From: ddyte@vaxc.cc.monash.edu.au
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
Subject: Aussie Bball News #9- Bandits move in!
Date: 14 Dec 92 21:21:05 +1100
Organization: Computer Centre, Monash University, Australia

BANDITS CHASE MONARCHS!

Results of disciplinary actions:

Doug Ault has been fined for disputing an umpire's
decision last week, and the Blues have been fined
for forfeiting their game to the Bushrangers. The
fine must be paid to the Bushrangers, who have been
allowed to move to the Preston ground at least until
the end of the season, Altona being a geographical
nightmare if you ever want fans to see your games.
Ault was also suspended for 6 games.

The Bushrangers and Bandits have both been fined
over the tripleheader affair, and both clubs are
appealing the decision.

Results of matches (incomplete?):

     Wednesday 9 Dec:

Game 1    Heat 2 (5h)      Game 2    Heat 8 (11h)
          B'rangers 3 (4h)           B'rangers 10 (12h)

Kevin Scott picked up 2 hits, including a double, for
Melbourne as reliever Simpson withstood Perth's last
inning rally (1 run) to save the win for Gallaher.
Perth catcher Edmondson also hit twice. In game 2, the
Rangers scored 4 in the second, but saw Perth collect
6 hits and 7 runs in the third. Melbourne scored 2
in the third and 4 in the fourth to wrap it up. Kevin
Scott's 3 hits included 2 doubles, while Clayton Byrne
drove in 3 runs for the Heat. Dave White took a lucky
win.

Monarchs 2
Dolphins 0

Mark Respondek took a surprise win, as Adrian Meagher
suffered a rare loss.

     Thursday 10 Dec:

Heat 1 (7h) (10 innings)
Reds 0 (4h)

A pitching duel between Perth's Rick Krivda and Waverley's
Carlos Reyes saw neither team score until Greg Jelks'
double brought Scott Steed home in the top of the tenth.
When Reds catcher David Clarkson singled with one out in
the bottom of the tenth, Adam Burton was able to go from
the on-deck circle to first without entering the batter's
box. He was replaced in the lineup by Ian Hubble, and then
he became the new courtesy runner for Clarkson. (weird!)
Hubble hit a long ball to right field, and Burton took off,
but Clayton Byrne made a sensational catch running back,
and fired to first. From where I was, the throw seemed to
beat Burton, but the umpire called him safe. Heat manager
Mike Young yelled at umpire Doug McLean for several minutes,
and was ejected. Perth players had to drag him off the field.
Burton then stole second (a call again provoking dispute),
and DH Scott Dawes (the second string catcher) singled to
center. Steed's throw narrowly beat Burton home and the game
was over.

Game 1    Monarchs 1?      Game 2   Monarchs 5?
          Dolphins 0?               Dolphins 4?

I'm not certain of these scores, but I do know that Monarch
Pookie Wilson was hit by a pitch in game 2, which sparked
a bench clearing brawl. 3 players were ejected, including
Wilson.

     Friday 11 Dec:

Heat      9 (13h)
B'rangers 2 (7h)

The Bushrangers and Heat managed 9 doubles, a triple (to
Ruggerio of Melbourne) and a home run (to Edmonson of
Perth). Edmonson picked up 3 hits. Andrew Linehan took
another loss, and new Milwaukee Brewer Graeme Lloyd got
the win. All Perth batters but Greg Jelks hit safely,
and Hrabar, Hearne and Adamson each hit twice with one
double, as did Kevin Scott of Melbourne.

Monarchs 4
Bandits  5

     Saturday 12 Dec:

Game 1     Heat 2 (4h)    Game 2   Heat 0 (3h)
           Reds 6 (8h)             Reds 2 (7h)

19 year old Aaron Harvey hit two doubles for the Reds in
game 1, and Matthew Sheldon-Collins also hit twice to
help brother Simon to a win, taking over a starting spot
from manager Phil Dale, who becomes the Reds' closer.
In game 2, back to back doubles from Warner and Spencer
saw the Reds score twice in the second, as Ritter won
and Lindberg lost.

Game 1     Monarchs 3 (1h)  Game 2    Monarchs 0 (1h)
           Bandits  0 (6h)            Bandits  3 (6h)

Somehow (I don't know how!) the Monarchs scored 2 in the
fifth and 1 in the sixth with 1 hit and no RBIs. Once
again, Lemon won, this time with Cairncross losing. In game
2, the miserable Monarch hitting continued, and this time
Brisbane took advantage, with Jordan's solo homer in the
third and Buttrum's 2 RBI double in the sixth. Faw won,
Jacobson lost. An ABL record crowd of 11,700 saw the two
games! To put this in perspective, however, other records
are soccer's 45,000, test cricket's 96,000 and the VFL Grand
Final's 121,000 in 1970 (regularly gets 95,000+).

     Table:
                               W   L   GB
Melbourne Monarchs            16   7   -
Brisbane Bandits              10   6   2.5
Sydney Blues                  11   8   3
Gold Coast Dolphins           10  10   3.5
Waverley Reds                  6   9   6
Perth Heat                     9  13   6.5
Adelaide Giants                8  13   7
Melbourne Bushrangers          7  12   7

                                         - David Dyte