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 News Archives |
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Tuesday, October 15
Diggers and Sea Dogs take gold at World Masters Games
October 15 2002
The Ballarat Golddiggers brought further distinction on themselves by going undefeated in the 45 plus division of the World Masters Games in Geelong Australia.
The gold medal was secured after the Diggers shook off a determined Melbourne Rustlers 3-2 in Saturday's final.
In the 35 plus division, Florida Sea Dogs squeezed a run across in the bottom of the last to snatch their final 2-1 over a very accomplished Victorian Red Backs. The Sea Dogs were a popular and deserving winner, winning the locals over with their great sportmanship, competitiveness and off-field grace, humility and friendliness.
By any measure, the World Masters series was an unqualified success. Favourable weather, outstanding playing facilities, excellent organisation, wonderful volunteers and supportive crowds all contributed to a memorable event.
The Golddiggers congratulate all participants for the magnificent sporting spirit in which the series was played. All involved were winners!
Sports sponsorship for troubled youth
20 April 2001
A direct relationship between Masters sport and young people in sport has been a "sleeper" for some years, since the Golddiggers first mooted the idea of a Junior Sports Foundation back in 1994.
The concept has now come to fruition, with a major announcement being made during the recently completed Victorian Masters Baseball Carnival.
A partnership has been formed between Myer Australia and the Ballarat Golddiggers to create the "KIT (Kids in Teams") Foundation. The Foundation will be charged with the task of assisting young people who for whatever reason could not afford to become involved in team sport.
"The Foundation," explained Diggers President Ian Brain, "will be premised on the belief that children who become involved in team sport are far more likely to realise their potential in life and far less likely to become involved in destructive or anti-social behaviours."
"The KIT Foundation will seek to address some of our youth problems through actively helping young people into a team sporting environment."
Even though the Foundation has its roots in the baseball community, Mr Brain stressed that no particular sport would be favoured.
"Over time," he said, "we hope that the Foundation will become a catalyst for support and action in other centres and by other groups, including sports groups, who have a social conscience and an awareness of the benefits of team sport."
The response of players at the Victorian Carnival was overwhelming, indicative of the desire of so many to "put something back" for the benefits that a lifetime in sport has delivered to them. There were spontaneous donations of funds, there were teams "passing around the hat" and there were families and supporters clearly moved by news of the initiative, one that many believe is long overdue and one that is a genuine effort to address inequities in sporting opportunities for young people.
The Foundation will be established with a grant of $ 2000 from the Golddiggers and a starting contribution of $ 1000 from Myer Australia, whose representatives are excited about the Foundation and already talking about increased funding in years to come.
For more information on the KIT (Kids in Teams) Foundation - or to actively express your support - please email Ballarat Golddiggers ( or ).
Masters baseball poised to boom
20 April 2001
After modest beginnings in 1997, the Victorian Masters Baseball Carnival continued its steady expansion in 2001. Participants described the Carnival as "the best yet" and roundly rejected suggestions that it might be relocated to another Victorian centre after five years in Ballarat.
The minimum age was again set at 38 years, with the majority of players in their forties and early fifties.
In its desire to cater for those teams and individuals who have expressed a sincere commitment to mature-aged baseball, the Victorian Masters Baseball Carnival committed itself to attract a dedicated "core" of teams that have formed the backbone of the carnival.
Coburg, Fitzroy, Latrobe Valley, Geelong, Sunshine, Ballarat Golddiggers and the "new kids" Bacchus Marsh slugged it out for the mildly coveted "Golddiggers Perpetual Shield" that was struck to recognise the Diggers' contribution to Masters sport in Australia.
Reduced from four to three days this year, the series saw each team play five two-hour preliminary games, with medals play-offs on the final afternoon. Repeating its successes of 1999 and 2000, the Coburg team took home the Golddiggers Perpetual Shield after downing the Diggers 11-9 in the gold medal play off. Latrobe Valley rolled a determined Fitzroy outfit in the bronze medal play-off.
Once again, representatives of local, state and national governing bodies were on hand to present trophies and to involve themselves in the celebration of life delivered by Masters sport.
By any measure, the 2001 Victorian Masters Baseball Carnival was an oustanding success, with players, families and supporters taking away many fond memories. Teams have already commenced forward planning for 2002 and have pledged the spread the Masters "message" in their efforts to attract more teams - from Victoria, interstate and overseas.
Baseball governing bodies have kept a keen eye on the Ballarat event, viewing it as a model for the World Masters Games to be held in Victoria Australia during October 2002.
The World Masters Games are expected to attract between 45 and 50 Masters baseball teams - in two age divisions (35+ and 45+).
World Masters organisers have already publicly acknowledged the role of the Ballarat Golddiggers and the Victorian Masters Baseball Carnival in popularising mature-aged sport and creating the base for a wonderful World Masters baseball competition.
Next to be held in April 2002, the Victorian Masters Baseball Carnival will provide mature-aged players with the ideal preparation for the World Masters.
And of course, for those already involved in Masters baseball, there are the added coming attractions of the 8th Australian Masters Games (Newcastle, New South Wales, in October 2001) and the prestigious Alice Springs (formerly Honda) Masters in the Red Centre, starting just a week after the world event for those who feel up to doing both!
Masters baseball has come a long way in the past several years as more and more baseballing "baby boomers" join the activity as an attractive alternative to sporting retirement. To paraphrase somebody or other who seemed to understand Masters sport:
"We don't stop playing because we grow old - we grow old because we stop playing".
Carnival Dates 2002
3 July 2001
The 2002 Victorian Masters Baseball Carnival will be held at Prince of Wales Reserve (Ballarat) over the days Friday 5 April - Sunday 7 April (inclusive).
For information on playing schedules, accommodation options and entry procedures, please contact Administrator via email(movfin@excite.com)or telephone (03 53329202) should details at this site not be adequate.
The series is the ideal destination as an "end of season" trip for summer baseballers. In 2002 it offers players the opportunity to prepare their minds and bodies for the rigours of the World Masters series to be held later in the year.
Monday, December 31
KIT Fund acts to assist young baseballer
31 December 2001
After some few months in an establishment phase, the KIT (Kids in Teams) Fund has taken its first funding decision in awarding a grant to a Victorian teenage baseball player that should help him in his aspirations to enjoy the playing opportunities available to many of his peers and, hopefully, to ultimately make it in the baseball "big time".
Although the KIT Fund is now operating under the auspices of the recently established "Ballarat Foundation" (a high-profile local group committed to community development and well-being), the Golddiggers will continue to make recommendations on funding.
Any sport may seek funding assistance from the KIT Fund, but we must say that we are delighted that the first recipient happens to have been a young and very dedicated baseballer!
Diggers strike gold in Newcastle
21 November 2001
The Ballarat Golddiggers continued to impress as a durable and competitive baseball unit by going through undefeated at the Australian Masters Games in Newcastle.
Whilst the Diggers made some pre-series concessions to the ageing process by entering in the 40 plus division (not too bad, considering that most are into their late forties and early fifties), they showed that age has indeed not wearied them, even against 40 something year-old youngsters!
The talk is now of a tilt at the 2002 World Masters in Geelong Victoria and maybe, just maybe, of a likely fourth dash at the Alice Springs Masters immediately afterwards....and following that by the 2003 Aussie Masters (the Diggers fifth involvement in that event).
All this is pretty impressive for a group of old sluggers who in 1994 pretty much unanimously vowed, "Nah, that's it....after the World Masters (Brisbane) we'll be out of here.....back to domestic life, watering the garden, playing with the grandkids..."
We know where life is all going to end. But, in the meantime, hey, no point in waiting around for Godot - might as well be running the bases, rolling the arm over and hitting that pesky ball out of sight.
Maybe have an occasional bit of fun off-field, too.
Thursday, April 11
AS GOOD AS IT GETS
11 April 2002
Please see Welcome page for report on sixth Victorian Masters Carnival, another resounding success for the baseball fraternity.
10 February 2004
VICTORIAN MASTERS BASEBALL CARNIVAL
Geelong, 2 – 4 April 2004
SERIES INFORMATION
1. VENUE.
All games will be played at the Geelong Baseball Centre, Waurn Ponds, and the Saints Baseball Club (immediately to the south of the centre). For Draw purposes, Diamond 1 will be the main stadium, Diamond 2 will be the ground to the Colac side and Diamond 3 the ground to the Melbourne side of the stadium. Games at Saints will be designated accordingly on the Draw. “Saints 2” will designate any games to be played on the club’s outer ground.
2. AGE GROUPINGS.
We are seeking to create two age groupings – 35 plus and either 40 or 45 plus. This will be dependent upon the level of interest and the projected number of teams in each grouping. Ideally there would be six teams in each age grouping. Four or five would be workable. If sufficient teams are not available to run two age groupings, then we will aim to devise a structure that satisfies as many players as is possible. For example, we could revert to the previous Carnival age of 38 plus but could allow teams to play two or three 35 – 37 year old players in positions other than pitching. However, we accept that there are many older players (in their bloody 50s, even) who may discomfited by this proposition and we encourage “younger” teams to think seriously about entering the 35 plus competition.
The aim, as always, is to get as many teams as we can on the park without compromising player safety or creating uneven contests. A decision on age groupings will be made after entry closes in early March.
3. FORMAT AND DRAW.
All teams can expect to play in at least five preliminary matches between Friday morning and Sunday lunchtime. Finals will be played on Sunday afternoon.
The Draw will be notified shortly before the Carnival. Efforts will be made to balance the number of “home” and “away” games. We will try to schedule each team for at least one game on the main stadium, although this may not always be possible. A Saturday twilight game will be offered to interested teams.
Where possible, double-headers will be scheduled to create a minimal break between games. However, the standard break between games may be up to an hour, to allow for relocation between grounds and reasonable ground preparation.
4. TOURNAMENT RULES.
These will not change significantly from previous years and will be forwarded in booklet form to Team Managers prior to the series. The rules are in keeping with accepted Masters rules, in which participation, safety and healthy competitiveness are the underpinning principles. Team Managers should ensure that their players are aware of particular modifications (IE Extra Batters rule, Tie Breaker, pitching limitations, Courtesy Runners, games required to qualify for finals etc.). Umpires will be required to familiarise themselves with Tournament Rules.
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5. PLAYER ENTRY AND REGISTRATION.
The closing date for entry and payment is Friday 5 March 2004. Cost per player is $ 40.00, which helps cover running costs, Friday Happy Hour, umpires, baseballs, ground preparation and event T-Shirt.
Event T-Shirts will only be ordered for those players who have paid their entry by 5 March. Entry should be made according to the Entry Booklet and payments made to “Ballarat Golddiggers”.
Team Managers are asked to provide a final list to organisers prior to playing their first game. There should be no “interchange” of players after a team’s first game unless approved (for example, in the unlikely event of a team incurring a number of injuries or withdrawals and being able to draw upon players from a large squad entered as another team).
6. SCORERS AND UMPIRES.
Each entered team is expected to supply its own scorer. Umpires will be co-ordinated and appointed by Carnival organisers, with the goal of supplying two umpires for each Preliminary or Qualifying game and three for any gold medal game.
7. PLAYER FEED AND HAPPY HOUR.
* * * AT SAINTS GROUND, FRIDAY 2 APRIL * * *
Players, supporters and officials all encouraged to attend
The traditional Happy Hour will follow the afternoon matches on Friday 2 April. Finger foods and snacks will be provided free for entered players (a small donation will be requested of accompanying persons). During the Friday “Happy Hour” (5.15 – 6.00 approx), entered and paid players will be entitled to free beer, wine and soft drinks. Spirits will be listed at half price. For accompanying families, supporters and officials, all drinks will be charged at half listed price during the Happy Hour.
The Saints club will be delighted to have its guests kick on afterwards. Alternatively, local watering holes can be recommended by President Barry and his haloed – or was that hallowed - associates.
8. THURSDAY PRE-DRINKS.
It is expected that the Saints clubrooms will be open on the Thursday evening for early arrivals wanting to discuss strategy over a few cold ones. A good idea to ring the club beforehand on 53 432811.
9. CATERING AND PLAYER BREAKFASTS.
The Guild Club will be running all catering at the Geelong Baseball Centre and the Saints Club at its own complex. Both will be open from early until closing each day, offering the usual range of hot and cold drinks, fast foods and snacks. A Main Meal Barbecue will be available at both venues during the day and at night as required.
Player Breakfasts will be available at both venues on the Saturday and Sunday, around an hour to an hour and a half prior to the morning games. The breakfasts are always very popular, offering players a substantial, albeit unctuous heart-starting feed. But ahhhh…….”I’ve had Subway”.
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10. NIGHT GAMES (s).
Once again, we will negotiating with the Geelong Baseball Association to arrange a Friday or Saturday twilight or evening game at the main stadium (likely starting time between 5.30 and 6.30). Any night game will be widely promoted and should create interest among players and the local community.
Full catering will be provided by the Guild Baseball Club.
11. FUND-RAISING: THE KIDS CONNECTION.
The Victorian Masters Baseball Carnival is basically self-funding, although over the years it has received much-appreciated support from local council, the Victorian Baseball Association and business interests. That support enabled us, in 2001, to establish the “KIT” (Kids in Teams) Fund – a project that has already made grants to assist deserving young people in team sports. The City of Greater Geelong has been a wonderful supporter of Masters baseball before, during and after the World Masters Games in 2002. Any financial or in-kind support received from the Geelong district will be suitably acknowledged.
The Saints and Guild clubs have been authorised to conduct Special Effort Raffles over the Carnival weekend, with a likely involvement of their juniors and families. Consistent with carnival principles, the clubs have undertaken to direct any clear profit derived towards their junior development programmes.
We are confident that Masters baseballers will continue to support this worthy cause.
12. TROPHIES, THE SPOILS OF VICTORY AND PARTICIPATION.
We have again decided not to award medals as such this year. However, all players who enter by the 5 March deadline will receive an embroidered Event T-Shirt after their final game. If it becomes practicable, sides finishing first, second and third in the respective age groupings will have added, under the logo, a designation of Gold Medal, Silver Medal or Bronze Medal.
The Golddiggers Perpetual Shield will be presented to the winning team for its safekeeping over the ensuing twelve months. Should a further age grouping become viable, a second Perpetual Trophy will be struck to record a team’s achievements in that age grouping.
13. FIRST AID.
Carnival organizers will be aiming to have qualified First-Aid personnel on hand at all times during scheduled games. We emphasise that it is each player’s responsibility to ensure that he/she has adequate insurance cover either through private insurance or through registration with baseball governing associations.
14. PRESENTATIONS AND CLOSING CEREMONY.
Traditionally a laid-back and sometimes why not frivolous affair, the Presentations and Closing will take place on the main ground immediately after the Gold Medal Finals have finished. We are aiming to have City of Greater Geelong officials on hand, along with representatives of the VBA, VPBL and other persons as appropriate.
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15. COMMENTARY.
We are negotiating with persons of media and other expertise in Geelong to assist us in providing commentary of selected games. Managers will be invited, during the Carnival weekend, to contribute stories, anecdotes and general baseball nonsense – whether truthful, fictional, entertaining or silly – that might be used during game commentary. Reality baseball!
16. SOCIAL.
Players involved in the World Masters Games or in last year’s series might already have some ideas about where to go and what to do as they while away the hours before dawn. Apart from the Friday and Saturday night baseball attractions, the Geelong boys will doubtless be able to offer a few suggestions.
17. OTHER ACTIVITIES.
Should time and scheduling constraints allow, we may be able to offer other associated baseball frivolity such as a Home Run Derby or Celebrity Game. More of this later should it become a goer.
18. ACCOMMODATION.
There is a wide range of accommodation options both in and around Geelong. While local knowledge may be of benefit, a reasonable starting point is to consult the regional tourism website (www.greatoceanrd.org.au).
19. CONTACTS.
For series information prior to and during the series, the following can be contacted or accessed:
Kingsley Collins (Golddiggers) 03 53 329202 (H) 0407 523195
John Wakeling (Golddiggers) 03 53 314446 (H)
Carnival web site (www.eteamz.com/golddiggers/) for basic information under site development (aka “Haven’t quite figured out yet how to do what we would like to do”)
Other contacts:
Saints Baseball Club 03 52 432811
Geelong Baseball Centre 03 52 436366
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