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Monthly Archives: October 2019

VOB 16 – Crusaders 3

21
Oct
2019

Good discipline at the plate and aggressive base running key to Macaws win

A good first home game for the VOB Macaws Reserves against their Grassy Park Crusaders counterparts running out 16-3 winners in 6 innings.

The game remained tight in the early innings with the score being 4-2 in favour of the Macaws after four and a half innings. Then a mammoth rally saw the Macaws accumulate 12 runs in the bottom of the fourth to take the game away from the Crusaders who only managed one more run in the sixth and final inning.

The Macaws struggled to straight steal against the left handed Crusaders starting pitcher Niyaas Galant, but took advantage of a lack of awareness from the catcher and middle infield to execute a number of delayed steals. This helped to disrupt the pitcher’s rhythm which made the job for the hitters in the box easier. After Niyaas departed the Macaws continued with the aggressive base running which was key to the fourth inning rally. This is an exciting addition to the reserves’ game that was not present in previous seasons.

The pitching start on the day was given to Kevin Mullins, pitching 2.1 innings and conceding no runs but leaving 2 runners on. Luke Budler replaced Mullins and completed 1.2 inning before the ball being handed to Naeem Dollie. During Budler’s stint, the 2 runners put on base by Mullins scored as a result of some fielding errors. Dollie closed out the game completing two innings while conceding 1 run. All of the pitchers did an excellent job in tying up the Crusaders hitters and allowing minimal free bases.

Top offensive performers on the day were Matthew Blows (2-3, HBP, 3B, 2 R), Daniel Darius (2-4, 2B, 3 RBI, 2 R), Luke Budler (2-2, BB, SF, SB, 2 RBI, R) and Robin Jones (2-3, BB, SB, 2 3B, 2 RBI, 3 R).

Good discipline at the plate and aggressive base running were the keys to the win. This was a good progression from last week which if it continues will see this squad become a formidable unit.

No Comments 2019 10 19From the DugoutMajor League Reserve

10’s give it their all vs Oceanview 10-35

21
Oct
2019

This past Saturday the 19th of October saw the VOB u10′ take on a very strong and big ocean view team. VOB u10 saw themselves missing a few key and strong players in their line up this weekend but many new comers and many young players stepped up and played very well. We do not look at the score line as a definition of the game but we look at how much fun the kids are having and how much they are actually learning about the game.

We saw many players stand out this weekend but we must give a special mention to Riley May who was outstanding at Shortstop and batted really well and Noah Rathner who was amazing at 1st base and batted really well in the lead off spot. This week also brought us twin boys aged four years old making their baseball debut. It is really heart warming to see young kids so interested in learning how to play this amazing sport. Overall we are seeing massive strides in our U10 team.

Special thanks to our umpires on the day Paul Bell and Marvin Mahoney as well as our scorer Zulfah Mosaval. Final score was VOB 14 Ocean View 35

No Comments 2019 10 19From the DugoutGame DaysUnder 10

Slugfest at Goodwood – Masters win 26-13

21
Oct
2019

Goodwood vs VOB.
Opening day and we somma started with a drama filled game. Yusuf Daniels looking very tired on the mound as Goodwood went off to a great start. Our guys were clearly a bit rusty as we somehow struggled to string together hits against their pitcher.

We were 12 – 5 down at one stage with the game almost done.And then the guys woke up and in the final inning we made it 12 – 12 and the game went into extra innings. We were 2 down and then out of nowhere the team that we all know came to play. Glen Joseph came on to replace Yusuf and did an excellent job at one stage and as the top hitter at the IPT, didn’t dissapointed.

The hits started flowing out of no where and when we looked again we scored 16 runs. And this all on two down. There were quite a few homeruns by our guys who finally decided to skrik wakker. By now Goodwoods hearts were broken and just like that we came back. A very stressful game as we woke up very late, but we showed our metal and coach Owen had so much to choose from on the bench, and that’s the difference between us and most teams. All and all a fun filled day with some seriously crazy people with never a dull moment. Oh ja, Wayne Repepi was also there.

No Comments 2019 10 19From the DugoutMasters

VOB u15’s take down the Saints…

20
Oct
2019

VOB u15’s take down the Saints from Ocean View in 18-0 rout.

It was the first meeting between these two teams since Ocean view were formed and the gulf between them was huge. Even though VOB has a mix of really good players and very young players, they easily outclassed the Saints.
VOB’s Promise Khamula started for the second week in a row even though he has never pitched before. His pitching is already growing in leaps and bounds even though he is only touching the surface of what he is capable of. This week he got through 2.2 innings, without conceding a run, before he was replaced by Josh November. Josh completed the game without any runs being scored for the 18-0 shut out.

However, it was the VOB hitters that were in fire in this one smashing everything that they could. Leading the charge was Jaime Brookes who went 4-4 with 3x3B and a double for a massive 11 total bases on the day. Not to be outdone, Jared Riffel went 3-3 with 2 HR’s. In his first game back from soccer, Jermaine Mohammed scorched 2 doubles and a homerun of his own. That was the 3-4-5 hitters and they did all the BIG damage. Notable mentions must go to 12 year old Talun Davies who was so terrified of playing u15 baseball that he threatened to quit baseball last week if he was forced to play. This week he plays and gets two good hits – well done young man. And lastly, the fair maiden on our team, Jade November, who has two good hits of her own and had the biggest smile each time she reached base, well done.

This team will get better as the season progresses as they love training and learning. Onwards and upwards.

No Comments 2019 10 19From the DugoutUnder 15

ML vs Athlone A’s 9-7 (VOB)

15
Oct
2019

Our first game for the season started off really well. It shows the preparation paid off and the players are reaping the benefits from that. Michael Scritten was handed the ball for the season opener. As our only out and out pitcher on the day, his duty was to eat up as many innings as he could. Up to the task he gave us 6 strong innings whilst only giving up 1 run. Scritten left the game at 9-1 in our favour. I knew the game is not over as Athlone are a very resilient team and under coach Darren Wedel they were bound to bounce back on their home ground. True to form they nipped away at part time pitcher Zubair Larney who did a great job to eat up 2 innings in order for us to give the ball to our on the day closer Luke November. Luke showing maturity beyond his years and closed the game out in a tough fought battle. All in all, great defence and great base running won us this game. Well done boys.

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No Comments 2019 10 12From the DugoutGame DaysMajor LeagueWeekly Roundup

MLR vs Athlone A’s 15-14 (A’s)

15
Oct
2019
 Our seniors were on the road to visit our southern suburb rivals at Parktown. Although we had quite a few players unavailable for the season opener we still had a solid team on the field. Lee van Wyk had the pleasure of getting the first start of the season and pitched 2.1 innings (8 hits, 3 ER’s, 3 BB’s, HBP, 2 K’s) before he tired and was replaced by Luke Budler. Budler (2.2. innings, 5 hits, 0 ER’s, 3 BB’s, 2 IBB’s, 2 K’s) and finally Kevin Mullins finished the game with 0 hits and runs against him.  

On the offensive side we strung together some good at bats and kept ahead of A’s for most of the game, but just did not capitalise on the base runners that we were getting on all the time. We were up 14-11 at the bottom of the last inning and then allowed A’s to equalise through some poor defense. The game went into extra innings and A’s kept us scoreless and had everything to play for to win their home opener. Unfortunately we kept our worst efforts for that inning and allowed A’s to win through a wild pitch.  

Best hitters were Luke Budler (1-4, RBi, SB), Kevin Mullins (2-5, RBi), Miguel Wilson (1-4, 2B, BB, RBi), Yusri Pretorius (1-4, 2B, BB, 2 RBi’s) and Lee van Wyk (2-2, 2BB’s, 2 RBi’s).   A really fun game that had plenty of ups and downs, but this young team has plenty of talent and will grow over the season. Watch this space!  
No Comments 2019 10 12From the DugoutGame DaysMajor League ReserveWeekly Roundup

U15’s vs Battswood No result

15
Oct
2019
Coming to the field on Saturday we knew that we would be short of numbers as we still have a few players finishing off their winter sport and were unavailable till next weekend. This did not dampen the spirits of those who have been training because they were told that we would be playing, irrespective how many players we had. We hosted our neighbours Battswood who rocked up with 27 players compared to our 6. We then had two u12’s, Jaedon Jonathan and Caleb bell, who jumped at the opportunity to play another game before their u12 game. I informed the opposition coach that we had 8 which meant we could legally play and I also warned him that we would probably be leading them by the time the u12’s would leave for their game – he laughed!

Promise was told that he would be starting the pitching and his immediate reaction was “I can’t pitch coach”. He was the told that if he can throw a ball, he can pitch. And what a debut it was. He blew the Battswood hitters away and grew in confidence as the game unfolded. It helped that his catcher, Josh Smith, was solid behind the plate and worked hard. We shocked Battswood by taking the lead from the very first inning and never let them back in the game. By the time Josh November relieved Promise, it was game over because the fireworks was coming. November blew the batters hitters away and any hope that they had faded quickly. When it was time for the u12’s to leave for their game our game was about halfway which meant we never had enough players to constitute a legal game. Even with 6 players they still could not score, but their coach was determined to get the result.

We settled on a 6-5 win for Battswood (versus a default result) even though we scored 15 runs in the game compared to their 3. That’s is how strong our players were on the day. A special mention to Caleb Bell’s great defensive play at 2B and welcome back to Jade November to baseball. This is going to be a fun season for these kids.  
No Comments 2019 10 12From the DugoutGame DaysUnder 15Weekly Roundup