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Last Home Game of the Season
This is the last home game of the season and this week the Manager of the Bendigo Bank Kew East Branch will be throwing out the first pitch prior to the start of the firsts game. This is a fantastic achievement for the club as it welcomes its first major sponsor in at least the past 10 years. Everyone is invited to Myrtle Park on Saturday afternoon to help celebrate the end of the season in style. First pitch is at 2:45pm (2nds start at 2:30pm). The more support the better as the 2nds try to cement top spot and the firsts try to lock down 3rd spot in the race for finals.
Website and Newsletter Sponsors
  
UMPIRES
The club depends on the volunteer contribution of its players to ensure it maintains its basic operations. Umpires are no exception and we need players to umpire home games. There is no need to be a professional umpire basic knowledge of the game will suffice. In return, players get a chance to brush-up their umpiring skills and their knowledge of the game. You will also be eligible for a free hot dog and drink after your game as a thank-you. Same for scoring.
In order to be fair to everyone, the club has an umpire roster on the website. When it is your turn if you are unable to make it, you will need to find replacement. Also, a big thank you to those who have umpired so far this year and those that will.
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Parents Vs Juniors
That’s right ladies and gentleman. Many of you have asked. We’ve decided to deliver.
If any of our North Balwyn Juniors and Parents are interested in having a game of Soft Toss baseball for some fun and excitement could you please let your respective junior coaches know so we can begin arrangements? On the day we will also be hosting a baseball game between the North Balwyn Stingers Baseball Club and the premier division Richmond Tigers Cricket Club.
A BBQ will be on offer all day long as well as drinks and goodies. We will also be running a raffle which will be drawn on the day. This will be our last social event held at the ground this year so we will look forward to seeing you all there.
As always juniors in uniform get to enjoy the BBQ for free. Please RSVSP by 20th August.
Where: North Balwyn Baseball Ground
When: Sunday 24th August 2008
10 am - 11:30 am - Family Fun Game day - Soft toss baseball involving the Kids and Parents on the cricket ground.
12midday - 1pm - Family Fun Day BBQ
1pm - 2pm - Richmond Cricket Club - Baseball training with David Keyhoe on the main diamond
2pm - 4pm - NBBC vs RCC - Stingers vs Richmond CC on the main diamond
4pm - 7pm - Family Fun Day Wrap up, Raffle Draw and BBQ
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Results
Recent Matches
Upcoming Matches
| Comp | Home | Away | Sched Start | Umpires |
| B Grade - 2008 |
North Balwyn |
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Mitchell Majors |
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Sat 23 Aug 14:50 |
Hugh Read, Harley Schaefer |
| B Reserves - 2008 |
North Balwyn |
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Mitchell Majors |
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Sat 23 Aug 12:30 |
John Anderson, Lenny Chiverton |
| C Grade - 2008 |
Knox |
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North Balwyn |
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Sat 23 Aug 14:50 |
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| C Reserves - 2008 |
Knox |
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North Balwyn |
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Sat 23 Aug 12:30 |
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| D Grade - 2008 |
Ringwood |
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North Balwyn |
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Sat 23 Aug 14:50 |
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| Under 17 Div 2 - 2008 - Amended 18/7/08 |
North Balwyn |
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Diamond Creek |
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Sat 23 Aug 08:45 |
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2nd nine vs. Reservoir - Won 16-6
In tough conditions the North Balwyn Stingers had a gutsy win today as our top of the league defence went without error to knock off 1st place on the ladder as LaTrobe Uni went down to Diamond Creek. It was a great start scoring 4 runs in the first dig only to have Reservoir come back and tie it in the bottom of the inning. We came back and scored one to go ahead in the 2nd and it stayed that way until the 4th where the Stinger bats could not be held at bay whilst we scored 6 runs to take a comfortable lead. LaTrobe out hit us 9-8 but continuing our good form we got the hits when we needed them and kept the innings alive. Cameron started this week on the hill going 4 innings giving up 3 earned runs on 7 hits with 1 walk and 4 strike outs, Aaron came on to close and went 1 inning giving up 0 earned runs on 2 hits with 0 walks and 1 strike out, excellent job by our pitching staff with a fantastic defensive effort to back them up closing the game out with a heads up double play.
We are home this week against Mitchell Majors so everybody get out for the last home game and send us in to the finals with a big boost.
Don't forget training Thursday night followed by our traditional pizza fest.
Hits: John – 3, Cameron & Matt M – 2, Stephen, Cameron, Chao & James - 1
RBI: John & Randall – 4, Matt M. -3, James -2, Cameron & Chao - 1
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Team |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
Total |
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Reservoir |
4 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
- |
- |
6 |
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North Balwyn |
4 |
1 |
0 |
6 |
5 |
- |
- |
16 |
Under 17s vs Watsonia Red WON 11 - 7
The Stingers hosted Watsonia Red at Myrtle Park and took another victory for the season.
As everyone was aggressive enough in the box, Stingers out-batted Watsonia Red, who kept hitting and scoring.
Hits: William Freeman – 2, Corey McLaughlin, Cory McGeary, Harley Scheffer & Sebastian Dunbar – 1
RBIs: William Freeman & Corey MacLaughlin – 2, Cory McGeary & Sebastian Dunbar – 1
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Team |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
Total |
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Watsonia Red |
3 |
1 |
3 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
7 |
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North Balwyn |
6 |
5 |
x |
- |
- |
- |
- |
11 |
U15's
Well I would hope all those guys who filled the squad this season come out and have a go against their parents , Jack Scheffer is certain he can strike me out but Jack, mate, be careful of whiplash as the ball sails back over your head.
In all we had a good time last time we messed about and it would be fitting to have some fun with our new found skills and friendships.
As to our team, clearly we struggled but from that struggle came a number of rewarding comments from other team coaches , It is my opinion and seems that of our opposition we became a balanced and respected side towards the end.
The respect of one's peers is hardest to gain so I find some pride in the comments of other coaches.
Every player was a player this year, I especially thank Chris Beanland who quietly went about the best improvement at a personal skill level, I hope to see Chris about again; in my view an absolute champion competitor.
I don't have any reservations in saying baseball is a hard game to learn, and even harder to master , but I would say Baseball inspired my interest in mathematics, personal accountability, personal rewards and team rewards. I hope somehow some amount of this has been impressed on your kids and aids them in their future sports and lives.
My only regret is the lack of training associated with winter baseball. Over this summer I am coaching under 16 at Melbourne Baseball Club with a view to more advanced skills and a much higher physicality. I would be happy to have any of our team continue the baseball journey.
A special thanks to Simon Ross who's skill and dedication to his son benefited us all as Umpire.
Rowan Barling saved my arm in helping out pre-game and during as assistant coach.
The excellent rotation of mothers scoring and learning a bit more about the game and particularly Simon Gardner.
I hope any issues that arose were dealt with to everyone's satisfaction, and despite my hollering the boys felt comfortable and the parents too, I know its hard to watch them grow independently but I saw a couple of the guys do just that.
Let's see if we can all turn out for the parent day Sunday the 24th August at 10.am please RSVP. There will be a BBQ and a game against Richmond Cricket club to cheer the Stingers on.
Thank you all for your co-operation throughout the year, hope to see all again.
Little League vs Ringwood. Lost 9-1
The team was a bit daunted by the trip to Ringwood to face the team at the top of the major division - this was a team which boasted four U13 Ringwood District representative players, plus one U15 District rep player and one Victorian U13 player who recently returned from a tour of Japan. Despite this North Balwyn but ran onto the diamond with a very positive attitude, knowing that if we played well we could beat this team.
The weather was a tad cool - with cold wind and showers interrupting the game every 15 minutes. It may have actually been verging on sleet for a while and the ground was saturated. Everyone was cold and wet but that didn’t stop the enthusiasm to play baseball.
As North Balwyn were officially the home team they fielded first with Justin taking the pitcher’s mound. Despite some excellent pitching the strong batting lineup of Ringwood were able to score 4 safe hits and with some clever stealing and capitalising on an error were able to get 4 runs home. Justin struck out three batters along the way.
Some very fast but slightly inaccurate pitching from Ringwood saw walks to Stephen, Justin, Callum & Jordan. Some of the the North Balwyn batters however were put off by the sidearm action of Ringwood’s pitcher with three batters struck out watching strikes across the plate without swinging. Stephen got home on Jordan’s walk therefore at the bottom of the first the scope was
4-1 Ringwood’s way. Coach reminded the boys of their game earlier in year when down by 1-4 against Waverley they batted to win the game 9-4 - this was still winnable.
The top of the second saw what I think was one of our best fielding innings for the season - After the first batter scored a safe hit the next three batters were put out in the field. One was put out at third, tagged by Angus. The second was out on interfering with a fielder making the play (Callum) and the third was a fly caught by Stephen (catcher). Unfortunately in the bottom of the second we went three up - three down as the sidearm pitching had our batters confused.
The top of the third saw started well with two batters struck out - one by Justin then one by new pitcher Callum. The batting then went back to the top of their list and saw some more very strong batting with five safe hits before a great fly to Justin at shortstop closed the innings. The bottom of the innings didn’t go well, with two strikeouts and one put out at first. This left us down 9-1, and time was called shortly after.
Encouragement award went to Stephen who made two excellent plays - one a fly (always difficult for a catcher) and a tag out at home saving the run.
Thanks goes to Ringwood Baseball Club for offering their facility and putting a huge effort before the game to remove water from the ground and ensure the diamond was playable. Thanks also to Ringwood for providing an umpire who did an excellent job.
Special thanks to Linda for scoring the game for us and building her level of skill in the scorebook over the year.
So - that was the end of season 2008 for the North Balwyn Stingers Little League team. It has been a wonderful time watching the skills of all players improve over the season from where they were at the start. Everyone in this team has the potential to improve with experience, to play this game for a long time and to get a lot of enjoyment out of baseball.
We hope to see you all back in 2009
Little League Match Report for Round 13 August 9:
Having beaten the combined Ringwood/Forest Hill team several times this season the boys possibly went into their match at Myrtle Park a little over-confident and expecting an easy run.
The Ringwood/Forest Hill kids were not having any of this and came out hitting. Callum was pitching strikes but the first four batters came out and hit them. After four runs got home two batters were struck out and Callum put one out at first. Ringwood has been a good batting team all year but the North Balwyn boys expected to be able to catch this score easily.
In the bottom of the first lead-off batter Mike hit the ball only to be put out at first. Walks followed to Brett, Jordan and Viv however Brett was put out at home attempting to steal home and the innings closed out when Jason hit the ball only to be put out at first.
The top of the second saw some improvement in the field however the lead off batter scored a hit and eventually made it home. Callum was pitching well and struck out three batters, but not before another runner crossed the home plate. The bottom of the second saw The Stingers batting ability return with a hit to Callum and walks to Charlie, Jesse, Angus, Rohit & Brett. Runs were scored by Charlie, Jesse, Angus & Callum. Brett was unfortunately put out running between second and third in a run down play which showed the improvement in Ringwood/Forest Hill’s ability. Score was now 5-4 their way.
Jesse came on to pitch at the top of the third and threw straight, however the Ringwood/Forest Hill kids came out hitting again. Four batters scored hits and in the process 5 runs crossed the plate. North Balwyn were not able to recover their batting confidence and the first two batters struck out. With walks to Charlie and Jesse, and a safe hit to Justin we managed to get two runs across the plate but not enough to win the game. Final Score 10-6 their way.
Several lessons were learnt in this match. Firstly, work on your game and you improve - Ringwood/Forest Hill showed that. Secondly, base running needs concentration and watching & listening for the coach while on base. Other lessons were learnt but overall the main lesson was that every player makes mistakes at some time - the important thing is learning from your mistakes. And always - move on and focus on the next pitch or play.
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Damlow Nomination
No entries this week.
The Damlow nomination award is something that is available to anyone in the entire club from juniors right up to seniors and spectators. So if you see something silly, stupid or just plain funny that someone does during the season, on or off-field, then please let us know about it.
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Editor/Comments
Trish Morley
Suggestions and contributions to
northbalwynbc@luckmor.com
2008 Number 17 |
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Send in any pictures you have to northbalwynbc@luckmor.com |
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