Hello and welcome to a long overdue edition of Rounding Third. Many people have been wondering where Line has been, and to answer that question succinctly, they have been everywhere apart from down at the Wangaratta Rangers Baseball Club! It is not that Line Drive has forgotten about baseball in the north east, it has just been a busy few months in between playing, writing, and just doing Line Drive things. The season is in the depths of winter here in the sunny north east of Victoria, the ladders in all grades are beginning to take shape, and it has been great to observe some new additions to the club just fitting right in.

A recap of the weekend saw another good one for the Rangers. In C grade on diamond one Rangers Black got the win over Bears 11 to 3, while on a soggy diamond 2, Rangers Orange outlasted Wodonga Warriors by a score 7 to 6. In B Grade Brendon French got a win for his 400th game defeating Wodonga Warriors White by a score of 10 to 6, while Rangers Orange late charge was all to no avail being pipped by a young Warriors maroon 11 to 12. Then it was time for the main game and after a tight opening inning or two, the Ranger bats got going and ended up winning 12 to 2. It was good to sit back and watch how the blend of young and older heads in A grade is starting to gel very nicely moving towards the end of the season. This week Rangers around the North east with many up the highway in Albury, while Rangers Orange take on Porepunkah at home in a game that always feels like the end of a carnival, as there is no game after 2pm! The weather is getting better, the grounds are drying out, and everything is looking up running into August. A big thank you to those who have looked after the grounds, canteen, photos, social media and merchandise in the past month or so. A mammoth job and it has been noted. Now, let’s see if Line Drive can do some justice to the reports and tales that have come across their desk in the past month or so. Please note, the Line Drive’s editor (or the real Line Drive) is currently on leave, so the usual polished gramma, wording, sentence structure may be missing. There will be mistakes! However apart from that, enjoy the read.

Milestones and then a milestone

Over the past fortnight, many of you may have seen that a Ranger in pink brought up 100 club games in pretty quick time, while another is the first to the 400 game mark. Social media guru and queen Makayla “Kaye Kaye” Pool achieved 100 games for the rangers before the age of 18! And has since played game 101! Well done Kaye Kaye .Over the past weekend, Brendon “Papa” French had the honour of playing his 400 game for Wangaratta, with his two sons playing in the same game. French has done it all for the club; canteen manager, president, grounds person, many years on the baseball committee and countless hours down at Targoora park. It was great recognition by the club on Sunday to celebrate a true stalwart and legend of the local baseball community. Congratulations French on 400 games. Question is how many more are still in the tank? One hopes maybe another season or two. Line Drive commends the commitment and effort.

Picking off runners and extra bases.

On Sunday Line Drive got the opportunity to sit back and watch some of the A grade game between Rangers and Warriors. A fast solid start by both sides while there were some very solid defensive moves by the opposition to bamboozle the Ranger runners. The importance of hitting your cut off was very prevalent throughout this game, where Wodonga were able to steal an out here and there by having a smart cutoff and quick tag to find a ranger runner short. However it was on one of these said plays, that a young and spritetful Nathan Pool showed age was just a number. Here’s the scenario. Ball is hit to deep left field. Pool retreats to tag up on second base. Runner of thirds tags up too. Ball is caught, runner heads for home, and Pool decides to take off from second to third. Half way down the line a rather audible word of “*&^%” comes from the mouth of Pool, He doesn’t think he is going to get there. The crowd are in hysterics hearing this. A late slide and Pool was spared his blushes by beating the tag! One relived base runner. From all reports “The Pres” Nath may not being doing that again anytime soon.  To rub further salt into his rubbery legs, after a nice flick across his body to first base, newly minted 1st baseman Josh “Banter” Wells asked him to throw it harder next time. Or maybe 1st  base use those young legs to stretch out further and help him out! Anyhow regardless two nice little plays from the Pres!

Home run Matt Sanders.

Daniel Wells tracked down Line Drive on Sunday and asked if they had heard to story around a home run on diamond two during the C grade game. Luckily, Line Drive was there to witness this rare feat and achievement in C grade of a ball going OVER the fence. Late in the game Coach Matt “Colonel” Sanders comes on to replace Frank Ciccone, and hit a ball to straight away centre field for a majestic home run. Have we all got the picture? Well, it was not so much that. You see, the ball was hit to centre field and then there was a short delay while rounding second that was it a home run or not. After a short pause it was confirmed a home run. All good? What else is there to report in this tale? Wells, made the point that there was an under 12’s game on the back of diamond two and the fence was not in its regular position, a good 30m closer! So it was more like playing on a junior diamond! However, in Colonel’s defence, he just plays to the dimensions of the ground and it’s the same for both sides. Not to mention it is still a home run in the book. Keep the ball Matt. You deserve it.

Sponsors stuff

A wonderful addition this year across the socials has been the sponsor spotlight.  It is long overdue recognition and gives faces to some of characters who Line Drive has known for many a season. This year  the club has been fortunate enough to have Frank “hamstring”  Ciccone get on board and put his wonderful wines on the back of our new hoodies. His enthusiasm for the game and the club has been infectious to all. Any club would love another  5 Frank’s! Now, there is Deal for you. Order a hoodie through Wang rangers on Team app and two bottles of wine are yours! A great deal! Great hoodies, great merchandise and you look the supporter with all the gear! A big special mention the new sign on the back of the away dugout. It is one that certainly stands out.

Thank you Hamstrings!

Lets go OG

After a conversation with the president Nathan “Joe Cocker” Pool there is movement around reinstating some good old fashioned in house games. Joe has put the call out for a dart board. No context yet, but maybe its time for some after training games? Maybe it is required as  the young bulls Tanner and Josh playing indoor ball with Sam McPherson, making sure no windows was broken. Might be time to bring back the table tennis. Now that would add to Thursday night dinner don’t you think Mr President. 

Check out the You tube Rangers Chats

Owen “O” Godenzi has been busy honing his editing skills to bring two editions of the Ranger you tube recaps over the past few weeks. Line Drive was questioned O where this was at the other week while O countered about Rounding Third’s absence. However, it was great to see a recap and a sit down interview with new Mr Canada Sam McPherson. Now if have not met Sam yet, get around him. The young players have taken a shine to him and his calmness behind the plate is great to see. Look for this week’s edition sometime in the future. The chemistry between hosts makes the recap all the more entertaining. Again a way to keep a recorded history of the club!

Words and more words

In the past few months between editions, Line Drive has been thinking again about how we digest information around the club and the interactions with you the reader, the public and everything else in between. They have quipped on multiple occasions about who is still reading past the first 200 words and even if they read to the end. While on one of the reflective occasions and looking through the tens of thousands of words written over the years, that Rounding Third is actually a window into the history, stories and great things which have happened around the baseball club over the past 12 or so years. In a quick to digest and dispose of society, words and stories paint pictures more than photos can ever do. Photos show a snap shot but does not give the depth to the amazing characters who have pulled on a Ranger shirt and taken to the diamond. I mean can one describe Tetsu Kamiyama’s parking lately? Photos can, but to actually see it and how the car is completely perpendicular to every other car is really a sight to behold. Or how Chris Tracy when asked what did he have to say on the diamond on Sunday and he replies with “I have nothing” Putting those little bits and pieces in print as a friend told me once, this gives great depth, history and a record of what happened. The musings can always be used as a reference point for the good, the bad or the indifferent. Fads and trends come and go, but the written word is always the most useful medium for us to remember and create stories in our minds. 

Now for the hit and runs

• Working bee this weekend. Tony “Spinner” Smith needs your help. Just an hour or two makes it all the easier for us all
• Vic under 17’s have been rescheduled to the weekend of the 1st and 2nd of August. Many hands make light work please assist. Check out the poll on Team App
• The Doc Sean Warfe is rehabbing well, he told Line Drive he was having a hit in his cage at home and is looking at a return next year.
• Good to see Mick Wyatt quietly slide into the club for a look over the weekend.
• The Cowboy Cooper Bennett was spotted out in Wodonga with a lovely lady over the past few weeks. Up for a chat. Wonder if he’ll make an appearance for a catch up soon.
• Kelsey was forced to talk to Jason Jonker and Cam Scott. His words not mine. Where is Griff?, Where is Undies? Gus King? Don’t make Dropsy talk to Cam and Jason.
• There is one who could take the mantle of best mustache at the club from Brad Murdoch. With Undies work commitments, new player Trent Watkinson is red hot favourite to have best mo at the club. After witnessing it first-hand recently, it is very balanced.
• Johnno “JT” Taylor has come back stronger than ever and his speed and hitting too. Great stuff JT.
• Big thanks to those who play two games on the weekend. It is greatly appreciated.
• Can B Grade Orange get out of the funk they currently in against the ladder leaders this weekend. It will be tough, and they are up for the challenge.
• Training Tuesday night, Juniors Wednesday and Seniors Thursday night. Check Team app for food options A grade Mei Sato and Tetsu are putting on dinner. Let the club know if this is one for you!

Well that is about it for this edition. I do believe August edition may have a bit more depth of character analysis and shenanigans as it tends to do when it gets to this point of the season. It must have something to do with the weather improving. Again If you know how I speak, well this is just like listening to me at full throttle.

will be in correspondence soon

Go Rangers