Getting to know Bristol Baseball Club
Posted on: 03 Jan 2017Did you know Bristol is the UK's European City of Sport for 2017? Did you know there is a Bristol Baseball Club? Well now you know the answer to both! 365Bristol talked baseball with Richard Evans, second baseman and committee member about the sport in Bristol and how people can get involved.
When was Bristol Baseball set up and can you give us a brief history of the organisation?
Bristol Baseball Club was set up in 2008 and has at various times played in Southmead, Filton and at Failand. The Badgers played in the BBF league and won the AAA South title in 2011 before joining the South West Baseball League (SWBL) in 2014. The club formed its second team, the Bats in 2012, and they entered the SWBL in its inaugural season. Both teams finished with winning records in 2016.
Are you from Bristol? And the rest of the team?
Whilst the majority of our players are from Bristol, we have players from across the region including Bath, Gloucestershire, Clevedon, Portishead and Weston-super-Mare. We also have players from Sweden, Latin America and South Africa.
Is there a league in Bristol or the South West you participate in? Also when does the season run from and to?
We have two teams, the Badgers and the Bats, who both play in the South West Baseball League (SWBL) against teams from Plymouth, Exeter, Newton Abbott and Taunton. Whist we don't have a women's or youth team yet, both are part of our long term objectives. We already have a few women who train and play with us. The season runs from April until September.
Where do you play/train?
The club has just moved to Somerdale Pavilion just outside Keynsham. We will train on Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings there from the beginning of April. All our matches are on Sundays.
How can people get involved?
Anyone who wants to play can get in touch through our website www.bristolbaseball.co.uk at any time. We start indoor training later this month with a introductory session for people wanting to take up the sport on Sunday 29th January at 9.30am at Clifton College Sports Centre in Bristol. We then have indoor training and for the first time we will be holding an introductory session in Bath on Sunday 26th March at 9.30am at Kingswood School on Lansdown Road. People can register for all these sessions at our website.
How do you find running a non-profit sports club in Bristol?
The club has a board of volunteer directors who are responsible for running the club and like any sports club it can be very difficult particularly regarding finances and recruitment. We are lucky in that we have directors who are not only experienced as far as baseball goes but can bring skills such as web design, public relations, project management and running their own businesses to the club. Baseball is a minority sport which presents its own pressures unlike say football, rugby or cricket.
Bristol is the UK's European City of Sport for 2017. What can this help achieve for Baseball in Bristol? What support has been offered so far through the council?
We would hope that being the city of sport will promote all sports across Bristol and drive up the standards. We hope that we can get the message out that there is a competitive and well run baseball club in Bristol and that the game is one that can be enjoyed by people at all levels. So far we have been offered an entry on a website but hope that more support will be available throughout the year.
Any sponsorship opportunities available for 2017 season?
There are numerous sponsorship opportunities such as jerseys, website space and ground banners available at the club and anyone interested can contact me through info@bristolbaseball.co.uk.
Where do the team celebrate after a win?
This year we will be celebrating at the excellent facilities at Somerdale Pavilion. The club also runs a series of social events throughout the year.
Where do you see Bristol Baseball in 5 years time?
In five years time we want the club to have a team in the British Baseball Federation (BBF) league playing at AAA standard, two teams in the SWBL as well as youth and women's sections.
What advice would you give to any Bristol sports teams struggling with finding players or volunteers?
Clubs have to be proactive in promoting themselves and their sport in as many ways that they can. Good relations with the local press is a must, a good website and good social media work are also vital. It takes hard work by willing volunteers and some time but without it clubs can wither.
If you were Mayor of Bristol for a day which one thing would you change?
I would want to build on being the European City of Sport and initiate a month of sport throughout the city every year. This would allow clubs to focus on promoting themselves and their sports on a regular basis with support from their governing bodies, local businesses and the council itself. A city of this size needs to step up its sporting game.
For more information about Bristol Baseball Club please visit www.bristolbaseball.co.uk or follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
Article by:
Bristol born and bred despite the name, Brendan has been working in the digital media sector for the last 10 years and advertising for the last 20 years. A wealth of knowledge about the city and more importantly at how to help businesses get as much online exposure as possible. Call Brendan on 07876 735153 or email Brendan@365bristol.com.
