Maitland face gigantic challenge against Major League champs Bothasig

LOCAL baseball is back! Back-to-back league champions Bothasig travel to Kensington today for the start of their Major League title defence against debutants Maitland Giants.

The Giants have bolstered their Promotion League-winning team with a Canadian pitcher and an Argentine third base, who can also pitch. Head coach Shaun Marshall and utility player Brad Erasmus have also been recruited from Bothasig and could feature prominently.

But the crafty coaching of Raymond Tew and Bothasig’s experience should be enough to see off any threat from the league rookies.

Athlone A’s travel to Grassy Park to take on Crusaders, who have replaced Silvertree in the Major League, with former Silvertree and national pitcher Dean Jacobs in their rotation.

VOB catcher Chad Gravenhorst has also been training with the A’s, while Aiden O’Connor and Casley Ripepi have joined from Crusaders and Westridge Yankees respectively.

The Crusaders have lost O’Connor, as well as left-hand pitcher Cameron Fortuin to Durbanville, and the A’s should be too strong for them.

The Yankees travel to Durbanville for their opening clash. It’s believed that Clinton Paul and Darren Smith have taken over the reins at Durbanville, and also attracted Fortuin.

Although Westridge have lost Ripepi, it is understood they’ve captured Ashley Julies and Keegan Watson from Silvertree.

The last six encounters between the two sides have been close, with Durbanville just shading Westridge, so expect another close affair.

Bellville travel to Chukker Road to face VOB under lights. VOB have recruited youngster Lance Gordon from A’s, while Tyrone Milne is set to have joined Bellville from Bothasig and will be doing the bulk of the catching. Meanwhile, Dayton Williams has swopped Silvertree for Bellville.

Silvertree has withdrawn from the Major League following an exodus of players. – Sean Campbell Today Maitland v Bothasig, Kensington; Crusaders v Athlone, Southfield; Durbanville v Westridge, Durbanville Sportsground (all 3.30pm); VOB vs Bellville, Chukker Road (7.15pm).