Representing the 7 State Associations
| August 2003 |
Baseball
E-News
|
Issue
21
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From the Desk of the CEO – Chris White
Well, August has come and gone and what a busy last couple of months we’ve had!
At the time of writing, ABF staff are coming off a very busy month with the “AAs” finishing fourth at the World Championship, the National Women’s team gallant runner-up at the III Women’s World Series and the Cal Ripken boys also finishing runner-up at the Cal Ripken World Series. This follows on, of course, from the highly successful Major League Baseball Australian Academy Program.
Behind the scenes, the ABF has introduced an excellent Coach Development program aimed at assisting coaches through the accreditation pathway. It involves financial assistance and incentives for clubs and coaches. See Peter Wood’s section below for more detail.
Of course the Insurance issue in sport won’t go away. Baseball’s average premium increased by over 100% for the coming season, mainly on the back of a very large recent claim and a not altogether clean claims history over the past three to five years. I have written a detailed explanation of why our premiums have risen. A copy of this is available in PDF format on our website at www.isport.com.au/baseball/abf/AA/2003/IncdPremsExplanation.pdf. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open this file.
Accidents will happen. We do, however, need to do as much as possible to reduce this possibility. Two ways that clubs can tackle this are:
(1) Have your people trained. The ABF has a policy that all coaches and umpires undergo Level O training. These courses are of only one night’s duration and inexpensive. I suggest you contact your State Association office if your club needs to have its people trained.
(2) Ensure the playing surface and fields are safe, including canteens, toilets and car parks. The ABF has put out two excellent documents on match day inspections and field maintenance audits to assist clubs.
Good luck this season.
Baseball Operations – Don Knapp
LEIGH NEUAGE
A great player and good person...we will miss you; with deepest sympathies to family and loved ones.
CAL RIPKEN TEAM CLIMBS A TALL LADDER
A huge congratulations are extended to the Cal Ripken team (13 and under) who did so well in the International Division of the 2003 Cal Ripken World series, held in Aberdeen Maryland in August.
The boys got all the way to the Championship International Game before going down to Mexico in the Final 8 to 1. “A win in this game would have put us into the World Series Championship Game. This was a great group of kids and we’d happily take any of them away again”, stated Team EO Keith Land.
Head Coach Bob Nilsson, as always, kept his feet firmly on the ground upon his return however, stating that, “the boys played well and wanted to win for Australia of course, however, the main objective of the program is personal development and experience and having fun. The on-field success was a bonus”.
(ABF Cal Ripken website: www.isport.com.au/baseball/cripken/.)
AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S TEAM AGAIN DISTINGUISHES THEMSEVLES
Australia lost a tight 4 to 1 Championship game to Japan in the finale of the Woman’s World Series # 3 held in the last week in August here on the Gold Coast.
Although going down to Japan in the final was a disappointment, the team finished with a strong 4 win and 2 loss record in the qualifying rounds and maintained their status as a world power. For Japan the win was cherished revenge after losing the final to Australia in Florida 2002.
“We have won the last two international tournaments we have entered and we continued to show solid team strength in this tournament as well. Sure, we would rather win, but the future is bright for this program”, stated head Coach Warwick Marcakis.
Bright indeed: next year’s team will go to Japan in July 2004 for the IV Women’s World Series, then travel to Edmonton, Canada, for the first ever Women’s World Championship event conducted by the International BAseball Federation.
(ABF Women’s website: www.isport.com.au/baseball/wmnsopen/.)
“AA” WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IN TAIWAN
The SARS scare almost eliminated this tournament from the calendar this year, but at the 11th hour it was decided the event would go ahead as scheduled when the World Health Organisation lifted travel bans to Taiwan in mid July.
Following an excellent preparation for the tournament by way of the 3rd annual Major League Baseball Academy Program, Head Youth Coach David Nilsson took away a solid team with high hopes. “This was always going to be a tough tournament, with USA, Cuba and Taiwan all fielding strong teams, so it was important for our guys to believe they are as good as any in the world”, stated Nilsson.
Australia made the medal rounds finishing in the top four teams along with USA, Cuba and Taiwan, after edging out South Korea in the last game of the qualifying rounds. “We proved very competitive in the finals, losing two tough games in the late innings, including the semi-final to Taiwan and the bronze medal game to Cuba 10 to 9 in the 9th inning. I was disappointed for the boys, but realistically, we were a little short on depth in the bullpen”, added Nilsson. “This was a learning curve for me as a first year National Youth Head Coach...I can’t wait for next year; fourth place isn’t bad and I was proud of the boys efforts, but we can and will do better” concluded Nilsson.
USA won the Championship defeating Taiwan in the final game.
(ABF “AA” website: www.isport.com.au/baseball/under16/.)
PROVINCIALS EUROPEAN TOUR
In perhaps the most competitive European Tour yet experienced by the Provincial team, we again achieved great results. Competing in two international tournaments, our guys finished with a Bronze in the Prague Invitational, while nabbing Silver in Belgium against a tough field going down to the French national team in the final.
Coach Allan Parrott had this to say about the quality of baseball played. “The European teams were as good as we’ve seen so far. They were all gearing up for the European Championships which are Olympic Qualifiers this year and most came into these tournaments on the back of 16 week preparation programs. All the same, we did more than hold our own and I was pleased with our results”.
Michael Wade led the team’s offence finishing the tour with a .405 batting average, while Steve Camm was Australia’s economical pitcher limiting his E.R.A. to 0.41 in 22 innings.
Umpire Development – Geoff Robertson
We will hear from Geoff in our next issue. Geoff is braving cold conditions in Adelaide as organiser of the 2003 Umpires School. However, Geoff did pass this onto me especially ….
CONGRATULATIONS NEIL POULTON
It is my pleasure to advise that Neil Poulton from South Australia has been nominated by the IBAF as an International Umpire at the XXXV Baseball World Cup in Cuba during October.
Neil, through his dedication and commitment to baseball umpiring, thoroughly deserves this appointment and I am sure that all will wish him well for an enjoyable and hassle-free tournament.
The recent successes of Australians overseas in both the junior and senior ranks augers well for baseball domestically. The U17s finishing a creditable fourth, the Women’s team’s continued success, the good result out of the Cal Ripken kids and the quantity of signings to the professional ranks speaks volumes about the level of instruction being offered through our elite and non elite development systems. Small indicators though they may be, these international outcomes provide valuable markers against what is done here in Australia in the development of our players.
On another front, in the many conversations ABF staffers have during the course of any one week, we’re invariably drawn on what’s happening in our game. The focus of most questions is obviously on the public profile side: ‘Where are we going in terms of a new national league?’ The short answer is that this is a constant, and Don Knapp’s efforts in progressing this to date have been nothing short of remarkable. Suffice to say that the likelihood of a national league return is now more a question of when rather than if. That will get the headline space it deserves in due course.
My primary concerns however are with the underpinning programs that will support any new league. Without underplaying the role of the State Associations, any success that this sport achieves in the future will be on the back of a network of strong grass roots clubs. It’s pleasing to note that we’ve made great gains across this area over recent times through a concerted and consistent approach to communication and education. Consider the following innovations over the last two years:
· A nationally supported recruitment program that has delivered 3,357 new club registrations.
· A volunteer recognition program that provides free resources across Australia.
· A dedicated club development program providing incentives on achievement.
· A Coach Education Grants Scheme (CEGS) that offers significant rebates off accreditation course costs.
· A national club database that connects all of sport through a central communication medium.
· Ongoing professional development for development officers to better service their communities.
· Development of new accreditation courses and resources that will promote higher competency outcomes and a more coordinated approach to the education of our coaches.
A pat on the back should go to the State Associations that have got behind these initiatives and embraced the philosophy of ‘whole of sport’ development. Association offices will be pivotal to the success of these going into the future.
Getting back to clubs though, the ABF has been unrelenting in our approach to the betterment of the environment through which our game is played. Strong clubs, typified by competent, well informed coaches, a dedicated recruitment stream, savvy administration and willing volunteer networks will be the strength of Australian baseball in the years to come. Add to that a brigade of well supported officials and good playing facilities and things are looking up.
‘What’s happening in Baseball?’ If you find you’re asking that question yourself then you need to make sure you’re a part of the initiatives offered above. The path to success starts with the first step.
Regards for the month,
IN BRIEF …
31/8/03: World Cup of Women’s Baseball
The first-ever World Cup of Women’s Baseball will be held in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada from July 30 to August 9 2004.
This eight country event is sanctioned by the International BAseball Federation (IBAF) and is being organised by the Edmonton International Baseball Foundation.
This is the only women’s event sanctioned by the IBAF, the governing body of amateur baseball recognised by the International Olympic Committee.
The participating countries will be determined by the IBAF but are likely to include Cuba, the USA, Japan, Australia and Canada.
Can you help the Australian Paralympic Committee get Athletes to the Athens Olympics??
The Australian Paralympic Committee is currently working on a fundraising promotion called “Whose Side Are You On?” This is a national event designed to raise funds to enable 300 athletes and staff attend Athens Paralympic Games in 2004. Their target figure is $3 million.
The essence of this campaign involves people wearing the colours of their favourite sporting team to work on 19 September 2003 and paying a donation for the privilege.
This task requires public awareness and participation. To achieve this goal the APC have asked for our assistance in the dissemination of this information to facilitate their efforts and to capitalise their resources.
To participate in the campaign, individuals are required to register their workplace on the APC website www.paralympic.org.au. Upon completion of this process they will be issued with an information kit to further assist them in their undertaking.
As a gesture of solidarity and goodwill we are forwarding this request onto our members in the hopes you will in turn forward this onto your club/s for participation.
For a detailed document explaining how the campaign works go to www.isport.com.au/baseball/olympics/AA/2003/APCFundraiserInfo.htm. Feel free to utilise this information for placement in communications of your choice to other members / clubs.
STAFFING
Baseball Queensland
Scott Dickinson has resigned as Development Officer of BQI (farewell). Scott has been replaced by Alan Connors (welcome). Alan teams up with Gareth Jones in the Development area.
Baseball Northern Territory
On 5 August BNTI received Garry Ross’ (farewell) resignation as President of BNTI. Garry is replaced by Mick Tobin (welcome back) for a 12 month term. The Presidential position will be up for renewal at the next BNTI AGM June / July 2004.
Also, BNTI lose their Executive Officer Sue Joyce (farewell) who has resigned her position with her last day being 15 August 2003. Sue has worked for BNTI for approximately five years and hopes to remain involved behind the scenes.
SA Baseball League
Back in July Alan Waldron resigned as President of SABL and has been replaced by Kevin Jennings. Welcome Kevin, farewell Alan.
Denae Falcke (welcome) was hired by SABL as the Administration Officer, replacing Jacky Eime (farewell) and Lee O’Connor is now Operations Officer (congratulations). Josh Frick has completed his period of training and is now Development Officer of SABL (congratulations).
Baseball WA
Vacant position of Chairman has been filled by Nigel Mills (welcome) and Michelle Richardson has joined the team as Bookkeeper / Receptionist (welcome).
The ABF thanks all those departing our ranks for their contribution to Baseball and wish them well for the future.
POSITIONS VACANT
CEO of NSW Baseball League
Applications are now being called for the permanent position of Chief Executive Officer of the NSW Baseball League. Closing date is 12 September 2003.
More information, detailed job description and application can be found at the Sports People website at www.sportspeople.com.au/content/fs-jobs.htm (scroll down to find it).
POSITIONS WANTED
Cory Stevens
Head Baseball Coach, Mona Shores High School
Cory is enquiring into possible coaching positions to be filled for the upcoming 2004 season and can start immediately. He is currently entering his third season as a high school head varsity baseball coach in the United States and also has four years college baseball playing experience. Cory is interested in European baseball and would greatly appreciate being considered for any position available here in Australia.
If you can help Cory or would like more information, of which a Resume is available, please contact him at SFire33@aol.com.
Justin Ott
Seeking Playing & Coaching Opportunity
Justin is looking to gather information on playing Baseball in Australia. He is from Southern California and currently playing baseball (short stop / switch hitter) professionally in Europe.
Justin has extensive coaching and playing experience (division 1 college level) and would appreciate contact from any team looking for a player / coach for the upcoming season. Stats on Justin are as follows:
· Originally from San Diego, California, currently in Germany.
· Height = 6 feet.
· Weight = 175lbs.
· Age = 26.
· Primary positions = SS, 2B, 3B
· Member of 2003 CEB Cup Champion Cologne Dodgers “A Pool” Karlovac, Croatia – MVP, leading hitter of tournament (www.kontkod.com/baseball/allbatting.htm).
· Competed in Prague Baseball Week 2002, 2003 for Uniforms Express – played SS for 2003 Champion (Uniforms Express) (www.baseball.cstv.cz/pbt03e.htm).
· 1999 California Baptist University, Riverside, CA (Golden State Athletic Conference). Played SS and batted lead off. 16 doubles in GSAC league play. (www.gsacsports.org/BBstats99.html – year end league stats).
· 1998 University of La Verne, CA (Southern California Athletic Conference). Played 2B and batted lead off and third in line-up. All SCIAC and All-Region team selections.
· Lead the team in triples (3), doubles (9), hits (43), runs scored (27) and batting average .462 (fifth best in SCIAC). Was voted the most valuable team player by team mates.
For more information, email Justin at ottrod9@hotmail.com.
WEBSITE
Women’s Website (http://www.isport.com.au/baseball/wmnsopen/)
III Women’ World Baseball Series
Saturday, 30 August was the final day of battle to determine the Champion of the Women's World Series III. First up, USA played against Japan, a great game, going into extra innings with a final blow for USA when Japan pulled through with a 4 to 3 win.
USA don't walk away totally defeated though and can be proud of their 8 to 6 win over Australia on Friday.
Next up was the final between Japan and Australia. However well Australia played throughout the week, they just couldn't cut mustard when it came to the last two games, giving Japan the lead to a 4 to 1 win.
Congratulations JAPAN the 2003 Women's World Champions. Well done USA and Australia.
All games summaries and overall series and Grand Final statistics can be found on the Women’s website.
Olympics Website (http://www.isport.com.au/baseball/olympics/)
Updated with latest information received on 2004 Athens Olympics and 2008 Beijing Olympics.
NEWS FROM BLACKTOWN OLYMPIC PARK BASEBALL FACILITY
Major League Baseball Starts September 14
NSWBL Major League Gala day at BOP Sunday September 14
Local Derby: Blacktown v Baulkham Hills
The 2003 NSW Major League Summer competition begins in September and to kick off the season, Blacktown Olympic Park will feature all four Major League Grades in action on Sunday September 14.
Round one action at BOP will see the local derby between last year’s finalists Blacktown v last year’s premiers Baulkham Hills with the first grade match beginning at 2:30pm. The day will feature Blacktown v Baulkham Hills in all four grades (U18s, 3rd Grade, 2nd Grade and 1st Grade) with action starting at 9:30am
For more information contact NSWBL on 02-9675 4522
BOP’s Annual Baseball Renovation Program
Blacktown Olympic Park’s annual baseball renovation program will begin in late September, in readiness for the heavy summer schedule that will be particularly intense over the month of January next year. This schedule will include the Claxton Shield, National Championships, as well as an International test series Oceania event, a possible Korean team visit and an All Star game.
The following dates are field closures:
Diamond # 3: September 29 - October 26
Diamond # 2: October 27 – November 23
Diamond # 1: December 1 – December 28
The renovation program is vital in ensuring that the standard of the fields is maintained to the highest quality in readiness for the heavy months of competition and will include correcting soil PH, a spraying program to remove winter grasses and weeds, aeration, scarifying, levelling lips and skin interface, top dressing and rebuilding batter and pitcher mounds and other general maintenance of the facility.
Corporate Function Room Available for Hire
The NSW Baseball Centre’s Corporate Function Room at BOP can be hired out for functions, meetings or any special occasion.
The room is licensed for up to 120 people cocktail or 100 seated and overlooks the main baseball field. Catering for the smallest meeting to bigger social occasions can be arranged.
For information on the hire of the Function Room please call BOP on 02-9839 6591.
Also see www.blacktownolympicpark.com.au.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
August to
September 2003
The Australian Sports Commission has
just released its schedule for the Year of the Official – Administrator Education
Workshops for August and September 2003. For information on these free workshops
carried out in each State and Territory, please visit our website (www.baseball.org.au)
and click on either the Coaches
or Umpires links on
the right hand side of the home page.
10 September 2003 – NSW
Does your sport suffer from the ‘ugly parent’ syndrome, abuse of officials, or bad sporting behaviour? Then the NSW Department of Sport and Recreation have produced a Sport Rage seminar to help manage behaviour and conflict in sport. For more information or to register, visit their website at www.dsr.nsw.gov.au.
12-14 September 2003 – VIC
Latrobe Valley Baseball Association celebrating 40 years (1963 to 2003). For more information, contact Clyde or Lynne Cumming at lvbball@netspace.net.au or phone 0413-130 287.
27-29 September 2003 – QLD
State Championship U18 to be held at Redlands
3-5 October 2003 – QLD
State Championship U16 and 14. U16 to be held at Lismore and U14 to be held at Ormeau.
For more information on the QLD State Championships, please contact Baseball Queensland Inc at admin@baseballqld.asn.au or phone 07-3876 2222.
26-27 October 2003 – ADE
The Third National Sporting Injury Prevention Conference is being held in Canberra from 26-27 October 2003 at the National Convention Centre.
For the first time it will be held concurrently with the Australian Conference of Science and Medicine in Sport (ACSMS) and delegates will have the option of registering for the Injury Conference as a stand-alone event, or purchasing a special ticket that will allow them access to all sessions from both Conferences.
The Conference will feature an array of international and Australian speakers and a fantastic selection of practical workshops and symposia. Key note speakers include:
· Professor Ronald Bahr – Professor of Sports Medicine and Chair of the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre and the Department of Sports Medicine at the University of Sport and Physical Education.
· Professor Caroline Finch – An internationally renowned sports injury epidemiologist and Director of the NSW Injury Risk Management Research Centre.
· Dr Robbie Parker – Head of the Children’s Hospital Institute of Sports Medicine (CHISM) at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead.
This Conference is for anyone with an involvement in sport, but especially:
· Coaches
· Sports Trainers
· Administrators from all levels of sport
· Officials
· Teachers involved in sport
Delegates to the National Sporting Injury Prevention Conference will also be able to visit the ACSMS Trade Exhibition which will feature over sixty exhibitors presenting the latest in injury prevention equipment and approaches.
For more information, including a preliminary program and online registration, please visit www.sma.org.au/2003conference/injury_conference/ or call +61 2 6230 4650.
27-29 November 2003 – ADE
The Australian Sports Commission is hosting a Coaching and Officiating 2003 – Investing in the Future conference to be held at the Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra. For more information visit our Coaches website or contact Caroline Birch the event organiser on 07-38585419 or carolineb@im.com.au.
Who was the first Australian to play in the Major Leagues?
In the modern game, it was Craig Shipley. Signed by Los Angeles in 1984, he progressed through the Dodgers minor league system, making his debut with the big club on 22 June 1986.
But, Joseph (Jo) Quinn preceded Shipley by over 100 years, making his debut with St Louis in the union league in 1884. Jo played in the national league and in 1901 with Washington in the American league, his last season in the big leagues.
Both players were infielders and no Australians played in between these two historical figures in Australian baseball.
Quinn was born in Sydney and moved with his parents to the USA when he was a teenager.
R Laidlaw, SA
[B Davis] Baseball article by Dick Callaway (‘Strike One’), Baseball Reporter for the “The Sydney Sportsman”. This article was printed 28 June 1905:
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[D Callaway] “Baseball is going well in Townsville, North Queensland, and from the latest news to hand; it is gradually but surely catching on with a section of the public.
According to Mr Grant, who introduced the sport here, what bothers adherents most is interpreting the rules. The Association Secretary has quite a list of conundrums which are to be submitted to the Imperial Arcade Parliament for solution.”
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[B Davis] Jimmie Searle, who revived the game at a permanent level in Sydney in 1897, ran a sporting goods business in the Imperial Arcade, Sydney, and was an authority on the rules. It was here that baseballers would call in and discuss the aberrations of the previous weekend games, hence the term ‘Imperial Arcade Parliament’.
Mr Callaway reported further on baseball in Brisbane.
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J Jewell forwards an interesting and chatty account of baseball proceedings up to date in Brisbane where he succeeded in gathering together quite an enthusiastic band of players under great difficulties, which are being surmounted however. Mr Jewell writes;
“The inability of securing playing grounds was the first obstacle to overcome, but after a lot of time and trouble, we have succeeded in obtaining one for the season. It is called West End Recreation Ground and is rather primitive, but beggars cannot be choosers.
The ground I had my eye on was the Brisbane Cricket Ground, but it is not for us – worse luck, for it is another Rushcutters Bay (Sydney) ground, minus the pretty surroundings.
For the West End Ground we have to pay a small fee. Our first game took place at New Farm on virgin ground. Instead of the usual net behind the catcher, we had a ditch which proved most effective in stopping pass balls. It was so effective, I would like to recommend it to your association and as we are not by any means greedy, we would be persuaded to lend it to you in exchange for a big net. For bases we had small chafe bags filled with cow …. and stuck down with a peg. No lines or strike box, but plenty of enthusiasm and fun.
Two well known cricketers (Hayes and Harris) picked sides and off we went. Fun! Why it beat creation! They all started to bat with the fixed impression they would be knocked out every ball, but that soon worked off and ye gods! How they did hit! You know how beginners sometimes do. Three baggers and home runs were mere incidents. Of course pitching was weak, but one man (Truman) was dead on the spot. Hayes’ team, in the last inning, wanted 20 runs to tie and got them … in the dark.
Everybody in dead earnest except poor Jewell and he was sure sore with shouting instructions and laughing. Imagine a good hit, batsmen running full tilt and calling out “where’s the base?” (with its savoury contents) ball fielded and returned to first base(man), who, not being able to get to the base first, threw it at the runner … result – two more bases. However, they soon got over that. The game ended in a most peculiar manner. Big fly hit, left field judged it nicely and instead of getting it in his hands it struck him in the chest with sufficient force to double him up but he held it. Reckoned the ball jumped away from him. Harris took on the catching and shaped splendidly, developing into a good man; also striker, which remark applies to Faunce, Jones and Morgan. Found rattling good shortstop called Stetly. Fields well, returns fast and accurately and backs up both second and third bases. Seems to now what to do and not afraid to do it.
Second Saturday unearthed a second pitcher, C Morgan, of intercolonial cricket fame. Best so far. Dick Eve, late of Sydney, also tried his hand and did fairly well. Scoring much lower. Third Saturday could resist any further, so peeled off and had a good game. The men shaped much better and after I stole a few bases (easy) they got the hang of it and did likewise. Roger Hartigan from Sydney umpired and reckons it’s not easy. Fourth Saturday Hartigan and I played. Score at the finish 13 to 8 for five innings. Both of us pitched. Roger’s pace lost them very often, but in one inning we got 11 off him which won the match – 1, 11, 1, 0, 0 against 3, 1, 4, 0, 0. On the third Saturday I was pitching and a yankee striking. He has a special club weighing about 9lb (fact) which he holds with the left hand lowest. They wanted five to win with two out and two on bases. I jammed in a beauty, fast and straight, which he hit. All home. It was the sweetest drive I’ve ever seen; over the right field’s head a-la Pemmell (Percy Pemmell – Sydney’s home run hitter). |
[B Davis] There were no more reports about baseball in Queensland till the 1920s. Ernie Toovey, Life Member and former President of the QBA had a copy of the minutes of the QBA Foundation meeting on 16 May 1905.
B Davis, NSW
23 August 2003
BJS Player Management
D’ANTONIO SIGNS WITH THE MARLINS
Figtree High School student and Canterbury Club catcher, 18-year-old Trent D’Antonio has signed a professional contract with the Florida Marlins Baseball Club.
The former Illawarra T-Baller and NSW Junior first attracted the attention of the Marlin’s scout, Craig Stoves when he saw him play for NSW in the U18 National Championship in Melbourne and again this year in Canberra.
Craig commenced negotiations with Trent’s agent Trevor Jarrett shortly after the completion of the U18s in Canberra.
Following lengthy discussions with the Marlins, Trent was sent to Florida for two weeks to work out before the Marlins Vice President Fred Ferreira who then confirmed an offer.
More >>>
30 July 2003
iSport iNews
Congratulations to Kate and Tom Perrett on the safe arrival of Sailor May Perrett, born today weighing 2.83kgs. Mum, Dad and Daughter are doing great.
29/8/03
“To AA, Australia
Hi there! This is Jessica from Kaohsiung. We were Col, George and Rob’s neighbours while they were staying here for the game. They gave us the website and I love the website. You did a good job. I like the pictures they took in Taiwan. Some of them are very interesting. By the way, do you know Col, George and Rob’s mail addresses? We have some pictures that we took here to send them. Is there anyone who can let us know? Thanks very much.
Best regards Jessica Wu”
“Col, George and Rob, if you are reading this, you can get in touch with Jessica at jessicawu8940029@yahoo.com.tw.”
24/8/03
On 24 August an email message (as follows) was received by Pat Milmlow, the Webmaster for the MLBAAP, from David and Sharon Cresswell. David and Sharon write in relation to the AAs tour overseas and the Major League Baseball Academy Program here on the Gold Coast …
“A very special thank you to all those involved in not only organising such a wonderful tournament, but also in relaying the game results, etc, to the families at home.
It is very hard when you send your 16-year-old son overseas for the first time but to be able to receive daily contact is a bonus and we would personally like to thank Neil (Barrowcliffe) for his tremendous effort in this regard. As parents, we felt very comfortable that ‘our boy’ was being looked after. A very special thank you also to the ‘Three Amigos’ who supplied such incredible photographs and game plays – all of us ‘back home’ truly appreciated your efforts.
With regard to schooling at the Radisson, we would like to thank the tutors who took the time to spend time with Jeremy as this is always a special concern to parents – we don’t want our sons to be behind in their schooling when they come back to earth. The teachers at Jeremy’s school have been impressed with his output during this time. We would like to thank all of the coaches for their dedication and lastly we would like to thank all of the players in the AA team for making this tour such a memorable time in Jeremy’s life.”
NEW - VARIOUS
NSW DEPARTMENT OF STATE & REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
2008 Beijing Olympic Briefs from December 2002 up to the most recent distribution. These are placed on our Olympic Website for your information. To get to our Olympics Website, go to our home page and look for the Olympics link on the left hand side of your screen.
SPORTS FEATURES COMMUNICATIONS
A premier online news indexing site for breaking Olympic sports headlines – Sports Features Communications – has inaugurated a brand new free to view website. A must for all fans, athletes and sports officials who follow the elite sport movement. SFC covers, Olympic bids, IOC, Future Games, doping issues and much more with the news updated very half hour. Website www.sportsfeatures.com/.
AUSTRALIAN SPORTS COMMISSION
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Go to www.ausport.gov.au/enews/ to subscribe or unsubscribe from any of the following five ASC electronic newsletters, including AUSPORT (where articles above came from). |
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AUSPORT
Regular e-news and information
to keep you abreast of what’s happening at the Australian Sports Commission
and in its programs – Australian Institute of Sport and Active Australia.
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Media
Centre – All Sports Commission News)
Read the latest media releases and
fact sheets sent to you from the Australian Sports Commission, Australian
Institute of Sport and Active Australia.
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Australian
Institute of Sport
Stay informed about great sports feats,
results and athlete profiles from Australia’s centre for sports excellence.
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Active
Australia
Keep up to date with the latest news
and activities of the Active Australia program which encourages participation
in sport for all Australians.
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ASC
Audio Centre
Receive the latest media interviews
and commentary on audio from the Australian Sports Commission. Includes exclusive
interviews with leading ASC spokespeople and athletes and coaches from the
Commission.
BLACKTOWN OLYMPIC PARK NEWSLETTER
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BOP Sydney newsletter available which details what has or will be happening at the Olympic Park. If you would like to be added to or taken off the Blacktown Olympic Park Sydney News distribution list, please email judith.coen@blacktown.nsw.gov.au. BOP Sydney also have a web site at www.blacktownolympicpark.com. |
ibaf.news
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The International BAseball Federation distribute a weekly newsletter called the ibaf.news. This newsletter provides updates on baseball around the globe. To subscribe, please contact the IBAF at email ibaf@baseball.ch or visit their website http://www.baseball.ch. While your there, why not add your say to support our efforts to maintain baseball as an Olympic sport. Any help provided is most appreciated and to the benefit of all baseball people. |
THE SPORTS VINE
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To subscribe to this action packed sports newsletter, please contact the editor on 0411-649766 or email tony@thesportsvine.net. |
FLINTOFF & DUNN AUSTRALIAN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
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Visit their website to keep up with the latest news on Australian “Big League” baseballers both here and overseas. Their site is always loaded with fresh information, being updated at least five times per week. |
Also, Flintoff & Dunn have been involved with creating a website paying tribute to the former Waverley / Melbourne Reds in the former Australian Baseball League (on behalf of the Waverley Baseball Club in Melbourne). For those who might like to reminisce about those fabulous ABL days, you might like to visit http://www.waverleyreds.com. The Waverley Baseball Club website is: http://waverleybaseball.com.
Website: http://www.users.bigpond.com/goreds
Email: goreds@bigpond.com
BASEBALL QUEENSLAND’S BQ-MAIL
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Subscribe to their newsletter now by emailing Baseball Queensland at admin@baseballqld.asn.au. |
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL’S “THE PITCH”
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“The Pitch” is a newsletter update published by Major League Baseball providing up to date information on Australian baseball players participating overseas. With it comes an up to date Excel document listing all Oceania and Aussie players participating in USA competition. (We also store this on our web site at http://www.isport.com.au/baseball/abf/AA/2002/MLBSigned.pdf.) |
To subscribe to this newsletter, visit the MLB website at http://www.mlb.com or send an email to majorleaguebaseball@bigpond.com.
AUTOMATED SCORE BOOK
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For information on the latest in technology for softball and baseball scoring, visit the Stat Crew Software website at http://www.statcrew.com. The Automted Scorebook is priced at around USD$350. Score your next game live generating stats as you go or input the game play by play afterwards. |
If you are a current recipient of E-News and will be changing your email address, please let us know as soon as possible. Also, send an email if you would like to unsubscribe, or you know of anyone who would like to subscribe to our E-News, or even if you just have feedback on this Newsletter. THANK YOU.
Email: ausbaseball@baseball.org.au
Website: www.baseball.org.au
Let’s build Baseball in Australia. We have a great base to work from!
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DISCLAIMER: The Australian Baseball Federation’s electronic monthly newsletter is produced by the Australian Baseball Federation. The information supplied herein is believed to be accurate and reliable but no warranty to that effect is given. The aforementioned organisations their employees or any other person accept no liability to any claim which may arise from any person acting on information therein.