Third by Line Drive September/October 2025

Saturday, 20 September 2025

7:29 PM

Hello again. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy life to read baseball stories that no one asked for, and where everyone wants to be mentioned in, Rounding Third.

It has been another big month or more around the diamonds and the finals of the North Eastern Baseball Association are done and dusted. A big shout out to the Wodonga Warriors Baseball Club for hosting the final day of the season, the food, the service, the presentation of the facilities was excellent as ever and a credit to all. Michael, “Bill” Clear, flowers to you and your amazing team for a seamless grand final day.

It has been a slow burn of an edition, with life and friends getting in the way of publishing but here it is. Line Drive hopes all the tales are worth the wait.

Ben Campbell big ticker.

Line Drive was present to watch the A grade final vs Bears. In trying conditions for both sides, the Bears got the win. However, there was not one pitch, one minute of the game that Ben and his young Rangers did not give up. Even a play at the plate, Ben gave more than 100 per cent. He plays the game hard and fair, and that is a credit to him and his young chargers. It is noted and respected. We all love to win, but  win with integrity intact. That is what it is all about. Impressed, as Mornington Baseball teach them well.

Get well Cooper B

It has been tough few weeks for Line Drive and their editor. However, there are some tough as old boots individuals out there, and one of them is Yarrawonga’s rookie ball player the “Cowboy” Cooper Bennett.  Now Coop has been a breath of fresh air to the Rangers in season 2025, and the club are all in with him with his recovery. Line Drive had the good fortune to see him over the last couple of weeks at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, where he saw evidence of Coops first love, a Brisbane Lions flag behind his bed, as well as a baseball from his cousin too. His first words to Line Drive were, “I got a home run trophy. I hit the same number as Owen”. It was fortunate enough that Owen, “The big table” Godenzi was in Melbourne to drop in and see Coop as well, and give him his baseball to sit behind him. Cowboy, we love you, we have loved the energy, the stories, the pepper you have brought through season 2025. If your club has a guy like Cooper walk through your door, your club is all the better for it. Cooper is now at a rehab centre at The Epworth Hospital, where he will do the hard yards to be able to come home ASAP.

Tony Smith Club person of the year.

Tony, “Spinner” Smith. President, treasurer, secretary, grounds person, committee member, saints life member, what has he not done. Spinners commitment to the Rangers is second to none. He just gets in and does the jobs no one sees. This past season Spin took two weeks off. Rosemary Drage was amazed that he “chose” to take two weeks off. However they came back early and Spin was back in his happy place. All clubs love people like Spin, and all of us can be a little bit like that. It is what makes all clubs run smoothly. No matter how small the job to do, always put your hand up to do it.

The Soak gets seen.

For long time readers, you all know who I am. For those who read Rounding Third, you joke and pretend to not know who I am. (Kelsey Burder, Cav to name two individuals) but Line Drive’s alter ego Cam, “The Soak”, Scott was seen and recognised by the wonderful people at Wangaratta Rangers Baseball Club. Here is word for word from the president Nathan Pool.

Life membership – Cameron James Scott 
Criteria for this privileged award is found on our website but Cam qualified this year by reaching his 150 games, spent 2 years on the executive committee and another 4 years as a general member, but what hit him over the line was his 12 year stint as Line drive, it started with a write up from Cam as an alter ego and became a state wide read, with many past players coming up to Cam at Masters weekends asking who Line Drive was, and we love what he does for the game.  So do we Cam, so do we.

First came to the club back in 2008. A member of this club actually called me, who was living in Yarra at the time, and said I heard this bloke played, I got his number and gave him a bell,  as typical Soak fashion, he had a chat and was probably sussing me out more than I was him, I just wanted another player.  But true to his word,  I gave him the couple of months that he asked for and I gave him another call and he came over for a run, he was and still is, a very handy first base player who batted on the chest side of the plate and was the voice of the team. 

Now there’s some people hear tonight that wouldn’t have seen Soak, Cam, Mr Scott, Lauren’s husband or the infamous Line Drive play, but in his prime and even to the lesser – this year, Cam would chat the entire time he was at first base, coming out with one liners and random sayings, it used to have everyone guessing what he was on about, but I loved it, it kept me in the game and it’s one thing I love about him, his passion for the basics and the club.
He was one of the founding members of the end of season trip away and up until last year, he and I plus Butts hadn’t bailed on consecutive trips. We even dressed up as Mormons together, bike helmets and all!

A 1978 model and September baby, he quickly became a close mate, we all know a great vintage when we see it. He was a helping hand in getting Cods Masters team going and travels from Yarrawonga regularly without much assistance.
He loves the game, but lives for his family and mates.  I am truly honoured to award this life membership to you and hope to keep seeing you around the club for a long time yet.

On that note…..sadly that means, Line Drive is going nowhere and will continue to bring you, the avid reader, more stories of baseball from the North East of Victoria.

As Line Drive has multiple times stated, no one asked for this but, all love to be mentioned.

Johnstone best lower order hitter

Now onto to the Ranger family in season 2025. From being the best no 9 hitter in a grade, creating a solid defence, and just being around the club, Steve has been the conduit. When awarded the trophy at presentation, someone called out his catchcry, “Come on Punkahhhhhh” He refrained. A solid outfielder, and plays the game how it should be played.  A great season, and another person you would love in your club. Steven Johnstone, the Rangers see you!

The tip bird returns

Rob Seymour was at his tip bird best at  the Rangers presentation. Mei, “Only play A grade” Sato, sat on left her dessert, and Butts was eyeing it off. 40 mins passed and Butts wanted the feed. Finally Mei gave her plate over. Eagerly Butts ate it. Never change tip bird.

The Ranger Ramble 2025

As is the norm at this time of year, the Ranger Ramble made its way to the metropolis of um……. Canberra. The theme for 2025 was tracksuits. This was the brainchild of Brad, “Undies” Murdoch, who had taken time out of his busy schedule to once again spearhead the weekend jaunt to our nation’s capital. There were only three originals left and those three, again, did not disappoint. Line Drive will leave that there! Great accommodation, great location, amazing comradery, Undies was a great host. Next year, we are going back to where it all began, Echuca. As always there is an open invite to all who wish to put up with the likes of Burder, Gilmore, Seymour, Scott, The Peruzzos, The Kings, just to name a few. A new organising committee and the planning for next years trip, started at the Tarcutta rest area! There is already a rumour circulating that a rookie may be making the trip, and a return of a big 6 member. Now who will that be???????

How many?

C grade MVP, Candice Jones had how many stolen bases for the season? The answer to that question was 33! In a 13 game season, that roughly is around 2.5 stolen bases per game! That is not taking into account how often Candice was on the base path in season 2025. In a game of statistics that number would have been very healthy. In 30 odd years of baseball, Line Drive wouldn’t have 33 stolen bases all up. Oh the gift of running is so useful in baseball. Great job Candice!

Cods 2026 Cods season looking to be the biggest yet!

Cods will return in 2026 and for those who are interested, need to make themselves known to the King Cod Nathan Pool. Last year was a bits and pieces year for a few people, but look for a few of them to put in a solid 4 day effort this time around. 2026 Masters dates are Thursday 26th March to Sunday the 29th March. A great weekend consisting of a little baseball, a little banter and most importantly, a catch up and a talk about how good we still are and used to be. Line Drive wonders if some past legends will return or if some new legends will be made. Keep an eye out for new merchandise in the new year. It’s time!

Now for a few cuts in the cage….

Look for ‘The Doc’ having a new knee next year, though his workmates still think they will keep hearing about his other knee too. Hope the operation goes well, Doc.

Tetsu back at Softball, could he go back to back MVP in a grand final?

Golf will happen once Pooly’s hectic schedule calms down. Maybe the club needs the Colonel Sanders to take over this idea!

Sweet Buzz playing at Tarrawingee Hall Friday night. Free show. Come along listen to Mrs Soak be awesome! If you know, you know!

Softball returns this week, for season 25/26. Good luck to you all playing and enjoy!

Congrats to the B-grade legends for bring home the premiership. Well drilled and all deserve the chocolates.

Good luck to those out there playing summer baseball in Melbourne. Safe travels, learn lots and enjoy doing it. Josh Wells, get better on the chirp. Make sure you are random, keep them guessing! Line Drive hears Kazu will be pulling out the ice cold shades once more and carving the diamond up.

Thanks to those who assisted with the Rangers garage sale recently. It was greatly appreciated.

The work doesn’t stop off the diamond in the off season, so please be present, be seen. All the little things do help.

Well that is about it. As I stated early on it has taken a little bit of time to complete this edition but sometimes life just gets in the way. Take care, enjoy one another’s company and keep spreading the word about baseball.

Share and like, Line Drive will talk and see you all soon.

Go Rangers!