Becoming masters, one beer at a time
A PUB in the mining town of Broken Hill has formed the meeting ground for a group of men who have navigated their way to the Pan Pacific Masters Games on the Gold Coast.
It’s the usual meeting spot for the baseball players, including Mulga Hill Tavern manager Scott Farquhar, who have attended the games every time since 2008.
The team is full of all sorts including a train driver, Woolworths manager, mine worker and the side’s oldest competitor Dave Mitchell, a 70-year-old original member of the squad who heads the pitching for the Broken Hill Miners.
“The team started back in the late 1980s and we have been playing ever since,” said Farquhar, 54.
“We have played in masters events in places like Alice Springs, Mildura, Port Pirie and Adelaide and have been coming to the Gold Coast for these games for years.
“Dave Mitchell loves pitching every game. For a guy who is 70 he is unbelievable. He is just like a mechanic and keeps on going. He is our main pitcher.”
Over the years the team has had to do some recruiting and this year have brought five from Broken Hill, five from Adelaide and four exSouth Australians currently based in Queensland.
“We have all got a baseball background but that doesn’t matter.
“We treat it more like a holiday than a professional sport. Most have been playing since we were in our teens.
“We have functions at the Mulga Tavern and have our meetings there. That’s where we decide what masters events to go to and if we have enough players to go.”
The Broken Hill Miners haven’t won a game during this year’s Pan Pacific Masters Games and will play their last match today at Nerang.
THE TEAM STARTED BACK IN THE LATE 1980S AND WE HAVE BEEN PLAYING EVER SINCE BROKEN HILL’S SCOTT FARQUHAR