Congratulations to the below players on their selection into the CSJBA Little League 10/11's Teams.
Coaches will be in contact with you all shortly to advise training times and venues.

​Team Black
Bailey May
Ashton Hayes-Conway
Benjamin Napier
Cooper Calderon
Travis Holborow
Lachlan McGuckin Anderson
Harry Roberts
Ismail Nahas
Hugh Kelly
Joshua Dalton
Liam Carmody
Aiden Southcombe
Samuel Regan
Phoenix Rostron
 
Team Blue         
Zac Jacenko
Lincoln Potter
Hudson Shorey
Zain Bull
Alexander Valsamakis
Logan Stephenson
Ryan Hutton
Aiden Thomas
Zarr Murupaenga
Finlay McCormack
Samuel Kelly
Blake Short
Cameron Kelly
Blake Baker

​Congratulations to the players selected to represent Cronulla Little League Minors in the upcoming State Championships.
 
Training will commence March 4th, venue TBA. Coaches will be in contact with you shortly.
 
Blake Baker    
Zain Bull     
Cooper Calderon
Liam Carmody     
Joshua Dalton 
Ashton Hayes-Conway
Travis Holborow   
Ryan Hutton     
Zac Jacenko       
Hugh Kelly    
Samuel Kelly
Cameron Kelly
Bailey May   
Finlay McCormack   
Lachlan McGuckin Anderson
Zarr Murupaenga      
Ismail Nahas   
Benjamin Napier
Lincoln Potter 
Samuel Regan
Harry Roberts    
Phoenix Rostron
Hudson Shorey
Blake Short    
Aiden Southcombe   
Logan Stephenson   
Aiden Thomas   
Alexander Valsamakis 

​Congratulations to the players selected to represent CSJBA at the 2022 Baseball NSW Little League State Championships
 
Coaches will be in contact with players shortly to advise training times and dates.
 
Jack Anasta
Finn Bennett
Will Bonham
William Clout
Will Frinsdorf
Harry Fuz
Jacob Gallardo
Jesse Garnero
Tyce Hill
Fletcher Massone
Archie Sampson
Jake Shorey
Xavier Taylor
Harrison Thomas-McLean

Congratulations to players selected to represent CSJBA at the up coming 2022 Baseball NSW Junior League State Championships.
​
Coaches will be in contact with players shortly to advise training times and dates.

Team Black

Harrison Calderon
Liam Cavanough
Tahlan Cavill
Jack Fletcher
Lucas Gallardo
Lewis Gardner
Riley Jones
Ryan Nicholas
Mitchell Regan
Colm Sheehan
Gabriel Tentomas
Joshua Tiernay
Matthew Trainor
 
Team Blue

Cameron Conray
Cameron Cowles
Tristan Crynes
Bailey Doves
Jackson Griffiths
Cole Haigh
Coen Hardy
Jacob Hazan
Joseph Hutt
Hamish Kelly
Kade Rogers
Campbell Tillet
Tyler Varney

Congratulations to the players selected to represent the CSJBA at the up coming 2022 Baseball NSW Senior League State Championships.
​
Coaches will be in contact with players shortly to advise training times and dates.

Team - Black
Rylan Angel
Oliver Brodie
Noah Fylaktidis
Liam Grant
Max Miotto
Emyrs Mulvihill
Nathan Paes
Quinlin Pitt
Mikah Targett
Lachlan West
Damian Wilson
Yuuta Yamanaka
James Burgess
Cal Fingleson

Team - Blue
Liam Anderson
Ewan Choat
Oscar Clout
Zac Curtis
Tom De Soza
Harrison Ford
Sam Levick
Henry Lewis
Dylan Mogenson
Jacob Palmer
Aidan Roche
Max Stevens
Lachlan Vella
Johnathan Wackwitz

An Important Announcement:

In conjunction with the Bonnet Bay club, we will be hosting the 2022 BNSW Rookies tournament on Sunday 27th February. This will bring significant prestige to the CSJBA and its member clubs but we will need considerable support. Bonnet Bay will be setting up 8 small diamonds and will need to borrow benches; bases, pitchers plates and home plates; back nets just to start as well as volunteer workers throughout the day. Expect to hear from both us and B Bay officials in the near future. The field will need to be set up on the Saturday afternoon. Sunday will be HUGE! Currently 23 teams have nominated. We look forward to all of our CSJBA clubs helping out enthusiastically.

Covid as a reason for games to be abandoned. Now that school has resumed and families are back from holiday activities teams can borrow players from lower grades or younger age divisions. Consequently from Round 12 (11/12th February) any match, with the exception of Tee Ball Minors, in which a team is unable to field at least 7 players will be considered a forfeit.

While visiting our Covid protocols could I remind to all coaches and parents that if players feels unwell they should not attend matches or training. We understand this may provide an opportunity for malingerers to avoid exercise but these days team officials have to “tread on eggshells” when working with children and some helicopter parents.

Coaches are also reminded of their “Duty of Care” responsibilities and shouldn’t pitch/play juniors who tell you they are “sore” or carrying an injury. A seriously injured player who has missed games as well as training should provide a medical clearance before resuming. This would cover the coach in the event of an existing injury being aggravated.

Zooka Machine Placement: During the week preceding Round 10 the CSJBA Secretary sent an email to all clubs reminding them of the correct placement of the Zooka machine. This was after complaints received. I only visited one Zooka game in my travels in Round 10 but sure enough – if the child playing pitcher tried to move to his right to field a batted ball he would have run straight into the machine. The pitchers plate is 43 feet from home. The centre stem of the Zooka is 40 feet from home (so the pitcher can move left or right and get past it). As it happened the club secretary passed by and I queried if she had received the email. She had and was disappointed because she had definitely forwarded it to all the club coaches. She commented that she can’t force them to read their emails.

“No pitch” in Zooka. This is when the machine delivers a ball that is so wide, so high or so low that it cannot be hit by the batter. If the umpire is quick and declares “no pitch” then the ball is dead irrespective of whether the batter swings. Sadly if he hits a home run it doesn’t count. Happened once at Manly during Rookie Reps. Baserunners may not advance on a dead ball. If the batter doesn’t swing but the umpire agrees that the pitch is not a strike then it is still a no pitch and again runners may not advance. Finally, if the umpire isn’t quick and the batter swings then the umpire is likely to allow play to continue even though the batter exhibited poor judgement.

The machine is throwing high is a complaint from parents, and some coaches, particularly if the hitter is vertically challenged (short!). The machine is calibrated to throw strikes to average sized players. It is not a simple matter to alter the height trajectory for specific hitters and won’t happen. Could I suggest coaches encourage their shorter players to consider moving back in the box so that when the pitch is going past it has dropped lower and hopefully into the batter’s comfortable hitting zone.

Or teach the short kids to hit high pitches. In a loud voice recite the axiom, “High ball, home run!” Then in a less audible mumble finish the axiom, “but high risk”.

Machines that begin throwing inaccurately: Call time and fix it. Umpires can stop the game as soon as the inaccuracy begins to develop and ask the home team to recalibrate. Ideally don’t do it at the change of innings such that the visitors bat against a machine throwing poorly while the home team get better pitches in their half inning. Act promptly once a problem is identified.

Zookas don’t like dirt: If the ball is dirty ask the pitcher to wipe it clean. Shirt fronts are eminently suitable for cleaning dirty balls.

Stealing in Zooka: Stealing one base is now allowed if the catcher fails to keep the ball in front or beside. However in front doesn’t mean bouncing off the leggings and rebounding half way to first base. The usual guide is if the catcher is required to take more than a step and a reach to retrieve it then the ball has gotten away and the runners may steal. If in doubt run and should the umpire consider it inappropriate he will send the runner back.

Players not playing in their normal grade MUST be indicated on the result sheet and line ups (where line ups are being used) Rule 22.1 (b). Players may “play up” but there is no provision for “playing down”.

Rep trials are underway and the number of participants is encouraging. I’ve had time to observe the SL and LL trials and the numbers are very good with the standard of play also quite encouraging. Wet weather has hampered the process but it is nearing the finish and teams should be announced shortly.

We’re still seeking volunteer officials for the 10/11 Rep teams which start their trials next Wednesday 9th February. I believe there are 46 players who nominated to trial for a position in either the Championship team or the Development team. In the 10/11 Championships we are not obligated to select teams of equal ability as is the case in JL and SL.

Our Monday evening LL Hitting Development program at the Grand Slam Facility is progressing extremely well with all participants enjoying the experience and benefitting from their time in the tunnel. All of the Minor teams have had a turn and we are currently working through the LL Major teams. There will be sufficient time remaining after the LL teams are finished for us to squeeze in the IL teams as well. We consider these beginning pitched ball hitters will benefit most from the program. Older players are encouraged to consider getting a couple of friends together and hiring a lane. At $50 an hour, 3 to 5 team mates splitting the cost make it a very reasonable batting practice session. Groups are ideal as too long in the tunnel can lead to the development of undesirable habits as the hitter becomes fatigued.  Consequently groups sharing multiple short stints is recommended.
Call Brad McDonall 0425 268 546 for available times. Open Monday to Thursday evenings but not Friday or at the weekend.

Wild Pitchers: An experienced junior coach recently observed a game where a player was introduced to the pitching mound and threw extremely hard but with very little control. Three young players were hit and the remainder had several week’s growth scared out of them. Even the umpire was ducking and weaving. My colleague suggested it was actually bordering on dangerous and should have been stopped. All coaches in junior sport have duty of care responsibilities and that covers the opposition as well as their own players. In men’s park ball where players have to go to work the following day 3 hit batters normally prompts a change of pitcher. Kind of the “3 strikes and you’re out” philosophy. I don’t believe in being struck out and junior coaches could consider replacing a struggling pitcher before he reaches three plugged batters. It is not a rule – it is etiquette. Please keep it in mind. Etiquette is important in a civil society. Another etiquette situation is replacing an injured baserunner with the fastest player in your team and then stealing bases. An injured runner probably wouldn’t be stealing because of the injury. The coach who steals is abusing the concept of a “courtesy runner”. Note that running on a pass ball is not considered stealing.

Videoing at games. There is no NSW law that says videoing in public places is illegal if it isn’t for commercial purposes. Several team coaches like to set up a camera behind the back net and set it to record the game, primarily the home plate area. It would be courteous to notify the opposition officials if you are doing this so they can inform their players/parent body. Should anyone object to their child being videoed then the camera can be paused for that child’s At Bat.
Note that unofficial videos cannot be used to review umpire decisions.

Intermediate League: As clubs are aware we designed our Intermediate League competition to cater for young players transitioning to the bigger diamond who might struggle if they were required to move immediately to the 80 foot base paths of Junior League. We specifically excluded former LL All Star players (even though they may be age eligible) and League Age 14 players. The division is intended to be of a lower standard than a Division One competition. It has recently come to light that on our website in the draw and results section IL is referred to as IL Division 1. If it was considered a Division 1 competition then current LL Major players “playing up” in IL could pitch unrestricted. This would not be satisfactory and consequently the Executive has written to the 4 IL clubs telling them that we have made a determination that we would consider the IL comp as a Division 3 competition for the purposes of restricting LL players who are playing up. LL Majors may not play on the infield, LL Div 2 players may pitch 30 (finish the batter) and LL Div 3 players would be unrestricted in IL.

At the February General Meeting we will seek the support of the clubs to confirm this determination.

A game that exudes interest will be held prior to the State League match between Cronulla and Macarthur on Wednesday 16th February. Marlins LL Div 2 are leading their comp and feel like flexing their muscles in deeper water. They have challenged the very young Yarrawarrah LL Div 1 team to an exhibition match at 5.15 at Bonnet Bay before the first grade match. Tigers Coaches Gavin Jones and Robbie Hayes Conway are counting heads as I type to determine if they have enough players available to teach the upstarts from Illawong some manners and to respect their betters. The Marlins are coached by young graduates of the Barden Ridge School of Baseball Ethan Ng and Nathan Howarth. Ethan and Nathan have both played some State League, coach aggressively and their respect has to be earned. Could be interesting if Tigers accept the challenge. It is wonderful to see former Juniors, who are still very young themselves, putting something back into the sport and nurturing beginning players. Their parents must be very proud.
​
Cheers and stay safe,
Peter B

CSJBA is accepting registrations to trial for the CSJBA teams that will compete at the BNSW State Championships in April 2022.

League Age 10/11s
Born between 1 September 2010 and 31 August 2012 (League Age 10 and 11)
Register here

Little League “All Stars”
Born between 1 September 2009 and 31 August 2011 (League Age 11 and 12)
Register here

Junior League
Born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2009 (League Age 13 and 14)
Register here

​Senior League
Born between 1 September 2005 and 31 August 2007 (League Age 15 and 16)
Register here

As Christmas approaches we have played, well scheduled, 6 rounds and are
attempting to squeeze in two more before the Christmas adjournment.
Obviously because of the Covid disturbance we started later than usual and so
we are trying to get the players as much baseball as possible. The weather
authorities warned it was going to be a wet summer and for once they got it
partially right. We’ve only lost one and a bit Saturdays out of 6 so far but
unfortunately Friday night 16’s comp has been decimated. At this time humans
are unable to control the weather but we’re working on it. Some teams have
made up their washed out round 4 games midweek and we are quite happy to
condone this as long as both clubs are prepared to play the game.

One of the rounds squeezed in is round 8 which has been allocated to the
week between the end of school and Christmas. Round 7 is on the website and
round 8 has been sent to clubs but is yet to be posted. We’ve been made
aware of at least one scheduling problem where a clash of grounds with
another sport may need attention. We’re gambling on not many people going
away as soon as school finishes this year. Certainly they won’t be going to
Western Australia and you’d be taking a gamble going overseas.

Could I remind clubs that they will have to source their own umpires for Round
8 as it is unreasonable to ask the Umpire’s Association to allocate umpires
when the vast majority of its members are adults who will be at work when the
midweek games kick off. If you know an umpire who doesn’t work because
he’s so old they retrenched him then book him asap. All of the midweek games
start at 5.30 but as the children are not at school they will be around but the
major hurdle will be either dad or mum or grandad/grandma getting away
from work to transport them to the ground.

A reminder also that we recommence on the 21 st /22 nd January instead of after
Australia Day.

Coaches need to be mindful that if they are playing on Saturday 18 th of
December (round 7) and then again on Tuesday 21 st that they don’t pitch their
players so long on Saturday that they are unavailable on Tuesday. LL, IL and JL
players who throw more than 50 (finish the batter if started before 50) on

Saturday will require 3 days rest under the BNSW policy. If their team is playing
on Wednesday they will be fine should they go to our limit of 60 on Saturday
but if they are drawn to play Tuesday then stop at the 50 mark and only two
days rest is required.

I was complimented on the CSJBA’s slow but steady start to the season by an
extremely experienced JL1 coach this week. He said the long layoff for his
players during Covid has seen a small number of his players underprepared
physically for a return to just club baseball. They are carrying niggling injuries
and if they had an intensive rep program to also contend with he felt the injury
problem would have been much worse. It was gratifying to receive the
support.

Junior Umpires: A couple of issues.

Coaches who become frustrated and consequently don’t conduct themselves
ideally. Bite your tongues!

Junior umpires who are asked to do games they aren’t really experienced
enough to handle.

Junior umpires who don’t have capable adult support and supervision.

Coaches who influence junior umpires inappropriately taking advantage of a
child’s tendency to defer to an adult.

These come up every season and although not in plague proportions it does
occur. If there is a problem the junior umpires can stop the game and ask for
instruction/assistance from the umpire coordinator. Pitched ball game coaches
have the ability to lodge a protest if the umpire makes a mistake on a rule or
interpretation of a rule. Note you can’t normally protest judgement calls –
strike, ball, safe, out, fair, foul.

The biggest bugbear for me is umpires who allow too long between innings
and time is wasted. Disorganised coaches also contribute to long breaks
between innings when they don’t get their team out onto the field promptly.
We have a catcher speed up rule – use it. Know the positions kids are playing
before the game and allow the manager to tell them of planned fielding
changes while they’re batting instead of during the changeover.

More on junior umpires – umpires sign on the result sheet to testify that the
winner and score are correct. They are not involved with pitching statistics,
fielding positions or injuries. Two young umpires waited patiently in Round 5
for scorers who insisted the pitch counts had to be completed, box scores filled
in, i’s dotted and t’s crossed before the result sheets could be signed. Because
they were youths and reluctant to disagree with adults they waited for quite a
while despite their need to get away to play their own games.

The umpire asks the result, checks both scorers agree and then signs after the
results are written on the result sheets. Then they are gone. Little else
concerns them. Of course it is embarrassing when a signed result sheet is
submitted without a result or score. That has happened and as I knew mum
(coached her in softball back in our younger days) I dobbed on him.

Players arriving late or leaving early: We want children to play baseball.
Consequently a child who is late can join the game without penalty. They just
go on the bottom of the batting order and take their turn when it comes up.
Similarly there is no penalty if a child leaves early. In my 29 years with baseball
I have only once heard of a coach suggesting a player become unwell and drop
out of the game on the grounds his approaching At Bat was unlikely to be
useful to the team and the match was in the balance. I wasn’t involved with
the administration back then but he was censured by both his club and the
CSJBA.

A reminder about rule 26.1: Last Saturday at a LL game a batter got hit in the
face by a foul that came off the bat awkwardly. There was some doubt about
whether he could continue. The Junior umpire was asked what would be the
call if he couldn’t complete his at bat. The rule says he seeks treatment and the
next batter comes to the plate with a new count. The injured player misses his
bat without penalty but can’t bat again until his turn comes around in the
natural order of the game. Fortunately the wounded warrior came back to
finish his turn – lucky because the junior umpire had no idea what to do and
neither did the coaches. In big boys baseball a reserve from the bench would
replace the injured player and take his count. We don’t have reserves as
everyone bats. A bit tough on the pitcher but we’re a compassionate baseball
association.

Juniors wearing the Umpires’ Association uniform should be members of the
Umpires Association. It is very reasonable fee – just $10 which a club could
consider covering. Once the Umpires’ Association has a junior umpire’s details
they will be invited to workshops, meetings and receive educational emails.
The treasurer is Geoff Ollerton. His email is [email protected]
He tells me he has new junior umpire members from Comets, Bosco and St
George. Members from last season are rolled over for this season due to the
Covid interruption. Geoff acknowledges that some clubs outfit their junior
umpires in club related junior umpire uniforms rather than Umpire Association
uniforms.

Special Event: The Grade Club play their first home game of the season against
Manly this Wednesday evening at Bonnet Bay. As an attractive undercard we
have two LL games happening prior to the main game. On diamond 3 in the left
field corner LL Majors Cronulla and St George are playing a make up for their
round 4 washout. In the right field corner, diamond 4, Bosco and Yarrawarrah
LL Div 3 are squaring off. All spectators are welcome. The canteen will be open
and the BBQ operating. LL starts at 5.15 and finishes at 6.45. First Grade starts
at 7.15 and finishes at 9.45.

Rookie Reps trials were held recently and we have formed three teams for the
tournament at the end of February. Thank you to the coaches who
volunteered to be involved. They are Henry Twaddell from Dolphins, Robbie
Hayes Conway from Yarrawarrah and Shane O’Connor from Giants. The players
involved are listed on the CSJBA website.

Hitting Centre Development Program: Once again we have invited the players
entering the pitched ball ranks to a session at the Grand Slam Batting Centre.
We start with the lowest ranked LL division and work though all the LL teams.
Thus far we have hosted the LL Div 3 teams and without exception they have
found the experience beneficial and enjoyable.
Finally, thanks to Giants President Nathan Fuz for getting us access to the
Taren Point Bowling Club for our December meeting. See you there?
​
Peter Barrington