Women to play under lights at annual Anzac Day fixture

***INSET*** Bellarine Bears player Nyah O'Brien and Guild All-Stars player Alanah Rose will feature in Saturday's game under lights.

WOMEN will be part of this

year’s Geelong Baseball Association (GBA) Anzac Day fixture for the first time this weekend, when two

local clubs meet for the annual matchup.

A full slate of action will take place at Geelong Baseball Centre in Grovedale this Saturday between Guild All-Stars Baseball Club and Bellarine Bears Baseball Club, headlined by the season launch of the association’s Women’s Competition under lights.

Bellarine Bears president Damien Carr said the annual Anzac Day game was first formed last year and was a resounding success.

“Last year was a great day for both clubs to come together and pay our respects, but in Wallington, we were a little bit restricted in the amount of baseball we could hold,” Carr said.

“So, this year with it being at the Geelong Baseball Centre, it really is the perfect venue for a day like this with two diamonds at our disposal.

“There will be five games played throughout the day with two junior contests, two senior men’s games, and then the women’s game under lights to end Saturday’s proceedings.

Bellarine Bears president Damien Carr, Guild All-Stars’ Rylie Peoples, Bellarine’s Nyah O’Brien, Guild’s Alanah Rose, Bellarine’s Hudson Carr, and Guild president Jason Peoples. Photo: VINNIE VAN OORSCHOT

“It is the first-time women’s players will be a part of this day and we’re extremely happy we are making it happen.”

As part of the Anzac Day commemorations, a reciting of The Last Post and the observation of a minute’s silence will be held prior to both the men’s main game and the women’s game.

A Most Valuable Player medal will be awarded to the best performing players in the main men’s game and women’s game.

Juniors will commence play at 9am and 12pm, the senior men will play from 3pm, and the women’s game will be held at 6pm.

Guild president Jason Peoples said while baseball is not the most popular sport locally, watching a game of local baseball is the perfect way to spend a Saturday, especially at night.

“At this stadium, as soon as the lights go on, it automatically brings people in off the street. We always speak to people who say they didn’t even know there was a baseball field here,” Peoples said.

“Women’s games are generally held on Sunday, but to have our women’s sides joining us this week will make for an awesome day of baseball here in the region.”