Berwick City Cougars playing coach Wayne Porter and his team will play in Division Two next season after a Baseball Victoria restructure this week. 27566 Picture: Meagan RogersBy Marc McGowan
THE Berwick City Cougars are only one step away from the state’s top league after a Baseball Victoria restructure saw them promoted to Division Two on Monday night.
Cougars president Paul Quinn produced an eight-page submission for BV’s pennant committee members in April to lobby for the club’s promotion.
But the restructure granted Berwick City automatic entry into the new Division Two that could feature up to 14 clubs.
There will be 12 clubs in Division One.
“It’s good, but it’s not as flattering as it could have been because they’ve restructured the league where they’ve only got two divisions, effectively, now,” Quinn said.
“It’s still great for us … because we’re still going to be playing against six clubs that were in Division Two last year.
“Theoretically, in two years we could be playing in Division One, so, from that side of it, it’s a positive thing.”
Only 11 clubs currently meet the Division Two criteria of having four senior sides.
But Division Three clubs Springvale, Chelsea and Footscray, who each have three senior teams, could all play in the higher division if they can organise a fourth squad.
Otherwise, those clubs will play in the old Division Four competition that will become BV’s new Division Three.
Springvale’s inclusion in Division Two is almost certain because of its strong relationship with the Cougars.
Many of Springvale’s players compete alongside Berwick City for the latter’s sister club the Berwick Dodgers during winter.
Quinn revealed his club could potentially have five senior teams next season and that fifth side could merge with Springvale to give the Lions the fourth senior squad they need to meet the criteria.
“Effectively, Springvale would have gone into Division Four (if it failed to organise a fourth team), which would be Division Three now, which is sort of like your miscellaneous league, where your fifths and sixths play,” he said.
“You’d have Springvale potentially playing against Blackburn’s fifths and sixths sides, which would have been a joke.
“It’s pretty obvious that Springvale should be playing in Division Two based on this new structure.”
Officials from the two clubs will also work together to establish a women’s team at Cyril Molyneux Reserve.
Springvale is a powerhouse in women’s baseball and has produced many Australian players over the years.
BV chief executive Stephen Nash believes the restructure will result in a higher standard of baseball in the state.
“I think it’s a terrific move for the sport and that’s all you can ever do,” he said.
“Any decision the board or thepennant committee or any sort ofgroups make, it must be in the bestinterests of the sport and we believe this is.
“We know Footscray has concerns and don’t know how competitive they would be in Division Two.
“But I think, from that point of view, it gives a reason to try and get better, and also for Springvale, who has basically always been in Division Three and has been very competitive.
“This gives them an opportunity to be better or they can revert back to what they have been doing for a number of years and be in Division Three.”
Ex-Cougars infielder Luke Hornstra will return to the club next season and former Country New South Wales junior representative Tim Laird, an outfielder, will also come aboard.
Quinn said he will also look to bolster their pitching stocks in the coming months.
“We’ve pretty much been waiting for this decision to be made and now we’re in Division Two we’ll be more actively looking around to see who’s available,” he said.
“We just need a few players, particularly with pitching – that’s the biggest one.”
