Newport Rams will not waver from their philosophy of developing from within as they prepare to take aim at Victorian baseball’s big league.
The Rams will embark on a season in top-flight summer league division 1 on Sunday with a similar young line-up to the one that earned them promotion last season.
Short-term goals have not compromised the thinking of Rams coach Grant Weir, who wants to build sustained success.
Rams assistant coach Gavin Young said that while it was a young team, it was one with state-level experience that will hold it in good stead in division 1.
“We’ve got a long-term goal to develop players and stay with the youth for the future,” he said.
“That’s the plan and it’s been working so far, so we’ve got to keep on working and keep on pushing it that way.
“Most of our boys have played state baseball before so they know what it’s about. Having the belief they can do it [at division 1 level] is probably the biggest thing.”
In Matthew Lawman and Dean Malthouse, the Rams have two on-field leaders with plenty of experience at the top level.
The Rams decided to bring in an import player after going without last season.
American Travis Bass, a third baseman who is no slouch on the mound and dangerous in the batter’s box, will be valuable for his versatility.
“He’s been to Australia before and played a couple of years in Perth,” Young said, adding that Bass had also featured with the Perth Heat in the Australian Baseball League.
“He’s been out here, he knows our game, he knows what Australia is like, so he’s going to be an asset to the club in many ways, as well as on the field as a player.
“He comes highly recommended as a clubman as well.”
Griffin Weir will be the Rams’ opening day starting pitcher against Geelong at KC White Reserve on Sunday.
Weir has been a consistent performer on the hill in recent seasons.
“Our starting line-up will be similar to what we had almost all of last season,” Young said. “We’ll stay with our guys and support them until they prove us wrong.”
The Rams have dates with powerhouse clubs Geelong and Essendon in the opening two weeks.
Young welcomes the testing start to the season.
“Everyone is keen to get it going to see how we match up at the highest level,” he said. “This will tell us where we’re at and what we need to do. It’s actually good to come up against these teams first so our guys know what it’s all about.”
Williamstown Wolves, last year’s
division 2 premiers, will also make their big-league entrance this weekend.
