Hello and welcome to an August edition of the write up no one asks for but people just like to be mentioned in, Rounding Third. The Ranger faithful have been working diligently pulling off some major funding coups along with a 25 year celebration. The season is coming to an end in early September and that means it could be time for some softball. Just putting that plug in for club legend Kev Pool. Now onto other stories and goings on around the place.

Azza joins the 300 club.

After a rather damp day a couple of weeks back, the weather certainly came up a beauty over the weekend for Aaron “Azza” Parker’s 300th game. A great crowd was in attendance for Azza’s milestone match and his Rangers Black put in a workman like performance to get the win. Azza finished the game on the mound pitching a scoreless inning to ice the game. Ever the perfectionist, he wasn’t happy with his own performance but happy the team won as were an appreciative crowd. 300 games is an amazing achievement and it might be a while before another reaches that mark at the Rangers. Nice work number 5!

Welcome back Ossie

It has been great to see “Ossie” Osborne back out in the Rangers B Grade sides over the past couple of weeks. The living fossil is slowly getting back into form. He even pitched a full inning on Sunday. Great to have you back in the Ranger Orange Ossie. Note Line Drive hopes got the correct spelling!

Faces old and new

It has been pleasing to see over the past few weeks some old and not so old faces reappear around the club, from Bill and Julie Young coming down to see Aaron Parkers 300th game to Rob “Beaker” Barbour, and to Mick “The Skipper” Wyatt finding time out of his schedule to soak in the sun and a few games. Line Drive is one who certainly appreciates seeing these faces as they have all played such an integral role in the formation and the development of the club over the past 25 years. Let’s hope a few more past players and supporters filter back in with the growing nature of the club. Line Drive would definitely love to see you all.

Is too much socials too much…?

When is getting information out to players and supporters becoming too much? Or is it just to those who look at it? From Team app to the website to Meta to Instagram, the Rangers have it covered. Line Drive sees what you, the baseball community want to see more of. Just remember they want your voice and you may as well use it. That what makes Wangaratta Rangers a great club.

Training night chats

Line Drive had the great privilege during the past week to work with some different people within the club. During training on a Wednesday night the players who were present were split up into their grades and went on a 3 activity rotation.  Line Drive’s rotation was small but that was to the most benefit. It was refreshing and a lot of fun to talk about baseball, how you play the game and what you want to achieve out of it. From Chris “CT” Tracy learning the art of the pick off move, to Enrique Espinel using the drop step to catch a ball, and to Sarah Warfe’s ability to bunt the ball and why we use the bunt. These are questions many a veteran ball player never think about or get asked, but at training it was great for those running the drills to be asked that. Now that is authentic learning and what training is all about.

Jonker torches Chadwick

A good bit of by-play in an A grade game during August. Here is the context.

Ben, “Showtime” Campbell at the plate. Fraser has him in the hole with two strikes. Best pitch was thrown. Umpire Jason, “Sunscreen” Jonker calls “ball” much to the gasps of all spectating. A few in the crowd including Cam, “The Soak” Scott called out to “ring him up” however it was not the case. Showtime draws a walk. Fraser is suitably disgusted. The Soak wanders over to him at the change of innings and says “I see you Frase!” He smiles. It was good to see the passion for the game even when things go against your team. Don’t ever change number 1!

Stats that exist that no one should ever think about

How about this one. A useless statistic was mentioned to Line Drive on a Sunday night. Nathan, “FOMO” Pool made the stunning statistic that Rangers Orange A grade against Wodonga Warriors had 187 total years of age on the bump throughout the game.  With a little more digging, it was not FOMO who thought of that stat, but one Owen, “Numbers” Godenzi. Was the game not interesting enough that Owen had to delve into that useless piece of trivia. What will it be next week O?

What is in the Esky?

It was an old school amateur hour for a few of the Ranger faithful during a Sunday in Wodonga. After a few had ventured out the night before together, they were in full comedic mode during the C grade game. Especially club president and long-time night clubber Nathan, “The GC” Pool who was interested in the medical style esky Brooke Thompson brings each week. Now here is a picture to illustrate. Cam, “The Soak” Scott bought in and checked to see if the patients parts were fine. Wonder how it was over at B Grade later in the day. Kept on ice?

Who does these BOGs???

A recent innovation across all the social platforms recently has been the player of the game across each of the divisions. However a couple of weeks back in a milestone game, that Aaron “Azza” Parker got the nod. In Azza direct quote to Line Drive “Probably the worst of my 300 games!” Now there were a few thinking the best number 9 hitter in the league, Steve Johnstone was the BOG. But all ball players and long-time watchers of the game know, if you play on the bump at ANY time during a match, it raises your stocks anyway! The quirks of watching sport.

This is all straight out of left field!

Do people actually pay attention to the musings of Line Drive? After a little bit of fact checking, the Ranger trip away has been mentioned more than a couple of times in past editions. The offer is always there, if you wish to come along. The door has always been open to all.

Remember to pay the fines tin if you are in! Coins accepted too.

Vale Peter Wade. Wadey was a great servant of Sunraysia Baseball and the Hawks Baseball Club. He certainly helped out a younger Line Drive many years ago, and was always great to be part of his sides. Abosulute legend. I can still hear his voice in my head all these years later.

Presentation for the league is Friday the 5th of September. Tickets can be purchased using the links on the North East Baseball Association Facebook page.

Jamie King, just make sure you use the correct side of the score book. Maybe number your pages too.

Nice works Butts on the meat tray win. They are great meat trays those ones from Butchers on Vincent.

Moose listen to Mei in the outfield please. Even Line Drive could hear her screaming for the catch while watching the game at Wodonga last weekend!

The art of banter, a few spectators got front row seats to the rather quirky talkative mind of Cam, “The Soak” Scott a couple of weeks ago. Just remember the more left field the comments, the better the banter!

Trip away will be on the September AFL Grand Final weekend. We are off to Canberra. Tracksuits is the theme. Friday 26th to Sunday 28th. Contact Line Drive for more details, if you have missed previous Rounding Thirds!

Presentation Night Friday 20th of September Wang Turf club. Find tickets on the links via the Rangers Teamapp.

Well this is a long overdue one, and till the next edition,

Go Rangers!