MORNINGTON Pirates Baseball Club has been part of the Mornington sporting scene since 1975. Based at C B Wilson Reserve on Wilsons Road, they fielded eight teams last year across mens, womens and juniors.
With the 2019 season just around the corner, they are having two ‘come and try’ days to attract new participants to the sport.
“We are hoping to grow the number of teams we field this year, so are calling for anybody out there who’d like to come and see what we are about”, said Jo Schutt from Mornington Pirates.
Mornington Pirates pride themselves on being a family focused club that offers a highly inclusive, non-contact sport.
“Obviously, everybody gets a go in baseball, and has their opportunity to shine,” said Jo.
“Baseball is also quite strategic, so appeals to those kids who appreciate that aspect of sport. It is a great alternative to the rougher sports out there.”
Mornington Pirates is currently the biggest club in the Dandenong Baseball Association, with about 120 members.
“We do family dinners every Thursday night after training and have created a home away from home for our members,” said Jo.
The family nature of the sport has meant that there are parents that have ended up joining their kid’s teams to play alongside them. Fiona Styles is one of those parents.
“I took taking my 14-year-old daughter to a Mornington Baseball Club ‘try out’ after school one day and ended up throwing the baseball around myself,” said Fiona.
“It was something I hadn’t done since high school. I ended up joining and playing in the same team as her.”
“It has given me the opportunity to spend time with her, watch her improve and develop her love of the game… just like I did when I was her age. It’s been quite a ride in this extraordinary welcoming club.”
As well as the women’s and men’s seniors, Mornington Pirates field junior teams in the under 12’s, under 14’s, under 16’s and under 18’s.
The ‘come and try’ days will be held at C B Wilson Reserve, on Wilsons Road, Mornington, between 4.30pm and 6pm on Thursday 14 and 21 March. It will be followed by a free sausage sizzle.
For more information, call Jo from Mornington Pirates on 0425 785 161.
First published in the Frankston Times – 11 March 2019