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SA confident in Claxton Shield

Posted on December 19, 2008, 9:09am

The South Australian baseball team, which is set to play three games against the Victoria Aces as part of the Claxton Shield beginning tonight, have lost its first four games of the series in Sydney.

Head coach, Ron Harvey said the team played the way that he wanted them to and he had a very raw team consisting of several players who were making their debuts, including 17-year-old Chris Doyle.

“They played some very tough opposition and were beaten by very strong pitching,” he said.

“One pitcher; Donovan Hendricks cut us up like a surgeon.”

“It’s a good indication of who we are up against.”

The new look Claxton Shield, now in its 75th year, kick-started the 2008-09 season in Sydney recently with a showcase round, featuring all five state teams, SA, Victoria Aces, Queensland Rams, Perth Heat and NSW Patriots.

Whilst well beaten by the Heat, 0 – 7 and the Aces, 0 – 8, SA kept the other two honest, losing by just one run to the Patriots and two against the Rams.

As a result, SA is floundering on the bottom of the Claxton Shield table, while this weekend’s opponent boasts a 5 – 1 win-loss record and sits on top of the ladder.

Harvey played Division One baseball for Adelaide local team West Torrens as a second baseman and made the Under 16 Australian team.

He then turned to coaching due to injury, which he has been doing well for 30 years after starting out coaching West Torrens and junior state teams.

He has coached the South Australian team on and off for 12 years along with the National Baseball League team, Giants.

Harvey said South Australian Baseball is in the process of rebuilding and trying to establish itself, however He knows that it is extremely important to leave Mount Gambier with a couple of wins under their collective belts.

“We need a couple of wins so that we don’t completely lose contact with where we’re going,” Harvey said.

“We’ll be on the road which will be a challenge but I’m into that.”

He believes that it is a tremendous opportunity to play in Mount Gambier and it’s also a great opportunity for South Australian baseball to reach regional clubs and reward them for their dedication to the sport and what they have put into state baseball.

“The Mount Gambier region has produced four state level junior players and that’s great representation for the regional clubs,” Harvey said.

Michael Ewart is a former Tiger from the Mount Gambier and District Baseball League and as such is a role model for the younger kids who have achieved state recognition.

Harvey said he was not intimidated by the Aces even though they are top side.

The South Australian side has made a few changes to its team and Darren Fidge, who is usually a pitcher, will be playing in the outfield and should make an impact as he has done everything that Harvey has requested throughout the series.

Another player to watch out for is Ben Wigmore who is a huge hitter and set the batting standard whilst in Sydney hitting two home runs.

There are no individual Ace players that Harvey will be keeping an eye on.

“We play a team game against a great team,” he said.

“The only Victorian that worries me is the next hitter.”

The tournament is set to capture some tough baseball and it’s not to be missed.

Tonight’s opening game of the Claxton Shield carnival weekend is scheduled to start at 7pm.

The same start time is programmed for Game 2 tomorrow, while Sunday’s third match will start at 1pm.

SAM DOWDY

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