2005 Media Releases:
After the first week of finals, four of Penrith Baseball Club’s teams have earned a week off and progressed directly into the Grand Finals for the 2005 Greater Western Winter Competition.
Following a strong season of on field results, the Club had six of its seven senior winter teams qualify for the final series play offs, with the first, second, third and seventh grade teams having to wait until next week to find out who will challenge them for the Premiership titles.
“It’s always great to see good performances and results over the season, but to have four teams already into their Grand Finals and two Minor Premierships already in the bag is outstanding,” said Club President Kevin Jacobs.
There was certainly no mucking around for Penrith’s First Grade Minor Premier ‘Cougars’, who had an early finish to what should have been a nine innings game after the mercy rule came into effect in their 16-6 victory against the West Sydney Boomers.
The Cougars have played a dominating season, which has seen only two losses recorded against the team including a somewhat surprising 5-12 loss to the Club’s other first grade team, the ‘Panthers’.
In the other First Grade Semi-Final, the Panthers put in a valiant effort but went down 7-15 to the Blacktown Workers’ team despite an early four run lead, and obviously disappointed not to be able to make the final a Penrith affair.
The Second Grade Minor Premier ‘Jaguars’ also played a solid game both in the field and with the bat to take the lead at the beginning of the game against the St Marys and won 11-4 with their opposition scoring some late consolation runs.
Like their First Grade Minor Premier counterparts, the Jaguars have also dominated the competition, having only one loss and three drawn games all season.
Coming off a five run win in the last round of the regular season against the same opposition, the third grade ‘Tigers’ also continued their recent form with a 10-7 win over the Third Grade Minor Premiers, Blacktown Workers.
Unfortunately, the sixth grade ‘Wildcats’ were unable to overcome their frustrating season against the MacKillop Baseball team, going down by one run to the team with which they were drawn for the minor premiership but lost on a head-to-head comparison.
However, an incredible performance by the seventh grade ‘Pumas’ saw them not only annihilate the Minor Premiers from the Diggers Club by ten runs, but it was also their first victory against the team all year.
So with a strong possibility of finishing the 2005 Winter season with five premierships, including two Minor Premiers, the Penrith Club is setting a great example for their juniors who will compete in the upcoming Summer Competition.
“The Club has been going from strength to strength and we expect our juniors to not only maintain this seasons’ successes, but also back-up to try and take out the Club Championship honours,” said Kevin.
“Baseball’s a great sport to get involved in at any age or ability, but like all local clubs, there is always a never ending need for additional support.”
For more information and to keep up-to-date with Club activities, logon to www.penrithbaseballclub.com.au.
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Penrith Baseball on-deck for the finals
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With six of their seven senior teams qualifying for the Greater Western finals this coming weekend, Penrith Baseball Club is in a strong position to capitalise on what has been a tremendous six months for their members.
Excitingly, of those six teams playing off for their respective championship honours, two of them have already won the minor premierships for this season’s first and second grades with the third, sixth and seventh graded teams running a narrow second for the regular season.
Penrith Baseball Club’s President Kevin Jacobs said, “It’s fantastic to see such great results again this year, and while there may still be three weeks left to determine final standings, it’s just phenomenal to know that five teams could go directly into the Grand Finals from wins this weekend.”
While the senior teams continue to record strong results, the junior members of the Club have also made headlines this year, having taken out the 2004/05 Club Championship, and more recently with the news that four of its juniors – Hayden Godbold, Tate Dimech, Jake Pianta and Dean Hazell - are set to tour Beijing with the New South Wales Baseball Squad later this year.
“Penrith has always been a dominant Club in the Greater Western region and these recent results are only the beginning,” said Kevin.
All of these strong on field performances have been even more significant by the unanimous decision at the beginning of May this year to amalgamate Penrith Baseball Club with Penrith Panthers Junior Baseball Club after 17 years operating alongside each other.
“The decision to join the Senior and Junior Clubs was a long time coming, and there was a lot of work that went into getting everything in place… I would really like to thank everyone for their assistance and support during this period.”
Looking ahead for the Club, the possible results from this season are only the beginning for Penrith.
“It would be great to have all of our teams in their Grand Finals, and we wish them all the best of luck this weekend…win or lose, everyone is to be congratulated on their efforts and participation this year, and we all expect only better things to come.”
Time for Summer 2005/06 registrations is running out, for more information logon to www.penrithbaseballclub.com.au or call Karen on 02 4722 6430.
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Media Contact: Michael Bryan 0404 093 100 penrithbaseballclub@hotmail.com
