Baseball Victoria is pleased to announce the appointment of Danny Haymes to the VSBL Manager role.
Danny will oversee the VSBL competition, including all official processes such as president and secretary meetings, clearances and tribunals.
Baseball Victoria welcomes Danny to this role and looks forward to a successful Summer League season.
Click HERE to view Baseball Victoria staff details.
Baseball Victoria is pleased to confirm the return of spectators to community sport following the Victorian Government’s updates to the statewide COVIDSafe settings.
Spectators may return to community sport events under the limit for an outdoor space, up to 300 people. Winter associations may welcome back spectators at weekend games and spectators will be allowed to attend the 2021 Under 18 State Winter Championships at Werribee this weekend.
All other restrictions remain in place, including social distancing and wearing a mask indoors and outdoors.
Please click HERE for the latest coronavirus updates and restrictions from the Victorian Government.
As a reminder, scorers, committee members, spectators, and everyone 12 years and older must wear a mask indoors and outdoors, except for those on the field who have a reasonable expectation they will need to exert themselves.
The Service Victoria QR Code app must be used for check-in at all baseball venues, and all attendees need to check-in regardless of how long they are there. Click HERE for details.
An updated version of the Baseball Victoria Return to Play COVIDSafe is 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.
The 2021 Under 16 State Winter Championships wrapped up on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in Sale, with Geelong taking out the championship following a 10-1 win over Ringwood. Latrobe Valley finished in third place, Bendigo in fourth, and City West in fifth.
Wellington Shire Councillor Ian Bye was on hand to present medals as Geelong's Tanner Stack was earned MVP honours. Stack batted .636 with five singles, two doubles, 7 RBIs, and 10 runs scored throughout the tournament.
Congratulations to Geelong and well done to all players and teams on a great weekend of baseball!
Ringwood 4 v Geelong 14
Ringwood fell behind early and couldn't come back in a 14-4 loss to Geelong on Sunday morning. Geelong took the lead on a single from Macks Powell in the first inning and Ringwood struggled to contain the high-powered offense.
Ringwood scored three runs in the third inning with a single by Charles Mills and a double by Matthew Butler.
Geelong scored five runs in the fourth inning, led by Tanner Stack and Addison Bishop-Worn with RBIs.
Cade White got the start for Geelong. The pitcher allowed three hits and four runs over two and two-thirds innings, striking out four.
Ethan Jenkins was on the hill for Ringwood. The bulldog lasted one inning, allowing seven hits and four runs while striking out one. Tyler Kilby threw two innings out of the bullpen.
Butler, Mills, and Ash Geary-Smith all had one hit to lead Ringwood.
Geelong scattered 14 hits in the game including multiple from Stack, Powell, and White. Stack went 3-for-3 at the plate to lead Geelong in hits and also stole two of the team's six stolen bases.
Bendigo 9 v City West 0 - forfeit
Both sides put together lots of offence in this back-and-forth game.
Bendigo took the lead in the first when Callum Bolton drew a walk to score a run. After City West scored two runs in the top of the fourth on a Fletcher Wilson single, Bendigo answered with two of their own as Power doubled on a 0-1 count. Power recorded an RBI and so did Ryan Kinkade after singling on a 1-1 count.
A single by Cooper Bishop-Worn in the first inning was a positive for City West.
Nicholas Walker toed the rubber for Bendigo. The ace lasted two innings, allowing three hits and one run while striking out one and walking one.
Wilson led things off on the pitcher's mound for City West. Wilson allowed nine hits and six runs over three and a third innings, striking out six.
Bendigo had nine hits in the game. Jorden Doherty, Logan Van Der Hagen, and Kinkade each racked up multiple hits as Doherty led the way with a 3-for-3 game. Bendigo didn't commit a single error in the field and Kinkade had the most fielding chances with four.
Daniel Crichton led City West with two hits in three at bats while Rivi Zdraveski had a 2-RBI single. City West stole eight bases during the game as two players stole more than one. Thomas McKee led the way with two.
The final result was a forfeit by City West due to a pitching breach.
Latrobe Valley 10 v City West 3
Latrobe Valley cruised to a big victory over City West 10-3 on Sunday, although City West struck first with a groundout from Daniel Crichton to score in the first
Jesse Wilson toed the rubber for Latrobe Valley. The fireballer surrendered one run on zero hits over one inning.
Baili Quach was on the hill for City West, allowing one hit and five runs. Cooper Bishop-Worn and Rui Ota entered the game from the bullpen, throwing one and two-thirds innings and one inning respectively.
Jack Thomas led Latrobe Valley with two hits in two at bats. The side tore the base paths, as four players stole at least two bases. Austin McConville led the way with three.
Bendigo 0 v Ringwood 15
Bendigo had a tough time generating runs on Saturday, dropping their game with Ringwood 15-0.
One bright spot for Bendigo was a single by Jack Hooper in the second inning.
Tristan Wainwright led things off on the hill for Ringwood. The pitcher lasted three innings, allowing one hit and zero runs while striking out seven and walking one.
Marcus Murphy threw one-third of an inning for Bendigo, allowing five runs on two hits, striking out one and walking one. Tayte Cottingham threw one-third of an inning in relief out of the bullpen.
Ringwood didn't commit a single error in the field as Sam Walk had the most chances with six. The side stole ten bases during the game as three players stole more than one. Riley Johnson led the way with three.
Latrobe Valley 7 v Bendigo 2
Latrobe Valley was victorious over Bendigo 7-2 in the final for third place.
Rhys McKenzie led things off on the hill for Latrobe Valley. The pitcher went three innings, allowing two runs on one hit with four strikeouts.
Jesse Hando was on the hill for Bendigo. The bulldog allowed one hit and five runs over one inning, striking out two. Callum Bolton threw one and two-thirds innings in relief.
Austin McConville, Riley Jackway, and Darcy Cumming each collected one hit to lead Latrobe Valley. The winning side didn't commit a single error in the field as Malachi Dillon had the most chances with six. Latrobe Valley also stole eight bases during the game as two players stole more than one. Jarrod Thomas led the way with two.
Logan Van Der Hagen went 1-for-2 at the plate to lead Bendigo in hits.
Geelong 10 v Ringwood 1
Geelong beat Ringwood for the second time today to secure the Under 16 State Winter Championship.
Ringwood got their offense started when Charles Mills doubled on a 3-2 count, scoring one run. Geelong evened things up at one in the bottom of the second inning, scoring on a Cade White single.
The game was tied at one with Geelong batting in the bottom of the third when Harvey Elderfield doubled on the first pitch of the at bat, scoring one run.
Addison Bishop-Worn led things off on the hill for Geelong, allowing two hits and one run over three innings, striking out five.
Aaron Moffitt toed the rubber for Ringwood, surrendering five runs on six hits over two innings, striking out four and walking zero. Matthew Butler threw two-thirds of an inning in relief out of the bullpen.
Geelong racked up eight hits in the game. Elderfield and Christian Sollberger each collected multiple hits for Geelong. Elderfield led Geelong with three hits in three at bats.
The Victorian Government continues to update travel restrictions for Victorians returning home from interstate travel, which is heavily impacted at this time due to ongoing outbreaks and lockdown restrictions.
Most recently, 11 LGAs in southeast Queensland have become red zones: City of Brisbane, Moreton Bay Regional Council, City of Gold Coast, City of Ipswich, Lockyer Valley Regional Council, Logan City, Noosa Shire Council, Redland City, Scenic Rim Regional Council, Somerset Regional Council and Sunshine Coast Regional Council.
If you are a Victorian resident and have been in a red zone (other than for transit), you can obtain a red zone permit to enter Victoria – but you will be required to quarantine at home for 14 days. Non-Victorian residents who have been in a red zone (other than for transit) cannot obtain permits to enter Victoria.
NSW remains an extreme risk zone. If you were in an extreme risk zone in the last 14 days you may only enter Victoria with an exception, specified worker permit, transit permit, or an exemption.
Baseball Victoria encourages members to stay up-to-date on the latest developments. As a reminder, it is your responsibility to acknowledge and adhere to travel restrictions. If you return from interstate travel and must quarantine/self-isolate and get tested, you are not permitted to attend baseball training or activity of any kind until the quarantine period and requirements have been met.
All arrivals into Victoria must apply for a travel permit at the Service Victoria website even if you are entering from a green zone. Find exemptions and exceptions HERE.
For the full details on interstate travel into and out of Victoria, click HERE.
Click HERE to read the latest COVID updates from Baseball Victoria.
To view COVID-19 resources from the Victorian Government, click HERE.
It may be the club’s first year, but Malmsbury is well-represented with four players on the Bendigo team at the 2021 Under 16 State Winter Championships in Sale. For three of the four Malmsbury players, this weekend marks their first-ever baseball tournament, and they have thoroughly enjoyed their experience so far.
Royce Sharp, Tayte Cottingham, and Jack Hooper are loving their first season of baseball and the chance to represent their club on the Bendigo U16 squad.
“We have done relatively good for most of us having our first seasons and tournaments. We have an environment where everyone is encouraging,” Tayte said. “My favourite thing about Bendigo Baseball is when you’re competing against another side, you’ve still got that encouragement.”
“Everyone supports each other as we just want to hit the ball and try to get some runs,” Royce added.
“It’s nice to have a weekend of fun baseball where everyone knows each other,” Jack said. “I hope to hit the ball and get a few strikeouts when I pitch.”
Fellow Malmsbury player Ryan Kinkade shares the sentiment and is excited to be back at the State Winter Championships, two years after he hit a grand slam in his first at-bat at his first tournament during the 2019 U12 event in Werribee.
"It's a lot faster, and the best part is seeing kids I haven't seen in two years," Ryan said. "We have great team spirit as we laugh and have fun together."
Malmsbury Club President Jenny Ganim says it’s a massive achievement to have players selected in the Bendigo rep side.
“We’ve been extremely proud of all our juniors this season. Our junior coach Jamie Kinkade has worked really hard with them all, which has proven in their development throughout the season,” Ganim said. “The State Champs is a terrific learning experience for the boys and we hope it helps fast track what Jamie is trying to achieve.”
“We hope it won’t be too long until these lads are the strength of our senior sides. The Bendigo League have been a great support to us in our first season with them. We look forward to the future and endeavour to grow to compete with the established clubs at the highest level.”
Bendigo Head Coach Terry Smith says getting Malmsbury involved opens up Bendigo baseball to more growth which will strengthen both juniors and seniors. Overall, they are just thrilled to be back at the State Winter Championships with new players after working hard to boost their junior numbers and get teams together.
“This is sort of an historic event for us because we got to the stage where we didn’t have nearly any juniors at all, so over the last couple of years we have been able to build it back to a level where we had four divisions this year,” Smith said. “We are happy to have strong enough junior numbers to be back in the competition.”
The Malmsbury players aren’t the only ones who are taking part in their first tournament. Overall, 8 out of 15 players on the Bendigo team are participating in their first-ever tournament. Despite interrupted training, they managed to come together for a great weekend of baseball, with both new and returning players making valuable contributions.
“We had a 2-1 game with Latrobe Valley below it blew out in the last innings to be 7-2,” Smith said. “I thought that was a good result as we were competitive for most of the game. Geelong is an excellent side but, in that game, we managed to score five runs against them and that was due to our players applying themselves in tough situations. We concentrated and competed for the whole game to put ourselves in the position to get those runs.”
Smith says their discipline at the plate allowed Bendigo to work the count and load the bases, which is all they want to keep doing.
“I couldn’t be prouder of them because they applied themselves to everything I asked them to do and they took some very good at-bats against a very good pitcher and managed to get on base and score some runs. Its significant to come away with a bit of pride intact and the knowledge we were at least competitive.”
“The standard of competition has been very pleasing and it’s great to be welcomed back by the other teams. We have been very impressed by the sense of respect and fair play that we have experienced with all the teams we have played.”
Bendigo has achieved their goal of playing in a final, finishing fourth to face third-place Latrobe Valley.
The 2021 Under 16 State Winter Championships got underway in Sale today with six action-packed games.
After the first day of play, Geelong and Ringwood are undefeated, followed by Latrobe Valley at 1-2.
Day 2 will start with a battle of the unbeaten teams as Ringwood and Geelong play at 9:00am.
Check out recaps from today's games below.
City West 5 v Geelong 15
City West couldn't keep up with Geelong and fell 15-5 in the first game on Saturday.
Geelong scored five runs in the third inning with RBIs from Tanner Stack, Nyah O'Brien, Harvey Elderfield, and Bradyn Barker.
Cade White was on the hill for Geelong, throwing one-third of an inning, allowing zero hits and three runs while striking out one.
Rui Ota started the game for City West. The pitcher allowed five hits and six runs while Fletcher Wilson threw one inning in relief out of the bullpen.
Rivi Zdraveski and Baili Quach each collected one hit to lead City West.
Geelong scattered 14 hits in the game, including multiple from Stack, Elderfield, Will Cavanagh, Christian Sollberger, and Addison Bishop-Worn. Stack went 3-for-3 at the plate to lead Geelong in hits and had three of the team's six stolen bases.
Latrobe Valley 7 v Bendigo 1
Latrobe Valley knocked in five runs in the third on the way to a 7-1 victory over Bendigo on Saturday morning. The rally was led by by Rhys McKenzie and Benjamin Denton, plus a walk by Darcy Cumming, a single by Malachi Dillon, and a fielder's choice by Austin McConville.
Latrobe Valley got things moving in the first inning, scoring one run on an error. The third-inning soring was led by RBIs from Cumming, McKenzie, Denton, McConville, and Dillon.
McKenzie led things off on the hill for Latrobe Valley. The pitcher allowed one hit and one run over one and two-thirds innings, striking out four and walking one.
Nicholas Walker toed the rubber for Bendigo. The pitcher allowed one hit and two runs over one inning. Royce Sharp and Jorden Doherty entered the game as relief, throwing one inning and one-third of an inning respectively.
Dillon and Cumming each managed one hit to lead Latrobe Valley.
Logan Van Der Hagen went 1-for-2 at the plate to lead Bendigo in hits.
Ringwood 11 v Latrobe Valley 5
Ringwood collected 10 hits and held Latrobe Valley to just one hit in a big win. Ringwood scored five in the first, three in the second, and a final three in the third while Latrobe Valley's runs came in the third.
Ash Geary-Smith, Sam Walk, and Ethan Jenkins all had two hits for Ringwood. Jenkins had three RBIs and Tyler Kilby had two.
Malachi Dillon and Jarrod Thomas both had two quality at-bats for Latrobe Valley. Thomas threw 1.2 innings with eight first-pitch strikes and two strikeouts. Charles Mills struck out two with a 2.00 WHIP in an inning of work for Ringwood.
Ringwood had four singles and two walks in the final inning as they kept up the pressure.
Geelong 12 v Bendigo 5
Geelong managed a no-hitter against Bendigo and recorded three hits of their own.
Geelong scored five runs in both the first and the second, while Bendigo battled back with five in the third. Geelong scored a final two in the bottom of the third as the team won its second straight game.
Christian Sollberger led the way on the mound with two hits and 4 RBIs. Alex Paddle doubled in the bottom of the third.
Bendigo's Tayte Cottingham took three walks while Logan Van der Hagen took two. Marcus Murphy and Phoebe Martin knocked in runs for Bendigo.
Geelong's Tanner Stack threw 1.1 innings with a 2.25 WHIP and two strikeouts. Simon Day had a 3.00 WHIP with three strikeouts.
Ryan Kinkade and Jesse Hando contributed on the mound for Bendigo.
Geelong 9 v Latrobe Valley 1
Geelong's three pitchers didn't allow a single hit as they defeated Latrobe Valley 9-1 on Saturday afternoon.
Geelong opened up scoring in the first inning on a single from Cade White but Latrobe Valley tied it at one all in the third. A 2-RBI double from Addison Bishop-Worn helped Geelong break the game open.
Bishop-Worn toed the rubber for Geelong. The pitcher lasted two innings, allowing zero hits and zero runs while striking out five and walking zero.
Jarrod Thomas was on the pitcher's mound for Latrobe Valley. The hurler allowed one hit and one run over one inning. Riley Jackway threw one and two-thirds innings in relief.
Bishop-Worn went 2-for-2 at the plate to lead Geelong in hits.
City West 4 v Ringwood 9
Ringwood scored five runs in the third inning thanks to singles by Ash Geary-Smith and Charles Mills, a walk by Riley Johnson, and a groundout by Ethan Jenkins.
Aaron Moffitt toed the rubber for Ringwood. The bulldog lasted one inning, allowing zero hits and one run while striking out one.
Thomas McKee was on the pitcher's mound for City West. The bulldog surrendered one run on zero hits over two-thirds of an inning, striking out two. Cooper Bishop-Worn, Lucas Lukic, and Rivi Zdraveski each contributed in relief for City West.
Fletcher Wilson, Daniel Crichton, and Dylan Douglas each collected one hit to lead City West.
Mills led Ringwood District with two hits in three at bats. Ringwood District tore up the base paths, as two players stole at least two bases. Moffitt led the way with two. Ringwood District didn't commit a single error in the field. Geary-Smith had the most chances in the field with five.
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Sale Baseball Club is excited to host the first State Winter Championships in two years following the ups and downs of the COVID pandemic.
After the most recent lockdown, the Rangers were thrilled to get back to baseball and deliver a safe and exciting event for junior baseballers who have been looking forward to winter tournaments.
“We are pretty excited to get in here and host a Winter Championship as we haven’t had one here before,” Club President Julie Neesham said.
While there are no spectators due to COVID restrictions, the club is determined to make this weekend a memorable experience for all the players and their parent/guardian. After a busy week of preparing the field, stocking the canteen, and ensuring a safe sporting environment, the club community is ready to go.
“To watch the players arrive, see the field, and get so excited about playing baseball, it made it all worthwhile for us,” Neesham said.
The Rangers are pleased with the opportunity to showcase how baseball in Latrobe Valley is a family-friendly sport. They are also looking ahead to exciting renovations at Stephenson Park in the coming months.
“We certainly hope in the future we can host more tournaments after major upgrades to the grounds,” Neesham said. “New lights are going in and we are getting all-new clubrooms and a new canteen as part of a multi-million dollar sporting upgrade. It got delayed because of COVID but it will be great and exciting to get that started.”
The Stephenson Park renovations will commence in September and incorporate changes to the AFL football fields adjacent to the baseball facilities and will be ready for the next Latrobe Valley winter season in 2022.
The Baseball Victoria Board announces the resignation of CEO Kristie Middleton effective 27 August 2021.
The Board is commencing the recruitment process to secure a suitable replacement.
“On behalf of the Baseball Victoria Board, Staff, and the wider Victorian baseball community, I wish to thank Kristie for her dedicated leadership and service throughout the past two years,” Baseball Victoria President Meghan Mayman said. “Kristie has led our organisation through challenging circumstances, with the majority of her tenure being during the COVID pandemic, and made progressive changes to enhance baseball opportunities across our state.”
“The support and guidance provided to our summer clubs and winter associations during the ever-changing environment of COVID-19 have been highly commendable. BV is in a strong position financially and organisationally despite the many challenges of the pandemic, which is in large part due to Kristie’s leadership. We wish Kristie all the best in her future endeavours and look forward to building on the extensive work she has done.”
Further announcements will be made in the coming weeks regarding the recruitment process.
Click HERE to view Baseball Victoria staff details.
Following the easing of statewide lockdown restrictions and consultations with the relevant stakeholders, Baseball Victoria has confirmed the Under 16 State Winter Championships will proceed as planned in Sale this weekend.
The event, set for Saturday 31 July and 1 August 2021, will include less than 300 participants, which is the limit for outdoor activity. There will be no spectators in line with government restrictions.
Parents and guardians can attend with their minor participants, and those participants must travel and accommodate in their family group. It is strongly recommended that a single parent or guardian be in attendance with their minor participant. Dependants of that parent/guardian, another minor person where they cannot be left alone while the parent/guardian provides supervision to the minor participant are permitted to attend. The parent or guardian or dependants in attendance will be required to social distance and always wear a mask.
The current easing of restrictions does not allow for players/teams to stay together as a group in shared accommodation formats.
COVID protocols will be applied across the event, with clear signage posted at facility entries and exits, dugouts, toilets, first aid, umpire areas, and the canteen.
Masks must always be worn indoors and outdoors, except for when players are on the field during the game and may need to run. When players are in the dugout, they will be required to wear masks. Coaches must always wear masks and all participants can elect to wear a mask on the field if they wish to do so.
Social distancing will be maintained at the championships, with the gap of 1.5metres established for parents/guardians, scorers, participants (where possible), event staff and volunteers.
Participants, parents/guardians, and dependant family members attending the event should NOT attend if they are displaying any symptoms of COVID-19, including fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, chills or sweats, or change in sense of smell or taste. Anyone who has attended an exposure site and is currently required by the Victorian Government to be in isolation, or has not yet been cleared to exit their current isolation period, must not attend.
Click HERE for the State Winter Championships hub with more event details, including the schedule and GameChanger links.