Comments From Australia

[DownUnderDodger]

Have found the following article regarding the WBC:

http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,17862485-23209,00.html?from=rss

This is all I have found in our media about the WBC

There is another article in today's Daily Telegraph (a NSW publication) relating to Trent Durrington and the Boston Red Sox (which makes no mention of the WBC) talking about Durrington's involvement in our National Competition. I cannot find a link to it on the 'net so below is the article:

Durrington's Mission is to pull his Sox up.
Trent Durringtons mission to earn a spot on the Boston Red Sox 25 man Major League rodter for 2006 starts tomorrow when he steps to the plate for Queensland in the Claxton Shield.

The 30-year-old who has just been signed by the Boston Red Sox organisation, is using the national championships being staged primarily at the Blacktown Olympic Park to get reday for spring training in the States.

Durrington, who was born in Sydney but moved to Queensland at the age of 15 isn't alone, however, with over 60 of Australia's 110 professional baseballers playing the week long Claxton Shield.

"I go into spring training in the States every year fighting for a job" Durrington said. "Playing in the Claxton Shield give me a chance to face live pitching and get your timing and feel back at bat. That's why the tournament is great preparation for spring training. It's the reason I have hit very well over there for the last four years."

Durrington has spent time in the majors every season over the last five years with the Anaheim Angels and Milwaukee Brewers but hasn't managed to hold down a permanent spot on their 25 man rosters.

Although he feels he's got his best chance with Boston this season he's going to have to earn it at spring training.

"It goes for virtually all Australians playing professionally. No-one is on a guaranteed contract so we are always fighting for jobs and from day one you've got to impress the coaches." Durrington added. "Boston is a good opportunity for me. I'm looking forward to it and hopefully the timing is right. I want to make the club out of spring training in a super utility role.

This is as much as I have read about baseball in Aussie media since there was a small coverage of the White Sox winning the WS. The above two articles mention our national championships (Claxton Shield) and this is the first time I can recall it getting any coverage in our main media since Dave Nilsson bought the competition a few years ago, and met with limited success. I hope this means that we will get some tabloid coverage of the WBC at least.

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

Have found the following article regarding the WBC:

http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,17862485-23209,00.html?from=rss

This is all I have found in our media about the WBC

There is another article in today's Daily Telegraph (a NSW publication) relating to Trent Durrington and the Boston Red Sox (which makes no mention of the WBC) talking about Durrington's involvement in our National Competition. I cannot find a link to it on the 'net so below is the article:

Durrington's Mission is to pull his Sox up.
Trent Durringtons mission to earn a spot on the Boston Red Sox 25 man Major League rodter for 2006 starts tomorrow when he steps to the plate for Queensland in the Claxton Shield.

The 30-year-old who has just been signed by the Boston Red Sox organisation, is using the national championships being staged primarily at the Blacktown Olympic Park to get reday for spring training in the States.

Durrington, who was born in Sydney but moved to Queensland at the age of 15 isn't alone, however, with over 60 of Australia's 110 professional baseballers playing the week long Claxton Shield.

"I go into spring training in the States every year fighting for a job" Durrington said. "Playing in the Claxton Shield give me a chance to face live pitching and get your timing and feel back at bat. That's why the tournament is great preparation for spring training. It's the reason I have hit very well over there for the last four years."

Durrington has spent time in the majors every season over the last five years with the Anaheim Angels and Milwaukee Brewers but hasn't managed to hold down a permanent spot on their 25 man rosters.

Although he feels he's got his best chance with Boston this season he's going to have to earn it at spring training.

"It goes for virtually all Australians playing professionally. No-one is on a guaranteed contract so we are always fighting for jobs and from day one you've got to impress the coaches." Durrington added. "Boston is a good opportunity for me. I'm looking forward to it and hopefully the timing is right. I want to make the club out of spring training in a super utility role.

This is as much as I have read about baseball in Aussie media since there was a small coverage of the White Sox winning the WS. The above two articles mention our national championships (Claxton Shield) and this is the first time I can recall it getting any coverage in our main media since Dave Nilsson bought the competition a few years ago, and met with limited success. I hope this means that we will get some tabloid coverage of the WBC at least.

I didn't know Dave Nilsson had retired. Good for him that he will participate.

[Aussie_Stengelese]

Went to the opening night of the Australian Claxton Shield on Saturday night...

Victoria defeated the NSW Patriots 10-8 in the 10th inning. h (Damn Victorians)

It was a great night, with high quality baseball and a very enthusiastic crowd. If only this country would get behind our wonderful sport a bit more, I'm sure it could grind its way into the sporting culture.

Good to see a few people out there in MLB gear, saw a few Yankees fans which made me feel less isolated (slightly).

Go the Aussies in the WBC!!!

[Bob Hannah]

Box scores? Game coverage?

DUD informed us of the lack of coverage regarding Aussie baseball. Is the Claxton Shield covered by the Australian press to much extent? If so, would it be possible for you down under fans to link us to any box scores or game coverage of the Shield games? Anything would be appreciated.

[TonyK]

If you go to www.australianbaseballhistory.com.au there is a link to the Claxton Shield games as well as more about baseball in Australia. One link was through www.baseball.com. I am wondering if I can find a site where I can purchase a baseball cap?

[Aussie_Stengelese]

http://www.baseball.com.au/default.asp?MenuID=Events%2F95%2F0%2C2006%5FFinancial%5FWealth%5FClaxton%5FShield%2F101%2F20767%2CRESULTS%2F13474%2F0

Here is a link to the Results page for the Claxton Shield.

[Aussie_Stengelese]

And....

Here is a link to the Aussie Players gear for the WBC:

http://shop.mlb.com/searchHandler/index.jsp?searchId=10498845826&sGroup=MLB&keywords=australia&clickid=topnav_search_txt

[Bob Hannah]

http://www.baseball.com.au/default.a...TS%2F13474%2F0

Here is a link to the Results page for the Claxton Shield.

Thanks. I'll look into these.

TonyK's first link didn't work. I'll play with it some and see if I can pull anything up.

[Bob Hannah]

I found this link on a web search. The link gives a history of the Claxton Shield and provides other links to Australian baseball.

http://www.australianbaseballhistory...n%20Shield.htm

Thanks for your help, people.

[DownUnderDodger]

I buy Australia's biggest selling daily newspaper (reputedly) and there has been nothing at all about the Claxton Shield results except today where they bothered to put in the score sheet (in the Sports Details section) of the NSW V Western Australia game. For the record NSW won 8 - 6. Without a link to our National Baseball website we would not even know the competition is on h

Following are the standings after 3 rounds:

CURRENT TABLE G W L D W% F A

QUEENSLAND RAMS 3 3 0 0 100% 23 15

WESTERN AUSTRALIA 3 2 1 0 67% 28 21

VICTORIA ACES 3 1 2 0 33% 18 22

NSW PATRIOTS 3 1 2 0 33% 18 21

AUST PROVINCIAL 3 1 2 0 33% 24 31

SOUTH AUSTRALIA 3 1 2 0 33% 14 15

I am glad you have had the opportunity to get to a game Aussie_Stengelese. Unfortunately I have had to work afternoon/evenings Sat thru Mon and also have to work tomorrow thru Sat. I had a day of rest today and had to mow the lawn and do some gardening. I wish I lived a little closer to Blacktown though!!

[Licey Fan]

Draw? The have draws down there?? :noidea

[DownUnderDodger]

The following is an article from our free local (suburban) newspaper which relates to a youngster who is trying his luck with the Red Sox organisation. It gives a good perspective of what youngsters from another country are faced with when trying out for the "big time".

Youngster pulls up his red sox and heads for US

A Blue Bay teenager is on his way to fulfilling a lifelong dream after signing a professional contract with US Major League team the Bostn Red Sox.
Mitch Dening, 17, who will play for the Lions (one of 4 local teams) this weekend, will board a plane in April bound for a month-long training camp in Florida in what will be the first of many trips during his six-year contract. \
Upon his return he will complete his HSC studies at Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College (Higher School Certificate - year 12 graduation).
From 2007 he will travel to the US for six months every year until his contract expires or, if he performs, is extended. Aspiring Major League players from around the world including Taiwan, Cuba, Japan and Portugal are sure to provide hot competition.
Dening, who is 188cm (6ft 2in) tall, has a New South Wales Institute of Sport baseball scholarship and is an Australian under 19 representative.
He said he wanted to play in the major leagues since he first hit for the Lions at age six.
"It's always been my dream to play professional baseball in the states. This is the beginning of my dream come true," he said.
Dening was scouted by Australian Olympic head coach and international Boston Red Sox scout John Deeble.
Deeble first saw Dening perform when he coached at the Major League Baseball Academy in Brisbane last year before finally signing him in September.
"He has all the qualities of a major leaguer", Deeble said.
Dening said he had to progress though an amazing seven US Leagues if he was to eventually play Major League baseball. "You need both skill and mental toughness to get through," he said.

An interesting perspective from an aspiring foreigner trying to make it in MLB. Blue Bay is a little coastal suburb, part of the NSW Central Coast, about 100km (60 miles) north of Sydney. His local team, the Lions, is one of four teams that oplay in the local summer competition - a far cry from Claxton Shield, let alone MLB!

[Perseas]

Draw? The have draws down there?? :noidea

Good question. Maybe our Aussie friends can clarify this... Maybe it's like in Japan where, I know for a fact, a game is declared a draw if it is tied after the 13th inning.

[snowy73]

Claxton Shield - Australian championship

For information see

http://www.users.bigpond.com/goreds/

https://www.baseball.com.au

and also my post in this section of the forum

[DownUnderDodger]

The following article in the Aussie Baseball Federation website gives an insight to the Minnesota Twins heavy involvement in baseball down under:

http://www.baseball.com.au/default.asp?Page=22376

This can only be good for developement of Aussie baseball and its players. Pity our media does not have the same thinking when it comes to baseball in Australia.