Victoria has surpassed the 70 percent double dose vaccination target with metropolitan Melbourne and Mildura enjoying greater freedoms on the first day out of lockdown. Baseball Victoria acknowledges many clubs are eager to get back on the field, however we must follow all Victorian Government directions and we, alongside many other community sport organisations, need additional clarifications before we can finalise our COVIDSafe plan so clubs can get council approval for training.

As part of Victoria’s Roadmap to Deliver the National Plan, the changes now in effect across metropolitan Melbourne and Mildura include:

• Reasons to leave home and curfew no longer in place.
• 10 people including dependents can visit your home per day.
• Pubs, clubs, and entertainment venues can open to 20 fully vaccinated people indoors and 50 outdoors.
• 15 people can gather outdoors, community sport training returns for the minimum required to hold training.

Although Baseball Victoria is awaiting clarification from the Victorian Government to confirm our COVIDSafe plan for the full return to training, the following details have been confirmed for the return to outdoor community sport training in metropolitan Melbourne:

• Community sport training is outdoors only as indoor facilities including changerooms and covered batting tunnels remain closed. Participants can only go inside to use the toilets.
• Confirmation of vaccination status is not required at this stage, meaning participants can attend regardless of if they are vaccinated.
• Baseball Victoria clubs must comply with CHO directions and any additional directions of your landowners.

This limited return to training is for the minimum required only, with up to 20 people, including necessary coaches or administration staff. Two groups of 20 people can train on the same baseball field if they remain separated for the entire training session. These same settings remain in place for regional Victoria. Travel between regional Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne is restricted to permitted reasons only, so traveling between regional and metro for community sport is not allowed.

Baseball Victoria follows Victorian Government COVIDSafe Settings, and all clubs must adhere to social distancing and personal hygiene measures throughout the return to training.

The Victorian Government has released updated CHO COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination (Workers) Directions confirming there is an exemption for community sport volunteers so while vaccination is strongly recommended, it is not required.

This easing of restrictions allows clubs to start training for the 2021/22 VSBL season, estimated to start on 13-14 November 2021. Baseball Victoria Aces Academy will also resume in-person training this weekend under the eased restrictions.

Please note masks will still be required both indoors and outdoors for all Victorians, and Service Victoria QR code check-ins are also required for businesses, including community sport organisations. Clubs must maintain an attendance register and COVID-19 restriction compliance documentation.

All clubs need council approval to access their facilities and return to training. We have opened the return to training registration, which all participants must complete before training.

“We are excited about lockdown ending and know this is something Victorians worked so hard for. We are looking forward to our return to training and we are hopeful of starting the 2021/22 VSBL season in just a few weeks,” Baseball Victoria Interim CEO Gemma Scales said. “As we await further clarification to confirm our full return to training COVIDSafe plan, we hope Melbourne baseballers have a great first weekend out of lockdown. Meanwhile, we will continue to follow all Victorian Government guidelines and will provide further updates as restrictions change, so hopefully we can all be back to baseball soon.”

According to our key roadmap milestones and meeting the 70% vaccination target early, we are on track for a 13 November VSBL start date. As a reminder, below are the milestones we need to reach to get the VSBL season up and running:

• 26-29 October - 70% of eligible Victorians fully vaccinated (target reached 21 October)
  • Yes: return to training commences with 13 November start date
  • No: shift to 4 December start date with a delayed return to training

• 5 November – 80% of eligible Victorians fully vaccinated
  • Yes: proceed with 13 November start date
  • No: training may commence with 4 December start date, or if there is still no training, push back to a January VSBL start

Baseball Victoria continues to monitor updates from Vicsport and Sport & Recreation Victoria on the COVIDSafe measures required to resume community sport training and play. An updated version of the Baseball Victoria Return to Play COVIDSafe Plan will be made available once final details are confirmed by the government.

To read the Premier’s latest announcements, click HERE.

To track Victoria’s progress toward vaccination targets and view COVID resources, click HERE.

COVID-19 vaccines are currently available for all Victorians aged 12 years and over. Getting vaccinated helps protect you from getting sick with COVID-19. The vaccines being used in Australia are safe, free, and very effective at preventing serious illness and loss of life from COVID-19.

Click HERE to book your vaccine appointment.

You can download your vaccination certificate to the Service Victoria check-in app. Click HERE for more details.

It remains very important that Victorians monitor for symptoms, get tested, and get vaccinated when eligible.

To stop the spread, everyone should check this list of exposure sites and isolate, monitor for symptoms, and get tested as directed.

If you have been to an exposure site, are a close contact of a confirmed case, or exhibit any symptoms of COVID-19 – such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, chills or sweats, or change in sense of smell or taste – get a test immediately. Find out where to get tested HERE.

Stay safe by washing your hands regularly, wearing a face mask, coughing and sneezing into your elbow, and keeping at least 1.5 metres from others. If you have any symptoms of COVID-19, no matter how mild, you must get tested and stay home.

Click HERE to view our frequently asked questions.

Click HERE to view all COVID resources, including the Baseball Victoria Return to Play COVIDSafe Plan, which will be updated with further clarification from the government.

We encourage our members to stay connected and prioritise their mental health. Please view mental health resources on our website HERE, including information from Beyond Blue, Headspace, Kids Helpline, Lifeline, and R U OK?

To view more COVID-19 resources from the Victorian Government, click HERE.

Baseball Victoria is now accepting applications for head coaches, assistant coaches, and executive officer positions for the 2022 State Charter Championship teams.

Charter baseball is a participation-based pathways program comprising of competition, skill development, and tournament opportunities.

The 2022 State Charter Championships dates are as follows at venues to be confirmed:

• Senior, Junior, and Intermediate League: 9, 10 & 11 April 2022
• Little League Major, Little League Minor, and Development League:  22, 23 & 24 April 2022

Charters are encouraged to enter teams in all divisions of the championships, which is a round-robin format with finals on the last day. The first and second-placed teams after the tournament progress on to the National Charter Championships held at various places within Australia.

Each team’s staff will consist of a head coach, up to three assistant coaches, and an executive officer.

Please click HERE to view more details on the 2022 State Charter Championships and the available coaching roles.

Applications close Sunday 7 November 2021.

Position descriptions for coaches are available HERE.

Applications can be submitted via SurveyMonkey HERE or complete the attached form HERE and return it to Kellie Thomas at kellie.thomas@baseballvictoria.com.au.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed on Sunday that more restrictions will ease at 11.59pm on Thursday 21 October 2021 as Victoria reaches its 70 percent double dose vaccination target. This means lockdown will end in metropolitan Melbourne and Mildura and restrictions will ease further in regional Victoria as the state continues to make progress toward the 80 percent double dose vaccination target.

Following this announcement, Baseball Victoria is planning for a return to training from Friday 22 October, pending vaccination status confirmation. We are seeking further clarification from the Victorian Government on vaccination requirements for community sport before return to training registration can open.

Baseball Victoria follows all Victorian Government guidelines, and while it is not yet clear whether the return to community sport will be open to all participants or only those who are fully vaccinated, this is a possibility based on requirements for similar industries and activities. Currently, participants may return to training in regional Victoria regardless of vaccination status so long as they are registered and within the minimum number required to train.

Once the updated Restricted Activity Directions are released, we can confirm the return to training guidelines and open registration.

The Victorian Government has confirmed that community volunteers, including those at local sporting clubs, must be fully vaccinated as per the CHO COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination (Workers) Directions (No. 3). Section 20 outlines requirements for physical recreation workers and COVID-19 Vaccination Activities Directions (No. 3) - section 40 defines a worker as a volunteer. Clubs are responsible for storing volunteer vaccination information and all volunteers must be registered with Baseball Victoria. Click HERE to view the mandatory vaccination directions.

As part of Victoria’s Roadmap to Deliver the National Plan, the changes coming into effect at 11:59pm on Thursday 21 October in metropolitan Melbourne include:

• Reasons to leave home and curfew no longer in place
• 10 people including dependents can visit your home per day
• Pubs, clubs, and entertainment venues can open to 20 fully vaccinated people indoors and 50 outdoors
• 15 people can gather outdoors, community sport training returns for the minimum required to hold training

Please note masks will still be required both indoors and outdoors for all Victorians, and Service Victoria QR code check-ins are also required for businesses, including community sport organisations.

In regional Victoria, indoor settings – like restaurants, cafes and gyms – will increase from 10 to 30 people per venue, if everyone is fully vaccinated. Outdoor venues will increase from 20 to up to 100 people per venue, but only if everyone is fully vaccinated. If vaccination status is unknown, the venue can only have a total of 20 people. The limited return to outdoor community sport training will continue under current guidelines unless there are any further changes confirmed by the Victorian Government.

“It’s wonderful to hear about lockdown ending, something many Victorians have been waiting for. We know our Victorian baseball community is excited to get back to baseball, and we are looking forward to confirming our return to training as soon as possible,” Baseball Victoria Interim CEO Gemma Scales said. “Like other grassroots sports, we are awaiting further clarification and once we have confirmation from the Victorian Government, we can move forward with our plans get back on the diamond and prepare for a safe and successful baseball season.”

According to our key roadmap milestones and meeting the 70% vaccination target early, we are on track for a 13 November VSBL start date. As a reminder, below are the milestones we need to reach to get the VSBL season up and running:

• 26-29 October - 70% of eligible Victorians fully vaccinated (expected to reach this target on 21 October)
  • Yes: return to training commences with 13 November start date
  • No: shift to 4 December start date with a delayed return to training

• 5 November – 80% of eligible Victorians fully vaccinated
  • Yes: proceed with 13 November start date
  • No: training may commence with 4 December start date, or if there is still no training, push back to a January VSBL start

As VSBL clubs in regional Victoria, Ballarat Royals, Geelong Baycats, and Mitchell Majors may train currently, and all players must complete the return to training registration for regional Victoria. Clubs must maintain an attendance register and COVID-19 restriction compliance documentation.

Baseball Victoria continues to seek clarification from Vicsport and Sport & Recreation Victoria on the COVIDSafe measures required to resume community sport training and play. These additional details will guide an updated version of the Baseball Victoria Return to Play COVIDSafe Plan in the coming days.

Baseball Victoria will provide further updates this week regarding return to training requirements, registration, Aces Academy training, COVIDSafe guidelines, and more.

To read the Premier’s full announcement, click HERE.

To track Victoria’s progress toward vaccination targets and view COVID resources, click HERE.

COVID-19 vaccines are currently available for all Victorians aged 12 years and over. Getting vaccinated helps protect you from getting sick with COVID-19. The vaccines being used in Australia are safe, free, and very effective at preventing serious illness and loss of life from COVID-19.

Click HERE to book your vaccine appointment.

You can download your vaccination certificate to the Service Victoria check-in app. Click HERE for more details.

It remains very important that Victorians monitor for symptoms, get tested, and get vaccinated when eligible.

To stop the spread, everyone should check this list of exposure sites and isolate, monitor for symptoms, and get tested as directed.

If you have been to an exposure site, are a close contact of a confirmed case, or exhibit any symptoms of COVID-19 – such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, chills or sweats, or change in sense of smell or taste – get a test immediately. Find out where to get tested HERE.

Stay safe by washing your hands regularly, wearing a face mask, coughing and sneezing into your elbow, and keeping at least 1.5 metres from others. If you have any symptoms of COVID-19, no matter how mild, you must get tested and stay home.

Click HERE to view our frequently asked questions.

Click HERE to view all COVID resources, including the Baseball Victoria Return to Play COVIDSafe Plan.

We encourage our members to stay connected and prioritise their mental health. Please view mental health resources on our website HERE, including information from Beyond Blue, Headspace, Kids Helpline, Lifeline, and R U OK?

To view more COVID-19 resources from the Victorian Government, click HERE.

Baseball Victoria is pleased to announce the appointment of Ritchie Hinton as its new Chief Executive Officer.

“Throughout the CEO recruitment process, the Baseball Victoria Board was committed to finding a highly qualified executive to lead the organisation forward through this next period of COVID recovery, strategic planning, and grassroots development,” Baseball Victoria President Meghan Mayman said.

“We found the ideal candidate in Ritchie, and we are thrilled to have him join Baseball Victoria. His two decades of experience in sport, law, and business management have shaped his strategic and operational strengths, making him a fantastic asset to Baseball Victoria as we look to further enhance participation in our safe, welcoming and inclusive sport.”

“Thank you to Sportspeople for their work and Rob Stanley for leading this successful CEO recruitment process, as well as all the Baseball Victoria Board Directors involved – Grant Weir, Amy McCann and Matt Nichol.”

Ritchie is a dedicated sports management executive with an extensive legal and commercial background. Originally from England, he studied English & European Law at university, going on to qualify and work as a solicitor in the UK before moving to Melbourne in 2005.

Ritchie most recently served as CEO of Table Tennis Victoria, leading the state sport governing body through the pandemic and overseeing the development of TTV’s Strategic Plan for 2019-2022. He has also worked as National Field Manager at Cricket Australia, Head of Football (Soccer) at TLA Worldwide, and a long-standing sports industry commentator, columnist and panellist.

Ritchie is excited to join Baseball Victoria and guide grassroots baseball through the next chapter of success on and off the diamond.

“I’m honoured to have been given the opportunity to join Baseball Victoria at such an exciting time in the sport, and to build upon their strong history of administering the sport in Victoria. I have watched the progress of the Australian Baseball League with interest from afar and I am particularly keen to work with all stakeholders to use the impetus from the national league to help drive participation and interest at the grassroots level in Victoria.”

Ritchie will commence as CEO of Baseball Victoria on Monday 8 November 2021.

The Victorian Government has confirmed Mitchell Shire will exit lockdown at 11:59pm tonight on Wednesday 13 October. With these changes, Mitchell Shire will move to the same COVIDSafe settings as the rest of regional Victoria, with no reasons required to leave the home and no limit on travel throughout regional Victoria. Limited outdoor community sports training will also resume.

From 11:59pm tonight, VSBL club Mitchell Majors can return to training with the minimum number required to train. Spectators are prohibited except one parent permitted to supervise children. All players must complete the return to training registration for regional Victoria, and the club must maintain an attendance register and COVID-19 restriction compliance documentation.

This ability to train only applies to the Ballarat Royals, Geelong Baycats, and Mitchell Majors as clubs participating in the 2021/22 VSBL season, currently scheduled to start on 13 November 2021 subject to Victorian Government restrictions and meeting the state’s vaccination targets.

As a reminder, the lockdown restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne and Mildura Rural City Council include:

• Six reasons to leave home:
  • shopping for necessary goods and services (within 15km radius of home)
  • four hours of exercise, including limited outdoor personal training or contactless recreation at outdoor facilities, such as boating, tennis or golf (within 15km radius of home)
  • caregiving/compassionate/medical reasons
  • authorised work or permitted education – with valid permit only
  • getting the coronavirus vaccine
  • outdoor social interaction (picnic, walk, or other outdoor activity) with another person not from your household. Up to five adults (plus dependents) from two households may gather outdoors if all adults are fully vaccinated.
• No public or private gatherings other than for permitted outdoor social interaction
• No one-on-one or small group baseball coaching – this does not count as personal training
• No community sport
• Masks must be worn both indoors and outdoors unless an exemption applies
• Daily curfew from 9pm – 5am (metropolitan Melbourne only)

Premier Daniel Andrews is set to provide an update in the coming days as Victoria progresses toward its vaccination targets of 70 and 80 percent fully vaccinated. Baseball Victoria will continue to provide updates when the further easing of restrictions is confirmed.

For the latest COVID news from the Victorian Government, click HERE.

“We are pleased to see lockdown lifting in Mitchell Shire as we continue to prepare for the 2021/22 VSBL season,” Baseball Victoria Interim CEO Gemma Scales said. “We look forward to getting back on the field and enjoying a safe and successful summer season with our Victorian baseball community.”

To track Victoria’s progress toward vaccination targets and view COVID resources, click HERE.

COVID-19 vaccines are currently available for all Victorians aged 12 years and over. Getting vaccinated helps protect you from getting sick with COVID-19. The vaccines being used in Australia are safe, free, and very effective at preventing serious illness and loss of life from COVID-19.

Click HERE to book your vaccine appointment.

It remains very important that Victorians monitor for symptoms, get tested, and get vaccinated when eligible.

To stop the spread, everyone should check this list of exposure sites and isolate, monitor for symptoms, and get tested as directed.

If you have been to an exposure site, are a close contact of a confirmed case, or exhibit any symptoms of COVID-19 – such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, chills or sweats, or change in sense of smell or taste – get a test immediately. Find out where to get tested HERE.

While Victoria works to get more people vaccinated, you can stay safe by washing your hands regularly, wearing a face mask, coughing and sneezing into your elbow, and keeping at least 1.5 metres from others. If you have any symptoms of COVID-19, no matter how mild, you must get tested and stay home.

Click HERE to view our frequently asked questions.

Click HERE to view all COVID resources, including the Baseball Victoria Return to Play COVIDSafe Plan.

We encourage our members to stay connected and prioritise their mental health. Please view mental health resources on our website HERE, including information from Beyond Blue, Headspace, Kids Helpline, Lifeline and R U OK?

To view more COVID-19 resources from the Victorian Government, click HERE.

Baseball Victoria is now accepting applications for head coach and assistant coach positions for the 2022 National Showcase Series – Victoria.

Due to COVID-19, Baseball Australia has announced the cancellation of the 2022 Australian Youth Championship. The tournament, which traditionally takes place during the January school holiday period and includes U16 and U18 age players, will be replaced by a local showcase series in each state.

The 2022 National Showcase Series – Victoria will be held at Melbourne Ballpark from: Monday 10 January - Tuesday 18 January – TBC subject to COVID restrictions and the ABL revised schedule.

Following the state showcases, Baseball Australia’s revised national event calendar includes an 80-player National Junior Camp across the Easter holidays and a U-16 Australian Youth Championship in July 2022. There will not be a U-18 Australian Youth Championship with preparation and selection for the 2022 WBSC U-18 World Cup, which was postponed from this year, taking priority.

Please click HERE to view more details on the 2022 National Showcase Series – Victoria and the available coaching roles.

Applications close 18 October 2021.

Position descriptions for coaches are available HERE.

Applications can be submitted via SurveyMonkey HERE or complete the attached form HERE and return it to Kellie Thomas at kellie.thomas@baseballvictoria.com.au.

The Victorian Government is helping Victorian kids get outside and be active with applications now open for the third round of the $21 million Get Active Kids Voucher Program.

Over 22,600 vouchers have been distributed across the initial two rounds of the program and changes to the eligibility criteria in Round 3 will help even more Victorian families access the program.

In a very challenging time for the sporting sector and Victorian families, the Get Active Kids Vouchers Program will continue to help families doing it tough pay for sporting memberships and registration fees, uniforms and equipment.

A reminder that to be eligible, children must be Victorian residents, aged 18 and under and named on a valid health care card or pensioner concession card, as well as a Medicare card.

Additionally, special consideration also applies for children residing in care services as well as temporary or provisional visa holders, undocumented migrants or international students.

What’s new in Round 3?

• The age eligibility has been expanded to include children aged 0 – 18 (previously 4-18).  This will allow young children to access life-saving learn to swim programs and other programs to help develop fundamental movement skills.
• Applicants can now apply for one voucher per child in each round of the program (previously it was a limit of two vouchers per child across the four rounds).
• Eligible expenditure dates will again be backdated to 1 January 2021.

Round 3 key dates

• Applications in Round 3 of the program close at 5pm on Tuesday 30 November 2021.
• Eligible expenditure dates in Round 3 are from 1 January 2021 – 30 November 2021.

Click HERE to learn more and apply today.

Baseball Victoria is continuing to plan for the resumption of community sport and based on Victoria’s Roadmap and further updates from the Victorian Government, we are expecting to start the 2021/22 VSBL season on Saturday 13 November 2021. This date is subject to change depending on Victorian Government restrictions and how soon the state reaches its vaccination targets that will allow for a return to training and competition.

“We are excited to announce our anticipated start date for the 2021/22 VSBL season, and we are looking forward to an awesome summer of baseball,” Baseball Victoria Interim CEO Gemma Scales said. “While this starting date is subject to Victoria reaching the required vaccination levels to return to community sport, based on the government’s projections, we are confident we will be able to get the season underway later this year.”

Baseball Victoria consulted with the BV Board, VSBL clubs, and Sport & Recreation Victoria regarding this expected start date to ensure we planned for an appropriate amount of time between the return to training and return to play. We also have a plan in place in case we do not reach our targets on time and the start date needs to be pushed back.

This week, Victoria reached its first vaccination target of 80 percent one dose, allowing us to move forward with our 13 November start date plan. Here are the key roadmap milestones and dates in our current plans, which will be used to confirm the VSBL season schedule in the coming weeks.

• 26-29 October - 70% of eligible Victorians fully vaccinated
  • Yes: return to training commences with 13 November start date
  • No: shift to 4 December start date with a delayed return to training
• 5 November – 80% of eligible Victorians fully vaccinated
  • Yes: proceed with 13 November start date
  • No: training may commence with 4 December start date, or if there is still no training, push back to a January VSBL start

Baseball Victoria continues to seek clarification from Vicsport and Sport & Recreation Victoria on the COVIDSafe measures required to resume community sport training and play. These additional details will guide an updated version of the Baseball Victoria Return to Play COVIDSafe Plan.

As a reminder, Ballarat Royals and Geelong Baycats are the two VSBL clubs in regional Victoria currently permitted to train with the minimum number of participants required. Spectators are prohibited except one parent permitted to supervise children. All players must complete the return to training registration for regional Victoria, and the club must maintain an attendance register and COVID-19 restriction compliance documentation.

Mitchell Shire remains in lockdown due to the high number of active cases and close proximity to the areas of highest concern in metropolitan Melbourne.

Please note the current lockdown restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne, Mitchell Shire, and City of Latrobe allowing limited outdoor personal training does not include baseball coaching. However, with the start of the season in sight, we encourage all baseballers to check out our Ramp Up to Play video series and use daily outdoor exercise to work on throwing and arm strength in preparation for summer baseball.

As a reminder, the lockdown restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne, Mitchell Shire, and City of Latrobe include:

• Six reasons to leave home:
  • shopping for necessary goods and services (within 15km radius of home)
  • four hours of exercise, including limited outdoor personal training or contactless recreation at outdoor facilities, such as boating, tennis or golf (within 15km radius of home)
  • caregiving/compassionate/medical reasons
  • authorised work or permitted education – with valid permit only
  • getting the coronavirus vaccine
  • outdoor social interaction (picnic, walk, or other outdoor activity) with another person not from your household. Up to five adults (plus dependents) from two households may gather outdoors if all adults are fully vaccinated.
• No public or private gatherings other than for permitted outdoor social interaction
• No one-on-one or small group baseball coaching – this does not count as personal training
• No community sport
• Masks must be worn both indoors and outdoors unless an exemption applies
• Daily curfew from 9pm – 5am (metropolitan Melbourne only)

Please read the latest updates from the Victorian Government HERE.

COVID-19 vaccines are currently available for all Victorians aged 12 years and over. Getting vaccinated helps protect you from getting sick with COVID-19. The vaccines being used in Australia are safe, free, and very effective at preventing serious illness and loss of life from COVID-19.

Click HERE to book your vaccine appointment.

It remains very important that Victorians monitor for symptoms, get tested, and get vaccinated when eligible.

To stop the spread, everyone should check this list of exposure sites and follow these instructions:

• Anyone who has visited a Tier 1 exposure site during the times listed must immediately isolate, get a coronavirus (COVID-19) test, and quarantine for 14 days from the date of exposure.
• Anyone who has visited a Tier 2 exposure site during times listed should urgently get a test and isolate until they receive a negative result.
• Anyone who has visited a Tier 3 exposure site during times listed should monitor for symptoms - If symptoms develop, immediately get tested and isolate until you receive a negative result.

If you have been to an exposure site, are a close contact of a confirmed case, or exhibit any symptoms of COVID-19 – such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, chills or sweats, or change in sense of smell or taste – get a test immediately. Find out where to get tested HERE.

While Victoria works to get more people vaccinated, you can stay safe by washing your hands regularly, wearing a face mask, coughing and sneezing into your elbow, and keeping at least 1.5 metres from others. If you have any symptoms of COVID-19, no matter how mild, you must get tested and stay home.

Click HERE to view our frequently asked questions.

Click HERE to view all COVID resources, including the Baseball Victoria Return to Play COVIDSafe Plan.

We encourage our members to stay connected and prioritise their mental health. Please view mental health resources on our website HERE, including information from Beyond Blue, Headspace, Kids Helpline, Lifeline and R U OK?

To view more COVID-19 resources from the Victorian Government, click HERE.

Baseball Victoria is continuing to plan for the resumption of community sport and based on Victoria’s Roadmap and further updates from the Victorian Government, we are expecting to start the 2021/22 VSBL season on Saturday 13 November 2021. This date is subject to change depending on Victorian Government restrictions and how soon the state reaches its vaccination targets that will allow for a return to training and competition.

Please note the current lockdown restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne, Mitchell Shire, and Mildura allowing limited outdoor personal training does not include baseball coaching. However, with the start of the season in sight, we encourage all baseballers to check out our Ramp Up to Play video series and use daily outdoor exercise to work on throwing and arm strength in preparation for summer baseball.

Please check out our Ramp Up to Play and At-Home Baseball Training videos on BV TV to get ready for an awesome summer of baseball!

Throwing Program

This program is designed to progress a player from a period of no throwing or return from injury. It is a gradual build up of both volume and intensity. Its purpose is to on ramp the player from non-throwing to a state of normal training.

Dynamic Warm Up

Prior to throwing it is advised to complete a general warm up. It is also encouraged to do a more specific warm using bands (if you have them).

Do exercises in order:

• High Knees
• Butt Flicks
• Side Foot Touches
• Cradle Walks
• Leg Swings
• Ichrico Stretch
• Cobra
• Arms Swings – Goalposts
• Arm Circles
• Forearm Stretch

 

Resistance Bands Routine 1

10 repetitions each

• Forward Fly to Overhead Clap
• Back Fly to Overhead Clap
• Bicep Curl
• Tricep Extension
• Internal Rotation
• External Rotation

Throwing Program

Recovery Program

10 repetitions each

• Band Pull Aparts
• No Money
• Upward Toss
• Side Lying Toss

Guidelines

1. Each day of throwing should be separated by a rest day until Level 7 is completed.
2. Progression from one level to the next is only appropriate if the athlete is pain free. Its most important to listen to your arm and progress slowly to build your base.
3. If the athlete experiences any pain, additional days of rest should be taken until pain free again. The athlete would then resume the throwing program at the level they were at when they first experienced pain and only progress to the next level once they are pain free after one day of rest.
4. If returning from injury or significant break the consulting coach/therapist may advise to progress at a slower, more appropriate pace, such as going two days pain-free before progressing.
5. Do not participate in any other throwing during this program.
6. Only after completing the entire program (Level 7) is the athlete advised to start throwing on consecutive days, participate in game play (not pitching) or start throwing light bullpens.