TAMWORTH Baseball Association starts a new season with a new-look first grade competition at the Riverside Field Of Dreams complex today.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Defending premiers Warriors Rainbows tackle re-formed Knights first-up while Cougars and the Warrior Blues match up in the other game from 2.40pm.
Knights have re-formed to replace Gunnedah Giants in the first grade competition, although the Giants will play second grade with some Knights helping, and vice-versa in first grade.
They tackle the young Rainbow Warriors, who upset their older clubmates to win last season’s first grade grand final 3-1.
“It was a cracker of a game,” Warriors stalwart Robert Chandler said this week.
“We didn’t expect to win it but played well.”
The likes of young cricketers James Psarakis, Will Burke, Joey Holt and Lachlan Ng all played their parts in that win.
This year the Warriors have attracted some more talented young cricketers – Jack Richards, James Bellamy, Keyton Hislop and maybe Matt Hughes – to its ranks.
Chandler and young brother, Jeff, along with Mitch Holt will guide the Rainbow Warriors again while Mick Martin and Chris Dyson will be in charge of a Warriors Blues also containing Tamworth president John Warren.
“We’re going to be struggling a bit for numbers this weekend though,” Robert Chandler said.
“The Ardills are all away. That’s half the club.”
Cougars also return, with Scott Hurn and Kris Bird leading the Maroons.
Basil Penrith is back as coach to bolster the side while his son, talented Cale, also returns to the diamond and the “Shack” attacker’s pitching and fielding skills will be a huge asset.
Second grade games start 12.15pm while the A Grade games are two and half hour matches.