Westridge Yankees batter Marcel Hallett swings and connects during the weekend game against Lansdowne Eagles.
Ten games into this season’s Cape Town Baseball Federation (CTBF) promotion league, Westridge Yankees are favourites to regain their spot in the major league.
Yankees have only dropped points once this season but say they don’t want to get too excited as there is still a long way to go in the season and they need to take it one game at a time.
Coach Gary Golding says he is satisfied with how the season has progressed so far despite the many challenges the league has faced, and say the guys in the team have remained positive throughout the campaign.
Besides Covid slowing down the consistency of the games, the promotion division has had to scramble for official umpires.
“There is quite a big gap between Promotion and Major (league). We don't always get official umpires from the federation so it becomes a real dog fight and games are very keenly contested as everyone in the promotion league wants to go back up. But we ride the challenges and apply ourselves to the task at hand,” said Golding.
“I think Covid has had a big impact on the sport as the break was just too long and the return to play was slow - especially with juniors where most clubs struggle to get players back. But baseballers don't give up easily and most have managed to come through a tough period.
“Also the tragic losses suffered by the baseball and softball fraternities have been very painful, but we soldier on in honour of the many heroes that have fallen. They are gone but never forgotten,” added Golding.
At the weekend, Yankees made it two out of two when they dismantled Lansdowne Eagles 11-0 away from home and a day later welcomed Battswood who they beat 12-2.
As things stand there will be one spot available for promotion to the major league and at the halfway stage, Yankees will not want to relinquish their grip at the top of the log.