ANNUAL REPORT 2008-09 PATRON Margaret Ralston VICE PATRONS Dr Roger Capps Don Carter Ron Chandler Bert Haynes Ken Wesslink Ron Wright PRESIDENT Kevin Jennings VICE PRESIDENT Jim Wilton DIRECTORS Finance & Marketing Chris Day Youth Operations Jim Wilton Bob Neiswander Baseball Operations Jeff Kevan Affiliated Associations Peter Thompson Masters/Memorabilia Gordon Penhall OFFICE PERSONNEL Chief Executive Officer Paul Begg Development Manager Paul Chandler Administration Officer Trish Hollands Operations Co-ordinator Lorraine Dunn Development Officer Ben Arthur Operations Database Derek Slater State Director of Coaching Ron Harvey State Director of Umpiring Paul Begg League Historian Robert Laidlaw ABF Council Representative Kevin Jennings League Tribunal Peter Dixon Hugh Franke Ron Wright Peter Cesco BUASA Andrew Bell SACBA Ian Ewart Scorers Association Carolyn Smith Winter Baseball Georgina Gordon 2 Table of Contents Contents 3 President’s Report 4 Chief Executive Officer’s Report 5 Australian Baseball Federation 7 Baseball Operations Report 9 Finance Report 11 Auditors Report 13 Detailed Income & Expenditure Statement 14 Development Manager’s Report 18 State Director of Coaching Report 21 SASI Report 22 Youth Operations Report 24 2008/09 Coopers Division 1 Grand Final 26 2008/09 Capps Medal Evening 28 Awards 31 Junior Medal Presentation 32 Masters/Memorabilia Report 34 Claxton Shield 36 Claxton Shield 75th Diamond All Star Team 38 Little League Representative Team 40 Under 14 State Team 42 Under 16 State Team 44 Under 18 State Team 45 State Director of Umpiring Report 47 Baseball Umpires Association of South Australia 48 SA Baseball Scorers Association (SABSA) 49 Affiliated Associations Report 50 2008/09 ALL STARS TEAM Premiership Tables 51 History of Life Members 57 History of Division One Premiers 58 History of Capps Medallists 59 3 President’s Report I began last year’s report by congratulating Port Adelaide on winning the Division 1 Premiership, after many years, and now find myself congratulating them again for winning the trophy “back to back”. After a slow start to the season, Port fought th back to finish the minor round in 4 place, then defeated Kensington, West Torrens and ultimately Goodwood, each in two games, to retain the title. Mention must be made of the heroic efforts of Darren Fidge, of Goodwood, who provided outstanding pitching outings, combined with his offensive efforts, to propel Goodwood to the Grand Final. Port Adelaide import, Ryan Murphy, was the very deserving winner of the trophy for the most valuable player in the final series. The Capps Medal winner this year was East Torrens import Tyler Levin, who won by 4 votes from Ben Wigmore of Good- wood. The presentation was conducted, once again, at AAMI Stadium and, again, Dr. Roger Capps was able to delay his departure for interstate to enable him to present the medal personally. The successful evening incorporated the presenta- tion of Life Membership of Baseball SA to Norm “Chalky” White, recognition of the SA Claxton Shield All-Star Team and the an- nouncement of the Baseball SA All Star Team.. In addition, med- al winners in all senior grades were announced, West Torrens were presented with the Junior and Senior Club shields and Vicky Tate & Ken Wesslink Division 1 significant award winners were presented. I congratulate all of the above for their achievements. • 75th Claxton Shield Diamond All Star Team Manager Kingsley Wellington First Base Kevin Greatrex Second Base David Mundy Short Stop Dave Roberts Utility Andrew Scott Pitchers: Charlie Puckett Ron Sharpe Neil Page Shayne Bennett I continue to be supported by a hard working Board and The Baseball Australia Diamond Awards were held on Saturday, Baseball SA office staff, and thank them for their efforts this 21 February 2009 at Rydges on Swanston in Melbourne. past year. It was with a sense of loss that the Board accepted the retirement of Peter Thompson, Director of Affiliated Asso- Congratulations to the following South Australians who were ciations, due to ill health. Peter had worked hard and suc- recipients at the Awards: cessfully, during his years on the Board, to improve communi- cation and relationships between the Board, Baseball SA and • President's Award Ken Wesslink the various affiliated bodies and I hope that his successor can maintain that position. • ABF Life Membership Ronald Morgan • Coach of the Year Award Tony Harris 4 Being a member of our Tribunal is generally a thankless For some years now discussions have been held around task, particularly when it appears that the decisions are the centenary of baseball in South Australia and how inconsistent. Notwithstanding this, the Tribunal is an best to recognise achievement of this event. A number essential part of our operations and I wish to thank the of clubs have successfully held centenary dinners members for their continued service. It is the intention of combined with the introduction of a Hall of Fame or the Board, in the coming months, to enter into dialogue announcement of a team of the century. with the Tribunal in an attempt to ensure that we are all However, attempts by Baseball SA to introduce some- working to the same objective and it is hoped that this will thing similar at the State level have been met with al- significantly reduce perceived inconsistencies. most thunderous silence. Despite repeated requests, The latest information available is that the National League the majority of Clubs remain silent in both their endorse- will not commence in 2009/2010, the current economic ment for such a project and in the nomination of suitable climate being a significant deterrent in trying to launch a people for elevation to such a significant position. successful competition at this time. However, whilst there Accordingly, and very disappointingly, the Board feels is hope for the following year, South Australia’s that we are left with no alternative but to abandon the participation is in doubt due to the lack of a suitable facility, whole concept. I extend my thanks to those members of and efforts to address this remain high on the Board’s the Baseball community who volunteered their time and priority. effort to get the project on the go, and am sure that they A further factor affecting our possible participation is the are as disenchanted as are we, with this result. lack of support (i.e. attendance), especially from the base- ball fraternity, for our current Claxton Shield program and Kevin Jennings home games. It is expected that a similar format will be in President. place for this coming season and our support for these games will go a long way to impacting on the final decision. This also impacts on our financial results as the accounts will show. 5 Chief Executive Officer’s Report It is with pleasure I present my second annual report and The performance of the Claxton Shield squad in the re- while a home for baseball and a proposed National Compe- vamped Claxton Shield competition this year was below tition have dominated previous annual reports I am pleased standard with 1 win and 15 losses. Head Coach Ron to say that Baseball continues to compete admirably with Harvey spent a lot of time with the squad leading up to other sports in terms of playing numbers, teams competing the tournament. Warm up games against sides com- and funding from the Office for Recreation and Sport. In peting in the December Goodwill Series and a series addition slow progress has been made on a major facility against the Perth Heat in Port Hedland and Perth were and the national competition. ideal in the lead up to the competition. Facility Development The performance of the Claxton Shield group was cer- tainly tested and we were narrowly beaten in some close Facility development at States Sports Park, Gepps Cross was games. With continued increased focus in this area, re- a very detailed project that required all cards to fall into sults are expected to improve. The Board has appointed place perfectly. Since applying for $8.4 million dollars last Tony Harris as Head Coach of the Claxton Shield side with year this figure has blown out to $19 million by the time the Mark Haylock as his assistant. final case study was completed in February 2008. Our pro- ject is now being considered as a high priority sport that Baseball Operations needs the facilities to attract a national competition and On a positive note, competition management and suitable for International teams. ground allocation while appearing to be a major concern This case study did not receive State Government approval actually improved, and will continue to do so with but is supported by the Office for Recreation and Sport. We stability in personnel managing League operations. Staff will pursue the application until no further action can be at Baseball SA are now using the competition manage- taken. ment program effectively and we will expand this next season. Major concerns have been raised with the State Govern- ment over the risk to the sport if South Australia does not Achievements have a suitable facility able to host national fixtures in 2009. Even if given an immediate green light for facility develop- Congratulations to the Adelaide Baseball Club and Sturt ment at State Sports Park, completion of construction Baseball Club on celebrating their centenaries. Both would take at least 2-3 years, placing our involvement at clubs recognized their Champions with Adelaide pre- great risk. Therefore, a major focus in the short term is the senting their Team of the Century and Sturt announcing development of an interim facility that satisfies the require- members of their inaugural Hall of Fame. ments to host national competition events. This has been directed toward the Glenelg Baseball Club grounds.