Goodwood tipped as the team to beat as clubs prepare for the new State League baseball season
PLAYERS are tipping reigning premier Goodwood to be the team to beat when the new State League baseball season starts this weekend.
Picture: AAP/Sam Wundke
REIGNING premiers Goodwood, Sturt, West Torrens and Port Adelaide are shaping up to be teams to beat ahead of the 2018/19 SA Baseball League season, according to some players.
Glenelg catcher Mason Clavell tipped the Indians, who beat Port Adelaide in last season’s grand final, Sturt and West Torrens to pose the most threat to the Tigers’ premiership hopes.
But Clavell, a member of the state under-18 team that claimed the national title in January, was confident a mix of youth and experience would help his side challenge for the title this season.
The Tigers’ campaign begins with clash against Woodville this Sunday (October 7) and US import Chris Burkholder will rejoin Glenelg after featuring with it last season.
“I am looking forward to the season and we have a lot of younger guys this season as the older guys have gone down to division three to play,” Clavell said.
“But with the older guys we do have and the young guys and the import we are getting, we should be all right this year and hopefully go a little bit further than last year.
“I think Sturt, who have always been around the mark, West Torrens and Goodwood will be the top sides.”
Goodwood will begin its title defence with a grand final rematch against Port Adelaide.
The Indians’ Josh Cakebread said winning back-to-back championships would be tough, but he was optmistic Goodwood could do it.
“We’ve had a few retirees and we’ve recruited a couple of players … so I think we will be competitive again.
“I think there will be the normal teams at the top like Port, Kensington and Sturt, who are also shaping up to be pretty strong this year.”
Southern Districts has signed US import Dylan Brammer, a two-time Most Valuable Player winner, as its new player/coach.
Ahead of Southern’s round-one battle with Henley and Grange, centre fielder Matt Hutchings said securing Brammer, who crossed over to the Hawks from Port Adelaide, was a huge coup.
“It gives us a lot of motivation and a bit of an edge on the competition,” Hutchings said.
“We are excited to see what leadership style he’s going to bring because we were probably lacking that leadership.”
Golden Grove Central Districts will take on Adelaide away.
Pitcher Kynan Skein, who has switched from East Torrens to Golden Grove, was keen to start the season with his new club.
“We are looking strong and I think we’ll be able to compete well,” Skein said.
“We’ve got a young side with plenty of talent.”
In other round-one games, East Torrens hosts Sturt, Adelaide takes on Golden Grove Central Districts and Kensington plays West Torrens. Northern Districts has the bye.
