Hello. Line Drive hopes you are all well. Welcome to the April 2026 edition of Rounding Third.

In what can only be described as glorious autumn conditions, the 2026 North Eastern Baseball Association got their season underway with all games being held at Wangaratta this past weekend. A mixed bag for the Ranger Ladies and Lads, but it was a great way to begin another big year for the club. A special mention to all the those who umpired, scored, worked the barbecues, in the canteen, set up diamonds, raked diamonds, moved dirt, and got Targoora park looking fabulous. A big thank you to Ausport for making the trip up the Hume once again, the North East Baseball community values your support of our opening round. Our next round will see all five of the Ranger sides take to the diamond at Targoora park on Sunday.

Line Drive hopes to see you there! Well, enough of the pleasantries, let’s see what has passed through the strike zone over the last four weeks.

Josh and names.

Yes that’s right, Josh Wells needs some assistance. Young Wells needs some guidance on knowing who half the Ranger playing group are. This was evident during the Ranger auction. Now as each player was auctioned off, Wells was heard multiple times saying, “Who is that?, who are they? Do they play baseball? Never heard of them!” And then proceeded to bid on them. Many of the individuals that Josh was unsure about were long time active playing members of the Rangers fraternity. Next time you head down to training, game day or just walking by Targoora Park, grab a sticker, a laundry marker and be sure to put your name on the front of your shirt, as the name on the back is not enough for young Wellsy. Or how about a photo book number 7?

High Sock Sunday returns

It was great to see the number of players on all North Eastern clubs, decide to take to the diamond with some old school get up on Sunday. There have been the long-time members of the high sock fraternity and some big time players. The number of high long sock wearers have taken the call to arms and came out with a vengeance to demonstrate that the combination of short pants and high socks, has not been consigned to the history bin. One hopes that more will think about how that can actually add some flair to the uniform with hoops, maybe a Ranger logo, the options are many and varied. Here’s to ensuring the sanctity of high socks continues for many years to come. High Sock Sunday is the vibe.

Who is a fair Maiden?

Team Maiden have been busy. Not only they have taken the reins of a C grade outfit but they are always front and centre at many of the Ranger functions. This was certainly the case during player auction night where the young Isaac, “I own my brother” Maiden, got in on the act and purchased his older brother Oscar for a nice price. Line Drive has not checked the stats from Sunday’s C grade game but one might think that Isaac has got a bargain, as Oscar does lead the home run category after one game. I think mum Kate and dad Paul might have just bought Oscar on the side and, well, it is a nice investment already!

Pool’s acting masterclass

In case you have missed it (an in all fairness how could you not?) The number one FOMO individual in the club, Nathan Pool was at it again over the weekend being the main star of the Rangers social media activity. I don’t think I will go into specific to describe it but if you have been on the socials of Instagram and Facebook then you know what I am alluding to.  Pool was at his best once again for the video, and has now set the precedence for the remainder of the season? Where is he going to pop up next in full Ranger kit? One waits with trepidation….

Canteen keeps it up

Some information has come across the desk at Rounding Third, about the phenomenal effort the Ranger canteen put in over round 1 in Wangaratta. Here are the cold hard statistics from Sundays opening round:

44 Bacon and Egg rolls (nice work Candice and Owen)

144 Hot dogs and the cheese too

228 Dim sims

60 Schnitzel rolls

Close to 100 Gatorades and a few soda waters too.

A big shout out goes to all who assisted in the canteen, cooking, running errands. That is one big list!

Stack TeamApp is here to stay.

It has been noted that many a baseball club across Victoria is taking up the use of Stack TeamApp for their clubs and their members. From Line Drive’s posts many moons ago, it was mentioned that this would be a thing, and in 2026 it has become the main way for all of your Ranger news, availability, team lists and everything else. The new merchandise shop is located through the app (not the website yet) and the new merch designs will get you, the Ranger faithful, looking sharp once more in 2026. The first lot of orders close on August 28th so check out Stack, look for Wangaratta Rangers, all of it is there!

Future looks Bright for NEBA

It was wonderful to see the number of Junior ball players taking the diamond again or for the very first time. Rangers President Nathan Pool mused to Line Drive that there were six under 12 sides across the association, and around 90 kids playing in that age bracket. Not to mention the under 15’s, and many Juniors now stepping up to C grade, and then those filtering up into B grade and then into the A grade sides. Full credit must go to the North Eastern Baseball Association and it’s clubs, for working hard for Junior baseball and giving the players pathways moving forward.

Now for some infield singles

• Great job KK Pool on the roster and those who have jumped in for the upcoming weekend of Ranger Baseball at Targoora Park.
• Good to see Ross, “Rossco” Johnson at the practice game a couple of weeks back. Rossco is ready to play when work commitments don’t get in the way, and it’s great to have him back.
• Rob, “Butts” Seymour gourmet journey of Victoria continues. The seagull can find a good meal in the most unusual places!
• The tin returns. Chief Orange scorer Jamie King has a rather large tin for all the usual indiscretions for season 2026. More information to follow.
• Wellsy’s 45’s lotto continues and one thinks some numbers are just not in the draw. Well the odds of winning lotto are 1 in 92 million or more or something like that! But that’s still a chance! So is this…..
• Good to see Rob and Kev Barbour enjoying the baseball on Sunday. Line Drive always enjoys his chat to these two Ranger Baseball stalwarts.
• “Don’t delete me from the chat,” were Mick Wyatt’s words. If you know you know!
• It is fantastic to see Ranger baseball on friends’ social feeds and those watching the Juniors for the first time. Line Drive is pleased that there are a few Juniors from Yarrawonga making the trip over!
• Johnno, “JT” Taylor is back in the Ranger fold. Welcome back Johnno.
• When will we see “The Cowboy” Cooper Bennett? Many down at the Ranch are asking about his recovery and if he could make an appearance in the near future.
• Thanks to Michael, “Bill” Clear for wondering when the next edition was being written. It helps Line Drive get motivated to get it out to those who enjoy a read.
• Training Wednesday Juniors, Thursday Seniors. Dinner is available Thursday night. Get down to Targoora Park, do some work, turn the corner.
• Grounds are in amazing condition with so little rain. Tony, “Spinner” Smith and crew have got them absolutely mickey mouse. Thanks team!
• Keep looking for those Big Cods in the River, Tanner Godenzi.
• For the fixture and all the other news, the social media gurus will have all your information!

Line Drive will leave it there. Thanks for taking the time to read, digest, smile, cringe or ponder…did that really happen?

Till next time,

Go Rangers!