1998/1999 Season

For the season of 1998/1999, I played for the Western Sydney Boomers Under 14's side. We had a great season winning 85% of our games, which took us into the semi-finals. For most of the season I played between 1st base, 3rd base and catcher.

The semi finals consisted of three games two of which we won and the Grand Final was played on 20 MArch 1999. It was a wet day but we were all fired up to win. It was a very hard and tense game but we won! Making us the Premier side for the season. For our efforts we received a trophy from our own club and medallions from the governing body in our area, The Greater Western Baseball Association.
During this season I was asked to play also for the Greater Western Under 12's development Squad. This team was made up from players from several different teams in the area. We travelled all over Sydney to play other sides and ended up being runners-up in the competition. Most gala days that we played at meant we had to play two and three games a day.

This is our GWBA Uniform
Towards the end of the season, The Western Sydney Acadamy of Sports, was trialling under 14's for positions in their squad. It involved two full days of try-outs which were very hard. BUT we had to wait almost 5 weeks before we knew if we had made the team. I was the only player from my club to be asked to try.
I made the team and we have just recently signed a twelve month contract with The Acadamy. This means we train two to three times a week and as the year goes on we will be playing other Acadamy teams from different areas.
Training is very hard, we dont only learn new techniques for our baseball but have to learn the muscle functions etc. So far I am enjoying training, but it doesnt leave much time for anything else.
We have six coaches, most have played for NSW and Australia. Our head coach is really good! I am lucky to be able to play with such a great standard of players and am looking forward to the next year with them.
The aim of the Acadamy is to teach young players the finer skills of baseball and to train them to hopefully be high level representatives in the future, possibly playing for Australia!

NOVEMBER 1999 - 1999/2000 SEASON

Well the new season has started, we are now into round 6. Most of our side is the same as last year but we did lose a couple of players, and got three new ones. Its a much harder competition this season. Because we are the defending premiers, we are now in a higher division... but its still fun!
I am playing mostly as catcher this year, which I really like (except when its too hot!.. all that gear gets a bit hot.) I like that position as I have been playing it now for five years. But also play at 1st base.
As well as my club committments, I am also playing again for the Greater western side, but this time in the under 14's competition. We havent had a game as a team yet, (the first one was cancelled due to rain), so stay tuned for news on how we go.
The Acadamy is going great, training is still very intense but we are learning heaps of new stuff and its sure starting to come out in our games. We had a gala day, where we played three games against an Acadamy side from the South Coast(Wollongong). We won two out of the three games which was good.
As well as all of that I have been chosen to undergo some personal pitching training. Havent ever been a pitcher before, but the coach wants me to have a go...so who knows...lol.

July 2000:
Geez, doesnt time fly. Its been ages since I updated. another season over, and a new one about to begin. Acadamy contracts are up and currently up for renewal, so wont know if mine is renewed for a little while. I didd a few coaching clinics over the past few weeks, just to keep my hand in, and started winter training about 3 months ago. We have trials for rep sides this week and for State Cup sides. A new season starts in October and I will be going to a new club this year.

Stay tuned for more news as it happens