Newsletter 18 December 2009 Print
News from the Dugout – 18 December ‘09

President’s Christmas MessageThe first half of the season has been an exciting, challenging and satisfying one for the club. The DBC has set itself an aggressive 3 year plan leading to our 40th anniversary year in 2012. We all hope you will participate in the various committees and activities.
The DBC Exco would like to thank all our club members, supporters and parents for their tremendous support and wish you all a very, very merry Xmas and a prosperous New Year.
See you all back at training from January 4 2010. From your Exco
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Christmas message from the Club Captain’s DeskWow! The first half of the season has come and gone already, and I am way behind in newsletters!!This season has been a challenge for many teams, in the seniors, the 1st team (Major League) was always going to have a very tough season, after being promoted from the 1st division to Major League. They are currently lying 3rd from the bottom, having won four games. On Saturday, I managed to get over to Yankees in time to see them win their second game against Yankees, 8 – 4. It was great to see them batting, and playing with real passion! The team spirit brought them together and helped them to secure a well deserved win. It will great to see them take this passion through to the second half of the season – Mike Seniors First Team Report 1st Half Season 2009/2010
Unfortunately the 1st side has struggled to find form in the first half of the season. After 2 early wins against Crusaders, the team battled with their hitting and thus only managed to score an average of 2.3 runs per game.  This along with untimely errors sparked close loses against teams like Thistle, Tableview and Athlone. On a higher note this young team showed it can definitely play with the "Big Boys", only going down 3-1 and 5-3 to last year's Champions,
the Bellville Tygers.  Catcher, Kieran Clackett, is having an outstanding year behind the plate and is currently leading the team in hitting.  Another player excelling is young Gerard Smith, who is doing a fantastic job in the field ( 2nd Base / SS) as well as with the bat. After our last win against Westridge Yankees, this young team looks forward to a much
more determined and better second half of the season.
On Behalf of the team, I would like thank the Durbanville Baseball Club, Committee, Scorers and all Supporters for their support so far. Wishing everyone a, merry Christmas, and prosperous New Year – Glen The 2nd senior team, has had a good run of fortune, having won 8 out of 10 games, to finish 2nd on the log. Generally the guys have batted well, and the pitchers have worked hard and kept the opposition in check. We unfortunately do not have the luxury of having specialized fielders in every position, so sometimes the wheels do come off, and fielding errors can be extremely costly, both in terms of runs and team morale. At times when we have been short of senior players, there have been willing U16s available to fill in, which is great for the team and their personal development. I look forward to the second half of the season to try and regain the top spot! - Mike The Masters team has had a good season, winning 6 out of 9 games, and ending 3rd on the log.The year for the social side started off slowly with a loss to top of the league and current champs Goodwood. From there the guys just got better with an unbeaten run until our 3rd last game of this year against Bothasig. We led all through the game, against some rather poor sportsmanship, only to lose it in the last frame. The following week was 1 of those games, where nothing went right; resulting in a loss from what should have been a sure win.
The last game of the season was definitely the highlight. A great performance - once again against Goodwood and log leaders, going into the last frame, 14 - 11; 3 runs in the lead. Eventually bases loaded 2 down, 2 strikes on the batter - HOME run. We can at least take a little comfort that it was an ex-Durbanville player that scored the grand slam.
Well done to the guys for their great spirit and efforts to support the clubs bar and fundraising activities.
See you next year - Dylan
 Junior reports – not available at the time of going to pressLooking at the logs it seems that some teams have been quite successful, while others have struggled to get the better of their opponents! To all players, parents, coaches, officials and Committee members, that are going away on holiday, to be with friends and family, please take care on the busy roads during this period!Please come back refreshed, recharged and rejuvenated for the second half of the season!Wishing all a peaceful and happy Christmas, and a prosperous new year!Yours in baseball,Mike, Gayleigh, Brendan & Gérard. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX  Congratulations!Gayleigh Smith – for passing her level 4 scoring exam, well done and keep the stats rolling!Gerard Smith – for being selected as a pitcher, for the U17, Western Cape Summer Games team. BAWP WebsiteThe new BAWP inter-active website is up and running. If you would like to receive any general correspondence you can register and it will be sent automatically to your email address.DBC WebsiteThe DBC website (www.durbanvillebaseball.co.za) is up and running, many thanks to Dylan for the ongoing fine-tuning and keeping it up to date. Please go online to see all the latest news, fixtures, contact details etc.Very Important NoticeThose people who are not on email must please keep the club updated with their correct cell phone details, as we will be making use of the bulk sms tool to notify you of important events!! Please notify Peter Joubert on 074 682 9455 Junior Coaches Contact Details:U10 Coach Pitch:Coach: Louie Opperman 083 679 3119Manager: Steve Smith 084 526 0926U10 T-BallCoach: Bernie Dettmer 072 334 9303Manager: Mark Sproston 082 570 6285 Under12Coach: Randall Phillips 082 449 7983Manager: Lyn Moreau 083 633 0870Under 14Coach: Steven Combrink 073 406 9960Manager: Dylan Le Roux 083 249 8943Under 16Coach: Billy Rohm 083 530 6393Assistant Coach: Les Pond 021 976 7503 Senior Coaches Contact Details:MLB TeamGlen Buckley: 083 601 2768Chris van Tonder: 084 292 8883Martin le Roux: 021-913 59642nd TeamMike Smith: 083 321 5431Social sideVicky du Randt: 079 492 3744 Dylan Le Roux: 083 249 8943 Kit and UniformsThe Club supplies a playing top and the baseball equipment used in a game i.e. bats, balls, and catcher’s kit.Every individual player must purchase baseball pants, boots or cleats, DBC cap, DBC warm-up top, undershirt and mitt. Kit orders will be taken on practice evenings. Please contact Anna Herholdt. (021)947-1145Casual T-shirts and Golf shirts DBC There will be T-shirts and Golf shirts with the new DBC logo available to order.Please contact Anna Herholdt. (021)947-1145Thank-you thank-you thank-you!!!To all players, parents, coaches, officials and Committee members who strive to promote baseball within our community and who give of their valuable time and effort to ensure the Club and the game of baseball runs smoothly, a big Thank-you!! It really is appreciated!! For Sale - U14 baseball bat for R150, please see Peter Joubert at Club bar. Contact 074 682 9455For Sale - Second Hand Baseball Mitt - BRETT Pro Dominator series, Professional Model - 1250
For R250.00 Please contact Fransie on 083 610 2326
 
 Baseball QuotesGood teams become great ones when the members trust each other enough to surrender the "me" for the "we."
- Phil Jackson
That team was so bad - if anyone on that team got a hit, he used to stop at first base and ask for directions. - Unknown Please send any comments or submissions to the newsletter to Mike on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  Training Tips  Cal Ripken, Sr: The Ideal Hitter
The ideal hitter would probably have a combination of these qualities: strength, determination, coordination, confidence, vision, rhythm, style, body control, quick hands, and the will to learn and to take advice. The following is a list of batting tips that can help anyone become a better hitter.
  • Select a bat you can handle.
  • Learn the strike zone - don't swing at bad pitches.
  • Keep your front shoulder and chin tucked in, and your hands back. Turn your head so that both eyes are on the pitcher - don't look around your nose. Stay on the balls of your feet - keep off your heels. Keep your head still.
  • In order to get the bat started, move your hands back slightly as the pitcher is getting ready to release the ball. If you like the pitch, go ahead and hit it. If you don't like the pitch, then hold up your swing.
  • Take a short step and stride - a long stride will only throw you off balance.
  • Stay on top of the ball. A slight downward swing allows this and is a good way to keep from upper-cutting. Keeping the front shoulder in and down also allows a hitter to get the bat head out in front and prevents dropping the back shoulder.
  • Learn to hit your strength. Every hitter has strength just as every hitter has a weakness. Hit your pitch. When you get it, don't let it get away. Concentrate on solid, hard contact.