Baseball Victoria is committed to supporting and growing our umpiring fraternity, with several initiatives in place to promote a safe, enjoyable, and fair competition for all.
BV Green Vest Program
Thank you to all clubs that have participated in the BV Green Vest Program so far. We hope to see more clubs using these vests to identify beginner officials as volunteers/umpires in training, helping to build greater understanding amongst players, parents, spectators, and coaches. Green vests are part of our ongoing efforts to ensure baseball is safe and enjoyable for all, while also encouraging beginner officials to continue with their umpire education and development.
As a reminder, we are running a competition for clubs that send in photos of their green vests in action. The club that sends in the best photo will receive a prize, with entries shared on social media and included in the 2022/23 Annual Report.
Please send photos to rachael.bouley@baseballvictoria.com.au by 28 February.
BV Green Shirt Program
In addition to the BV Green Vest Program, we are also requesting three recommendations per VSBL club for potential green shirt umpires. This may be current players, coaches, parents, or volunteers who are interested in officiating and wish to learn more through a basic umpiring course.
Here's how it works:
- Identify three candidates for the BV Green Shirt Umpire Program.
- Submit your recommendations online: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/greenshirtumpires
- Receive your free box of balls from BV! (maximum one box per club)
Recommendations are due by Wednesday 15 February 2023 to be eligible for a free box of balls.
BV Umpire Info/Training Sessions
Our BV Umpire Officers are happy to attend local clubs for info/training sessions, with two more coming up:
- Tuesday 7 February at Fitzroy Baseball Club, 7pm
- Wednesday 15 February at Melbourne Baseball Club, 6pm
New and current umpires are welcome to attend - topics will include umpire procedures, insurance, positioning, responsibilities, and washouts.
Please contact umpiringpw@baseballvictoria.com.au for more details on upcoming umpire sessions and the BV Umpiring Pathway.
Baseball Victoria is pleased to confirm the dates for VSBL Finals:
- Division 1 Firsts: semi-finals 7, 11, 12* March and grand final 14, 18, 19* March
- Division 2 Firsts: semi-finals 9, 11, 12* March and grand final 16, 18, 19* March
- Division 3: semi-finals 5 March and grand finals 12 March
- Women’s Division 1, 2, and 3: semi-finals 4 March and grand finals 11 March
- Masters: semi-finals 6 March and grand finals 13 March
- Junior Sunday competitions: semi-finals 5 March and grand finals 12 March
- All other grades: semi-finals 5 March and grand finals 12 March
*game three if required
We can’t wait to watch as the rest of the summer season unfolds, and we encourage you to follow VSBL on Facebook to stay up-to-date on all things Summer League.
All fixtures, results, and ladders are available HERE.
Summer League is back in full swing with just a month to go before finals!
Catch up on the latest results below and don't forget to follow VSBL on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates. The latest fixtures, results, and standings can be viewed HERE.
Seniors Week 14
Division 1 Firsts: Essendon bounced back from a narrow loss last week with a 13-1 result over Berwick. Malvern outlasted Geelong in a 16-13 game, while Sandringham held on for an 8-6 win at Mulgrave. Blackburn edged Melbourne 5-4 as Waverley and Sunshine went back and forth, with the Wildcats prevailing 4-3. Upwey Ferntree Gully beat Moorabbin 5-3.
Division 2 Firsts: Port Melbourne broke through in the ninth for a 1-0 victory over Werribee, while Williamstown scored 13 and kept North Western off the board. Doncaster won 9-3 at Fitzroy and Cheltenham picked up a 3-1 win against Newport. Ormond Glenhuntly beat St Kilda 9-2 as a high-scoring game between Bonbeach and Preston finished with the Bluejays in front 16-14.
Division 3 Firsts: Mornington was first on the board and kept up the momentum in a 16-12 win at Chelsea. Essendon recorded a 22-0 result against Port Melbourne as Geelong overpowered Footscray 21-7. Pakenham sealed the deal 4-3 at Sandringham.
Division 4 East: Blackburn racked up the runs in a 21-6 outing against Doncaster. A Research Lower Plenty matchup saw the Gold side win 14-4 while Waverley Black defeated Melbourne Red 10-4. Melbourne Blue got the job done 11-6 over Monash.
Division 4 North: Fitzroy Maroon was first on the board, but Greensborough came back to win 7-4. Essendon won 8-4 at Newport.
Division 4 South: Mornington came away with an 11-3 victory at St Kilda as Pakenham Black beat Chelsea Blue 9-5. Pakenham White edged South East Warriors 6-5 and Chelsea White won 3-1 at Upwey Ferntree Gully Gold.
Masters Week 14
Waverley and Research Lower Plenty ended up drawing at eight runs apiece in Masters 38+ East, while Monash/ Ormond Glenhuntly won 3-0 against the Hunters. Upwey Ferntree Gully Black won 11-5 at Melbourne and Blackburn defeated Upwey Ferntree Gully Gold 9-2.
In Masters 38+ North West, Sunshine Blue prevailed 11-4 against Werribee as Pivot City beat Sunshine West 10-3. Essendon Bombers shut out Port Melbourne 21-0 while Williamstown went 14-0 vs. Essendon Jets. Newport outlasted Fitzroy 9-5.
In Masters 38+ South, Bonbeach Blue scored 12 runs while keeping Chelsea off the board. Springvale Tomatoes also picked up a shutout win, beating Sandringham by nine runs. Springvale Bigcats finished 17-2 in front of Pakenham/Berwick as Mornington overpowered Cheltenham 16-7.
Blackburn's undefeated run in Masters 45+ continues after a 12-1 win at Sandringham. Melbourne defeated Malvern 7-3.
Juniors Week 13
U14 East Metro: Cheltenham scored early on the way to a 13-6 win over Malvern, while Doncaster edged Berwick/Mulgrave 8-6. Pakenham beat Upwey Ferntree Gully 12-4 as Melbourne prevailed 13-3 at Sandringham.
U14 West Metro: Research Lower Plenty was first on the board, but Newport Footscray came back to win 15-13. It was close between Port Melbourne and North Western, with the Mariners finishing in front 21-20. Essendon scored in every inning for an 18-9 victory at Sunshine.
U14 East State: Chelsea shut out Blackburn 14-0 and Waverley won 9-2 over Essendon. Moorabbin won 12-1 at Malvern and Sandringham got started early in a 14-6 win against Upwey Ferntree Gully.
U14 West State: Geelong took care of business 10-4 at Newport as Essendon beat Sunshine 18-7. Research Lower Plenty finished 18-2 in front of Werribee.
U16 Metro: Werribee won 14-8 against Sandringham and Research/Preston beat Blackburn/Doncaster 20-4. Malvern kept the runs coming in a 19-6 outing at Fitzroy Maroon, while Fitzroy Blue won 13-9 at North Western. Essendon pulled in front late to finish 9-6 up over Port Melbourne and Waverley won 14-5 at Williamstown.
U16 State: Geelong came back to beat Williamstown 5-4 and Moorabbin defeated Waverley 8-5.
U18 Metro: Essendon cruised to a 14-4 victory over Cheltenham while Sandringham prevailed 11-3 at Doncaster. Pakenham won 14-5 at St Kilda and Mulgrave ended up 11-1 in front of Sunshine.
U18 State: Blackburn Upwey FTG won 12-3 against Newport and Geelong defeated Werribee 13-7. Preston scored five in a shutout vs. Waverley as Sandringham held off Melbourne's late push for a 6-5 victory. Essendon drew Malvern 6-6.
Under 12s Week 12
U12 A State East: Chelsea pulled in front late to beat Melbourne 10-9. A high-scoring game between Waverley and Sandringham finished with the Royals up 17-15. Cheltenham/Moorabbin won 15-10 at Malvern.
U12 A State West: Although Werribee rallied late, Newport came away with a 12-5 victory. A Research Lower Plenty matchup saw Maroon beat Gold 15-10 while Essendon won 10-5 at Geelong. Port Melbourne defeated Sunshine 20-3.
U12 B East: Melbourne and Sandringham battled hard, with the Royals coming out on top 13-12. Chelsea scored each inning to finish 15-5 over St Kilda.
U12 B West: Essendon overpowered Research Lower Plenty Blue 15-6 as a Fitzroy battle ended with Blue up 6-3 over Maroon.
Southern Mariners Intermediate: Chelsea won 14-5 at Ormond Glenhuntly, while Moorabbin picked up an 18-5 victory over Bonbeach/Chelsea.
Baseball Victoria is pleased to announce the Victorian Youth Women’s State Team coaches ahead of the 2023 Australian Youth Women’s Championship in April.
Dean Anglin will serve as head coach, with Bronwyn Gell and Alan Sutherland as assistant coaches. Erin Collis will support the team as executive officer.
“Thank you to these experienced baseballers for stepping up to lead our talented female athletes to success at the first youth women’s nationals in four years,” BV CEO Chet Gray said. “Their knowledge and expertise will benefit our junior girls and we look forward to the next few months of training leading up to the tournament.”
The youth women’s event is expected to run alongside the Australian Women’s Championship over Easter, with dates and venue information TBC by Baseball Australia.
As a reminder, team tryout registration is now open for female players born in 2007, 2008, or 2009. Interested players are encouraged to sign up for tryouts, which will take place on:
- Saturday 4 February at Newport (9-11am)
- Monday 6 February at Melbourne Ballpark (6-8pm)
- Saturday 11 February at Newport (9-11am)
Please click HERE to register for tryouts and stay tuned for updates on this year's championships.
Summer League is back in 2023! We hope everyone enjoyed the first week of baseball this year as the VSBL season resumed in style.
Catch up on the latest results below and don't forget to follow VSBL on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates. The latest fixtures, results, and standings can be viewed HERE.
Women's Week 13
In Women's Division 1, Doncaster defeated Footscray 18-1 as Essendon shut out Springvale 7-0.
Doncaster's Women's Division 2 team also picked up a win, shutting out Newport's second team with 28 runs. Geelong secured an 11-2 win over Footscray as Sandringham defeated North Western 20-1. Melbourne scored first, but Springvale ended up winning 12-6.
Upwey Ferntree Gully won 6-4 at Malvern in Women's Division 3 East, while Waverley Red prevailed 8-7 in a close matchup with Preston.
In Women's Division 3 South, Chelsea outlasted Cheltenham 8-3 as Springvale finished 12-7 in front of Berwick. South East Warriors remain undefeated after a 14-6 performance at Moorabbin, while Pakenham overpowered St Kilda 17-6.
Women's Division 3 West ladder leader Port Melbourne won 13-4 at Werribee and Newport picked up a 12-3 win over Essendon at home. Geelong kept up the pressure in a 14-6 game vs. Williamstown as Fitzroy secured a 17-12 victory against North Western. Both sides put up seven late runs but Alfredton pulled off an 11-9 victory over Mitchell Majors.
Seniors Week 13
Division 1 Firsts: a scoreless pitcher's duel went into the tenth before Geelong scored three runs to seal the deal over Blackburn. It was close between Sunshine and Essendon too, with the Eagles securing a 1-0 victory. Waverley shut out Mulgrave 14-0 and Berwick came back to beat Melbourne 8-7. Upwey Ferntree Gully got the job done 7-2 vs. Sandringham as Malvern defeated Moorabbin 15-2.
Division 2 Firsts: Doncaster prevailed 14-8 against Werribee as Fitzroy shut out North Western 12-0. Ormond Glenhuntly won 6-5 over Bonbeach in extra innings and Port Melbourne finished 9-4 in front of Cheltenham. Newport won 7-2 against Preston and Williamstown edged St Kilda 3-1.
Division 3 Firsts: first-place Pakenham shut out Essendon 10-0, while Sandringham cruised to an 11-3 victory over Geelong. Mornington scored 29 in a shutout at Footscray as Chelsea defeated Port Melbourne 14-6.
Division 4 East: a Research battle ended with Maroon up 6-5 as Waverley Black shut out Doncaster 12-0. Melbourne Red defeated Monash 12-4 and Melbourne Blue won 8-5 at Waverley Red.
Division 4 North: North Coburg was busy at the plate in a 15-4 victory over Footscray. Mitchell Majors held on for an 8-7 win against Essendon, while Alfredton won 4-2 at Fitzroy Maroon.
Division 4 South: both Pakenham teams fought hard as the Pumas White team won 8-4. South East Warriors picked up an 8-4 win over Mornington.
Masters Week 13
There were two shutouts in Masters 38+ East, with Melbourne scoring 13 vs. Waverley and Blackburn putting up six against Monash/Ormond Glenhuntly. Research Lower Plenty won 17-3 at Ormond Glenhuntly as Upwey Ferntree Gully Black won 13-5 over their fellow Tigers.
In Masters 38+ North West, Essendon Bombers racked up 18 runs while Pivot City scored four. Williamstown won 10-0 at Fitzroy and Werribee also picked up a shutout victory, scoring nine runs over Port Melbourne. Sunshine White and Essendon Jets drew 13-all as Newport and Sunshine Blue also ended in a draw at nine runs apiece.
In Masters 38+ South, Cheltenham cruised to a 17-2 win over Pakenham/Berwick and Springvale Bigcats held on for a 6-5 victory at Bonbeach Blue. Bonbeach White beat Chelsea 11-7.
Blackburn remains undefeated in Masters 45+ after beating Malvern 9-6. Sandringham secured an 11-7 victory at Melbourne.
Juniors Week 12
U14 East Metro: Waverley's hot streak continued with a 7-2 win over Sandringham as Melbourne beat Doncaster 11-5. Cheltenham cruised to an 18-4 victory at Berwick/Mulgrave and Pakenham edged Malvern 8-7. Bonbeach/Chelsea finished 14-4 in front of Upwey Ferntree Gully.
U14 West Metro: A high-scoring game ended Essendon's way, 18-17 over Research Lower Plenty. Newport Footscray outlasted Port Melbourne 13-9 as Sunshine and North Western drew 15-all.
U14 East State: Upwey Ferntree Gully held on for a 7-6 win at Blackburn while Chelsea beat Moorabbin 5-1. Melbourne picked up a 10-5 victory at Sandringham.
U14 West State: Geelong overpowered Werribee 15-1 while Research scored in every inning for a 16-9 win over Sunshine. Newport started early but Essendon battled back for a 17-6 victory.
U16 Metro: Essendon prevailed 13-9 over Williamstown while Malvern scored 19 and gave up just one to Port Melbourne. Sandringham secured a 15-2 victory over North Western as a Fitzroy contest saw Maroon finish on top 14-7. Research/Preston put together a late rally for a 12-all draw with Werribee.
U16 State: Waverley shut out Doncaster 20-0 and Sandringham won 18-4 at Newport. Moorabbin defeated Williamstown 9-6 while Geelong and Research/Preston ended in a 10-all draw after a busy fifth inning.
U18 Metro: Sandringham pulled off a 10-9 victory over St Kilda as Mulgrave scored 10 and kept Doncaster off the board. Essendon won 10-6 at Pakenham.
U18 State: Essendon beat Preston 12-2 while Newport scored late for a 5-4 victory against Bonbeach Moorabbin. Sandringham won 26-2 at Waverley and Malvern defeated Werribee 8-4.
Under 12s Week 11
U12 A State East: Chelsea edged Sandringham 12-10 as Blackburn scored 18 and kept Malvern off the board. Melbourne finished 15-7 in front of Cheltenham/Moorabbin and Waverley won 17-7 at home vs. Bonbeach.
U12 A State West: Essendon prevailed 15-8 over Research Lower Plenty Maroon as Port Melbourne came back to defeat Newport 7-6. Research Gold earned a 15-3 victory over Sunshine and Geelong outlasted Werribee 8-4.
U12 B East: Springvale and Sandringham went back and forth as the Royals won it late, 9-8. Chelsea put together a final rally but fell just short with Melbourne winning 15-13.
U12 B West: Essendon was first on the board and kept up the pressure in a 14-8 win at Fitzroy Maroon. Preston scored in every inning on the way to a 17-3 win over Newport Red.
Southern Mariners Intermediate: Moorabbin scored 11 runs and kept Cheltenham Blue from scoring as Chelsea defeated Sandringham 9-5.
Congratulations to our U16 and U18 Victorian State Teams on their bronze medals! Both teams wrapped up the 2023 Australian Youth Championships in style with big victories on Tuesday.
U16: VIC 8, QLD 4
Victoria defeated Queensland 8-4 on Monday after taking the lead late in the game. It was tied at four with Victoria batting in the bottom of the sixth when Hudson Pallay doubled on a 3-2 count, scoring two runs.
QLD was first on the board with one run, but Jordan Ellis tripled and Roman Coote doubled in the second to make it 2-1.
The back-and-forth battle continued with QLD tying it up in the fourth before scoring another two in the fifth. Victoria evened things up in the bottom of the inning when Robinson Smith singled on the first pitch of the at bat, scoring one run.
Victoria put up a four-run sixth inning, starting with back-to-back walks before a Hudson Pallay double. Andrew Land and Mitch Langworthy got on base with a hit by pitch and a walk, putting runners in scoring position for Smith's second single. One more run scored before the inning was over, and Pallay got three quick outs on the mound to seal the deal in the seventh.
Nathan Rumbelow led things off on the hill, throwing four innings, allowing two runs on three hits. Cade White and Pallay pitched in relief.
Victoria totaled nine hits, with two apiece for Langworthy and Smith. Ty Daniels, Land, Pallay, Ellis, and Coote had one hit each.
U18: VIC 13, NSW 4
Victoria took an early lead with big hits from Lachlan Smith and Jack Ratcliffe in the first inning. It was 9-0 going into the second, and they kept up the pressure with another run in the third and three in the sixth.
NSW put up four in the third but other than that struggled to keep up with Victoria's quality pitching. Starter Aimon Dowling gave up two hits and three runs with a strikeout in two and a third innings. Lachlan Amon struck out three and gave up two hits and a run in four innings of work.
Smith went 4-for-5 as Victoria totaled 12 hits. Declan Speirs tripled and knocked in two runs while Harper Rickard had two hits. Ratcliffe, Jayden Kim, Evan Maury, James Squire, and Will Cavanagh had one hit each.
Baseball Victoria is excited to continue the BV Green Vest Program through the second half of the summer season, with VSBL clubs encouraged to get involved and support our umpire development pathway.
All summer clubs have received four brightly coloured green vests featuring Baseball Victoria Volunteer Umpire across the back. Beginner umpires at the club level should wear these vests to identify them as “in training” and help build greater understanding among players, parents, spectators and coaches. 
BV is running a competition for clubs that send in photos of their green vests in action. The club that sends in the best photo will receive a prize, with entries shared on social media and included in the 2022/23 Annual Report. Please send photos to rachael.bouley@baseballvictoria.com.au by 28 February.
As a reminder, all clubs are asked to step up to the plate and recommend at least three players or individuals for the BV Umpire Community Coach Program. We need to build our base and upskill current members to ensure a new generation of umpires can come through our pathway. Please submit your recommendations HERE.
View more umpire information and resources on our website, including umpire expressions of interest and the BV Umpire Pathways Program.
The 2023 Australian Youth Championships will conclude on Tuesday with final matchups set in stone after a busy day of baseball. Both the U16 and U18 Victorian State Teams will play for bronze.
Read recaps below and catch up on all the latest #AYC2023 action on Facebook and Instagram.
U16: WA 6, VIC 1
WA had four hits and Victoria had two in a close contest where errors proved costly. Victoria's lone run came on an error in the fifth, made possible by three walks to load the bases.
Windsor Breckenridge threw two and two-thirds innings, allowing four runs on four hits, striking out one and walking one. Brooklyn Riwaka threw three and a third innings in relief with no hits and a pair of strikeouts.
Riley Peoples and Ty Daniels recorded hits for Victoria.
U16: NSW 7, VIC 0
Victoria collected four hits and gave up seven to NSW in a tough loss as Cooper Laurie, Mitch Langworthy, and Riley Peoples shared duties on the mound.
Robinson Smith doubled while Hudson Pallay, Devin Leahy, and Jordan Ellis singled.
U18: NSW 8, VIC 2
NSW opened with three runs as Victoria struggled to bounce back, eventually scoring two runs in the middle innings with RBIs from Declan Speirs and Lachlan Smith.
Despite the final score, Victoria was competitive at the plate with five hits to NSW's seven. Jack Ratcliffe went 3-for-4 while Harper Rickard and Smith also picked up hits.
Cooper Drummond led things off on the mound, with relief appearances by Cooper Tipping, Alex Duske, and James Squire.
U18: VIC 4, QLD 1
Victoria scored two in the third, one in the fourth, and a final run in the sixth with eight hits total.
Starter Alex Duske gave up no hits or runs with two strikeouts to end the first inning. Blake Mitchell struck out five in four innings while James Squire, Jayden Kim, and Harper Rickard also put in work on the mound.
Squire and Will Cavanagh had two hits apiece as Jack Ratcliffe, Evan Maury, Addison Bishop-Worn, and Matthew Johnston also connected to get on base.
Victoria was sure-handed and didn't commit a single error. Taran Rose made the most plays with nine.
#AYC2023 Day 6
Both Victorian teams will play for a bronze medal on Tuesday, with the U16s at 10am against Queensland and the U18s against NSW at 1:00pm.
View schedules, GameChanger, and livestream information below:
Stay tuned to Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates from Victoria’s #AYC2023 campaign.
Baseball Victoria looks forward to entering an all-girls charter team in the 2023 Little League Development State Championships at Knox on 21-23 April.
This all-girls team may have the opportunity to represent at the Little League National Championships in Division 2.
Coaching expressions of interest are open through Wednesday 25 January - please click HERE to submit your interest.