Footscray Baseball Club will acknowledge its rich 90-year history this weekend.
According to Bulldogs vice-president Kevin Parry, the secret to the club’s longevity is creating a “happy place”.
Parry, coach of the open and women’s sides, said the main focus of his community club was fun, with success a byproduct.
“I love going there; we’re a family-oriented club,” he said. “We’re not a club that plays for sheep stations – we have the fun and the results follow. It’s a vibrant, energetic place to be.”
Bulldogs past and present will share stories of their club’s glorious past at Saturday’s 90th anniversary celebration dinner.
The modern-day Bulldogs are very much an all-inclusive club with teams catering for men, women, juniors and even masters.
The women play in the top level of the Baseball Victoria competition.
“Our women are in the premier league,” Parry said. “Our focus these days is probably more towards our women’s program than our men’s.”
Footscray was the runner-up last season in women’s division 1, losing 5-3 to powerful Springvale in the grand final.
The Bulldogs’ task will be much harder this campaign, with the club deciding to “go down the youth path”, not bringing in an import.
“Last year, we had a girl out from Canada playing for us and she’s since gone back,” Parry said. “We also had an Australian squad representative, who is having this year off.
“This year I’m actually playing three young girls – two of them are 16, the other 15. They’re playing in the ones.”
Footscray’s major asset can be found in its pitching, with Japanese-born star Risa Tanaka on the mound. Tanaka is rated one of the best pitchers in Australian women’s baseball; she even pitches for the predominantly men’s open side on Sundays.
“She’s a freak,” Parry said. “When we won the division 2 grand final two years ago, she pitched all seven innings in the women’s on Saturday and then came out and threw all eight innings in the men’s grand final on the Sunday.”
For Tanaka to pick up wins, she will need some run support. That should come from the likes of Abbey McLellan, one of the best hitters in the league, and Michelle Palmer and Jody Hamilton.
The Bulldogs are considered premiership long shots behind Essendon and Springvale.
