Werribee Giants coach Justin Charles is confident his side will be in the mix come finals time in Baseball Victoria’s Summer League division 2.
The Giants finished third last season before losing in the opening round of finals in a learning curve for the club.
Charles, in his second year as coach, says that with another year of experience and a few handy additions, the club is primed for a big year.
“It’s been a really good off-season, with a good percentage of our players playing in the winter competition,” the coach said.
“It’s been good for skill development and progression. Those guys who didn’t play in the winter season have had a good pre-season anyway.
“The swinging of the bats has been a lot better than last year and we’re move advanced.”
Charles says the club has added three experienced players to the line-up.
“Jose Ruiz is coming out from Venezuela and should be on a plane any day,” he said. “Josh Lee has come across from Williamstown as a pitcher and outfielder, and Charles Thompson is from the Bay Cats and will be a playing assistant coach. He’s also coaching the reserves and has had some impact.
“Most of the other players – including Darryl George, Wade and Ryan Balzer, Simon Riches, John Curnow, Wes DeJong and Evan McPherson – have returned to the side and we have a high-quality division 2 set-up.”
After having a number of players unavailable for the club’s first-round 5-4 loss to Fitzroy, the Giants defeated Malvern 5-3 on Sunday.
The Giants managed to get the win despite two rain delays and play being called off for a period due to lightning.
Star player Darryl George has missed both games and will return to the side once his baseball commitments in Japan are finished.
Charles believes his side can win the division this season.
“We’re looking at winning the competition this year and I’m feeling really confident of what we can do.
“We went out and identified talent to bring in to take the next step.
“Already we’ve started the season with better consistency than last year. The boys know what to expect from me and I know what I’m getting from them. Charles [Thompson] has been a big inclusion and he gives us a fresh point of view.”
The Giants’ women’s side lost its opening match of the division 2 season on Sunday to Springvale 10-7.
