Nightcliff Baseball Club Explained

Nightcliff Baseball Club, Darwin
Fullname:Nightcliff Baseball Club Inc.
Nickname:The Tigers
Strip:White base with black pinstripe & black/gold trim
Founded:1969
Sport:Baseball
League:Darwin Baseball League / Baseball NT
First Season:1969/70
Ground:Nightcliff Middle School
President:Mark MacDonald
Season:2018

Nightcliff Baseball Club Inc. is an amateur baseball club located in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. Also known as "the Tigers", the club was formed in 1969 and competes in the Darwin Baseball League (DBL), latterly known as Baseball NT. It is also an affiliated member of the Nightcliff Sports Club.

Operation

Historically, baseball in Australia has been an amateur sport.[1] [2] As such, the club operates or functions under a constitution by a committee of volunteers, elected each calendar year.[3] The club derives its income from player registration fees, sponsorship, grants, donations and fundraising activities. Because the club is an incorporated body, it operates as a legal business entity.[4]

The club is based and trains at Nightcliff Middle School, Aralia Street, Nightcliff.

History

Established in 1969, Nightcliff's origins stemmed from the Darwin Chinese Recreation Club (DCRC) Red Sox.[5] The Red Sox disbanded earlier the same year, but several former players adopted the new club. Bob Melville was elected as the inaugural President, but resigned shortly afterwards following a disagreement with another committee member. He was replaced by Alan Smith, who remained President for the remainder of the season.

Nightcliff dominated the competition throughout the 1970s and early 1980s.[6] This period was known as Nightcliff's 'Golden Era' in which the club played in 12 consecutive Grand Finals, winning 9 of them.[7]

Many critics argued that if Nightcliff had not entered and played two teams during the 1972/73 season, they would have easily won that premiership. The two teams finished second and third. The 1974/75 season was cancelled following Cyclone Tracy and most of the clubs records were either lost or destroyed in the cyclone. However, in late March 1975, an unofficial Grand Final was played between Nightcliff and representatives of the other five clubs. Although Nightcliff won this game, it was not officially recognised by DBL.

Nightcliff Baseball Club was a foundation member of the Nightcliff Sports Club, but the committee held its regular meetings at the Seabreeze Hotel to discuss the affairs of the club. These meetings became well known as "High Masses" and continued until the Seabreeze Hotel was destroyed during Cyclone Tracy in December 1974.[8] Thereafter, the club held its meetings at the Nightcliff Sports Club.

In the mid- to late 1980s, the club suffered both competitively and financially, arguably from the competition swapping, in 1984, from wet-season to dry-season. Nightcliff did not compete in the inaugural 1984 dry-season competition due to lack of players, but rejoined in 1985. In 1988, the club faced financial crisis and considered bankruptcy as the DBL threatened expulsion from the league. However, a lifelong Nightcliff supporter, Kay Thrupp, provided a financial lifeline and two major fund-raising efforts secured the club's financial position.[9]

Between 1985 and 1989 the club entered a 'Rebuilding Era' with an emphasis on junior player development. Ultimately, the strategy proved too successful with several home-grown players subsequently pursuing baseball careers in southern states, where their opportunities were greater.[10] Since 1990, the club has remained competitive. The period between 1990 and 2000 was known as the 'Kendray Era' in reference to Nightcliff's star player who dominated the competition, coached and led the club. During the 1990s, Nightcliff played in seven Grand Finals, winning a further three premierships.

In 1989, the club built a permanent baseball field at Nightcliff High School. In 1997, the club became an incorporated body, to reflect the changing way amateur sport was being administered in Australia.[11]

Between 2000 and 2006, Nightcliff played in six of the possible seven Grand Finals, but failed to win any.[12] This period was known as Nightcliff's 'Bridesmaid Era'.[13] This era officially ended in 2007, when Nightcliff won the Grand Final against their long-time rivals, Tracy Village, 11–4.[14]

In 2010, Nightcliff created a first in Northern Territory baseball history when the club appointed a woman, Narelle Gosstray, as their senior club coach.[15] [16] Gosstray, a former Australian women's baseball representative and Aussie Hearts coach, was also the first woman appointed to coach an Australian junior baseball side.[17] She was among the recipients of the 2010-11 Australian Sports Commission's Sport Leadership Grants and Scholarships for Women to further her development as a high performance baseball coach.[18] In her first year as coach, the Tigers made the 2010 grand final after finishing with the wooden spoon the previous year.[19] In the final, however, Nightcliff lost to their long-time rivals, Tracy Village 6–2.[20]

In 2015 Nightcliff signed another woman player, 27-year-old left-hand pitcher Amy Collins, who won a bronze medal with the Australian women's team at the 2014 World Cup in Japan, where the opposition included baseball giants the US, Canada, Venezuela, Japan and Chinese Taipei. In her first game with the Tigers, Collins pitched a 26–5 winning game over the Palmerston Reds.[21]

Premiers

13 - 1970/71, 1971/72, 1973/74, 1975/76, 1976/77, 1977/78, 1978/79, 1979/80, 1981/82, 1991, 1993, 1999 and 2007.

Runners up

17 - 1969/70, 1972/73, 1980/81, 1990, 1994, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2018.

Life Members

The constitution allows for Life Membership and is awarded on the basis of outstanding volunteer service to the club. At least 10 years of predominantly non-playing service is generally considered necessary to achieve Life Membership. Current Life Members with their year of induction follow:

Deceased

Honour Board

Memorable moments

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

Representatives

Claxton Shield

Between 1981 and 1988, the Northern Territory competed in the national Claxton Shield competition and the following Nightcliff players represented the NT.

Australia

Several Nightcliff registered players have represented Australia and they appear below.

Retired numbers

The constitution allows for a player's uniform number to be retired, if that player has played 15 or more seasons at 'A' grade level with the club. Players with their corresponding retired numbers and principle position follow:

Nightcliff Tigers retired numbers
No.PlayerPositionCareerRef
13 Fred Bush 1969–83
11 Kieran Cassidy 1972–88
14 Leigh Halprin 1973–89
21 Bill Fryar 1980–99
12 Andrew Kendray 1985–01

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Encyclopædia Britannica (2007, p. 15). History: Amateur Baseball. Retrieved online 16 September 2007.
  2. Gmelch, George (2006). Baseball without borders: the international pastime. Lincoln: University of Nebraska. . .
  3. Dept. of Local Government, Housing & Sport (2007). Club Development. Retrieved online 27 June 2007.
  4. Department of Justice (2008). Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading: Why Incorporate. Retrieved on 26 July 2008.
  5. http://www.chia.chinesemuseum.com.au/biogs/CH01340b.htm Darwin Chinese Recreation Club
  6. Asia Rooms (2007). Baseball in Darwin. Retrieved online 19 March 2008.
  7. Chin, J. and Tobin, M. (1996). A brief history of Baseball in Darwin. Baseball '96, page 12.
  8. Barter, Leith. (1994, p. 41). From wartime camp to garden suburb: a short history of Nightcliff and Rapid Creek. Historical Society of the Northern Territory. . OCLC: 38361179
  9. Peter Dawe (1988). Tigress to the Rescue. NT News.
  10. Clark, Joe. (2003, p. 80). A History of Australian Baseball: Time & Game . University of Nebraska Press. . OCLC: 52127597
  11. Deakin Law Review (2003). The Law of Tort & Amateur Sport: An Incentive to Stay at Home? Retrieved online 9 August 2007.
  12. Australian Baseball Federation. (2006). Groundhog Day. Retrieved online 9 August 2007.
  13. NT News Limited. Closest match-up in years. Saturday, 28 August 2010, page 54.
  14. Aloia, Andrew. (2007). Nightcliff ends dynasty. NT News. Monday, 24 September 2007. Page 34.
  15. Webster, Jess (2010). Top End coach breaks new ground. NT News Limited. 8 June 2010, page 38.
  16. Webster, Jess. Pints, Tigers make a pitch for grand final. NT News Limited. 20 August 2010, page 63.
  17. http://phoenix2010.tripleplaycom.net/team/teamplayers/2 Team - Aussie Hearts, Australia
  18. http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2010/07/27/167321_ntsport.html NT quartet awarded sports scholarships
  19. Webster, Jess. Monster hit scores three runs and grand final berth. NT News Limited. 24 August 2010, page 34.
  20. http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2010/08/31/175871_ntsport.html Rebels are the champs
  21. Morris, Grey (22 April 2015). Australian star takes on the boys for Darwin club Nightcliff. NT News. Retrieved 2015-05-09.
  22. [Northern Territory News|NT News Limited]
  23. NT News Limited. Nightcliff Pints in great game. Thursday, 21 January 1971, page 31.
  24. Call, David (1974). Nightcliff scoop the baseball awards. NT News Limited. Monday, 18 March 1974, page 19.
  25. NT News Limited. Tigers cap great season. Thursday, 17 March 1977, page 24.
  26. NT News Limited. Pints down East in 7–2 upset. Tuesday, 5 December 1978, page 42.
  27. Nason, Dave. The Tigers show Easts errors of their way. NT News Limited. Monday, 10 March 1980, page 32.
  28. NT News Limited. (1981). Tigers back from the baseball grave. Tuesday, 17 March 1981, page 36.
  29. Zeroni, Tiziana (1983). Troubled Tigers to meet cup foe. NT News Limited. Saturday, 8 October 1983, page 38.
  30. NT News Limited. Premiers downed. Tuesday, 18 August 1987, page 30.
  31. Geracitano, Ted (1990). Rabbitohs steal place in play-offs. NT News Limited. Monday, 10 September 1990, page 29.
  32. Geracitano, Ted. Nightcliff tie series. NT News Limited. Monday, 30 September 1991, page 36.
  33. Geracitano, Ted. Nightcliff turns up the heat. NT News Limited. Monday, 7 October 1991, page 31.
  34. Sunday Territorian. Nightcliff goes one up. NT News Limited. Sunday, 19 September 1993, page 37.
  35. Wade, Angela. Tigers wrap up final with easy victory. NT News Limited. Monday, 20 September 1993, page 32.
  36. Wade, Angela. (1994). Fryar's 300th proves winner. NT News Limited. Monday, 9 May 1994, page 33.
  37. NT News Limited. Marathon. Monday, 30 May 1994, page 39.
  38. Brown, Peter. Kendray boosts Tigers' chances. NT News Limited. Saturday, 20 May 1995, page 64.
  39. Earle, Richard. Pints ride their luck. NT News Limited. Tuesday, 21 September 1999, page 35.
  40. NT News Limited. NT Scoreboard: Baseball. Tuesday, 15 August 2000, page 35.
  41. NT News Limited. NT Scoreboard: Baseball. Tuesday, 19 September 2000, page 35.
  42. Dawkins, Greg (2006). Tigers' rally ends Reds' title hopes. NT News Limited. 12 September 2006, page 38.
  43. NT News Limited. Tigers claim their first kill. Monday, 21 May 2007, page 37.
  44. NT News Limited. Tigers all-rounder earns his stripes. Tuesday, 18 September 2007, page 38.
  45. Webster, Jess. Village traps Tigers NT News Limited. Retrieved on 2010-08-26
  46. Morris, Grey (8 April 2014). Premier splits set. NT News Sport (Page 31)
  47. Morris, Grey (17 June 2014). It's raining runs as Nightcliff laugh last in slugfest. NT News Sport (Page 42)
  48. Morris, Grey (25 May 2015). Nightcliff defeats Palmerston Reds in 13–12 Darwin baseball thriller. NT News. Retrieved 2015-05-30.
  49. NT News Limited. (1983). Japan side full of stars. Saturday, 19 November 1983, page 45.
  50. Morris, Grey (28 July 2014). Narelle Gosstray new assistant coach of Aussie baseball team. NT News. Retrieved 2014-12-05
  51. Collins selected in Australian Women’s Baseball team (4 August 216). Department of Sport and Recreation. NT Government. Retrieved 2016-10-01.