Dear EBC members, I would like to introduce you to our major new sponsor for the next two years, Mills Oakley Lawyers. As the number one law firm in the country, it’s only fitting they sponsor the number one sports club in the country 🙂
Tony Cornish,
EBC Club President.
Mills Oakley is proud to sponsor the Essendon Baseball Club in its bicentenary year. We have an equally long and proud heritage serving the community and understand and share the unique values that manifest in longevity and tradition, while continually supporting and developing its members and looking to the future as an organisation.
Mills Oakley is a national full-service commercial law firm. We pride ourselves on our technical service, accessible culture, and competitive pricing. Our Corporate Advisory team helps all types of organisations, including sports practice, to achieve their goals. We place a strong emphasis on building long-term relationships to provide the best possible service to ensure our clients achieve a commercially focused and cost-effective outcome, and hope to serve the EBC community for the foreseeable future.
Minister Announces Grant for Chris Lane Memorial Field
Minister for Sport, The Hon John Eren MP has announced a $100,000 State government contribution to the Chris Lane Memorial Field project at Boeing Reserve in Strathmore Heights.
The funding commitment will allow the Moonee Valley City Council to create the first purpose-built Little League baseball field in Australia in what is already a thriving baseball hub.
The announcement follows earlier funding commitments to the project from Major League Baseball and the Essendon Baseball Club’s #CL40 coterie group, as well as a commitment from Musco Lighting Australia to provide the lights for this exciting new sports venue.
In addition, the Moonee Valley City Council and architect and friend of EBC, Mark Ellis, have contributed an enormous amount of time, skill and energy in getting the project to the point where funding was the last piece of the puzzle.
Chris Lane Memorial Field is named after young Essendon Baseball Club player and City of Moonee Valley resident, Chris Lane, who was tragically killed in August 2013 when in Oklahoma USA on a baseball scholarship. Chris was preparing for his senior year at East Central University in Ada and visiting his girlfriend in Duncan when he was shot while jogging on a quiet street.
Chris’ parents, Peter and Donna, and his siblings and their children attended the announcement by the Minister.
Also attending were the local member, Danny Pearson MP and Councillor John Sipek, Mayor of the Moonee Valley City Council – both driving forces behind the Chris Lane Memorial Field. Cr Sipek was joined by fellow Councillors, Deputy Mayor Samantha Byrne, Richard Lawrence and Narelle Sharp.
Baseball Australia CEO, Cam Vale and General Manager, Musco Lighting Australia, Rick Sneed represented their respective organisations – both integral to the success of the project.
The significance of Chris Lane Field is far greater than it being the first Little League field in Australia. It is a fitting legacy for a young man who will forever be remembered as someone who displayed the qualities that the Essendon Baseball Club and the residents of Moonee Valley hold dear.
Construction is expected to commence in the first half on 2019.
The first home game of the season against Berwick Baseball club was the sign off date for the new rooms. Mayor John Sipek was there to throw out the first pitch.
The following is an overview of some of our relevant information, but please note the information is a guide only and subject to change, particularly at the start of the season.
The following is an overview of some our relevant information, but please note the information is a guide only and subject to change, particularly at the start of the season.
T-Ball
Age 5-9 years old
A combination of drills and games
Club based with two Gala days where teams compete against other local Clubs
5pm Friday evenings at Boeing Reserve, Strathmore (EBC home ground)
Commences Friday 12 October
Rookie Ball
Note: This is a competition that we would like to introduce, and we are currently only looking for expressions of interest to determine if it is viable to run. If you are interested, please register your interest in Club Rooms.
A transition from T-ball to Sunday Little League Minor (approximately 8-9 years old)
Friday evenings (potentially against local clubs such as Preston and Fitzroy)
Fully coach pitched
Baseball
For Little League and Junior League, Essendon is part of The Twins Charter. The Charter includes teams from Essendon, Fitzroy, Preston, Melton, Newport, Research, Sunshine, Werribee, and Williamstown.
Little League Minor
Age 8-12 years old
Home and away on Sunday mornings (competition is typically against more local clubs within the Charter such as Fitzroy, Port Melbourne, Preston and Research.
Train on Tuesdays from 4.30pm
Modified rules
Two Gala days involving all Charter Teams
Little League Major
Age 9-12 years old (cannot turn 13 before 1 September 2019)
Home and away on Sunday mornings
Suitable for more experienced/skilled players, tryouts and selection criteria will apply (training sessions 4 and 11 September)
Train on Tuesdays from 4.30pm
Junior League
Age 12-14 years old (cannot turn 15 before 1 September 2019)
Minor and Major competition depending on Club entries and team numbers
Home and away on Sunday mornings
Train on Tuesdays from 4.30pm
Under 16
Players born in 2003 or 2004 (cut off is 31 December)
State and Metro League
Home and away on Sunday mornings
Train on Tuesdays from 4.30pm
Under 18
Players born in 2001or 2002 (cut off is 31 December)
State and Metro League
Home and away series on Sunday mornings
Train on Tuesdays and Thursdays with Seniors
Game Times
Game time for all competition on Sunday morning is 9am. Players are generally expected to be at the ground approximately one hour prior to the scheduled start time for set up (home games) and warm-up. The exact times will be confirmed by your Coach.
Registration and Fees
Registration and payment is a two-step process with Baseball Australia and the Club. Refer to our website for instructions. It is important to register with the Club as soon as possible so that players can be allocated to a team and teams can then be entered in to the right competition. Fees must be paid by the first game.
Competition
ABF
EBC
Total
T-Ball
$70
$55
$125
Little League
$100
$150
$250
Junior League
$100
$150
$250
Under 16/18 Only
$100
$150
$250
Juniors also playing Seniors
$125
$260
$385
Codes of Conduct
Parents and players will be required to sign and adhere to a Code of Conduct.
Uniform
T-Ballers wear the EBC red under-shirt and cap.
Junior teams wear the red under-shirt, the EBC black playing top, white pants, black belt and socks, and cap. Uniform items can be ordered today or online. Club kits contain a selection of items, however, compulsory items for players include baseball glove, protector box and helmet.
Please note that bat rules are quite specific and if you are looking at purchasing baseball equipment it is recommended that you seek advice from a specialised baseball store such as the following:
Some second hand uniform items and equipment are available in the Clubrooms.
Parent Help
To support our Club, Coaches and teams, parent help is required and always welcomed.
Assistance is needed at training and games for set-up, pack-up, umpiring, scoring and canteen.
Each team will be required to have a Team Manager and a Scorer. Scoring and umpiring clinics will be organised at the start of the season.
We are always looking for fundraising ideas and if there are any other ways that you may be able to help the club, either on or off the field, please let us know.
Development Pathways
The Twins Academy
Little League and Junior League players will have the opportunity, through a selection process, to participate in The Twins Development Academy. This involves additional training and potential playing opportunities against other Charters. There is an additional charge for the Academy. Details will be advised but try-outs are expected to be held in November.
Tournaments
Following participation in Academies, Little League and Junior League players have the opportunity to try out for The Twins All-Star and Development teams which compete in the State Championships against other Charters. Try-outs will also be held or the Senior League All-Star Team. Tournaments will be held in April 2018 with the possibility of All-Star teams progressing to the National Championships.
In addition, U16s and U18s may try out for State selection for the National Championships. Participation in tournaments involves additional costs.
Communication
You are encouraged to subscribe and contribute to our social media platforms to stay informed and entertained. All members should download TEAM APP as this is the quickest and easiest means of communication regarding game times, washouts or other important messages.
Visit our Website, join our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts.
A great day for EBC with the President catching up with the Minister for Sport John Eren regarding extra funding for Chris Lane field. Danny Pearson and Mayor John Sipek along with members of Council were also present.
All were very impressed with the new clubrooms and excited about the Chris Lane project.
Dear Members and Families,
Did you know1 in 3 Australians will need blood in their lifetime, yet only 1 in 30 donate?
Or that one blood donation can save up to three lives?
For many people blood donors are their lifeline.
Essendon Baseball Club is proud to be working with the Red Cross Blood Service as a member of the Red25 social responsibility programme. The aim of this programme is to help ensure that 25% of Australia’s blood donations are secured.
It is easy to get involved:
Check you are eligible to donate – See if you’re eligible and learn more about how it works. If you have recently been overseas check out the map to see if you can still donate. Please note you must be 18 years or over to donate. If you still have questions call 13 14 95 to have a chat with someone at the Blood Service.
Donate – Join us at a group booking at the Red Cross Service at Airport West on Monday 27 August (bookings available from 4.45 pm). Contact Kay Ferguson on 0419337949 or kay.ferguson@ymail.com to secure a time.
We will be tracking how many lives we save so whichever way you choose to donate please make sure you. You can do this when you log into the Red Cross Service website to make your appointment, or simply ask for your membership to be linked to the tally when you make your donation at the Centre. Please help Essendon Baseball Club to save lives. Every donation you make can help save three lives, so imagine how many lives we can save if we all get together to donate!
The Essendon Baseball Club Committee has endorsed the appointment of Duane Davenport as Coach of the Women’s program for the 2018/19 Summer League season. Davenport replaces outgoing Coach and club stalwart, Bronwyn Gell, who stepped down to focus on her playing duties for the club, Victoria, and Australia.
Club President, Tony Cornish, said “We are proud to have a successful women’s program and we are excited by the fresh ideas that Duane will bring to the table. The Club is grateful for Bronwyn’s hard work in building the program to where it is today, with three highly competitive senior women’s teams and a growing number of young girls participating in junior teams. We fully support Bronwyn’s decision to concentrate on her outstanding playing career and now look forward to building on the strong foundations that have been established.”
Accompanied by his understanding of the game, Duane is an accomplished pitcher at the Geelong Baycats club, having also previously played at Essendon.
His previous coaching experience includes:
Assistant Coach to the Victorian Women’s White State Team
Assistant Coach of the Victorian Mavericks Japan Touring Team; and
Head Coach of U12, U14 and U15 Geelong Saints teams
EBC wishes Duane every success in his coaching tenure at the club.
Further media information contact: Vibeke Pedersen, Assistant Secretary and Conduit to the Women’s Program, essendonbc@gmail.com
Are you interested in formalising and improving your leadership skills? Or would you like to get involved in coaching?
Like all sports, baseball needs individuals to help with coaching at a variety of levels, from T-Ball through to the Melbourne Aces.To help fill that need for properly accredited coaches BV runs CEP training during the year on behalf of BA, with the accreditation being recognised across Australia.
The CEP training schedule for July and August is as follows:
If you’re interested or have further questions, please contact Baseball Victoria’s National Coaching Accreditation Coordinator, Greg Tinkler via ncas@baseballvictoria.com.au.
