Williamstown Wolves’ Dennis Neal didn’t think he would ever get another shot playing in the Australian Baseball League.
The pitcher played for Canberra in 2020 and it didn’t go the way that he had wanted it to.
“After the way that I played at Canberra, I thought I was no shot at playing in the ABL again,” he said.
“I thought it was one and done. I had a blast though.”
Neal didn’t think much more about playing in the top competition in the country and focused on his time with the Wolves.
That was until a phone call before the final round of the ABL season changed everything.
‘I was at work and my club coach for Willy called me and I missed the call,” he said. “He said to call him back urgently.
“I took a break and he told me the Aces are trying to call me to play on the weekend. I was tentative as I didn’t want to let the club [Williamstown] down as we’re trying to clinch a play off spot.
“It was a great opportunity and it’s not going to come around much as I’m a bit older. I thought I would do it, one last hurrah.”
Neal said the Aces were so welcoming to him and it was very special to be part of the club for a short time.
Neal managed to play in two of the Aces four games in the final round.
It was a different feeling to the last time he played in the ABL.
“I was proud of myself,” he said. “I think I did what was wanted of me and even did a little bit more.
“I learned from my mistakes and turned up.”
Neal said he would look to take that form back to Williamstown. He said his teammates were thoroughly excited for him to have that opportunity.
The Wolves are in a battle for a finals spot in the Baseball Victoria summer league premier 1st nine competition.
Neal said it will be interesting now with all the “studs” from the ABL returning to their local clubs in the run home.
The Wolves won their most recent match on Tuesday night, beating Upwey FTG, 12-11. The Wolves sit in seventh spot.
The Wolves have several younger players coming through the ranks which is exciting for Neal, who has done some junior coaching at the club.
“I’m so ready to see them come up and take our jobs,” he said. “They work hard and I’ve got to coach a couple in juniors and pushed them to see their limits, they don’t limits.”
Neal, an Oakland native and former college and independent professional baseballer from the US, has been part of the Wolves side for a number of years.
He said Williamstown instantly became home.
“I saw the field and the club was right on the water and thought this is where I’m setting up camp.
“It is pretty good
“I think about these guys a lot, I wan tot do right by them.”
