‘Walking on air’ in world series Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au BASEBALLER Jayson Arthur had the time of his life playing in the Senior League World Series in Bangor, Maine, US. The Bittern player, 16, who plays for Sandringham Royals in summer and Dandenong Angels in winter, was a member of the Southern Mariner’s Baseball Charter which won through regional tournaments in Geelong, then the Senior League Nationals at Lismore, on their way to the “big stage” in the US. “We went through that tournament undefeated and I led the batting average with 825 and was really happy with the way I played,” said Jayson, who attends Dromana Secondary College. After that it was on to the Pacific Senior League Baseball Tournament in the Philippines to determine who would go on to America. “We went from being Team Mariners to Team Australia and were on a hot streak, with everyone performing well and doing their job,” he said. “We kept that momentum all the way through, winning games 30-1 and 17-4 to take out the Asia pacific senior league baseball tournament undefeated, giving us our ticket to the big stage. “From our first game to the last
game in Asia Pacific, we had a win-toloss ratio of 17-0: it was insane and it felt like we could do anything.” The left handed pitcher and first baseman said that, despite the onset of nerves and 33 hours of travelling, the team did well losing only one game to reach the championship game against the Centrals team of Chicago – the only team to beat them in the preliminaries. “When we arrived at the fields it was surreal, with the dirt on the infield amazing, the pitcher’s mound Heaven and the outfield grass felt like we were walking on air,” he recalled. “However, we didn’t get off to a great start which upset the tone for our team. Later on we started to build momentum, with runners on second and third with no one out. Then, a thunder storm hit, which destroyed our comeback as we came back out feeling flat. We lost that game 7-2 which made Chicago the Senior League Champions of the World. “It was pretty hard going all that way and losing but, at the end of the day, we worked hard and accomplished what we wanted to do: play in the Senior League World Series.” Parents Peter and Theresa, and sisters Sarah and Amy, are proud of their boy whose dream is to attend a college in America and further his baseball and, hopefully, one day play in major league baseball.
Author talks on tragic tale ABC journalist Paul Kennedy will visit Hastings library next month to talk about his book detailing one of Australia’s worst sporting disasters, 1pm, Tuesday 8 November. His novel Fifteen Young Men: Australia’s Untold Football Tragedy describes the loss of 15 Mornington Football Club players and officials who drowned while sailing home from Mordialloc on a cold night in 1892. His compelling recreation is of a spirited Australian town on the cusp of a new century. It captures the trauma of families and friends suffering almost unbearable loss, but also the irrepressible optimism of the times and the mateship, love and resilience that would come to define a budding nation. Bookings are essential. Visit ourlibrary.mornpen.vic.gov.au or call 5950 1820.
Fire ‘landscaping’ A “landscaping for bushfire” workshop will be held at Mornington Peninsula Shire’s Eco Living Display Centre 10am–11am on Saturday 5 November. Fire education officer Katie McKenzie will speak about fire behaviour, good landscape design and suitable plant types to create an environment that will minimise the risk of bushfire. The session costs $5 a person and all proceeds go to the CFA. Tea, coffee and snacks available. Bookings: mornpen.vic.gov.au/eventslisting.
Tyabb CFA open day
Walking on air: Pitcher and first baseman Jayson Arthur hopes to one day play major league baseball.
TYABB Rural Fire Brigade will hold an open day 10am-3pm, Sunday 13 November. Activities and entertainment for all ages includes truck displays, water shoot, smoke house, jumping castle, face painting and a visit by Captain Koala. The Royal Australian Navy Band, Hastings SES and Victoria police will visit, and there will be a flyover by the Peninsula Aero Club Warbird. The presentation of a new tanker will be held at noon and the Warbird flyover at 1pm.
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Western Port News 1 November 2016
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