As the Mount Gambier and District Baseball League entered the halfway point and enjoyed a break over the festive season we looked back at the first half.
The season welcomed back Federals into the Division 1 grade and although fielding a team full of youth, they have certainly pushed sides at times.
Alex Pearson, Clay Carpenter and Matt Nicholls were the names that everyone expected to lead from the front in building the club back to being a strong force, but it has been the emerging shortstop in young gun Nash Lobley who has been the star of the show.
Federals has seen victory a couple times already this season which is probably above the expectations of outsiders, but if you talk to coach Matt Nicholls he is all about the belief of the direction the Federals side is heading.
The South Indians, much like Federals, have seen a turnover in the age of players, which saw the departure of champions Dean Hamilton (interstate), Bruce Morale and Damien O’Dine (Division 2) and the young guys step up and begin their career in the main game.
South has been competitive most weeks with only pitching depth lacking and being the area they have fallen down when trading blows with the sides above them on the ladder.
Veterans Travis Lockwood, Jesse Balshaw and coach Ryan Placcuci have led from the front most weeks.
Balshaw has been a star in the first half of the season if arguably the inform catcher in the competition at the halfway point.
Last season’s champions Tigers have been around the mark again with only Centrals being the side that continues to trouble them.
Tigers have made light work against Federals in their first four encounters with a whopping 52 runs across the plate for the orange and black to Federals just managing two in return.
Tigers are somewhat the “flat track bullies” at the halfway point.
Tigers coach Karl Ransom has described the first part as somewhat frustrating with the missing players on a constant level due to work and injury interruption playing a part in the struggles against the top side.
Tigers will continue to have the pitching depth with Ransom, Alex Reppin and Jesse Foster all being able to control a game for periods.
Tigers have certainly shown they have a strong future with a number of young stars in Harrison Elletson, Koby Stratman and Jarvi Mee showing they are more than capable of the big show.
The team to beat in Centrals continues to put the rest to the sword most weeks.
Led by one of the league’s best in Dylan Chuck they are a well drilled side that just goes from strength to strength each week.
The emergence of Mitchell Cutting has been the story of the year so far for Centrals as he continues to make his claim for the favourite for the league’s best player this season.
Kyall McLean has continued to be a rock in defence behind the plate and this goes a long way to ensuring no one gets an easy base.
Alex Ridding and Koby Chant have both been solid with the bat early and continue to frustrate opposing sides.
Centrals enter the halfway point undefeated and sitting atop the ladder with plenty of comfort.
Halfway point team of the year: Pitcher – Dylan Chuck (Centrals), Catcher – Jesse Balshaw (South), 1st Base – Dylan Gull (Centrals), 2nd – Ben Marcus (Tigers), SS – Alex Ridding (Centrals), 3rd – Koby Chant (Centrals), Left Field – Mitchell Cutting (Centrals), Centre Field – Alex Pearson (Federals), Right Field – Ethan Chuck (Centrals), Designated Hitter – Matt Thompson (Tigers).
