NEWS & INFORMATION ARCHIVE - 2003
       

  

ARCHIVED NEWS FROM 2003 BEGINS BELOW:

 

  
  27 DEC 2003 - 5 WILDCATS IN VICTORIA'S 30-MAN
Our congratulations to young Waverley seniors 
SIMON BERESFORD 
HAYDEN DINGLE 
JARROD HODGES
GRANT KARLSEN 
DAVID McWATTERS 
for their selection in the VICTORIA ACES 30-Man squad for the upcoming CLAXTON SHIELD Carnival at Blacktown, in Sydney from 18-24 January 2004.

For ALL the LATEST & BEST NEWS about
CLAXTON SHIELD - BLACKTOWN 2004
Visit Australia's No.1 Baseball Web Site:
Flintoff & Dunn's AUSTRALIAN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL.
Simply click the icon at left, or click here

  

  
  
  12 DEC 2003 - WAVERLEY X-MEN OPEN "PIG PEN"

Thanks to our intrepid "media man" Peter Wood photographic evidence has just arrived to signify the official opening of the "PIG PEN" in front of Waverley's Clubrooms.

As you would know this area is favoured by the club's FIFTHS team for after match "relaxation and re-hydration". It is where our 'X-MEN' can be found when not playing the game they love so much.

He may deny it, but I think it was Peter Wood himself that named the 'PIG PEN'... no offence to the inhabitants of course! 

  

  
  
  8 DEC 2003 - WAVERLEY BASEBALL CLUB FLOOD!

LOOK FAMILIAR? 
For anyone who may have missed Page 4 of Melbourne's HERALD-SUN Newspaper last Wednesday, you might recognise the scanned picture labelled "Wantirna South" as an area badly affected by the flash flooding last week. 
Not sure about Wantirna South?? but it sure looks like the magnificent premises of our beloved Waverley Baseball Club with water flooding our entrance road and creeping up on left field of Diamond 1.
For those of us who have been around the club long enough it would not be too unusual a sight to see our grounds under water... we are all too familiar with the renowned WAVERLEY "rain belt"!!

  

  
  
  28 OCT 2003 - SIMON BERESFORD IN A-ROO SQUAD!


Si Beresford

 Our congratulations to Waverley's own SIMON BERESFORD who was selected in Australia's initial 42-man squad for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. SIMON BERESFORD who was selected in Australia's initial 42-man squad for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. The Squad is:

PITCHERS: 
Craig Anderson (NSW), Grant Balfour (NSW), P.J Bevis (QLD), Shayne Bennett (SA) Simon Beresford (VIC), Travis Blackley (VIC), John Challinor (SA), James Darby (NSW), Matthew Gahan (NSW), Josh Hill (NSW), Rikki Johnston (VIC), Paul Mildren (SA), Chris Mowday (QLD), Wayne Ough (QLD), Chris Oxspring (QLD), Luke Prokopec (SA), Ryan Rowland-Smith (NSW), John Stephens (NSW), Phil Stockman (QLD), Richard Thompson (NSW), David Thorne (NSW), Paul Weichard (VIC)
CATCHERS:
Justin Huber (VIC), David Nilsson (QLD), Andrew Utting (QLD) 

INFIELDERS: 
Tom Brice (SA), Trent Durrington (QLD), Gavin Fingleson (NSW), Brendan Kingman (NSW), Craig Lewis (NSW), Paul Rutgers (VIC), Brett Tamburrino (VIC), Rodney Van Buizen (NSW), Glenn Williams (NSW), Dean White (WA).
OUTFIELDERS: 
Daniel Floyd (WA), Paul Gonzalez (Q), Nick Kimpton (ACT), Trent Oeltjen (NSW), Brett Roneberg (Q), Chris Snelling (NSW), Stephen Tope (WA).

  

  
  26 OCT 2003 - 11 WILDCATS IN JUNIOR VICTORIAN TEAMS!     

The Waverley Baseball Club is proud to pay tribute to our Junior Victorian State team representatives for 2003/04.
Featured at Left (left to right) are our Under 14 Victorian selections: Andrew Van Iersel, Daniel Zucchet, Taylor McEvoy, Matthew Gerraty and Joshua Collis. Along with teammates Wade McConnon (a sure selection who did not try out) with "late cuts" Joel Gray and Max Wheeler it is a great Under 14 representation for Waverley!

Our Under 16 Victorian representatives are: 
Kirby McConnon, Ryan Fisher and James Beresford

Our Under 18 Victorian Representatives are: Donavon Hendricks, Steven Hood and Adam Kim.
  

  
  
  20 JULY 2003 - OUR DONNIE SIGNS WITH BRAVES!


Donavon
Hendricks

From the prolific Waverley Baseball Club in Melbourne, outstanding young pitching prospect DONAVON HENDRICKS becomes Australia's latest player to sign a professional baseball contract. He joins the "pitching rich" Atlanta Braves. It would not surprise too many in Victoria, especially at Waverley, that young 'Donnie' has attracted great interest after the U18 eligible player anchored the Waverley Wildcats senior Division One team in the VBA finals. Hendricks did an outstanding job after original starter Peter Tautor was required to report to the US after being signed by the Minnesota Twins.

Currently on the Gold Coast participating in the Major League Baseball Australian Academy Program (MLBAAP), Donovan was presented with his contract by Atlanta Braves scout, Neil Burke. Hendricks is the 15th player to sign out of the MLBAAP since its inception three years ago. 

  

  
  
  6 JUNE 2003 - McWATTERS STILL DOING US PROUD!

It would delight all Waverley people to hear that our very own 2001/02 Club Champion DAVID 'D-MAC' McWATTERS continues to prove his class in the professional Frontier Independent League in the USA. Pitching for the Kalamazoo Kings Mcwatters currently owns a 2-0, 2.53ERA record. From 3 games he has recorded 21.1ip 19h 8r 6er 6bb 21k... way to go Dave!

MCWATTERS WINS AGAIN (from Peter Wood)

All Waverley supporters will be pleased to hear of the continuing success of one of our favourite sons, David McWatters. 
Playing for the Kalamazoo Kings, at home, against the Evansville Otters, David won his second game from 3 starts, with a dominating complete game performance. Allowing only 4 runs, and striking out 9 batters. he followed up his 8.1 innings shut-out in his previous start. All Wildcat’s hope that he continues on his merry way, before returning to help us regain our rightful place at the top of 1st Div.

  

  
  
  28 MAY 2003 - OUR SIMON BERESFORD A BREWER!


Si Beresford

 From 'Flintoff & Dunn's AUSTRALIAN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL'...
Highly rated Victorian pitching prospect SIMON BERESFORD has agreed to sign with the Milwaukee Brewers. The big hard-throwing right-hander from the Waverley Wildcats in Melbourne has been pitching for Texarkana College, helping them to a recent appearance at the Region XIV Junior College Finals tournament. The Brewers decided to exercise their exclusive rights to the 20yo having selected him in the First Year Player Draft last June. Beresford has been assigned to start his professional baseball career with one of the Brewers' Rookie teams, the Helena Brewers based in Montana, and he will report there in the next week for pre-season training.

  

  
  
  3 MAY 2003 - JARROD HODGES OUR 2003 CLUB CHAMPION!

At our annual Senior Presentation Night on 3 May 2003 star centrefielder JARROD HODGES was awarded the Waverley Baseball Club's most prestigious CLUB CHAMPION AWARD after his outstanding 2002/03 season.

He adds this award to the VBA's Batting Champion Award that he also won earlier this week.

Although we cannot claim Jarrod as our own "home grown" product, as he came to us from Doncaster in 2001, he epitomises all of the things we like produce in our players at Waverley. Not only is he an outstanding talent with bat and glove, but he also carries himself as the type of player and personality that younger players can look up to. Jarrod also puts some of his time back into the club as an assistant coach of our Under 18's.

  

  
 
  27 FEB 2003 - DANNY BERG WITH AUST IN GUAM!     


Daniel Berg

 The Waverley Baseball Club is proud to have selected to represent Australia at the BCO (Baseball World Cup) Qualification Series in Guam our young star utility player DANIEL BERG. Although the team is selected without the luxury of our 60-plus professional players, the honour is a fitting reward for 'Danny' who finished the season so strongly for the Wildcats and who also performed well for Victoria at the Claxton Shield.

WBC legend and Life Member PHIL DALE is also an assistant coach to Jon Deeble for the tournament.
Phil Dale
  

  
  15 APR 2003 - MORE WAVERLEY BOYS OFF TO JAPAN  

The Waverley Baseball Club is proud to report that our very successful Junior (U12) program has once again produced a number of players who have earned selection for the 2003 INTERNATIONAL RUBBERBALL SERIES.

Selected for the big trip to Japan this year are:
Scott Davis, Joshua Hendricks, Taylor McEvoy

Selected for the Gold Coast Tournament are:
Duane Butler, Jake Dunn, John O'Connor, James Saunders, Nathan Wright

Very well done to these boys and all of the other Waverley boys who tried out for the teams... we are proud of ALL of you!!

  

  
  8 APR 2003 - FIVE WILDCATS IN VICTORIA U23 SQUAD  

The Waverley Baseball Club is proud to pay tribute to the five WILDCATS who have earned selection in the (inaugural) Victorian Under 23 team for 2003. These are:

Daniel Berg
Glen Mascoll
Christian Prandi
Andrew Russell
Tom Rynberk

Head Coach of the Victorian team is former Australian Baseball League player James Waddell. Russell Spear and Dean Marnell are his assistants. 

The 2003 Tournament will be played from 18th to 21st April at Blacktown Olympic Venue in Sydney. Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, and a composite team including players from ACT will play in the first Under 23 Tournament. To be eligible, players must not have signed professional contracts or have attended a USA colleges.

  

  
  6 APR 2003 - DIAMOND 8 NOW "DAVID WARREN DIAMOND"     


The Waverley Baseball Club chose the occasion of our 2003 Junior Presentation Day on 
5 April 2003 to honour the quite magnificent 
25 YEARS of coaching service to the club by our great Under 14 head coach and mentor 
Mr. DAVID WARREN. 
In addition to a commemorative plaque, the Board voted to permanently recognise his unique contributions to the club by re-naming our famous Under 14 diamond known as Diamond 8 on Mason Field as:

"The David Warren Diamond"
  

  
  3 APR 2003 - FIVE WAVERLEY BOYS IN VIS BASEBALL ACADEMY     


Waverley Baseball Club is proud to announce that five of its finest young players have been invited to attend the prestigious VICTORIAN INSTITUTE OF SPORT Baseball Academy program for 2003, namely:
DANIEL BERG  
DONAVON HENDRICKS
STEPHEN HOOD
ADAM KIM
ANDREW RUSSELL
  

  
  14 FEB 2003 - BERG & TAUTOR MAKE AUSSIE SQUAD     


Daniel Berg

 Waverley Baseball Club duo (utility infielder) DANIEL BERG and (right-hand pitcher) PETER TAUTOR have been selected to attend the National training camp in Sydney prior to the 2004 Oceania Qualifier in Guam. The camp will run from 21-23 April. The squad will be cut to a 22 man roster on the 24th April. The selected team will then travel to Guam and play a best of 5 series against the host country, commencing 26th April. The team will fly home 1st May. This series is the qualifier for the World Championships in Cuba, later this year. Both players have been superb contributors for the Wildcats this season and displayed their talents for the Victoria Aces at the recent Claxton Shield carnival. Congratulations Danny and Pete.
Peter Tautor
  

  
  30 JAN 2003 - WAVERLEY GETS JUNIOR GRAND FINALS FOR NAPIER PARK!  



GREAT news filtered through to the WBCWEB today that the Victorian Baseball Association has decided to award the 2002/03 State League Junior Grand Final Day to the Waverley Baseball Club for games to be conducted at our Napier Park on SUNDAY, 30 MARCH 2003! 

While it is an obvious endorsement of the club management and the quality of our facilities, it was probably also influenced by the current position of our Junior State League teams who each clearly top their tables. A moment of internal congratulations to our teams and coaches while the club braces for the hard work ahead to make the day another "showcase event" for Waverley Baseball!!

  

  
  29 JAN 2003 - 3 WILDCATS START AS VIC ACES WIN AT CLAXTON... AT LAST!  


With a respectable element of "tongue in cheek" it is obvious from today's result at the Claxton Shield carnival at Blacktown, NSW that it takes the selection of WAVERLEY WILDCATS players for Victoria to show its true class!!

Well, the simple fact is that the ACES have been suffering an horrendous time at Blacktown losing to both QLD (8-9) and NSW (4-5) with last innings comebacks and then losing to the lowly rated Australian Provincial team (2-3) to hand them their first ever win... yes, all one run losses!!

However, with our PETER TAUTOR starting on the mound, DANIEL BERG starting at third base and JARROD HODGES in his usual centrefield position, our Victorian team rallied to beat SA 12-6 today!

For ALL of the latest news and results from the Claxton Shield you need look no further than Australia's No.1 Baseball Web Site, produced by our own 'Flintoff & Dunn', click here.

  

  
  25 JAN 2003 - TAUTOR & KARLSEN SIGN US CONTRACTS     


Grant Karlsen

 The Waverley Baseball Club is proud to announce our two latest "products" who have earned a shot at the baseball 'big time' in the United States of America.

Teenage catcher GRANT KARLSEN signed with the Philadelphia Phillies, describing the experience as a "dream come true". Karlsen was a member of the 2003 National Championship-winning Victorian team, batting 0.410 for the tournament.

Grant began playing tee-ball with the Waverley Baseball Club at the tender age of 6 and has worked hard to progress through the senior ranks at Waverley. He has been a regular feature in Australian junior teams for last three years, as well as being part of the Victorian Institute of Sport Baseball Academy. He will continue to train with the VIS, before leaving on March 10th for Spring Training.

It has been a while since an Australian was signed by the Phillies, with West Australian Kevin Hooker the last in 1996. Now a scout for the Phillies himself, Karlsen was Hooker's first signing for the ball club. "Grant is a catch-and-throw sort of player", Hooker said. "Grant will be getting fitter and stronger playing baseball every day. If his batting comes along then he can go a long way".

After Spring Training, Grant will either play Rookie Ball in Florida or suit up for a Phillies' low-A level minor league team. He will defer his acceptance into Computer Science / Aviation to purse his dream of playing professional baseball.

Twenty-one-year-old PETER TAUTOR recently returned to Australia after a two-year stint with the Hill College Fighting Rebels baseball program in Texas, USA. "I went to the States looking for a life experience, but also with the aim of furthering my baseball career and getting signed", the right-hand pitcher said. 
He attracted the attention of scouts whilst commanding the mound for the Waverley Wildcats, signing with the Minnesota Twins. He will play Rookie Ball for the Elizabethton Twins in the Appalachian League after Spring Training, after helping Victoria defend its Claxton Shield title this week in Sydney.
Peter Tautor
  

  
  22 JAN 2003 - 3 WILDCATS IN 2003 CLAXTON SHIELD 20-MAN ROSTER     


Jarrod Hodges

Peter Tautor

 The Waverley Baseball Club is well represented in the FINAL 20-Man Roster announced for the VICTORIA ACES Claxton Shield Squad for 2003.

Our congratulations to Wildcats JARROD HODGES, and  PETER TAUTOR on their original selection and also to DANIEL BERG who was added to the squad to replace the retired Adam Burton. Danny certainly deserved his call-up as things are really happening for the BERG family after young Ryan headed off for the US college scene.

We hope that they all get to play a significant role in the ACES tilt at retaining the Claxton Shield in Blacktown next week.

Once again we commiserate with young ANDREW RUSSELL who just missed the "last cut" after having performed very well to make the squad during his first season getting used to his new role as a catcher. He will have plenty of opportunities in the future.

We will also take this opportunity to congratulate our big pitcher PETER TAUTOR on his recent signing of a Rookie Contract with the Minnesota Twins... best of luck 'big fella'.


Daniel Berg
Andrew Russell
Springvale Myles Barnden
Waverley Daniel Berg
Cheltenham Travis Blackley
Moorabbin Andrew Dewar
Essendon John Edwards
Geelong Cameron Forbes
Waverley Jarrod Hodges
Upwey Justin Huber
Upwey Steve Jenkins
Bonbeach Rikki Johnstone
Doncaster Mathew Kent
Upwey Glynn Kimberley
Blackburn Peter Moylan
Springvale Paul Rutgers
Sunshine Russell Spear
Essendon Brett Tamburrino
Waverley Peter Tautor
Doncaster Paul Weichard
Geelong Matthew Wilkinson
Sunshine Greg Wiltshire
  

  
  16 JAN 2003 - WAVERLEY BOYS STAR FOR U18 CHAMPS VICTORIA
Grant Donnie
Evan Chris
Great performances by Waverley Representatives in the semi-finals of the Uner 18 National Championships in Canberra as Victoria defeated NSW Country 9-0.

DONAVON HENDRICKS was the starting pitcher, and pitched 6.1 innings with the outstanding figures of 4 Hits, 0 runs, 1 BB and 6 Ks, to take his ERA to 0.78. Along with his tremendous batting average of .438, Donavon has been an outstanding contributor.

His "Compatriot in Crime", better known as his catcher, GRANT KARLSEN had another outstanding day with the bat. He finished with 4 from 5, including 2 doubles, and in the process took his average to .400.

The Victorians then clinched the National Championship with a comprehensive 18-0 flogging of surprise finalists SA (to repeat their 20-0 win in the preliminary round). Once again GRANT KARLSEN was to the fore, batting 2-4 and delivering 3 RBI's in the final.

Also representing Victoria were Waverley's EVAN PHILLIPS and CHRIS CASSIDY.

We must also mention JUSTIN KIRSCH who represented Victoria Provincial.

For the record catcher GRANT KARLSEN batted .410 from 39 at bats in 9 games and was ERRORLESS behind the plate! DONNIE HENDRICKS pitched in 2 games for a 1-0. 0.73ERA record from 12.1 innings with 8 strikeouts and only 3 base on balls. Donavon also batted .438 from 16 at bats! CHRIS CASSIDY pitched in 3 games for his 1-0, 2.16ERA record from 8.1 innings with 5 K's and 5 BB's. EVAN PHILLIPS pitched in 3 games for his 1-0, 7.94ERA record from 5.2 innings with 8 K's and 6 BB's.

CONGRATULATIONS GRANT, DONAVON, EVAN & CHRIS!

  

  
  10 JAN 2003 - BERESFORD LEADS VIC U14's


James
 Beresford


Nick 
Bradbury

With our U14 Wildcats undefeated in the State League so far this season, it comes as little surprise that four of our finest players are among the stars for the Victorian U14 team who are also undefeated after the opening round of the U14 National Championships in Alice Springs. The Vics have beaten NSW 7-6, Country NSW 5-2, WA 13-6, Vic Provincial 7-1 and Queensland 17-10 in the first round of the tournament.

 

Our mail is that each of the Waverley boys has performed extremely well so far with big NICK BRADBURY hitting hard and pitching hard as we would expect, RHYS BRADY also pitching and hitting as we know he can and ASHLEY DAWS producing terrific defence at the short stop position and making his at bats count for the team.

 

Now, we don't like to individualise too much at Waverley, but it is simply impossible to ignore the quite outstanding talents of JAMES BERESFORD. We at Waverley have long been aware of James' special abilities as a player and as a quality style of person but sometimes we have been reluctant to give him the praise he deserves... so here is some! Our U14 Wildcats captain is showing everyone once again that he is not only the premier pitcher in the State (probably in Australia), but he is also a tremendous all-round offensive and defensive player. Not only does he take over as the ace short stop when he is not pitching, but the boy sure can hit! Just to emphasise this point, James was working on a shutout as Victoria's No.1 pitcher in the opening game against NSW until he was relieved, then after taking his turn on the bench, he exploded with the bat against WA to hit "for the cycle"... for the uninitiated this translates into the fact that he batted 4-4, including a single, a double, a triple and a home run!! Way to go Jimmy!!

 

For the U14 Championships Web Site developed by Greg Daws, click here.


Rhys 
Brady


Ashley 
Daws

  

  
  5 JAN 2003 - OUR PAULA A BIG HIT FOR AUSSIE GIRLS!

While the Australian team were again proving themselves the World Champions of Women's Baseball at the Invitational Tournament in Geelong, Victoria this January, our very own PAULA PAPANICOLAOU was making her own mark with the Aussie Stars Team.

 

Paula, who gives lots of her time in various roles with the Waverley Junior Program (not to mention her husband Arthur!) was the Batting Champion of the tournament with her outstanding .615 average.

 

Not only are Arthur and Paula great people to have around the WBC as coaches and organisers, but they have also provided us very promising junior players Con, Luke and Jamie Papanicolaou.

  

  
  1 JAN 2003 - WAVERLEY BASEBALL CLUB JOINS "GOOD SPORTS PROGRAM"     


Until we receive formal confirmation of our Accreditation with the 
Good Sports Program, we display this logo only as part of this 
NEWSLETTER Item.

Sports clubs such as ours have significant influence in the community and can play a major role in encouraging people to live healthier lifestyles. In recognition of this, the Waverley Baseball Club has elected to participate in the Good Sports Accreditation Program.

 

The program is run by the Australian Drug Foundation in conjunction with Vic Health, TAC and the Department of Human Services has been designed to assist clubs with the responsible management of alcohol and is the only state wide accreditation program of its kind. As a community based club we believe involvement in this program is an important step towards recognising the responsibility our club has to our members, their families and the general community.

 

To become Good Sports accredited, we will address a number of criteria including having trained bar staff. The Good Sports Program is a way for our club to manage alcohol better and demonstrate to our community that we are dealing with this issue proactively.