Author: LineDrive

I write a weekly look into the lives and characters of Wangaratta Rangers Baseball Club. Baseball in North East Victoria Australia does not have a very big media presence and this is hoped that people will read about us and come own and have a look at the great game. I also just like to write and hopefully those who read it do like what I am writing about.

Rounding Third by Line Drive March 10th 2015

Posted on by LineDrive

Hello and welcome to this weeks edition of Rounding Third. It has been a quiet week in and around Wangaratta, but behind the scenes the cogs of the Ranger machine are turning. What has been going on? Well I am about to let you know.

Happy birthday Frenchy.
     Man of many talents and one of the hardest working members of the Ranger family Brendon French celebrated his birthday over the past few days. From what I can surmise it was a cracker with watching a bit of under 12 cricket. To cap it off his son’s team took the flag for season 2014/15. A great effort by all. On another birthday note “DJ” Sarah Iwanuch celebrated her birthday in the past week too. Hope you had a great time from all of us in the Ranger family.
Did Drage get runs again on the weekend?
     No not that kind of runs. Cricket runs. See the hardworking multi-talented Mark “The D-rage” Drage showed he is just as adapt swinging the willow as he is swinging maple. His side has had a tough year, but in the last few weeks something has clicked and Dragey has been a big part of it. Let’s hope he continues into the coming winter baseball season.
CODS baseball update
Only three weeks to go before the Cods swim south to Ballarat for the Victorian Masters Baseball championships. Due to a long weekend, the men did not get to go through their paces last night, but will raring and ready to go for another run around next Monday night down at Targoora Park. Accommodation is booked and the draw is penciled in. The question was raised in last weeks column, Who is driving Tetsu? Anyone?
Ironman Rob Seymour
     Boston Rob “Buttsy” Seymour is ready and raring to go for the coming baseball year. He has been on the track all nights so far for masters and is shaping to be the x-factor for the Cods. For one thing I wish I could dive around at training as much as he does. More importantly bounce back up fro sliding around would be nice too. I am tipping big things for the Masters from Boston Rob.
Buy him a coke for 400.
     What a great effort to see Ian “Dino” Dinsdale playing 400 club games for his beloved Bruck cricket club. This asks the question. How many games of baseball played as well? He did pass 200 club games during the past season for the Rangers too. Couple with how many rounds of golf has he had? Congratulations Dino on 400 games. A super effort.
Clubroom update.
     Over the summer time the rooms have received a freshen up care of a couple of working bees to paint the rooms and clean them up. The main driver of the spruce up has been by The great man Kevin Pool. The work he has done for this club over the years is to be commended. So next time you see Kev have a look at his handy work and buy him a drink to say Thanks.
Now for the club stuff.
Thanks to all who have put their head in to the club so far. If you know anyone who would like to play bring them down to the club or let Spinner know of their interest. Make sure you check us out at
Fees are to be online this year all is being readied for this to be done over one training night.
First game to be late April
New TV and DVD player have been purchased for club rooms
Victorian Masters Baseball March 27th to 29th in Ballarat if you are thinking of coming get down Monday night for a throw and a hit and a chat.
If you hear anything over the next week drop line drive a note.

Rounding Third by Line Drive March 3 2015

Posted on by LineDrive

Welcome one an all to an all new year and an all new edition of your favorite bit of insight into North Eastern Baseball and the Wangaratta Rangers Baseball Club. Line Drive has had a busy off season. He has been playing cricket and golf and being seen out and about. This pales into insignificance how busy those masters of the baseball club have been. So what has been going on over the past few months. Well you are just about to find out.

     Remember the name Remember the game CODS Baseball is here!
This week has seen the first run for the newly formed Cods Masters Baseball outfit. On Monday night 12 interested players arrived to be put through a light run. The first for many for the year. It was short sharp and up tempo. For about five minutes most ran a and threw like they were 21 again, but that quickly slowed down and trained the other fifty-five minutes a little slower. Still it was a most enjoyable start to what will be a great experience for all who have out their hand up to play.
     Welcome to the Punkah boys
     It was great to see down at the first Masters run around Heath Anders, Shane Townsend and Damon Barker. All three seamlessly fitted into the Cod machine and all are really looking forward to the upcoming tournament. Man of ideas Nathan Pool has designed and created a new uniform which this scribe has seen the proof for. Lets just say the boys will look sharp in new tops and caps. A big special thank you to the sponsors Bright/Beechworth Ice Creamery, Plumbforce Plumbing and Cafe Martini’s Wangaratta.
     Who’s driving Tetsu?
     This will be an interesting one. It has become well known that Tetsu loves to get a lift. Funny thing is that not many have put their hand up to take him to Ballarat. He has offered to drive home though. Wonder how that will play out?
     How’s the Beard Scott Jenkins?
     Man of the manicured beard Scott Jenkins has been posting some nice photographs of him manicuring his lush mane of facial hair. One must say it is starting to look very, very cozy indeed. Coupled with his terry toweling Gilligan’s Island hat it is certainly the ensemble. What can other man of beard Kyle Gilmore do to compete with that?
     New Rangers
     Last Friday saw The Rangers boys and girls get down to Targoora park for the annual muster night. Numbers were good for February with the usual suspects and some new faces coming down to have a go at baseball. It was great to see some young guys come down and have a hit and a run around. Looks like there is a second left hander at the club too. Always good to see more left handed hitters.
     Wyatt’s BBQ
     With training last Friday it was great to see Mick Wyatt cooking up a storm on the Barbecue. The sausages were cooked to perfection. Nice work Mick!
     End of season trip
     This is not about this year’s trip, (that will be discussed in future editions)but about last years wondrous escapade to Brunswick. The old man theme was sensational with all looking the part and greying beautifully well into the night. Special mention to Daniel “The Griff” Griffin who with walking frame and all partied well into the night. The walker made it home thanks to a taxi driver who was nice enough to pack it away and bring it back to the room. Hopefully the frame is still being of use somewhere.
     All past editions of Line Drive will be on a new site
Line drive had an idea that it would be good to place all the past editions of this little publication in one spot. They will still be available on the Wangaratta Rangers website but if you click on the following link
Line Drive will place them all here once he gets with the program! Spread the word!
What you need to know
Training on Friday’s from 6pm Targoora Park Wangaratta
Fees to be done online check www.wangarattarangers.baseball.com.au for more details
New players welcome just bring them on down
Victorian Masters Baseball March 27th to 29th in Ballarat