Big plans for Bendigo Baseball Association junior competition

Plenty of work has been done to re-establish junior baseball. Before the emergence of COVID-19, the BBA had played two rounds of a new junior competition, and with strong numbers it looked to be a successful season.

However, as with most other sports, baseball had to call a halt to all training and competition. During the wait, the BBA took the opportunity to establish a junior sub-committee whose job it has been to develop a strong administrative structure to monitor and encourage participation. All four clubs are involved, which is a step towards a unified and determined effort to develop junior players.

Traditionally strong junior clubs such as Falcons and Bendigo East have been at the forefront of the revival, and coaches Seb Smith and Kane Tieman must be congratulated for their work.

They have received tremendous support from Troy Bonazza at the Scots Club, and their teams were looking particularly competitive before the lockdown. In Strathfieldsaye, Anthony Amsing has transformed the junior program of the Dodgers, and they are threatening to be a powerhouse.

It was hoped that the competition would be under way by now, but restrictions enforced by the state body and the application for membership to the BBA by the Malmsbury Cricket Club have resulted in an extended time frame being necessary. The interest from Malmsbury will add to the community and competitive aspects of baseball, providing juniors with a different perspective of the game.

With Easter approaching, it has been decided to play two rounds of baseball under a come-and-try format beginning on Sunday 21st March at Club Court in Strathfieldsaye. Under-16 and U12 will be played at 9am, while U14 and U8 T-Ball will commence at 11am. U16, and U14 games will be 90 minutes, U12 will be 75mins and U8 T-Ball 45 mins. A nine-week season followed by a finals series will commence on Sunday 11th April.

All Clubs and teams are accepting players, and this is a wonderful opportunity for new players to try this sport which can be played by almost anyone regardless of their size or athletic ability. The BBA also encourages former players to return to the sport which is now more organised and provides better opportunities for development and success. Baseball is a relatively cheap sport at entry level, and clubs provide most of the equipment needed to play.

Visit www.facebook.com/bendigobaseball for more information on playing baseball.

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