Baseball: Brewers celebrate veteran's career

The Brewers will mark Burrows’ 400^th firsts appearance against Sunshine in a Victorian Summer Baseball League division two encounter at Prince of Wales Park.

Burrows reached the landmark game in an away game earlier this month, but the club put celebrations on hold until the next home outing.

The club will make a special presentation post-game.

Burrows made his firsts debut in 1995 and has spent 24 seasons in Brewers colours.

He is not surprisingly with such a long career one of Ballarat City’s most decorated players, with life membership and being in the team of the century two of his biggest accolades.

He is also a two-time winner of the coveted Ron Clack Clubman Award (2004 and 2008).

While he has been a genuine all-rounder throughout his career, he has made his biggest impact as a short stop.

He has played 125 times in that position - more than anyone else in Brewers' history.

His other most prolific positions have been third base (75) and left field (69).

He has also pitched - five times as a starter and 40 in a relief role.

Club president Dan Chetcuti said Burrows had had a lasting impact on all aspects of the Brewers – on the field as a player and coach, and off the field in various roles.

“He’s been the backbone of the club – one of the reasons the club is still going.”

He said there would hardly be a player in Burrows’ time who had not been influenced by him in some way.

Chetcuti said the club owed much to Burrows, who continued to provide ideas and drive to lift the Brewers to another level.

He said there was no doubt that Burrows’ passion for the Brewers and the game would have a long-lasting influence on the club.

The firsts play at 3.30pm on Sunday: Hamilton, Ashmore, S Jones, Jeffery, Shaw, Burrows, M Jones, Kerr, Walsh. The thirds also play at 3.30pm and seconds at 1pm.