LVBA 2013

[tgonguy999]

The Lvba kicks off this weekend with our annual gippsland championships to be held for the third year in a row between the morwell and Churchill baseball clubs. 5 local teams and 5 Melbourne teams will fight it out for the Lloyd Lewis shield. The Lvba really appreciates the support we get from the Melbourne based sides to come down and make a great weekend, this years sides will be pakenham, berwick, dandenong, mornington and

One innitiative that the Lvba will be trialling over the weekend is a new scoring platform that if successful will be used throughout the season for a grade games. Some of you may know about gamechanger, well all the local clubs will be scoring with that program over the weekend to see if it is a practical option. I believe anyone will be able to watch the weekends games over the Internet by getting on the gamechanger website.

Whilst the weekend is about fun and socializing, everyone loves to win and I think this years tournament could be one of the most open fields for a while. Dandy and berwick have combined to win the last few years and will again be strong chances and I think all the Melbourne sides can stake a claim on the top prize

Out of the local teams Churchill and traralgon have been the strongest clubs for the last 5 years and both would be working hard for the chance to playoff for a final spot, moe have built a solid and young side that on its day can push anyone and should be looking to start the season off on the right foot. Sale are always an unknown at this time of year, and whilst they had a sluggish year last year they could pullof a suPrise or two. Morwell have started rebuilding the club and are looking at finding some competitiveness this year so let's hope they start with a good weekend.

The weather looks great so we should be in for a cracker weekend so if anyone is intrested in coming down and watch a bit of country baseball make your way down to toners lane morwell or Andrews park Churchill.

I will be trying my best to update this thread weekly

[braves6]

Good intro into the season. Its going to be a cracking weekend for it. Dingley is the other side coming down this year and will throw a big question mark into who plays off for the Lloyd Lewis Shield. Looking forward to catching up with all the regulars and it is a great chance for the Valley to showcase some of our talent.

[tgonguy999]

Sorry thought I put them in there,

[tgonguy999]

Tommorrow starts another season of lvba baseball, Churchill and traralgon square off in a repeat of last years final, morwell takes on sale in b & c grade while moe travels to morwell to take on sale in a grade,

At Andrews park, Churchill will be looking to continue what has been a domination over traralgon over the last two seasons. Neither team set the world alight last weekend but don't be fooled into thinking either wide won't be up for the battle this weekend. The battle on the mound could decide the game and both pitchers have come off great summer seasons. Matt prior who has been one of the best and most consistant performers in the lvba of the last decade is up against brad Adams who just finished his first season playing for moorabin, whoever can get on top of the oppositions lineup will go a long way to deciding this game

Toners lane morwell will host moe vs sale, this is because morwell is not putting in an a grade to try and rebuild there club after a real lean time. This game could really set the tone of the season for both sides but I think it's more important for sale to start strong as I believe they are a couple down for the start of the year. Moe were a much improved side last year and if they keep showing improvement then this side has all the ingredients to take out the top prize this year. Sale dropped off rapidly last year after being runner up the year before and I think that if they can get everyone on the ballpark then they still have the capability to play finals baseball.

It shapes up as an interesting year with only four sides playing against each side 6 time it could bea a real close season.

[braves6]

After two weeks of games with the revamped A grade schedule we have seen Traralgon and Moe winners and undefeated and will square off on Sunday to gain an early one game break at the top of the ladder. The other game sees Churchill hosting Sale with both teams looking for their first win. The lower grade games will have Morwell playing Moe and Sale playing Churchill. For my two cents worth i think Traralgon will be too strong and with a long batting lineup should outscore the Dodgers, whilst Churchill should post their first win if they can convert their runners on base more than they have so far.