With numbers up on last season, and still more local baseball enthusiasts getting in touch with the club, the numbers look excellent before a ball is pitched.

The Mariners will again be fielding three teams in the Illawarra Baseball League which takes place every Saturday at various fields in the Wollongong area.

This year the season will start on April 10 with Shoalhaven Mariners’ coaching staff keen to put the players through their paces to see how the teams will form.

With several new players joining the club, positions will be hotly contested.

After some strong performances in the lower grades last season some players will be at the heels of the first grade players.

The club’s first training day will be held this Sunday, March 14 from 11am at Artie Smith Oval in Bomaderry.

There will be a barbecue along with a game between players and some drills to loosen everyone up in their first run for the season.

There will also be the opportunity for any new registrations to be taken on the day, or if anyone would like to try the game out, enjoy the company and a barbecue feel free to come along.

The other big news for the Mariners is it seems that the “Field of Dreams” is nearly a reality with Shoalhaven City Council putting tenders out for stage one of construction in June at the Ison Park complex at South Nowra.

This will become the home of the Mariners in the Shoalhaven, and all things going well will be finished by December 2010.

For further information please feel free to contact Michael Taylor on 0412239939 or shoalhavenmariners@hotmail.com