Five months ago, the ‘1 in 1000-year flood’ decimated Lismore followed four weeks later by a regular flood.

Albert Park Baseball complex on the banks of the Wilson River experienced more damage than most sporting fields and facilities in Lismore. Not one game of baseball has been played there since the season finished early last year because of Covid restrictions. The association was optimistic that we would be able to put together a revised season, but the devastation to the infrastructure has been great.

So, the fact that the FNC U/18 team were able to compete last weekend in the Country Baseball Championships in Tamworth shows you the commitment of the players and coaches. The preparation of this team has not been ‘normal’ but nothing is anymore, the whole town has learnt to adapt and be resourceful. These players trained at Hepburn Park in Goonellabah, threw balls in the car park at Albert Park, practiced hitting in the cricket nets.

The FNC U/18 Baseball Team that contested the NSW Country Championships in Tamworth recently. Photo: Craig Schiebel

It was no wonder our first game against Tamworth was a blowout on the Saturday. 24-6 In that game it was tough going for the pitchers, 16 walks and 4 batters got on base hit by pitched ball. Tully Magnay hit a double to left field, the Lachlan’s – O’Sullivan and Coe both hit singles and Josie and Emily Warren from Coffs Harbour also had singles.

A much better game against Newcastle. Riley Cooper hit a single at his first at bat, Sam Davis smacked the ball to centre for a double a ball never sounded so good off the bat. Emily Warren came onto pitch in the third and got the innings done with the support of her fielders in 4 pitches. She struck out the last 2 batters in the fourth. FNC went down 4-2.

Sunday was another close game against Illawarra, who went onto win the Country Championships. We were down 1-8 in the bottom of the fourth, tight pitching from Jake Connelly no runs scored, kept us in the game. Illawarra walked 4 and 2 singles from Hamish Weekes and an RBI from Lachlan Coe nearly got us the win, we went down 8-6.

Our fourth game, saw FNC with 9 hits, singles from Riley Cooper, Louis Sivewright, Tully Magnay, Jake Connolly, Alex Poole, and Hamish Weekes had two singles and a double. Solid pitching from Hamish and Tully and only 2 errors in the field FNC had their first win 12-8.

Coaching staff Karina Connors, Jake Muscat and Jack Jefferies should be very happy with their team’s performance. Six of the players are still playing u/16s it is only Lachlan Coe that will be too old next year. Imagine what this team will be able to do after a regular season.