Tough start for Battswood rookies in major league opener

Mark Ward

It might not have been the kind of score line they wanted. Still, for the Battswood Baseball Club community, their long-awaited return to the Cape Town Baseball Federation (CTBF) Major League represents something far greater than the scoreboard.

After nearly two decades competing in the lower divisions of Cape Town baseball, Battswood, which is celebrating its 57th anniversary this year, made its long-awaited return to the Major League against VOB on Saturday at Chukker Road, who proved too strong on the day, claiming a comprehensive 15–0 victory under the mercy rule in just five frames.

However, Ricardo Marinus, head coach of Battswood, believes the result tells only part of the story as his young side is made up almost entirely of players developed through the club’s junior structures, who showed glimpses of promise amid the tough initiation.

“Look, the result says we lost heavily, but that doesn’t reflect the fight these boys showed. We kept them scoreless in one frame, restricted them to singles in two others, and even left three runners on base. That tells me we have real potential here,” said Marinus.

Among the new generation wearing Battswood’s colours is Reagan Barnes, son of one of the club’s great former players, Colin Barnes,  a symbolic figure between the club’s proud past and its rebuilding future. “We’re here to compete and to stay in the Major League. It is indeed a big step up, but we are up for the challenge,” said Marinus.

On the field, it was an uphill learning curve for Battswood’s rookies. The home side, VOB, also showed no mercy in the opening frame, piling on six runs,  the first sparked by a wild pitch that allowed Jarred Riffle to cross home plate. VOB’s hitters were relentless, racking up six hits off Cameron Sassman, who battled gamely through 5.1 innings.

For Battswood, the result may not have gone their way, but the return itself, after years of rebuilding, seems a victory of its own.

Battswood started with Barnes on the mound, but after only three deliveries, he was relieved, with Sassman stepping up for the bulk of the innings. For VOB, Cameron Combrink and Jessie Johnson shared pitching duties, keeping the visitors scoreless throughout.

Despite the heavy defeat, Marinus remains upbeat and confident that the club’s patient investment in youth development is beginning to bear fruit.

 “Over the past few seasons, we’ve managed to keep talented young players like Kethelo Anovuyo, the Sassman twins, and even my own two sons, Dante and Daniel, involved with the club. “We’re still a small squad, but these boys are learning fast and representing what Battswood stands for,” he explained.

Marinus hopes that the club’s re-entry into top-flight competition will rekindle interest from the wider community. “Now that we are back in the Major League, we want to see former players and their families bringing their kids to Battswood again. I saw a couple of our stalwarts on the sidelines. That is indeed a good sign.  This club has a proud history, and we want to make it a force in Cape Town baseball once more,” said Marinus.