By Parker McKenzie
Upwey Ferntree Gully Baseball Club has achieved an unbelievable twelve-game undefeated streak to finish the season with a Division One premiership, one of the highest achievements in Victorian Baseball.
Vice President Chris Lind said it has been 20 years since the club last won the premiership.
“10 years ago, a few of us players took over the running of the club and it’s been a 10-year work in progress,” he said.
“Finally, against pretty much all the odds, we’ve taken out the division one premiership this year.”
The club won the Division One Baseball Victoria summer season after winning their first playoff series 2-0 against Waverly Baseball Club, followed by a grand final victory against Essendon Baseball Club with the same result on Sunday 22 May.
Player-Coach Donovon Hendricks said the season was hugely successful despite a slow start.
“We started off with a little bit of a scratchy start; we would win one, lose one, win one then lose one again,” he said.
“We probably started the preseason with some real hopes of being a finalist after losing the semi-final last year. We started the preseason a little bit earlier, started with really ambitious goals to get back to the finals.”
Hendricks, who has previously played the MLB team Atlanta Braves, said the team came back from the Christmas mid-season break motivated by the fact they would need to win every game to keep their finals hopes alive.
“If we dropped any more games we were likely going to be mathematically out of contention,” he said.
“We went on a 12 game win streak on that point onwards. I’ve been in baseball for a long time and in this league for 21 years as a player. I’ve never seen anything like it.
“To be the coach and witness it as well was something really special.”
Upwey Ferntree Gully Baseball Club was founded in 1963 and is based out of Kings Park, Upper Ferntree Gully.
Hendricks said the club is hoping to do one better next year and win the Victorian Club Championships.
“It’s a point system for essentially the strongest club in Victoria. We finished second behind Essendon Baseball Club this season,” he said.
“It takes into account all of your Senior Planning Group, how many wins they get throughout the year and the most wins across the league win the championships. We’re aspiring for that kind of success across our club.”
The club has bounced back from a few difficult years after being relegated, making the premiership victory a special moment for the club.
Hendricks said Upwey Ferntree Gully Baseball Club is in a strong position, though he isn’t sure if it proves baseball is growing in Victoria or if the club’s recent success has had an influence.
“We went from four teams last year to six this year. We’ve grown in our junior department as well, so in our area it is quite strong,” he said.
“I suppose that is an indication when we go to the success of clubs. If your club is in a really good position and a strong position with good coaching and a good environment, then you’ll see the growth.
“Overall I would say Baseball is in a good position, it is making strides to be in a better position. There’s no doubt it’s probably not where it was in years past.”
Upwey Ferntree Gully runs programs and competes in competitions from junior baseball and T-ball to senior men’s and women’s competitions and masters baseball.
You can find more information on the club at www.upweyftgbaseballclub.com
