Wearne Aces new outfit

By Paul Pickering
HOME is where the hits are for ex-Springvale baseballer Scott Wearne and his Melbourne Aces.
So it proved on Sunday at least, when Victoria’s newest big-league sporting franchise made its much-anticipated debut on home turf at the Melbourne Showgrounds.
The Aces – sluggish starters in the reformed Australian Baseball League (ABL) this season – exploded for two big wins over the Canberra Cavalry in Sunday’s double-header, delighting fans who had waited long enough to clap eyes on their team.
Melbourne’s home opener was scheduled for Friday night, only for that game – and two more on Saturday – to be washed out.
Those who returned on Sunday were treated to an impressive display as the Aces cruised to their third and fourth victories of the season.
That was in no small part due to a timely return to form from Wearne, who had five hits, two home runs and four RBIs (runs batted in) from just five at-bats across the afternoon.
Wearne, 28, whose early struggles coincided with his side’s 2-6 start to the season, said the home debut did wonders for the Aces’ confidence.
“It was great to get out there and play on the new field in front of our new supporters,” he said.
“We struggled a bit in the first couple of weeks and there was a few people criticising the way we’d gone, but we’ve got a really good team and no one was panicking too much.
“We’ll be around the mark come the end of the year – no doubt about it.”
On a personal level, Wearne was pleased to produce the form that has made him a fixture in Victoria’s Claxton Shield side and a rookie sensation in the Can-Am League during the American summer.
“The new league has had a fair bit of publicity in its first season, and I had a few people asking questions about why I was even playing, which was a bit bizarre,” he said.
“So it was good to get a couple of home runs on the weekend, because I’m pretty sure those people were in the crowd (on Sunday) and won’t be asking too many more questions.”
The second baseman’s batting average of .257 ranks third among all Aces, while his two weekend homers brought him level with teammate Josh Davies in that category.
More importantly, he’s relishing his opportunity to be a part of the league, which has returned after a decade-long hiatus.
“I was about two years away from playing in the old ABL, so it was disappointing for a lot of guys my age when that shut down,” he said.
“It’s pretty exciting for us that its started back up, because we’ve got a new setup out at the showgrounds and it seems like there’s a lot more people interested already.”
The Wearne family name is synonymous with Springvale Baseball Club. Scott’s sister, Simone, who was the Australian Baseball Federation’s Female Player of the Year in 2008, is the current club president, while dad, Mick, is the Lions’ senior coach and treasurer.
Scott learnt his trade playing for Springvale, but now plays for Waverley during the Aussie summer.
He plans to head back to the US next April to begin a second season with the Massachusetts-based Brockton Rox.
The Aces’ next home series will be against the Sydney Blue Sox from 10-12 December.
For memberships and more information, visit www.melbourneaces.com.au.