It has been a while between drinks for the boys down at the Ranch. Year in and year out the Ranger boys have turned up on grand final day against rivals Bears, looking to turn the tables on their dominance over the North Eastern Baseball Association. After coming agonizingly close last year the Boys from Black were determined to notch  a win. The game was an absolute cracker. Rangers jumped on the board early through “The Rage” Drage sending a ball to the line, with the Rangers tacking on a few more runs to race to a 4-0 lead. Rangers Black pitcher, Angus Young looked composed on the mound till the fourth inning, when the Bears bats ran white hot. One thing about The Bears, they are a formidable hitting lineup. Two home runs including a grand slam put Bears on top 5-4. Change of pitcher for Rangers saw Mr Canada, Bryan “Moose” Wilson, come on and backed by some sparkling glove work silence the Bears hitters. Meanwhile for the Bears, Greg “Jack” Daniel, was keeping the Rangers hitters in check. Daniel’s control and pitch selection to the rangers batters was second to none. He was pitching his heart out. In the eighth inning, Rangers had runners on second and third. This was their chance to claw their way in front. Daniel’s was having none of it and through some excellent pitches, got out of a jam. Was it going to Bears year again? After Wilson cruising through the bottom of the eighth it was all in-front of the Rangers hitters in the ninth. Drage set the table by drawing a walk and then the Ranger bat’s came to life. Six runs scored in the top of the ninth. score is now 10-5. But the work was still not done. Never take NASC Bears lightly, no matter how many runs you score. Ranger favourite, Nathan “Pooly” Pool was going to have none of that and pulled off one of the finest defensive plays seen in a while at third base. Moose then did the rest on the mound and the Rangers had done it. North Eastern Baseball Association Premiers 2015. Congratulations Wangaratta Rangers.

it was a quiet affair for the Ranger boys down at Cafe Martini. The boys came in bits and pieces, still reminiscing about the day before. All had celebrated long into Sunday night. Some longer than others. Most other players had made an appearance by 3pm but still no skipper Mick Wyatt! Eventually he was coaxed into making an appearance. We all love the big guy and a big special thanks goes to his efforts on and off the diamond each week for us as a club.

What is that old saying that you can’t keep a Rob Seymour down? Well maybe not exactly that phrase, but after a tough week last week against Wodonga Warriors, Buttsy was looking to put on a big one in the grand final. As mentioned last week, Buttsy is a big occasion player. Tough to get out and always attacks on the bases. None more so, than when he took home on a pass ball. Here is how it played out. Ball in the dirt past catcher. Catcher goes to get it, Buttsy sees his chance. Takes off for home. Pitcher coming in to cover the base looking for the tag, Buttsy dives head firdt into home plate spraying gravel everywhere. Call…SAFE! Buttsy gets up and then spits out half the diamond on the team mate Aaron “Azza” Parker. Face covered in dirt and the battle scars on his arm to prove to anyone he slid! He always has been and always will be, “The Game”.

The Wodonga Warriors sure know how to have a good time. For their B-Grade final over the weekend it was decided by The Pres, Steve “Scooba” McMahon that a bus to the game was in order. The faithful piled onto the bus headed for Wangaratta. In a dominant display of pitching by Chris Jones and excellent hitting by all players, the Warriors were never headed cruising to a commanding victory. Then the boys decided to stick around and watch the A-Grade final. When that game was over, did they choose to leave? ‘No, let’s hang around a bit longer.’  Scooba tried on three occasions to gather the troops to no avail. Finally when the sun was long gone, the boys got on the bus to head back up the Hume. Thanks for sticking around and having a yarn with us. One thing, the stories got better about how good we once were as the night went on, didn’t they? Me included of course!

It was great to have two great umpires and great blokes make the time to come up and umpire the B grade and A grade finals for the North Eastern Baseball Association. They were amazed about the distance the players travel just to play baseball each week. It was commented that some guys in Melbourne do not like even driving 15 kilometers for a game. In many ways it’s just what we do in the country, travel for sport. It is just part of it.

On another note, the atmosphere down at Targoora Park was excellent over the weekend. With three games of baseball on, it gave the opportunity for all supporters and players to mingle and chat with one another before or during or after their games. Each person who pulls on their uniforms each weekend and drive the kilometers to play a sport they love in the North East, should be proud of their efforts. Thanks to all who came down to Targoora Park or volunteered and cheered throughout the season for your respective clubs. Keep working hard and spreading the word about baseball in north eastern Victoria.

The Nambrok crew were at their best on Sunday. Not just comfortable sitting in chairs, the boys had the idea to watch the game in style by bringing down their well traveled couch. The boys lounged and cheered in style and comfort .At the conclusion of the match it was decided to drag it onto the diamond and have a drink there. However from last reports the couch is still down at Targoora Park just lounging around. Thanks for the support this year boys. Never a dull moment from you guys and one of the many reasons why the Rangers are such an enjoyable club to play baseball at.

It seemed like a good idea at the time but Lauren “Mrs Soak” Grenfell thought it was a great idea to break out the selfie stick during post match celebrations at Ranger ranch. It was a great idea until her phone fell out of the bracket. Not once, but quite possibly more than twice to completely destroy her screen. The photos from the selfie stick? Not too bad Mrs Soak!

In warm up before the final Tetsu Kamiyama was recounting his round of golf on Saturday to Cam “The Soak” Scott. He informed The Soak he could not put a foot wrong carting 24 points on the front nine. He was dreaming of winning the day and making a speech to fellow club members. Sadly his back nine fell apart, only having 15 points for a total of 39. So no speech for Tetsu. After the game on Sunday Tetsu was awarded best player for the grand final and when asked to give a speech, it consisted of “Thanks.” Wonder what he would have said at the golf club if he had won?

If you have seen Wednesday’s Wangaratta Chronicle there are a few individuals who owe some coin to
“Griff’s Tin.” There has been plenty of discussion on who owes what for what? Front page must be worth a bit, and the rest? Well it was called by The Griff that it would be ‘double fine finals.’ Ever the voice of reason, Nathan Pool,  said for those going on the trip, just tip a nominated amount into the tin. Best thing about that? On the Saturday we all get to celebrate again together. Special thanks needs to go to Griff for his mastery of the tin this year, and Chopper McCullough who have planned what will surely be a memorable Ranger Ramble IV.

So true that is, from over the past weekend. If anyone has any photos from any games past or present, have a look through them and place them in the folders on the Wangaratta rangers Facebook website. It is interesting to see how our uniform has evolved over the past few years, also who was and still is, playing for the club.  Plus you never know your images may make their way onto Rounding Third!

The wise heads down at Wangaratta Rangers have entered a team in the relay for life in Wangaratta to be held at Barr Reserve Wangaratta on September 26th and 27th. Always a great event and a great time is had by all. Let the Pres Tony “Spinner” Smith know if you are keen to participate. Check the Wangaratta Rangers Facebook page for more details.

Have to ask the Pres who the King is but I think most of you avid followers out there know already who has won this years crown. Once again man of lucious beard, an all round good guy and man of tin, GMBC player The Griff has taken the 2015 crown. Well done to Griff for what I have been told was an awesome cabonara. Get working on your recipes for next years ladies and gents.

Presentation is set down for Saturday the 19th of September at Cafe Martini in Wangaratta. The Annual General Meeting will precede the presentation as per usual. All you Ranger players make yourself available and come along and get involved and as well celebrate what has been a great season.

Well that is about it for this edition of Rounding Third. It has been a big year. From Cods Baseball to winning the 2015 premiership. There have been plenty of stories in between. There are plenty more stories that could be told and will be told over the course of the journey. One thing Line Drive has found in writing this insight every week, is the amount of people who do check in on it and read it. Many of us have put hours and hours into Wangaratta Rangers and we wouldn’t have it any other way. I am pretty sure that this will not be the last edition for 2015 as one may be written after presentation night among other things. If anyone has any ideas and thoughts about this blog please let me know.

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So that’s it for this week. Hope you enjoy the read and please like and share. Till next time…..

Go Rangers