Published Fri 09 Apr 2021
The 2021 Darwin Baseball League season will get underway at Tracy Village Sporting Complex on Sunday featuring an expanded six-team top tier.
Pints Baseball will return to competition after sitting out last season due to the impact of COVID-19 while defending premier Tracy Village and Nightcliff will each field two teams with Palmerston rounding out the field.
The return of Pints was enough to entice life member Bobby Joyce, 71, to continue for a 60th baseball season after playing with the Rebels in 2020.
“It is great to be back in Pints colours as I have made many friends and meet lots of players at the club over the last 30 years since moving to Darwin from Melbourne,” Joyce said.
“I enjoyed last season at Tracy which gave me the opportunity to play with players I have been competing against for many years but my loyalty has always been to the green and gold.”
Joyce is confident Pints can make a successful return to the field and build a bright future.
“If enthusiasm is any indication Pints should have a good season but only time will tell,” he said.
“Pints has been one of the main clubs in Darwin baseball for many years and I hope this will continue for many years to come.
“We have had our ups and downs over the years but always seem to bounce back stronger than ever.”
The DBL is set to celebrate Joyce’s 60th season later in the year.
DBL president Greg Hertel encouraged past players to reach out to their clubs or the league to be part of the celebration.
Hertel said 2021 was shaping as a big year for the league after COVID impacted the 2020 season.
“Darwin Baseball has a very exciting season ahead, with 6 teams making up a very competitive competition,” he said.
“We are also pleased to see many juniors stepping onto the diamond for the first time and we are looking forward to watching them develop into brilliant baseball players.”
Brodie Hertel has stepped up to manage Tracy Village for its title defence.
The Reds will be without reigning MVP Jason Ellery after he chose to have a season off.