Even if you’ve never played or watched a game, as a Lismore local you still know that our town, famous for floods, lanterns and Big Scrub remnants, is also well known for its baseball history. And since millions were spent in 2020 on a world class upgrade of the facilities at Baxter Field, the baseball community is excited to host such events as are aligning this weekend.

Ryan Rowland Smith and Trent Oeltjen were two Aussie kids who grew up to become Major League Baseball stars in the States and are in town on Saturday and Sunday to inspire our local youth. The pair offer two days packed with drills, skills, personal stories, serious fun and years of professional experience to ignite interest in the game.

Former Major League Baseball players heading to Lismore

Ryan, who grew up in Newcastle but has had numerous previous visits to Lismore to spend time with his best mate who studied here at SCU, says there was certainly momentum for baseball in the 90s when his passion for the game began. The local baseball community in his hometown was strong enough to keep him plugged in with just enough exposure to nurture his talent rather than flip to football or other ball sports more popular for Australian kids. Since then Ryan says the rise of baseball has flatlined somewhat but his and Trent’s NxtGen mentoring and high energy camps are transcending that and taking kids into a new level of contact with the game that will have them fired up about the possibilities.

The NxtGen camp welcomes participants aged six and up, boys and girls of all skill levels, with or without baseball exposure. Parents are also welcome to stay and observe but also hear Ryan and Trent’s personal stories as they share their individual baseball journeys. Participants will learn how to prep, how to train and even experience some professional analysis through use of high tech equipment that gauges swing path, pitch metrix and provides video feedback.

A stroke of lucky scheduling means that participants and their families can stay on to watch the grown ups go into action on the main diamond as the Sydney Blue Sox take on the Canberra Cavalry with both teams fielding players from Major League Baseball clubs such as the New York Mets, Detroit Tigers and Toronto Blue Jays.

Australian Baseball League games and All-Stars Baseball to be played in Lismore

So Lismore kids, you can step up to the plate this weekend, hit the ball out of the park and hit a home run as NxtGen’s Ryan and Trent guide you through. For information on the camps, please contact nxtgenbaseball.com/camp/

And if then you find you still haven’t quite covered all bases, Far North Coast Baseball Association's Monday twilight sessions are starting again on February 1. Email FNC Baseball for details

fncbaseball@hotmail.com