Showdown by the Severn

After a short offseason and following resumption of training in January, the Yeovil Whirlwinds Baseball Club took to the diamond to start their 2025 campaign at a preseason tournament hosted by the Bristol Baseball Club on 30th March. In what was a day of many firsts, this was the first chance to meet new opposition following the club’s decision to move leagues after the conclusion of last season.

In a round robin format, games were played against Bristol, Bournemouth Bears and New Forest Knights with the Bears ultimately winning all three of their games to win the tournament.

Of the 14 in attendance, the Whirlwinds were fielding four players for whom this was their first ever experience of competitive baseball with a further three players having only picked up the sport the previous year. Further firsts in the game were David Cheetham pitching and Barni Csicso at catcher. Given this backdrop, game 1 was always going to be a challenge against the more established home side who ran out winners 13-5.

Credit to the Yeovil side though as lessons were very quickly learned and against the Knights they took an early lead. A valiant fightback came but the Whirlwinds held on for their first win of 2025, 12 runs to 11. This game included another pitching debut with Aidan Johnson taking the mound part way through the game.

Game three and a third pitching debut, this time for Simon Causer. Another strong batting performance against the eventual champions saw Yeovil lose 17-11.

Of the day, recently re-elected team captain Chris Spurway said “We have worked hard during indoor training to get our established players back up to speed whilst also teaching the new guys the basics of the game. This Sunday was all about having an opportunity to put all our training into practice in a live environment. The fact we not only competed well in all three games but actually won one is amazing and testament to the efforts we’ve all put in.”

The Whirlwinds' first game of the season is this coming Sunday 6th April at Bradford Abbas Sports Club. If you are interested in trying out baseball, then get in touch!