Friday, April 28, 2017

Peter Moylan - 2016-17 Melbourne Aces

Current MLB pitcher with the Kansas City Royals, Perth born Moylan returned to the Melbourne Aces during the 2016-17 ABL season for his second season in the ABL, although admittedly, his first season consisted of just a single inning of relief. As a Perth supporter I was disappointed that he's not playing for his hometown Heat in the ABL.

2016-17 Melbourne Aces Peter Moylan card front - ©2017 Adam East

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Aaron Sayers - 2016-17 Canberra Cavalry

Former Aces player Sayers returned for his second season with the Canberra Cavalry and sixth in the ABL during the 2016-17 ABL season.

2016-17 Canberra Cavalry Aaron Sayers card front - ©2017 Adam East

2016-17 Canberra Cavalry Aaron Sayers alternate card front - ©2017 Adam East

Monday, April 24, 2017

Ryan Rowland-Smith - 2016-17 Brisbane Bandits

The "Hyphen" made his ABL debut back in Australia during the 2016-17 ABL season with the Brisbane Bandits. Rowland-Smith's 14 year stint in the minors and Major League Baseball finished in 2014, however he spent the last 2 years playing short stints the Dominican Winter League, most recently with the Gigantes del Cibao, before returning to his native Australia.

2016-17 Brisbane Bandits Ryan Rowland-Smith card front - ©2017 Adam East

Friday, April 21, 2017

Bas Nooij - 2016-17 Adelaide Bite

No, do not adjust your screen, Bas Nooij is the correct spelling of this players name, it isn't a typo. Nooij (Bas is a contraction of Sebastian) is a Dutch baseballer who played with the Adelaide Bite during the 2016-17 ABL season. Nooij had previously spent ten seasons playing for the Amsterdam Pirates in the Honkbal Hoofdklasse (Dutch Major League Baseball.)

2016-17 Adelaide bite Bas Nooij card front - ©2017 Adam East

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Zac Shepherd - 2016-17 Sydney Blue Sox

Sydney local Shepherd returned for his fourth season with the Sydney Blue Sox in 2016-17 after missing the 2015-16 ABL season. In 2016 Shepherd played for the Lakeland Flying Tigers - the Detroit Tigers advanced A affiliate.

I've noticed that Shepherd's first name seems to be being referred to as both Zac and Zach online, however he seems to refer to himself as Zac, so I've dropped the "h" in the spelling of his name.

2016-17 Sydney blue Sox Zac Shepherd card front - ©2017 Adam East

Monday, April 17, 2017

Cody Jones - 2016-17 Melbourne Aces

Jones was an American import from the Kansas City Royals organisation who played for the Melbourne Aces during the 2016-17 ABL season. Jones spent 2016 split between the single A level Lexington Legends and the advanced A level Wilmington Blue Rocks.

2016-17 Melbourne Aces Cody Jones card front - ©2017 Adam East

Sunday, April 16, 2017

Easter Morning 2017

It's the morning of Easter Sunday here in Australia. I would be remiss not to focus on the sacrifice of the Saviour and his resurrection at this Easter time. Gaining an understanding of who Jesus Christ is, what he did for us and how we can take advantage of the Atonement of Jesus Christ is part of the purpose of this life. I invite you to watch the video and to act upon it, to help receive more peace in your life.

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Scott Mitchinson - 2016-17 Perth Heat

The first of my Perth Heat cards for the 2016-17 ABL season features Perth local, Scott Mitchinson. Mitchinson had his fifth year with the Heat and in the ABL during the 2016-17 season.

My night shots usually aren't very good but I liked how this shot turned out. His pitching arm and the ball could be sharper, and less shadow on the face would have been good, but I do like the contrast in the shot.

2016-17 Perth Heat Scott Mitchinson card front - ©2017 Adam East

Monday, April 10, 2017

Hayden Beard - 2016-17 Canberra Cavalry

Canberran local Beard had been off the ABL field for 5 seasons, having last played for Canberra in 2011-12. Beard had been the Cavalry's pitching coach for a number of years, however 2016-17 marked his return to the playing roster. Beard had endured three years of shoulder related to injuries prior to this time, during which time he was also released by the San Diego Padres. The start of 2016-17 was his first step back to top level baseball. I don't know what subsequently happened - he only ended up pitching in 2 games for the season. I'm presuming that his shoulder may not have held up, but have been unable to confirm if that is correct.

2016-17 Canberra Cavalry Hayden Beard card front - ©2017 Adam East

Friday, April 7, 2017

Edgar Valle - 2015-16 Perth Heat

OK, a bit of a blast from the past here. Going back through my 2015-16 Perth photos to find shots for my 2016-17 Perth Heat cards and I realised I had some shots of players that I hadn't identified by player name. With some help of the Perth Heat Facebook staff I was able to discover that I had some shots of Edgar Valle, an American import from the independent leagues who played with the Heat during the 2015-16 ABL season. So, without further adieu, here's Mr Valle's Perth Heat card from back in 2015-16.
2015-16 Perth Heat Edgar Valle card front - ©2017 Adam East

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Ty'Relle Harris - 2016-17 Brisbane Bandits

Harris is an American import who played with the Brisbane Bandits during the 2016-17 ABL season. Harris spent 4 years playing in the Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs farm systems before being released in 2012. Since then he has spent his time playing in various foreign and independent leagues, most recently with the York Revolution in the Atlantic League in 2016.

Unfortunately, I didn't realise until well into the card designs that the font set I used didn't have an apostrophe (') so his name has come out as TYRELLE instead of TY'RELLE on the card. Maybe he'll go on to establish a meganational corporation that designs replicant humans after his baseball career finishes ...

2016-17 Brisbane Bandits Ty'Relle Harris card front - ©2017 Adam East

Monday, April 3, 2017

Connar O'Gorman - 2016-17 Adelaide Bite

With the changes to the rules around "New Zealanders" no longer being classified as Australian players, I'm unsure as to whether New Zealand national player O'Gorman ended up becoming an "Aussie" in 2016-17, he did however return again to the Adelaide Bite for his foruth ABl season, his thirs with the Bite.

2016-17 Adelaide Bite Connar O'Gorman card front - ©2017 Adam East