Bat Chat signs off for 04/05 As this is the last weekend all teams see action this will be the last publication of Bat Chat for season 04/05. It is tradition here at Bat Chat to take this last opportunity to display some gratitude towards all those who chipped in to make this newsletter a success this season. First of all, thanks as always to everyone who contributed match reports throughout the year. Special thanks to Matt Duckworth who’s Monday morning e-mails got the Bat Chat ball rolling every week. Thanks to Rodney Hough, not only for his under twelve reports, but for coordinating and organising the great host of junior reports that came though this season. Thanks also go to Rodney for recognising that Bat Chat could be used for more than just reports and ladders and thus reducing the need for “editorial banter”. Special thanks go also to Matt Houlden for making Bat Chat a truly global publication with the redesign of the club web site and the production of Bat Chat.html. We were going to mention the large amount of Bat Chat fan mail we have been receiving from all corners of the world since Matt got involved but unfortunately a rare computer virus blocked all of it from reaching Bat Chat HQ or otherwise this is just editorial banter and said fan mail never really existed. Banter aside, we would also like to take this opportunity to make a deep and sincere apology for failing to find new and pointless ways to mention Ian Semple in the later part of this year. We realise that this has been a popular feature of the current Bat Chat format but with a whole bunch of teams heading to the finals this year we’ve actually had something worth saying instead. Finally Bat Chat would like to wish our finalists all the best in their respective campaigns. Whilst we will not be around to report on the games that really count it has been a blast reporting on what has been thus far a great season for our club. Thanks for reading this far down the page, have a great winter and we’ll see you all next season. Andrew Williams This Week Saturday, February 19 th Ladies host Doncaster Sunday, February 20 th Senior Men versus Geelong 1 sts & 2 nds at Surrey Park 3 rds & 4 ths at Geelong U18 host Upwey U16 at Essendon U14 Demons host Newport U14 Red Sox at Sunshine U12 host Cheltenham Monday, February 21 st Masters host Cheltenham Next Week Saturday, February 26 th Ladies at Fitzroy Senior Men Firsts host Waverley Finals With the Mens Firsts, Ladies, Under 18, Masters, Under 12 and hopefully Under 16 teams all locked in for finals action this season is shaping up as a great one for Melbourne. Keep doing what you’ve been doing and this could very well be one of the most successful seasons in club history Congratulations Congratulations to Craig and Bec Mitchell who announced last week that Team Mitchell will be returning for the 2005/2006 season with a new star player. Batchat Editor: Andrew Williams Suggestions and contributions to as.williams@telstra.com 04/05 Number 16   Results Mens 1 sts Saturday 13/02/05 – lost to Newport 5-2 David Asp went the distance to serve the ladder leading Demons their second straight loss at the hands of his Newport side. Daryn Cassidy was a workhorse on the hill for Melbourne but this game came down to offence and every time Melbourne asked the question, Aspy seemed to have the answer. Sunday 14/02/05 – beat Malvern 4-2 They’ve been the top two teams all year and it showed last Sunday as Melbourne and Malvern played one of the games of the year. Malvern’s Cameron Hardy no-hit the Demons for 8 innings and looked set to record a memorable win. The Melbourne bats showed up just in time as they finally worked Hardy out in the top of the ninth, scoring three runs. Brendan Ratcliffe went 8 innings giving up 6 hits, striking out 2 and giving up 2 runs but it was in the bottom of the ninth with Ben Smith on the hill and bases loaded that the games defining moment came. Michael Dunn, who had been superb all day in centre field, threw out the Malvern runner as he tried to score from third with one of the most outstanding plays for the season. The win leaves us three points clear of Malvern with two games left in the regular season. Mens 2 nds – lost to Malvern 8-2 The seconds ugly second half continued last week as they were convincingly outplayed by Malvern 8-2. Matt Houlden again spared the team the humiliation of being no-hit and with that kind of offensive production they were fortunate to score two runs. Tim Frost battled hard on the mound for three and two thirds innings giving up 3 runs before being relieved by Ry Stanes who went the rest of the way; the pair conceded eight hits. It was a disappointing effort by the seconds who need a win against Geelong to finish the resurgent season on a positive note. Mens 3 rds – lost to Malvern 23-3 Ouch! The last game at Surrey Park for the 04/05 season proved to be far from a memorable one for the Melbourne thirds. Whilst the score seems to indicate rampant ineptitude it’s hard to feel bad about the team’s fortunes, Malvern simply out-pitched, out-hit, out-ran and out-fielded the Melbourne side; providing a clear indication as to why they’re playing beyond this week and Melbourne are not. Mens 4 ths – lost to Malvern 9-7 Ladies – beat Bacchus Marsh 48-3 Yep you read it right 48-3, this game was pretty much as the score reads - a total a white wash. At bat there were doubles and triples being hit with regularity whilst the Melbourne pitching and fielding was close to sensational. The girls just run away with the game. This weekend is the last home game for the finals bound ladies side, so if you have nothing on get down to the ground and show some support as the ladies battle Doncaster. U18 – beat Port Melbourne by walk-over U16 - beat Fitzroy 6-2 In what was one of the best defensive games for the year, the lads won to set up a potential finals birth should they win next week. On the back of a strong pitching game by Andrew Mann (sorry – I forgot to count the total number of K’s – 15? 16? More?) and then some steady final relief by Jordan it was the turn of the lower order to fire and be the difference between the two sides. The Melbourne last four batters - Rhett, Ben, Josh/ Nick, Eddie/ Jamie had 7 hits and 2 BB compared to their Fitzroy counterparts 10 K’s and 2 BB. Both teams performed to an extremely high standard in the field with numerous hard hit ground balls being fielded, great pick-ups at first base and steady outfield meaning that runs were hard to come by. It was really pleasing to see the guys hold themselves steady, blocking everything and making outs in what was a fairly tense situation. Not a bad warm-up for next week and the finals to follow. Highlights: Rhett Mitchelhill has a day out!!!!!! 3 hits and a walk from 4 AB, errorless play at second base including a double play F4, 4-3. Josh Bevis bats 1.000 too with a line drive single and a walk. Eddie Dunstan walks after forcing the pitcher to a full count and fouling off another strike. Nick Dundon takes a nice fly to finish the game. Hits Rhett Mitchelhill 3, Hart 2, Jordan Mitchelhill (triple), Hince (double), Bevis, Hough, O’Reilly, and Wiggins. U14 Demons – lot to Northern Diamondbacks 15-2 U14 Red Sox – lost to Fitzroy 16-9 The game started off well with Harley Scheffer pitching strongly for the Red Sox as they jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the first innings. Threatening to do more damage in the second, a bases loaded blank killed the Melbourne rally and it was all Fitzroy from there. A BIG thank-you to coach, Lenny Chiverton for his patience and understanding under frustrating circumstances. Hits went to Harley Scheffer, Alex Canney, Andrew Goslin and Andrew Hummerston. U12 – beat Blackburn 10-6 This copywrited publication is presented by authority of the office of the chairman of the Melbourne Baseball Club and may not be reproduced or retransmitted in any form; the accounts and descriptions of this article may not bedisseminated without express written consent. Ladders as of 13/02/04 MENS FIRSTS   GP W L D PTS % Melbourne 25 18 6 1 37 0.617 Malvern 24 17 7 34 0.646 Waverley 25 15 8 2 32 0.625 Newport 25 15 10 30 0.548 Essendon 25 13 11 1 27 0.608 Blackburn 25 12 11 2 26 0.495 Upwey 25 12 12 1 25 0.559 Geelong 24 8 15 1 17 0.411 Sandringham 24 7 17 14 0.361 Cheltenham 24 2 22 4 0.211 MENS SECONDS   GP W L D PTS % Blackburn 17 12 4 1 25 0.646 Upwey 17 11 4 2 24 0.695 Waverley 17 11 5 1 23 0.659 Geelong 17 9 6 2 20 0.620 Malvern 17 9 6 2 20 0.591 Essendon 17 7 9 1 15 0.394 Newport 17 6 9 2 14 0.486 Melbourne 17 6 9 2 14 0.434 Cheltenham 17 4 13 8 0.303 Sandringham 17 3 13 1 7 0.212 MENS THIRDS   GP W L D PTS % Upwey 17 14 3 28 0.786 Malvern 17 12 5 24 0.664 Blackburn 17 12 5 24 0.659 Geelong 17 12 5 24 0.566 Waverley 17 10 6 1 21 0.722 Essendon 17 10 7 20 0.615 Cheltenham 17 5 12 10 0.402 Melbourne 17 5 12 10 0.373 Sandringham 17 2 14 1 5 0.233 Newport 17 2 15 4 0.219 MENS FOURTHS   GP W L D PTS % Blackburn 17 15 2 30 0.867 Newport 17 14 3 28 0.701 Upwey 17 10 6 1 21 0.569 Geelong 17 10 7 20 0.523 Malvern 17 7 8 2 16 0.436 Melbourne 17 7 8 2 16 0.433 Cheltenham 17 6 9 2 14 0.443 Waverley 17 6 9 2 14 0.385 Essendon 17 2 12 3 7 0.308 Sandringham 17 1 14 2 4 0.244 LADIES   GP W L D PTS % Footscray 16 15 1 31 0.838 Melbourne 16 11 3 2 24 0.802 Ormond/GlenA 16 11 4 1 23 0.718 Fitzroy 16 11 4 1 23 0.656 Williamstown 16 8 7 1 17 0.487 Waverley 16 7 7 2 16 0.469 Ormond/GlenB 16 4 12 8 0.340 Bacchus Marsh 16 3 12 1 7 0.279 Melton 16 2 11 3 7 0.234 Doncaster 16 1 13 2 4 0.257 UNDER 18 METRO LEAGUE   GP W L D WIN % % Melbourne 11 9 1 0.864 0.717 Moorabbin/Bonbeach 12 9 2 0.792 0.704 Cheltenham 12 8 2 1 0.750 0.824 Werribee 12 5 6 0.458 0.354 Malvern 12 4 8 0.333 0.381 Upwey 12 2 9 0.208 0.290 Port Melbourne 13 1 10 1 0.154 0.163 UNDER 16 STATE LEAGUE   GP W L D WIN % % Essendon 12 9 2 0.792 0.667 Cheltenham 13 10 3 0.769 0.679 Waverley 13 9 3 0.731 0.659 Melbourne 13 9 4 0.692 0.623 Geelong 12 7 3 2 0.667 0.586 Werribee 13 7 6 0.538 0.510 Fitzroy 12 5 6 1 0.458 0.483 Upwey 13 3 7 2 0.346 0.444 Bonbeach 12 3 7 1 0.333 0.378 Newport 14 1 11 1 0.143 0.282 Blackburn 13 11 1 0.077 0.194 UNDER 14 STATE LEAGUE   GP W L D PTS % Waverley 13 13 26 0.872 Cheltenham 13 9 3 19 0.635 Essendon 13 9 4 18 0.582 Sandringham 13 8 5 16 0.557 Doncaster 13 7 5 15 0.497 Upwey 13 6 5 1 14 0.508 Northern 13 6 6 13 0.519 Geelong 13 5 8 10 0.575 Newport 13 4 8 9 0.326 Werribee 13 3 9 1 7 0.384 Melbourne 13 2 9 1 6 0.324 Bonbeach 13 1 11 1 3 0.290 UNDER 14 METRO BLUE   GP W L D WIN % % Essendon 11 9 2 0.818 0.688 Malvern 11 8 2 0.773 0.660 Fitzroy 11 7 4 0.636 0.478 Upwey 11 4 6 0.409 0.410 Doncaster 11 4 6 0.409 0.392 Melbourne 11 2 9 0.182 0.385 UNDER 12 METRO LEAGUE EAST   GP W L D PTS % Waverley P 13 12 0 25 0.727 Melbourne 13 9 3 1 19 0.641 Cheltenham 13 9 3 19 0.600 Berwick 13 7 4 1 16 0.592 Sandringham 13 7 5 15 0.526 Springvale 13 5 6 1 12 0.462 Upwey 13 5 7 11 0.457 Blackburn 13 3 9 7 0.336 Waverley C 13 2 9 1 6 0.443 Moorabbin 13 13 0.255 MASTERS   GP W L D PTS % Blackburn 9 9 18 0.860 Melbourne 10 7 3 14 0.691 Greensborough 9 7 2 14 0.551 Sunshine 9 6 2 1 13 0.651 Essendon 7 6 1 12 0.691 Bonbeach 9 5 4 10 0.600 Fitzroy 9 4 4 1 9 0.460 Newport 9 3 6 6 0.452 Bacchus Marsh 9 3 6 6 0.360 Werribee 9 2 7 4 0.355 Williamstown 7 2 5 4 0.324 Doncaster 9 7 2 2 0.213 Cheltenham 7 7 0.317   Melbourne Baseball Junior Program The season is drawing to a close for the Junior Program with the Sunday teams to play their last home and away games this Sunday February 19 th. The season is drawing to a close for the Junior Program with the Sunday teams to play their last home and away games this Sunday February 19 th. U12’s Metro team is poised for a 2 nd place finish depending on the result this week against Cheltenham. Fortunes changed 2 weeks ago with the Demons taking 2 nd spot from Cheltenham for the double chance against leaders Waverley Panthers. This match promises to be an exciting challenge for the young Demons, one we are confident of the boys being competitive. UNDER 12 METRO LEAGUE EAST GP W L D WO FOR AGST PTS % Waverley Panthers 13 12 0 0 1 202 76 25 0.727 Melbourne 13 9 3 1 0 198 111 19 0.641 Cheltenham Stallions 13 9 3 0 1 195 130 19 0.600 Berwick 13 7 4 1 1 174 120 16 0.592 Sandringham Kings 13 7 5 0 1 170 153 15 0.526 Springvale 13 5 6 1 1 144 168 12 0.462 Upwey FTG Cubs 13 5 7 0 1 139 165 11 0.457 Blackburn 13 3 9 0 1 102 202 7 0.336 Waverley Cougars 13 2 9 1 1 140 176 6 0.443 Moorabbin 13 0 13 0 0 88 257 0 0.255 U14’s State had a challenging year with many injuries which have tested the teams ability to maintain their competitiveness. Most of the boys have returned from injury and we look forward to their continued sporting prowess next season. UNDER 14 STATE LEAGUE GP W L D WO FOR AGST PTS % Waverley Wildcats 13 13 0 0 0 156 23 26 0.872 Cheltenham Rustlers 13 9 3 0 1 101 58 19 0.635 Essendon 13 9 4 0 0 103 74 18 0.582 Sandringham Royals 13 8 5 0 0 118 94 16 0.557 Doncaster 13 7 5 0 1 91 92 15 0.497 Upwey FTG Tigers 13 6 5 1 1 97 94 14 0.508 Northern Diamondbacks 13 6 6 0 1 98 91 13 0.519 Geelong 13 5 8 0 0 100 74 10 0.575 Newport 13 4 8 0 1 63 130 9 0.326 Werribee 13 3 9 1 0 73 117 7 0.384 Melbourne 13 2 9 1 1 66 138 6 0.324 Bonbeach 13 1 11 1 0 56 137 3 0.290 U14’s Metro this year have seen stronger sides challenge them for higher positions on the ladder. The team can hold their heads high as they complete the season with their final game against Sunshine this Sunday. UNDER 14 METRO BLUE GP W L D WO BYE FOR AGST WIN % Essendon 11 9 2 0 0 2 183 83 0.818 Malvern 11 8 2 0 1 2 136 70 0.773 Fitzroy 11 7 4 0 0 2 117 128 0.636 Upwey FTG Cubs 11 4 6 0 1 2 89 128 0.409 Doncaster 11 4 6 0 1 2 83 129 0.409 Melbourne 11 2 9 0 0 2 99 158 0.182   U16’s State have made it to the 4 th spot after a challenging season. This Sunday sees their biggest challenge against leaders Essendon to retain their Finals position. Good Luck boys . UNDER 16 STATE LEAGUE GP W L D WO BYE FOR AGST WIN % Essendon 12 9 2 0 1 2 90 45 0.792 Cheltenham Rustlers 13 10 3 0 0 1 76 36 0.769 Waverley Wildcats 13 9 3 0 1 1 108 56 0.731 Melbourne 13 9 4 0 0 1 99 60 0.692 Geelong 12 7 3 2 0 2 82 58 0.667 Werribee 13 7 6 0 0 1 76 73 0.538 Fitzroy 12 5 6 1 0 2 69 74 0.458 Upwey FTG 13 3 7 2 1 1 59 74 0.346 Bonbeach 12 3 7 1 1 2 31 51 0.333 Newport 14 1 11 1 1 0 44 112 0.143 Blackburn 13 0 11 1 1 1 30 125 0.077 U18’s Metro have had a great year finishing on top of the home and away games. Their confidence going into the Finals is high and we need to get behind these boys in their path to a Premiership. UNDER 18 METRO LEAGUE GP W L D WO BYE FOR AGST WIN % Melbourne 11 9 1 0 1 3 119 47 0.864 Moorabbin/Bonbeach 12 9 2 0 1 2 133 56 0.792 Cheltenham 12 8 2 1 1 2 136 29 0.750 Werribee 12 5 6 0 1 2 68 124 0.458 Malvern 12 4 8 0 0 2 83 135 0.333 Upwey FTG 12 2 9 0 1 2 56 137 0.208 Port Melbourne 13 1 10 1 1 1 25 128 0.154   Thanks to all the Parents who have supported the Players and the Coaches and made the season the success it has been. Friday Night Domestic Competition This year we have seen the return of Baseball games to Melbourne on Friday Night with 2 x U12’s and 2 x U14’s teams playing in an expanded competition providing more game time for our players. Friday nights have been very successful in the players trying new positions as a result the players have a better appreciation of the game of Baseball. Other benefits have been trying new strategic plays and playing against new Clubs and at new venues and not forgetting the EASTERN ZONE WORLD SERIES CHALLENGE on March 18 th at Malvern Baseball Club, Kooyong for the U12’s poised to be a new injection of excitement to the game of Baseball. Best of all is the opportunity to share a sausage and a yarn at the end of the night’s competition. Thanks to all the Parents who have supported the players on Friday and their patience travelling in peak hour traffic from time to time. Thanks also to Malcolm Chiverton for his support in setting up the line markers and the canteen. The Ladders show the 4 Melbourne teams after 8 rounds are still in contention for the Finals berth with 2 games still to be played. Go young Demons!! UNDER 14 - Round 8 TEAM PL W L D B Points RF RA Run % MALVERN METS 8 8 0 0 0 16 95 42 226.2 ORMOND GOLD 8 3 3 2 0 8 77 89 86.5 MELBOURNE RED 8 3 4 1 0 7 63 65 96.9 MALVERN MARINERS 8 3 5 0 0 6 73 63 115.9 MELBOURNE BLUE 8 2 4 2 0 6 54 72 75.0 ORMOND BLUE 8 2 5 1 0 5 56 99 56.6   UNDER 12 - Round 8 TEAM PL W L D B Points RF RA Run % DONCASTER FLAMES 8 6 1 1 0 13 56 27 207.4 DONCASTER POWER 8 5 2 1 0 11 53 47 112.8 MELBOURNE BLUE 8 3 3 2 0 8 46 46 100.0 DONCASTER WIZARDS 8 4 4 0 0 8 49 52 94.2 MELBOURNE RED 8 2 4 2 0 6 39 57 68.4 DONCASTER KNIGHTS 8 1 7 0 0 2 42 68 61.8   The Ladders show the 4 Melbourne teams after 8 rounds are still in contention for the Finals berth with 2 games still to be played. Go young Demons!! Thanks again to all Committee members, Parents and Players for a memorable season. On behalf of the Melbourne Baseball Club Junior Committee, Rodney Hough Junior Committee Chairman.   Please mark your calendars for a spectacular event! Baseball’s inaugural U12's EASTERN ZONE WORLD SERIES CHALLENGE     Between EASTERN ZONE - NORTH and EASTERN ZONE - SOUTH at Malvern Baseball Club Kooyong Park, Glenferrie Rd, Kooyong Melway 59 D3 Phone: 9822-7704 Friday March 18th Game Start time is 06:30pm.   Melbourne Baseball Junior Committee 2004/2005 Junior Presentation Night   When: Wednesday 23 rd March 2005 Time: 6:15pm Sharp Where: Melbourne Baseball Club Rooms Surrey Park, Surrey Drive, Box Hill   Agenda: 6:15 Return of uniforms and refund of deposits U12’s All Stars 6:30 Opening address: Ian Buckingham 6:40 1 st Division results & overview – Matt Duckworth 6:50 Teams: T-Ball, Friday U12’s & U14’s and U12’s All Stars 7:45 Break for BBQ and nibbles 8:15 Teams: U14’s Metro and U14’s State, U16’s State and U18’s Metro 8:45 Game Milestones and special mentions 9:00 Close What do you bring? Under 12’s to return uniforms for your applicable refund Bring along a plate of finger food and a smile! ( p.s. Cakes go down well!! )