The Blackburn Orioles Baseball Club is a sports club located in Melbourne's eastern suburb of Vermont South. Founded in 1953, the club was established by a group of friends who wanted to play baseball during the cricket “off season”. With a proud and successful history spanning over 60 years, Blackburn Orioles has seen many great baseball names play for the club, including former Major League Baseball players Peter Moylan and Luke Hughes.
Blackburn Orioles has achieved numerous premierships across all grades, including a recent back-to-back topship. The club has also won three club championships, showcasing its consistent success across the entire club, from T-ballers to over 45 Masters teams. As part of Baseball Victoria's Victorian Baseball Summer League, Blackburn Orioles is committed to shaping young players and promoting their well-being. The club offers leadership and mental health programmes to all members, including both senior and junior players.
Blackburn Orioles provides teams across various divisions, including Division 1 Firsts, Division 1 Seconds, Division 1 Thirds, Division 1 Fourths, Masters 38+ East, Masters 45+ East, U18 Metro Combined, U16 Metro East, Junior League Major, Little League Major, and Little League Minor. The club aims to develop players of all age groups, from the littlest players in T-ball to the accomplished Junior League, which has seen many Victorian and Australian players emerge.
The T-ball programme, known as the Little Burners T-ball, is designed to teach children from the ages of 3 and up the fundamentals of baseball in a fun and interactive way. Led by ex-Australian player and PE teacher Kathy Berg, the programme teaches kids how to throw, catch, slide, and listen to coaches. T-ball sessions run for 60 minutes on Wednesday nights during junior training, providing all kids with a hat and t-shirt, as well as all necessary equipment.
The junior programme at Blackburn Orioles is headed by the highly respected and beloved Ryan Berg, who serves as the Director of Junior Baseball. Committed to ensuring that kids enjoy the game above all, the club welcomes children of all skill levels, regardless of their prior experience with the sport. The club prioritises both on and off-field development, with a focus on creating a safe and inclusive environment for all players and parents.
The senior programme at Blackburn Orioles has been a highly successful club, with the Burners not missing a finals play-off series in close to 20 years. With seven senior sides catering to players of all abilities, the senior teams play on Sunday afternoons, with training sessions held on Tuesday and Thursday. The club also offers Masters teams for players over the age of 45, with two teams competing in separate age categories. The Masters nights provide an opportunity for players of all ages to have fun in a safe environment and enjoy a sit-down dinner after the game.
Overall, Blackburn Orioles Baseball Club prides itself on its commitment to fostering a strong club culture that prioritises great people first and great baseball second. With a rich history, dedicated coaching staff, and programmes for players of all ages and skill levels, the club aims to provide a positive and enjoyable baseball experience for all its members.