SOCCER Feb 18, Brisbane Roar v Victory

For a group of people that are notorious for revolting like a pack of wild animals, the crowd was friendly, almost orderly lot. The diehard fans in ‘The Den’ chanted uniformly with gusto, as did
a section supporting Melbourne, sitting in a pack diagonally across the field.

As our tickets were courtesy of one of the players, I was fortunate to be able to smell the grass during my first soccer match. The crowd celebrated the Roaring 3-0 victory over Victory post-game where many met their heroes at the Roar’s official after game function at
Iceworks, Paddington.

Your thoughts? Where you there? I want to know! Tweet Me

Baseball in Australia, why not?

A love of sport is inherent in our Aussie genes, – if we aren’t playing it, we’re watching it, if we aren’t watching it, we are talking about it. In a country where surfing and snowboarding competitions are run simultaneously, our climate and landscape is naturally engineered to accommodate our obsession.

In a population where “What’s the score?” unites strangers, it’s safe to say we are a sporting nation.What most of us haven’t realised, yet, is that we are groomed for a love of baseball our entire lives.“In Australia?” is the typical response. Like most Australians growing up with T-Ball and softball, an appreciation of baseball seems like a natural progression.

When you hear “Out of left field” and “Ballpark figure” in the same sentence, one could assume the game has already infiltrated our culture.Baseball fills our unexplainable demand for regular displays of fast-paced, on field athleticism; it offers the grunt of rugby, the intimacy of tennis, the technique of cricket and a far better atmosphere than any swimming event could ever offer.

This long summer, the Australian Baseball League gave us six teams who fought it out in most states. Up to five times a week, Australians were treated to top level showmanship, spoiled with homegrown and imported talent. At the conclusion of each series, thousands of spectators were left wanting more.

Regardless whether you were a spectator, participant, diehard fan, or first-timer this season, there was a place for you to enjoy the competition, witnessing Australian sporting history being made firsthand.Down under, we are spoilt by access to sport; there is an oval on every corner; multi-sport stadium schedules do not allow for a game free moment.

The Brisbane Bandit’s venue, the RNA Showground, hosts an authentic ballpark experience.A couple of beers and a hotdog during three hours of play and live entertainment is the perfect way to wind down after a long work week, or a launch pad for a big night – Brisbane’s nightclub hub nestled just meters away. First timers quickly become season ticket holders and it is not difficult to see why.

Congruent with Australia’s love of a good character, there is no typical baseballer. On any given team, you’ll find your Shane Warne, Bernard Tomic and Billy Slater counterpart. One thing you will notice is that they are all battlers; the struggle for baseball to survive in Australia is the ultimate underdog story.

The sporting atmosphere is second to none – unlike tennis, the crowd is encouraged to roar and being Australian, you don’t need permission to holler at the batter.

You don’t have to know much about baseball to appreciate a game (you’ll pick it up easily) or know all the players (picking your favourite won’t be difficult). You don’t even have to be a “sportsman”, or a man for that matter to come along, just someone who welcomes a good time. If you have children, don’t deny them the action – the League offers one of the best family-friendly activities available today.

In no other professional sport is the fan’s experience so entirely in their hands. For $15 you can park yourself practically anywhere and after the game you are encouraged to meet the players – who, unlike in other sports, aren’t hurried in to a locker room as though allergic to the general public.If you miss a pitch, or the entire innings, the person next to you will be more than happy to bring you up to speed. If you can’t make it to the ballpark, you can stream it online and cheer from your couch.

This “new” Australian sport should come with a warning – a love of baseball can induce wild fanaticism; in no time, new aficionados willingly throw themselves in to this hole in our sporting landscape.

Now that the season is over, we have the luxury of tuning into the Major League season in the US to hone our knowledge for ABL 2012/13 – or we can take a leaf out of the book of legendary baseballer Rogers Hornsby, who quoted -“People ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball. I’ll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring.”

Whatever your choice for winter, remember this – anything that involves a couple of hours in the sun, armed with a cold one, surrounded by your mates, gets the tick of approval as an enjoyable pastime; park yourself at an Australian diamond next summer.

As published on the Australian Baseball Digest, ABL Buzz and Baseball Reflections Online.

Sunday Suicide 4

Blonde Anna and I at the Indigenous All Stars v NRL All Stars game, getting our live sport fix post-Bandits season.

What did I learn? Rugby League players have absolutely no regard for their physical safety on field.

What did I read? "Two teachers - one suitcase" by Henry Benjamin, 2010 for Sydney Jewish Museum. The story of Hana Brady and a true lesson in empathy.

What did I talk about? Baseball in Australia - why there is no reason we shouldn't adopt it down under. Article out this week!

All good things must come to an end

The Brisbane Bandits season wrap by Alexis Brudnicki and yours truly!

Baseball is essentially a game of numbers. And after hitting numerous milestones, superseding many expectations and accumulating a list of firsts, the Brisbane Bandits are winners this season despite an early finish.

They had 22 home games, and 23 on the road for the up to 24-man roster. Narrowly missing out on a playoff position, the Bandits were supported by a team of dedicated coaching staff, round-the-clock volunteers (more than 30 throughout the season) and an endless array of supportive families, friends and fanatical Queensland sport goers.

Nine is the number of games Brisbane took wins from in the first half of the season, though after a slow start, the team came together and ended up finishing strong. The latter half of the season was a source of pride for Bandits General Manager Paul Gonzalez.

"The highlight of the season for me was the continued improvements this organisation made both on and off the playing field," Gonzalez said. "We won 11 of 20 games in the back end after the departure of our Japanese imports. It was a true test for our coaching staff, and with the support of our local Brisbane clubs the Bandits fought to the very end."

See full article

Shooting The Breeze...with Justin Erasmus

ABLBUZZ: In the 2009 World Baseball Classic, as a 19 year-old you had to pitch against quality major leaguers including Boston’s slugging first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. Gonzalez hit a home run and a double off you back then – now that you are both in the Red Sox organisation, have you had a chance to chat about that day with the big man??

Justin Erasmus: Yes he came down to rehab for two days during spring training and I went up to him and said “You probably don’t remember, but you hit a home run off me, it’s all good”. He just laughed and we chatted for a bit.

AB: After your promotion to Low-A Greenville in 2011 you put up some excellent numbers. A 4-1 record with a 1.11 ERA and a 36/11 K/BB ratio in 40.2 innings. What goals are you setting yourself for 2012?

JE: I’m just hoping to have a good spring training and make a full season team whether it be inGreenville, Salem or Portland. My goals this year aren’t really numbers focused; it’s basically just getting guys out.

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Top five things you don't want to see on Facebook

Since writing the Phony Facebooking article I have been bombarded with specific examples of what people really don’t want you to share on Facebook. Whilst I’ve already covered Directed Posts, passive aggressive statuses and inappropriate over-sharing. Here are the Top Five social-networking behaviours that make you wish there was a ‘Dislike’ button.
1. Muscle cars as profile pictures. If your DP is a flame-detailed Toyota, when accepting your friend request, I will be as slow as your car is fast.
2. Legs-in-front-of-the-ocean holiday snaps. We get it, you’re on holidays and I’m at my boring desk at my boring job, living my boring life. This seems to annoy men in particular – FYI girls -everyone’s legs look great at that angle! New Trend Alert: just feet.

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Meet the ABL's first family

This is a picture of your typical Aussie baseball family whose only prerequisite to join is a sense of humour and unwavering commitment to the game. At present, there are six Pinders - four Australian, one American, and one Italian, not including the occasional Japanese umpire.

The dedication of rare families such as the Pinders is the foundation of the Australian Baseball League; the rosters are currently littered with sets of brothers: the Blue Sox Monoroas, Heat's Kennellys and our very own Duttons. The Nilsson empire is a perfect example of Australian baseball communities at their best.

Brisbane Bandits Volunteer Coordinator, Carla Pinder spearheads one of the hardest working families in the ABL. "I am blessed to have such a terrific family," Carla explains. "Of course we all work well together, I am very lucky". Husband David, daughter Em and son Toby are all volunteers for a second season with the Bandits.

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Italian 'son' Alex Maestri is currently in the running for the ABL's fan favourite. A threat on the mound, a great guy off - VOTE HERE