Rangers hope to rain on Padres anniversary parade
The Toowoomba Rangers hope to rain on the Padres parade this weekend.
The Redcliffe club is celebrating its 25th anniversary the day Rangers take on Padres in the GBL Division One.
Rangers coach Tony Tarca said it would almost be like a homecoming for him.
Tarca played for Padres in the early 2000s and has fond memories of the club.
“They had been around for a little while but hadn’t been in the first division for very long,” he said.
The club approached Tarca and asked him to play for them.
“They were a young side at that stage and weren’t winning much,” he said.
“I went over and we started winning a few games.
“Since I’ve been there they have gone on to make a couple of grand final now.
“They haven’t won one yet but I know they’ll get there someday.”
He knows the team and the club well which is why he knows the Rangers need to get there ready to play.
Particularly with a coach like Phil Overlack who is a former Australian Baseball League player.
“He knows how to play baseball and if we don’t go there ready to play he will make it hard for us,” Tarca said.
“I would love to at least take on game off them.”
Which he believes Rangers can do if they put in a repeat effort of last weekend’s win against Surfers Paradise.
Rangers pitcher Same McNiece is also a former Padres player.
“Even though we’re playing on the opposite side once you have been a part of clubs and you know the people you fit right back,” Tarca said.
“I feel a part of the club anyway.
Tarca said while it would be a tough weekend for Rangers, he had been looking forward to this game for quite a while.
Rangers head to Redcliffe on Saturday for the double header and Padres Anniversary match.