Health & Physical Education
Year 7 & 8 Boys Baseball
On Friday November 7th the inaugural Yarrabing Baseball Team finally got its chance to play, at the Western Metropolitan Baseball Finals. After training all year (as first round opponents had dropped out) the team travelled to Geelong Saints Baseball Club and were introduced to regulation baseball diamonds and experienced teams. Ten determined Year 7 and 8 boys had stuck with the team and continued with our regular Monday training for nearly four terms as other students dropped out with the long wait. Much of this persistence was due to our Year 8 leaders Daniel and Sean turning up each week and galvanising the others around them, and experienced player Liam teaching the others the basics. With our limited playing space (the C-grass area became the official Yarrabing diamond) the boys mastered the rules and practised the small things that manufacture runs and garner those extra outs, even if the players still learning how to hit and catch. They became super disciplined at the plate, working the count to get on base with walks, steal bases like a pro and tag runners off base.
The boys all made sure they got to school early on the day to allow us to get to Geelong in time (a big thanks to the parents here!) and Mr MacDonald picked us up in the minibus. After the long drive, the boys went straight into four consecutive matches, starting off with the two strongest teams, Strathmore SC and Maribyrnong Sports Academy. Thank you to Strathmore, who, understanding we were a new team starting out at baseball, shared equipment and didn’t play a strong pitcher or aggressive style. Their senior student helpers encouraged our players as well. Although they still won easily, Yarrabing ace pitcher Sean scored his first strikeout and some of the boys made contact or walked, and we had our first baserunners! Maribyrnong was a different story, with a representative pitcher and catcher calling and framing pitches and a first baseman experienced at pick-offs. However, once again taking the mound, Sean was able to strike out two of their players, a tremendous achievement against such a talented team. Some of the boys reached base, and centrefielder Daniel did a wonderful job controlling and covering the outfield. Liam’s catcher’s death stare did its job, as any of their runners who reached third and tried to take a lead retreated a few steps back to third base, as he dared them to try to take home with him covering. Deven was a revelation at third base, with the opposing baserunners soon learning it was not a good idea to try and steal third with Deven on base and never missing a catch.
We followed this up with enjoyable games against Taylors Lakes SC and Belmont SC. Although we did not win a game, the boys had a number of hits and scored several runs. Their base-stealing was amazing – including some Jackie Robinson-esque steals of home – which was a credit to their work at training and always listening attentively to the coaches. The discipline they showed at the plate (not swinging at balls outside of the strike zone) surprised the opposing pitchers, who were likely expecting a new team to be less knowledgeable. The other coaches and the conveners were wonderful (baseball coaches know each other and recognised Ms Fenby) and were focused on building the sport and encouraging new teams and players, so it was a very welcoming and friendly environment.
Outfield leader Daniel did a terrific job running the fielding and also pitched a number of innings. Alonso picked up how to play second base quickly and was an excellent communicator on the field. Spencer was everywhere, doing well at the plate, stealing bases with ease, fielding the important position of first base, helping out pitching and demonstrating great leadership. Ozgur was the ultimate team player, fielding in different positions, pitching and running well on the basepaths. Tyeson carefully followed instructions, leading him to steal his first base, against Taylors Lakes. Ekam did a great job helping in the field and working out how to run the basepaths. Deven was outstanding in the field and at the plate. When our pitcher Elijah injured his wrist in training (but still attended to support us and act as bat boy 😊), team captain Sean stepped in and pitched two complete games against the top teams. Sean played wherever asked without complaining, was a sensational leader and set the pitching standard for the rest of the team. Finally, our team would have been completely lost without Liam. Our most experienced player, Liam caught all four games, which is an extraordinary feat. He did a brilliant job controlling the game from behind the plate and also hitting.
A huge thank you to Mr MacDonald for driving us and for being first base coach all day.
We are very proud of our team and ready to go again next year!
Ms Junko Takahama - Team coach
Ms Raquel Fenby - Team manager