Rams T-boned!!
In one of the most awesome displays of power hitting seen for some time at the nest, Tyrone Hambly announced that he is home (albeit a briefly) by launching a one-man demolition of Henley & Grange on Sunday afternoon. Returning from College in the USA, where he still has some commitments that take him back in early January, Hambly suited up for the ‘B’s to dust off the cobwebs, having not played for a few weeks since the College season finished. Clearly out of touch, Tyrone’s first hit off the hapless Rams pitching staff ‘only’ made it to the left field fence on a single hop, producing a two-run double. His next hit made a little better contact and duly cleared the fence this time for 3 runs batted in. His next at bat saw Tyrone starting to get his timing right after so long out of the game, and the ball disappeared over the Lockleys Football clubrooms. Learned observers were wondering when the Rams would work out that it might just be easier to walk him! Notwithstanding this, the B-Grade finally finished at a merciful 13 nil and Tyrone reported to the bench in the A Grade and his first at bat…You got it… a GRAND SLAM that launched into the next suburb. Welcome home Tyrone!!! Henley finally got it, and walked him after that.
We can’t wait to see you get back here and no doubt, the Adelaide Giants could use a dose of your magic as well.
On to matters Junior, this weekend saw our two remaining undefeated teams let that mantle slip with both recording their first losses of the season. The Under 14/1 Green machine went up to Golden Grove and after allowing the Dodgers to max out at 7 in the first dig, was always playing catch up and ultimately even after regaining the 7 themselves in the fourth went down by the single run. The Under 16’s, having lost Bryce Fulton and Dylan Duval to injury before the game, faced a pumped and prepared Red Sox who were keen to prove themselves after going down earlier in the season by the single run. The Sox duly opened a 6 run lead that we were unable to bridge going down 2 – 8, and showed us that we can take nothing for granted in this game.
On a brighter note, the Under 18’s after having the bye last week shaped up to Port Adelaide at the nest, and after an ordinary 3 up, 3 down first dig, the Eagle bats exploded fro 7 runs in the second, 2 in the third and 4 in the fifth to overpower the Magpies and record a 13 – 3 win. Dylan Chuck started on the mound, and took a while to settle, but soon had his fastball zinging and his curve ball dancing. Coach Ettridge, fearing a rout, took him out after 3 and brought Joel Chapman to the mound. Chappy pitched well, but was unlucky with a couple of bleeders getting on board before being driven in by a classic drive to right centre giving the Maggies a sniff with 2 in the fourth. They followed with another run in the fourth before Chappy shut them down. The fielding highlight of the day in support of Chucky was a 6 – 4 – 3 double play that snuffed out a potential rally.
The Under 14/2 Dineen machine, after starting the day with just 8 players, called for reinforcements and were able to hold out the Rams for the win 15 – 13, putting them back over 500 and definitely in finals contention.
The Little League Major boys, licking their wounds after last weekend’s loss at the hands of Sturt, went across to the Angels, where they were able to record a solid 14 – 8 win. Finally, Ronny Paulus’ Little League Minor Bambinos ran in to another Sturt team that as always, was well drilled, and a little too strong for us on this occasion. The definite highlight was a great batting effort in the last dig, where the boys maxed out with 5 runs. Unfortunately, it was a little too late. Final score Eagles 5 – 12
For match reports and details check out the club’s website:
The club scoreboard for this week reads as follows:
WT Result Opponent Season Ladder
Division 1 17 defeated Henley & Grange 1 5 – 6 (9th)
Division 2 13 defeated Henley & Grange 0 8 – 2 – 1 (2nd)
Division 3 13 defeated Gawler 10 9 – 1 (1st)
Division 4 0 lost to Northern Districts 15 4 – 5 (7th)
Division 5 7 lost to Gawler 8 4 – 6 (9th)
Division 6 7 defeated Kensington 6 7 – 1 – 2 (3rd)
Under 18 13 defeated Port Adelaide 3 7 – 1 (1st)
Under 16 2 lost to East Torrens 8 7 – 1 (1st)
Under 14 (1)11 lost to Golden Grove 12 7 – 1 (1st)
Under 14 (2)15 defeated Henley & Grange 13 5 – 3 (3rd)
LL Major 14 defeated Adelaide 8 6 – 1 – 1 (2nd)
LL Minor 5 lost to Sturt 12 4 – 4 (4th)
Tee ball All-Stars
The second round of Tee ball All-Stars was played this weekend and hosted by West Torrens.
Although home ground advantage didn’t see us record a win, the improvement shown by all
players from 2 weeks ago was great to see.
With a couple of players missing on holidays, we were glad to have 3 new faces join our
team. Welcome to Steph and Julia Didone (hope I got that right) and also to Alex Morgan who can run the bases faster than his old man ever could.
Highlights for the day go to Harry Mitton and Darcy Barry showing some good form with the bat and Carl Grosser with improvement in the field being good to see.
Congratulations to Jacob Scott who was this week’s MVP with consistent batting and fielding in all 3 games.
The Tee Ballers take a well-earned rest now until we get together again for the 3rd round in February at Kensington.
Andrew Scott
Fees
Thank you to all parents who responded in timely fashion to my communication about payment of fees in last week’s newsletter and subsequent personal reminders. Please understand the necessity for this; the club needs the funds to pay its commitment to the SA Baseball League.
Christmas Holiday Break
This weekend marks the conclusion of the first half of the season. The competition recesses now until late January, however, if you are missing baseball and can’t get enough, the Division 1 and 2 teams resume on January 9th. The Claxton Shield season winds up the minor round at Norwood Oval on January 15th when SA takes on the Vics. Hopefully by then, SA will have cemented a place in the playoffs and their season will go even further.
December 20 our games are as follows:
Little League Minor: Coach: Ron Paulus
Goodwood away, Mortlock Park, Sturt Ave, Colonel Light Gardens on the Junior Diamond
Starting at 10.00am (report 9.00am)
Little League Major: Coaches: Jamie Boydon and Tim Mead
Kensington away, Newlands Reserve, Hallett Rd, Erindale on the Junior Diamond
Starting at 2.00pm (report 1.00pm)
Under 14 (2): Coach: Rob Dineen
Gawler away, Karbeethan Reserve, Angle Vale Rd, Evanston Gardens.
Starting at 10.00am (report at 9.00am)
Under 14 (1): Coach: David Green
Kensington at home, on the Main Diamond
Starting at 12.00pm (report at 11.00am)
Under 16: Coach: Rick Mead
BYE. Due to Henley & Grange withdrawal
Under 18: Coach: Brett Ettridge
Henley & Grange away, West Lakes Sports Club, Bartley Terrace, West Lakes Shore
Starting at 10.00am (report 9.00am)
See you at the ballpark!
Yours in Baseball
Mark McGarry
Junior Chairman
West Torrens Baseball Club
