Far North Coast Baseball Association

The Far North Coast Baseball Association (FNCBA) is the organising body for baseball on the Far North Coast of New South Wales, Australia.

History In 1937, Laurie Thew, an aspiring right-handed pitcher from Sydney moved to Lismore and began efforts to establish baseball in the city. On 11 May 1937 a public notice was published in The Northern Star inviting interest in the formation of a 'Baseball Club', with the initial meeting taking place on Thursday 13 May 1937. Soon there were enough players for two teams and within weeks challenges were issued and representative games against Queensland based teams were being held. The first representative baseball game ever held in Lismore took place on Saturday 31 July 1937, Queensland vs Lismore, with the visitors winning 7-1 on the back of some brilliant pitching. The advent of World War II led to a hiatus and it was not until 1947 when Thew again proved the catalyst - calling a meeting to re-establish the league. Thew is now recognised as the “Father of Baseball” on the Far North Coast.

Initially the FNCBA played on cricket grounds during the winter and as the league grew this caused pressure on the city to find a dedicated space for the sport. Since 1965 FNCBA has used dedicated fields at the Albert Park sporting complex in Lismore, with the main diamond now known as Baxter Field.

From 1952, the FNCBA was affiliated with Baseball Queensland,Clark, p.70. but in August 2018 they moved to the NSW Country Baseball Association, under the banner of Baseball NSW.

In 2015, for the first time in the 78-year history of the FNCBA, an all-women's team competed - the Ballina Sharkettes.

Currently there are teams from clubs based in Ballina, Casino and several clubs (Easts, Marist Brothers, Norths and Workers) from Lismore. In the past there have also been clubs from Alstonville and Kyogle.

The Association has produced numerous Australian (men's and women's) representatives including Barry Wappett, Barry Pratt, Harold Crozier, Geoff Mould, Ray, Mark and Mat Buckley, Matt Gahan, Peter Gahan, Matt Gates, Adrian Meagher, Michael Nind, Karina Connors and James Linger.

Barry Wappett (1956, Melbourne), Michael Nind (1988, Seoul), Mat Buckley (2000, Sydney) and Adrian Meagher (2000, Sydney) represented Australia at the Olympics.

The area remains one of the strongest centres for Baseball in Australia.Clark, p.70.

Clubs Team First played Grade(s) Alstonville 1990 Ballina Sharks 1975 Div 3 Casino Div 3Easts Redbirds 1948 Major League, Div 1, Div 2, Seniors, Juniors, Little League Marist Brothers 1948 Major League, Div 1, Juniors, Little LeagueNorths Bears1948Major League, Div 1, Div 2, Div 3, Under 20s, Seniors, Juniors, Little LeagueWorkers1963Major League, Div 1, Div 2, Div 3, Seniors, Juniors, Little League

Major League Champions 2023: Workers 2022: 2021: Marists (awarded minor premiers only, as finals called off due to COVID-19). 2020: Workers 2019: Norths 2018: Easts 2017: Workers 2016: Easts 2015: Easts 2014: Norths 2013: Marists 2012: Easts 2011: Easts 2010: Easts 2009: Norths 2008: Norths 2007: Workers 2006: Easts 2005: Easts 2004: Workers 2003: Marists 2002: Marists 2001: Workers 2000: Marists 1999: Workers 1998: Marists 1997: Marists 1996: Workers 1995: Marists 1994: Marists 1993: Norths 1992: Norths 1991: Marists 1990: 1989 Workers 1988: Marists 1987: Workers 1986: Marists 1985: Workers 1984: Marists 1983: Workers 1982: Marists 1981: Easts 1980: Marists 1979: Marists 1978: Marists 1977: Marists 1976: Marists 1975: Marists 1974: Marists 1973: 1972: 1971/72: 1971: Marists 1970/71: Marists 1970: Marists 1969: 1968: 1967: 1966: Workers 1965: Workers 1964: Marists 1963: 1962: Marists 1961: 1960: 1959: 1958: Marists 1957: Marists 1956: Marists 1955: Marists 1954: Marists 1953: Marists 1952: A G Robertsons (AGRs) 1951: AGRs 1950: Souths 1949: Souths 1948: Cubs [Later became "Easts"] 1947: 1946: No competition. 1945: No competition. 1944: No competition. 1943: No competition. 1942: No competition. 1941: 1940: Saxons 1939: Cubs 1938: Giants 1937:

Huckleberry Medal (Major League MVP) Beginning 1960, at the end of every season, the "Huckleberry Medal" has been awarded to the player deemed MVP in the FNCBA "Major League" competition. Past winners have been:

In addition to the list below, Peter Gahan (Marist Brothers) won the medal five times in the 1970s-1980s. 2020: Kodey Wilford (Brothers) 2019: Robbie Pruess (East Redbirds) 2018: Robbie Pruess (East Redbirds) 2017: Will Riley (Redbirds) 2016: Robbie Pruess (East Redbirds) 2015: Michael Munro (Easts Redbirds) 2014: James Linger (Norths) 2013: 2012: Troy Pruess (Workers) 2011: Mick McClelland (Workers) 2010: Robbie Pruess (Redbirds) 2009: Paul Simes (Norths) 2008: Dallas Knapp (Workers) 2007: James Linger (Norths) 2006: Troy Pruess (Workers) 2005: Troy Pruess (Workers) 2004: Dallas Knapp (Workers) 2003: Matt Gahan (Marist Brothers) 2002: Paul Simes (Norths) 2001: Dallas Knapp (Workers) 2000: Chris Neven (Marist Brothers) 1999: Wayne Devlin (Workers) 1998: Matt Gahan (Marist Brothers) 1997: David Youngberry (Marist Brothers) 1996: David Youngberry (Marist Brothers) 1995: David Youngberry (Marist Brothers) 1994: Mark Buckley (Marist Brothers) 1993: Mark Buckley (Marist Brothers) 1992: Peter Buttrum (Norths) 1991: Alan Worgan (Workers) 1990: 1989: 1988: 1987: 1986: 1985: 1984: Alan Worgan (Workers) 1983: Stephen Devlin (Workers) 1982: Adrian Meagher (Workers) 1981: 1980: 1979: 1978: 1977: Adrian Meagher (Workers) 1976: Bob McClelland (Workers) 1975: Michael Gahan Jnr (Marist Brothers) 1974: 1973: 1972: 1971: Michael Gahan Jnr (Marist Brothers) 1970: 1969: Maurice Gahan (Marist Brothers) 1968: 1967: 1966: 1965: 1964: 1963: 1962: 1961: 1960: Reg Baxter (Norths)

See also

Australian Baseball Federation New South Wales Major League New South Wales Patriots

References

Sources

External links