By Russell Bennett
The depth and breadth of the Dandenong Baseball Association (DBA) was on display in Pakenham recently for its junior grand final day – under-11s through to under-17s.
One of the association’s fastest-growing clubs – the Pakenham Pumas – hosted the day at Toomuc Reserve, which was a roaring success but also highlighted the need for increased local and shire funding into the sport.
Currently the Pumas are operating out of a ‘clubroom’ not much bigger than a double car garage, and even then they have to share that with the neighbouring Pakenham Little Athletics Club.
Both clubs are desperately crying out for facility upgrades to cater for their member base, which in the Pumas’ case has grown rapidly now that they’ve got a wide range of teams across both winter and summer seasons.
A couple of weeks ago – on its two diamonds, plus an additional two makeshift diamonds – the Pumas hosted all four junior grand finals of the DBA, which extends far and wide throughout Melbourne’s east.
The event was a roaring success with hundreds gathering to cheer the under-11s, under-13s, under-15s and under-17s on.
That’s the power of the sport from a junior right through to a senior level.
Pumas volunteers were at Toomuc Reserve until late the night before the grand finals and back from 6am the next morning to prepare the area for the four grand finals.
DANDENONG BASEBALL ASSOCIATION – JUNIOR GRAND FINAL RESULTS
Under 17 – Dandenong d Cheltenham 5-2
Under 15 – Frankston Black d Cheltenham White 1-0
Under 13 – Mornington Black d St Kilda 12-4
Under 11 – Chelsea d Mornington 2-0
