By Tara Murray
North Western Titans are looking to take the next step by forming a women’s baseball team this season.
After one of their biggest seasons, the Melton-based club wants to expand to make the sport available for everyone.
Titans president Jeff Ostler, who will coach the side, said they were keen to have a women’s team this season.
He said they are planning to enter a side in the Baseball Victoria summer league competition starting in October.
It would be in the same competition and level as the men’s side.
“We’re trying to get one up and running,” he said. “We’re in a good growth area and there’s a lot of potential.
“We’ve got about 10 girls who are already interested and we are looking at entering the side in division 3.
“We’ve sent out a few messages on Facebook groups in the Melton, Bacchus Marsh and Sunbury area.”
Ostler, who has more than 25 years experience in baseball, said they were looking for players from all ability levels. It will be the first time he has coached a women’s side, after previously coaching men’s and juniors.
The side is presently training on Sundays, but will move to mid-week sessions closer to the season start. Ostler said they were starting with the basics and would go from there.
Among those who are turning up to training are a couple of secondary college students and some wives and girlfriends of male players.
“I’ve got a passion to help give back,” Ostler said.
“We’ve gone really basic as we’ve got players who haven’t played. Everyone who has come down has stuck around.”
Long term, Ostler said they would love to have local players who are playing in higher levels playing with the team.
It looks like it will be a big season for the Titans, with the club planning to have three junior sides, as well as three senior men’s teams, up from two last season.
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Tara Murray
