Hello and welcome to this weeks edition into the goings on at the Wangaratta Rangers Baseball Club. Last week the round was washed out with all grounds being unplayable. However this week glorious conditions greeted the players and supporters down at the Ranch on Sunday. IN the first game Rangers Orange put up a good fight but just could not get the knockout blow. They went down in a tough game to Porepunkah Panthers 8-5. In the afternoon game, it was a rematch of the grand final. Wangratta Rangers Black vs NASC Bears Green. Once again these two sides know how to turn up the blow torch on one another. A cracking game was played by both sides with Rangers Black coming out on top by the score of 8-2. A big thank you goes out to all the players, supporters scorers and umpires on the day for making the day down at Targoora Park a roaring success. Make sure you grab the Wangaratta Chronicle this week as I am sure Kev Pools write up will be a ripper! What else is news down at the Ranch? Well I am about to tell you.

     With Line Drive having some technical issues over the weekend, it was awesome to read “Prez Prattle” on the Rangers Facebook page. His summary of the day, the week and what is going on down at Rangerland was absolutely spot on. Spin is doing a great job leading the dedicated committee and club who people who make up the Wangaratta Rangers Baseball Club. Let’s all continue to get around him and the club throughout the season.

      In discussion as the boys do while watching the Rangers Orange vs Porepunkah game, Travis “Iceman” Frost and Cam “The Soak” Scott were talking all things Rangers as they often do. The conversation led to players and where they have come from and played baseball before coming to Wangaratta. Looking through the list of players over fifty per cent have come from other clubs from Melbourne and of course our international contingent. Many have come to the club through word of mouth. This is continuing with our newest Ranger Katy Toll hitting the track this week. Great to have you down at the club Katy. Hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

     Nathan “Rubberarm” Pool put on a masterclass of pitching against Bears Green over the weekend. Pooly managed to throw six innings with the field behind him giving him great support. By the final batter Pooly’s rubberarm had just about snapped by like the true ball player, got the out and went straight to the freezer for the bag of peas. He did find it tough watching the last few innings of the game. However the middle reliever Aaron “Azza” Parker and Bryan “Moose” Wilson got Pool the win.  Hope the arm is not too sore this week Rubberarm!

    Mark Drage loves the big game. After a slow start to the season, Drage came alive in the grand final rematch. Drage hit the ball and ran the bases hard. Not to mention his defense was outstanding. His best play came with a miscommunication with a fly ball and managed to dive low and flip the ball to Tetsu Kamiyama’s waiting glove to get the force out at second base. Another great defensive effort was his throw back in from the fence which halted the runner at third and stopped all momentum Bears way. Great game Mark Drage.

    It was overheard in the past couple of weeks that Bryan “Moose” Wilson was not rapt with wood bats. However this scribe is led to believed this has all changed. In his last game with Rangers moose crushed a pitch over the left field fence which landed half way up the gum trees. he was not finished. He then legged out a double on a hard hit ball down the line. think he is feeling happier about the choice of wood bats now!

    Looking over the score book from the early game, both Sam “Goggles” Grigg and Jason “JJ” Jonker had good games once again.  Goggles collected three hits and chased down everything that came his way in the outfield. Jonker week in week out throws a few innings and always gives Rangers Orange a chance for a win. With a few players to come back in to the side in the next few rounds, Orange will continue to get stronger.

     Dinner last Wednesday was Chicken Parma and chips. Skilfully heated up by Nathan Pool and Tony Smith. Chief scorers Rob “Butts” Seymour and Kelsey “Burderonthedancefloor” Burder then took the rest of the Ranger players through a scorers clinic. First graduate of the scorer’s clinic was Steve “Fernando” Peruzzo. His book work in the early game against Panthers was flawless. The book was colour coded correctly as well. Good first start Fernando! To all players and supporters come down to training for a look and a feed every Wednesday. All are welcome.

    This year the club has introduced voting on team app. Each week four persons are asked to vote on the Orange game and four on the black game. They receive a notification on their phone to vote. They then have till Tuesday to place their votes in. Anny problems or questions see Cam Scott for more details.

    The dates are set. The location is decided upon. Theme there is an idea. Adelaide is the venue for this year’s Ranger Ramble. This will be held over the AFL grand final weekend from Friday 30th of September to Monday 3rd of October. Past trips have been crackers and the boys are saving their pennies hard to make sure this trip is not one to miss. For more information on the trip see master of the tin Daniel “The Griff” Griffin for finer details.

    Ranger faithful, be sure to place your bottom of the bag gold in the fines tin for your strike outs and other misdemeanors seen fit by the committee of the tin. Griff will be coming after you for it. Most important rule is not to upset the master of the tin. Isn’t that right Rob Seymour?

    Speaking of the man called Griff he is busy editing the hours of footage from the Ranger derby the other week. In the next few weeks the finished product will be available. Commentary is provided by the umpire. Will be surely one not to miss.

    Two players are returning the the Orange and Black this week. Mick “Chief Cod” Brownlie and Ross “Strawberry” Wilson are chomping at the bit to return to the diamond. It has been a while for both players but it is great to have the Yarrawonga crew back in the fold. Hope you enjoy your return appearances.

    Just a small shout out to Jack Bradburn. Hope to see him down at training and back on the park soon. Lefty numbers are quite small at Rangers. With Jack there it increases by one third! Always been known in baseball circles that lefties do it better.

Thanks to all for the week. Apologies for the lateness. Something ate through the cable which made line drive disconnected! Share this post around and spread the good word about the Wangaratta Rangers Baseball Club.

Talk you again next week and

Go Rangers