WEEK 5 SERIES  Game 30  Sat 5 Dec 2009

SA SLAYS WA CHAMPS 8-3 FOR SERIES WIN!

I know that we have mentioned the influx of “non national” imports who have helped to add some starch to the South Australian roster this season but, more significantly, they have really prospered from some strong recruiting within Australia. Established players like Michael Collins and Wayne Ough will always help, big time, yet it was a little know lad from the Central Coast named Matthew Smith who put his name up in bright neon lights this time.

The versatile first baseman has been an underrated contributor to SA’s resurgence this year but he will not sneak under anyone’s radar again after this display of hitting ferocity. Smith opened his account in this deciding game against WA with a two run homer over right field in the third inning, then he followed this with a RBI single in the fifth. Only the fact that he was batting leadoff in the seventh probably cost him further runs batted in because he unloaded for a leadoff triple that later produced his third run for the game to add to his three RBIs. He certainly turned up the heat on the WA Heat at Norwood.

Other South Aussies who made larger contributions to their solid tally of eight runs were Dan Wilson and David Washington who each batted 2-4 and drove in a run. Jeremy Cresswell added a sacrifice fly RBI to his earlier single, while Stefan Welch also supplied a RBI via his sacrifice fly.

This was all the offensive support needed by big Dushan Ruzic to keep him rolling to a strong eight inning win. He retired the first nine batters in sequence to give his team a confidence building start. Ruzic struck out seven and allowed just two earned runs to keep the WA team trailing in the wake of the home team after they broke out for four runs in the bottom of the fifth. Chris Lawson wasn’t under much pressure while closing out the ninth inning for South Australia.

Aside from Smith’s early long ball, WA starter Daniel Schmidt was settling quite well until an error started the snowball rolling downhill for the visitors in the fifth. It proved to be his last inning after four game-breaking runs tacked onto the scoreboard... only two of which were earned against his statistics. WA relievers Nathan Driessen and Todd Murphy pitched reasonably well, even though each allowed additional insurance runs to the opposition.

The Kennelly brothers can definitely hold their heads high after producing again for the West during this series. Tim Kennelly smacked a double and a RBI single as the only two-hitter for his state in this game, while Matt Kennelly delivered a RBI double. They also nailed the only two extra base hits for the Heat. Chris House drove in WA’s other run and fellow catcher Allan de San Miguel walked twice.

After two really close contests the South Australians put a rather more conclusive seal on another series victory to keep their runaway lead in this 2009/10 Claxton Shield competition. At the same time West Australia has not done themselves much harm so far and they will not allow their dream of a three-peat to disappear without a big fight.

Our now standard recognition for umpires Neil POULTON, Mark WILSON and Blake HALLIGAN.
 

WEEK 5 SERIES  Game 29  Sat 5 Dec 2009

ACES TAKE HOME SERIES WITH 9-3 WIN v NSW!

Given the reality of their horrible capitulation in game two of this home series, it was a very good example of mental toughness from the Victorian Aces to hit back hard in the double header decider with a decisive 9-3 win. I say “decisive” even though New South Wales might point to the fact that they out-hit the Vics 13-12. The reverse statistic for this is usually found in the “left on base” column and this translates into the well worn baseball factor called “timely hitting”.

Even so, Victoria’s starting pitcher, local Geelong lefty Dean Barker, certainly walked the tightrope and, perhaps, he did need an ounce or three of good fortune to tip-toe around nine hits over his 4.2 inning effort. A caught stealing saved him from damage in the opening frame, while he also had to battle hard to escape the second without far worse scoreboard damage. To his credit, Barker did not hurt himself with walks and, even though he wasn’t near his difficult best, he did set up a meritorious victory.

Aces manager Phil Dale kept the lefties coming with Waverley duo Donavon Hendricks and Adam Blackley splitting the sixth and seventh. Thanks to some welcome run support, Hendricks was the winning pitcher of record, although he did dish up one really long ball that Colorado pro David Kandilas crushed over centre field. It was a good bounce-back by ‘Donnie’ who put to bed a couple of rugged starts recently. AROOS star Blackley put runners on second and third, but he left them there with a pair of impressive strike outs as he works his way back towards the starting rotation after a bit of welcome rest.

Journeyman pro Wayne Lundgren tends to run a fraction “hot and cold” and he was a fraction cooler this time out. He took a few too many lumps from the strong Victorian hitters in this game and an average of two hits per inning consigned him to a loss. Future pro Aaron Sookee struggled against a confident batting lineup, while versatile former pro Tim Atherton was better than solid at the end of the game.

The resilient Aces’ offence kept the pressure on the Patriots’ pitching and nobody more so than former Minnesota Twin Matt Lawman. Lawman has had his problems with the leather, but I doubt that he has ever enjoyed a better time with the bat. His 3-3 with three RBIs is almost a routine haul for him in this 2010 Claxton Shield competition. Backup catcher Tristan McDonald was also “on base perfect” with his 2-2 plus a hit by pitched pill.

The big bats of ‘Rusty’ Russell and Paul Weichard were to the fore with two hits each... Russell drove in two and Weichard one. Ever solid Scott Wearne delivered the game-breaking blow of the game when his three run shot “went yard” to right field in the fourth. It gave the Victorian dugout the psychological boost they needed when the game was still yet to be decided.

Former top professional Andrew Graham and rising young tyro Mitch Dening showcased their undoubted talent once again with a tri-fecta of hits each to challenge the 2-3, plus home run game, of another young pro Kandilas. For once this season Trent D’Antonio was denied a time on base, but he did add another RBI with his ground out in the second.

No doubt the Victorian Aces will be glad that they have halted a recent trend against the New South Welshmen where they have tended to win the opening game and then lose the last two of the series. They did do an impressive job of turning around what might have been a morale sapping defeat in the second game but, at the end of the day, the 2-1 result from a home series is only par for the course under this Claxton Shield format. In the other camp, New South Wales should be happy to have stolen one win, even though they will feel that they could have nailed the opening game... that’s baseball!

Our now standard recognition for umpires David MILTON, Mark GOODING and Stewart HOWE.
 

WEEK 5 SERIES  Game 28  Sat 5 Dec 2009

HEAT LEVELS SERIES WITH 4-2 WIN IN SA!

The defending champs from the West prevailed 4-2 in another tight seven inning duel to level their away series in Adelaide. 2008 Championship Series MVP Mark Kelly was back near his suffocating best in this game to record the win, but he wasn’t a whole lot better than evergreen Darren Fidge who went the seven inning distance for a hard-luck loss. A three run “jack” by Matt Kennelly following a couple of walks in the third did much of the damage to Fidge and these short-course games don’t allow much leeway.

Aside from Kelly and Fidge the only other pitcher to see action in this game was former pro infielder Dean White who gleefully pounced for the save with a double play and a strike out after nailing seventh inning leadoff batter Ben Wigmore with a pitch. Apparently ‘Wiggy’ still has that target sewn onto his SA uniform... perhaps it hides the bruises? One difference in this game was the fact that West Australia did not issue a single free pass, while two of the three gifted by ‘Fidgey’ resulted in runs. Yep, walks always seem to be fatal in close baseball games.

Those talented catching Kennelly brothers, Tim and Matt, headlined the fuel for the Heat as often with Matt’s two doubles trying his best to equalise brother Tim’s homer... well, I suppose he’d argue that two times two equals four, or something like that. Another pro catcher Allan de San Miguel continues to be most productive this summer with 1-1, two walks and a key run batted in.

‘Menacing Michael’ Collins produced two of South Australia’s five hits, but this time he may have to take back stage behind Ryan Murphy’s solo homer over right field and Jeremy Cresswell’s first inning triple that scored on Stefan Welch’s ground out RBI.

I’m hearing through the very slow grapevine this season that they have reversed the schedule for double headers at Norwood due to a lighting curfew? If this is true, then the South Australians, who are sometimes unfairly ridiculed for being behind the times, have stolen a march on rival states. Why they have decided to play the full game in the afternoon and the seven inning sprint as the nightcap in most centres is a mystery to ‘Flintoff & Dunn’. While we would much prefer to see ALL Claxton Shield games played over nine innings, surely it behoves us to play the full version of the game when most spectators might be there at night?

Oh, and just for anyone who might be scoffing at the thought that a curfew would have to result in the shorter game being played second, I’m advised by those who know better than I that it all revolves around making sure that the first game finishes with a result early enough to shorten the second game if necessary... it’s all a bit confusing folks, but we still think it is the better formula anyway!

These bordering southern states will now play a decider to resolve the outcome of what has been a high standard series where the ball has dominated the bat so far.

Our now standard recognition for umpires Andrew BELL, Blake HALLIGAN and Mark WILSON.
 

WEEK 5 SERIES  Game 27  Sat 5 Dec 2009

PATRIOTS PICK-POCKET IN 13-10 WIN OVER VIC

Remember in our last report when we mused about how baseball “giveth then it taketh away”? Well, if the New South Wales Patriots felt that the Victorians had pinched one at La Trobe last night, then they responded with some serious grand larceny at Geelong in game two of this series. After a huge seven run fifth, the Aces luxuriated with a comfy 9-4 advantage after six equal innings. Then, gulp, their bullpen imploded to cough up five in the seventh and four in the ninth to ultimately drown 13-10 in an ocean of tears.

Earlier the Vics had pounded youngster Jarret Commane to put a dent in what has been a pretty good Claxton Shield debut competition to date. He was hit hard in his start on this occasion to depart with seven earned runs from his 4.1 innings. The “Todds”, Grattan and Van Steensel, were just OK and young pro Van Steensel can thank his team’s offensive explosion for him collecting the win. Mathew Rae defused a possible Victorian rally in the ninth to earn a neat save.

Experienced Victorian starter Greg Wiltshire overcame another wobbly beginning to produce a quality six inning start that was more in keeping with his terrific career at Claxton Shield level. Unfortunately, his stout effort was to amount to little when former pro Ross Hipke allowed the floodgates to open via a single, a two run homer by Michael Lysaught, a double and another single before he was given the hook with nobody out in the seventh. Hipke was good last outing, but not this time I’m afraid.

Well performed Matty Blackmore was the man asked to plug the dam wall, but he simply didn’t have sufficient fingers or toes to plug all the holes in the dyke this time. The NSW offence had sprung to life like a jack-in-the-box and they had no intention of backing-off their momentum. Blackmore was hit hard for maybe the first time I can remember to take a rare loss in his national career. Veteran ‘Lights Out Lee’ Hogan was a little unlucky to see a couple of unearned runs score during his watch, although he was able to keep the Aces in with a remote chance of a comeback.

We mentioned Lysaught’s long ball over left field, yet it was not quite as big as team mate Andrew Graham’s longer one over a similar part of the fence in the first inning. Graham batted 2-4 with three RBIs to just overshadow Pat Maat, another former pro catcher, who batted 3-5 with two ‘ribbies’. Lysaught batted 2-6 with three runs batted in, while reliable trio Tim Auty, Mitch Dening and Mark Holland also claimed a pair of hits each. Auty and Dening also drove in runs.

Consistent hitters Hayden Dingle and Scotty Wearne both batted 3-5 for the Aces with Dingle driving in three and Wearne two. Former Minnesota professionals Matt Lawman and Elliot Biddle each batted 2-4 while one of Lawman’s three RBIs came via a hit by pitched ball. Mighty Victorian catcher Grant Karlsen pounded a booming homer over left-centre and I really hope that this was not the reason that he was “plonked” twice in the game after that.

In the end the disappointed Victorians would have to swallow the fact that another four errors contributed to this awful demise in a game where they blew a big lead and they spurned the opportunity to push for a series sweep. Instead, they will now have to quickly cast aside their battered morale before the deciding contest in the double-header nightcap.

Our now standard recognition for umpires Greg HOWARD, Stewart HOWE and Mark GOODING..
 

WEEK 5 SERIES  Game 26  Fri 4 Dec 2009

SOUTH BEATS WEST IN TIGHT 2-1 THRILLER!

Unless my “Google” found someone with an identical name, Terrence Wohlever is an American from Carson City, Nevada. Therefore, we guess, somewhere in his heritage there may have been a gunslinger from the wild, Wild West... in any case he certainly enjoyed a good old fashioned shoot out here, going head to head with SA’s seasoned pro Paul Mildren. Leading an incredible game total of 27 strike outs was Wohlever’s shotgun tally of TWELVE strike outs from six innings, while Mildren returned fire with TEN strike outs from his 6.1 innings. The bats were swinging like the two-way shutter doors on old cowboy town saloons!

I won’t comment as to why the dual defending Champions from WA decided to call upon the services of a hired gun of foreign nationality, but the former Atlanta Braves draftee certainly made life tough for the table topping SA team at Norwood. In the end they managed to scrape one run from him and one from reliever Warwick Saupold to just tip the balance in a tense 2-1 victory. SA pounced early with a run in the first from Wohlever, then again late with some two-out noise against Saupold in the seventh. Benn Grice polished off the eighth with two more strike outs to ensure that the hosts didn’t add any insurance.

Paul Mildren allowed seven hits and a pair of walks across his six-plus innings but, as we noted, he neutralised those with his ten punch outs. While the big guns were racking up the Ks, it was Hayden Beard who scooped the win for South Aussie with 2.2 effective innings at the sharp end of the one run game. He also struck out two while allowing just two walks in the ninth as things became just a bit nervous before he ended the game with a double play.

Of SA’s six different safe hitters professional Stefan Welch stood out with his 1-2 plus a RBI, while he also walked and was hit by a pitch. Benny Wigmore drove in the other vital run for the hosts. Leadoff guy Washington walked twice and so did Michael Collins, once intentionally in his case. Dan Wilson’s double was South’s only extra base knock.

‘Mighty Mitch’ Graham did his best to grasp the game for the Heat with two doubles as the only plural hitter in the game and he also walked twice to haunt the bases. Toronto pro Chris House also doubled, while another pro catcher in Tim Kennelly drove in the West’s only run of the game in the first inning.

Fans at the game would depart for home with the repetitive sound of “Strike Three” ringing in their ears and the majority of them would also be happy to see their South Australian team surge away on the top of the Claxton Shield table with another victory safely tucked away.

WA and Terrence Wohlever may well ponder how they could end up on the losing end of this ledger?

Our now standard recognition for umpires Blake HALLIGAN, Andrew BELL and Neil POULTON.
 

WEEK 5 SERIES  Game 25  Fri 4 Dec 2009

VICTORIA LEAVES IT LATE TO SQUEAK NSW 3-2!

The baseball gods usually “giveth and they taketh away”. So it was again for this Claxton Shield game played at the desolate northern Melbourne outpost of La Trobe University… more on that in the added opinion piece below this report.
A goodly crowd attended a venue that didn’t deserve such support, but it did add a decent atmosphere to a contest between the evenly matched rivals from Victoria and New South Wales. The only two earned runs of game came at the very end in the bottom of the ninth when the hosting Aces snatched an exciting comeback victory.

Respective gun starting pitchers Tim Cox and Casey Jones squared off for the opening game of the series and, hardly surprising, they each supplied a high quality start for their teams. Only a couple of scrambled unearned runs saw Casey Jones pitching his heart out with a 0-2 hole confronting his team when he departed the game after seven strong innings… he had walked none and struck out nine to continue his brilliant form in this competition for the Aces.

Virtually matching this effort, Cox looked set for another winning start when he allowed an identical seven hits across his seven innings. The home half of the scoreboard was lined with seven goose eggs when he handed the ball to his bullpen and Tim had been a champion for the Patriots yet again. Mathew Rae held the fort for NSW in the eighth with a tidy frame but, an unearned run narrowed the gap to an uncomfortable one run.

Sadly for the guests, young Aaron Sookee couldn’t close the deal in the bottom of the last. The future Los Angeles Angels’ pro might have felt the pressure of a vocal home crowd when Victoria rallied to score the game winning runs on hits from Scott Wearne and Paul Weichard with two out. This after Tristan McDonald nailed a vital leadoff single and star catcher Grant Karlsen perfectly executed a sacrifice bunt.

If the New South Wales bullpen couldn’t finish off the game for Cox, then the more experienced Victorian relievers were tremendous in support of Jones to keep the Aces within striking distance. Returning star Adam Blackley is easing back into pitching again after his mighty efforts for the AROOS at the World Baseball Cup and he shut down the tough part of the Patriots’ lineup in the eighth. This enabled the uncanny Matt Blackmore to pounce for another win when he put up a zero in the ninth.

2009 Golden Glove catcher Grant Karlsen added a solid bat to his repertoire in this game with 2-3 plus that important sacrifice bunt in the ninth. He was joined as a two-hitter by club mate Scott Wearne, who delivered that huge RBI in the ninth, and Matt Lawman who continues his career best batting streak. Hot hitting Josh Davies batted 1-2 plus he also walked twice. Paul Weichard thumped the big game winning RBI double.

Trent D’Antonio also continues his prolific competition with 1-2 plus a walk and a hit by pitch. Impressive young pro Mitch Dening posted another pair of hits while another young pro David Kandilas had the biggest hit for the pale blues with his double that led to the opening run in the third. Pat Maat drove in the only RBI for the New South Welshmen.

More on this Victorian venue in the article below for anyone interested...

Our now standard recognition for umpires Mark GOODING, Greg HOWARD, Stewart HOWE and David MILTON..
 

   La Trobe for the ABL?  PLEASE say it ain't so!!

Most baseball devotees in Melbourne would have almost choked on their breakfast to read on the Baseball Australia web site that the venue of La Trobe (University) was perhaps the front-runner as Victoria’s venue for the imminent return of the Australian Baseball League. At the risk of boring those outside Victoria who may have only passing interest, we cannot let this ludicrous notion pass without setting the record straight. The issue of a baseball venue in Melbourne is absolutely pivotal to the future viability of the entire Australian Baseball League.

Melbourne certainly enjoys the accolades of being a magnificent sporting capital, but some of us down here are obviously hopeless at geography! Anyone with even a modicum of interest in Victorian baseball knows that the vast majority of clubs and registered players are demographically located in the south-east of the city. It follows that the vast majority of loyal baseball people who actually support the sport are also located in this part of town. So, where would we establish our baseball home for the past two decades… Altona, on the western side of the city, almost as far away from those fans as you can get. Then, where do we try next for a venue… Geelong, a neighbouring city that is much further west than Altona, and nearly two hours drive from the baseball heartland.

Then, just to add further insult, we are told that attending a game at La Trobe would be critical to garnering support for future games in Melbourne… La Trobe University, a godforsaken outpost in the far north of the city and a long, unpleasant drive from the south east. Yes, it has a nice diamond and, yes, it does have lighting… that’s about it! The crowd that attended was quite good for this occasion; however, let’s not fool anyone here... this was a “manufactured crowd” that attended primarily because of intense promotion, free entry tickets and lobbying of local clubs. Most who did attend came from the south east and, while they will always support baseball, they were universally wondering why we all had to attend such a remote place to wave the flag for the wrong part of town?

It is another dreadful location for the vast majority of Melbourne baseball fans and it is a venue that offers almost nothing in terms of spectator facilities, even though this could be improved with financial support. If anyone was to provide that financial support, they might just as well throw their cash into the Yarra River. The only creatures that truly like attending the baseball at La Trobe are the billions of flies that, thankfully, dissipated when the sun went down!

Melbourne baseball fans have every finger and toe crossed that those who have an influence on this important decision are wise enough to see through the “smoke and mirrors” of any short-term solution that might be easier and/or cheaper than actually fixing a situation that has been badly broken for a very long time. If we don’t get this right it will be tragedy that has only failure as an inevitable consequence. It will sadly result in the continuation of ridicule from avid devotees like ‘Flintoff & Dunn’. I really don’t want to go to my grave knowing that my beloved home city of Melbourne could never manage to find the right place to host baseball games. We just have to be smarter and more imaginative than this!