Hello and welcome to the June/July edition of Rounding Third. The North Eastern Baseball Association season is well over half way completed, with the next few weeks very busy for our representative sides. It was another massive weekend down at Targoora park Wangaratta, where the entire round was played over the past weekend. It was typical cold north eastern winter weather. Grey foggy conditions greeted the players, supporters and volunteers on Sunday morning. Lucky there was some great baseball played in the morning, that lifted the fog for the rest of the day. Senior results for Wangaratta were as follows:

C grade lost to the Bears

B Grade Black defeated the Bears

A Grade Black defeated the Bears

B Grade Orange got the win over Wodonga Warriors

A Grade Orange also got the win late over Wodonga Warriors

More information of the scores and so forth are available from the excellent IT team down at Wangaratta. As usual if Line Drive makes any errors, then it is an error. But Line Drive deals in the  stretching of the truth.

Let’s now see who has made the edit in this week’s edition…

Winter time blues

Year in and year out, it does not ever change. June and early July have always been the most difficult weeks to field sides in, no matter what sport you play. Baseball is no different. From jet setters looking for warmer exotic climates, to the annual pilgrimage toward the northern states, as well as just life getting in the way of baseball, some players have been unavailable for one or two games. It has placed the Ranger roster under a little duress at times, but each week, Coach Owen Godenzi and his merry band of helpers have navigated their way through. A big thanks goes to those players out there who may have done double duty on a weekend, and there are a few. But with that comes more chance to play and get up to speed quicker too. Line Drive knows who you are and from their point of view they are very grateful. Here’s to the run into finals getting a bit easier for all involved.

Pronger’s new name

A long time favourite of Line Drive is the man we all know as ‘Pronger’. Sean Whiteman rolled into the B Grade Orange game unannounced on Sunday down on diamond two. This pleased the coach Kelsey “Marathon Man” Burder, as now he had an extra player at his disposal. The issue is that Pronger can be quite injury prone on diamond two. This lead to a few players thinking his name could remove the “g” and become known as “prone” to injury. After a little bit of dicey base running “Proner” got through the game unscathed. Well almost unscathed. He was quick to leave after the game after being picked off at 3rd base! Just to avoid the fine.

Traveling man

It has come across the desk at the office of Rounding Third, that there is one player who just loves to play, and the tyranny of distance is not a hurdle. New to the Rangers this year is one, Alex, “Traveling man” Williams. Williams is not new to the sport, having played the past few years with Benalla, but with no Benalla team, Alex chose to continue to ply his developing game with the Rangers. So far this year he has been a star. He has often doubled up to help out the Ranger cause. From throwing in Dropsy Burders Orange side and then with A grade Orange.

This was the case again on Sunday where Williams got the chance to show off his prowess as an outfielder.  He flashed the leather and fired the cannon of his arm by throwing a runner out at the plate from left field on two bounces. A very solid day of baseball all round from The Traveling Man.

Burder relays the “extra” mile

It has come to Line Drive’s attention that Rangers legend and all round good guy Kelsey, “Dropsy” Burder, has taken up running. This doesn’t sound revolutionary as many people decide that they like to run, but Dropsy has taken to the sport of what is known as the ‘Beer Mile’. Basically, for those who are not sure what this involves, it means after each lap of a 400 metre track you are to consume a beer and then do another lap. In other words, 1600 metres of running with four beers dispersed throughout the run. His coaching team lead by Brad, “Undies” Murdoch, were there to make sure Burder was hydrated and ready to run. Coupled with his tracksuit, Burder definitely looked the part. This is the direct quote from the coach about Dropsy’s athletic prowess…

“Yeah went pretty well, was pretty cold but we drank ourselves a blanket, Kelsey ran well, he was set up as the anchor and ran last in the relay leg, to everyone else It was a 400m lap but to Kels  was a 100m sprint and his lap time was up there with the best on the evening. We came 5th out of 7, completing our task of not coming last” Brad Murdoch.

Great job team. Now to put that teamwork to make the dream work on the baseball diamond.

The Bestie at it

As mentioned in past editions, Shannon, “Bestie” Whiting, was down at Targoora Park trying to get his Wodonga Warriors over the line. Bestie had the usual repertoire of comments, sledges and all round pestering. One of his best was aimed at the bronzed Nathan “Nathos” Pool who has been sunning himself around the Mediterranean during June. “Nathan, I have not seen you out in centre field in 20 years. Are you lost?” (sic) Cam, “The Soak” Scott overheard the exchange as he wandered off at the change of inning and remarked “Not on diamond two at least. You’re right in that regard!” Good banter once more. The way it always should be.

Great to Strut

It was great to see on the socials of the North Eastern Baseball Association, that Strut Baseball ran a session for the emerging ball players in Wangaratta over the past weekend. A great take up of 40 young players took to Wangaratta diamonds under the watchful eyes of some of the best from Strut Baseball. From all reports and commentary, it was an extremely worthwhile exercise, with both players and coaches alike from across the clubs getting valuable insight and ways to improve their performances at their respective clubs. A big shout out to all those who took their time out of the weekend to attend and take their baseball to the next level.

Rangers turn 25.

Put it in your calendars if wish to have a day out watching baseball, and celebrating the fact that Wangaratta Rangers Baseball turns 25. Over the course of the day, all Rangers sides will be playing against one another, followed by a dinner catered by everyone’s favourite slow cook maestro Daniel, “Set it out” Griffin. There will be a collection of other offerings and one thing is for sure, Griff caters for all tastes and dietary requirements.

There will be a club photo taken during the day. This will be probably earlier rather than later as the club would love as many junior players to be part of the photo as possible.

Rangers seniors, please make sure you are available even if you are a bit sore to come together and celebrate, laugh, share memories and thank everyone for keeping the baseball story alive in Wangaratta. A ‘Quarter Century’ team will be announced on the day. Line Drive is pondering who will be in Rangers best 9 plus bench. Come along to Targoora Park on Sunday the 27th of July to catch up and find out.

Rolling the sleeves up and getting it done

Special mention goes out to the myriad of Rangers being players, parents, and people who are just around the club this season. It has been the biggest one yet with the number of games being held in Wangaratta for the season, and it has been fabulous that we have members willing to put their hand up and do their part. It has been great to see that the volunteer of the week is getting a run on the social platforms and we thank all of you out there for rolling the sleeves up and chipping in where needed. Line Drive knows the president and the committee really appreciate the assistance.

This is all straight out of left field!

• Mei Sato likes to keep the fire burning. When not playing, Mei was happily tending to her fire pit. This was before and after the game see the before and after images!
• Do some cleaning up, just throw those sticks on the fire as you go past Paul Maiden!
• “That is some write up Line Drive does, always worth a read” a direct quote from a younger player Heath, “Bring the heat” French. Maybe there is still a place for the written word after all.
• Meat tray winners this week were those who worked in the canteen late in the day, Dan and Matt. Nice work you two. Or is this too much coincidence of coercion?
• Trip away theme this year is tracksuits to Canberra. A personal favourite of Undies Murdoch right? Cash is King!
• Always have the right under garments on while you play Cooper Bennett!
• Bunts gets the win. Shout out to Brendon French for dropping the game breaking bunt for Rangers Orange when called on at a pinch late in the game.
• Welcome back to Cam “The Soak” Scott. He was overheard to say, “Yeah, O found me”
• Tough hard fought win by Rangers Black over Bears. From the sounds coming from Line Drives position it was one arm wrestle of a match. Credit to all involved on both sides of the result.
• Who left without paying their donations to the trip away fund? Those who know and go, know who you are! Tetsu even paid his dues for slip up at short stop! Long stops in next time.
• Dan Wells is after you for the 45 club. Go find him as part of a small syndicate of people and you could win! A few places left, and if you are outside the club just send us a message on the socials to be part of it.
• New jerseys are available and for a great price (if you have ordered one) it is yours. See the friendly people at training or on the weekend to get yours.
• Dinner on Wednesday 2nd July, is brought to you by Rangers Orange B grade. Chef Kelsey is in the house this week. Get around him
• Reminder that playing subs are now due. Please see a member of committee to sort this out.
• Working bee reminders, always looking for those who have a spare little time to help out. Next one is Saturday 5th July…
• Junior carnival coming up in July 12 and 13, so many hands make light work.

Another massive edition. Line Drive will be seeing you good folk soon. Stay warm and as always,

Go Rangers….