Weekend Wrap 14/02/10
Victorious Valentine’s Day
Happy Valentine’s Day to all. This weekend saw us go head to head with some of the clubs that are contending with us to be the top dogs in the Division. It is pleasing to report that we were up to the standard by which we measure ourselves and came out on top in every junior division having only to split the points in one contest.
Under 18’s wring out Red Sox
The Under 18 side faced off against the only side to beat them so far this year and came up trumps on the back of another fine pitching performance from Bryce Fulton and backed up by the ubiquitous talents of Joel Chapman behind the dish. Coach Ettridge, whilst pleased with the outing acknowledged that the Red Sox lineup was missing a few from the first game, but nevertheless, was pleased with the Eagles execution and discipline in posting an impressive 8 – 3 win.
Under 16’s shut out Dodgers
The Under 16’s faced up to Golden Grove at the nest and eventually posted an 11- 0 win. This might suggest that the match was very one-sided, but in everything but the score line, this was not the case, the Dodgers always provide a stiff contest, holding our hitters in four out of six innings, only to be over run by the ever present hitting power that eventually surfaces and allows us to put enough runs on the board. Matt Scharenberg started on the hill to Tom McGarry, and Matt duly posted a couple of goose eggs before making way for Dylan Duval to finish proceedings in the same manner. The hitting of Scott Miller was especially remarkable, as this talented athlete had already completed an AFL fitness assessment at AAMI Stadium that included a beep test. That he was able to go three for three at the plate and remain perfect in the field is a tribute to his fitness and concentration. Other hits were scattered about regularly by James Batty, whose pace on the base paths is electrifying, Tom McGarry, Nico Vanderlinden, Todd Dunstall (whose game at second base was immaculate) and Matt Scharenberg. To shut out a solid opposition offense was outstanding defense by Rick Mead’s team.
Green Machine holds halos
The Under 14 Green Machine faced up to the middle of the table Angels after handing the bottom placed Magpies a shellacking last outing and had to be wary of over confidence. Duly, super coach Green exhorted his charges and the lads rose to the challenge, eventually running out 14 – 3 winners, Again, we were challenged along the way and had to pull out some impressive defense before our potent offense took over. Jack Hambly lead off on the mound to Nathan Byrnes behind the plate and some positive offense from our opponents saw them threaten to score, but our defense was too strong and we held them out. Not to be outdone, the Eagle bats came right back in the bottom of the frame and took a lead that was never headed. Lucas Hunter relieved Hambly on the hill and the positive approach at the plate by Adelaide eventually paid off and they were able to put a couple across the plate before Big Bad Brad Dedrick once again put the ball into orbit for a second home run in consecutive weeks. Job done. Finals in sight.
Dineen Machine thriller
It was always going to be a tough game against Sturt. The Sturt coach had been talking it up all week how the Eagles wings would be clipped at the nest. Both teams looked focused and ready to play ball. James Appleton took to the mound and provided some excellent pitching to Jack Scheer that managed to keep the Saints to zero runs for the first 2 innings. The Saints pitcher kept the Eagles to zero runs for the 1st innings however the boys regrouped and in the 2nd innings the bats started to make contact with the ball and some excellent hitting took place. James Appleton hit a double through centre field leaving the Saints outfield scrambling to get the ball to home. The end of the 2nd inning saw the Eagles put 4 runs on the board.
The top of the 3rd inning and the Saints were determined to get bat on ball and make some runs. James remained calm and steady at the mound, Nat Sage ran full bore to make a fantastic catch at centre field preventing a double and by the end of the inning, the Saints had scored 2 runs and managed to keep the Eagles from scoring.
In the top of the 4th some excellent fielding, pitching and catching saw the Eagles keep the Saints to 1 run. A change of pitcher from the Saints and some swift changes to the outfield saw some good catching from the Saints which was unfortunate for our boys and kept the Eagles from scoring.
The top of the 5th saw Dylan Warman take to the mound, the Saints bats started to make contact with the ball with a double through left field bringing 2 runners home giving the Saints 3 runs and the lead. The next batter stepped up to the plate with runners on 2nd & 3rd a fly ball hit just past 1st base saw Rhys Nicol take off like a rabbit to take the catch for the out with right field running in to back up, Rhys drilled the ball into home to keep the runners on base great work boys!!!!
Next batter up saw bases loaded. The Eagles were out to protect the home plate, next batter up with a hit to 1st base saw the runner heading for home, a quick throw from 3 – 2 saw the catcher make the tag at home plate for the 2nd out and prevent scoring. Dylan refocused and found his rhythm with the 3rd out being struck out.
The Eagles headed out to bat trailing by 2 runs Michael Donaldson hit which saw left field launch themselves in the air to dive for the ball and roll to the ground but somehow he managed to hold on to the ball our 1st out. Rhys managed a safe hit to get to 1st base. Nat Sage hit a 2 bagger through centre field with Rhys flying round the bases to make it to home plate. Tom Dineen got a safe hit to get on base. Will Lampard made the hit past short stop and saw Nat take off from 2nd base to make it to home, Tom kept running and headed for home the ball was coming in fast from outfield to home plate and Saints had their 2nd out. The Saints coach called time and a change of pitcher, the next batter got a safe hit on base, next batter up and some constant coaching from the Saints coach saw our 3rd out and game over.
The Eagles certainly worked hard with Tyler, Liam and Thomas contributing to the result with their fielding and batting. Well done to all the boys.
Final score: Eagles 6 Saints 6
Little League Majors scrape home
The Little League Major boys got out of jail by heading up Adelaide 11 – 10 in a close encounter at the nest. Good hitting allowed us to post enough runs to hold on for the win and congratulations to Brodie Nicol who threw three innings from the mound and provided excellent defensive leadership for the team. With two weeks to go now before finals, you can sense the excitement as the team hones its skills under pressure.
Little League Minors win again
In site of losing lead off pitcher Brodie Nicol to the Major team, Ron Paulus young team has stuck to their guns and come up with some good wins. This was the case again on Sunday against Southern Districts with the team posting an excellent 13 – 6 result.
The club scoreboard for this week reads as follows:
WT Result Opponent Season Ladder
Division 1 20 defeated Adelaide 10 9 – 9 (8th)
Division 1 5 lost to Glenelg 15 9 – 10 (9th)
Division 2 6 defeated Adelaide 5 13 – 3 – 2 (2nd)
Division 2 6 lost to Glenelg 7 13 – 4 – 2 (2nd)
Division 3 4 drew with Woodville 4 13 – 2 – 1 (1st)
Division 4 3 lost to Woodville 13 5 – 9 – 1 (7th)
Division 5 2 lost to Golden Grove 15 5 – 11 (10th)
Division 6 7 lost to Glenelg 3 11 – 3 – 2 (3rd)
Under 18 8 defeated East Torrens 3 12 – 1 (1st)
Under 16 11 defeated Golden Grove 0 11 – 1 (1st)
Under 14 (1) 14 defeated Adelaide 3 12 – 1 (1st)
Under 14 (2) 6 drew with Sturt 6 9 – 3 – 1 (3rd)
LL Major 11 defeated Adelaide 10 11 – 1 – 1 (1st)
LL Minor 13 defeated Southern Districts 6 8 – 5 (4th)
February 21 our games are as follows:
Little League Minor: Coach: Ron Paulus
Saints, Home on the Junior Diamond
Starting at 10.00am (report 9.00am)
Little League Major: Coaches: Jamie Boydon and Tim Mead
Kensington, Home on the Junior Diamond
Starting at 12.00pm (report 11.00am)
Under 14 (2): Coach: Rob Dineen
Northern Districts, Away on the Main Diamond
Starting at 12.30pm (report at 11.30am)
Under 14 (1): Coach: David Green
Woodville, Away on the Main Diamond
Starting at 10.00am (report at 9.00am)
Under 16: Coach: Rick Mead
Kensington, Away on the Main Diamond
Starting at 12.30pm (report at 11.00am)
Under 18: Coach: Brett Ettridge
Adelaide, Home on the Main Diamond
Starting at 10.00am (report 9.00am)
Fees: NO PAY NO PLAY
Thank you for the tremendous response in finalising your child’s fees for 2009/10. For a variety of reasons, the club’s income has been lower than forecast and your committee needs all subscriptions fulfilled to meet our obligations to Baseball SA. We are a fiscally sound club, but we need to make operating surpluses if we are continue to add to the amenity of our club environment. To this end, can I urge you all to make the effort to support one of our last fundraising opportunities for the season and attend the ‘Quiz Night” to be held at the clubrooms on Friday night February 19.
It is also regrettable that in spite of many entreaties, a couple of families have still not completed their financial obligations for the season and have not contacted the club asking for an extension. The final date for Payment was extended from January 24 to February 2 for families that were paying off fees in installments. All outstanding amounts MUST BE PAID by February 28 or those concerned WILL NOT be selected to play in any finals games.
Finals Selection Policy
During the regular season, we expect our coaches to rotate their squads through different positions, infield, outfield, pitching, catching and whatever their skill and experience allows. They also shuffle the batting order to make sure that players are given a fair opportunity at bat. When we enter the finals race, coaches are allowed to choose what they consider to be the line-up that best suits the team’s positional needs. They will endeavour to include all of the squad, but cannot guarantee that every player will see game time.
Quiz Night
As mentioned previously, the club is holding its final fund raising function for the year this Friday night at the clubrooms. Please make every endeavour to get along and support your club, there have been a number of emails regarding requests to donate prizes. Please bring donations to training this Wednesday and pass them to your team manager so that they can be given to the organizers in preparation for Friday night.
FRIDAY NIGHT MEALS ARE STILL ON.
Canteen rosters
Thanks to all families that have honoured the roster and turned up to assist in serving at the canteen. Again, this is a valuable source of income for the club and your help is imperative if we are to continue to improve the club and its environs. We still have a coupleof weeks left on the roster.
See you at the Ball Park.
Yours in Baseball
Mark McGarry
Junior Chairman
West Torrens Baseball Club
