Hello and welcome to this weeks edition of Rounding Third. The weekend saw your Rangers guys and girls head up the Hume to Albury to take on perennial powerhouse NASC Bears. In the early game, the rapidly improving Rangers Orange got off to a slow start against Bears Gold. However the damage was already done with Bears running out 15-5 victors. In the late game, a vastly different Rangers Black looked to turn the tables on Bears Green. It was a very high quality game of baseball with some newer Rangers getting some good swings in, against a very good Bears pitcher. In the end Rangers Black could not make any inroads and lost by the score of 10-2. Credit to the Bears who tacked on runs here and there throughout the game. A big thanks to all traveling supporters of both clubs who braved some very indifferent baseball conditions. Your support every week is greatly appreciated by all who take the diamond. Now last weeks edition was epic, what has been happening in the past seven days?

     Jamie “The Gaffer” Samuels got to experience what it is like to head out with some of the Ranger boys on Friday night. She thought it was a good idea to partake in a social night with them via the Wangaratta Soccer Club. Early on she witnessed Tetsu “The Pest” Kamiyama in full flight and Rob “Butts” Seymour just having a good night. One thing to know Jamie is  when you see a way out you take it. Ask Steve “Fernando” Peruzzo how to do it.  Jamie had not learned that yet and witnessed all sorts of shenanigans. Let’s just say it ended with “The Pest” getting lost. Once again for those who know, it was just another standard night out with the Wangaratta Rangers.

     Kelsey “Dropsy” Burder had a cracker of a game down at Benalla last weekend. Looking back at the score book and stats sheet, Kelsey went five for five with all his other stats through the roof. Could he continue his hot streak this week against Bears Gold? Sadly not a chance. He lost all coordination behind the plate and could not even throw the ball back to the pitcher. If Shaun “Old School” O’Neil was there he would have been well pleased that the heat was off him for the week. Kelsey did admit to Line Drive spies that he owed a bit to the tin this week. Things improved for him as the day wore on and by the end Dropsy was gone and Kelsey was back. On a side note whatever Burder is doing with his swing he should keep doing it. Come have a look. Burder is burning it up.

     The apple does not fall far from the tree when it comes to Leah and Lauren Dinsdale. Both this year have shown the same approach to hitting as their father Ian “Dino” Dinsdale. “See ball hit ball.” Looking through the books, both put the ball in play regularly and are tough outs at the plate. This was definitely the case versus Bears Gold. Dinsdale gets on base with, Dinsdale driving in the run. Good work team Dinsdale.

     The past weekend saw a few changes to each team from the Thursday to the Sunday. Both Jamie “The Gaffer” Samuels and Bryan “Moose” Wilson dealt with the situation admirably. It just seemed to be a perfect storm. In the end our ‘we never forfeit’ attitude came to the fore with Kelsey Burder backing up in the second game as well as Simon “Lefty” O’Neil and “The Game” Jason Jonker. Brad “Undies” Murdoch stuck around all day too just in case something went wrong. Special mention to Kevin “The Legend” Pool who scored both games in some very cool conditions. To all injured out there look after yourselves we hope you get better soon.

     That’s right on Saturday July 22 will see the annual Rangers Lucky Ticket night. Once again MC’s Cam “The Soak” Scott and

Scott “The Beard” Jenkins will be your hosts for the draw. Tickets are again $25, so see a club member for a ticket. Baseball brothers in arms, Wodonga Warriors, are keen for a cracking night with their Ranger brethren, and have purchased a book of tickets.  Baseball will be played on Saturday the 21st July against Wodonga before the draw so come along and have a look at some Saturday baseball. Look out for “The Golden Pufferfish” Ash Meyers to have a great day both on and off the field.

     Event Organiser Dan “The Griff” Griffin informs Line Drive that places on this years Ranger Ramble to Bendigo are rapidly filling up. Already Griff can confirm he has thirteen travellers for the sixth installment of this annual event. To those who are keen to go, better get paying and talk to Griff. One thing we know is that it will be a corker of a trip like the other five. This year’s theme is beach party. So get out your best Hawaiian shirts for a rocking fun weekend in October.

     On July 8th and 9th the North Eastern Baseball Association will be hosting the Under 16’s winter championships at Targoora Park. This is a call out to all Rangers who are around on the weekend to pitch in and help out with a slot on Saturday or Sunday morning. This coming Saturday, President Tony “Spinner” Smith needs some help getting the ground up to usual high standard. So please spare and hour here or there and help out. Many hands make light work. A hour here or there means a lot to many. If all clubs could work together and help out then that would be awesome. Wear your work boots and be there at 9am.

     This Thursday, a meal has yet to be decided upon but no matter. Look to get down to “The Ranch” and have a laugh, work on your skills and train hard for an hour. If you have a drill or something you wish to implement speak up. The more input the better. No request about a skill of baseball will be refused. Short sharp train hard and have fun. DJ Sarah will be in attendance once again. Let’s work on the positives and get around one another and enjoy this great game of baseball.

     Team app is where you get your latest Ranger news about Line Drive and statistics. Download the app for android and apple from their respective stores. If you are player, post your unavailability so the coaches know what is going on. The more information the better. Search for Wangaratta Rangers and join. Spread the word and enjoy. http://www.teamapp.com

Now for the Club News-

Short and sharp this week. To all you readers out ther, like, share and spread the good word about the Wangaratta Rangers Baseball Club. Stay warm this week as it is quite chilly in the North East….. and,

Go Rangers.