According to Roy Morgan research, the popularity of baseball is heading upwards in Australia – and Macarthur is no exception.
Some recent highlights include local boy Shane Kelleher signing with a USA College and the Macarthur Orioles winning the NSW State League Premiership.
Formed in 1960, the Orioles have won 14 first grade premierships and 10 club championships.
The Orioles are the representative apex of Macarthur Baseball League, participating in the NSW Major League summer competition from September until March.
But right now the Macarthur Baseball League (MBL) is making the final preparations to hosting the 2017 NSW Little League Majors and Minors Player Pitch State Championships at Milton Park, Ingleburn.
The championships will be on between April 19 and 23.
Successful teams will qualify for the Australian Little League Championships in Lismore NSW, giving them an opportunity to represent Australia at the Little League World Series in the USA later in the year.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“Throughout the duration of the tournaments at Milton Park, it is expected that we will have approximately 1,000 players, families and officials from all over NSW attend the Championships on each of the four days of the tournament,’’ says Brenda Franks, the publicity officer for Macarthur Baseball League.[/social_quote]
“Teams participating will travel from areas as far as the Central Coast, Newcastle and Wollongong.
“There will be six Little League games playing across four time slots, so it is quite a significant event,’’ Ms Franks said.
But it won’t be just a case of hosting rights, as MBL will also be out to win their way through to the national titles and maybe even all the way to Little League World Series in the USA.
Indeed MBL are the 2016 Little League Majors State Champions and will be giving it their all to retain the title in 2017.
“Our Little League Minors team are our future champions who have big dreams,’’ says Ms Franks.
“Both of the MBL teams representing in this tournament have a committed coaching staff and a great group of players.’’
♦ For more information visit the MBL website here.
