Wednesday 4 April 2012

Back to Petersham Oval

Anyone who has ever played baseball in Sydney will surely be familiar with Petersham Oval. Petersham Oval is sacred ground to cricket and to baseball. For those of you who didn't know, Sir Donald Bradman scored his maiden 1st class century there and walked down the same path I walk down many times to enter the field.

I joined the Petersham family back in 2007 when I was 16 years old and have nothing but good things to say about the club. I say Petersham family because it really does feel like family. When I joined I didn't know many people at the club but they welcomed me with open arms and make me feel apart of the Petersham tradition. In my first year at the club I played in what is called 3rd Grade which is essentially the 3rd division team. We won the tournament that year and ever since then, I have bled 'Tersham' blood. Although I had a minor stint with another club in the same league, Petersham will always be my true home for winter baseball.

Last weekend I decided to go watch the opening round of the Sydney Winter Baseball League and it felt special being back to Petersham Oval. I initially wasn't going to play, but when I arrived I was persuaded to strap on the cleats and throw an inning in 1st Grade. It ended up being a good inning as I struck out the inside in the 8th inning. Safe to say at the end of the game, it felt good to be wearing my number 21 Petersham jersey one more time.