Baseball Victoria, working with Sport and Recreation Victoria and the associated Victorian Government departments that have been assisting Victoria throughout this global pandemic, continues to prepare for a return to activity and a return to play for baseball.
Clubs are currently reviewing draft fixtures for a planned returned to baseball after a four-week training window, where all baseball players, coaches, officials and volunteers will register to train for free with their club.
Until we are able to confirm the format and official start date for the hybrid 2020/2021 COVID season, we will continue to plan our return to activity, looking first at our options to train.
At this stage, indications from the Victorian Government’s scheduled update on Sunday, 18 October 2020 are positive for Victorians to receive some easing of the restrictions, but it’s not clear how these will apply to sport or if they will be suitable to start club training. We are hopeful that it will allows clubs to continue to prepare club facilities for our imminent return.
Click HERE to read all the latest updates from the Victorian Premier. Click HERE for all of our COVID-19 updates and Victorian Government resources.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us. You can view the Baseball Victoria COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions HERE for details on the current restrictions, health questions, face masks and much more.
As a reminder, the COVIDSafe app is now available and will allow authorities to quickly track and control the spread of COVID-19. Please consider downloading the app to help save lives, protect the community and get baseball back as soon as possible. Click HERE to learn more.
Five-time Emeralds World Cup representative Jacinda Barclay has passed away.
Baseball Australia was informed of the sad news yesterday.
Barclay was 29.
Baseball Australia chief executive Cam Vale said the organisation extended its deepest sympathies to Barclay’s family, friends and teammates during this difficult time.
“It’s truly tragic news and we extend our thoughts to those close to Jacinda,” Vale said.
“Jacinda made a significant contribution not only to our sport over a long period of time but a number of other sports, on and off the field.
“We are deeply shocked and saddened by Jacinda’s passing and the loss of a member of our tight-knit baseball community.”
Barclay made her World Cup debut as a 17-year-old in 2008 and was part of the Emeralds’ silver medal winning team in 2010.
She went on to play three more World Cups in 2012, 2014 and 2016.
West Australian-born Barclay regularly represented her state at the Australian Women’s Championship and also played football for the Chicago Bliss in the Legends Football League and Greater Western Sydney in the AFL Women’s competition.
Barclay also played in Victoria, and remained in baseball where she was selected in New South Wales’ squad for the cancelled 2020 Australian Women’s Championship after playing with Greenway Giants in the Women’s NSW State Baseball League last summer.
If you or someone you know is in need of help, call Lifeline on 131 114, visit www.lifeline.org.au/gethelp, or phone beyondblue on 1300 224 636.
Republished with permissions from Baseball Australia.
The 2020 MLB playoffs are in full swing with divisional series well underway after the 60-game shortened season. Both teams with Aussies on their 40-man rosters made the postseason, although the Minnesota Twins lost in the first round, ending the season for Victorian Lewis Thorpe. Fellow Aussie Liam Hendriks advanced with the Oakland Athletics, but they just lost their divisional series to the Houston Astros to cut their postseason dreams short.
Even so, our Aussie representatives have impressed on baseball’s biggest stage and continue to make names for themselves in the majors.
LEWIS THORPE
The Victorian pitcher did not make a postseason appearance as the Twins' dropped the AL Wild Card series to the Houston Astros, extending their painful playoff losing streak to 18 games.
Minnesota finished the season with a 36-24 record to win the AL Central back-to-back.
In his second season with the Twins after his MLB debut on 30 June 2019, Thorpe threw 16.1 innings across seven games, with 4.2 scoreless innings in his first two outings. He gave up 24 hits for 11 earned runs with an ERA of 6.06 and 10 strikeouts.
LIAM HENDRIKS
MLB All-Star and two-time American League Reliever of the Month Liam Hendriks had a phenomenal year although the A's postseason run came to a close earlier than they would have liked.
Oakland bowed out of the MLB playoffs following an 11-6 loss to Houston in game four of the American League Division Series on Thursday.
Hendriks did not get into the game as the Astros blew the contest open at Dodgers Stadium.
Carlos Correa hit a go-ahead, three-run homer after Michael Brantley’s two-run shot in the fourth inning as Houston erased an early 3-0 lead held by the A’s.
Correa drove in five as the Astros advanced to the AL Championship Series for the fourth consecutive season. They will play either the New York Yankees or Tampa Bay in the best-of-seven ALCS in San Diego.
Ramon Laureano hit a pair of homers, including a three-run shot in the second that gave Oakland an early lead for a fourth-straight game. He hit a second to lead off the fifth and pull the A’s within one, but that was as close as they came.
Houston scored the next six runs before a pair of two-out ninth-inning runs from Oakland.
The day before, Hendriks helped Oakland stave off elimination after playing a starring role in game three's 9-7 comeback victory. He entered in the seventh with the score tied and tossed three scoreless innings in a comeback 9-7 victory for the A’s at Dodgers Stadium.
MLB POSTSEASON: Bracket, schedule and results
Hendriks was rested up after not pitching in the opening two games. He allowed one hit and did not issue a walk while striking out four in three strong innings.
He stranded a pair of runners in scoring position to end the eighth after Kyle Tucker reached on catchers interference and Carlos Correa singled off Hendriks to start the frame. They advanced to second and third on a ground ball but Hendriks battled back to punch out Josh Reddick and end the threat.
Hendriks then retired to top of the Astros’ lineup – George Springer, Jose Altuve and Michael Brantley – to complete the victory and extend the best-of-five series at least another game.
Oakland tied the ballgame on Chad Pinder’s three-run homer in the seventh ahead of Hendriks entering. Sean Murphy and Pinder then brought home runs with sacrifice flies in the eighth to make it 9-7.
It was former Perth ABL pitcher Hendriks’ first MLB postseason win. He tossed 37 pitches, 26 of them for strikes.
Earlier, the A’s struck first as they looked to stay alive after falling down 2-0 in the series. Tommy La Stella hit a solo homer in the first.
Altuve went deep as part of the two-run bottom of the inning for Houston. Solo shots to Mark Canha, Matt Olson and Marcus Semien gave Oakland a 4-2 lead.
The Astros put up five runs in the bottom of the fifth to take the lead and put the A’s on the brink of elimination. But Hendriks – and late offence – ensured a game four.
Overall on the season Hendriks had a 1.78 ERA in 25.1 innings pitched with 37 strikeouts and a 0.67 WHIP.
MLB ON KAYO
Don’t forget you can get your MLB fix on Kayo, with the Australian sports streaming service bringing you some of the biggest games streamed live each week. Watch the exciting postseason action as the race to the World Series continues.
Click HERE to check out Kayo and follow along with the MLB action live. New to Kayo? Sign up for a free 14-day trial HERE.
The third and final night for the 2020 Baseball Victoria Awards revealed the Club Champions and MVPs.
The livestream rounded out three days of exciting award announcements celebrating the Victorian baseball community.
Congratulations to all of these deserving award winners on their awesome achievements and tireless dedication to grassroots baseball!
Most Valuable Players
- Division Four East: Chuck Ratnayake - Fitzroy Lions
- Division Four North West: Servio Castillo - Footscray Bulldogs
- Division Four South: Michael Nakai - Monash University Farmers
- Division Three: Jeon Kyunsoo - Ormond Glenhuntly
- Division Two (Robert R Hindson Medal): Billy Parsons - Port Melbourne
- Women's Division One: Abbey Kelly - Essendon Bombers
- Division One Grand Final Series (Harry Wonnacott Medal): Andrew Jones - Blackburn Orioles
- Division One (George Heron Medal): Andrew Russell - Waverley Wildcats
Club Champions
- Division Two Club Champion: Williamstown Wolves
- Division One Club Champion (Peter Dihm Shield): Blackburn Orioles
Individual Awards
- Volunteer of the Year Award: Brooke Tierney - Blackburn Orioles
- Coach of the Year Award: Matthew Tayler - Blackburn Orioles
- Umpire of the Year Award: Geoff Boyes and Stewart Howe
Women's Division One
- Home Run Award: Jessica Johnson - Doncaster Dragons (two home runs)
- Pitching Award: Bronwyn Gell - Doncaster Dragons (3.74 ERA)
- Batting Award: Abbey Kelly - Essendon Bombers (.623 batting average)
Division One
- Home Run Award: Jacob Evans - Blackburn Orioles (seven home runs)
- Pitching Award - Harry Douglas Memorial Trophy: Andrew Jones - Blackburn Orioles (0.54 ERA)
- Batting Award: Jacob Evans - Blackburn Orioles (.424 batting average)
Awards presented on Wednesday night include:
Division Three
- Home Run Award: Geoff MacDonald - Ormond Glenhuntly (six home runs)
- Pitching Award: Lucas Anderson - Springvale Lions (0.68 ERA)
- Batting Award: Shane Jeffree - Chelsea Dolphins (.500 batting average)
Division Two
- Home Run Award: Mitchell Kennedy - Malvern Braves (five home runs)
- Pitching Award: Jayde Thorne - Williamstown Wolves (0.92 ERA)
- Batting Award: Jayde Thorne - Williamstown Wolves (.462 batting average)
Highlights are being shared across Baseball Victoria social media platforms, including Instagram and the BV TV YouTube Channel.
You can rewatch each night of the 2020 Baseball Victoria Awards on Facebook:
NIGHT ONE
NIGHT TWO
NIGHT THREE
The time has come for the 2020 MLB playoffs, and the two teams with Aussie representatives made it to the postseason after a whirlwind 60-game shortened season.
The Minnesota Twins’ playoff losing streak continued, ending the season for Victorian Lewis Thorpe, although West Australian Liam Hendriks and the Oakland Athletics have won their AL Wild Card series and are advancing for the first time since 2006.
LEWIS THORPE
Victorian supporters hoping to catch another glimpse of the standout pitcher on the mound will have to wait until next year after the Twins' dropped the AL Wild Card series to the Houston Astros, extending their painful playoff losing streak to 18 games.
Minnesota finished the season with a 36-24 record to win the AL Central back-to-back.
In his second season with the Twins after making his MLB debut on 30 June 2019, Thorpe pitched 16.1 innings across seven games, with 4.2 scoreless innings in his first two outings. He gave up 24 hits for 11 earned runs with an ERA of 6.06 and 10 strikeouts.
LIAM HENDRIKS
There's still one Aussie left in the postseason picture and that's All-Star and two-time American League Reliever of the Month Liam Hendriks.
The star closer and the Oakland Athletics took a 2-1 win in the Wild Card series against the Chicago White Sox, punching their ticket to the American League Division Series for the first time since 2006.
Oakland was on the brink of elimination after dropping game one with a final score of 4-1, but the A's fought back to win the next two.
The A's set up a winner-take all game three after fighting back to level the series at one apiece, with Hendriks striking out five in game two. Oakland survived a late scare to prevail 5-3 at the Coliseum and snap a franchise worst six-game playoff losing streak.
Oakland scored a pair of runs in the first and second a day after their first 18 batters were retired by Lucas Giolito.
Khris Davis homered in the fifth to make it 5-0 ahead of a late rally by the White Sox.
Yasmani Grandal took Hendriks deep for a two-run shot in the eighth after the 31-year-old closer replaced starter Chris Bassit following a lead-off single to Tim Anderson.
Hendriks punched out Yoan Moncada ahead of Grandal going deep to to right centre field.
The former Perth ABL pitcher punched out Nomar Mazara and Luis Robert to end the eighth after giving up a single to Jose Abreu following the long ball.
Hendriks struck out former Melbourne import Adam Engel and left fielder Jarrod Dyson on the first eight pitches of the ninth.
But he hit trouble in his sixth MLB postseason outing, allowing back-to-back singles before walking Moncada to load the bases. Jake Diekman replaced Hendriks and walked Grandal to make it a two-run ballgame ahead of nailing the final out to set up a game three.
Hendriks finished with five punch outs and allowed two runs on four hits and a walk.
Earlier, the A’s opened the scoring on an error in the first. Matt Olson reached and two runs scored before Oakland doubled its buffer with a two-run shot by Marcus Semien.
Bassitt went seven innings on the mound for the A’s, striking out five and giving up the one run on six hits.
It was Oakland’s first playoff win since game four of the 2013 AL Division Series against Detroit.
Game three saw Hendriks collect the first postseason save of his Major League career, propelling Oakland into an ALDS against fierce rivals Houston.
The A’s topped the White Sox 6-4 at the Coliseum on Thursday to complete a comeback 2-1 series win in the best-of-three AL Wild Card matchup.
We're headed to the ALDS!
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) October 1, 2020
FINAL: #Athletics 6, White Sox 4#RepTheTown pic.twitter.com/Xyvs6eqCq5
MLB POSTSEASON: Bracket, schedule and results
Hendriks allowed a lead-off single to James McCann to start the ninth before striking out the next three batters. He nabbed Yoan Moancada, rookie Luis Robert and then Nomar Mazara to collect his first postseason save in his seventh outing.
Hendriks hit 100 mph a day after a taxing 49-pitch, five strikeout, outing in game two.
Oakland trailed 3-0 after three as it looked to snap a nine-game losing streak in winner-take-all playoff games dating back to game five of the 2000 ALDS against the New York Yankees.
Sean Murphy got the A’s offence going with a towering two-run homer in the fourth. Oakland loaded the bases later in the inning and scored two runs on back-to-back walks to complete a four-run inning and take the lead.
Mazara hit a game-tying single for the White Sox in the fifth. The A’s recaptured the lead on Chad Pinder’s tie-breaking two-run single in the fifth inning and Oakland’s bullpen did the rest.
J.B. Wendelken, Lou Trivino, Jake Diekman, Joakim Soria and Hendriks combined for four scoreless innings of relief to end the game for the A’s.
Oakland will now play the Astros in the ALDS at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Game one is set for next Monday, with the time of first pitch yet to be announced.
MLB ON KAYO
Don’t forget you can get your MLB fix on Kayo, with the Australian sports streaming service bringing you some of the biggest games streamed live each week. Follow along with the postseason action, including some more Wild Card matchups and American League Division Series games.
Click HERE to check out Kayo and follow along with the MLB action live. New to Kayo? Sign up for a free 14-day trial HERE.
The 2020 Baseball Victoria Awards continued with night two on Thursday, as nine more award winners were announced over livestream.
Congratulations to all of these deserving award winners on a fantastic 2019/20 VSBL season and their many contributions to Victorian baseball.
Individual Awards
- Volunteer of the Year Award: Brooke Tierney - Blackburn Orioles
- Coach of the Year Award: Matthew Tayler - Blackburn Orioles
- Umpire of the Year Award: Geoff Boyes and Stewart Howe
Women's Division One
- Home Run Award: Jessica Johnson - Doncaster Dragons (two home runs)
- Pitching Award: Bronwyn Gell - Doncaster Dragons (3.74 ERA)
- Batting Award: Abbey Kelly - Essendon Bombers (.623 batting average)
Division One
- Home Run Award: Jacob Evans - Blackburn Orioles (seven home runs)
- Pitching Award - Harry Douglas Memorial Trophy: Andrew Jones - Blackburn Orioles (0.54 ERA)
- Batting Award: Jacob Evans - Blackburn Orioles (.424 batting average)
Awards presented on Wednesday night include:
Division Three
- Home Run Award: Geoff MacDonald - Ormond Glenhuntly (six home runs)
- Pitching Award: Lucas Anderson - Springvale Lions (0.68 ERA)
- Batting Award: Shane Jeffree - Chelsea Dolphins (.500 batting average)
Division Two
- Home Run Award: Mitchell Kennedy - Malvern Braves (five home runs)
- Pitching Award: Jayde Thorne - Williamstown Wolves (0.92 ERA)
- Batting Award: Jayde Thorne - Williamstown Wolves (.462 batting average)
The 2020 Baseball Victoria Awards will wrap up on Friday evening with night three. The livestream will begin at 7:30 PM as we reveal the Club Champions and MVPs.
Highlights will be shared across Baseball Victoria social media platforms, including Instagram and the BV TV YouTube Channel.
You can rewatch the first two nights of the 2020 Baseball Victoria Awards on Facebook:
NIGHT ONE
NIGHT TWO
Click HERE to RSVP on Facebook and receive a notification when we go live for night three.
The 2020 Baseball Victoria Awards Night livestream on Wednesday evening highlighted Division Three and Division Two award winners from the 2019/20 VSBL season.
The stream was night one of three for the Baseball Victoria Awards, which celebrate fantastic achievements from across the Victorian baseball community. The event will once again be streamed with My Sport Live on the Baseball Victoria Facebook page for nights two and three:
- Thursday, 1 October 2020 - Volunteer of the Year, Coach of the Year, Umpire of the Year, Division One and Women's Division One
- Friday, 2 October 2020 - Club Champions and MVPs
The broadcast will begin promptly at 7:30 PM each night.
Baseball Victoria once again congratulates all the award winners and thanks them for their hard work and contributions over the season.
Division Three
- Home Run Award: Geoff MacDonald - Ormond Glenhuntly (six home runs)
- Pitching Award: Lucas Anderson - Springvale Lions (0.68 ERA)
- Batting Award: Shane Jeffree - Chelsea Dolphins (.500 batting average)
Division Two
- Home Run Award: Mitchell Kennedy - Malvern Braves (five home runs)
- Pitching Award: Jayde Thorne - Williamstown Wolves (0.92 ERA)
- Batting Award: Jayde Thorne - Williamstown Wolves (.462 batting average)
Baseball Victoria looks forward to announcing the rest of the award winners on Thursday and Friday and we invite everyone from the baseball community to join us in virtual celebration as the awards go live on Facebook.
Individual achievement awards will be presented for the top home run hitters, batting average and ERA across VSBL Division One and Women’s Division One, as well as MVPs for these competitions and Division Four East, North West and South.
Winners of the Club Champion, Volunteer of the Year, Coach of the Year and Umpire of the Year Awards will also be announced.
Highlights will be shared across Baseball Victoria social media platforms, including Instagram and the BV TV YouTube Channel.
You can rewatch night one of the 2020 Baseball Victoria Awards on Facebook:
Click HERE to RSVP on Facebook and receive a notification when we go live.
Baseball Victoria is pleased to share Craig Haydock is stepping into the role of Club and Competitions Manager.
This management position is the evolution of several roles and focuses on servicing clubs to provide adequate support and resources, especially during these difficult times. Craig will ensure all Baseball Victoria competitions, including the Victorian Summer Baseball League (VSBL), charters and winter tournaments, can be run professionally and offer excellent opportunities for athletes at every level.
Craig has a long history of sporting roles and most recently served as State Director of Badminton Victoria for four years. He previously held the role of Operations Manager at Jets Gymnastics Australia from 2011-2016 and also worked as an Account Manager at Innovation & Business Skills Australia and Acting State Administrator at Badminton Victoria. Craig’s years of dedicated service in the sporting industry make him well-prepared to support grassroots Victorian baseball, especially as we look to commence a return to baseball in the coming months.
Baseball Victoria welcomes Craig to the team and looks forward to an exciting future for Victorian baseball.
There are just a handful of games left in the 2020 MLB season before playoffs, and both teams with Aussies on their 40-man rosters have made the playoffs.
Victorian Lewis Thorpe has appeared in seven games for the Minnesota Twins so far while West Australian Liam Hendriks now has 14 saves with the Oakland Athletics, the AL West Champions.
LEWIS THORPE
Lewis Thorpe is in his second season with the Twins after making his MLB debut on 30 June 2019.
Thorpe's last appearance for Minnesota came in game one of a doubleheader against Detroit on Saturday, 29 August.
The left-handed pitcher, who has the full support of his hometown clubs Doncaster and Greenhills Montmorency, has pitched 16.1 innings across seven outings this season, with 4.2 scoreless innings in his first two games. He has given up a total of 24 hits for 11 earned runs with an ERA of 6.06 and 10 strikeouts.
After slipping to second in the American League Central standings, the Twins have won the last four games to regain the lead with a 35-22 record. They have already clinched a playoff berth and if their final home series vs. the Cincinnati Reds goes well, the Twins could come away with back-to-back division crowns after winning the AL Central last year.
For up-to-date schedules, scores and live action from the Twins, visit the official MLB website here.
LIAM HENDRIKS
Liam Hendriks and the Oakland A's have won the American League West and will be a force to be reckoned with come playoff time.
The MLB Reliever of the Month for August 2020 has notched yet another save, taking his total to 14 on the season after a scoreless outing to shut down the L.A. Dodgers on Wednesday, 23 September.
This was a big 6-4 win at Dodger Stadium as Oakland beat the holders of the best record in baseball.
The Dodgers tied it up on a solo shot by Edwin Ríos in the eighth, but Ramón Laureano followed up in the ninth with a clutch go-ahead two-run homer off former A’s teammate Blake Treinen.
Hendriks came in for the final three outs, getting AJ Pollock to line out before striking out Cody Bellinger. Hendriks retired Chris Taylor to complete the win. He is currently second in MLB pitchers on number of saves, with Cleveland's Brand Hand just ahead at 15.
Oakland plays Seattle in the last regular season series before the playoffs.
Follow the rest of Oakland’s season on the official MLB website here.
MLB ON KAYO
Don’t forget you can get your MLB fix on Kayo, with the Australian sports streaming service bringing you some of the biggest games streamed live each week. Kayo will bring you the New York Yankees v Miami Marlins game on Saturday, 26 September at 3:30 PM AEST, as well as Wild Card games as the playoffs get started next week.
Click HERE to check out Kayo and follow along with the MLB action live. New to Kayo? Sign up for a free 14-day trial HERE.