WOODVILLE
DISTRICT BASEBALL CLUB Inc.
The original home ground was at Fawk Reserve located on Hanson Road Woodville North. The sandy soil was ideal for winter baseball but numerous three cornered jacks were a menace to the players.
Whilst Woodville was the newest Club in the league it became the largest in 1958 with 10 teams, one in each grade.
The Club transferred to is present location at Findon Reserve, Findon in March 1959.
Junior record 1962 through 1968/69
16 teams, 8 grand final appearances for 4 wins
Summer competition commenced in 1971/72. This was the start of the glory years 1972/73 – 1980/81
Senior record 1971/72 through 1980/81
44 teams for 31 grand final appearances for 18 wins
The clubrooms were erected in 1959, measuring 56 feet by 30 feet at the cost of 1513 pounds ($3026). This did not include many hours of volunteer work.
Further extensions were completed during 1970/71 at a cost of $10208.26. (26 cents!! The treasurer would have been Don Klaebe).
A gym area was added in 1994/95 and the practice batting tunnel in 2003/04.
Claxton Shield Representatives: 23 to 2005/06
1. Peter Box 9. Z. Sobolski 17. D. Halliday (Asst Coach)
2. G Harrison 10 D. Ziersch 18. J Galloway
3. D. Harrison 11. L. Behrendt 19. G. Masters
4. R. Barnes 12. G. Coward 20. A. Harris
5. D. Masters 13. M. Peters 21. I. Reval
6. A Cleanthous 14. O. Sawczak 22. D. Welch
7. W. Durbridge 15. S. Tonkin 23. L. Burrows
8. J. Davis 16. I. Lobb
1960 D. K. Klaebe 1978/79 K. J. Jennings 1992/93 D.Freak
1963 P. S. Abbott 1979/80 Mrs L. L. Jennings 1994/95 T. Fitzgerald
1964 K. W. Erdmann 1980/81 D. Mewett 1995/96 G. Lodge
1967 K. J. Ryan 1981/82 D. Halliday 1997/98 M. Haylock
1969/70 D. K. Clarke 1982/83 F. Higgie 1998/99 J. Geelan
1970/71 Mrs O. Klaebe 1984/85 J. Lodge 2000/01 Mrs M. Mortimore
1971/72 J. H. McCreery 1985/86 Mrs R. Higgie A. Lodge
1973/74 J. M. Ogden Mrs H. Muir 2001/02 G. Behrendt
1974/75 Miss P. Beaty 1986/87 B. Atkinson C. Reval
1975/76 J. C. Jennings 1987/88 K. Fawcett 2005/06 N. Annear
1976/77 K. Mortimore 1988/89 M. Behrendt G. Rogers
1977/78 H. Ryan 1991/92 C Parsons
1999/00 Don Klaebe 2002/03 Adam Lodge
Mark Biggins Trevor Smerdon
Garth Lodge 2003/04 Max Behrendt
Keith Mortimore 2004/05 Sue Rogers
2000/01 John Ryan Steve Currie
Bert Atkinson 2005/06 Val Currie
2001/02 Geoff Rogers Judy Currie
Noel Anner
Keith Mortimore is another icon, premiership player, coach, administrator, life member, mentor, Masters games player including USA tours. Keith has played 817 games and will still play the occasional game. Keith started in the 1956 winter season and has participated in a total of 52 seasons including the extra seasons caused by transferring baseball from a winter to a summer sport. Yes he did start his baseball at Fawk reserve.
The Lodge clan typifies the family atmosphere at the Club when once a year they field a team to take on the best of the rest.
No better example of unprecedented response from the Club was when in July 2006 219 people attended a fun/fund night to support Jackson Lodge’s Under 13 Australian selection to the 2006 Cal Ripkin World Series in the USA. Supporters were well rewarded when Jackson gained All Star team selection after the series.
The Club has been host to Bob Williams and American youth teams for the Goodwill Series for over 10 years. Woodville will again welcome them and the South Australian teams in December 2006.
There is no doubt that the Club diamond including outfield, practice Batting Tunnel, surrounding fencing and spectator safety pergolas is the best baseball facility in the State.
In Season 2005/06 the Club played in 5 Grand Finals – winning 4. Division 4 winning back to back and keen to make it 4 in a row. The juniors won 3 premierships and the player potential gives high confidence for the Club to prosper.
There are many people to thank for this resurgence, none more so than our womenfolk and volunteers.