Another week has passed and it’s time for another insight into what has been going on down at Targoora Park. Home of Wangaratta’s only baseball club. The Wangaratta Rangers. Over the past weekend the weather was a bit wild and woolly for baseball. But it was still played none-the-less. A good crowd turned out on Sunday to battle the wind and infrequent showers, followed by periods of sunshine but then more passing showers came back through. In the early game, a new look Orange lineup jumped out of the gates early and raced to five to nil lead over the Porepunkah Panthers. However, to Porepunkah’s credit, they  knuckled down and ground the Orange ladies and gentlemen into the ground, to end up running out winners 13-6. More about that game later on. In the late game, Wangaratta Rangers Black welcomed Benalla Bandits to the ranch. The Rangers hitters got on top early and combined with a solid pitching and defense behind Bryan “Moose” Wilson and Nathan “Rubberarm” Pool, recorded a ten to nil win. Benalla really brought it to the Rangers, and it was a good hard competitive game of baseball. All stuck around for a drink and a laugh after the days play. It was really great to see the camraderie between the clubs. The season is going into a two week hiatus now with Easter weekend, and with ANZAC day falling on a Tuesday the following week, many may take the chance to get away for an extended break. Or get married.

As Cam ‘The Soak’ Scott will do on April 22nd. Congrats to Cam and Loz on their upcoming nuptials. But fear not! Baseball and this correspondent will be back on deck in the following weeks. Now down to other Ranger musings.

     Nothing much seems to surprise the seeimingly unflappable Ian “Dino” Dinsdale at any time. However over the weekend he was very unaware that two of his daughters Leah and Lauren had been playing baseball over the summer for Essendon Baseball Club. All to get ready to have a season with their father at Wangaratta. As Master of ceremonies, Tony Spinner Smith was giving a speech, the ladies hid out behind the club room waiting for the right moment to come around the corner in Rangers uniforms. When the moment was right the girls appeared and a very unsuspecting Dino had a lovely surprise. Nice work ladies!  A special thank you to all who came down and was a part of this lovely occasion.

     A big shout out and congratulations from all of us in the North Eastern Baseball community to Brendon French, who is the first Wangaratta Ranger to play 300 games for the club. When you think the club has been in it’s present form for less than 20 years, that is a lot of games played by the loyal club man. His 300th was spent behind the plate, and as usual he did a sterling job. And even after his first game, he wasn’t done for the day. Frenchy put his hand up to line umpire the Rangers Black vs Benalla game. Another moment for the French family as it was Damien “Damo” French’s first game in the orange and black. Another special moment for one of the clubs great servants. Congratulations French, and  Damo, from all of us at the Wangaratta Rangers Baseball Club.

     Word has it that Tetsu, “Yes Chef” Kamiyama, had a little bit of car trouble on the way home from Wodonga last week. Many other rangers heading home from the game witnessed Tetsu’s misfortune. Word had it that Tets typically took it all in stride and continued on in his own very unique way. As usual Rob “Butts” Seymour was there to help out Tets and help get him back home. Good on you Butts!

     Shaun, “Flashback” O’Neil, has returned to baseball for the first time in many years. Already he has made an impact both on and off the diamond. In the first game of the year against Wodonga, my spies tell me that he hit and chased down everything thrown and hit at him. Over the weekend, against Benalla, this hot start to the season continued. Flashback hit nearly everything including a big home run that hit an air conditioning unit on of the buildings over at Cathedral College. Flashbacjk has even set the trend on fashion by modeling an old Saint Blue and gold silky baseball jacket. It would be great to see if any other old ball players and current members of Wangaratta have any old uniforms or jackets hiding away in their cupboards. Get them out show off the heritage of North Eastern Baseball Association. Line Drive’s good mate, Cam “The Soak” Scott, has already got out his old Tyabb Bulldogs jacket out. He is looking forward to showing it off at a later date. Maybe a heritage week of old jersey and uniforms could be put in place? Just a thought.

     Yeah that’s right, they dig playing baseball. It has been a great sight over the past couple of weeks, the number of ladies donning the Orange and Black of Wangaratta. As mentioned earlier, Leah and Lauren Dinsdale are playing the year with Dino but let’s not forget that the newest Nambrok member, Robyn “RPG” Percy-Goulding, has begun playing after being an avid supporter last year. Another lady has made a great impression too. Welcome to Jamie Samuels who has just fitted in seamlessly. Enjoy it ladies.

     Another new player this year, Jackson “The Flash” Wright, is ready to make his mark on the North Eastern Baseball Association. He has already joined the High Sock Sunday squad as he likes the look of showing off the calves in the big high socks. He has the flash batting gloves and the bat to match. Watch for this kids speed on the bases, joining other known speedsters, as Azza “The Driver” Parker, and Shaun “Flashback” O’neil in tearing up the diamond. Exciting times ahead for Wangaratta Rangers.

     The big Mick “Skipper” Wyatt, was like a kid in a toy shop over the weekend. He was excited to play baseball and was even ready for his turn on the mound. Mick got off to a ripping start getting a hit and then throwing out another returning player Steve Bryant who showed great sportsmanship to play for Porepunkah,  as they were a man down. When it came for the skipper to get on the hill and pitch for Rangers Orange, he stepped up and threw a fantastic three to four innings. He then made himself available if required for Rangers Black,  against Benalla. Once again another “A plus” effort from the man who will forever known as “The Skipper”.

     A little note came across this scribes social media accounts over the past week. Good friend of Line Drive, The Prophet, is running his eye over what is going on down at Ringwood Baseball Club. The Prophet’s first edition was an absolute cracker. There was a bit of name dropping which was very entertaining. The old Cod’s got a mention too. If you have not read it yet, check it out at https://cutsinthecage.wordpress.com/ It will be great to read the next installment.