Hello and welcome to the 2024 Voodoo Diaries. The insight into the characters of Voodoo that no one asked for. Line Drive has been tasked once again to accompany and document the 2024 Pan Pacific Games. In their first tournament as a collective in 2022, team Voodoo finished a gallant runner up in the 35 plus division, pushing a Surfers Paradise outfit to the last out. They all had so much fun, they thought, why not! Let’s have another crack at that. This time Voodoo are looking to have a great time and  possibly go one better.  Line Drive will have his pen and notepad poised to document the week and maybe, just maybe, give you some insight into how an old baseballer goes about their week at a big tournament.

Who’s got the kit. Who’s got the gear?

A flurry of activity over recent days with the realisation that Voodoo head away in just under a weeks’ time. Many have been asking who has what equipment, what do we need? And who actually has the baseball talent to play in the outfield? The majority of the Voodoo credit  have put their hand up to platoon in the outfield. One in particular who is super keen to play outfield all week is Porepunkah superstar Damon Barker. He has boldly declared “start me in centre field each and every game. I have full faith in our starting pitchers that I will not have to do much” Line Drive has over many years seen Barkers prowess in the outfield and if anyone can do this we know the Panther man can!

Butts: The Game is back.

After a stellar season in the North Eastern Baseball Association, Rob “Butts” Seymour is ready and raring to go for the 2024 Pan Pacific masters Games. The personable Butts is ready and chomping at the bit to play.  To Butts’s credit he is fighting fit and ready to dominate at the games especially wanting to show Ben Laux he is still the one to beat. So much so that he has put his hand up to do double time at the games. Butts is also a Brave-heart. One thing is for sure, he will have to be clean with his hands in the field. Word is the Brave-hearts play in kilts. One hopes the bounce is kind and no short hops allowed. What all you long time readers will know about Butts is that he will play flat out every game.

Put the practice in. Get the rewards

Over the past weekend the north east portion of the Voodoo group decided to get together up in the beautiful surroundings of Porepunkah. The idea was simple have a hit in the cage to get ready for masters followed by a bite to eat. It is great to hear that the swings were pure and the stories told afterwards were tall. Word is both Brendan and Tom Simmons were crushing the ball in the cage. No wonder when you look at them. Both have been hitting the protein shakes and the gym hard. The results are there to be seen. The Simmons are ready to have a big week.  For all the rest of you out there. Make sure you prepare properly, get your swings in, never skip leg day and always, always have your quota. Isn’t that right Nathan “Fomo” Pool?

Tuesday Melbourne Cup day.

Pack the chinos the loafers and a touch of white, as Voodoo head to the Gold Coast Turf Club on the first Tuesday in November. Man of the people, Owen “The big Table” Godenzi has embraced the idea of a touch of white. So much so he could be mistaken for member of a 90’s band. Just add the blonde tips to finish off the look O.  He would “want it that way”.

Davo with the goods again.

Davis Long is an individual of many talents. From one of the driving forces behind Voodoo Masters, to an integral cog in many a clubs baseball machine. His eye for detail with the Voodoo kit is second to none. Davo makes team Voodoo look the sharpest on and off the diamond. Look out this year for new Voodoo shirts, caps and shorts. Why wear anything else on the Gold Coast? Line Drive knows that those Ranger tailgaters would definitely represent in the merchandise too.

Graham dominates final

It has been many a year where both the Traralgon Red Sox and Wangaratta Rangers get to celebrate a premiership year together. (This writer makes no apologies with that sentence!) Season 2024 saw the planets align and made it happen. It was great to hear that Josh “Yoshi” Graham wound back the clock and dominated the Latrobe Valley Association Grand Final. My spies tell me Graham put on a clinic of hitting prowess, driving in runs right left and centre. Graham, as ever, self depreciating manner says he “got lucky”. But you all know the man with the beard this is so much further from the truth. Look for Yoshi to bring his big bat to the week on the Gold Coast.

Ranger crew on the Coast

Line Drive would like to ask this question? Do any other Masters team have a loyal following like the Voodoo? Like do you have groupies outside your own relations? Well guess what, Voodoo have groupies! Or as they like to say, “Tailgaters.”  Brad “Undies” Murdoch is just having an excellent tune up before hand with a quick overseas jaunt while Kelsey “Dropsy” Burder will just be doing Dropsy things. Come along get involved and be part of the Voodoo action on the Gold Coast ladies and gents.

Now for the Voodoo stuff

Line Drive will be looking to keep you the reader updated on the going on with all the characters which make up Voodoo. Look for a bit of a wrap up over a couple of days. The usual high editorial standards may not be adhered to. If you know you know!

Hope you all have a great week. Stay hydrated and off the hard rated! We get better with age!

Go Voodoo.