Hello again and welcome to this weeks edition of Rounding Third. Another week has passed and this means another week closer to the opening round of the North Eastern Baseball Association 2017 Winter season. But first there is one more very important event happening which one member of the boy band known as “Nambrok” love talking about and discussing…Cod 2017 is upon the North East. More about that in the upcoming insights into the goings on around the club. So let’s get down to it.

     It is with great anticipation and excitement that Wangaratta’s favourite Canadian Bryan “Moose” Wilson has put his hand up to be in charge of the Rangers this season. Moose is already making an impression with his work on Wednesday nights. He has installed the every happy-go-lucky Rob “Butts” Seymour as his right hand man. Now it is our job as Ranger players and supporters and get behind him and help him out as much as possible. Good stuff Moose we all wish him the best for the 2017 season.

     Over the past weekend Cam “the Soak” Scott and Scott “The Beard” Jenkins went on a ride out to Oxley. All very sedate and a nice 15km trundle for a coffee and home again. It was all going very well as the boys rode along the bike path, talking and solving the problems of the world. The boys closed in on Oxley where The Soak saw a little bit of a dip through the dirt. Soak accelerated toward it thinking he could go down it. As he got closer he realized he could not. It was all too late for the Soak and he toppled over the edge and off his bike into the ditch. The Beard was reaching for his phone but The Soak recovered quickly to laugh it off and keep riding. He said it did not hurt. But this scribe knows him too well. Let’s just say he should stop thinking he is 21 when out riding like that!

     How’s the new car Kelsey? Miss an alarm did we? Typical Kelsey took it all in his stride and got the car at a later stage after a minor setback.  The minor setback was only 1500 kilometers to the north in Queensland but what’s a plane hop or two away for this guy. Not much. Wonder if he has fixed his alarm now?

     Well it has been a while since anything has been said in substance about the Cods. So here is the time to get up-to-date with all the comings and goings in the Cod squad. This coming weekend we will see a collection of “legends” suit up in the teal and black and test themselves against others of similar ability and ideals. Ballarat is once again hosting the Victorian Masters Championships and the Cods look to hopefully win a game and more importantly catch up with some old friends and have a good time playing baseball. There have been a few personnel changes with Brendon French returning to the squad after a year off. Injuries have played havoc with the men too. Rob Seymours legs should be good to go for the weekend while Porepunkah superstar Heath Anders will be sorely missed. Big Cod Mick Brownlie is unavailable so his title as best Cod is up for grabs.

Look for a big weekend from “The Ringwood Connection” of Cameron “No highsocks” Rogers and Steve “Maggsy” Maggs. Theses cod brothers are fired up and ready to roll. Rob ‘beaker” Barbour has bought a new bike helmet to wear while walking around the diamond so the sky won’t fall on him. Tony “Spinner” Smith has done a power of work in the back ground and is looking forward to get out on the diamond. Steve “Chompers” Peruzzo is biting at the bit to have a hit. While others Like Shane Tatterson and Ben Barker are just keeping it all on a slow burn. What will the Wodonga Wizard Ashley Meyers bring to the table this year? Can Nathan “Rubberarm” Pool be elastic in nature for the entire weekend? So many questions.

So what will the Cods expect this year? Same as past years. This year we will not see a battle on the diamond against Tassie Tigers. however rest assure there will be plenty of verbal battles off the field, particularly, Tassie will look to try and get one over the Codsters. Will it happen though? There will be plenty of updates throughout the weekend of how the Cods are fairing as Line Drive will wander down and cast an eye over yesterday’s heroes.

     In a couple of weeks the club have another opportunity to spread the gospel of Baseball by manning the BBQ at Bunnigs Wangaratta. If you are available for a few hours please get in contact with Spinner or anyone else on the committee as every little bit helps. Check out the Facebook page for more information.

     Now playing numbers are a very personal thing. Wangaratta Rangers needs your help to chase down who has played and is playing in what number. So far the club have a vast majority of playing numbers but they know there are a few more out there. So if you have played in the past few years and have a number please let the club know. They don’t want double ups as the club are ordering new shirts with names and numbers. If you want a name and number as a supporter then let the club know as this can be arranged too.

     With Cods soon to be over for another year, training will be on Wednesday nights down at the Ranch from 6pm. Come along and watch the future of the club with t-ball and then have a throw and a hit. All are welcome. If you are not going to make it please let Moose or Buttsy know. More communication the better. Dinner will return soon. Wonder who can cook the best this year??

     This is more so for the older brigade who may be out playing this weekend but you are able to pay your insurance through the Wangaratta Rangers Website. If you need help with this please contact Cam Scott for more details on how to pay your insurance.

Anyway enough this week. Have a good weekend Cods. Should be a blast as usual oh and more importantly…..

Go Rangers