Hello again and welcome to the September (or early October) wrap-up of all things baseball in the North East and all things Wangaratta Rangers. Line Drive decided to hold off all the stories and musings from the past six weeks until all the dust settled on another enormous season for all the wonderful characters that make up this ever expanding baseball club. In the past few days at Ranger HQ, the light towers are being erected around diamond one and the program of works in the off season is ever expanding. A big shout out goes to all the parents, guardians, committee members, social members, supporters and players who have given up their time and supported the club, no matter how big or small the job has been. Each and every person has contributed in their own unique way. Plenty of early mornings, late evenings and many kilometres covered. It’s all a part of baseball in the North East of Victoria. There is much to tell you about, and one hopes you enjoy the tales which are following.
400 plus 400 plus 350. Divide that by three.
This season, we have seen some big game milestones. There have been many 100 game achievements, but to have two 400 gamers and a 350 gamer is certainly epic for the Rangers. This is not mentioning all the games that these three may have played for representative teams and Masters. So where does Line Drive start?
350 Dropsy
Kelsey Burder. Long time Vice President, silver circle aficionado, leader of former groups as Esmond, Nambrok, and Larkin street gangs. Chief proprietor of Club Nambrok. Kelsey has been many things to many people of the years. Besides all the nicknames, he is loyal and committed to the Ranger cause. It feels like yesterday that Kelsey went past 200 and 300 games, so to be surprised he has reached the 350 game milestone is something to be immensely proud of. All for one club! It was great to see on Saturday night Kelsey celebrated in true Dropsy style with the rest of the Ranger family. Congratulations Kelsey on 350 games.
400 Brendon French
The leader of the Wangaratta Rangers, “French Connection” Brendon, “Frenchy” French achieved this milestone during the regular season. French has served many roles within the club since the amalgamation of Saints and Dodgers Baseball Clubs. Club President, Vice President, committee, coach, scorer, umpire, canteen, name a role French has not done. Frenchy has been a durable player and continues to be for Rangers B grade and Cods masters Baseball. Impressive. Well done Frenchy.
400 for Pool
In fear of missing out, Club President, coach, rubber arm, Nathan Pool reached his milestone in his last game of the season. Line Drive believes it is made up of 398 A grade games and two B grade games (though could be wrong on that statistic!). Nath is a lot of things to a lot of different people. He continues to be versatile, enthusiastic, committed and constantly pushing the Ranger envelope to be bigger and better. How many A grade games are in front of him? Judging by his last outing on the hill, there is still plenty in the tank moving forward. Congratulations Nath for 400 games.
Three hour game Sam and Josh go play the simple things.
Let’s have a look back to a couple of weeks ago where two sides just did not know when to quit. For all who witnessed this game, it was one of the most enthralling, captivating and pressure filled games that many have seen in years of watching baseball in the North East. It was like the old days of playing ball until there was a result, no timed game, just two outfits desperate and not compromising on anything. After an hour of extra play and 12 innings of gritty, pure ball, a winner was found. Credit to Albury Gold who got a prized win 4 to 3. The crowd were exhausted, the canteen was empty. Many were just reflecting on an absolute classic game. However, a couple of Ranger boys weren’t done there. After the diamond was raked, dust settled and the cleats were off, Sam, “New Canada” McPherson and newly minted first baseman Josh Wells thought would have a game of catch to wind down and stretch out. Even after 3 hours of tough baseball, with a loss, still find joy in the small things. Playing catch is still one of the best things to do whenever there is a chance. It was noted at presentation night the effect that Sam has had on the young men in the group. His passion, experience and willingness to be involved in all facets of the club, has certainly rubbed off on the younger players of the club. It has been a pleasure to watch from afar.
Motoki. What a guy!
What a player and what a guy. Motoki has improved the skills of our kids. Because “they want to have blonde hair like his!” Line Drive cannot recall who said that or something along those lines, but the sentiment is very accurate. Runner up in the league MVP and the Rangers A grade to Tanner “Go Fish” Godenzi, Motoki was the most consistent player in season 2026. Like big Sam Mac, Motoki has integrated, resonated and is admired by the Rangers young and old. One hopes Motoki returns in the future.
Night golf shenanigans….
The Ranger faithful came out again to support the Boorhaman Golf Clubs annual night golf fundraiser. It was organised once again by Rob, “Butts” Seymour. However there were a few late withdrawals due to Carlton finishing 10th! It was great to see Shaun, “Pronger” Whiteman smack the ball into the night sky. A great feed, a great night, and a lot of fun by all who attended. Line Drive must say that the club’s drink cart got around rather quickly too! The Ranger faithful got together, played some questionable golf, had a great feed and supported a fellow club. That is the Ranger way!
Life member Steve Peruzzo!
For a few weeks, there was a whisper around the Ranger circles, that a long time player, committee person, manager, coach and a voice of reason could be eligible for the ultimate honour. Life membership. There was a bit of movement behind the scenes and tweaking of the schedule. President Nathan Pool informed ‘The Soaks’, Lauren Grenfell and Cameron Scott to have Steve, “The farmer” Peruzzo there by 6pm. There was a bit of nerves within the ranks when the man of the moment had not appeared by 5.50pm. Where is he? Is he coming? At around 5.55pm, in walked The Farmer and his entourage, including The Soaks. Pool glanced towards the back and noticed this, shuffling his notes and went on to deliver his speech. Life member Steve Peruzzo. Another selfless servant to Ranger cause on and off the field, a part of many functions, trips away (meeting his now wife, Ranger faithful, everyone’s friend and party girl Lisa, ‘Mrs Farmer’ Peruzzo) and playing plenty of games. Steve has dedicated many a day, night and weekend to improve how the Rangers operate. Steve’s opinions are valued and he is one of the most reliable and dependable individuals we have at the club. Line Drive could go on and on. He will stop there. A massive honour Steve, congratulations and thoroughly deserved. Make sure you wear your life member badge with pride Farmer!
Club persons of the year.
Throughout each and every club or association, the most prestigious award has to be the ‘Club person of the year’. The selfless acts, the one per-centers, the things no one notices, but stuff just gets done. This year, the Wangaratta Rangers were fortunate or blessed to have two individuals recognised for their commitment and desire to improve the club for all. Both Mikayla, “KK” Pool and Matt, “The Colonel” Sanders were worthy recipients of this award. The old and the new. It works in harmony. Colonel from ground work, coaching, hitting home runs, sharing the diamond with is son Darcy, and winning the C grade pennant, Sanders had a year out. A players coach Colonel had a year many could only dream of.
“KK” has been on trend and on point with many of the social media posts and engagements through our multiple social pages. KK represents the connection to the youth of the club and is a person who gets in and just gets the job done. The apple definitely doesn’t fall far from the tree!! Congratulations to two extremely worthy recipients. Also, Happy 18th Birthday KK!
Now for the club stuff….
- Annual general meeting 7pm Wednesday 7 October
- Registrations for T-ball are open. See the social pages for more information
- Softball season beginning, good luck to all those involved
- Merchandise arrived for the end of the season. Get into contact with the club if you are yet to pick it up
- Look to the Rangers Facebook page for further things over the off season with ground upgrades on the agenda.
That’s enough. My editor says people will stop reading. I tend to believe them! There is more to follow later this week, all things Cods, Voodoo and summertime t ball and so forth. In the meantime,
Go Rangers!
