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Shoppers help give team a home run - 10th June 2008
NEWPORT shoppers dug deep to give St Michael's Baseball Club a boost with fundraising for a new kit.
Members of Pill-based club raised £420 during a day of fundraising at the ASDA Living store at Newport Retail Park. The club is marking its centenary and aiming to raise enough money to get a new junior team kit.
Club secretary, Peter Sanders, said: "I want to thank all the generous shoppers who donated their hard-earned money to the running of the club. We had a marvellous time at our centenary dinner last weekend and to find out that we have raised over £400 is an incredible boost. I also want to thank Steve Kelleher at ASDA Living for all his support and for inviting us to team up with his new store."
St Michael's Baseball Club was founded in 1908 in conjunction with St Michael's Church, Pill, to offer sport opportunities to its young members.
Club wants lucky strike for next 100 years - 28th May 2008
ST MICHAEL'S Baseball Club is 100 years old this year - and is raising money to build on its legacy.
The Newport club is working with ASDA Living at Newport Retail Park to collect money for the team's youth sides.
As well as two senior teams, the Pill-based club runs teams for under 12s, under 14s and under 16s.
Club secretary Peter Sanders said just a single game costs the club £80 a day.
"We have to pay for pitch fees, for the referee and other costs.
"We're also looking to buy the junior sides their kits for the centenary season," he added.
St Michael was formed in 1908 in conjunction with St Michael's Church to offer sporting opportunities to it's younger members.
It has made numerous achievements; in 1920 they achieved a unique treble by winning the League, the Argus Cup and the Florida Cup, while in 1986 they lifted the Welsh Brewers Cup during the only ever all-Newport final.
It also competed in the last Welsh baseball cup final.
The team has also produced a number of Welsh internationals, including Peter Sanders and Mike Burke and Billy Landers from the 1920s.
"Pill has a great tradition in baseball going back to the start of the game.
"We're proud to keep it going," said Mr Sanders.
South Wales Argus - Thursday, February 21, 2008
Landmark: Famous Newport club celebrating centenary year in style
St Michael's Ton Up
By Iwan Davies
THIS year is a very special one for Newport's St Michael's Baseball Club who aim to celebrate their centenary in style.
To commemorate the club's proud history, a series of events is being held over the coming months.
The showpiece is a dinner on Friday, May 30, at Newport Rugby Football Club with Brynmor Williams, ex-Newport RFC, Wales and Lions scrum-half as guest speaker.
Then on Sunday, June 15, a celebration match is being held at Coronation Park.
Athlete Darren Campbell, ex-Wales football international Nathan Blake and other Gwent sporting stars will take part.
Blake is one of a number local heroes to have played for St Michael's.
Among the other famous faces to have graced the diamond at their Coronation Park home includes former Chelsea, Arsenal and Wales footballer Peter Nicholas.
Former Newport County players Mike Mclaughlin, David Williams, Peter Sanders, Brendan Dowd and Chris Stanton have all donned the green and white of St Michael's and Cross Keys RFC half-back Ryan James is a current member.
The club was formed in conjunction with St Michael's Church in Pill to offer sporting opportunities to its young members.
Since its inception in 1908, the club has achieved some major honours.
In 1920 they achieved an unique treble by winning the League, Argus Cup and Florida Cup.
Other notable achievements include victory in the Silver Bowl and becoming League One Champions in 1971. In 1986 they lifted the Welsh Brewers Cup during the only ever all-Newport final when they defeated Alexandra Old Boys.
St Michael's has produced numerous Welsh internationals through the decades, tailing back to Mike Burke and Billy Landers in the 1920s and the driving force behind the club for many years, Peter Sanders.
In recent years representation came from Tony Murphy, Kenny Robins, Kevin Collins and Paul Canham and current Welsh captain Norman Parselle.
Young players, both male and female, are being urged to take up the game by Parselle, a sports development officer in the Pillgwenlly area of Newport.
He said: "As well as being a baseball club, St Michael's has been like a family for me with my father and brothers all playing."
As well as having two senior sides, the club runs three junior teams at under 12, 14 and 16 levels which are open to both girls and boys.
To book tickets for the dinner, costing £30 each and including a three-course meal, comedian and sports auction, or for more information, contact Peter Sanders on 01633 664514 or visit www.stmichaelsbaseball.com
