Brisbane Bandits pitcher David Sutherland recalls rise of club in the north western suburbs

Brisbane Bandits pitcher David Sutherland is enjoying the giddy heights of the organisation’s success, but he remembers when baseball was a minnow sport in the north western suburbs.

Brisbane Bandits pitcher David Sutherland is enjoying the giddy heights of the organisation’s success, but he remembers when baseball was a minnow sport in the north western suburbs.

A Ferny Grove man from the bottom of his feet to the tip of his baseball cap, Sutherland recalls when his club, Pine Hills Lightning, were named Mitchelton and played on grounds shared with the West Mitchelton rugby league club.

“One of my brother’s friends was playing and he got my brother playing and I went down at the same time,’’ Sutherland recalled about how he started off in the sport.

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“It was Mitchelton at the time, we played at West Mitchie footie club, which eventually became Pine Hills. when they moved.

“I loved it and I stayed with it.

An early shot of David Sutherland playing for the Bandits. PIC MARC ROBERTSON

“I also played a little bit at Ferny Grove (State High). We won the Brisbane competition at school,’’ he said proudly.

Sutherland is a member of Mark Ready’s Bandits’ which this season is playing for four national titles in a row.

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He loves the Bandits but has never forgotten where it all started for him at his beloved Lightning.

“I always think of Pine Hills has my home,’’ Sutherland said.

“I have been out there for a long time. I love getting back to play whenever I can. And when I can I try and give back to the club.

“I am pretty sure they had a record sign-on at Pine Hills this season, so everyone is doing great things out there.

Pine Hills Lightning juniors with Brisbane Bandits representatives.

“I am proud to be a member of that club

“I have been playing when I was five.’’

On the Bandits, Sutherland said he also loved the culture of the place, from the top of the organisation where Ready was in control, all the way down.

He said it was also aa family organisation and everyone just had fun.

“Once we are on the field, we are all mates.,’’ he said fondly.