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Post by larry42 on Sept 4, 2012 11:53:07 GMT 10
Not long before the first pitch of the year to be thrown. interested to see how clubs are going with their women's team numbers.
There was discussion somewhere that Werribee have a few teams, plus the introduction of an Essendon team.
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Post by wyatt33 on Sept 4, 2012 14:29:00 GMT 10
Well larry, Melbourne girls may struggle this year in second div, with there only real pitcher heading to the bright lights of first div, at Footscray. Add to that a pregnancy(my bad!) and their other gun still rehabbing from a knee, they might be a little thin for real quality in the first half of the season. In saying that, I wish randle well in his efforts to get the team going. They will see a couple of those girls return after Xmas, so improvement should be seen.
Personally maybe they need to drop a grade, but that's just my opinion.
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mandi
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Post by mandi on Sept 6, 2012 20:56:33 GMT 10
Any idea of how many teams in each division this season?
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Post by stuartcapel on Sept 9, 2012 22:31:47 GMT 10
Five teams in Division One I have heard mandi, Springvale, Doncaster, Malvern, Footscray and Geelong. Have heard differing numbers in the lower two grades.
Port Melbourne is now under Vic Brown, and will have one team, competing in Division Two. Rumour is Waverley has picked up three former state reps and will allegedly play in Divisions Two and Three again, though that info is unconfirmed. Larry42?
Hope the word that Geelong was still unsure of numbers for two teams is untrue, but that the word that Werribee may add an extra team IS true. Haven't heard anything else on Essendon's team, though a former state player may be headed back to her parent club to play with the Bombers. Goblin, any news on the Lady Bombers and their progression and potential starting point?
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Post by Goblin on Sept 9, 2012 22:59:44 GMT 10
Five teams in Division One I have heard mandi, Springvale, Doncaster, Malvern, Footscray and Geelong. Have heard differing numbers in the lower two grades. Port Melbourne is now under Vic Brown, and will have one team, competing in Division Two. Rumour is Waverley has picked up three former state reps and will allegedly play in Divisions Two and Three again, though that info is unconfirmed. Larry42? Hope the word that Geelong was still unsure of numbers for two teams is untrue, but that the word that Werribee may add an extra team IS true. Haven't heard anything else on Essendon's team, though a former state player may be headed back to her parent club to play with the Bombers. Goblin, any news on the Lady Bombers and their progression and potential starting point? I can confirm we expect at least 1 team. Unknown to me at the moment as to where they might slot in. Hopefully will know more in the next week. |
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Post by wearnie52 on Sept 10, 2012 10:02:36 GMT 10
Springvale is hosting the Fourth Annual Women's Pre-Season Tournament, on Saturday 22nd September. The day will kick off at 10.00am, with all entrants put into teams that will include players from different clubs, and various skill levels.
I encourage all women's players to come down for what has been a great day in the past. A great chance to play alongside girls from other clubs, and also get some game time in before the start of the season.
The tournament has been offered free of charge in the past, but this year we will be charging entrants $5 each, of which all funds will be going to the Brooke Kennedy fundraising efforts.
Please encourage members of your club to get involved, enjoy some great baseball, and support a very worthy cause.
Fore more details, contact Simone - wearnebuilders@yahoo.com.au
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Post by splitfinger on Sept 10, 2012 20:18:58 GMT 10
Rumour is Waverley has picked up three former state reps and will allegedly play in Divisions Two and Three again, though that info is unconfirmed. Larry42? Why wouldn't Waverley be looking to challenge in division 1 if it is true that they have picked up more former rep players? They are a very experienced team, and have been a strong team for a long time. They are more than capable of causing major headaches in the top league. Was hoping for a larger field in division 1. Seems like it will be more of the same again. Surely even the players must get bored playing each team every month or so. BV needs to start pushing to get more teams into division 1, even if it means there is more than one representing a club. For the past few seasons, there have been various teams sitting pretty in division 2 when they could push for div 1. Anyone have any more news on which teams are in each division, or any fixtures? |
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mandi
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Post by mandi on Sept 10, 2012 20:41:36 GMT 10
Springvale has nominated a team in each division again
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Post by MF on Sept 10, 2012 23:11:23 GMT 10
Rumour is Waverley has picked up three former state reps and will allegedly play in Divisions Two and Three again, though that info is unconfirmed. Larry42? Why wouldn't Waverley be looking to challenge in division 1 if it is true that they have picked up more former rep players? They are a very experienced team, and have been a strong team for a long time. They are more than capable of causing major headaches in the top league. I'm not sure that this will prove to be true. As for the "capable of causing major headaches in the top league"... are you talking about the team that lost the Division 2 GF to the seconds of a "top league" team? Seriously, if they can't beat the seconds why would you expect them to be competitive when playing against the firsts? BTW... remember that many of these "former rep players" in the Waverley team are more than just "very experienced". You're talking about players who were members of the first ever Victorian state team in 1999, some of whom played in the inaugural season of the women's competition in 1994-95! You do the maths. (Sorry, girls!) The real issue with Women's baseball in Victoria is a lack of depth. There aren't enough players and there aren't enough teams. In 97-98 there were 33 teams in four divisions. Last year there were just 21 teams. This year? And next year? |
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Post by larry42 on Sept 10, 2012 23:12:08 GMT 10
Seeing as this isn't a rumor thread let's dispense with the rumors and focus on facts, if indeed there are any.
Players first - I know of one former state player who trained with the girls for the first time on the weekend but unsure if she has sought and/or been granted a clearance. Not sure who these other two are. People seem to love to throw out the former state player tag (there are a lot of them out there by the way), but there are two out for the season including one who may not play again as she goes under the knife tomorrow (shoulder) who has been a great servant of women's baseball (StKilda & Waverley-Caroline Greenwood)
Div 1 is what it is. This is more of where baseball is in this state, not an argument against a team or two who some people believe should play a higher Div. What's the difference between 5 or 6 teams, or 6 pr 7 teams. Should a team or two go up to be at the mercy of clubs who are distinctively stronger and be fodder for them.
Div 1 needs pitching. If you don't have it then it's no point turning up.
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Post by wyatt33 on Sept 11, 2012 9:02:52 GMT 10
I've heard that port were going to be allowed back into first div to even up numbers. From a good source(a player) on sat. She's told me she was leaving to stay in first div, but they e spoken to her and told her they will be in first div.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2012 9:08:31 GMT 10
What's the difference between 5 or 6 teams, or 6 pr 7 teams. Larry the difference surely is that with an off number of team there is a bye, and the difference between 5 or 7 is that there would be even more byes if its 5 teams. And 5 teams sees a bye nearly every month which Im sure would frustrate everyone. This is not a knock on Womens baseball but surely with the strong clubs (and the rest) trying so hard to develop the sport there would be more than 5 or so strong Pitchers that can play Div 1 in the State and enable more than 5 teams to play the highest Division ? |
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Post by larry42 on Sept 11, 2012 9:19:22 GMT 10
What's the difference between 5 or 6 teams, or 6 pr 7 teams. Larry the difference surely is that with an off number of team there is a bye, and the difference between 5 or 7 is that there would be even more byes if its 5 teams. And 5 teams sees a bye nearly every month which Im sure would frustrate everyone. This is not a knock on Womens baseball but surely with the strong clubs (and the rest) trying so hard to develop the sport there would be more than 5 or so strong Pitchers that can play Div 1 in the State and enable more than 5 teams to play the highest Division ? Authentic, i was merely stating what's the difference to the Div with one more team. I understand the bye scenario but thats where its at right now. I dont know the numbers and im not going to name names but there isnt a hell of a lot of quality arms out there. Two clubs share the majority of the wealth with arms, and then your starting to look far and wide for pitching that could mix it in Div 1 consisttently. |
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Post by wearnie52 on Sept 11, 2012 9:27:13 GMT 10
As the previous Vic Women's Pitching Coach, though we have a couple of pitchers here and there, i would have to say no authentic. There is little depth at this current time in the pitching ranks in Victoria.
Last year our Vic team finished third, and that was off the back of two Canadian Import pitchers who helped us through. A lot of the more experienced pitchers are coming to the latter stages of their careers, and there are some others that are young, inexperienced and struggle with the strike zone.
Over the past couple of years we have seen retirements, injury and pregnancy take away the main pitchers from Div 1. Holien, Wearne, Welsh, Flanigan, Binks - and i'm probably missing a couple. And then the girls who have moved down to Div 2 - Pastowski, T Stokes, Brown.
There are some good young pitchers coming through, mainly at Doncaster, but they were members of the Under 15 girls team last year and may take a couple of years to be at Div 1 level.
To be honest, most of the pitchers who are pitching for Div 1 clubs this year are likely to be part timers from other positions who are needed to fill a void. Still decent pitchers, but very different to the old days where we had clear starters who pitched every week. Also means clubs lose position players out of the field. McCann, Collins, Novotny, Lillywhite, Howard, Whittam, McClellan, Anglin. Not flat out pitchers, but all will do some pitching this season i'd suggest.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2012 11:49:08 GMT 10
Thanks for the insight Simone, Im trying to think of creative (outside the box) ideas that perhaps involve using Winter Womens League creatively to develop Pitchers etc but I dont know enough about that League. No doubt you/ Springy (and other clubs) have already done some creative work to this end to help try to even the comp and develop the League.
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Post by 4crownies on Sept 13, 2012 19:08:43 GMT 10
Footscray have requested teams in Divs 1 & 3. From last year we currently have:
1 player off to Springvale
1 to Essendon
1 to Edinburgh (returning February)
1 back to Canada
3 with long term injuries (2 knees and a shoulder)
We have gained 2 new to the sport, + a handy pitcher/utility from Mellbourne as mentioned by Wyatt, and have a couple of former players returning.
Our attempts to recruit locally have pretty much turned fruitless, therefore are currently in negotiations with a couple of possible imports.
Last season was our 1st in Div 1 for a long time, and whilst we were 5-2 at 1 stage (from memory), we fell away dramatically, with injuries to key players being pivotal.
Whilst we see a huge battle ahead for us, we want and relish the challenge Div 1 offers.
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Post by splitfinger on Sept 13, 2012 21:35:36 GMT 10
Whilst we see a huge battle ahead for us, we want and relish the challenge Div 1 offers. Despite losing several players, you have a fantastic attitude 4crownies. Amateur sport needs more of this spirit. Here's hoping for an injury-free year for Footscray. Best of luck. |
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Post by larry42 on Sept 13, 2012 21:50:34 GMT 10
Good luck Kev for this year. Was terrific to see the club in D1 last year.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2012 22:52:35 GMT 10
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Post by larry42 on Sept 20, 2012 7:51:09 GMT 10
Did he on the grapevine that D1 women's is only 4 teams, although the person was not entirely sure. I still believe that its 5. Anyone know different?
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Post by 4crownies on Sept 20, 2012 8:14:28 GMT 10
Did he on the grapevine that D1 women's is only 4 teams, although the person was not entirely sure. I still believe that its 5. Anyone know different? I was told 6, same as last year |
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Post by larry42 on Sept 20, 2012 13:28:34 GMT 10
Did he on the grapevine that D1 women's is only 4 teams, although the person was not entirely sure. I still believe that its 5. Anyone know different? I was told 6, same as last year Confirmed at 5 teams for D1. One club has withdrawn recently. Even number teams for D2. BV looking at scheduling now. |
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Post by wearnie52 on Sept 20, 2012 16:58:24 GMT 10
Last time I heard it was down to 4.
Women's baseball is not in a great place in Victoria.
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Post by runningbunt on Sept 21, 2012 23:26:15 GMT 10
Any hints on the four teams?
Doncaster & Springvale are a given.
Who are the other 2?
Do they still have a top 4 finals system? If so, maybe they should just play the finals! Take the rest of summer off.
Playing the same teams over and over again seems a little silly. Can they merge div 1 & 2?
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Post by 4crownies on Sept 21, 2012 23:59:12 GMT 10
Any hints on the four teams? Doncaster & Springvale are a given. Who are the other 2? Do they still have a top 4 finals system? If so, maybe they should just play the finals! Take the rest of summer off. Playing the same teams over and over again seems a little silly. Can they merge div 1 & 2? I would say Footscray and Malvern. If it's only 4 teams in D1 then that's just bulltish |
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Post by larry42 on Sept 23, 2012 23:00:09 GMT 10
Might be interesting to see what the shape up of Div 1 & 2 is when the fixture comes out this week. Will we be throwing a bg blanket over everyone?
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Post by wearnie52 on Sept 24, 2012 13:20:48 GMT 10
Might be interesting Larry, what makes you say that? Doesn't seem like it will be interesting to me, in fact I am losing interest pretty quickly.
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Post by houghy49 on Sept 24, 2012 13:26:20 GMT 10
I haven't had a Summer off in 28 years. Maybe someone is trying to tell me something....
Wearnie, I think I'm one step ahead of you already mate!
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Post by wyatt33 on Sept 24, 2012 13:38:42 GMT 10
It would be a blight On the game of they only had 4 in 1st div. surely it would be better to have at least clubs like springy and Doncaster having 2 teams in, and at least port waverley and werribee. Do something, instead of just throwing your hands up and conceeding it's too hard...
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Post by larry42 on Sept 24, 2012 13:59:11 GMT 10
okay maybe interesting wrong choice of words.
wyatt - the email went to clubs who were asked to step up when the div was at 5 teams, now sits at 4 due to Geelong pulling out. Throwing up another two teams would be done to satisfy who? The other 4 teams in Div 1?
Either way i'd say a decision has been made and we'll know pretty soon whats happening.
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