Nightcliff Baseball Club, Darwin
Encyclopedia
Nightcliff Baseball Club Inc. is an amateur baseball
club located in Darwin
, Northern Territory
, Australia
. Also known as “the Tigers”, the club was formed in 1969 and competes
in the Darwin Baseball League
(DBL), latterly known as Baseball NT
. It is also an affiliate
d member of the Nightcliff Sports Club.
operates or functions under a constitution
by a committee
of volunteers, elected
each calendar year
. The club derives its income from player
registration fees, sponsorship, grants
, donations and fundraising
activities. Because the club is an incorporated
body, it operates as a legal business entity
.
The club is based and trains at Nightcliff High School
, Aralia Street, Nightcliff.
Chinese Recreation Club (DCRC) Red Sox. The Red Sox disbanded earlier the same year, but several former players adopted the new club. Bob Melville was elected as the inaugural President
, but resigned
shortly afterwards following a disagreement
with another committee member. Bob was replaced by Alan Smith, who remained President for the remainder of the season.
Nightcliff dominated the competition throughout the 1970s and early 1980s.
This period was known as Nightcliff's 'Golden Era' in which the club played in 12 consecutive Grand Final
s, winning 9 of them.
Many critics argued that if Nightcliff had not entered and played 2 teams during the 1972/73 season, they would have easily won that premiership. The 2 teams finished second and third. The 1974/75 season was cancelled following Cyclone Tracy
and most of the clubs records were either lost or destroyed in the cyclone. However, in late March 1975, an unofficial Grand Final was played between Nightcliff and representatives of the other 5 clubs. Although Nightcliff won this game, it was not officially recognised by DBL.
Nightcliff Baseball Club was a foundation member of the Nightcliff Sports Club, but the committee held its regular meetings at the Seabreeze Hotel to discuss the affairs of the club. These meetings became well known as "High Masses" and continued until the Seabreeze Hotel was destroyed during Cyclone Tracy in December 1974. Thereafter, the club held its meetings at the Nightcliff Sports Club.
In the mid to late 1980s, the club suffered both competitively and financially, arguably from the competition swapping, in 1984, from wet-season
to dry-season
. Nightcliff did not compete in the inaugural 1984 dry-season competition due to lack of players, but rejoined in 1985. In 1988, the club faced financial crisis and considered bankruptcy
as the DBL threatened expulsion from the league. However, a life-long Nightcliff supporter, Kay Thrupp, provided a financial lifeline and two major fund-raising efforts secured the clubs financial position.
Between 1985 and 1989 the club entered a 'Rebuilding Era' with an emphasis on junior player development. Ultimately, the strategy proved too successful with several home-grown players subsequently pursuing baseball careers in southern states, where their opportunities were greater. Since 1990, the club has remained competitive. The period between 1990 and 2000 was known as the 'Kendray Era' in reference to Nightcliff's star player who dominated the competition, coached and led the club. During the 1990s, Nightcliff played in seven Grand Finals, winning a further 3 premierships.
In 1989, the club built a permanent baseball field at Nightcliff High School. In 1997, the club became an incorporated
body, to reflect the changing way amateur sport was being administered in Australia.
Between 2000 and 2006, Nightcliff played in 6 of the possible 7 Grand Finals, but failed to win any. This period was known as Nightcliff's 'Bridesmaid Era'. This era officially ended in 2007, when Nightcliff won the Grand Final against their long-time rivals
, Tracy Village, 11 - 4.
In 2010, Nightcliff created a first in Northern Territory baseball history when the club appointed a woman, Narelle Gosstray, as their senior club coach.
Gosstray, a former Australian women's baseball representative and Aussie Hearts coach, was also the first woman appointed to coach an Australian junior baseball side. Gosstray was among the recipients of the 2010-11 Australian Sports Commission's
Sport Leadership Grants and Scholarships for Women to further her development as a high performance baseball coach. In her first year as coach, the Tigers made the 2010 grand final after finishing with the wooden spoon
the previous year. In the final however, Nightcliff lost to their long-time rivals, Tracy Village 6 - 2.
The constitution
allows for Life Membership and is awarded on the basis of outstanding volunteer service to the club. At least 10 years of predominantly non-playing service is generally considered necessary to achieve Life Membership. Current Life Members with their year of induction follow:
(*) Deceased
competed in the national Claxton Shield
competition and the following Nightcliff players represented the NT
.
and they appear below.
allows for a player’s uniform number to be retired, if that player has played 15 or more seasons at ‘A’ grade level with the club. Players with their corresponding retired number follow:
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
club located in Darwin
Darwin, Northern Territory
Darwin is the capital city of the Northern Territory, Australia. Situated on the Timor Sea, Darwin has a population of 127,500, making it by far the largest and most populated city in the sparsely populated Northern Territory, but the least populous of all Australia's capital cities...
, Northern Territory
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is a federal territory of Australia, occupying much of the centre of the mainland continent, as well as the central northern regions...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. Also known as “the Tigers”, the club was formed in 1969 and competes
Competition
Competition is a contest between individuals, groups, animals, etc. for territory, a niche, or a location of resources. It arises whenever two and only two strive for a goal which cannot be shared. Competition occurs naturally between living organisms which co-exist in the same environment. For...
in the Darwin Baseball League
Darwin Baseball League
Established in 1953, the Darwin Baseball Association and latterly Darwin Baseball League is the governing body of amateur baseball in Darwin, Northern Territory. The DBL is governed by Baseball NT and ultimately, the Australian Baseball Federation....
(DBL), latterly known as Baseball NT
Baseball NT
Baseball NT is the governing body of baseball within the Northern Territory, Australia. Baseball NT was formed in 1968 under its original name, the Northern Territory Baseball League. Baseball NT is governed nationally by the Australian Baseball Federation...
. It is also an affiliate
Affiliate
An affiliate is a commercial entity with a relationship with a peer or a larger entity.- Corporate structure :A corporation may be referred to as an affiliate of another when it is related to it but not strictly controlled by it, as with a subsidiary relationship, or when it is desired to avoid...
d member of the Nightcliff Sports Club.
Operation
Historically, baseball in Australia has been an amateur sport. As such, the clubSports club
A sports club or sport club, sometimes athletics club or sports association is a club for the purpose of playing one or more sports...
operates or functions under a constitution
Constitution
A constitution is a set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is governed. These rules together make up, i.e. constitute, what the entity is...
by a committee
Committee
A committee is a type of small deliberative assembly that is usually intended to remain subordinate to another, larger deliberative assembly—which when organized so that action on committee requires a vote by all its entitled members, is called the "Committee of the Whole"...
of volunteers, elected
Elected
Elected is the latest EP by Dutch Progressive metal project Ayreon. It was released on April 25, 2008 in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and on April 28 in the rest of Europe...
each calendar year
Calendar year
Generally speaking, a calendar year begins on the New Year's Day of the given calendar system and ends on the day before the following New Year's Day. By convention, a calendar year consists of a natural number of days. To reconcile the calendar year with an astronomical cycle , certain years...
. The club derives its income from player
Player (game)
A player of a game is a participant therein. The term 'player' is used with this same meaning both in game theory and in ordinary recreational games....
registration fees, sponsorship, grants
Grant (money)
Grants are funds disbursed by one party , often a Government Department, Corporation, Foundation or Trust, to a recipient, often a nonprofit entity, educational institution, business or an individual. In order to receive a grant, some form of "Grant Writing" often referred to as either a proposal...
, donations and fundraising
Fundraising
Fundraising or fund raising is the process of soliciting and gathering voluntary contributions as money or other resources, by requesting donations from individuals, businesses, charitable foundations, or governmental agencies...
activities. Because the club is an incorporated
Incorporation (business)
Incorporation is the forming of a new corporation . The corporation may be a business, a non-profit organisation, sports club, or a government of a new city or town...
body, it operates as a legal business entity
Entity
An entity is something that has a distinct, separate existence, although it need not be a material existence. In particular, abstractions and legal fictions are usually regarded as entities. In general, there is also no presumption that an entity is animate.An entity could be viewed as a set...
.
The club is based and trains at Nightcliff High School
Nightcliff High School
Nightcliff Middle School is a coeducational state school situated between Nightcliff Road, Aralia Street and Ryland Road, in the northern Darwin suburb of Rapid Creek, Northern Territory, Australia.-History:...
, Aralia Street, Nightcliff.
History
Founded in 1969, Nightcliff's origins stemmed from the DarwinDarwin, Northern Territory
Darwin is the capital city of the Northern Territory, Australia. Situated on the Timor Sea, Darwin has a population of 127,500, making it by far the largest and most populated city in the sparsely populated Northern Territory, but the least populous of all Australia's capital cities...
Chinese Recreation Club (DCRC) Red Sox. The Red Sox disbanded earlier the same year, but several former players adopted the new club. Bob Melville was elected as the inaugural President
Chair (official)
The chairman is the highest officer of an organized group such as a board, committee, or deliberative assembly. The person holding the office is typically elected or appointed by the members of the group. The chairman presides over meetings of the assembled group and conducts its business in an...
, but resigned
Resignation
A resignation is the formal act of giving up or quitting one's office or position. It can also refer to the act of admitting defeat in a game like chess, indicated by the resigning player declaring "I resign", turning his king on its side, extending his hand, or stopping the chess clock...
shortly afterwards following a disagreement
Controversy
Controversy is a state of prolonged public dispute or debate, usually concerning a matter of opinion. The word was coined from the Latin controversia, as a composite of controversus – "turned in an opposite direction," from contra – "against" – and vertere – to turn, or versus , hence, "to turn...
with another committee member. Bob was replaced by Alan Smith, who remained President for the remainder of the season.
Nightcliff dominated the competition throughout the 1970s and early 1980s.
This period was known as Nightcliff's 'Golden Era' in which the club played in 12 consecutive Grand Final
Grand Final
Grand Final is a predominantly Australian sport term used to describe a match that decides a league champion.It originated in Victoria and South Australia and has become specifically significant Australian culture...
s, winning 9 of them.
Cyclone Tracy
Cyclone Tracy was a tropical cyclone that devastated the city of Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, from Christmas Eve to Christmas Day, 1974...
and most of the clubs records were either lost or destroyed in the cyclone. However, in late March 1975, an unofficial Grand Final was played between Nightcliff and representatives of the other 5 clubs. Although Nightcliff won this game, it was not officially recognised by DBL.
Nightcliff Baseball Club was a foundation member of the Nightcliff Sports Club, but the committee held its regular meetings at the Seabreeze Hotel to discuss the affairs of the club. These meetings became well known as "High Masses" and continued until the Seabreeze Hotel was destroyed during Cyclone Tracy in December 1974. Thereafter, the club held its meetings at the Nightcliff Sports Club.
In the mid to late 1980s, the club suffered both competitively and financially, arguably from the competition swapping, in 1984, from wet-season
Wet season
The the wet season, or rainy season, is the time of year, covering one or more months, when most of the average annual rainfall in a region occurs. The term green season is also sometimes used as a euphemism by tourist authorities. Areas with wet seasons are dispersed across portions of the...
to dry-season
Dry season
The dry season is a term commonly used when describing the weather in the tropics. The weather in the tropics is dominated by the tropical rain belt, which oscillates from the northern to the southern tropics over the course of the year...
. Nightcliff did not compete in the inaugural 1984 dry-season competition due to lack of players, but rejoined in 1985. In 1988, the club faced financial crisis and considered bankruptcy
Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy is a legal status of an insolvent person or an organisation, that is, one that cannot repay the debts owed to creditors. In most jurisdictions bankruptcy is imposed by a court order, often initiated by the debtor....
as the DBL threatened expulsion from the league. However, a life-long Nightcliff supporter, Kay Thrupp, provided a financial lifeline and two major fund-raising efforts secured the clubs financial position.
Between 1985 and 1989 the club entered a 'Rebuilding Era' with an emphasis on junior player development. Ultimately, the strategy proved too successful with several home-grown players subsequently pursuing baseball careers in southern states, where their opportunities were greater. Since 1990, the club has remained competitive. The period between 1990 and 2000 was known as the 'Kendray Era' in reference to Nightcliff's star player who dominated the competition, coached and led the club. During the 1990s, Nightcliff played in seven Grand Finals, winning a further 3 premierships.
In 1989, the club built a permanent baseball field at Nightcliff High School. In 1997, the club became an incorporated
Incorporation (business)
Incorporation is the forming of a new corporation . The corporation may be a business, a non-profit organisation, sports club, or a government of a new city or town...
body, to reflect the changing way amateur sport was being administered in Australia.
Between 2000 and 2006, Nightcliff played in 6 of the possible 7 Grand Finals, but failed to win any. This period was known as Nightcliff's 'Bridesmaid Era'. This era officially ended in 2007, when Nightcliff won the Grand Final against their long-time rivals
Sports rivalry
A sports rivalry is intense competition between athletic teams or athletes. This pressure of competition is felt by players, coaches, and management, but is perhaps felt strongest by the fans. The intensity of the rivalry varies from a friendly competition on one end to serious violence on the...
, Tracy Village, 11 - 4.
In 2010, Nightcliff created a first in Northern Territory baseball history when the club appointed a woman, Narelle Gosstray, as their senior club coach.
Gosstray, a former Australian women's baseball representative and Aussie Hearts coach, was also the first woman appointed to coach an Australian junior baseball side. Gosstray was among the recipients of the 2010-11 Australian Sports Commission's
Australian Sports Commission
The Australian Sports Commission is the governing body responsible for distributing funds and providing strategic guidance for sporting activity in Australia. It is an agency of the Government of Australia within the portfolio of Health and Ageing...
Sport Leadership Grants and Scholarships for Women to further her development as a high performance baseball coach. In her first year as coach, the Tigers made the 2010 grand final after finishing with the wooden spoon
Wooden spoon (award)
A wooden spoon is a mock or real award, usually given to an individual or team which has come last in a competition, but sometimes also to runners-up. Examples range from the academic to sporting and more frivolous events...
the previous year. In the final however, Nightcliff lost to their long-time rivals, Tracy Village 6 - 2.
Premiers
(13) - 1970/71, 1971/72, 1973/74, 1975/76, 1976/77, 1977/78, 1978/79, 1979/80, 1981/82, 1991, 1993, 1999 and 2007.Runners Up
(14) - 1969/70, 1972/73, 1980/81, 1990, 1994, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2010.Life Members
.The constitution
Constitution
A constitution is a set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is governed. These rules together make up, i.e. constitute, what the entity is...
allows for Life Membership and is awarded on the basis of outstanding volunteer service to the club. At least 10 years of predominantly non-playing service is generally considered necessary to achieve Life Membership. Current Life Members with their year of induction follow:
|
|
(*) Deceased
Honour Board
| Season | MVP | Batting Ave | RBIs | Gold Glove | Stolen Bases |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1969/70 | Fred Bush | Fred Schmidt | Peter Goodchild | Fred Schmidt | Fred Bush |
| 1970/71 | John Lewis | Fred Bush | Peter Goodchild | Robin Cullen | Robin Cullen |
| 1971/72 | Gary Giumelli | Gary Giumelli | Gary Giumelli | Mike Buisak | Robin Cullen |
| 1972/73 | Gary Giumelli | Gary Giumelli | Fred Bush | Fred Schmidt | Gary Giumelli |
| 1973/74 | Grant Baker | Fred Schmidt | Gary Giumelli | Fred Schmidt | Gary Giumelli |
| 1974/75 Cyclone Tracy Cyclone Tracy was a tropical cyclone that devastated the city of Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, from Christmas Eve to Christmas Day, 1974... |
No award | No award | No award | No award | No award |
| 1975/76 | Wayne Longstaff | Gary Giumelli | Gary Giumelli | Fred Schmidt | Gary Giumelli |
| 1976/77 | Wayne Longstaff | Wayne Longstaff | Neil McCormack | Fred Schmidt | Gary Giumelli |
| 1977/78 | Leigh Halprin | Leigh Halprin | Gary Giumelli | Mal Kinter | Gary Giumelli |
| 1978/79 | Wayne Longstaff | Wayne Longstaff | Kieran Cassidy | Mal Kinter | Gary Giumelli |
| 1979/80 | Nick Bear | Nick Bear | Fred Bush | Nick Bear | Paul Rider |
| 1980/81 | Lance Schmidt | Bill Fryar | Gary Giumelli | Bill Fryar | Bill Fryar |
| 1981/82 | Lance Schmidt | Kieran Cassidy | Fred Bush | Leigh Halprin | Kieran Cassidy |
| 1982/83 | Bill Fryar | Bill Fryar | Garry Haigh | Bill Fryar | Bill Fryar |
| 1983 | Kieran Cassidy | Garry Haigh | Kieran Cassidy | Bill Fryar | Bill Fryar |
| 1984 | No award | No award | No award | No award | No award |
| 1985 | Lance Schmidt | Lance Schmidt | Leigh Halprin | Leigh Halprin | |
| 1986 | Lance Schmidt | Leigh Halprin | Shane Higgins | Andrew Kendray | |
| 1987 | Andrew Kendray | Andrew Kendray | Andrew Kendray | Bill Fryar | Bill Fryar |
| 1988 | Greg Cran | Andrew Kendray | Andrew Kendray | Bill Fryar | Bill Fryar |
| 1989 | Andrew Kendray | Neil Curnow | Andrew Kendray | Bill Fryar | Bill Fryar |
| 1990 | Andrew Kendray | Andrew Kendray | Scott Lawson | Bill Fryar | Darren Kimmorley |
| 1991 | Peter Cole | Peter Jackson | Andrew Kendray | Peter Jackson | Bill Fryar |
| 1992 | Andrew Kendray | Andrew Kendray | Peter Cole | Bill Fryar | Bill Fryar |
| 1993 | Andrew Kendray | Andrew Kendray | Andrew Kendray | Bill Fryar | Scott Farrer |
| 1994 | Ashley Kendray | Andrew Kendray | Mark Van Pelt | Andrew Kendray | Tom Keily |
| 1995 | Andrew Kendray | Darren Kimmorley | Andrew Kendray | Adam Keily | Bill Fryar |
| 1996 | Greg Cran | Darren Kimmorley | Andrew Kendray | Erv Moyd | Sean Ferme |
| 1997 | Andrew Kendray | Andrew Kendray | Greg Cran | Sam Tibbits | Brett Beaton |
| 1998 | Adam Keily | Andrew Kendray | Andrew Kendray | Jason Duncan | Adam Keily |
| 1999 | Darrin Wilson | Andrew Kendray | Andrew Kendray | Warwick Southwood | Jason Duncan |
| 2000 | Brett Niddrie | Andrew Kendray | Andrew Kendray | Jason Duncan | Jason Duncan |
| 2001 | Brett Niddrie | Brett Beaton | Brett Beaton | Kieran Bush | Brett Beaton |
| 2002 | Chris Davies | Tim Wells | Warwick Southwood | Warwick Southwood | Chris Davies |
| 2003 | Brett Beaton | Brett Beaton | Brett Beaton | Jamie Wakelam | Joel Harvey |
| 2004 | Lachlan Burrows | Lachlan Burrows | Ashley Kendray | Brett Beaton | Lachlan Burrows |
| 2005 | Brett Niddrie | Brett Edwards | Anthony Zamalo | Ashley Kendray | Drew Hodgson |
| 2006 | Brett Beaton | Brett Beaton | Brett Beaton | Drew Hodgson | Drew Hodgson |
| 2007 | Brett Niddrie | Ashley Kendray | Brett Beaton | Brett Beaton | Anthony Zamolo |
| 2008 | Joel Harvey | Joel Harvey | Brett Beaton | Brett Beaton | Brett Niddrie |
| 2009 | Narelle Gosstray | Joel Harvey | Brett Beaton | Adrian Handford | Bernard Kelly |
| 2010 | Daniel Conway-Jones | Daniel Conway-Jones | Daniel Conway-Jones | Adrian Handford | Daniel Conway-Jones |
| 2011 | Jason Ellery | Jeol Harvey | Sean Mumme | Adrian Handford | Levi Blanchette |
| 2012 | |||||
1970s
- 23 November 1969 - Nightcliff defeat Blue Jays 53 - 1, a Darwin Baseball League record that still remains to this day. Fred Schmidt, Fred Bush and Peter Goodchild all star for the Tigers.
- 17 January 1971 - With scores tied at 6 all after 9 innings, Pints score 1 run in the top of the 13th. With one out in the bottom half of the inning, Fred Schmidt singles and Peter Goodchild ends the game with a walk-off Home runHome runIn baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
and 8 - 7 win against Pints. Fred Bush pitches all 13 innings for the win. - 17 March 1974 - In the 1973/74 Grand Final against Waratahs, Gary Guimelli walks and scores before another pitch is thrown. Nightcliff win the Grand Final 14 - 2.
- 13 March 1977 - In the 1976/77 Grand Final against Oilers, Wayne Longstaff hits the lead-off hitter with the first pitch of the game. He then retires the next 26 hitters in a row, before allowing a bloop single with 2 out in the 9th. Nightcliff win the Grand Final 6 - 0.
- 15 October 1978 - Wayne Longstaff throws 18 strikeouts in a 7 innings (mercy ruleMercy ruleA mercy rule, also well known by the slightly less polite term slaughter rule , brings a sports event to an early end when one team has a very large and presumably insurmountable lead over the other team...
) game against South Darwin to tie the league record of 18 strikeouts in a 9 innings game. - 29 October 1978 - Wayne Longstaff throws an 18 strikeout, no-hit, shutout, in a 7 innings (mercy ruleMercy ruleA mercy rule, also well known by the slightly less polite term slaughter rule , brings a sports event to an early end when one team has a very large and presumably insurmountable lead over the other team...
) game against Northern Districts, to tie his own league record. - 3 December 1978 - Gary Giumelli stealsStolen baseIn baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
7 bases in one game from 1 hit and 4 walks, to set a new DBL record and Wayne Longstaff throws 15 strikeouts, to help defeat South Darwin 9 - 1.
1980s
- 9 March 1980 - With 1 out in the top of the 9th inning, Kieran Cassidy hits a 2 run Home runHome runIn baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
to tie the game at 3 all. Nightcliff go on to score 5 runs in the top of the 11th inning and win the 1979/80 Grand Final against East Darwin, 8 – 3. - 14 March 1981 - Behind all game and down 5 – 3 with 2 out in the bottom of the 9th inning, Bill Fryar & Fred Bush both doubleDouble (baseball)In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
to win the Preliminary Final 6 – 5 against Pints and qualify for their 11th consecutive Grand Final appearance. - 6 October 1983 - Lance Schmidt throws 17 strikeouts and 17 walks in a 5 hour rain soaked ‘night ball’ Grand Final against Rebels. Nightcliff eventually lose 19 – 17. Nightcliff players Gary Giumelli, Paul Rider & Gary Lambert are all ejected from the game.
- 16 August 1987 - In the upset of the season, cellar-dwellers Nightcliff defeat league leaders and eventual Premiers, South Darwin, 4 - 1. Lance Schmidt throws a complete gameComplete gameIn baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
for the Tigers while Andrew Kendray hits a 2-run Home runHome runIn baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
and Bill Fryar hits 2-sacrifice flySacrifice flyIn baseball, a sacrifice fly is a batted ball that satisfies four criteria:* There are fewer than two outs when the ball is hit.* The ball is hit to the outfield....
s.
1990s
- 9 September 1990 - Nightcliff finish the regular season as minor premiers, ending a 6 year drought of not appearing in the finals.
- 29 September 1991 - Already down 1 game in the best of 3 Grand Final series and behind early in the second game, Andrew Kendray hits a three run Home runHome runIn baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
to tie the score at 4 all. Nightcliff never look back and go to win the game 6 – 5. - 6 October 1991 - Playing with a broken right hand (after being hit by a pitch the week before), Peter Jackson goes 3 for 4 with 4 RBIs to help win game 3 and the Grand Final against Tracy Village, 8 – 5.
- 18 September 1993 - Behind all game and down 7 – 2 in the top of the 8th inning, Nightcliff turn a triple-playTriple PlayA triple play is a baseball play in which three outs are made as a result of continuous action without any intervening errors between outs.Triple play may also refer to:...
to end the innings. In the bottom of the 9th inning, Nightcliff rally with 4 runs to win game 1 of the Grand Final series, 8 - 7. They go on to win the 1993 Premiership the next day against Tracy Village, who until now, had only lost one game throughout the season. - 8 May 1994 - Playing in his 300th 'A' grade game, Bill Fryar goes 5 for 5 with 4 RBIs, 3 stolen baseStolen baseIn baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s and 2 runs scored, to help seal a 6 – 4 win against Pints. - 29 May 1994 - With the scores tied at 8 all after 9 innings, Bill Fryar leads-off the bottom of the 14th inning with a tripleTriple (baseball)In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, and is singled home by Hamish Cameron, to defeat Pints 9 – 8, ending the longest game in DBL history. Peter Cole throws all 14 innings for the win. - 18 May 1995 - With 2 out in the last innings of a night game, Andrew Kendray ends the game with a walk-off Grand SlamGrand slam (baseball)In the sport of baseball, a grand slam is a home run hit with all three bases occupied by baserunners , thereby scoring four runs—the most possible in one play. According to The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term originated in the card game of contract bridge, in which a grand slam involves...
and a 5 – 3 win against Tracy Village. - 19 September 1999 - Needing to win the final game of the regular season against Pints to finish Minor Premiers, scores are tied at 4 all after 4 innings until with 1 out in the bottom of the 10th when Andrew Kendray doubles and scores on a single by Brett Edwards to end the game 5 - 4.
2000s
- 13 August 2000 - With scores tied at 3 all after 9 innings, Brett Beaton doubles with 1 out in the bottom of the 11th and advances to third on a sacrifice fly to right field. Warwick Southwood picks up the game winning RBI with an infield hit and 4 - 3 win against Palmerston.
- 17 September 2000 - Needing to win the last game of the regular season to make the finals, Nightcliff thump league leaders Palmerston, 26 - 1. Pitcher Brett Niddrie throws a 2-hitter for the Tigers.
- 10 September 2006 - In the Elimination Final against Palmerston, the Reds have a 6 - 5 lead late in the game. In the bottom of the 7th inning, Nightcliff send 16 hitters to the plate and score 10 runs (all earned) against 3 Palmerston pitchers. The Tigers win the game 15 - 7 and advance to the 2006 Grand Final.
- 20 May 2007 - In one of the tightest games of Nightcliff's history, the Tigers defeat Palmerston 1 - 0 after they score in the 6th inning following safe hits by Tim Rolland and Danny Dong. Pitcher Brett Niddrie throws a 2-hitter for the Tigers.
- 16 September 2007 - Tiger pitcher Brett Niddrie scatters 7 hits, in a stellar 128-pitch complete game. He also doubles in the game winning RBI in the 8th inning, to win the Preliminary Final against the Palmerston Reds 4 - 3, as Nightcliff advance to their 10 Grand Final appearance in 11 years.
- 23 September 2007 - Nightcliff score 6 runs in the top of the 9th inning to break the game open and go on to win the 2007 Grand Final against Tracy Village, 11 - 4.
- 19 December 2009 - Former Australian women's baseball representative, Narelle Gosstray, wins the Tigers "Most Vavuable Player" award, becoming the first woman to achieve that feat.
2010s
- 25 July 2010 - Nightcliff pitcher Daniel Conway-Jones throws 14 strikeouts in a 7 innings game and also picks up 3 safe hits in a great individual performance, but the Tigers lose the game 3 - 1 to Tracy Village.
Claxton Shield
Between 1981 and 1988, the Northern TerritoryNorthern Territory
The Northern Territory is a federal territory of Australia, occupying much of the centre of the mainland continent, as well as the central northern regions...
competed in the national Claxton Shield
Claxton Shield
The Claxton Shield was the name of the premier baseball competition in Australia held between state-based teams, as well as the name of the trophy awarded to the champion team...
competition and the following Nightcliff players represented the NT
Baseball NT
Baseball NT is the governing body of baseball within the Northern Territory, Australia. Baseball NT was formed in 1968 under its original name, the Northern Territory Baseball League. Baseball NT is governed nationally by the Australian Baseball Federation...
.
- 1981 - Bill Fryar, Lance Schmidt, Leigh Halprin & Wayne Longstaff
- 1982 - Bill Fryar & Dennis Kerin
- 1983 - Bill Fryar, Lance Schmidt & Paul Rider
- 1984 - Bill Fryar
- 1985 - Lance Schmidt
- 1986 - Nil
- 1987 - Bill Fryar
- 1988 - Andrew Kendray & Scott McCormack
Australia
Several Nightcliff registered players have represented AustraliaAustralia national baseball team
The Australian national baseball team represents Australia in international baseball tournaments and competitions. They are ranked as the top team in Oceania, and are the Oceanian Champions, having been awarded the title in 2007 when New Zealand withdrew from the Oceania Baseball Championship. They...
and they appear below.
- 1983 - Bill Fryar (Australian Invitation team to play 3-game series against Japanese amateur champions, Toshiba)
- 1987 - Andrew Kendray (Under 18 National team to tour the United States)
- 1997 - Andrew Kendray (Australian Provincial team tour of Europe)
- 1999 - Andrew Kendray (Australian Provincial team tour of Europe)
- 2001 - Andrew Kendray & Greg Cran (Australian Provincial team tour of Europe)
- 2003 - Ashley Kendray (Australian Provincial team tour of Europe)
- 2005 - Ashley Kendray (Australian Provincial team tour of Europe)
- 2007 - Ashley Kendray (Australian Provincial team tour of Europe)
- 2009 - Ashley Kendray (Australian Provincial team tour of Japan)
Retired numbers
The constitutionConstitution
A constitution is a set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is governed. These rules together make up, i.e. constitute, what the entity is...
allows for a player’s uniform number to be retired, if that player has played 15 or more seasons at ‘A’ grade level with the club. Players with their corresponding retired number follow:
- 13 - Fred Bush (career. 1969–1983)
- 11 - Kieran Cassidy (career. 1972–1988)
- 14 - Leigh Halprin (career. 1973–1989)
- 21 - Bill Fryar (career. 1980–1999)
- 12 - Andrew Kendray (career. 1985–2001)
See also
- List of baseball teams in Australia
- Baseball in AustraliaBaseball in AustraliaIn Australia, baseball is a game that is played in all states and territories of the country, but it struggles for popularity due to the popularity of many other sports, including the comparable sport of cricket, in which Australia has always been one of the leading nations...
- History of baseball in Australia
- Northern Territory Buffalos