Calendar This Week Saturday, November 19 th Ladies at Werribee Sunday, November 20 th Senior Men versus Upwey 1 sts & 2 nds at Upwey 3 rds & 4 ths at Surrey Park U18 Melbourne host Moor/Bon U18 Melb/Donc host Blackburn at Doncaster U16 at Upwey U14 Demons host Werribee U14 Red Sox at Cheltenham U12 have a bye Monday, November 21 st Masters host Blackburn Thursday, November 24 th Firsts play Malvern at Altona Next Week Saturday, November 26 th Ladies host St. Kilda Sunday, November 27 th Senior Men versus Newport 1 sts & 2 nds at Surrey Park 3 rds & 4 ths at Newport U18 Melbourne at Springvale U18 Melb/Donc host Will/Port at Doncaster U16 host Essendon U14 Demons at Sandringham U14 Red Sox host Sandringham U12 at Berwick Monday, November 28 th Masters at Newport Thursday, December 1 st Firsts play Fitzroy at Altona Results Mens 1sts – lost to Waverley 6-2 Mens 2nds – lost to Waverley 7-6 Taking on the ladder leaders was always going to be a tough ask but from the outset Melbourne let Waverley know they were in for a tough afternoon. Melbourne took the lead in the bottom of the first but a wayward Ben Smith returning from injury allowed a few walks. After a few innings Ben had the team in a position to win the match but unfortunately a couple of Waverley hits fell in, before the only hard hit of the game set up a larger lead. Melbourne came back but fell one run short. The seconds have now lost to the top three teams by 2 runs, 2 runs and 1 run. Mens 3rds – lost to Waverley 15-1 Our bats didn't start today giving credit to Waverleys pitching. Ben Hart was the only hit. We made a few errors early in the field which gave Waverley the early jump. Adam threw fairly well but the Waverley hitters were too strong and the field dint back him up. Jamie Hough relieved well stopping the flow of runs. Even though we lost there are some good signs for the coming weeks. Mens 4ths – lost to Waverley 11-6 Ladies – lost to Springvale 11-0 Ladies – lost to Doncaster 10-0 Under 16 – beat Werribee 10-1 Under 14 Demons – beat Doncaster 26-7 Under 14 Red Sox – beat Berwick 14-1 Under 12 – beat Malvern 19-4 The Demons had a big win with all players contributing to the day with a total of 21 hits for the game. Patrick Politis opened the pitching and held Malvern scoreless for the first 2 digs and conceding only 4 runs in the 3rd. Brandon, still recovering from his burns, came in to pitch to close the last 2 digs and conceded no further runs for the game. It was the Demons batting which impressed most spectators with contribution from all players. 21 hits for the game with 3 each to Patrick Politis, Mitchell Kelly and Danyon Smart, 2 hits to James Rosewarne, Jack Scheffer and Ted Middleditch and 1 hit to each of Brandon Hough, Tim Ross, Sebastian Dunbar, Klara Morey, Koshin Ibrahim and Stephen Joyce. Adam Hayman also contributed strongly coming home with 2 runs scored from 2 at bats. The only time Malvern looked like challenging the Demons was in the 3rd dig with 5 of their 7 hits for the day finding their mark. This result retains top spot on the ladder for the Demons., Next week the youngest Demons have a bye, all players are encouraged to come down to watch the Under 18's play Moorabbin/Bonbeach at Surrey Park from 9:00 am to watch the bigger players and see how they play Baseball. Our next game for Sunday 27th November is a long drive to Berwick where we play one of the stronger sides of the competition followed by the following week December 4th, our most important game, where we take on the ladder leaders Waverley Panthers for the right to Top Spot. U/14 State League – 13/11/2005 Melbourne Demons 26 defeated Doncaster 7 The U/14 State League team is on top of the ladder after 5 rounds. This weekend’s game against Doncaster at Doncaster was probably one of the most powerful batting displays I have witnessed as a junior coach. The boys amassed another 21 safe hits, including 13 doubles and 3 home runs, (Tristan Field with 2 home runs, including a Grand Slam and Emerson Satur with his shot over the centre field fence) – which adds up to 8 home runs in the State League comp in just 5 games. Our boys were just too strong and polished for Doncaster, with Alex Hondo holding the opposition to just 3 runs in as many innings and Bryce Taylor doing a fine job completing the last 2 digs. As mentioned previously our hitting has been the highlight so far this year, hitting from 1 to 9 in the line-up, putting away 3 State pitchers in as many games……with 91 runs for and 21 runs against. This group of boys have been together for 3 years now and are really starting to play positive, ruthless baseball and deserve their status on top of the ladder…..all the opposing teams are taking notice of our rapid improvement. Justin Gourlay and his parents Cathy and Tim (from Yackandandah……), have been a fantastic addition to our team and we thank them for their weekly commitment……it’s greatly appreciated. Justin can pitch, catch, playing up the middle and is the team’s lead off hitter……he can do it all. So after 5 rounds we are undefeated, (having beaten the Waverley Wildcats the week before 10-9, who have been the benchmark of this comp for the last 15 years) with the luxury of having 5 capable pitchers who are being rotated each week. This week we are up against another top team, Werribee at home (5 State reps), which should be a cracker of a game. Thanks to Stuart Cox for umpiring our home game against Waverley on the 7 th of November. ROUND 5 13/11/05 Berwick Cougars v Melbourne Red Sox at Macleay Field   Round 5 saw the Red Sox return to Macleay Field to take on the Berwick Cougars. Yet again we were treated to a fine and sunny Sunday morning and the team was looking for a good win to consolidate its position. Unfortunately for Berwick, it had suffered a couple of significant injuries during the week and so only had 7 players. With an extra player on hand Melbourne was able to ‘lend’ Jai to Berwick (thanks Jai) but with 8 players it was a case of an automatic out on the 9 th batter. Jack returned to the team to replace Tom behind the plate and Alex opened the pitching. After walking a couple of the early batters, Alex quickly settled into his pitching rhythm with 3 strikeouts for the innings. In fact, the only hit came from Jai who was able to get on base but was left stranded. An excellent start by Alex. Jack opened the innings for Melbourne and immediately smashed a ball to right field for the first home run of the season – a sensational hit that seemed to rock the confidence of the Cougars. Jack’s hitting has been a highlight of the season. The next 3 batters, Conor, Alex and Hugh all made it round the diamond to score with Ed hitting a lovely 2RBI. James got to walk to 1 st from a nasty pitch that caught him on the thigh (that will be some bruise) but after Chris went down swinging and Courtenay was walked, the Berwick catcher and pitcher combined well to tag both Ed and then James trying to steal home on pass balls. Score 1 : 4. In the top of the 2 nd Alex was again able to strike out 2 of the Cougars and with the automatic out the innings was soon over without a score. Ravi returned to the batter’s box and after being walked was able to steal a run and then Jack pounded a base hit to centrefield before rounding to home. Conor was picked off at 1 st and then Alex was runout at 1 st. Hugh was left stranded on 2 nd as Ed tried to emulate his hit in the first, but missed. Score 1 : 6 In the top of the 3 rd it looked as though Berwick was about to make a charge as the first 2 batters had big hits to get on base, but alas Alex was again able to shut down the innings. A great throw from Jack off a dropped third strike saw the third batter out at 1 st. The fourth batter struck out and the fifth batter was run out at 1 st. In order to overcome the lethargy that has beset the team in previous weeks, at this stage doughnuts (courtesy of the Canneys) and snakes (courtesy of the Reads) found their way into the dugout and were soon devoured – do any of these kids eat breakfast before the game? – leaving the parents to wonder if the team shouldn’t be renamed the ‘Piranhas’. So, would this cause a surge in energy levels or would the team continue to flag in the latter parts of the game? We didn’t have to wait too long to find out. James stole home, Courtenay made it round after a dropped third strike, and then Ravi, Jack, Jai (who had swapped with Alex), and Hugh all came home. Conor, determined to find every new way possible to get out, was out at 1 st trying to steal with the bases loaded and Ed, after another hit on base, was left stranded. 6 runs for the innings was a good result. Score 1 : 12. In the top of the 4 th Hugh took the mound to close the game and with the automatic out and a strikeout, the innings was soon over when Ravi caught a flyball at 1 st. Again, no score for the Cougars. In what turned out to be the final innings of the game, Chris and Ravi both scored from walks. Courtenay was struck out before Alex ‘Benedict Arnold’ participated in a great double play to take out both Conor at 1 st (yes, again) and Jack at 3 rd. Final score 1 : 14. To fill up the time the Cougars came up to bat again and it was great to see the excitement when Alex strode to the plate. He was out from a big hit to left field which was really well caught by Ed and Jack took a nice pop foul behind the plate, but none of it counted in the end. A good consolidating win but against a weakened opposition. Probably too many of our batters got on base from walks when hitting would have been preferred, but unfortunately you can only deal with what is pitched to you on the day. Still too many errors from not reading the game or understanding what plays to make (maybe this is an area for some attention) but every week we see small improvements. Some base running was still too timid when a strong, forceful run might have been safe. Thanks again to Rod for scoring and particularly to Stu for umpiring – a very dangerous job when standing behind an inexperienced catcher – glad its you and not us Stu. We might need to have a whip round for a larger protector for the next game. INNINGS 1 2 3 4 5 6 T COUGARS 1 0 0 0     1 RED SOX 4 2 6 2     14 Editors/Comments Andrew Williams & Matt Houlden Suggestions and contributions to demonsbc@yahoo.com 05/06 Number 2 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 be disseminated without express written consent.