Baseball well and truely alive in the North East
7th February, 2023
On the back of yet another successful season the North Eastern Baseball Association have been forced to include another competition to their 2023 draw. After years of success and growing junior numbers the leagues board decided to introduce an 18 and under competition to accommodate those junior players that were left with the large jump from Under 15's to senior baseball. Sides from Benalla, Wangaratta, Porepunkah, Albury and Wodonga will play on a senior diamond with some modified rules yet to be determined.
NEBA League President Heath Anders welcomed the addition due to the increasing numbers across the association. "We have kids coming out of the Under 15's competition and to throw them in the deep end by involving them in the senior teams is just a little too much for some kids. Giving them this pathway is the only option to ensure the growth of the league" says Anders.
Baseball in the North East is played on a Sunday and it has been discussed that these newly scheduled games should start around 10am and play for two hours. All teams are able to supply equipment for those that do not have their own, and uniforms are available upon request making baseball an easy sport to begin. "Getting involved in baseball is as simple as contacting your nearest club and bringing a hat" says NEBA junior coordinator Owen Godenzi. "The draw-cards of baseball are that it is non contact, it's great for hand-eye motor skills, it is hugely social and everyone on the team is involved. Everyone bats and everyone fields more than once."
In 2022 the NEBA competed in the Under 14's, Under 16's and Under 18's State Winter Championships with the aim to replicate this but also adding in an Under12's team to the mix. These representative teams travel all over the State taking on the best of what country baseball has to offer. "With the support of our local Macca's restaurants we have been able to purchase new representative uniforms for all senior and junior players for this coming season. This is huge for the league as baseball is a servilely under funded sport" Anders added. "Without Maccas our kids wouldn't look as good as they do and some parents may not have been able to afford to kit out these kids"
With the season draw set to be announced any day now it's time for you to find your nearest club and find out how you can join in. www.northeasternbaseball.com.au
