Baseball Victoria, Author at Baseball Victoria

Baseball Victoria is saddened to hear of the passing of Mark Respondek, a former ABL player and member of Newport Rams Baseball Club.

Mark, or "Spock" as everyone called him, was well-known throughout the Victorian baseball community, playing at Williamstown and Waverley as well as three original ABL clubs. He took the field for the Waverley Reds, Melbourne Monarchs, and Perth Heat in the ABL from 1990-1998 and also had a stint in the Montreal Expos organisation in the early 1990s.

Mark passed his love of baseball down to his son, supporting him as he played juniors at Newport. As a T-Ball and junior coach, Mark helped young players develop their skills and enjoy the game.

Baseball Victoria and Newport Rams Baseball Club extend their condolences to Mark’s family and many friends throughout the community.

If you or someone you know needs help, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or MensLine Australia on 1300 78 99 78.

For further information about mental health, contact beyondblue on 1300 22 4636 or talk to your GP, local health professional, or someone you trust.

Following the Victorian Government’s announcements today, Baseball Victoria is planning for the easing of lockdown restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne from 11:59pm on Thursday 10 June 2021.

A number of restrictions will remain in place, and Baseball Victoria is working to confirm how these changes will impact community sport in metropolitan Melbourne. Once lockdown is lifted in metropolitan Melbourne, the restrictions will be:

25km travel radius from place of primary residence, which means people in metropolitan Melbourne cannot travel to regional Victoria over the long weekend.
Masks must be worn indoors and outdoors at all times.
Density limits in public settings including workplaces and restaurants.
Community sport: training only, no competition permitted and 25km limit applies. Limited to the number required to participate in and facilitate activity.

In metropolitan Melbourne, participants will not be able to train if that training is conducted more than 25km from their primary residence. Each of the metropolitan winter associations will provide an update on their training recommencement.

In regional Victoria, community sport will be open for all ages both training and competition, without travel into metropolitan Melbourne and within venue caps.

The Victorian Government has provided this Table of Restrictions from 11:59pm on Thursday 10 June 2021 which defines the changes for regional Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne.

Baseball Victoria will provide further details to the winter associations as they are confirmed by the government regarding the limited return to training in metropolitan Melbourne and the return to training and play in regional Victoria.

“We recognise that this recent lockdown has been challenging for many, and we wish to thank our Victorian baseball community for doing their part to stop the spread and keep our state safe,” Baseball Victoria CEO Kristie Middleton said. “We are looking forward to the easing of restrictions and a safe return to activity and play. Baseball Victoria will continue communicating with clubs and stakeholders to provide updates on the COVIDSafe settings for regional Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne.”

Click HERE for the full statement from the Victorian Government.

Baseball Victoria has updated our Return to Play COVIDSafe Plan as it relates to today’s announcements. The updated version and more resources are available HERE.

As Victoria continues to navigate this COVID situation, it’s 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, which is regularly updated by the Victorian Government, 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 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.

For the latest COVID-19 updates from the Victorian Government, click HERE.

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.

Waverley Baseball Club’s Liam Evans has made the most of his freshman year at Central Arizona College, competing in the JUCO World Series with the Vaqueros.

The standout starting pitcher was one of three Central Arizona players named in the NJCAA All-Star Team on the back of his efforts in the final series as the Vaqueros fell short 7-4 in the championship game.

Congratulations to the Victorian State Team representative on his collegiate success thus far!

Read more about Evans’ season with the Vaqueros HERE.

Following the Victorian Government’s announcements on Thursday, Baseball Victoria confirms the cancellation of all baseball activity in metropolitan Melbourne until 11:59pm on Thursday 10 June 2021 in line with the extended lockdown.

Regional restrictions have been eased. From 11:59pm on Thursday, regional Victoria can return to junior competition (training and play) and senior training in groups of 20 people.

Baseball Victoria has updated the Return to Play COVIDSafe Plan (Version 18) to reflect these restrictions and provide details for Clubs and Councils on our regional activities.

Those metropolitan Melbourne members are NOT permitted, as juniors or seniors, to travel to regional Victoria for play or training.

With the extended lockdown and expectation that some form of regional and metropolitan travel and general restrictions may continue in the coming weeks, Baseball Victoria has also made the decision to cancel the 2021 Senior State Winter Championship, scheduled for 12-14 June 2021 in Geelong. We continue to review the rest of the State Winter Championships events as they approach and will apply the government regulations and recommendations to ensure it is safe to proceed with the events.

The Victorian Government has provided this Table of Restrictions from Thursday 3 June 2021 which defines the changes for regional Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne.

The extension of the circuit breaker lockdown in metropolitan Melbourne means all baseball activity, including training, games, and in-person meetings/events are cancelled. Under the lockdown, the restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne are:

Only five reasons to leave home:
- shopping for necessary goods and services (within 10km radius of home unless not available within)
- two hours of exercise (within 10km 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 – no one from Greater Metropolitan Melbourne can travel to regional Victoria to participate in community sport, and no one from regional Victoria can travel to Greater Metropolitan Melbourne to participate in community sport.
Masks must be worn both indoors and outdoors unless an exemption applies

Baseball Victoria will provide further details as they are made available regarding a return to play for regional Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne.

“As lockdown restrictions continue, we want to thank our Victorian baseball community for doing their part to stay safe and stop the spread,” Baseball Victoria CEO Kristie Middleton said. “We know it can be tough, but it’s so important that we follow the Victorian Government’s restrictions so that we can get back to baseball as soon as it’s safe to do so. Baseball Victoria will remain in regular communication with clubs and stakeholders to provide updates on the winter season and our Return to Play COVIDSafe Plan, including the updated COVIDSafe settings for regional Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne.

As Victoria continues to deal with this evolving COVID situation, it’s important that Victorians monitor for symptoms, get tested, and get vaccinated when eligible.

There are now more than 300 COVID-19 exposure sites where Victorians could have come into contact with the virus. To stop the spread, everyone should check this list of exposure sites, which is regularly updated by the Victorian Government, 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.

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.

For the latest COVID-19 updates from the Victorian Government, click HERE.

Click HERE to view our frequently asked questions.

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

Following the Victorian Government’s announcement on the extension of lockdown in metropolitan Melbourne through 11:59pm on Thursday 10 June 2021, Baseball Australia confirmed the Victorian Little League teams will be unable to travel to Lismore for next week’s 2021 Australian Little League Championship.

The decision to withdraw Southern Mariners and Twins from the national event was made to protect the health and wellbeing of all participants given ongoing restrictions for Victorians travelling interstate and residents of other states coming into contact with Victorians.

Current lockdown protocols in Victoria prevent any non-essential travel, and NSW border restrictions would require Victorians to follow these protocols while in NSW, preventing the teams from leaving their hotel to participate in community sport. In addition, border restrictions from other states include testing and self-isolation requirements for returning residents who have come into contact with Victorians.

The risks associated with the increasing outbreak in Victoria and the potential for the situation to escalate during the event also puts all other attendees at a risk that cannot be adequately mitigated.

Baseball Australia chief executive Glenn Williams said it was disappointing for the Victorian players, parents and officials but said the teams had been understanding of the possibility they would not be able to take part.

“It’s unfortunately not the outcome we were hoping for and our thoughts are with everyone impacted by the lockdown,” Williams said. “The teams and Baseball Victoria have been really understanding of the challenges facing their ability to compete, even had the lockdown lifted.

“We can only begin to imagine how challenging a period this has been with the impact on their day-to-day life and so much uncertainty. We’ve waited as long as possible to give them every chance of competing.”

Williams said postponing or cancelling the event a week out was not a feasible option.

“Both of those options would have impacted 16 other teams and presented a huge task logistically,” he said. “The uncertainty over when Victoria’s lockdown will end, and risk of future outbreaks elsewhere, also presents a number of challenges if we were to postpone the tournament.”

Baseball Victoria remains committed to player safety during this challenging time.

“We understand how difficult and disappointing this is for our players and team staff, coming so close to the national event and then being unable to attend,” Baseball Victoria CEO Kristie Middleton said. “These unfortunate circumstances are out of our control and we need to do what’s best to protect our athletes and their families, as well as all the participants from across the country. We are here to support our Little Leaguers and look forward to delivering exclusive baseball experiences in the future in partnership with Baseball Australia and the Melbourne Aces.”

Please click HERE to read the latest COVID-19 update.

Click HERE to view our frequently asked questions.

It’s important 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.

Following the Victorian Government’s announcements today, Baseball Victoria confirms the cancellation of all baseball activity in metropolitan Melbourne until 11:59pm on Thursday 10 June 2021 in line with the extended lockdown.

Regional restrictions are proposed to begin easing from 11:59pm tomorrow night. The Victorian Government will use the next 24 hours to continue tracing and testing to confirm these changes can go ahead. From 11:59pm on Thursday, regional Victoria can return to junior competition (training and play) and senior training in groups of 10 people. Baseball Victoria is in the process of confirming with all winter regional associations those registered Victorians who live in metropolitan Melbourne but play in regional Victoria. Those metropolitan Melbourne members are NOT permitted, as juniors or seniors, to travel to regional Victoria for play or training.

Sadly, due to ongoing restrictions for Victorians travelling interstate and residents of other states who come into contact with Victorians, our Little League teams will be unable to travel to Lismore for the 2021 Australian Little League Championship. The decision to withdraw the teams from the national event was made based on these government restrictions, in consultation with Baseball Australia, to protect the health and wellbeing of all participants. Click HERE to read more.

The Victorian Government has provided this Table of Restrictions from Thursday 3 June 2021 which defines the changes for regional Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne.

Only five reasons to leave home:
- shopping for necessary goods and services (within 10km radius of home unless not available within)
- two hours of exercise (within 10km 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 – no one from Greater Metropolitan Melbourne can travel to regional Victoria to participate in community sport, and no one from regional Victoria can travel to Greater Metropolitan Melbourne to participate in community sport.
Masks must be worn both indoors and outdoors unless an exemption applies

Baseball Victoria will provide further details as they are made available regarding a return to play for regional Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne.

Click HERE for the full statement from the Victorian Government.

Baseball Victoria is working on updating its Return to Play COVIDSafe Plan as it relates to this new extended lockdown, this will be available on our website HERE later this afternoon.

As Victoria continues to deal with this evolving COVID situation, it’s important that Victorians monitor for symptoms, get tested, and get vaccinated when eligible.

The state recorded an additional six locally acquired cases today, bringing the outbreak total to 60. There are now more than 300 COVID-19 exposure sites where Victorians could have come into contact with the virus. To stop the spread, everyone should check this list of exposure sites, which is regularly updated by the Victorian Government, 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.

Click HERE to read more about vaccine information and how to sign up for your vaccine appointment.

For the latest COVID-19 updates from the Victorian Government, click HERE.

Click HERE to view our frequently asked questions.

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

Baseball Victoria continues to closely monitor the COVID-19 outbreak and awaits further updates from the Victorian Government regarding the seven-day circuit breaker lockdown, currently scheduled to expire at 11:59pm on Thursday 3 June 2021, although an extension has not been ruled out.

With all baseball activity cancelled to comply with the lockdown, we will provide relevant updates in the coming days based on the latest developments in the evolving COVID situation across Victoria.

Victoria recorded an additional three locally acquired cases today, bringing the outbreak total to 54. There are now more than 300 COVID-19 exposure sites where Victorians could have come into contact with the virus. It’s extremely important for everyone to check this list of exposure sites, which is regularly updated by the Victorian Government, 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.

In addition to COVID testing, Victoria has also taken promising steps to increase the number of daily vaccinations and ensure all Victorians who are eligible get protected as soon as possible.

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.

As the vaccine rollout continues, it remains important to 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.

For the latest COVID-19 updates from the Victorian Government, click HERE.

Click HERE to view our frequently asked questions.

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

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

More than 10,000 vouchers were snapped up in the first round to help cover the costs of membership and registration fees, sport equipment and uniforms.

Round 1 also opened more doors to sport with 27 percent of children who received a voucher joining a local sports club for the first time.

40 percent of overall recipients of vouchers from round 1 also indicated they would not have been able to participate in their chosen sport or activity without the financial support provided by the program.

The Get Active Kids Voucher Program helps eligible families get their children involved in organised sport and active recreation activities by reimbursing the cost of membership and registration fees, uniforms, and equipment. Eligible children may be able to receive up to $200 each.

The program is being delivered across four rounds until 15 April 2022. Applications for vouchers in Round 2 of the program close on Friday 9 July 2021 and applicants can claim eligible expenses incurred between 1 January 2021 and 9 July 2021.

Applications are now open HERE.

Click HERE to view more information.

As Victoria enters a seven-day circuit breaker lockdown following additional COVID cases, the Victorian Government has confirmed expanded vaccine eligibility to cover all Victorians over the age of 40. This recent COVID cluster is a reminder of how important it is to get vaccinated when you are eligible.

Getting vaccinated helps protect you from getting sick from 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.

For the latest COVID-19 updates from the Victorian Government, click HERE.