BALLARAT City Brewers will again import a pitcher for the next Victorian Summer Baseball League season.
The Brewers are keen to re-sign Seth Haehl, who had an outstanding debut season with the club – winning its most valuable player award.
However, Ballarat will have to wait until after AAA and AA try-outs in the United States before knowing whether Haehl is available.
Brewers president Jeff Clack said the club expected to know about Haehl’s availability by the end of next month.
He said the 26-year-old wanted to have one last try at making it to the major leagues.
Clack is confident that if Haehl does not get picked up in the US he will be back for another season with Ballarat.
Clack said whether it was Haehl or someone else, the Brewers would import a pitcher. He said there was a lack of depth in pitching ranks in Victoria and recruitment of Haehl – the first time Ballarat has had an overseas import – had been outstanding success.
Clack said Haehl had been a major contributor with ball and bat, as well as fitting in well around the club.
Ballarat finished sixth in its first season in division two.
Clack said the club’s main objective at the start of the season was to be competitive. Playing finals would have been a bonus. “We weren’t far away (from finals). A couple games didn’t go our way.”
He said the season had been a learning curve with a much busier schedule, sometimes featuring three games a week, and everyone would be better for the experience.
