Archive for the ‘Club News’ Category

Amy Vickers, Kate Russell, Eliza Russell, Carly Jensen, Cathy Carroll and Claire Stephens have all been invited to try out for the NSW Country team

The first ever ACT Womens Baseball side has returned home from a rain soaked weekend in the Illawarra region with their heads held high after an encouraging effort in their first ever competitive tournament.

The weekend only served to prove the potential the region has in its womens ranks with six girls chosen for the NSW Country training squad as they prepare for the Australian National Championships, due to take place early in the new year.

In a field of four sides including Illawarra, Central Coast and Newcastle, the ACT Womens team were never disgraced against some of the strongest opposition the state of NSW has to offer.

The weekend started off with a 6-5 win against Newcastle on Saturday afternoon in what was an encouraging beginning to the campaign.

Game 2 was against the Central Coast side, a side that was clearly the strongest in the field. After a tough battle, Central Coast ran out eventual 9-8 winners with the girls unlucky on the day not to have their noses in front.

A defeat to eventual winners, Illawarra put the ACT side up against a rampaging Central Coast team who had been relegated to the 3v4 final due to a rule violation with the result going to the Central Coast team.

ACT Womens team Manager, Louise Russell, says that the teams overall results don’t show how encouraging the weekend really was.

“The rain washed out a few games which was a shame because the team certainly improved as the weekend progressed,” Russell said.

“I think we can go home with our heads held high as we competed at the same level as the other teams.

“Having six girls chosen to train for the NSW Country team is testament to how strong we are and how much stronger we can get.”

The six players chosen as part of the NSW Country Training Squad are:

Eliza Russell (Ainslie)
Kate Russell (Ainslie)
Amy Vickers (Ainslie)
Claire Stephens (Ainslie)
Carly Jenson (Rebels)
Cath Carroll (Indians)

ACT Baseball has undergone one of its busiest registration periods in history after signing up just over two hundred new players for the 2009-2010 season.

The increase in players has been experienced right across the board at both junior and senior levels. As an example, junior T-Ball looks set to double the sides from clubs around Canberra from last years competition.

Increasing numbers have also been felt at the senior level with Division 2 in C Grade also doubling in size from last years numbers.

The influx in new recruits for the upcoming season once again highlights the growth of the sport at grassroots levels.

The growth in participation comes as the ACT Baseball Association bids to join the newly formed Australian Baseball League, and has seen the ACT fielding their first ever women’s representative side.

ACT Baseball Association President, Theo Vassalakis, says that the increase in participation is clear evidence of the growth of the sport in the region and only serves to build the excitement in the baseball community for the upcoming season.

“This is fantastic news for the game in our region,” Vassalakis said.

“We have the ‘Let’s do it Canberra’ bid in full swing at the moment and I think some of the hype surrounding the bid can be attributed to the increase in numbers.”

“The future of the sport in our region really does look bright. If we are successful in our bid to join the ABL, we could be set for even more growth next year.”

With participation at all levels of the sport at almost record highs, the ACT Baseball Association has almost found itself not having enough diamonds on which its players can participate.

“We’ve had to spend a lot more time on the draw for all age groups this year. It’s a good problem to have.” Vassalakis said.

Team Australia ended their 2009 Baseball World Cup campaign on a high over the weekend; defeating Europe’s highest ranking team The Netherlands and securing their best-ever ranking in World Cup competition.

Entering the tournament ranked 11 in the World, the Aussies recorded upset victories over Japan (World #3), Chinese Taipei (#5), The Netherlands (#6), Mexico (#7) and Canada (#8); while pushing Cuba (#1) and the USA (#4) to narrow 1-run defeats to reinforce their position amongst the international sporting elite.

Team Australia were assured of matching their best-ever result when they qualified for the 5th/6th position play-off against the Netherlands.

In their final game of the gruelling 3-week tournament; played in multiple venues across Europe; Team Australia commenced proceedings with a one-run first innings with Canberra’s own Nick Kimpton scoring off a Luke Hughes right-field single.

The Dutch evened the scores with a run of their own in a 3-hit 3rd innings.

Australia regained the ascendancy in the 7th, scoring 2 runs when a Dutch fielding error turned a right-field single from James Beresford into a run-scoring triple, bringing Andrew Graham home from first base on the error. Kimpton then drove in Beresford with a ground ball to centre-field to put the Aussies in the lead 3-1.

Stefan Welch sealed the victory with a 3rd pitch home-run in the 8th.

The Aussies conceded just two more hits in the remaining innings, securing the final six outs for a 5th place World cup finish.

Kids of all ages enjoyed the sunshine whilst having a hit hit the ACT Academy of Sport representatives

The ‘Let’s do it Canberra’ weekend activities have been labeled a great success after events at both the Eastlake Community Fete and the ‘Try Baseball’ day Curtain Oval experiencing high levels of participants.

With ACT Academy of Sport representatives on hand, paricipation at the Eastlake Community Fete was nothing short of spectacular with hundreds of children getting out in the sunshine with many trying baseball for the first time.

Record numbers of participants also made their way down to Curtain Oval for the first ‘Try Baseball’ day before the season kicks off. Approximately one hundred children enjoyed a free BBQ as they took part in baseball activities over two hours, once again many playing baseball for the first time.

ACT Baseball Association President, Theo Vassalakis says that the participation rates of the two events is indicative of the rise in popularity that baseball has seen off the back of the ‘Let’s do it Canberra’ bid.

“Baseball has been on the rise in the region over the last few years but with the ‘Let’s do it Canberra’ bid really getting the word out we’ve seen a big rise in registrations this year.”

Theo says the rise in registrations for the upcoming season will provide the game with a healthy base for the future.

“You never know what will happen with some of these young players,” Theo said.

“Hopefully we can see a few of them representing Canberra in an Australian Baseball League team”.

Head down to Eastlake Community Fete and support local chartiy Pegasis

Eastlake Football Club will tomorrow (Saturday) host their inaugural community fete with proceeds going towards Pegasus and the upkeep of the Eastlake football program.

A range of exciting activities and stalls will be on offer including home baked goods, Canberra Milk van, goal kicking and handball competitions, sponge throwing, mini golf, arts and crafts, trash and treasure, face painting, jumping castle, baseball and cricket activities, wine tasting, prize wheel, fire truck, novelty races, massage, BBQ and freshly brewed coffee, also included is the Pegasus Smiley tent, where volunteers are encouraged to join the team.

Pegasus is located at Pegasus Farm on the outskirts of Canberra. About 100 riders with a disability ride at Pegasus each week and about 100 volunteers assist with the operation of programs. Pegasus’ sporting, recreational and therapeutic programs provide physical, social and educational benefits for people with a disability.

Eastlake Football Club is a committed supporter of Pegasus, having already contributed support for the further enhancement of the Pegasus volunteer program.

Anthony Ratcliffe, Eastlake CEO, says the club is pleased to be involved with another great initiative in support of Pegasus.

“Pegasus is an incredible organisation that provides equestrian activities for people with a disability”, Ratcliffe said. “Eastlake is looking forward to what promises to be an exciting day at our first Community Fete, not only will it be a great day out for families but will raise much needed funds for charity.”

Simone Doherty, Acting Pegasus Executive Officer, says the support from Eastlake will make a big difference to the farm. “Pegasus is a not for profit organisation and all contributions are very much appreciated”, Doherty said. “Eastlake have been generous supporters of Pegasus for some time now and we are so grateful, because without it we would not be able to provide the services we do for our riders.”

The inaugural Eastlake Community Fete will be held tomorrow (Saturday 19 September) at Kingston Oval between 11:00am-3:00pm.

With wet weather doing its best to dampen spirits, the “Let’s do it Canberra” team return from a night at Exhibition Park, where the letsdoitcanberra.com.au pace was run and won under lights.

A small but enthusiastic crowd saw Zaphod take honours over a fast finishing Jimmy Holdsworth, with Lombo La Freebie coming third. Crowd favorite Sheez All Action came a disapointing fifth after being stuck out wide early on.

At the mid-way point of Canberra’s bid to join the Australian Baseball League, the “Let’s do it Canberra” harness night was a way for the community to come together and show their support for the bid and enjoy the company of fellow baseball enthusiasts.

“Let’s do it Canberra” supporter Mark Usherwood said the night was a success and he relished the opportunity to meet some of Canberra’s baseball talent.

“I’m not directly involved in baseball here in Canberra so it was nice to come out here tonight and meet some players and the rest of the ‘Let’s do it Canberra’ team.” he said adding

“After talking to the younger players and officials, it has certainly built my enthusiasm for the bid and I shall be pushing even harder to have my friends pledge.”

Whilst early number crunching was not positive, it is hoped that certain members of the “Let’s do it Canberra” team will break even after what some described as “bad luck and poor judgement” inside the betting ring.

ACT Baseball Association President, Theo Vassalakis, said that whilst the rain didn’t help, it was still good to see passionate support for Canberra joining the ABL.

“The weather didn’t do us any favours but it was fantastic to see people come along and support Canberra’s ABL bid.”

With just over three weeks left in the “Let’s do it Canberra” bid, plenty of work still needs to be done if Canberra is to secure the sixth and final spot along side Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth in the inaugural season of the ABL, due to start November 2010.

  The Ainslie Bears and the Bandits Baseball Club have launched club initiatives in order to drive its respective players’ to pledge their friends and family to the “Let’s do it Canberra” bid.

Ainslie Bears are offering to free registration fees to the junior who obtains the most pledges whilst the senior player who obtains the most pledges will be given a brand new wooden baseball bat.

Further north down in Bandit country, free registration fees are being offered for both the junior and senior players who obtain the highest amount of pledges.

Ainslie Bears club representative, Greg Kent says that whilst club enthusiasm for the $20 “Let’s do it Canberra” pledge has so far been positive, the club wanted to urge all players to go above and beyond.

“The club has responded positively to the ‘Let’s do it Canberra’ bid”. he said

“I’d love to see the club to sell 1000 pledges, if all of our players sell ten pledges, we’ll do it”.

The “Let’s do it Canberra bid must obtain 5,000, $20 pledges in order to gain entrance to the inaugural season of the Australian Baseball League, due to start November, 2010.

For more information on how to win these fantastic prizes, please see your club representative for full entry details.

Juniors stand to gain the most from Canberra having a team in the ABL

There is no doubt that having a Canberra team in the Australian Baseball League will provide our local competition with benefits that will improve the sport at a grassroots level.

Canberra Local League

· A Canberra team in the ABL will improve the level of the local competition by bringing fringe players from other ABL states to Canberra.

· Having fringe players from other states move to Canberra in order to break into a Canberra side will allow for a greater and far more exciting local competition.

· The standard of Canberra players will increase to a higher level, giving local players the tools to progress their careers further.

Clubs

· A Canberra team in the ABL will improve the profile of the sport locally, meaning greater interest in the sport from a grassroots level.

· A higher profile of the sport will provide more selling points to kids; this will result in greater participation by juniors meaning more members for every local club.

· Increased membership will provide local clubs with more sustainable forms of income.

· Greater and more sustainable forms of income will result in better equipment for every player to utilise and benefit from.

· A higher level of local baseball will allow for better qualified coaches at all levels, this will mean that junior levels can progress at higher a higher standard than at present

Facilities

· A Canberra team in the ABL will provide everyone with improved facilities. This will be evident at all baseball fields not just Narrabundah.

· Improved facilities will provide players of all levels to compete at a higher standard.

With the weekend almost upon us now is the time to start asking your friends and family if they have pledged their support.

If you’ve pledged your support to the “Let’s do it Canberra,” no doubt you are passionate enough to ask your friends and family to pledge their support too.

All you have to do is ask! The more people you ask the more people you’ll get to pledge their $20.

Let’s do it Canberra, get behind the bid and just start asking!

  1. Your pledge is a show of support for your community.

2. It will grow the sport in Canberra.

3. It will give Canberrans a high quality sporting event to enjoy with their families during a traditionally quiet period (November-February). 

4. If we succeed, Canberra will become part of one of the world’s biggest sporting organisations, Major League Baseball. 

5. Your $20 bid will go towards a successful bid, our legacy to the baseball community for years to come.

6. It will give our local elite players the opportunity to represent Canberra in front of their family and friends.

7. It will give our young players a pathway to the Major Leagues.

8. The games will draw visitors to Canberra from interstate and overseas.

9. A team in the Australian Baseball League will give young players something to aspire to as they develop.

10. Canberra is one of Australia’s finest baseball nurseries, your $20 bid will help show the world the talent that we have in our own backyard.