Illawarra Baseball hits milestones
Illawarra Baseball’s 2008 season began on April 5 and 6 at Fred Finch Park Berkeley. As Frank Booth reports the season will be marked by a number of key milestones.
• The IBL (formerly Illawarra District Baseball Association) is 70 years old.
• The Cardinals celebrate their 60th anniversary year - can they celebrate with a premiership as they did in their first year?
• Dapto Chiefs are 55 years old.
Dom D'Antonio has accepted the role of Head Coach at Dapto this year so we can expect the Chiefs will be rattling the tomahawks. A big change for Dom who was Berkeley Eagles head coach for two decades before stepping down three years ago to concentrate on his duties with Allan Parrott in the Australian Provincial team.
Before going to the Eagles in early 80's Dom played with brother Ben in the great mid-late 1970's Cardinals team that was virtually unbeatable.
The teams in all three grades this season are Wests Cardinals, Bulli Pirates, Kiama Braves, Dapto Chiefs and Berkeley Eagles. Shoalhaven Mariners will field teams in second and third grades only.
In the first round last weekend, the Cardinals and the Chiefs both had one run wins. Wests Cardinals took out the Bulli Pirates 7-6, while the Chiefs were pushed all the way before talking the points 4-3 over the Kiama Braves. Berkeley Eagles had the bye. Round 2 will see The Cardinals take on the Braves and Berkeley up against the Pirates. Wolves 18s move up the ladder in Premier Youth League
In the round 6 games of soccer’s Premier Youth League against Sydney United last weekend the Wolves picked up only one win and a draw in the five grades.
The 18s continued their move up the ladder with a 3 – 1 win over United and are now in 7th spot in the 12 team ladder. The Wolves 15s retained their unbeaten run with a disappointing one all draw against the 9th placed Sydney United team. The Wolves are actually the only undefeated team in the grade but are in third spot because Blacktown City and Apia Leichardt have played an extra mid-week game against bottom placed NSW Institute of Sport.
The other Wolves teams were not strong enough to beat their opponents with the 13s going down 1 nil, the 14s losing 3 nil and 16s losing in a hard fought game 2 – 1.
Cricket and Soccer Humour - Not Anthony, not Charlie but Lenny!
At a recent Cricket Presentation night former NSW and Australian fast bowler Len Pascoe told of how he was often mistaken for actor, sometime soccer keeper and Sydney FC shareholder Anthony La Paglia or for former Socceroo Charlie Yankos. He actually helped a guy win a bet when he accepted that he was really Charlie Yankos! See the photo below and see what you think.
In part of his speech he recalled some funny statements by Channel 9 commentators.
Ian Healy: “The Pakistani bowlers have got reverse swing going both ways”. Pascoe said in his day that was a straight ball!
Bill Lawry: “He has driven the ball between the gap!” Pascoe says – in his day between the gaps was where the fielder was!
It’s no wonder Pascoe does not get a gig on Channel 9! Cricket Coaching for community cricket
Graeme Smith, NSW’s Cricket’s local representative has sent out a reminder that Cricket NSW in conjunction with local cricket associations will be conducting a Level 1 Coaching Course for new or experienced coaches looking to gain their coaching accreditation.
The course, conducted by Cricket NSW High Performance staff, is directed towards coaches involved at under-age and community cricket level who wish to broaden their knowledge of the technical skills of the game, understand appropriate and effective ways to conduct training sessions and to gain awareness of the factors motivating young people to play and enjoy cricket.
Details: Sunday 25 May and Sunday 1 June, 2008; 9.00am - 3.00pm (both days compulsory) at Shellharbour City Stadium, Croome Rd, Albion Park.
Course Registration can be completed 'on-line'. To register follow these steps.
• Log on to Cricket NSW website www.cricketnsw.com.au
• Click the "Community Cricket" link at the top of the page
• Click the "Coach Education" menu item
• Scroll down to the Course Detail and Booking Form. Complete the
• Booking Form and return to Donna Little at Cricket NSW (details are on booking form)
Alternatively - Phone enquiries/ bookings on 93390961 Illawarra Junior and Senior Cricket Presentation Night Photos
For all the award winners and photos from the Presentation Night for the Illawarra Junior Cricket for Season 2007-08 go to www.wollongong.sportslive.com.au/index.pl?page=2837
For all the award winners and photos from the Illawarra Senior Cricket Presentation for 2007-08 season go to www.wollongong.sportslive.com.au/index.pl?page=2838 Videos of local Sports on YOCTV
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