Newport High School's Baseball
The inaugural Newport Schools Baseball Festival was recently held at St Josephs High School, with over 150 schools children from St Josephs High School and Hartridge High School attending what was an outstanding day.
The day was organised by Sports and Activity Worker for Pillgwenlly Norman Parselle and a large contingent from Newport sole representatives in the Welsh Baseball Union premier Division St Michaels Old Boys. The day consisted of no fewer than four matches all played to a superb standard as commented on by the large crowd who attended the event. Along with the playing of the matches there was a longest throw competition running throughout the day. The competitions were divided into four age group categories with the first to throw being girls at under13’s level. This age group turned out to be one of the most keenly contested with a fine effort from Jordan Hillman of Hartridge High school taking the spoils.
Other winners throughout the day were Deri O’Neil at boys under 13’s, and Abby Hicks of St Josephs at girls under 15’s. However the longest throw of the day was saved until last with a throw of over 60 metres Robbie Canham of St Josephs High school set a bench mark that will take some beating. Following the longest throw competition honours were even with both schools having two successes to their credit. However following the games it was St Josephs who held the upper hand with three victories, with one victory to Hartridge coming at under 13’s girl’s level.
The day culminated with a presentation ceremony held by Welsh Baseball Union Player of the year Norman Parselle, certificates were given to those individuals who were successful at the longest throw, and plaques that were donated by the Welsh Baseball Union were presented to the winning captain of each age group. During the summing up of the day by chief organiser Norman Parselle a few heart felt thanks were made, the first being to both schools, and their teachers Steve Lord of St Josephs and Matthew Wood of Hartridge High school for their effort both in attending the day and in the playing of the games, also to those people who gave up their time in order for the day to run smoothly, notably former international referee Gordon Ash, and woman’s baseball player from the Merry Miller club in Newport Debbie Trott.
The day would not have been possible without the sterling work of both Sports and Activity Worker Norman Parselle and St Michaels baseball club the day would have struggled to get of the ground.
With the day being such a resounding success, it is the future aim that this will now become an annual event. It’s hoped that the event will now grow with more schools throughout Newport participating in the tournament.
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School's that played in 2007
St Joseph's R.C. High School
Duffryn High School
Hartridge High School
Cwmcarn High School
Games were played and enjoyed by mixed boys and girls teams.
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