JUST a week remains before the start of the Australian Baseball League four-game series between the Adelaide Bite and the Auckland Tuatara, with ground works at Blue Lake Sports Park well ahead of schedule.
The Mount Gambier and District Baseball League is pleased with the progress and believes the ground will be in the best condition for the series.
The two bullpens have been completed, the net in the batting cage has been hung and the matting on the floor of the cage is nearly complete.
Considering the work which has gone in to the venue and the subsequent condition, the league hopes team management will see fit to bring the series back to Mount Gambier, possibly on an annual basis.
League president, Ben Green said it had been a lot of work, but the results should bring a large number of spectators to Mount Gambier and to the game.
“It showcases the game of baseball in Mount Gambier and shows what the local baseball community can do when it pulls together to promote baseball at the highest of standards,” he said.
Event co-ordinator Michael Summers said he was pleased with how everything has fallen into place.
“It’s only about six weeks since the league and the City of Mount Gambier Council were approached to host the series,” he said.
“The council were full of praise for the league and were only too willing to support the league in its endeavours to stage such a high-profile event.”
The working bees have been well attended.
Under the guidance of Bruce Morale, all the boxes seem to have been ticked as far as the required upgrades are concerned.
“We are well ahead of schedule with the work to be done and a grounds person from the ABL will be here early next week to re-build the pitching mound on the main diamond,” he said.
“The fill on the mound currently will be replaced with clay, which is much firmer underfoot.”
Auckland Tuatara completed a four-game series against the Sydney Blue Sox at McLeod Park in Auckland over the weekend.
The Blue Sox were far too strong, winning the series 4-0.
Auckland is currently fourth with a four win, eleven loss ratio in the Northeast division.
Over in the Southwest division, the Adelaide Bite swept the series 4-0 in their four games against Geelong Korea.
Adelaide is third in its division with a nine/seven ratio.
The Adelaide Bite licence is owned by the Adelaide Crows and it is believed that a number of the Crows management team will be in Mount Gambier for the event.
The Mount Gambier and District Baseball League would like to acknowledge the help and support of the Mount Gambier City Council whose support has been invaluable.
Games times: Friday, December 21 – 7pm; Saturday, December 22 – 4pm; Saturday, December 22 – 7pm; Sunday, December 23 – 1pm.
Full catering is available at the ground.
BYO alcohol is strictly forbidden and there will be designated wet areas.
