Far North Coast Baseball Association

The Far North Coast Baseball Association (FNCBA) is the organising body for baseball on the Far North Coast of New South Wales.

Far North Coast Baseball Association
SportBaseball
Founded13 May 1937 (13 May 1937)[1][2][3]
FounderLaurie Thew[4]
CommissionerCraig Scheibel [5]
No. of teamsSix
CountryAustralia
Venue(s)Albert Park, Lismore
Most recent
champion(s)		Easts Redbirds
Official websitefnc.baseball.com.au

History

In 1937, Laurie Thew, an aspiring right-handed pitcher from Sydney moved to Lismore and began efforts to establish baseball in the city. On 11 May 1937 a public notice was published in The Northern Star inviting interest in the formation of a 'Baseball Club', with the initial meeting taking place on Thursday 13 May 1937.[6][7][8] Soon there were enough players for two teams and within weeks challenges were issued and representative games against Queensland based teams were being held.[9] The first representative baseball game ever held in Lismore took place on Saturday 31 July 1937, Queensland vs Lismore, with the visitors winning 7-1 on the back of some brilliant pitching.[10][11] The advent of World War II led to a hiatus and it was not until 1947 when Thew again proved the catalyst - calling a meeting to re-establish the league.[12] Thew is now recognised as the “Father of Baseball” on the Far North Coast.[13]

Initially the FNCBA played on cricket grounds during the winter and as the league grew this caused pressure on the city to find a dedicated space for the sport. Since 1965 FNCBA has used dedicated fields at the Albert Park sporting complex in Lismore, with the main diamond now known as Baxter Field.[14][15]

From 1952, the FNCBA was affiliated with Baseball Queensland,[16] but in August 2018 they moved to the NSW Country Baseball Association, under the banner of Baseball NSW.[17][18]

In 2015, for the first time in the 78-year history of the FNCBA, an all-women's team competed - the Ballina Sharkettes.[19]

Currently there are teams from clubs based in Ballina, Casino and several clubs (Easts, Marist Brothers, Norths and Workers) from Lismore. In the past there have also been clubs from Alstonville and Kyogle.[20]

The Association has produced numerous Australian (men's and women's) representatives including Barry Wappett*, Barry Pratt,[21] Ray,[22] Mark and Mat Buckley*,[23] Harold Crozier,[24] Matt Gahan,[25] Peter Gahan, Matt Gates,[26] Adrian Meagher*,[27] Michael Nind*,[28] Karina Connors[29] and James Linger.[30] Those marked with an asterisk (*) represented Australia at the Olympics. The area remains one of the strongest centres for Baseball in Australia.[31]

Clubs
Team First played Grade(s)
Alstonville 1990[32]
Ballina Sharks 1975[33] Div 3
Casino Div 3
Easts Redbirds 1948[34] Major League, Div 1, Div 2, Seniors, Juniors, Little League
Marist Brothers 1948[35] Major League, Div 1, Juniors, Little League
Norths Bears 1948[36][37] Major League, Div 1, Div 2, Div 3, Under 20s, Seniors, Juniors, Little League
Workers 1963[38] Major League, Div 1, Div 2, Div 3, Seniors, Juniors, Little League

Major League Champions
  • 2020 Workers
  • 2019: Norths[39]
  • 2018: Easts[40]
  • 2017: Workers[41]
  • 2016: Easts[42]
  • 2015: Easts[43]
  • 2014: Norths[44]
  • 2013: Marists[45]
  • 2012: Easts[46]
  • 2011: Easts[47]
  • 2010: Easts
  • 2009: Norths[48]
  • 2008: Norths[49]
  • 2007: Workers[50][51]
  • 2006: Easts[52]
  • 2005: Easts[53]
  • 2004: Workers
  • 2003: Marists[54]
  • 2002: Marists[55]
  • 2001: Workers
  • 2000: Marists
  • 1999: Workers
  • 1998: Marists[56]
  • 1997: Marists
  • 1996: Workers
  • 1995: Marists
  • 1994: Marists
  • 1993: Norths[57]
  • 1992: Norths
  • 1991: Marists
  • 1990:
  • 1989 Workers
  • 1988: Marists
  • 1987: Workers
  • 1986: Marists
  • 1985: Workers
  • 1984: Marists
  • 1983: Workers
  • 1982: Marists
  • 1981: Easts[58]
  • 1980: Marists
  • 1979: Marists
  • 1978: Marists
  • 1977: Marists
  • 1976: Marists
  • 1975: Marists
  • 1974: Marists
  • 1973:
  • 1972:
  • 1971/72:
  • 1971: Marists
  • 1970/71: Marists
  • 1970: Marists
  • 1969:
  • 1968:
  • 1967:
  • 1966: Workers
  • 1965: Workers
  • 1964: Marists
  • 1963:
  • 1962: Marists
  • 1961:
  • 1960:
  • 1959:
  • 1958: Marists
  • 1957: Marists
  • 1956: Marists
  • 1955: Marists
  • 1954: Marists
  • 1953: Marists
  • 1952: A G Robertsons (AGRs)[59]
  • 1951: AGRs
  • 1950: Souths[60]
  • 1949: Souths[61]
  • 1948: Cubs[62]
  • 1947:
  • 1946: No competition.
  • 1945: No competition.
  • 1944: No competition.
  • 1943: No competition.
  • 1942: No competition.
  • 1941:
  • 1940: Saxons[63][64]
  • 1939: Cubs[65]
  • 1938: Giants[66]
  • 1937:

Huckleberry Medal (Major League MVP)

Beginning 1960, at the end of every season, the "Huckleberry Medal" has been awarded to the player deemed MVP in the FNCBA "Major League" competition. Past winners have been:

In addition to the list below, Peter Gahan (Marist Brothers) won the medal five-times in the 1970s-1980s.[67]

  • 2019: Robbie Pruess (East Redbirds)
  • 2018: Robbie Pruess (East Redbirds)
  • 2017: Will Riley (Redbirds)[68]
  • 2016: Robbie Pruess (East Redbirds)
  • 2015: Michael Munro (Easts Redbirds)[69]
  • 2014: James Linger (Norths)[70]
  • 2013:
  • 2012: Troy Pruess (Workers)[71]
  • 2011: Mick McClelland (Workers)
  • 2010: Robbie Pruess (Redbirds)[72]
  • 2009: Paul Simes (Norths)
  • 2008: Dallas Knapp (Workers)
  • 2007: James Linger (Norths)
  • 2006: Troy Pruess (Workers)
  • 2005: Troy Pruess (Workers)
  • 2004: Dallas Knapp (Workers)
  • 2003: Matt Gahan (Marist Brothers)
  • 2002: Paul Simes (Norths)
  • 2001: Dallas Knapp (Workers)
  • 2000: Chris Neven (Marist Brothers)
  • 1999: Wayne Devlin (Workers)
  • 1998: Matt Gahan (Marist Brothers)
  • 1997: David Youngberry (Marist Brothers)
  • 1996: David Youngberry (Marist Brothers)
  • 1995: David Youngberry (Marist Brothers)
  • 1994: Mark Buckley (Marist Brothers)
  • 1993: Mark Buckley (Marist Brothers)
  • 1992: Peter Buttrum (Norths)
  • 1991: Alan Worgan (Workers)
  • 1990:
  • 1989:
  • 1988:
  • 1987:
  • 1986:
  • 1985:
  • 1984: Alan Worgan (Workers)[73]
  • 1983: Stephen Devlin (Workers)
  • 1982: Adrian Meagher (Workers)[74]
  • 1981:
  • 1980:
  • 1979:
  • 1978:
  • 1977: Adrian Meagher (Workers)
  • 1976: Bob McClelland (Workers)[75]
  • 1975: Michael Gahan Jnr (Marist Brothers)[76]
  • 1974:
  • 1973:
  • 1972:
  • 1971: Michael Gahan Jnr (Marist Brothers)
  • 1970:
  • 1969: Maurice Gahan (Marist Brothers)[77]
  • 1968:
  • 1967:
  • 1966:
  • 1965:
  • 1964:
  • 1963:
  • 1962:
  • 1961:
  • 1960: Reg Baxter (Norths)[78][79]

See also

References
  1. "Baseball Draw". The Northern Star and Trove. 15 June 1938. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  2. Clark, p.70.
  3. Baxter, Rob (25 October 2017). "Floods to finals in FNC baseballs 80th year". The Northern Star. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  4. Baxter, Robert (9 February 2016). "Humble pitch in 1937 leads to city's love affair with baseball". The Northern Star. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  5. Clark, Emily (23 July 2019). "Norths blast late runs for win over Workers". The Northern Star. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  6. "BASEBALL CLUB? Meeting Convened". The Northern Star. 11 May 1937. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
  7. "TO-DAY". The Northern Star. 13 May 1937. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
  8. "Baseball Club Formed in Lismore". The Northern Star. 14 May 1937. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
  9. Baxter, Robert (9 February 2016). "Humble pitch in 1937 leads to city's love affair with baseball". The Northern Star. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  10. "TO-DAY: Baseball, Queensland vs Lismore, Recreation Ground, 1:45pm". The Northern Star. 31 July 1937. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
  11. "BRILLIANT PITCHING WON GAME - Baseball Was Popular". The Northern Star. 2 August 1937. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
  12. "TO-DAY: BASEBALL REVIVAL PLANNED". The Northern Star. 11 March 1947. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
  13. Baxter, Robert (9 February 2016). "Humble pitch in 1937 leads to city's love affair with baseball". The Northern Star. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  14. Baxter, Rob (25 October 2017). "Floods to finals in FNC baseballs 80th year". The Northern Star. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  15. "Baxter dies". The Northern Star. 11 August 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  16. Clark, p.70.
  17. "CEO ACKNOWLEDGEMENT – FAR NORTH COAST". Baseball Queensland. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  18. @BaseballNSW (3 September 2018). "Far North Coast Baseball Association Affiliating with Baseball New South Wales" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  19. Baxter, Robert (29 July 2015). "Sharkettes break new ground in FNC baseball". The Northern Star. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  20. "FNC Baseball goes from strength to strength". The Northern Star. 29 March 2016. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  21. Baxter, Rob (6 December 2016). "BASEBALL HISTORY: Mini series looks back at 40 legends". The Northern Star. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  22. Baxter, Rob (17 December 2015). "Ray did it his way for 41 years in local baseball". The Northern Star. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  23. Baxter, Rob (8 December 2016). "BASEBALL HISTORY: Region's leaders rise to glory". The Northern Star. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  24. Munro, Jackie (17 November 2016). "'Cro' draws stumps". The Northern Star. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  25. Baxter, Rob (8 December 2016). "BASEBALL HISTORY: Region's leaders rise to glory". The Northern Star. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  26. Baxter, Rob (8 December 2016). "BASEBALL HISTORY: Region's leaders rise to glory". The Northern Star. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  27. Baxter, Rob (8 December 2016). "BASEBALL HISTORY: Region's leaders rise to glory". The Northern Star. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  28. Baxter, Rob (7 December 2016). "BASEBALL HISTORY: 15 more don green and gold". The Northern Star. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  29. Baxter, Rob (4 August 2016). "Karina ready for Korea". The Northern Star. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  30. Baxter, Rob (11 December 2016). "BASEBALL HISTORY: Final part to the series about FNC legends". The Northern Star. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
  31. Clark, p.70.
  32. Baxter, Robert (29 March 2016). "FNC baseball goes from strength to strength". The Northern Star. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
  33. Baxter, Robert (15 March 2016). "FNC baseball of today a far cry from its early days". The Northern Star. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
  34. Baxter, Robert (9 February 2016). "Humble pitch in 1937 leads to city's love affair with baseball". The Northern Star. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  35. Baxter, Robert (9 February 2016). "Humble pitch in 1937 leads to city's love affair with baseball". The Northern Star. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  36. Baxter, Robert (9 February 2016). "Humble pitch in 1937 leads to city's love affair with baseball". The Northern Star. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  37. Baxter, Robert (4 August 2017). "Club to celebrate its 3 score years and 10". The Northern Star. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
  38. "Fifty years on the diamond". The Northern Star. 7 June 2012. Retrieved 19 July 2019.
  39. Clark, Emily (28 September 2019). "Norths are premiers in baseball shock". The Northern Star. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  40. "Brothers guard the baseball plate". The Northern Star. 28 April 2019. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  41. "FNC Baseball awards for 2017". The Northern Star. 25 October 2017. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
  42. Baxter, Robert (12 September 2016). "Baseball: Easts sweep to premiership". The Northern Star. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
  43. Baxter, Rob (4 April 2016). "Baseball: Defending premiers take up where they left off". The Northern Star. Retrieved 19 July 2019.
  44. Baxter, Rob (15 September 2014). "Norths take major league baseball grand final". The Northern Star. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  45. Baxter, Robert (11 September 2015). "Best chance for Workers against Easts with key player away". The Northern Star. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
  46. "It's 12 years of Glee". Sunshine Coast Daily. 17 September 2012. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
  47. "Fifty years on the diamond". The Northern Star. 7 June 2012. Retrieved 19 July 2019.
  48. Baxter, Robert (11 September 2015). "Best chance for Workers against Easts with key player away". The Northern Star. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
  49. "Norths end 15-year drought". The Northern Star. 11 August 2015. Retrieved 19 July 2019.
  50. Baxter, Rob (7 September 2017). "Baseball finals start tomorrow". The Northern Star. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
  51. "Premierships". Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  52. "FNC baseball goes it alone". The Northern Star. 14 April 2017. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  53. Spinks, Steve (31 December 2015). "Ringing in the changes". The Northern Star. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
  54. Egan, Tony (12 September 2013). "Brothers have shot at baseball six pack". The Northern Star. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  55. Baxter, Robert (11 September 2015). "Best chance for Workers against Easts with key player away". The Northern Star. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
  56. "Marist Brothers Baseball Club". Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  57. "Masters Games reunites old team mates". The Northern Star. 11 August 2015. Retrieved 19 July 2019.
  58. Hallmann, Geoff (6 September 2005). "Redbirds title worth wait for 1981 bat boy". The Northern Star. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
  59. "A.G.R.'s WIN TITLE". The Northern Star. 8 September 1952. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
  60. "100 Players for Baseball". The Northern Star. 27 April 1951. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
  61. "SOUTHS COMPLETE BIG DOUBLE". The Northern Star. 26 September 1949. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
  62. "BASEBALL PREMIERS". The Northern Star. 29 September 1948. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
  63. "Personal: Mr L. Winley". The Northern Star. 29 August 1940. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
  64. "Over 3000 at Sports Carnival: Baseball". The Northern Star. 6 May 1941. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
  65. "Sport in the Country". The Sunday Mail (Brisbane). 16 June 1940. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
  66. "BASEBALL: F.N. COAST COMP". The Northern Star. 18 August 1938. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
  67. Baxter, Robert (13 November 2015). "Gahan's career full of highlightst". The Northern Star. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
  68. "FNC Baseball awards for 2017". The Northern Star. 25 October 2017. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
  69. Hallmann, Geoffrey (14 September 2015). "Redbirds Rule the Roost". The Northern Star. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
  70. Baxter, Rob (20 September 2014). "Season Culminates in Gripping Grand Final". The Northern Star. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
  71. Craig, Mitchell (5 October 2012). "ROAD TO SUCCESS; He Can't Get to Training but Workers Pitcher Takes Top Award for Third Time". The Northern Star. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
  72. Attewell, Paul (30 September 2010). "Pruess wins best and fairest award". The Northern Star. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
  73. "Special Awards (Statistics)". Retrieved 21 July 2019.
  74. Baxter, Rob (20 January 2016). "Pitcher's perfect comeback earns him Hall of Fame entries". The Northern Star. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
  75. Baxter, Rob (24 November 2015). "Bob McClelland helped make FNC baseball game great". The Northern Star. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
  76. "Baseball dynasty produces some diamonds". The Northern Star. 23 November 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
  77. Baxter, Rob (24 November 2016). "Cricketer raises top baseballers". The Northern Star. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
  78. Baxter, Rob (2 November 2016). "Coin toss gave FNC baseball one of its legends". The Northern Star. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
  79. "Club to celebrate its 3 score years plus 10". The Northern Star. 4 August 2017. Retrieved 21 July 2019.

Sources
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