Nominations are now open for the Baseball Victoria Winter Committee (BVWC), a sub-committee of BV reporting to the CEO through the Tournament Officer.

The BV Winter Committee will provide feedback and recommendations on updated formats, playing conditions and structures of the Victorian State Winter Championships, including

• Junior Winter Championships
• Senior and Women’s Winter Championships
• Girls Invitational Tournament

Please view the BV Winter Committee Terms of Reference for more details on the responsibilities and expectations.

If you have a baseball club/leadership background and are interested in serving on the committee, please click HERE to submit your interest.

Nominations close Wednesday 25 September 2024.

Baseball Victoria is pleased to confirm coaching and EO appointments for the Under 16 and Under 18 Victorian State Teams attending the 2025 Australian Youth Championships in January.

Under 16 Team Officials:

• Head Coach - Ben Laux
• Assistant Coach - Ethan Epifanio
• Pitching Coach - Dan Chircop
• Executive Officer (EO) - Val Langworthy

Under 18 Team Officials:

• Head Coach - Marshall Skinner
• Assistant Coach - Lachie Condie
• Pitching Coach - Mark Richards
• Executive Officer (EO) - Taryn Richardson

“Thank you and congratulations to these dedicated coaches who have stepped up to the plate and will help guide our state teams to success on the national stage,” BV CEO Chet Gray said. “We are excited for another awesome year of AYC action and we appreciate the contributions of our team officials who ensure a positive and engaging experience for all players.”

Read the latest tournament update on dates and format changes via baseball.com.au.

The BV Pipeline includes programs for players of all levels to foster fun, development and performance. 2Ball, School Holiday Camps, and Performance Pathway programs are all part of the BV Pipeline.

Here are the goals of BV Pipeline programs:

• Ignite passion and love of baseball
• Develop skills that scale
• Prepare players to perform in competition
• Share knowledge and support the Victorian coaching community

Check out what they've been up to HERE and view information and bookings for Pipeline September School Holiday Events to secure your spot in 2Ball & Spring Training Camps.

The Melbourne Winter Baseball League A Grade Grand Final will be played between Watsonia and North Balwyn at 1:30pm on Saturday 7 September at Surrey Park in Box Hill. Finishing top two in the regular season, this promises to be a fantastic game of high-level baseball.

“As a coach, I couldn’t be prouder of the season that our A Grade team has put together, earning the chance to win our club’s first A Grade premiership in over 20 years. The lead-up to this game has been intense and exciting, with the top four teams proving to be evenly matched during the regular season and finals,” Watsonia Coach Jarryd Rogers said.

“With one win each head-to-head, it’s fitting that the season is coming down to us and North Balwyn. Our players are looking forward to a highly competitive game between two teams boasting strong line-ups.”

North Balwyn shares the excitement.

“Both clubs have had fantastic seasons, and if the semi-final was anything to go by, the grand final should be a great game. I am incredibly proud of the team, and the work of our coaches Neil, Gavin and Jeremy throughout the year; as well as the ongoing and continual support of the club and committee,” Club President Mitch Kennedy said.

“The club is extremely proud of the way the guys have played this year with how they conducted themselves each week throughout the year, earning North Balwyn the title of A1 Minor Premiers. We felt that this year the team was really able to put together a strong season exemplified by great offence and pitching.”

Melbourne Baseball Club has the ground looking fantastic for the battle and there will be a canteen operating, plus a GameChanger livestream.

Footscray Baseball Club is rapidly approaching its 100th anniversary and looks to reconnect with past players, supporters, and members in preparation for next year's celebrations.

Founded on March 18, 1925, following a motion passed by the Victorian Baseball Association, Footscray Baseball Club has a long and storied history in the area. The club has played at various parks and gardens within Footscray and Yarraville, even serving as curtain raisers for Footscray Football Club VFL games.

For decades, the club has been based at McIvor Reserve’s Hanks Baseball Park in Yarraville, where it has enjoyed success in men’s, women’s, and junior competitions, including numerous premierships in summer and winter leagues. Several players have also been selected as state and national representatives.

To mark this significant milestone, the club is planning a series of events throughout 2025 and is reaching out to past players, supporters, members, and their descendants to join in the celebrations.

Additionally, Footscray Baseball Club is seeking the support of local businesses to sponsor the anniversary events, providing an excellent opportunity for community engagement and visibility.

“The club has been a key part of the local community in Melbourne’s Inner West, and we are looking forward to bringing everyone together to share stories and celebrate,” said Club President Shane Cole-Hayhow.

For more information about Footscray Baseball Club's 100th anniversary celebration, including sponsorship opportunities and event updates, please visit footscraybulldogs.com.au or contact Lee Cole-Hayhow using the details below.

About Footscray Baseball Club:
Footscray Baseball Club currently participates in the Melbourne Winter Baseball League’s senior and junior competitions, the Victoria Summer Baseball League in the Women’s Premier League, Junior Little League, and is the current premier of the Men’s Metro Major competition. The club's home base is Hanks Baseball Park, part of Maribyrnong’s McIvor Reserve Sporting Precinct.

Contact:
Lee Cole-Hayhow
Footscray Baseball Club
Benbow St, Yarraville, VIC, 3011
0402 529 735
info@footscraybulldogs.com.au
http://footscraybulldogs.com.au

Baseball Victoria is excited to announce the Vic Dingoes and Hornets for the 2024 Barclay Cup.

These baseballers are taking part in the newly revamped Youth Women's Prospects Program for players aged 13 to 16, forming the core of their training in preparation for the tournament.

The Barclay Cup/Youth Women’s Prospects Development program goes beyond the existing club programs, offering participants the chance to further develop their core skills. The program will run over eight weeks under the leadership of Samantha Hamilton, Victorian Women's Head Coach and Australian Women’s Assistant Coach.

At the end of the program, Baseball Victoria will send two teams to participate in the third annual Barclay Cup, hosted at the Mackillop Baseball Club (Chapman Gardens Baseball Oval) in Kingswood, NSW, from 29 September to 5 October. The competition features teams from NSW, QLD, VIC, WA, and SA, providing a platform for junior girls to showcase their talent and celebrate the future of women’s baseball in Australia.

"We're thrilled to announce the Barclay Cup/Youth Women’s Prospects. We have a great group of players ready to enhance their skills and take their game to the next level," Hamilton said. “Our dedicated coaches are eager to support these young superstars as they chase their baseball goals and develop a deeper love of the game.”

Congratulations to the 2024 Vic Dingoes and Hornets!

Stay tuned for Barclay Cup tournament updates and check out supporter gear here.

Baseball Victoria is saddened to hear of the passing of Life Member Paul Collins, a long-time leader and beloved figure in the Victorian baseball community.

Paul served as Chairman of the Baseball Victoria Pennant Committee for 35 years. Along with the late Barry Smith, he prepared playing fixtures for all senior competitions for the entire time he served on the Pennant Committee.

Paul was one of the driving forces in the introduction of Summer Baseball in 1976. He played an instrumental role in designing Melbourne Ballpark, which opened in 1990.

After getting his start as a Newport junior player, he went on to serve Williamstown Baseball Club as Secretary (1969-1975) and President (1976/1978). He earned life membership at the club level in 1974 after playing 246 senior games from 1962-1973.

Paul was the EO of many successful Claxton Shield teams and the manager of the Australian Team for the Baseball Federation of Asia Championship Perth in 1985.

He was one of baseball's most committed and hardest workers, enjoying many years of playing, umpiring and volunteering.

Paul recently celebrated his 80^th birthday and will be dearly missed by all who knew him. We send our condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time.

Baseball Victoria is pleased to open tryout registration for Victorian State Teams ahead of the 2025 Australian U16 and U18 Youth Championships next January.

We will be sending one U16 and one U18 team to the national championships (dates and venue TBA by Baseball Australia soon).

Age Qualifications:

U16 - Year Born 2009 & 2010

U18 - Year Born 2007, 2008, 2009

Tryouts

U16 Tryouts will be held on the following dates:

• Saturday 14 September (all players)
• Saturday 21 September (all players)
• Wednesday 25 September (all players)

U18 tryouts will be held on te following dates:

• Monday 9 September (position players)
• Tuesday 10 September (pitchers and catchers)
• Monday 16 September (positions players)
• Tuesday 17 September (pitchers and catchers)
• Tuesday 24 September (all players)

Tryout venue: Melbourne Ballpark, Merton Street, Altona Meadows

Times: TBC (an email will be send to all players who register, confirming times and what to bring just prior the commencement of the tryouts)

A training program will follow throughout November and December leading up to the Australian Youth Championships.

Please click HERE to register for tryouts.