Senior Winter Carnival Update
10 June 2021

Due to ongoing Covid restrictions, BV has made the tough decision to cancel the 2021 Senior Winter Carnival.

The GBA would like to thank Saints skipper Charles Thompson for taking over the reins this year and assembling a youthful squad that promised to provide headaches in all facets of the game for their opponents.

Our thanks also go to the players for making themselves available.  The full squad is Brett Allen (Saints), Jordan Baumann (Lara), Will Brennan (Saints), Mitch Collins (Saints), Harry Garrett (Werribee), Ethan Hosking (Deakin), Jordan Jones (Saints), Dion Kirchner (Saints), Anthony Taylor Monoroa (Saints), Ryan Morrison (Saints), Trent Pantalaresco (Werribee), Sam Reale (Saints), Cooper Rickard (Saints), Harper Rickard (Saints), Connor Wilson (Titans), Cameron Wilson (Titans), Tobi Yamamoto (Saints) and Connor Young (Ballarat).

Junior Competition 5 June 2021 Postponed

 4 June 2021

Good afternoon 

As you would be aware the State Government Co-Vid restrictions allow for the resumption of Junior sport this weekend. However the clubs that are controlled by the City of Greater Geelong need permission from the Council  to open their facilities. After numerous requests and e-mails to the Council contacts, that permission has not been given at this stage. So the GBA Board has made the decision that unfortunately the junior baseball proposed for this weekend will not be played. Hopefully once permission from the Council is given we will get back to regular participation.

The GBA Board and Junior Committee  will be reviewing what needs to happen next early next week. 

Thank you for understanding.

Tony McPherson

EO GBA

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Covid Updates

2 June 2021

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Following the Victorian Government’s announcements today, Baseball Victoria & the GBA confirm from 11:59pm on Thursday, regional Victoria can return to junior competition (training and play) and senior training in groups of 10 people.

There will be no Senior competitions played this weekend and further information regarding the draw will be posted in the coming days.

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With the extended lockdown and expectation that some form of regional and metropolitan travel and general restrictions may continue in the coming weeks, Baseball Victoria has also made the decision to cancel the 2021 Senior State Winter Championship, scheduled for 12-14 June 2021.

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Finally, Clubs with members living in the Melbourne Metropolitan area should note that no one from Greater Metropolitan Melbourne can travel to regional Victoria to participate in community sport and/or training, this applies to Juniors and Seniors.  

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Thank you for understanding, please take care and be safe.

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Glenn Talbot

President

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27 May 2021

As you would be aware there has been a Co-Vid 19 outbreak within the Melbourne Metropolitan area. As this outbreak is growing the State Government has announced a 7-day Victoria wide lockdown from Midnight tonight.

Baseball Victoria and the GBA can now confirm that all baseball activity will cease from midnight tonight for the next seven days.

This means there will not be any games this weekend for both junior and senior competitions. Also, no training is to take place while the lockdown remains effective.

As further information becomes available, we will pass that information on.

Any questions should be passed through myself or Tony McPherson.

Keep safe.

Glenn Talbot 

President

Alteration to draw

There have been a number of alterations to the draw. Round 14 and 17 for B and B reserve have swapped around. Also there are a number of changes to C1 with alterations to Rounds 7, 8, 9, 14, and 15.

Further Changes to C Grade

With an already crowded schedule and the addition of several new teams over the past week, it has been decided to split the existing C Grade into 2 separate divisions, to be identified as C1 & C2.  All teams in both divisions will start with a clean slate and a new draw has been finalised and will be posted here tomorrow.

Changes to draw B Res and C Grades
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There have been alterations to the current draw as an extra side has come into C grade. The B res ame between Royals and Werribee will now be a late game commencing at 2.25pm. In C grade the Royals v Corio is now an early game. While the game between Guild Blue (existing team) and Deakin Blue will be an early game on GBC2 and the game between Guild White (new team) and Bellarine Red will be a late game on GBC2. 

Winter baseball is back in 2021

A total of 39 teams has entered for the GBA senior winter season, up from 37 in 2019.  All grades commence this Saturday and will play a 17-week season.  A Women’s competition is gaining momentum and support and at this stage an abbreviated season is being planned.

The senior draw as it stands provides for five grades, with six teams each in A & A Reserve, eight each in B & B Reserve with a further 11 in C Grade. 

With no senior baseball being played last winter, the increase in team nominations is encouraging and it will be interesting to see where the various Clubs are positioned once the season is underway and player numbers have settled.

Saints top the senior team listing with six, while Bellarine and Guild will field five, Deakin four, Alfredton, Corio, Lara, and Royals three, Colac, Melton, and Werribee two apiece followed by Bacchus Marsh with a single entry.

Proceedings kick off with the A Grade 2019 Grand Final replay between Bellarine and Saints.  This will be a fascinating matchup and a great way to usher in what we hope will be a full season of winter ball.  There are a couple of intriguing questions leading into this game, have the reigning premiers Bellarine managed to hold the core of their triumphant team together for another tilt at finals glory and will Saints continue with their youth policy that yielded positive results when meaningful winter baseball was last played?

In other A Grade games Guild takes on Deakin in what should be a closely fought tussle between the 2019 finalists who always put competitive sides on the field.  Guild will be looking to ride a combination of youth and experience back to the top of the tree, while a re-energised student outfit have their eyes on a major step forward under a new regime. 

Out at the cattery Lara and Royals do battle with a view to establishing a place at the pointy end of the competition.  Lara with a tried and true core of veterans capable of surprising anyone on their day, while the whisper is the Royals have recruited wisely and will be capable of keeping their opponents on their toes throughout the season.

Best wishes from the Association to all players and Clubs for a complete and enjoyable season.

WINTER SEASON 2021:   Senior Draw

The GBA winter season will commence on Saturday 17 April 2021. Senior fixtures are posted in Excel format HERE.

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Please note: while the draw is not expected to fundamentally change, clubs should remain aware of possible adjustments that will be notified through their administration. If there is any confusion, club officials should be consulted.

VICTORIAN MASTERS BASEBALL CARNIVAL 2021

As members and affiliates may be aware, Geelong Baseball Association, in conjunction with host clubs Guild and Saints, has this year taken on organisation and delivery of the Victorian Masters Baseball Carnival, which is scheduled at Geelong Baseball Centre over three days - Friday 9 April to Sunday 11 April (inclusive).

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Competitions will be offered in three age groupings - 35 Plus, 45 Plus and 50 Plus.

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Team Entry Forms are available HERE. For more detail on this time-honoured event - including rules - please visit the Victorian Masters WEBSITE or consult one of the principal office bearers listed under "GBA" on this site.

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!

CANCELLATION OF GBA SENIOR WINTER SEASON (update 2 July 2020)

To all Geelong Baseball Association members and friends.

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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.

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I would like to thank all members of the baseball community for their patience in these trying times.

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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.

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Our concerns about the health of members of the baseball community outweigh any desire to get a game played.

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I hope everyone stays healthy as we look forward to a bigger and better season in 2021.

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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.  

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.....