form with the bat, both also batting at the 500 mark.
Starting batting line-up for Doncaster- Belinda Cannington 5, Samantha Hamilton 3, Amy McCann 6, Erin Peterson 9, Josephine Pope 8, Paris Penny 2, Vanessa Clifford 7, Shelley Love DH, Maddy Davis 4. Erin Collis Pitcher.
Essendon- Bronwyn Gell 6, Vibs Pedersen 8, Abbey Kelly 1, Georgia Page 5, Courtney Foura 7, Lauren Gibson 2, Danielle Garafolo 3, Nicole Kline 9, Sam Deeble 4.
Top of the 1st- Cannington walked then stole 2nd and advanced on a pass ball to 3rd. She scored on a hit by Hamilton who then stole 2nd. Kelly got a strike out looking for the 1st. Hamilton stole 3rd then scored on a 1st and 3rd occupied play that got Pope to 2nd after a shallow pop up had made two out. Penny singled to centre to score Pope and take the Dragons to 3-0. Kelly finished with a strikeout.
Bottom 1st- Collis was throwing straight for the Dragons when Pope stole a hit off Pedersen with a skilful catch in centre after a groundout, then Clifford made a catch look easy in left for the 3rd out.
Top 2. Kelly started off with a strikeout for the Bombers after dropping her deceptive curve in for strike two. She then sold her high fastball for strike three and the 2nd out. Cannington walked then stole 2nd and was just safe this time. Hamilton hit to left to make it 1st and 3rd occupied again. McCann got on with a flare and scored Cannington, that made it 4-0, then Gell of Essendon cleaned up with a ground ball from short to take us to the bottom of the 2nd.
Bottom 2. Page of Essendon got on after an error with none out then Foura made it to 1st after an attempted fielder’s choice at 2 went wrong for the Dragons. An infield fly to the catcher got the 1st out. Then Page scored on a pass ball after a double steal. Essendon trailing 4-1. Collis got a K swinging for the 2nd out and Cannington took a catch in foul territory for the 3rd out.
Top 3. Lauren Gibson of Essendon made the 1st two outs at 3rd base after moving from the dish. Penny got on after an infield error then Kelly got a strikeout looking to end it. Score unchanged Dragons 4 Essendon 1.
Bottom 3- Collis started it with a called strikeout and brought the top of the Essendon order up. Gell fought out a long at bat but grounded out to 1st for the 2nd out. Pedersen hit to left, Kelly drove long to the fence to score her then Page hit to right for an RBI to reduce the Dons deficit to 1. Essendon 3, Doncaster 4. Foura walked and Gibson got on with an error to load them up. Garafolo got a good piece but holed out to left for the 3rd out. Essendon 3, Doncaster 4.
Top 4- Davis hit to right to start it off for Doncaster, then Cannington got HBP to make it two on with none out, she stole 2nd with no throw over then Hamilton hit long and flat to left to score two RBIs. Emma French came in to pitch and Kelly went to left field for Essendon. Hamilton advanced to 3rd and McCann got on after an error. Then another error scored Hamilton and allowed Peterson on for Doncaster. Pedersen of Essendon took a good running catch in centre right and Pope got an RBI on the sacrifice. Doncaster leading 8-3. Peterson scored for the Dragons on a pass ball, now 9-3. Love walked, then Davis hit deep to right to score three more with a triple and take the score to 12-3. Hamilton walked then Essendon finished it with 1-2-3 double play.
Bottom 4- Steane came in to pitch for Doncaster and got a pop up to 1st for the 1st out and a catch back at her for the 2nd. Essendon back to the top of the order. Gell singled to centre to put some life back in the Bomber’s camp but Doncaster finished it off with a fielder’s choice at 2nd.
Top 5- Peterson lead off with a single to right for the Dragons, then Pope did the same to left. Essendon got a fly into centre for the 1st out then Clifford singled to left to load them up. Emma French made way on the mound for Page. Essendon avoided any more damage with a 4-2-3 double play. Doncaster still leading 12-3.
Bottom 5- Kelly walked for Essendon, then there was a groundout at 1. A pop up at 1 got the 2nd out and a groundout to 2 ended the dig leaving one on.
Top 6- Cannington tripled with one out then Hamilton hit a long double to the fence to score her. Score was then 13-3. That is where they stayed as Essendon went in to try and chip into the ten run deficit.
Bottom 6- Steane on the hill for Doncaster, got two groundouts, then Sam Deeble beat out a single that went deep to shortstop. That brought up the top of the Essendon order, Gell got HBP but a fly ball to centre ended the game. Doncaster ran out winners 13-3.
Report by Cam Gleeson
Photos supplied by Bruce from Doncaster.
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Match Report- Sandringham at Waverley Tuesday 18th November 6pm, 2014.
Hodgkinson catching for Waverley caught a runner stealing 2nd to end the top of the 1st. Mark Irving, pitching for Sandringham threw 2 strikeouts to start the Royals defence and ended the 1st with a pop up to right.
Luke Pappanicolaou finished the top of the 2nd with a curve ball that bit back over the plate for the 3rd out then Dedan Ferguson of the Royals stole a hit off Tom Maxfield with a diving catch in right field as Waverley went down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the frame.
Sandringham had 1st and 3rd occupied with one out then Jamie Pappanicolaou from short made a good play to catch a runner at the plate. Wonnacott hit down the 1st base line to score one with 2 out. Sandy was then leading 1-0.
Mitch Kennedy of Waverley hit a ball one bounce into the fence for a one out double but got left on base to end the 3rd.
Luke Papanicolaou on the hill for the Wildcats got three ground ball outs to give his team a 4th go at bat. Hayes hit a line drive single to right, J Pappanicolaou bunted safely followed by Edwards who grounded out for an RBI then Maxfield did the same for a Wildcats lead of 2-1 at the end of the dig.
A pick off at 1st helped Waverley's new pitcher James Darcy through the top of the 5th with no addition to the score. Grant Irving on the hill for the Royals looked like he was not going anywhere as he sat down the batters in order to take the game to the 6th.
The Royals Mitch Glaster helped him out with the bat when he hit a line drive double deep to centre but Darcy on the hill for Waverley found his zone and left him there to go into the bottom of the 6th.
Maxfield, batting for the home team, held his hands back and singled into right with one out but Irving was still in control and ended it with a strike out.
Darcy found his rhythm for Waverley and was mixing speeds well when started the 7th with 2 strikeouts. Leziac came into the game for Sandringham and batted with a runner on after an error and then it was Darcy's turn to throw a strikeout to end it.
In the 8th Matthew Wilson came on for the Wildcats and Irving hit to left for the Royals with a runner on. Waverley then made their 2nd tag out at the plate for the game and ended the innings with no addition to the score.
Irving pitched yet another scoreless frame in the bottom of the 8th and Wilson was right on target to end it in the top of the 9th and give Waverley the win.
Final score Waverley 2, Sandringham 1.
Irving was dominant for Sandringham, all three pitchers for Waverley were accurate and frugal, Andrew Hayes collected two hits for the home team.
Match report by Cam Gleeson
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Match Report- Sandringham at Waverley Tuesday 18th November 6pm, 2014.
Hodgkinson catching for Waverley caught a runner stealing 2nd to end the top of the 1st. Mark Irving, pitching for Sandringham threw 2 strikeouts to start the Royals defence and ended the 1st with a pop up to right.
Luke Pappanicolaou finished the top of the 2nd with a curve ball that bit back over the plate for the 3rd out then Dedan Ferguson of the Royals stole a hit off Tom Maxfield with a diving catch in right field as Waverley went down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the frame.
Sandringham had 1st and 3rd occupied with one out then Jamie Pappanicolaou from short made a good play to catch a runner at the plate. Wonnacott hit down the 1st base line to score one with 2 out. Sandy was then leading 1-0.
Mitch Kennedy of Waverley hit a ball one bounce into the fence for a one out double but got left on base to end the 3rd.
Luke Papanicolaou on the hill for the Wildcats got three ground ball outs to give his team a 4th go at bat. Hayes hit a line drive single to right, J Pappanicolaou bunted safely followed by Edwards who grounded out for an RBI then Maxfield did the same for a Wildcats lead of 2-1 at the end of the dig.
A pick off at 1st helped Waverley's new pitcher James Darcy through the top of the 5th with no addition to the score. Grant Irving on the hill for the Royals looked like he was not going anywhere as he sat down the batters in order to take the game to the 6th.
The Royals Mitch Glaster helped him out with the bat when he hit a line drive double deep to centre but Darcy on the hill for Waverley found his zone and left him there to go into the bottom of the 6th.
Maxfield, batting for the home team, held his hands back and singled into right with one out but Irving was still in control and ended it with a strike out.
Darcy found his rhythm for Waverley and was mixing speeds well when started the 7th with 2 strikeouts. Leziac came into the game for Sandringham and batted with a runner on after an error and then it was Darcy's turn to throw a strikeout to end it.
In the 8th Matthew Wilson came on for the Wildcats and Irving hit to left for the Royals with a runner on. Waverley then made their 2nd tag out at the plate for the game and ended the innings with no addition to the score.
Irving pitched yet another scoreless frame in the bottom of the 8th and Wilson was right on target to end it in the top of the 9th and give Waverley the win.
Final score Waverley 2, Sandringham 1.
Irving was dominant for Sandringham, all three pitchers for Waverley were accurate and frugal, Andrew Hayes collected two hits for the home team.
Match report by Cam Gleeson
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