Women’s baseball a home run

THE Alfredton Women’s Baseball Club have made history recently, playing in round one of the newly formed Western Victorian Women’s Baseball League.

Alfredton’s Eagles played the Surf Coast Sharks at Wallington Reserve on Sunday, 18 April, and will compete for approximately nine weeks.

Twenty players between 20 and 60 years old are part of the team already, but Alfredton is hoping to grow their female participation further, currently running a recruitment drive to establish another side.

Women’s development manager Marion Butler said everyone is welcome to have a go, whether they’ve played before or not.

Many Club members had never tried a sport as dynamic as baseball before they joined up.

“I would so encourage women to try it. Everybody in the team is so happy to be there, and they just can’t wait to play,” she said.

“It doesn’t matter what age you are or what throw you have. We are so willing to quietly work with everyone one on one, give them pointers and ideas, help them in the battling tunnels… or throw ball after ball after ball to show them how they might catch it, pick it up or pitch it.

“It’s incredibly inclusive and a celebration. It’s a caring community.”

The Alfredton Women’s Baseball Club has grown since their This Girl Can come-and-try event in early 2020.

In January this year, the group relaunched ladies’ training sessions with some old and new faces, freshening or establishing their basic skills.

Alfredton coach Rick Trezise said that set the ball rolling, literally, and “everything started to click.”

“The women have come along and given the Club a whole new lease of life. It’s a family orientated club because of the involvement of our women, who are just so passionate,” he said.

“Their smiles and the way they’re carrying themselves, especially at the practice matches, is just so exciting to be around.”

Contact 0402 884 374 to get involved.