THE Shoalhaven Mariners finally have a place to call home after the official opening of their new facility at Ison Park on Saturday.
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Previously they had to travel all the way to Berkeley just to play a home game, but those days are now behind them, thanks to years of hard work and persistence.
Long standing player and committee member Michael Taylor and his wife Susanne have been a part of the club since it was formed in 2005 and said it was great to see their hard work pay off.
“It was quite an emotional day really, but a very happy one as well,” he said.
“It was great to see lots of baseball friends and locals there to see something new and exciting,” he added.
The Mariners hosted the Berkeley Eagles in three grades, with their third grade side starting things off with a win.
An official opening of the facility was held just before the first grade game, with Mariners player Blake Mitchell throwing down the first pitch.
Mitchell moved to the Shoalhaven as a 14 year old and was distraught to discover there was no local baseball team, so his parents set out to do something about it.
While the Mariners were on the wrong end of a blowout in first grade, Taylor said the day was still a win for the club.
“A couple of the Berkeley guys who have played state league even commented on the high standard of the facility,” he said.
“The aim is to help grow the game in the Shoalhaven and with this facility, I hope we will see a lot more juniors coming through in the future,” he added.
Taylor wanted to give a special mention to former Shoalhaven mayor Paul Green, Member for the South Coast Shelley Hancock and all those who assisted with grants and sponsorship.