Central celebrates family connections

On the surface, the December 17 Mount Gambier & District Baseball League Division 3 clash between the two Central teams was just another chance to secure premiership points but in actual fact it was so much more.

The brainchild of Central stalwart Andy McClean, the match saw 45 players take to the diamond over the course of the nine innings with 15 groups of families part of the unique contest.

The match saw fathers and their children as well as siblings playing side by side as they looked to make ‘unofficial’ history for the largest ever baseball game. All players weer officially registered and it was a sanctioned match, although the drawn result could be seen as contrived.

The idea was borne out of a want to promote baseball and generate increased spectator interest, as well as building what was already some strong family connections within the two Central Division 3 teams.

PHOTO BY FRANK MONGER