Following the Victorian Government’s announcements on the extension of lockdown and additional restrictions, Baseball Victoria confirms all baseball activity in metropolitan Melbourne remains cancelled through until at least 11:59pm on Thursday 2 September 2021.
Baseball Victoria continues to closely monitor this evolving situation and consult with winter associations and VSBL clubs accordingly. Baseball Victoria Aces Academy continues to be conducted online, and no clubs may conduct training, come and try days, or any in-person activities in metropolitan Melbourne.
The strengthened lockdown restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne are:
- Only five reasons to leave home:
- shopping for necessary goods and services (within 5km radius of home unless not available within)
- two hours of exercise (within 5km radius of home unless not available within, and with only one other person)
- caregiving/compassionate/medical reasons
- authorised work or permitted education – with valid permit only
- getting the coronavirus vaccine
- No public or private gatherings
- No community sport
- Masks must be worn both indoors and outdoors unless an exemption applies
- Daily curfew from 9pm – 5am
- Playgrounds, state parks, and outdoor exercise equipment closed
Following the lifting of lockdown restrictions in regional Victoria last week, community sport has resumed for all ages, including training and competition. Settings remain the same as only the minimum number of participants (players, coaches, umpires, officials, and carers or parents) needed to train or compete are permitted to attend, subject to a density quotient of 1 person per 4 sqm. Spectators are not permitted.
Regional baseball clubs need council permission to return and must adhere to the Baseball Victoria Return to Play COVIDSafe Plan, available HERE.
All regional Victorians need to continue with their COVIDSafe behaviours – most importantly to get tested immediately if they have any symptoms at all and get vaccinated if it’s their turn.
“We recognise this further extension of lockdown is challenging for many people, and we are here to support our Victorian baseball community with health and safety as the top priorities,” Baseball Victoria CEO Kristie Middleton said. “We hope everyone stays healthy so we can all get back to baseball as soon as it’s safe to do so.”
Full details on the latest Victorian Government announcement are available HERE.
Victoria has expanded vaccine access at state-run clinics for 18-39-year-olds. 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.
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.
Team Australia has named a U-18 squad on the back of last week’s cancellation of its would-have-been final selection camp due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
A 37-player squad has been named, featuring five players from Victoria: Josh Ashen, Nick Bertucci, Marcus Graham, Sam Skinner, and Angus Stals.
Click HERE to view the full squad.
The final selection camp had been slated for later this year despite Team Australia withdrawing from the 2021 WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup in Florida in June due health risks and logistical challenges.
Baseball Australia performance pathways and player development general manager Michael Crooks said naming a team was right to do and acknowledged the hard work of the athletes.
“Irrespective of whether the World Cup was to go ahead or not, it is of great importance that we recognise the hard work and commitment these young men over the course of the last 18 months,” he said.
“By continuing their commitment to Team Australia and their own long-term development under very trying circumstances, they will see the rewards once we get to take on the world once again.”
The World Cup has been pushed back to 2022 since Team Australia revealed it would not participate.
“We are hoping that the WBSC extends the opportunity for this age group for next year, making this an under-19 World Cup,” Crooks said.
“This will give our players yet another year of development under the excellent program leadership we are seeing from the state association delivered programs, and the hard work these players have put in will pay off.”
While the final selection camp and World Cup will not go ahead this year Baseball Australia is still working closely with the players on their development and future opportunities.
National player development manager Andrew Riddell said it was an exciting time in the journey of the young group and several had already committed to colleges while others were close to doing so.
“The program for this group does not end with their selection, we will continue to work with the players in the squad to help them progress to collegiate programs,” Riddell said.
The team named consists of all players invited to the final selection camp.
Baseball Victoria Aces Academy alum Jarryd Wood is taking on NCAA Division 1 baseball at University of the Pacific in Stockton, California.
Growing up playing for local clubs Geelong and Guild, Jarryd went on to play representative baseball as part of the Victorian State Team program. His hard work paid off, earning him an academic and athletic scholarship to University of the Pacific where he will suit up for the Tigers.
The shortstop/infielder is following in the footsteps of his brother James who headed overseas to play college ball six years ago. It was then that Jarryd set his sights on going to a Division 1 school, and he was determined to do whatever he could to get there, learning from other passionate players along the way.
“I look up to the older players that have gone overseas from my club Geelong Baycats, it’s always encouraging to see players make it when you grew up playing with them,” Jarryd said. “I’m excited to learn new approaches to the game and to improve physically and mentally.”
Since he first started playing at 8 years old, Jarryd has played on VSBL Charter All-Star teams as well as junior and senior winter carnival teams. As an Aces Academy player for a number of years, Jarryd has sharpened his skills and even earned two Golden Glove Awards as part of Victoria Blue in the U16 AYC and U18 AYC.
Following amazing development and representative opportunities, Jarryd has been concentrating on his upcoming college career, with plenty of challenging workouts to prepare him physically and mentally.
“I’ve been lifting smarter, paying attention to how my body feels and reacts to certain movements,” Jarryd said. “I’ve found that mobility is a big deal for me so I’ve looked to improve that aspect as I have had injuries in the past.“
Jarryd is also getting ready to say goodbye to his beloved family and community.
“I’ll make more friends in college but it’s always hard to leave everyone you love especially during COVID because it’s so much harder to travel back home,” Jarryd said.
Even so, Jarryd is thrilled about this opportunity and hopes younger players can achieve their goals, too. He remains adamant that schoolwork and sports should both be priorities so that athletes can get into their dream schools.
“Work just as hard at school as you do on the field because it opens so many doors to you,” Jarryd said.
Jarryd’s parents Glynis Murfitt and Bruce Wood agree.
“We are so proud of Jarryd and all that he has achieved. He aimed high and planned his subjects at school from Year 9 on in order to achieve the eligibility requirements for his goal and trained and played baseball constantly since he was tiny,” Glynis said. “Through a lot of hard work, he has achieved his goal of receiving scholarships to play baseball at a 4-year school. It is sad not to know he is in the room next door, but we are both excited and happy that he is realising his dream.”
Jarryd’s dad has been involved in the Geelong baseball scene for over 40 years, and the community has been incredibly supportive as the enthusiastic junior rose up the ranks.
“Both of our boys have grown up in and around Guild and Geelong baseball clubs and we feel really fortunate to have been involved with these organisations,” Glynis said. “Jarryd has been lucky enough to have a number of wonderful mentors and coaches who all impacted his life and helped him not only become a better baseball player but grow as a person too.”
Whatever the future holds, he has the full support of his family and the Geelong baseball community.
“We really just want Jarryd to be safe, healthy, and happy and to be able to play baseball for as long as he loves it.”
Baseball Victoria Aces Academy alum Zak Skinner is heading to Vernon College in Texas to continue his baseball journey.
Having spent many seasons with Sandringham and Greensborough Baseball Clubs, and represented on Victorian State Teams, Skinner feels prepared for the next step.
“I am most excited about being out on the field every day, playing 4-5 games a week, and also being able to see or play against some of my mates from back home in a competition like junior college ball,” Skinner said. “I’m going to miss my family most of all, but also playing with the boys from Sandringham and Greensborough, and all the mates I’ve met along the way.”
In the lead-up to his big move, the catcher and third baseman has been hitting the field to get lots of running and training in so he can get as fit and strong as possible to be ready for his college experience.
“To me, lifting has been the most important part to improve my game,” Skinner said. “It takes time but if you are patient, it really shows how much the gym can actually improve or help someone's abilities, and I find it has been vital to my training to get to where I am.”
Over the years, Skinner has drawn inspiration from successful Victorian players and former Big Leaguers.
“I've always looked up to Brad Harman, ever since Little League when I first started hearing stories about him, then growing up and now being able to play against him in the winter league is unreal,” he said.
No matter what his future holds at college and beyond, Skinner will keep in mind everything he has learned at his grassroots clubs and throughout his development and high performance opportunities like Aces Academy and representative teams.
“My advice for players who want to play at a higher level is to listen to your coaches, and put in the work,” Skinner said. “It's often the most challenging times in baseball that you will improve the most so give everything you've got whenever you've got it.”
Following the Victorian Government’s announcements this morning, Baseball Victoria confirms all baseball activity in metropolitan Melbourne remains on pause in line with lockdown restrictions, now extended to 11:59pm on Thursday 19 August 2021.
Baseball Victoria continues to closely monitor this evolving situation. In the meantime, Baseball Victoria Aces Academy will proceed with online sessions only.
As a reminder, the lockdown restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne are:
- Only five reasons to leave home:
- shopping for necessary goods and services (within 5km radius of home unless not available within)
- two hours of exercise (within 5km radius of home unless not available within)
- caregiving/compassionate/medical reasons
- authorised work or permitted education
- getting the coronavirus vaccine
- No public or private gatherings
- No community sport
- Masks must be worn both indoors and outdoors unless an exemption applies
Following the lifting of lockdown restrictions in regional Victoria earlier this week, community sport has resumed for all ages, including training and competition. Only the minimum number of participants (players, coaches, referees, officials, and carers or parents) needed to train or compete are permitted to attend, subject to a density quotient of 1 person per 4 sqm. Spectators are not permitted.
Regional baseball clubs need council permission to return and must adhere to the Baseball Victoria Return to Play COVIDSafe Plan, available HERE.
All regional Victorians need to continue with their COVIDSafe behaviours – most importantly to get tested immediately if they have any symptoms at all and get vaccinated if it’s their turn.
“We are pleased to see community sport return in regional Victoria but acknowledge the challenges in metropolitan Melbourne as lockdown continues,” Baseball Victoria CEO Kristie Middleton said. “We are working with the relevant stakeholders to plan for a return to activity as soon as it is safe to do so while keeping participant health and safety as the top priorities. In the meantime, we hope everyone stays safe as we work to stop the spread.”
Full details on the latest Victorian Government announcement are available HERE.
Victoria has expanded vaccine access at state-run clinics for 18-39-year-olds. 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.
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.
Eight current Baseball Victoria Aces Academy players are heading off to college in the U.S. to continue their baseball careers.
We wish the best of luck to Victorians Ben Fierenzi, Henry Hayman, Conor Myles, Zak Skinner, Joshua Smith, Jarryd Wood, Jack Hanger, and Harun Pelja on their exciting new adventures.
Click HERE to read the latest stories on Academy players taking the next step in their baseball journeys with college baseball.
Following the Victorian Government’s announcements this morning, Baseball Victoria confirms the resumption of community sport for all ages in regional Victoria following the lifting of lockdown for regional areas at 11:59pm tonight, Monday 9 August 2021.
The Victorian Government has advised that from 11:59pm tonight, the five reasons to leave the home can be removed in regional Victoria and there will be no limit on the distance regional Victorians can travel from home. However, people will only be able to travel to Melbourne for a permitted reason and must follow the Melbourne restrictions once there.
Please note the metropolitan Melbourne settings remain the same with no changes to lockdown restrictions, currently in place until 11:59pm on Thursday 12 August 2021.
The changes to restrictions in regional Victoria include:
- Private gatherings in the home are still not permitted
- Outdoor gatherings in public spaces can occur with up to 10 people
- Face masks remain mandatory indoors and outdoors
- Density limits for food and hospitality
- Community sport resumes, no spectators
Community sport will open for all ages, including training and competition. Only the minimum number of participants (players, coaches, referees, officials, and carers or parents) needed to train or compete are permitted to attend, subject to a density quotient of 1 person per 4 sqm. Spectators are not permitted.
Regional baseball clubs need council permission to return and must adhere to the Baseball Victoria Return to Play COVIDSafe Plan, available HERE.
All regional Victorians need to continue with their COVIDSafe behaviours – most importantly to get tested immediately if they have any symptoms at all and get vaccinated if it’s their turn.
The Victorian Government has provided this table of restrictions outlining the changes for regional Victoria and the current lockdown settings for metropolitan Melbourne.
Full details on the Victorian Government announcement are available HERE.
As a reminder, the lockdown restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne are:
- Only five reasons to leave home:
- shopping for necessary goods and services (within 5km radius of home unless not available within)
- two hours of exercise (within 5km radius of home unless not available within)
- caregiving/compassionate/medical reasons
- authorised work or permitted education
- getting the coronavirus vaccine
- No public or private gatherings
- No community sport
- Masks must be worn both indoors and outdoors unless an exemption applies
Victoria has expanded vaccine access at state-run clinics. 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.
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.
The National Junior Camp planned for later this year has been scrapped due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Baseball Australia today confirmed the difficult decision to cancel the camp had been made with multiple states in lockdown and a range of border restrictions implemented around the country.
Instead, Baseball Australia will work with states and Australian Baseball League clubs to, subject to COVID restrictions, provide players the chance to participate in high-level gameplay.
Baseball Australia performance pathways and player development general manager Michael Crooks said it was a disappointing outcome.
“Unfortunately it’s the world we live in right now and while it’s not an ideal outcome we’ll work closely with key stakeholders to provide opportunities for the athletes,” he said.
“It’s quite clear that unrestricted movement across all the country is some way off with the current outbreaks and they have also impacted the ability of athletes to prepare for the camp in cases. We’ll endeavour to match localised content as close to possible as the planned camp and give these athletes every chance of being showcased to ABL teams and colleges as they look to take the next step in their journey.”
Team Australia withdrew from this year’s WBSC U-18 World Cup, which has since been postponed to 2022, in June but still planned to hold the camp.
Click HERE to view the full lists of players named to National Junior Camp squads, including Victorian representatives.
Following the Victorian Government’s announcements this afternoon, Baseball Victoria confirms the cancellation of all baseball activity statewide to comply with the seven-day snap circuit breaker lockdown, which begins at 8:00pm tonight, Thursday 5 August. These lockdown measures are currently in place until 11:59pm on Thursday 12 August 2021.
For the health and safety of our entire community, Baseball Victoria strongly recommends no training proceeds this evening given the impending lockdown starts at 8:00pm.
Due to these new restrictions, Baseball Victoria confirms the cancellation of the Under 18 State Winter Championships, scheduled for 7-8 August 2021 in Werribee.
The Baseball Victoria Aces Academy session for this evening has been cancelled. The Academy will shift to online sessions for the duration of lockdown.
Baseball Victoria will provide further details as they are made available from the Victorian Government throughout this evolving COVID situation.
From 8:00pm tonight, the restrictions in Victoria will be:
- Only five reasons to leave home:
- shopping for necessary goods and services (within 5km radius of home unless not available within)
- two hours of exercise (within 5km radius of home unless not available within)
- caregiving/compassionate/medical reasons
- authorised work or permitted education
- getting the coronavirus vaccine
- No public or private gatherings
- No community sport
- Masks must be worn both indoors and outdoors unless an exemption applies
“We know it is tough to go back into lockdown, and we hope all our baseballers stay safe and healthy during this time,” Baseball Victoria CEO Kristie Middleton said. “We will get through these challenging times together just as we’ve done in the past. Baseball Victoria remains in regular communication with clubs and stakeholders to provide updates on the remainder of the winter season and our Return to Play COVIDSafe Plan.”
An updated version of the Baseball Victoria Return to Play COVIDSafe Plan will be available HERE.
Full details on the Victorian Government announcement are available HERE.
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.
The Victorian vaccination program is now open to all Victorians over the age of 40 as well as select priority groups. 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 read more about vaccine information and how to sign up for your vaccine appointment.
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.
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.