COVID-19 Winter Season Members Update – Return to Training – Stage 2

Posted on June 19, 2020 by Michael Fitzgibbon

Further to the information posted earlier this week, we are very pleased to confirm that we are on track to have the club facilities open for teams to use for Training purposes from Monday 22nd June 2020. We have had discussions with the various group team leaders and the following training schedule will be implemented.

Mondays & Thursdays	4:00pm to 6:00pm	Scott Porter Group
Tuesdays & Fridays	4:00pm to 6:00pm	Adult Senior Group
Wednesdays	4:00pm to 6:00pm	Masters Group
Saturdays	10:00am to 12:00 noon	All Senior Winter Season Players only

Please note the club will be closed on Sundays until further notice. Training groups will be permitted to use Diamonds, Bullpens and the Batting Cage. Dugouts are NOT to be occupied and detailed signage will be visible for all training groups to follow and understand.

The respective group team leaders will request all individuals to record their attendance at each training session, maintain hygiene standards & observe physical distancing requirements.

All members will be provided with a Covid-19 SPBC Code of Conduct form for signing and acceptance of the Clubs Covid Safe Plans.

We also recommend that all attendees at training sessions download the COVIDsafe APP.

SPBC Committee

Kaleb heads home to the USA

Posted on June 8, 2020 by Michael Fitzgibbon

Our 2019/20 season import Kaleb Bowman has made the tough decision to head back to the USA as he will be attending a family wedding. Kaleb was planning to stay in Australia, unfortunately with the current uncertainty of COVID-19, it is unsure if he will be back to Australia in the near future.

Kaleb was a huge part of our push in the 2019/20 season, setting a new GBL A-grade single season record of 160 strikeouts in 95 innings. He was also did a tremendous job as the coach for our U20’s side.

Surfers Paradise Baseball Club would like to say a huge thank you to Rod, Kim and the rest of the Wise family for hosting Kaleb during his stay in Australia. Without the support of families like the Wise’s, our club would be not able to attract such great talent as Kaleb to our club. We know that Rod and Kim will be very sad to see him leave.

Kaleb have a safe trip home, please look after yourself back there and enjoy being back with your family.

Your friends at Surfers Paradise Baseball Club.

2020 Pan Pacs Games cancelled

Posted on June 2, 2020 by Michael Fitzgibbon

Hi everyone,

There has been a press release today that details the cancellation of the 2020 Pan Pacific Masters games due to the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic.

The Queensland Government’s strong approach to addressing the COVID-19 threat which includes anticipated ongoing restrictions on mass gatherings and COVID Safe practices through to November, restricted interstate and international travel, a foreseeable inability to deliver the games renowned entertainment program, negative economic and employment forecasts make the delivery of this year’s event unviable for Events Management Qld and their key stakeholders.

I have been part of these games since inception and with the help of all the team at EMQ we have built these games up to become the biggest and best biennial masters games in the world. I am are very disappointed there will be no Pan Pacific Masters Games this year, but I have been advised that EMQ are starting the work with government and strategic partners, sports, sponsors and stakeholders to evaluate a November 2021 edition.

Let’s hope that they able to confirm the status of this plan in the next few months.

In respect Masters participants who have already registered for the 2020 Pan Pacific Masters Games EMQ will be processing of registration fee refunds in the next few weeks.

The SPBC committee is very keen on investigating the prospect of hosting a Masters baseball event at the same time as the PPMG were proposed in November 2020. More work and discussion to follow on this option. Watch this space everyone.

Tony McPhail
Events Co-ordinator