Canadian’s born to boost the Cubs
COOMERA Cubs pitcher Ben Runyon may as well have been born with a mitt on his hand.
That’s how long it feels like the 29-year-old has been playing the game.
“I can’t even remember when or why I started playing,” he said.
“There’s just pictures of me when I was young with a bat in my hand.
“I grew up playing catch with my dad and my grandpa and it just went from there.”
It’s the Canadian pitcher’s first season for the Coomera Cubs in the Greater Brisbane League and the change of scenery seems to have done the trick for his performance.
“Personally I’ve been playing really well. It’s the first time I’ve been consistent in two years,” Runyon said.
Coach Phil Stockman agrees that Runyon has been throwing the ball well all season despite his team’s rollercoaster campaign so far.
It’s Runyon’s first time in Australia and he’s decided he prefers the sun and sand over the snow.
“It’s a little different to back home but I like the weather here,” he said.
Coomera Cubs will take on Redcliffe Padres at Padres 7.30pm tonight in a fixture that could have big ramifications on the club’s ambitions to play finals.
The Cubs currently sit with a 7-10 record and seventh on the eight-team ladder.
They have slipped from as high as third in recent weeks and now sit four games behind top-of-the-table Windsor Royals in the race for a spot in the top four.
Runyon said he’s looking forward to tonight’s game and is eager for a win.
“I’m excited and hopefully we’ll be able to get back on the winning side,” he said.