| Sydney Uni Baseball Club | |
| League: | Sydney Winter Baseball League, Pacific Coast Baseball League |
| Location: | The University of Sydney |
| Founded: | 1904 |
| Nickname: | Cynics |
| Colours: | Blue and Gold |
| Season: | Sydney Winter |
Sydney Uni Baseball Club (SUBC)[1] is an Australian baseball club that was established in, making it one of the oldest sporting clubs in Australia.
Sydney Uni Baseball Club is a part of Sydney University Sport and Fitness, an organisation whose history dates back to 1852. Sydney Uni Sport & Fitness has produced more Australian representatives and won more major competitions than any other club.[2]
The NSW baseball competition was established in, and the club's affiliation was made and the club constituted in .[3]
Details of the club's first game are not known, but the second game was played against Waverley, formed in 1898. The Club was formed to give cricketers who did not play football or row a way to keep fit in the winter months. The first President was the registrar H.E. Barff, secretary was Dr J.S. Harris, the prime mover in the formation of the club, and treasurer was G.T. Balcombe.
In the inaugural season, the team was entered in the second grade of NSW Baseball Association (NSWBA), and won 10 from 12 games. The club played home games on Rushcutters Bay Oval, and trained twice a week on The Square at Sydney University.[4]
While most other clubs in the University suspended participation in competitions during World War I, the baseball club was an exception and continued playing. In 1916, playing its home games on the University Oval, the club won its first championship by winning the first grade district championship and hence the Proud Shield, by defeating Petersham 12-7 in the final.
In 1923, the club played its first inter-varsity match, sending a team to play Adelaide University. It was the first time since its inception that the Club fielded three teams in the NSWBA. In 1926 there was a triangular series held between Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne universities. Sydney took out the series undefeated and managed to do the same the following year.
In 1927, Jack Mould - the first grade captain at the time, who the Club MVP trophy is now named after - was chosen to captain NSW. He has a Blue for baseball, and was later patron of the club from 1941 to 1983. Mould was associated with the Club for over 60 years as a player, administrator and coach.
In 1928 Sydney Uni engaged in the first international University match in Australia, playing Stanford University. The tourists defeated Sydney 5-2. Stanford then played a combined Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide team, defeating the Australians 31-6.
Also in 1962, Jeffrey, A. Alderson and F. Hampshire were selected to compete for NSW in the Claxton Shield in Perth. In 1966, the club participated in the inter-varsity competition held in Sydney. Seven universities contested, with all games being played on the two ovals. Sydney was undefeated, and won the Hugh J. Ward Cup for the first time since 1957.
1973 was one of the most successful years for the club. Under the presidency of Alan Compton, the Club won both the first grade premiership and intervarsity. Overall the club was first grade premier, first grade pennant winner (minor premiers), joint club champion (with Mosman) and intervarsity Champion, while Ian Anderson received the Fred Bachall trophy for NSW 'player of the year' for the second straight year. Ron Finlay, the former chairman of the Australian Baseball Federation, was declared MVP for the intervarsity tournament.
Continuing participation in the Sydney Winter Baseball League (SWBL) into the new millennium, premierships were sporadic in the 2000s. Early on in the 2010s, the club's longstanding home ground, Oval 2 at Sydney University, underwent significant infrastructure changes, forcing the club off campus for the first time. This coincided with an increase in grade premierships through the 2010s, particularly in third grade. The club was named Sydney Uni Sport and Fitness club of the year for 2013 after winning 3rd grade, 2nd grade and coming in runner's up in first grade on their way to winning the SWBL Club Championship.
Since its inception in 1993, the Australian University Games, now UniSport Nationals, has been the highest level of intervarsity sport played in Australia. Sydney University has long been the premier sporting university in the country, winning more titles than any other university.[5]
The Club MVP recognises the most valuable player in the club. The award is named after Jack Mould who was associated with the Club for over 60 years as a player, administrator and coach. In 1927 Mould was chosen to captain NSW. He has a Blue for baseball, and was patron of the club from 1941 to 1983.
The Stump Award is awarded annually to the individual who has displayed the greatest spirited performance to the club over the course of the year, which is basically the best and fairest. The stump is actually a part of the tree that hangs over first base and was donated by Pam Garrett, mother of Phil Garret, who was a player for the club during the 1980s and 1990s, and a utility on the Cynics team from 1971 to 2004.
The Jennie Finlay Encouragement Award is traditionally awarded to a first or second year student of The University of Sydney as a 'rookie of the year' type of award. Jenny Finlay is the wife of club stalwart Ron Finlay, who was a long-standing player, president and patron of the baseball club.
The David Hynes Club Batting Champion Award was introduced in 2009, in honour of the baseball achievements and long term support of the Club by David Hynes. David was the recipient of the very first scholarship awarded by the Sydney Uni Sport Union in the early 1990s. David went on to represent Australia at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics where he posted the second highest batting in the tournament.
The Wade Shipard Finals MVP was introduced in 2022 in honour of long term Sydney University player and president, Wade Shipard. The award is presented to a Cynics player deemed to have contributed greatest to Sydney Winter Baseball finals series.
Students of The University of Sydney open themselves to the opportunity to apply for scholarships while representing the Baseball Club. Students who are accepted into The University of Sydney and play baseball for Sydney Uni Baseball Club are assisted in their application for Elite Athlete Scholarships.
Sydney Uni Sport and Fitness Scholarship holders are eligible to receive Financial Assistance of over $1000 per annum, Representative Travel Grants, Personal Development, Tutoring, Academic Representation and Liaison, Academic Counselling, Media Exposure, Facility Access, Sport Services and the Elite Athlete and Performers Scheme. The club has multiple named scholarships, reflective of its long history.
The Ron Rushbrooke trust originated as a bequest from the estate of alumnus Mr Ron Rushbrooke in 2004, the Club's centenary year. Its vision is to ensure the perpetual viability of baseball at Sydney University.[7]
David was an explosive power hitter and the recipient of the first ever sports scholarship awarded by Sydney University. He represented Australia at the 1996 Olympics and currently serves as Chairman of Baseball Australia.
Ron was a 1st Grade Premiership, Intervarsity and NSW catcher in the 1970/80's, long-serving SUBC President, and ABF Chairman. Ron currently serves on the Board of the WBSC. Jennie was a tireless contributor, scorer and organiser of everything on and off the field. The Jennie Finlay Award is named in her honour, annually given to the best young student baseballer.
Vance Borland was a baseballer and is a 1963 Arts and Social Science graduate of The University of Sydney. The Scholarship will assist a current student of The University of Sydney who plays baseball and has experienced significant financial disadvantage throughout the course of their enrolment at University, and/or for first-year University students during their NSW HSC (or equivalent) year.