Young baseballers get chance to shine

BENDIGO junior baseballers have been relishing in the opportunity to compete against players from across the state.

Hosting the under-14 State Winter Championship two weeks ago the Bendigo Baseball Association fielded a team for the first time in four years, finishing fourth in division B.

Bendigo East Baseball Club’s Asha Murphy, 12, was named Bendigo representative team’s most valuable player, decided by votes from opposition teams.

“It was really good, I didn’t know what was happening at first but when I heard my name and knew what it was about, I felt really good just to know that other people were recognising me,” Asha said.

The young baseballer in his third year of the sport plays as pitcher or second baseman. He said enjoyed the step up from association to representative baseball.

“I was a bit nervous, but it felt good to get really involved in the sport I love,” he said.

“It was good especially because I got to know the kids from the other [Bendigo] teams that I wouldn’t really talk to; over the rep I got to know them.”

Last weekend the BBA sent a squad of 16 players to the under-12 state championships held in Werribee.

The team finished fifth overall after a hard fought win against City West and Blake Hando was named the MVP for the weekend.

Rep baseball continues this weekend with the under-16 championships in Morwell.

The BBA currently does not have an under-18 representative team, however BBA president Anthony Amsing said the goal is to field a team in the future as the league’s junior ranks continue to develop.