Hello and welcome to this weeks edition of Rounding Third. It has been a big week for the guys and girls down at the ranch. But I tend to say that every week! Over the past weekend saw both Rangers Orange and Rangers Black in action. In two hard fought games Rangers Black earned the right to play against NASC Bears in the Final by defeating a very determined Wodonga Warriors 1 outfit by the score of 10 -5. Next week the Rangers Orange outfit will play off against Warriors in their final. They were able to get over Benalla Bandits 8 – 4. Well done to both Ranger teams. Special thanks goes to Wodonga Warriors Baseball Club for their hospitality and to all the Ranger supporters who trekked up the Hume to watch the days action. Very nice fingernails too Rosemary! What else is news down at the Ranch?

This Sunday Finals Action in Wangaratta.

It is sure to be a big Sunday of finals action in the North Eastern Baseball Association. Perrenial powerhouse Bears take on Rangers Black in the main game, Warriors 1 playing Rangers Orange and Porepunkah playing Benalla in their final. Three big games to cap the season off in style. Fingers crossed the weather gods are kind to the grounds in the next week. This scribe is pretty sure that all will go to plan and baseball will go ahead on Sunday. If you are in the area, drop in say hello and watch some good country baseball.

Hotdogs Wednesday

This Wednesday for the final training run of the year, hotdogs are on the menu. Leader of men Nathan Pool has called for all to attend and have a hotbog. Wonder if this is a my rangers rules dish? Are they gourmet hotdogs? Or just your standard run of the mill savaloy snags? Whatever they are hotdogs are always a favourite. There has been the comment made you better buy in bulk!

Black socks make a return.

Black socks were back with a vengence over the weekend, but this does not spell the end for the hoop. You see the hoop sock is still a great look. So it still goes very well with the old black playing tops. They may be useful when playing against one another or just to wear with your Sunday best! Bryan “Moose” Wilson looks pretty spiffy in his. Check out Mr Canada this Sunday at Targoora Park.

Look out for Rangerman

Some weeks are easier to write than other weeks about what goes on down at Wangaratta and this week is being difficult. Maybe it is because Line Drive is away in Melbourne for work thta makes it a bit harder than most. Good friend of this column Hannah Young was driving past the ground and was in awe of Ranger Man. Now for those who don’t know who Ranger man is, he stands guard weilding his baseball bat at the entry to Targoora Park. For the past few years artist and club legend Kevin Pool had him nipce is gloss black paint. Now he has had a revamp and reflects the new uniform of Orange playing shirts.Wonder if he has his name onthe back and playing number? What number would you give Rangerman?

Birthdays abound

Two of your Ranger favourites celebrated birthdays in the past week. Hand picked chauffeur of Tetsu Kamiyama Aaron “Azza” Parker is a year older and wiser as is the leagues most entertaining third baseman Kyle “Thrillmore” Gilmore. From all of us at Wangaratta hope it was a good one lads.

The routine

Now as you have probably gathered, this Sunday could be dubbed “Super Sunday” for its finals day, but one must remember that before the game baseballers are creatures of habit. Some may run onto the ground not stepping on lines, may like to bat last, wear high socks or chew on sunflower seeds.  That may be game day but there are some who must stick to their day before routines. As a coach once told this writer. Have your quota. Stick to your pre game plan. Why do anything different?  Most importantly enjoy yourself.

Jumping Jack Jack……

Jack Bradburn is really looking forward to Sunday. And why not! First sports final he has particpated in. It has been great watch Jack develop and learn the game this year. He certainly looks like a ball player!  Congratulations Jack. Hope you enjoy the game Sunday.

Now for the club stuff

C Grade Benalla vs Porepunkah 10:15am – 1:15pm

B Grade Wodonga 1 vs Rangers Orange 10:15am – 1:15pm

A Grade NASC Bears vs Rangers Black 1:30pm – 4: 30 pm

All games are 9 innings in length.

Committee meeting  Wednesday night after training

Maybe a second edition of Rounding Third in the pipeline

So for this edition one must say….

Go Rangers