Junior baseball is on the rise in Australia, and the Shoalhaven Mariners are looking to expand junior baseball and T-Ball to the Milton-Ulladulla region in 2016-17.
It will be a welcome return of baseball to the southern Shoalhaven.
The Ulladulla Marlins played in the South Coast Baseball Association in 2010 and 2011 and dominated the competition with two Minor Premierships, but fell short in two consecutive grand finals.
Local player Gabe Tate joined the Shoalhaven Mariners from the Marlins in 2013 and is excited at the prospect of more Ulladulla locals joining the junior ranks.
Tate grew up playing baseball in the Sutherland Shire and founded the Ulladulla Marlins in 2010.
He is looking forward to nurturing the next generation of baseball players in the Ulladulla area.
“I've recently achieved my Level 3 Coaching accreditation,” he said.
“Juniors are the priority and it will be great to provide an alternative sport to all those looking for something different and challenging.
“Baseball is a game that everyone gets to be involved in, where they can have fun and learn new skills, no matter their abilities or build.
“T-Ball is suitable for boys and girls 4 to 7 years old, and Junior Baseball is for 8 to 15-year-olds.”
Saxon Reghenzani-Tate is 11 years old and attends Milton Primary School. Saxon has played junior baseball since 2013 with both the Shoalhaven Mariners and the ACT Eagles.
Saxon is looking forward to playing in the upcoming summer season and is excited about the prospect of his local schoolmates and friends joining him playing the sport that he loves.
The Shoalhaven Mariners will be holding a free Come n Try Junior Baseball and T-Ball day at Frogs Hollow Sporting Complex, Milton, on Sunday, August 28.
The session runs from 10am to 1pm. The Mariners will also be holding Come n Try sessions at Ison Park, South Nowra, on Sundays, September 4 and 11.
For further information about the upcoming Junior Baseball season, check out the Shoalhaven Mariners Facebook page, contact Gabe Tate on 0410544756 or email gabe@coloursensations.com
The Shoalhaven Mariners were founded in 2005. Senior teams have been playing out of the new baseball facility at Ison Park since 2014.
A number of current Mariners Senior players have come through the Junior nursery, including club president Blake Mitchell, Murray Lugg, Aaron Taylor, Dalton Haines, Andrew Pearson and Jayden Brain.
