As part of their end of year break-up, the 30 junior Brewers, aged between five and 12,  travelled to Melbourne Ballpark in Altona with family and friends earlier this month.

The young players mingled with their idols from Melbourne Aces, getting autographs, receiving advice and having a hit between innings.

Ballarat City Brewers junior development co-ordinator David Myers said the trip was a way to thank 

the players.

“The kids all thought it was an absolute buzz to go out and meet the players,” Myers 

said.

“They had the opportunity to get the players autographs, they got to see how the game was played at the elite level, how hard they throw it and hit it.”

He said the Brewers were in talks with the Aces to host a clinic in Ballarat  in February.

Myers said the progression of baseball in Ballarat would rely heavily on junior development.

“The future of the club is the development of the juniors at the grassroots.

“They find it really fun to learn new skills,” Myers said.

“People don’t realise that there is baseball in Ballarat until they are told about it.

“We have a small group of people that play baseball, but we are trying to get out there to say ‘hey we’re here’.”