As the first half of the 2019/20 VSBL season draws to a close, Fitzroy Lions Baseball Club is on the hunt for Division 1 success under the leadership of Ryan Mitchell.
This season has seen Ryan embrace his new role as Fitzroy’s Club Coach, an exciting move for the passionate baseballer who has been playing since he was five years old. Ryan has spent more than a decade at Fitzroy, making memories with his fellow Lions.
When he took over as club coach, Ryan had some clear goals in mind. “This season at Fitzroy I’m really looking forward to seeing the club succeed again,” Ryan said. “We have had a lot of success through from the juniors to the seniors and we really want our higher levels again to hopefully be knocking on the door in the finals.”
Fitzroy’s top nine will have a bit of catching up to do after falling behind 0-3 in the first few weeks of the season. Since then the Lions have won four of their last six as they slowly but surely make their way up the ladder. Ryan is pushing his team to remain strong and keep striving toward their high hopes for the season. “It would be good to see the club succeed like they did last year, especially for the firsts to miss out so closely on finals last season,” Ryan said.
After finishing 16-10-1 in the 2018/19 season, the Lions would love to keep improving and make it back to the playoffs. A few missed opportunities and close losses hurt Fitzroy last year, and Ryan wants the Lions to learn from their mistakes and continue working hard. “I’m hoping that if we stick together, we can put forth that little extra step,” Ryan said. “It’s a good group of guys and girls we have down at the club. I really think that’s the thing that helps us succeed - playing together as a team.”
Ryan has seen his share of baseball success over the years, but one of the sweetest moments came when he coached Research Lower Plenty’s seconds and they won the Grand Final in the 2015 season, a huge comeback from finishing last the year before. Ryan would like to replicate such triumph with the Lions, but no matter what happens this season he’s happy playing and coaching the sport he can’t get enough of. “Unfortunately I’ve had a fair share of injuries that have put me off for a while but I always come back and I love it,” Ryan said. “I love playing the game and I will keep playing until I can’t walk or throw.”
Being at a club like Fitzroy, with well over 100 years of baseball history and a family-friendly environment, makes Ryan feel right at home. “I think it’s a really good club to be around,” Ryan said. “Our women’s and men’s teams are getting bigger and bigger, so is the number of teams we’re having this season.“
In his first season as a Division 1 head coach, Ryan knows anything is possible. "We’re really excited to see what the season brings and hopefully we can see some finals.”
Ryan encourages people of all ages to try baseball and discover the great experiences the sport offers. “Just give it a go, you won’t know what you achieve or like until you do,” Ryan said.
Fitzroy (5-7) hosts Geelong this weekend for game two out of three.