Category: News

350th game – Bruce Barnes

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While a sense of style and fashion may have passed this player by there is no doubt as to his loyalty to the Rebels. Congratulations Bruce on an amazing club and personal milestone.

Tribute courtesy of Andy Malthouse 

Who Am I?

I have been a huge contributor to the club for many years. I have been the secretary and have also managed a team or two.
I have a number of Sam Bats but are too afraid to use them so swing a Demarini. I am the owner of two mitts, one for infield and one for the outfield.

I love to buy cleats that have maroon and gold on them. I am the owner of some very horrible gold sweat bands and think it is fashionable to wear 3/4 playing pants. I have many MLB Guernsey’s but support last year’s runners-up.


I have hit 5 home runs in my many years at the Rebels. One of them a Grand Slam. I have provided the club with a number of historical highlights, although none is more impressive than what I achieved this year.
I can play all positions except for catching. I am a consistent performer and have come into my own over the past few years as a very talented pitcher. I am a very solid outfielder and play a pretty good shortstop as well.

This is my 25th year at the club, and in that time I have gathered 284 hits from 943 at-bats at an average of 301. Scored 257 times and hit in 216 others. I have hit 5 home runs, been walked 133 times and stolen 107 bases. I will return them when I retire. I usually play centerfield, pitch or shortstop.
I go by many nicknames but the most common is Gibbo.
I wear the number 22 and was voted in as a life member in 2012.
My name is……….

Bruce Barnes.

For those unaware, this week, Bruce will be playing in his 350th  game for the Rebels. He will be only the 3rd person in our club’s short history to achieve that goal. He had his first game for the club back in 1993 and was a premiership player in 1995, 1999, 2001 and 2006. He also went to America with the U16 Victorian team in 1995 as an assistant coach.

Since I have known Bruce, he has been one of my best friends and will be a mate for life. I love him as a brother. He is a great club man, always helping with umpiring when he can and an active member of the committee for who knows how long.
A lot of us have some very fond memories playing baseball with Bruce and I hope there are many more still to be had with this quirky, funny guy.

Congratulations Bruce on reaching 350 games. What a milestone and I wish you all the best on Saturday.

350th game – Alan Sutherland

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Tribute courtesy of Andrew Malthouse, photo Sharon Hall

Once in a blue moon, you are present when great things happen. It just so happens that we were lucky to be around to see one of those events happen this week.

After playing for the club for 28 years (since 1988), longer than anyone else, Alan Sutherland played his 350th game for the Rebels this weekend.

Alan first played for the Rebels as a young 16-year-old and somehow survived those early years to not only continue playing but to fall in love with this great sport. During those early years, only Alan could fully describe what it was like and I’m sure as a 16-year-old, the experiences would have been many and very much an eye opener.

As we all know, Alan has been critical to the club’s survival. Not only as a player, an administrator or as a coach, where he continues to coach at both Senior and Junior levels but more importantly as a father and a husband. All four of his kids have played for the club (2 of which still do) and his wife Paula has also put on the uniform once or twice.

He truly is living the dream of every dad being able to play with his son Charlie. Being able to watch him mature, watch him grow into what will one day be a great player and hopefully reach the highest of highs with respect to baseball. Hopefully, in a few years, he will also be able to enjoy playing with his daughter, Ebony. What a day that will be.

Many of us have had the pleasure to play alongside him for many years and although he is one of the most freakish players to have played for the club, one the best 1st basemen you will ever see, his determination, his drive, his professionalism, his personality and friendship are the reasons many of us see him as an inspirational person.  A true friend and why would you play anywhere else when you have people like him around.

He will be only the second player in the club’s history to reach 350 games. Has been the club’s President since 2012. Has been a Secretary, a Treasurer and the clubs coach. Is a Premiership coach, coaching our U15’s to a flag last year.

Still, thinks he can throw and steal bases like days gone by but I think that is more about trying to keep up with Charlie while he can.He is a true friend, an awesome club man and I personally hope he had a great 350th game. 

 

A word from the President

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I hope you are all ready for Opening day.

Congratulations to Glenn Farrell on returning as the club coach and first 9 manager.  Alan Sutherland is managing the second 9, Daniel Benson managing the 3s, Paul M Clarke managing the 4s and Andrew Malthouse is managing the 5s.

Thanks to our Scorers who sit in the cold each week and keep a record of the game. Kim Malthouse, Claire Schmierer and Paula Sutherland.

Unfortunately, we have lost Stuart White as a player and manager, however, I am very pleased that Stu has agreed to Umpire every home game for whatever grade needs it. Thanks for consistent work Stu.

I am very proud of the fact we can now put up a full team (and a bit) in the seniors that came from our Junior program. This is a real testament to the work of Andrew Malthouse and crew over the years with consistency and perseverance to grow our Junior program.

As a result, this year is the first year we could have stand alone teams in all junior grades. We will be taking some players from other clubs and forming combined sides to support the Junior comp. This too is a great feat for the program.

We also have a great canteen looked after by Jane McMillian, Teresa Cavaliere-Doria, Sharon Hall and a band of other who help out from time to time. Without you, we would go hungry.

We have continued support from The Australian Lamb company, Cornerstone staffing and Nicholson Real estate. Your ongoing support is truly appreciated.

Last but not least our committee, Andrew Malthouse, Stuart White, Paul M Clarke, Danielle Sen, Cath Shelley, Darren Verrall, Bruce Barnes. Each of you put in over and over to keep our club a great place. Thanks for doing it all again.

Alan.

Young Rebel defying the odds.

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They breed them tough in the bush, but as of this winter season young Campbell will be a Rebel and we are certainly looking forward to seeing what he can do.

Our juniors have already started training, and if you think you might like to join them for another great season drop us an email or pop into a training session at Parker Reserve (Keady Street entrance).

U13’s are training on Sunday, and Wednesday evenings with Coach Ripken. U13 Minors, U15’s and 17’s will be training on Thursday nights with Coach Andy starting at 5pm.

https://www.facebook.com/WINNewsBendigo/videos/1460408404011273/

With thanks to WIN News Bendigo for the great piece.

#juniorrebels #baseball #mwbl #northcoburg #moreland #activemoreland #winterbaseball #melbourne

2016/17 Summer Rebels Wrap Up

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We’ve had a great summer at the Rebels, so to end off the season we have a few, OK a lot of, words from team manager/coach/all round good guy: Andy Malthouse.

As a coach of a team, before that first game comes around, there are a lot of uncertainties that occupy a considerable amount of your time thinking about them.

You worry about firstly having enough players and worrying about how they will all fit together as a team.

Do you have enough catchers, do you have enough pitchers? Why do I have four 1st basemen? That’s not going to work, what if I try this and what if he or she plays there.

Why is there a lefty on my team? God I hate lefty’s.  🙂

You worry about training sessions and keeping everyone interested and enjoying it. You have to set a goal for the season and you need to understand what each individual’s goal is. Why are they playing? What do they want out of this season?

 But you know something? It all works out in the end.

 My goal for any team that I coach is about participation and about trying to allow the individual to reach the goals that they have set.  Yes winning is important, it’s one goal that everyone has but at the end of the day, winning is not always possible. Some teams are just that much better or we didn’t play that well or luck was not on our side. On those days, our goals may need to change. We need to focus on what I could have done better. How can I learn from what happened today?

 Now looking back, I think that we all reached our goal.  I know I did. We all seemed to enjoy training and playing and most of all, as a team we improved immensely during the course of the season.  Yes there were some hard times as a team and as players but we bounced back from those. So much so that after losing 26 to 5 against North West Titans (our biggest loss), we bounced back and won 6 out of the next 7 games. We beat the teams placed 1st, 2nd and 4th on the ladder and the game we lost, we may have won if some of our stars were not missing that day.

 So what a season, I only have satisfaction from coaching this year. It was a pleasure and a honour to be the first ever Coach for the Rebels in Summer. I also have so much respect and pride for every single person who put a glove on to play this season. I am also so very proud and thankful for the other people that helped us during this season. From Stu who umpired each home game, to Kim who scored with some cameo’s from Paula, to Jane and Paul’s parents who ran the canteen. They are all wonderful people and what a family we have here at the Rebels.

Well there you have it, our first summer season has come and gone, and what an amazing experience it has been for all involved.

We’d like to offer our hearty congratulations to the following players for their brilliant performances in the Rebel colours, and look forward to many more summers to come.

MVP’s – Bruce Barnes and Nathan Dalton
Batting – Nathan Dalton
Fielding – Gavin Alki
Coaches Award for Most Improved – Matt Prowse

2016/17 Summer Round 17 Match Report

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Manager: Andy Malthouse
Scorer: Kim Malthouse

Score: NC Rebels 22 – Geelong 5 

There are a lot of emotions at the end of any baseball game, more so when it is the last one for the season. So including feeling hungry, thirsty, wanting to sit down, getting out of those damn cleats, you also have emotions such as relief, fulfilment, satisfaction but most of all pride. Pride in the people that you have had the honour of playing with over the past 17 rounds.

This season had its ups and downs, as you would expect, but it was by far a rewarding experience. Playing with such diverse people who love the game so much, who just love getting out there and having a go was an absolute privilege and thank you from me to everyone for the experience and the memories. The first ever Summer Rebels team. How did Charlie Sheen say it, “Winning!!”

This week we travelled to the sunny little sea side hamlet of Geelong. Geelong had not won a game all year but that was no reason to still not come out hard and finish off the season in grand style. And that is how we played.

With a ring in on the mound throwing for them, we still managed to continue the great hitting that we have done over the past 5 weeks. Everyone got a hit except for Will who hit well but the luck was just not with him.

3+6+5+2+6 = 22

Donk lived up to his name, Bruce, gibbo’ed them, Nathan did a Dalty on them while Mozz legged out another in the park. Glenn got a well deserved hit, Matt was on fire and Cath the Maverick Shelley bamboozled them with two awesome hits. The Gangster Danny smashed it with his 32″ piece of wood. The best hit of the day was Gavin, suffering from the flu, catching the whole day, shrugged off all frustration, got mad for once and smashed a big hit over Left. Awesome to watch. Been expecting it all season, but now that it’s happened, I expect more in winter big man.

So at the end of it all, we won 22 to 5.
Bruce 2 from 5
Nathan 2 from 3
Maurice 2 from 2, 1 triple
Neil 2 from 3, 2 doubles
Glenn 1 from 4
Will 0 from 4
Gavin 2 from 3, 1 home run
Andy 1 from 2
Matt 3 from 3, 1 double
Cath 2 from 4
Danny 2 from 4

At the end of the season, we had 8 wins and 8 losses. We scored 170 runs and also gave up 170 runs. How freaky is that. We ended up 6th out of 12.

Thanks to everyone involved this season, from the players to Stu, Kim, Paula, Jane, Alan, Danielle, Clarky’s parents and anyone else who came down to watch and have a laugh. Presentation night this Saturday, 7 pm at the club rooms. Everyone is welcome to come down for a drink.

2016/17 Summer Round 16 Match Report

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Manager: Andy Malthouse
Scorer: Kim Malthouse

Score: NC Rebels 33 – Footscray 8

Up against Footscray this week, a team who are one week losing to Essendon, then coming out the next with a win against the NW Titans, so we did not know what to expect.

As luck turned out we caught them on a bad day,  and after the coach told me that they had a newbie on the mound, I knew the game was probably going to go our way.

The game was tight all the way up to the first pitch, from then on, we took control and did not let up.

In the top of the 1st, we had them out quickly for no score and then with a guy that had never thrown much before, we capitalized and showed good restraint in the batting box to not chase too much crap. After being 2 out for no score (soft come backer to the pitcher who caught it and doubled out Maurice), the shackles were broken and we then preceded to score 20 runs before the next out was registered. In the 1st, they threw 8 walks, 5 HPB’s and we had 9 safe hits.

In the 3rd, Maurice came on to pitch but struggled to find any groove and they scored 3 and then 4 in the next 2 innings.

We also hit well scoring 7 and 6 to give us a win 33 to 8.

Hitting wise:
Bruce 2 from 3
Nathan 1 from 3
Maurice 0 from 2
Danny 2 from 4
Andy 3 from 3
Will 0 from 0 (3 walks and 1 HPB)
Neil 3 from 3
Gavin 1 from 2
Tim 2 from 2
Matt 1 from 2
Beno (fill in) 3 from 4

 

2016/17 Summer Round 15 Match Report

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Manager: Andy Malthouse
Scorer: Kim Malthouse

Score: NC Rebels 13 – Essendon 8 

What can I say, some people amaze me.

This week we played Essendon Bombers who were 4th on the ladder and the week before beat a team just below us on the ladder 30 – 3. When you put that together, it did not look good for our chances this week.

Having said that, I put to the team that I had a fantasy the night before of winning the last 3 games. I don’t want to go into details as there could be minors that see this report but it was incentive enough for us to put in a real good effort and beat Essendon 13 to 8.

These people amaze me. Each and every one of them. From Bruce on the mound using a 14 inch glove which is as big as his feet to Nathan at 3rd who has tremendous range to Cath who is like a mongoose at second. Tim had a great game at 1st, Mozz took some crucial fly’s at right and Matt and Danny combined in the outfield to morph into one and take a blinder. Gavin is a wall behind the plate and all of these efforts helped limit Essendon’s ability to score runs.

After 4 innings, we were down 4 – 2. We had a great defensive innings and then that’s when we took control piling on 11 runs to take the game by the throat. In an innings where we saw 3 pitchers try to stop our momentum, we had 6 hits, 4 walks and 1 hpb.

Baseball is great.

Key Performances:
Everyone scored at least once.
Bruce and Gavin are a great combination.
Everyone is playing as a team.

2016/17 Summer Round 14 Match Report

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Manager: Paul Clarke
Scorer:  Paula Sutherland

Score: NW Titans 16  – NC Rebels 5

Andy was off on a road trip following the Melbourne Aces this week so the match report is courtesy of Paul. Clearly a man of few, but succinct words.

We played a NW Titans side that effectively picked us apart last time we played. This time however we were run for run until the last 4 outs of the game when they put us away.

We’ve come a long way this season and it’s now time to finish off strong and be competitive. And win. Winning is fun so we should do that too.

We return home for two games before heading off to Geelong for the final game, so come on down and have a look at your Rebels!

Calling all Rebel T-Ballers!

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The MWBL, in conjunction with the Melbourne Aces,  have arranged a tee-ball exhibition to take place prior to the Saturday January 21st 2017 game against the Adelaide Bite  at Melbourne Ball Park, Altona.

We are looking for players from the MWBL clubs to be involved and enjoy this experience, Players preferably aged between 6-10 are invited to join in, and we would ask that all participants be at the ground by 4.00pm, for a 4.30pm start. The tee-ball section of this day will run for approx. 1 to 1 & 1/2 hours. This will be held in the outfield area on the main diamond, and participants are asked and encouraged to attend in their club uniform or tops and hat.

Even if your club didn’t run tee-ball programs during the winter, we would like to ask clubs to contact potential or experienced tee-ballers and offer them the opportunity to participate. Entry for the players and parents will be free, and extra tickets can be purchased for only $2.50 per person for this game (you will be receiving an email shortly regarding the MWBL partnered series where a voucher ticket purchase for MWBL members will be only $2.50 for Friday night and Saturday day game entry to see the Aces play the Bite).

If you are interested in being part of this please email and we will register your interest with the comp and get back to you with any additional details.

Email NC Rebels

Please contact us no later than wed 10 Jan.This will allow for the organisation of tickets and arrangement of final numbers to access the ground.

I hope this opportunity is well received and we look forward to hearing from you shortly.