Hello and welcome again to the March 2026 edition of Rounding Third. Line Drive has been out and about over the past four months, but has finally been cornered and told to sit still and write the first edition for the year of 2026. It has been one hot and dry summer around the diamonds of the North East, with many a Ranger going their own way and seeing one another sparingly. This edition will be a shorter one in nature, but just one to say “Hey! Line Drive is not done yet!” So let’s get to some half-truths, and some interesting observations of what has been going on.

Rangers see the light

It was great to see on recent social posts that the lighting upgrade of Targoora Park has begun over the past couple of weeks. This has been a big step forward for the club and has many an excited committee member posting whether they would like a night or a day match (or both!) The older ones would be happy to play under lights, but it might be left up to the younger brigade with better eyesight! One idea is to make sure we get an optometrist to sponsor the club since many have lamented their eyesight. Just one to keep an ‘eye’ out for going forward.

Cods preview 2026

This year the Cods will be returning to the diamonds of Ballarat as part of the Victorian Masters championships. They will be playing the 35B division. This is about the level the Cods are comfortable with, as we all do know that those who have read past reviews of this tournament love to have a good time. This year it looks like many of the veterans of Cods are returning for another run around, with a couple of younger members being added to the fold. The Ranger contingent consisting of Nambrok crescent royalty, Kelsey, “Dropsy” Burder, Kyle, “Thrillmore” Gilmore and Brad, “Undies” Murdoch who are all ready to show Ballarat what they are made of. King Cod and all round organiser Nathan, “FOMO” Pool, has added players from Wodonga, with the usual suspects of Ash, “only pitch on day 4” Meyers, and Michael, “Bill” Clear. Joining them is the one and only Fraser Chadwick! Cods have been keen to get Fraser to come for the past few years, but had that pesky age issue in his way! That has now been cleared and Frase is ready to join his North East Cod mates on a weekend full of laughs, some good, better as well as some very interesting baseball! Welcome to the collective Fraser. Look for Line Drive for updates as the weekend progresses, as Line Drive does enjoy telling a story or two about how The Cods go on their annual trip to Ballarat. Who will play well? Who will get sun burnt? Will anyone do a Rob, “Duke Kaboom” Seymour or Brendan, “Camma” Cameron off a scooter? Does Jason Jonker stay the entire weekend and get some sun on his legs? So many questions that could be answered in the final weekend of March 2026.

Cods fixture

Thursday 26th the March Cods vs Tip Rats 4-6:30pm

Friday 27th March Cods vs Vikings 8-9:30am

Friday 27th March Cods vs Bald Eagles 9:45-11:15am

Saturday 28th March Cods vs Bendigo Dragons 3:15-4:45pm

Line Drive will be present and keeping you up to date with how the men are going both on and off the diamond. He is sure it will be a good weekend.

Undies declares his intentions

Overheard during warm up over the week, the man of sideburns, Brad ‘Undies’ Murdoch, has declared his intention and ambition to go after the Pufferfish award for best Cod in Ballarat. This is a bold strategy by Undies, as there are plenty of old Cods who have tried this approach. Rumour has it someone tried to jump into a pool while covered just to win. Undies, Line Drive likes the confidence but it will be an elite field in 2026. You might need to lean on both Kelsey, ‘Dropsy’ Burder and Daniel, “Chef” Griffin to help you over the line.

KK travelling the Hume

A big shoutout goes to those who have travelled back and forth each weekend to play summer baseball in Melbourne. One would think that a club this side of the city would be in exist, but heading out to the Bayside suburbs makes the drive all much the more involved.However, from all reports KK has very much enjoyed her time playing in the Panther colours over the past summer season, not to mention the choice of catchers gear was rather striking against the uniform. If you know KK, she is definitely one to stand out on the diamond!

Come and try Baseball

Over the month of February, the guys and gals of Wangaratta Rangers Baseball have been very busy running ‘Come and Try’ sessions on Thursday nights out at the Ranger dome. Line Drive went along to see what the hype was all about. There was hype, there were kids, excitement, baseball and a couple who could throw really, really hard! The Rangers committee have put in so much time, resources and effort, to make the Juniors comp sustainable. Seeing both young and old there recently made this long time baseball correspondent quite chuffed. With the recent announcements by the club, one hopes it will continue to grown baseball in Wangaratta and the broader NEBA community.

Let’s make a deal

The chat around the clubrooms on Thursday nights, turned to the flickering lights and how we could turn it into a nightclub. One remarked, it would be good if we had an electrician in the club so we could fix that. Cam, ‘The Soak’ Scott asked Kelsey Burder to hit the light with his bat, and Dropsy replied, “I’d miss that too.” Now back to the original idea. How about a trade period in the NEBA for jobs you need around a club. Club Coach, Owen Godenzi was all in for this idea as he was especially happy to give up a teacher or two who cannot run or throw for an electrician to help rewire Targoora Park. The Rangers might need to sweeten the deal by giving the club the player goes to, some re-numeration. Good idea? Or just do what everyone else does? Pay someone to fix it.

Let’s drop a few bunts down

• Tetsu nice new Oakley eyewear.
• O photos in this one. Line Drive has been a bit slack on the camera! Check out the socials for photos.
• Grounds look grouse. Credit to Tony, ‘Spinner’ Smith for getting diamond one looking lush in difficult dry conditions. Now with the rain arriving they probably could do with a mow!
• Facilities upgrade. Female toilets are getting an overdue freshen up, if you can help out next few weeks to finish them off watch this space.
• The links to registration have opened check out the Team App for more details
• Rangers 45 clubs are up and running. If you want to be involved see Dan Wells for more details. If you are involved please make sure you pay your tickets!
• Be sure to make it down to training with Juniors and Seniors now in full swing. Line Drive was impressed with the numbers and the work rate this early in the season. If you cannot make it or are planning to play, please let our Coaches know. Let’s take the guess work out of it all.
• Thanks to those who assisted with the working bee over the past couple of weeks. Your work is much appreciated.
• Seen the profile pieces on the socials? Some license in there indeed. Good promotion. You won’t see Line Drives head there in any of them!

Well that’s it. It has been a busy time in the North East. But look to the next few weeks for Line Drive to return with some momentum and more importantly stories, no matter how factual or infactual for you to read. Look for Line Drive around Ballarat, he is looking forward to catching up with you. Thanks for reading and till next time…….

Go Rangers!