‘Free’ pitch to lure softballers

By Shaun Inguanzo
DANDENONG Softball Association is pitching a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to the city’s children in a bid for long-term survival.
President Henry de Sachau said the association would pay for uniforms, registration fees and provide equipment for all players under the age of 10 at a cost to the association of about $4000 annually.
He said the initiative would make the sport free for juniors wanting to give it a go.
“We need more members, we need people playing the sport,” he said.
“It is a low-profile sport in Australia yet we are the number one-ranked nation in the world. Our men’s and women’s teams have four world championships between them.”
Mr de Sachau said the initiative would cover Teeball and Blastball, a one-base version of Teeball for the youngest players.
He said the subsidy would be recovered through the profit earned from the association’s annual Easter tournament, which boasts interstate teams, and from the canteen.
“If we can get 100 new players and they are all spending $3 at the canteen then we will make money elsewhere,” Mr de Sachau said.
“But the primary purpose is not to make money – just to get kids in to the sport.”
The 30-year-old association has more than 230 members, but Mr de Sachau said it once had more than 500. “We are now hoping to get 100 new kids. We won’t knock anyone back, but we have budgeted to pay for up to 100 kids at the moment,” he said.
But with more than half the spaces already taken, Mr de Sachau urged parents to act fast.
Contact Henry de Sachau at the Dandenong Softball Association on 9795 8225.