East Belmont baseballer first to reach 300 games

HISTORY will be made on Sunday afternoon when an East Belmont Saints player becomes the first woman to reach 300 Geelong Baseball Association (GBA) games.

Kelly-Ann Day will set an unprecedented games record for Geelong’s female baseball scene when she takes the field against Lara this weekend.

The local baseballer told the Times News Group reaching 300 games was not an accomplishment she thought she’d reach when she first took up the sport in the late 80s.

“It’s certainly not something I thought I’d reach. I think my first game was in 1988, so it’s taken a long time to get to this point, taking time off for the kids and having injuries…but I’m just happy to be at game 300,” Day said.

Baseball has always been a family sport for Day, introduced at a young age thanks to her dad Brian.

She has been a part of the East Belmont Baseball Club since her first game, joining the Saints’ junior ranks at 11 years old.

Day, who plays first base, says East Belmont has been her second home for as long as she can remember.

“At that time there weren’t many girls around when I started, but it’s a very family orientated club. Everyone is very inclusive, and everyone is made to feel welcome.

“It’s quite daunting to know I’ll be playing 300 games to be honest; it’s taken quite a while to get to this point, but the body’s holding up and I’m excited to run out there with the team.”

Day said it was awesome to see the GBA’s women’s competition back in action for a second season in a row.

“We’ve had a few women’s competitions that have come and gone in the GBA over the years, but it’s great to see women enjoying the game again and having fun.

“Our club at East Belmont has never not included women in the sport before. Being a young female teenager has had its challenges in the sport locally, but I’ve never felt like I haven’t been part of a team.”

For her 300th game, Day and East Belmont will take to its home diamond in Waurn Ponds at 2pm to play Lara.