The Australian participants for the 2014 Cal Ripken World Series have completed round 1, winning 3 out of 4 games. Today they played their first game of the Diamond Bracket defeating the South West team from the USA 4-2.
Round 1 Games:
Australia v Mexico
Game Highlights: Great team efforts, supporting each other from the start to the last pitch being thrown. Outstanding performance from Michael Tovey who pitched a complete game.
Canada v Australia
Game Highlights: scored nine runs in the third inning on a RBI double by Ky Jackson, an RBI double by Caleb Shepherd, a three-run double by Mitchell Chase, and both a two-run triple and two-run double by Jarryd Wood. Australia’s player of the game was awarded to Jarryd Wood for his batting and starting pitching.
Australia: Stellar Performance by Australia puts them 2-0
Korea v Australia
Game Highlights: Ky Jackson was outstanding on the mound and Kurtis King was able to shut down the Koreans. Awesome play at short stop by Ethan Stacy, diving for the ball and making the out at home in big league style.
Australia: Unable to get the win, falls to 2-1
Australia v New Zealand
Game Highlights: Team played well defensively, great pitching from Jarryd Wood and huge homerun from Ky Jackson.
Australia: Comeback win for Australia, puts them 3-1
Diamond Bracket Games:
South West v Australia
Game Highlights: Team was extremely positive with most players getting hits. Stand out performances from Mitchell Schofield with two hits and Zac Lawrence with two hits and great catching.
Australia will play the Mid-Atlantic team from the USA tomorrow at 10:00am (Friday night at midnight AEST) for the chance to play in the Diamond Bracket playoff game.
For more team updates visit baseball.com.au or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
Article by Trish Quayle
Baseball Australia is pleased to launch the 2014/15 summer membership season, with all states open for registration around the country.
This is the sports second season using our new IMG membership platform which enables members to easily find their local clubs, register, renew and pay their fees all online at a time and place convenient to them.
We are excited that in our second season all States are offering the option for clubs to use the online registration system, which is bringing the sport up to speed with our tech-inclined society and making it easier for participation in our great game to grow.
The online membership portal is available for all members to login and manage their own contact details and member communication preferences. This means you can stay up-to-date with your sport and receive the exclusive member offers from BA, the ABL and our sponsors like New Era, Majestic and Rawlings.
There is a MEMBER LOGIN button at the top of the baseball.com.au website, and direct links from most State and/or club websites. This is the gateway to your member profile. All current members (players and volunteers) registered in the system should have already received an email from BA with your username and password for login, but there also is a finder function there using your email address.
It is important to note that there are differences in the way that baseball clubs choose to have their members register. If online registration and/or payment is not available for your local club, please contact them for further information on how to register.
Remember that as a Baseball Australia member you also receive an exclusive member’s discount at the ONLINE SHOP, simply login to the shop using your member details.
Have a fantastic season!
Little League is one of the most recognisable sporting brands in the world and represents the largest participation sport, played by over 2.6 million people across 75 countries.
The first Little League World Series was held in 1947 and within a few years of the first series Little League was being played in all US states as well as internationally. Today little league is the largest participation sport in the world and they follow the same goal as was set in 1939: “To give children of the world a game that provides fundamental principles they can use later in life to become good citizens”. This year Little League also celebrates its 75th anniversary.
Australian Little League was first launched in the year 2007 with Australia becoming one of over 75 countries that are involved in Little League. In Australia there are 477-chartered teams and over 4,500 participants between the ages of eleven and twelve across all States and Territories making it one of the fastest growing grassroots sport in Australia. Australia is the fourth largest Little League country in terms of participation, and 20 teams from Australia participate in the National Little League Championships each year.
This year marks the second year that Australia will automatically receive entry into the Little League World Series. The Australian team no longer has to qualify through the Asia Pacific Little League qualifying tournament. The team that will get to participate this year is the team that won the Little League National Championships in Australia in June.
The Perth Northern Metros will participate in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania beginning the 14th of August (15th of August AEST) until the 24th. The team is made up of 14 players and coached by Brian Armstrong, Grant Johnson and Kim Pelkonen.
This series will be broadcasted internationally on ESPN and seen by millions of people around the world. You can watch Australia’s first game versus the Caribbean on August 14 at 5:00pm (August 15 at 7:00am AEST) on ESPN Pacific Rim.
To follow the teams progress visit littleleague.org.au or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
Article by Narelle Gosstray
The Australian Women’s Baseball Team, the Emeralds, have recently received a significant boost in their campaign to win the 2014 Women’s World Cup to be held in Miyazaki, Japan in early September.
The Emeralds have secured the support of the Australia Japan Foundation (AJF), which was established by the Australian Government in 1976 to expand and develop contact and exchange between the people of Australia and Japan and to help project positive images of Australia and Japan in each other's country.
The Emeralds will undertake a cultural exchange with the Riseisha College of Medicine and Sport in Osaka, prior to the 2014 Women's World Baseball Cup, which will be held in Miyazaki, Kyushu. The visit will include friendly games against the University team, school visits, cultural activities (including visiting temples and a sumo school) plus the exchange of coaching techniques and ideas between coaches.
The AJF Chair Murray McLean AO was pleased to support the Emerald’s application saying it “represents a great sports diplomacy opportunity to extend people-to-people links between our two countries”. Emerald’s Head Coach, Simone Wearne, was excited by the boost to the Emeralds campaign. “Baseball is huge in Japan, and this exchange will provide a platform that transcends language and cultural differences, bringing Japanese and Australians closer on a personal level through common interests and values”.
Wearne was respectful of the skill, professionalism and success of Japanese baseball, “as the reigning champions, Japan have set the benchmark for performance on the world stage. Whatever the result at the World Cup, the exchange will achieve the AJF’s goals of increasing understanding in Japan of shared interests with Australia and increase recognition in Japan of Australian excellence and expertise".
Wearne continues “We believe the Japanese will enjoy the exchange with both the players and the coaching staff. The team includes Shae Lillywhite, who is the only foreign player to have ever played in the Japanese Women’s Professional League, and two time World Series winner with the Yankees, Graeme Lloyd".
We have recently been able to add even more experience to our coaching line up with the addition of Luke Hughes, who played for the Minnesota Twins and Oakland Athletics in the MLB, debuting in style with a home run in his first at bat with the Twins. Hughes is a veteran of the Australian team, and a member of the 2014 Perth Heat team that won the Australian Baseball League Championship. Hughes’ experience as a hitter, infielder and outfielder will be invaluable to the team.
To follow the Emeralds journey to the World Cup visit emeralds.baseball.com.au or follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
Peter Moylan, a right-handed relief pitcher from Western Australia was signed by the Minnesota Twins at the age of 17, played rookie ball for three years and was then released. Seven and a half years later he made his debut for Team Australia in the 2006 World Baseball Classic, which proved to be the turning point for his career, being picked up the next day by the Atlanta Braves.
He played rookie ball for three weeks before making his Major League debut on April 12, 2006, pitching a scoreless inning against the Philadelphia Phillies. He spent seven years with the Braves before being picked up by the Los Angeles Dodgers at the beginning of 2013 and the Houston Astros later that year. Playing in the Bigs has been a career highlight for Moylan, proving to those that doubted him that he did possess the raw talent to be a success in the sport.
Currently recovering from his second Tommy John surgery, he has taken the opportunity to give back to the sport he loves. Filling the role of pitching coach for the 15U team at the 2014 IBAF World Cup in Mexico, was something Moylan has always wanted to do, and for him the timing was perfect as he is currently rehabbing and unable to play.
Waiting at a Mexican airport, before he jumped a plane back to his US home in Atlanta, Moylan explained that although the 15U team didn't have a successful tournament, it was a learning experience for everyone involved. “For me at this age group they are still young enough that you can still get into their heads, give them some guidance and confidence and mold them into a really good player”.
His first coaching experience was nerve-racking, “I am in control of what I am doing when I am playing, I do not have as much control when I am coaching. I said to the kids I was more nervous than they were when we played Cuba because I literally could not do anything. I was sitting there watching my fate be controlled by a bunch of 15 year old kids.”
His advice to the young players who dream of making into the majors is “you may think you are the greatest player in Australia, but tournaments like this prove how many countries there are that play the game at a higher level then we are currently capable of. You need to work extremely hard in order to get to where you want to be.”
Moylan is an inspirational player and when asked what his future plans are we were excited to hear the answer.
“At this very moment I am considering rehab, so I can come back and play. My arm feels good right now and I think it will respond well. I am hoping to rehab till I’m one hundred percent, which should be April, then I will hopefully start pitching again for some teams.
“I definitely still want to play, and will all depend on how my arm responds to the throwing program I start this week. I love competing and I am going to keep trying to do it as long as someone keeps giving me a job”
Moylan loves everything about the sport he has played since he was eleven years old. It is a game “you can’t slow play, you have to play 9 innings no matter what, whether it is going to take 5 hours or 2 hours, you can’t run the clock out, you can’t kick the ball backwards, it is a game you have to complete in order to win.”
For more updates about Peter Moylan and his comeback to Major League Baseball visit baseball.com.au.
FINAL SELECTION CRITERIA
FINAL SQUAD TRAINING SESSIONS:
If selected in the final squad, below is the training schedule:
FINAL COST:
The costs associated for players selected will be confirmed once further details are received from Baseball Australia and must be paid by Friday 19 September 2014.
Should extenuating circumstances arise, a suitable payment plan can be negotiated with Baseball Victoria no later than Wednesday 3 September 2014. An increase of 10% will be applied if payment is not finalised by 19 September unless a payment plan is in place. All applications for a payment plan must be in writing and sent via email to Ashley Blair at ashley.blair@baseballvictoria.com.au.
In the event of withdrawal from the State Program due to injury or other unforeseeable circumstances prior to 12 September 2014 a full refund will be provided.
However, for any withdrawals after this date, refunds will be determined by Baseball Victoria at the time of the withdrawal.
AVAILABILITY:
Please advise Ashley Blair at ashley.blair@baseballvictoria.com.au by Monday 25 August 2014 if you are interested and available to participate in this tournament.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS:
The Championships will be hosted in Trinity Beach, Cairns from 29 September - 4 October 2014.
Baseball Australia has extended the age group from Under 23 to Under 25 based on feedback and a vision to provide further opportunity for players to represent their State. Moving the Championships to September also allows this event to be open to players returning from professional and college tenures in the US.
Both Baseball Australia and Baseball Victoria view this program as an integral step in a player’s pathway of development . This age group allows players that are developed and ones that may develop at a later age an extended opportunity to be at the forefront of scouts and officials involved with the Melbourne Aces, professional baseball and US college programs and maximises opportunities for all levels of players.
Please Note: This tournament will be used to selected the Under 21 Australian Team that will participate in the World Cup in November.
Kerry Gassner will again be the Head Coach of this program, with Dean Marnell and David Clarkson as his Assistant Coaches.
For further information on this program please contact
Ashley Blair on 9645 8000 or ashley.blair@baseballvictoria.com.au
Kerry Gassner on 0418 137 690 or kg22@live.com.au
Dean Marnell on 0425 771 997
The Pitch is a weekly news review of Australian’s in the Majors, Minors, College and other Professional Leagues compiled by Major League Baseball International (Australia).If you would like to subscribe directly to receive the pitch email majorleaguebaseball@bigpond.com
Current statistics of all active Australian and New Zealander players are attached.
AUSTRALIANS IN THE MAJORS
Week in Review
Here is the latest on the Australians participating in Major League Baseball. Note: hyperlinks in this section lead to MLB.com pages wrapping up these particular games, in-text hyperlinks are to video clips of those plays.
Grant Balfour (Glenwood NSW) is 1-4 with a 5.25 ERA in 45 appearances, 43.0 innings, for the Tampa Bay Rays this season. He has recorded 11 saves from 13 opportunities while allowing 25 runs, all earned, on 35 hits, two homeruns, and 33 walks while striking out 41.
The Rays are 55 - 59 (.482) in 4th place in the American League East, ten games behind the Baltimore Orioles.
Listen to a radio interview with Grant’s wife Angie here.
·29 July – Grant pitched one inning, striking out two, in the Rays 5-1 win over visiting Milwaukee. He came on in the top of the 9th with the final score in place and faced three batters: Carlos Gomez struck out swinging; Jonathan Lucroy was called out on strikes; and Ryan Bruan grounded out to short.
·1 Aug – Grant pitched one inning, allowing one hit, in the Rays 5-3 loss to the visiting Angels. He came on in the top of the 9th with the final score in place and faced three batters: Kole Calhoun grounded out to second; Mike Trout singled to left; and Albert Pujols grounded into a double play.
·3 Aug – Grant pitched one inning, allowing a walk, in the Rays 7-5 loss to the visiting Angels. He came on for the 8th inning with the final score in place and faced four batters: Chirs Iannetta flied out to right; Kole Calhoun flied out to centre; Mike Trout walked and with Albert Pujols batting steals 2nd; Pujols grounded out to third to end the inning.
·4 Aug – Grant copped the loss pitching 2/3 of an inning allowing one earned run on two hits and one walk while striking out one in the Rays 3-2 10 inning loss at Oakland. He came on in the 10th with the score tied and faced six batters: Albert Callaspo lined out to left; Sam Fuld singled to centre and, with John Jaso batting, steals 2nd; Jaso walked; Josh Donaldson walked to load the bases; Brandon Moss struck out swinging; and Derek Norris singled to centre to score the winning run.
·6 Aug – Grant pitched one inning allowing two earned runs on two hits and a walk while striking out one in the Rays 7-3 win at Oakland. He came on in the 9th with the score 7-1 and faced six batters: Coco Crisp called out on strikes; John Jaso lined out to right; Josh Donaldson singled to centre; Brandon Moss walked; Josh Reddick doubled to centre scoring Donaldson and Moss; Alberto Callsapo grounded out to short to end the game.
AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE IMPORTS IN THE MAJORS
Brandon Barnes (Sydney Blue Sox) is batting .250 for the Colorado Rockies with 19 RBI, 13 doubles, two triples and five homeruns in 212 at bats over 98 games while playing right field. Over his last ten games, dating to 27 July, he’s batting .333 with eight hits, including one homerun, and two walks in 24 at-bats. He’s made several video highlights which can be viewed here. The Rockies are 45-69 (.395), in fifth place in the National League West and 19.5 games behind the Giants.
Didi Gregorious (Canberra Cavalry) is batting .248 for the Arizona Diamondbacks with 14 RBI, three doubles, four triples and four homeruns in 129 at bats over 39 games while playing short stop. Over his last ten games, dating to 26 July, he’s batting .281 with three runs on nine hits, including a homerun, with three RBI, in 32 at-bats. He’s made several video highlights which can be viewed here. The Diamondbacks are 49 - 66 (.426) in fourth place in the NL West 16 games behind Los Angeles.
Kevin Kiermaier (Canberra Cavalry) is batting .288 for the Tampa Bay Rays with 28 RBI, 10 doubles, five triples and nine home runs in 205 at bats over 65 games playing right field for the Tampa Bay Rays. He’s scored 27 runs on 59 hits and has stolen four bases. Over his last ten games, dating to 27 July, he’s batting .161 with four runs on five hits with three RBI over 31 at bats. He’s made several video highlights which can be viewed here. The Rays are 55 - 59 (.482) in 4th place in the American League East, ten games behind the Baltimore Orioles.
AUSTRALIAN ESPN BROADCAST SCHEDULE (All times AEST)
BALFOUR GRATEFUL FOR RAGING TIME IN OAKLAND
Aaron Leibowitz, MLB.com – 4 August
TRIPLE-A LEAGUES:
CHASERS’ HENDRIKS FANS 12 IN ROYALS’ DEBUT
Newly acquired right-hander establishes career high in first PCL start
Josh Jackson, MiLB.com – 2 August
VIDEO STORY HERE
THE AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE:
SLUGGER LUKE HUGHES READY TO FIRE FOR THE HEAT
Josh Spasaro, Coffs Coast Advocate – 31 July
JUNIOR BASEBALL:
The major international junior tournaments are underway with both Australia and New Zealand competing at the Under-15 World Cup and the Cal Ripken World Series and the Perth Northern Metros are representing Australia at the Little League World Series.
VERMONT SOUTH’S JORDAN BUSCH WILL COMPETE FOR AUSTRALIA
Laura Jolly, Whitehorse Leader – 1 August
CRONULLA STATE CUP REPS OFF TO PLAY BASEBALL IN THE US
Paul Haigh, The Leader – 5 August
AT A GLANCE
• The following players have been placed on 7-day disabled lists: OF Corey Adamson (Padres; Perth Heat); OF David Kandilas (Rockies; Sydney Blue Sox); OF Adam Silva (Yankees; Melbourne Aces).
•The following players have been released: RHP Justin Erasmus (Brisbane Bandits) by the Fargo-Moorehead RedHawks (Independent); OF Karl Hoschke (Sydney Blue Sox) by the Atlanta Braves and LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith (Newcastle NSW) by the Cincinnati Reds.
A direct link to the interview with Vibeke is here.
An interview with Gary Bitmead about Straw Field and how Gary knew Ross in his junior days at Essendon.
A direct link to the interview with Gary is here.
The last games to be played at Ross Straw Field will be held on Sunday 24 August. If you have played, umpired, scored, coached or volunteered at Ross Straw Field, or even if you are a little nostalgic, please come down to bid the grounds a fond farewell.
Ross Straw Field was the first purpose built baseball facility in Victoria. The main diamond boasted Major League dimensions, all weather infield, sunk bases and home plate, back net, outfield fences and bleachers for spectators too.
Many VBA finals and exhibition matches have been played there over the years. Since the mid 1970s the fields have been home to the University of Melbourne Baseball Club. During the club’s tenancy, the grounds have played host to winter, summer and intervarsity matches and tournaments. Sadly, both diamonds shall be rendered unfit for baseball due to the East West Link project.
Therefore, the games played there on Sunday the 24th of August will be the last ever. In honour of this significant event, a full day of baseball will be played on both diamonds.
The format of the day will be as follows:
9:30am Women’s game commences – Melbourne University vs. Monash University (TBC)
11.30am Warm up commences for those old enough or legendary enough to play in the 'Heritage Game'
12.00pm Heritage Game commences
1.30pm Heritage Game ends
2.30pm B Grade game commences – Melbourne University v Monash University
A group shot of all those attending will be taken between 1.30pm-2.00pm.
Oldies/Legends who would like to play in the Heritage Game should RSVP to Richard King – rking@dseg.com.au. If you have a uniform that fits wear it - if not just wear something that you don’t mind getting muddy (or dusty). This is your last ever chance to play on the revered surface, so if you are even half thinking about it, this year it’s time!
On behalf of the University of Melbourne BC Committee we look forward to seeing you on 24 August.
Note: There will be an informal meal on the night before the game at
The Clyde Hotel, 385 Cardigan St, Carlton, – 6.30pm’ish – all welcome.
Some old photos and scans relating to Straw Field can be seen at this link. These photos are provided courtesy of the Fitzroy Baseball Club archives.