Country Representatives .......Under 14's

Jack, Claire and Luke make representative side.....

Womens Team

Success for three years ........

The team played two rounds of games against the three other country regions from the Illawarra, Newcastle and a combined Central Coast and Tamworth side.

The team, consisting of Kim McMillan, Dianne Fuller, Michelle Nohotima, Elodie O’Sullivan, Tammy McMillan, Claire O’Sullivan, Lynne McMillan, Jen Garner, Jessica Norris, Heidi Lambert, Laura Needs, Stacey Saggus, Sammy Saggus and Niki Clough, progressed through the tournament undefeated to claim its third straight Country title.

A strong opening round against Newcastle, won 19-1, was followed by a 20-nil victory against Illawarra and a 10-2 win against Central Coast/Tamworth.

Round two followed a similar pattern with Macleay defeating Newcastle 17-5, Illawarra 19-2 and Central Coast/Tamworth 9-nil. The win was set up by exceptional performances with the bat, all players contributing to the run total in each game.

Stacey, Kim and Laura pitched on Saturday with Tammy and Elodie filling the catching roles.

In the second round Heidi, Dianne, Sammy and Niki pitched with Sammy, Elodie and Stacey taking on the catching role.

The fielding side supported the batting staff admirably.

First baseman Michelle Nohotima recorded plenty of outs while Claire O’Sullivan was unstoppable in the outfield.

The tournament was buzzing with whispers of how strong this team was, but could the players keep it up heading into the final against Central Coast/Tamworth? With rain imminent Macleay opened the innings in the field.

Kim McMillan was in fine form on top of the pitchers mound and received good support from shortstop Laura Needs and Nohotima on first base to keep the opposition scoreless heading into the dugout.

Macleay’s first innings had Stacey safe on first, before Kim’s hit to deep left field saw Saggus safely home.

Tamworth returned with a run in the second with two strike outs and a pop-up catch to pitcher McMillan.

After two completed innings the scores remained locked together at 1-all, but a great effort in the field to keep Central Coast/Tamworth scoreless, followed by a double with the bat saw the score blow out to 3-1 at the end of the innings.

Tamworth came back in the fourth scoring two runs to again lock it up, but Macleay was on a roll and runs from Niki Clough and Claire O’Sullivan made sure the Kempsey side maintained its lead.

A change in tactics saw Laura Needs coming in to pitch and Tammy McMillan to catch.

The move paid immediate dividends with Needs nabbing two strike outs and the side extended its lead to four at the end of the fifth. Central Coast/Tamworth brought in Country NSW pitcher Sarah Allen to try and stem the flood of runs but it was too little and by the end of the sixth the score was 9-3.

Going into the seventh, Macleay was guaranteed the title if they kept the opposition under nine runs.

The result was never in doubt and the three final outs were recorded without a run scored to hand Macleay the NSW Country Baseball title for the third year in a row.

NSW Country Baseball women’s coaching staff spent the weekend looking over the players and at the tournament’s conclusion selected the 2008-09 squad to contest the national titles in Melbourne next April.

The Macleay members selected were Kim McMillan, Tammy McMillan, Elodie O’Sullivan,Claire O'Sullivan, Sammy Saggus, Stacey Saggus and Heidi Lambert.

These players will attend camps prior to Christmas when the final team will be selected.

Club Day

Baseball News Sunday 29th July 2007

Baseball News Report for Sunday 22nd July 2007

Baseball News Report for Sunday 22^nd July 2007

Last Sunday, our baseball games were played in sunny weather but with a biting wind that just wouldn’t let anyone alone.  Even so, the kids didn’t seem to take into account the weather and just played to have fun. 

Our Cougar Cubs are always the most entertaining to watch.  They’re just so cute and all try so hard, and we can see the improvement each and every week. 

Jack Mealing, Olivia Brenton, Jackson Mills, Aiden McLean, Jarrod Greenshields, Jessica Baker, Josh Labree, and Lewis Bertoli all played well for their team against Honey Cassell, Will Connelley, Murray Beers, Dylan Andrews, Alexis Connelley, Shannon Beers, Aiden Bowen, Nicholas Hickson and Brittany Parton.  At this age group, each week, the game ends in a draw, as we are trying to stress the importance of having fun and learning the game and the new skills, rather than winning. 

In the Under 14’s game, the Maroon Team versed the Red Team.  Playing for the Maroons were Bernard Kelly, Ben Livermore, Aaron Minnett, Elodie O’Sullivan, Royden Rixon, Will Shaw, Ricky Scaffidi and Jack Shaw.  With Jack Shaw pitching and Elodie O’Sullivan and Aaron Minnett sharing the catchers duties. 

For the Red Team, Jacob Jackson, Matt Morrison, Kurt Richards, Kirra-Ellen Townsend, Callum Neal, Claire O’Sullivan, Liam Garty and Nicholas Hickson.  With Claire O’Sullivan pitching and Matt Morrison and Liam Garty sharing the catching duties.  In this exciting game, everybody had at least one safe hit and their fielding skills are noticeably starting to quicken in reaction times and speed.  Final Score Reds 3 Runs to Maroons 8 Runs.  Congratulations to all players, a great game.

Now the Seniors game is yet another standard, both in skills and in good laughs.  Some of the Manly supporter players out there, took their winning excitement a bit too far, and were tackling runners and fielders alike.  

For the Red Team, Elodie O’Sullivan, Ian Townsend, Sam Flanagan,  Jarrod Saul, Peter Garty, Lynne McMillan, Bob  Cook and Greg Saul- (now known as the fifth member of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – after donning a catchers chest protector plate on backwards to protect himself from run down plays as he was hit in a prior innings).  All played well and scored 15 runs. 

Playing for the opposing Colours Team were Liam Garty, Kimberley Hickson, Kim McMillan, Joel Townsend, Tammy McMillan, Christine O’Sullivan, Gary O’Sullivan and Bruce Parton – who took on the challenge and scored 5 runs.  Great Game, Great Laughs and great fun.  

Baseball News Sunday 27 May 2007

 

This week, the Under 14’s Macleay Valley Baseballers were on fire in both their batting and fielding, and all were very impressive.  The Cougars Red Rockets team, comprising of Kurt Richards, Aaron Minnett, Claire O’Sullivan, Royden Rixon, Jacob Jackson, Daniel Saul and Bailey Parton scored 5 runs, with Claire O’Sullivan pitching to the opposition, and what a great job she did.  Daniel Saul backed her up well as Catcher.  Claire pitched three K2’s (strike outs), and only conceded 4 safe hits. 

The Maroon Marauders Team consisting of Liam Garty, Matt Barrow, Kirra-Ellen Townsend, Matt Morrison, Ben Livermore, Conner Tamblyn and Ricky Scaffidi scored 2 runs, with Liam Garty pitching for the Team backed up by Matt Morrison.  Liam pitched three K2’s and only conceded 4 safe hits. 

The Player of the Week Awards were awarded to Jacob Jackson and Ben Livermore.

Then it was time for our Cougar Cubs to have a game, and I always find this game the most enjoyable as a spectator, as they’re all so cute.  For the Green Go-getters, Olivia Brenton, Will Connelley, Britney Parton, Murray Beers, Alexis Connelley, Nicholas Hickson, Jack Mealing, Jarrod Greenshields and Joshua Labree.  For the Blue Blue Jays played Aiden Maclean, Honey Cassell, Jessica Baker, Jackson Mills, Thomas Carpenter, Dylan Andrews, Shannon Beers, and Haydn McIlwain.  As this age group is played in a non-competitive, just have fun and the skills style, there is no score.

The Player of the Week Awards were awarded to Nicholas Hickson and Thomas Carpenter.  Congratulations to all players and a big thank you to our generous sponsors Abbey Video, DSE (Dick Smith Electronics) and McDonalds. Please support these local businesses as they support our children’s sport.

The Seniors played a hard fought game this week, with Greg Hickson, Greg Saul and Jarrod Saul all hitting Home Runs – Greg Saul’s’ was a Grand Slam (bringing all the runners on loaded bases home).  Christine O’Sullivans’ huge hit into the outfield was just short of the home run cones, but still very impressive.  Once again, Liam Garty, Aaron Minnett, Kurt Richards, Claire O’Sullivan and Kimberley Hickson must all be congratulated for being brave enough and advanced enough in their skills, to play up into the Seniors competition and take on the challenge – especially when you’re up against the player calibre of Kim McMillan (Australian Women’s’ Squad), Sam Flanagan (AA Nationals Team), Jarrod Saul and Joel Townsend (Currently training at NSWIS).  Final score Mariners 17 runs defeated Marlins 5 runs.   

Baseball News 13th May and 20th May 2007

Last week, prior to the wonderful downpour of marvellous rain, the Under 14’s Team managed to play their game. And what an incredibly close game it was! Final score was 2 runs to 1 the Marlins way against the Blue Jays.

For the Marlins Team, Claire O’Sullivan, Daniel Saul, Aaron Minnett, Royden Rixon, Liam Garty, Ricky Scaffidi and Conner Tamblyn all played well, with Claire doing an exceptional job at Catchers Position and Royden and Daniel pitching against their opposition and doing a great job. Royden scored one K2 (strike out) and Daniel pitched three strike outs, keeping the runners from getting to base.

For the Blue Jays, Elodie O’Sullivan, Tama Nohotima, Ben Livermore, Bailey Parton, Jack Lambley and Kurt Cavanagh played an equally great game, with Elodie as Catcher and Bailey Parton pitching one K2. 

The Cougar Cubs game (Under 9’s) all eagerly started to play, but the downpour was just a bit too heavy, and although the were all still keen to play in the rain (and what kid doesn’t like playing in the rain?) it was just too heavy and continuous, so the game had to be called off.

But this week, the Cougar Cubs really shone. They all must be training very well, as there is a marked and obvious improvement in their game each week and this week, they all just shone. Their fielding skills are really improving and they’re getting some really big hits. For the Red Sox played Jack Mealing, Olivia Brenton, Jackson Mills, Aiden Maclean, Jarrod Greenshields, Jessica Baker, Josh Labree and Lewis Bertoli. For the Twins played Honey Cassell, William Connelley, Murray Beers, Dylan Andrews, Alexis Connelley, Shannon Beers, Aiden Bowen and Brittany Parton. “Player of the Week Awards” went to Aiden Bowen and Jarrod Greenshields, and this week to Alexis Connelley and Jackson Mills. There are no scores for the Cougar Cubs as they all get to bat through the line up and is played in a non-competitive, just have fun and learn the skills style.

The Under 14’s this week managed to play in the glorious sunshine, and again, the game was close and exciting, it ended up being a 5 all draw. For the Blue Jays Team, Jack Shaw, Tama Nohotima, Kurt Forslund, Matt Morrison, Bailey Parton, Royden Rixon, Ricky Scaffidi and Liam Garty all played well, with Jack Shaw pitching one K2, backed up by both Matt Morrison and Jacob Jackson doing a great job in Catchers position.

For the Red Sox, Ben Livermore, Kurt Richards, Aaron Minnett, Callum Neil, Jacob Jackson, Jack Lambley and Mat Barrow all played equally well, with Kurt Richards pitching to Aaron Minnett in Catchers position.

The Seniors game was also fun and exciting, and special mentions must go to Kurt Richards, Liam Garty and Bailey Parton, who are all advanced and brave enough to face up to ‘Senior pitching’, and making some incredible hits, and if they weren’t playing against the likes of Kim McMillan, Sam Flanagan and Craig Fisher, they all would have been absolutely perfect plays, but it’s great for them to take on the challenge and we congratulate them. The Seniors game was also a close one, with the score ending up 8 runs to 5.