Guild stalwart reaches 650-game milestone

GEELONG’S longest-tenured baseball player has ticked off yet another milestone in his nearly five-decade journey at the local level, despite falling one run short of a win.

Guild Baseball Club’s David Foster is now the first Geelong baseballer to reach 650 games, achieving the record on Saturday in a 7-6 loss to East Belmont.

Foster said the occasion was made very special by both teams on the day, as he plays his 49th season with Guild.

“It was a terrific day for me personally. I was really touched by what my club did and the respect the opposition showed to me as well.

“I’m just happy to be back playing baseball because it was this time last year I had just finished having my fifth bypass surgery, which took about 12 weeks to recover from.

“I returned back to baseball in April this year and I’m enjoying every moment of being back.”

Coincidentally, as Foster celebrated his 650th game last weekend, he played alongside senior debutant Harry Davenport, which gave Foster a chance to reminisce about his senior debut.

Foster has been at Guild Baseball Club since he was a boy. Motivation to take up the game of baseball came from his father.

He still remembers his first seniors game at Guild as a 13-year-old in 1973.

The family moved out to Geelong after Foster’s father helped establish a baseball club in the Melbourne suburb of Research.

“I subsequently joined Guild Baseball at the age of 10 in 1970 after my father was asked to take up a coaching role,” Foster said.

“I didn’t play until the season after in 1971, joining an Under 13s side, and haven’t looked back since.

“Guild is a special club, one that really cares about its players, especially juniors, and understands the importance of friendships that can be forged through the game of baseball.”

Up next for Foster is making it to his 50th season next year – a milestone he is really looking forward to.