Geelong Baseball Association is a community sporting league in Victoria Australia. The GBA offers senior and junior winter baseball competitions that are conducted from April to September each year. Contact details for association officials and affiliated clubs are available under the “GBA” tab. For information on summer baseball in the Geelong region, contact Geelong Baycats or Baseball Victoria – the state governing body.
GBA WINTER COMPETITION 2021 (update 13 December 2020)
With COVID19 currently contained in Victoria and with community sport emerging from its virus-enforced hiatus of 2020, Geelong Baseball Association Board and member clubs are preparing for a return to full winter competition - senior and junior - in April 2021.
The GBA recently held its Annual General Meeting, which resulted in nomination of a group of re-enthused officials already planning for the new season. Congratulations and best wishes to those persons, a full list of whom (with contact details) is posted on our association details page HERE.
The Board extends its warm regards to all officials, members, families and supporters of GBA clubs for a healthy and happy holiday season!
SHUTDOWN OF VICTORIAN BASEBALL ACTIVITY (update 2 August 2020)
Following deterioration of the COVID19 situation across the state and a range of tightened government restrictions, Baseball Victoria has today ordered cancellation of all baseball activity from 6.00 PM until further notice.
This has impacted directly upon Geelong Baseball Association Under 12 and Under 14 competitions, which have unfortunately needed to be cancelled after four weeks. In expressing its regret, the GBA Board urges our members and associates to stay safe and to think of each other as we negotiate these extremely difficult and dangerous times.
CANCELLATION OF GBA SENIOR WINTER SEASON (update 2 July 2020)
To all Geelong Baseball Association members and friends.
It is with much regret that I announce on behalf of the GBA Board that the 2020 senior baseball season will be cancelled. The junior season will continue but is being evaluated.
I would like to thank all members of the baseball community for their patience in these trying times.
The GBA board have made every endeavour to try and run some form of a season, but time has run out on us. For us to get a season in, we would need to get to a “Return to Play” situation, then the state government would need to ease restrictions by two levels. If anything, restrictions seem likely to be increased.
Our concerns about the health of members of the baseball community outweigh any desire to get a game played.
I hope everyone stays healthy as we look forward to a bigger and better season in 2021.
Yours sincerely.
Don Stephens (GBA President)
Boost for winter league prospects (update 14 June 2020)
With further easing of COVID19 social restrictions announced today – along with a proactive response from Baseball Victoria - it has become increasingly likely that Victorian winter leagues will be able to deliver a shortened season starting from as early as mid-July and extending into early October. The GBA board continues to urge input from member clubs, and a delegates’ meeting scheduled for Wednesday 17 June should provide a clearer picture of what the season will look like should we be able to get back on the field.
UPDATE 9 JUNE 2020: RETURN TO BASEBALL ACTIVITY
In a promising development for the grassroots baseball community, many clubs have seized upon the opportunity to reactivate their members through training regimes that adhere to strict commonsense protocols as required by government and sports administration. Although there may still be a fair way to go – and of course we cannot know what coming weeks may bring – there is increasing optimism around the prospects of shortened Victorian winter competitions getting under way at some time over the next several weeks. When, or whether that happens will be determined after directives from Baseball Victoria, whose updates are available via the BV WEBSITE. We also remind member clubs of their potential eligibility for modest government grants that will help tide them over during these difficult times. Please keep your club members informed as the situation continues to evolve.
UPDATE 21 MAY 2020: RETURN TO BASEBALL ACTIVITY.
Baseball Victoria this week announced its framework for a projected return to baseball activity in Victoria. While winter associations - including the GBA - have yet to confirm plans for any competition resumption, should that be viable, players and clubs will be able to conduct limited training sessions from Monday 25 May. Please share the following BV release among clubs and members:
UPDATE 3 MAY 2020: WINTER BASEBALL 2020?
With consideration being given to potentially relaxing some restrictions in Victoria over the weeks to come, sports people – including baseballers – are understandably interested in what may or may not become possible, and under what circumstances.
In a recent communication to winter leagues, Baseball Victoria stressed that it is continuing to work with Baseball Australia and state and national governments with a view to creating a pathway back to organised competition – possibly from as early as June, depending on professional advice and the state of play with the COVID19 virus.
We believe that Baseball Victoria will be liaising directly with the winter leagues over the coming fortnight – especially after 11 May, when the state government will consider lifting some restrictions.
While the situation may hopefully lead to resumption of winter baseball in some form or another this year, Geelong Baseball Association competition will only become viable if the league is absolutely confident that it can protect the health and well-being of all involved – including players, officials, umpires, volunteers and supporters. Only then will play go ahead.
We will provide updates as further information becomes available.
MARCH 2020....Geelong Baseball Association will be in recess for the foreseeable future as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. With a tough and extraordinarily challenging time confronting all of us – in a variety of ways – the GBA Board extends its best wishes to all of our members, families and associates whilst urging everyone to do whatever might be within their power to assist the vulnerable, to comply with official directives and to collectively strive to minimise community impact of the disease. Thank you.
2019: It's the year of the Bear!
Bellarine has snapped a twenty-four year drought in A Grade competition with a stunning 15-7 win over East Belmont Saints in a spirited and at times fiery Grand Final at Geelong Baseball Centre this afternoon.
Bursting to a substantial early lead, the Bears withstood a mid-game challenge from Saints before again scooting away – compliments in large part of a belligerent Bears offence led by Wayne Visser and Daniel Stott and steady pitching in the forms of starter Lachlan Hockey and evergreen Simon Murry.
Capping a memorable day for the club, the Bears had earlier dispensed with Guild 6-2 to snare back-to-back A Reserve titles, while Sunshine went back-to-back in B Grade with a 13-11 extra-innings classic over Colac, North West Titans nailed the B Reserve pennant in its first season in the league and Deakin edged out Royals in a C Grade thriller.
Congratulations to the winners! Well played, all. MORE.....
Grand Final Preview 2019
With the weather looking favourable and the grounds presented in their customarily pristine condition, there is serious anticipation building for Geelong Baseball Association Grand Final Day on Saturday 14 September.
Eight clubs will be represented across five grades, with the action starting at 11.00 AM and running through until completion of the A Grade feature - which will start at 2.00 PM on the main diamond.
The Geelong Baseball Association Board extends its congratulations to all teams on progressing to the final week of winter competition. The Board extends its very best wishes to teams, their supporters, to club volunteers and to our intrepid umpiring personnel for a day of entertaining and hard-fought contests that exemplify the very best in playing skill, competitiveness and sportsmanship.
May the best teams win! READ MORE.....