Jones boys hit big time

By Glen Atwell
INTERNATIONAL men’s softball was in full swing at Sweeney Reserve in Berwick on Monday night.
Team South Africa and current world champion New Zealand travelled to play the Victorian team as practice for next week’s Softball Commonwealth Championship at Altona.
City of Casey mayor Cr Kevin Bradford welcomed the visiting sides, as a crowd of more than 500 quickly swelled around the number-one diamond.
Berwick brothers Chris and Brad Jones from the Casey Softball Association were part of the Victorian side given the chance to compete with the world’s best male softballers.
Playing South Africa in the first match, the Victorian side was beaten 0-4, but the result was hardly relevant according to Casey Softball Association president Chris Jones.
“It was like Berwick Football Club playing against Essendon, it was the experience that counted,” he said.
But South African coach Gary Carlson said the standard of the Victorian side was very high.
“The quality was great, it is good for us to get some serious practice before the championships next week,” he said.
A Berwick plumber, 23-year-old Chris Jones had the job on first base against South Africa and said the match was a great experience.
“It was my first men’s game against an international side and to play the world champions was terrific,” he said.
The Victorians lost 11-1 in the second game against New Zealand, but Chris said it was a competitive match.
“We were happy to get a run on the board,” he said.
His brother, 20-year-old Brad, was given the opportunity to pitch against the South Africans and managed to strike out a couple of batters.
The international experience has definitely helped the Jones brothers set their expectations sky high.
“Hopefully I can make it into the Australian side one day,” Chris said.
“I’ll just have to keep working hard and see how I go.”