Marcus Knecht - 2012-13 Canberra Cavalry

Knecht is a Canadian import from the Toronto Blue Jays organisation who is playing with the Canberra Cavalry for the 2012-13 season. Prior to joining the Cavalry, he was playing high A ball for the Dunedin Blue Jays in the Florida State League in 2012, his third year in the minors.

His surname is pronounced like the word "connect". Whilst he was sporting number 51 early in the season, he is now sporting jersey number 4 ... I am presuming that this is a deliberate play on the name of the game Connect Four.

2012-13 Canberra Cavalry Marcus Knecht card front - © 2012 Adam East

Scott Wearne - 2012-13 Melbourne Aces

One of Melbourne's local players, Wearne returns for his third ABL season in 2012-13. Wearne is one of the senior players on the team, despite a lack of US experience  He did attend a US college and was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2001, but ended up not signing with them. He eventually returned to the US for a single season of independent ball in 2010 for the Brockton Rox of the Canadian-American Association.

I liked this photo of Wearne that I took - something different. I admit.  I think that it doesn't quite fit the card spacing, but decided to use it as his image anyway.

2012-13 Melbourne Aces Scott Wearne card front - © 2012 Adam East

Jason Sloan - 2011-12 Canberra Cavalry

Older of the Sloan brothers to play for the Cavalry, Jason played 7 games for Canberra during the 2011-12 ABL season. Jason is a Canberra local, who went over to the US to play for the Western Nebraska Community College where he achieved selection in the All-Region First Team in 2010.

2011-12 Canberra Cavalry Jason Sloan card front - © 2012 Adam East

Terada Tetsuya (寺田哲也) - 2012-13 Brisbane Bandits

The Bandits were in town last weekend, so I finally the chance to get some shots of their players. The hard part was trying to decide the colour scheme for their card design. Their logo has four colours, black, yellow, maroon and grey. Each of the other ABL teams has a fairly dominant team colour - Adelaide are dark blue, Canberra are orange, Melbourne brown, Perth red and Sydney light blue, so theirs were fairly easy to design. Historically Brisbane's predominant jersey colour was black, but I wasn't sure about using black as their background.

After several trials black seemed to be the colour that worked, with a slight variation to how I managed the colouring of the bio information. Add to the fact that it was sunny, glarey day when I took their photos and the bright highlights on the players photos needed to blend with the background, and I thought it worked with the black background.

The player I trialed the designs with was Terada Tetsuya, a Japanese pitching import who arrived with the Bandits for the remainder of the 2012-13 ABL season literally only days before this photo was taken. My understanding is that neither of the Bandit's Japnese imports are aligned with NPB teams. Tetsuya was playing with Niigata Albirex in the independent Baseball Challenge League back in Japan during 2012.

2012-13 Brisbane Bandits Terada Tetsuya card front - © 2012 Adam East

2012-13 Brisbane Bandits Terada Tetsuya alternate card front - © 2012 Adam East

2012-13 Brisbane Bandits Terada Tetsuya alternate card front - © 2012 Adam East

Robert Dickman - 2012-13 Canberra Cavalry

Dickman is one of the American imports for the Canberra Cavalry during the 202-13 season. Played low level A ball for the Tampa Bay Rays affiliated Hudson Valley Renegades in 2010 and 2011 before being released by the Rays.

Born on Christmas Day 1986.

I've scheduled this entry to post on Christmas Day, so if for some weird reason you're reading this blog on Christmas Day, have a Happy Christmas :)

2012-13 Canberra Cavalry Robert Dickman card front - © 2012 Adam East

Darren Fidge - 2012-13 Adelaide Bite

Fidge spent a couple of minutes chatting with me when I was shooting the Bite players, and we even got speaking about this blog. I hope he's found it :)

Fidge is one of the more senior players for the Bite. He spent five seasons pitching in the Minnesota Twins farm system between 1992 and 1997, reaching hi A level ball, and another 3 seasons playing independent ball in the US. (Including the 1999 season at the smile inducing London Werewolves of the Frontier League - London, Ontario, Canada ... not UK.)

He's back for his third ABL season with the Bite in 2012-13.

2012-13 Adelaide Bite Darren Fidge card front - © 2012 Adam East

Zachary Penprase - 2012-13 Sydney Blue Sox

Drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2006, Penprase spent the next three years playing A level baseball for the Phillies and Red Sox before being released in 2008. He has then spent every American summer playing for the Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks in the independent American Association league.

The Sydney Blue Sox have brought him Down Under as an import to play during the 2012-13 ABL season.

2012-13 Sydney Blue Sox Zach Penprase card front - © 2012 Adam East

Adam Buschini - 2012-13 Canberra Cavalry

Drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies out of university in 2009, Californian Buschini spent the following two years playing A level ball before being released. He has spent the last two years playing in independent leagues, spending 2012 with the Amarillo Sox in the American Association.

He has been picked up by the Canberra Cavalry as an import player for the 2012-13 ABL season.

2012-13 Canberra Cavalry Adam Buschini card freont - © 2012 Adam East

Graeme Lloyd - 2011-12 Perth Heat

Australian baseballing legend Graeme Lloyd, a veteran of 568 MLB games, and first ever Australian to win a World Series ring joined the Perth Heat as pitching coach in 2011-12. Whilst I normally don't take pictures of the coaching staff, I couldn't resist with Lloyd. He's one of my favourite players, and I have an extensive collection of his cards from his playing days.

2011-12 Perth Heat Graeme Lloyd card front - © 2012 Adam East

Guy Telfer - 2011-12 Canberra Cavalry

Telfer was born in Newcastle, NSW, and made a few cameo appearances for the Cavalry during the 2011-12 ABL season. He pitched a total of 5.0 innings over three games, which unfortunately also included a start that lasted only 2.1 innings.

Telfer picked up both the A Grade pitching award and joint Rookie of the Year honors for the local Bandits club in the ACT for the 2009-10 season.

Again, not a great photo, but I was happy just to catch a shot one of the players who didn't get to see much in the way of game time.

2011-12 Canberra Cavalry Guy Telfer card front - © 2012 Adam East

Brad Harman - 2012-13 Melbourne Aces

Former Aussie MLB player Brad Harman is back again with the Melbourne Aces for the 2012-13 season. This is my card design for him for this season.

2012-13 Melbourne Aces Brad Harman card front - © 2012 Adam East

Aaron Sloan - 2012-13 Canberra Cavalry

Canberra youngster who has gone from selection in the 2010 Australian Schoolboys All Star team, to joining the Canberra Cavalry for the 2012-13 ABL season. Fellow ABL Rookie Robbie Perkins was  also a member of the 2010 ACT Schoolboys team

2012-13 Canberra Cavalry Aaron Sloan card front - © 2012 Adam East

Josh Cakebread - 2012-13 Adelaide Bite

Back for his third season with the Bite, this is my 2012-13 card for Josh Cakebread. As mentioned in a previous blog entry, he had fun during the team warm-ups knowing that the camera was on him. Cakebread played for the Roswell Invaders in the independent Pecos League during 2012.

2012-13 Adelaide Bite Josh Cakebread card front - © 2012 Adam East

Drew Dowl - 2011-12 Canberra Cavalry

Pitcher Dowl was originally brought over from California by local ACT club the Ainslie Gungahlin Bears to play club level ball, but ended up joining Bears team mates Kellen Kmiecik and Kody Hightower playing on the Cavalry roster during the 2011-12 ABL season. He ended up pitching 5 games for the cavalry, for 2 wins and a loss.

Dowl otherwise did not have a lot of experience playing professional baseball, playing for CSU Chico in 2008, Westmont College in 2009 and for several teams in the independent North American League in 2011.

2011-12 Canberra Cavalry Drew Dowl card front - © 2012 Adam East

Alessio Angelucci - 2012-13 Sydney Blue Sox

Despite his rather Italian sounding heritage, Angelucci is actually a South African, born in Johannesburg and a member of the South African team at the 2009 World Baseball Classic. He spent three years in the San Diego Padres minors system between 2008-10, reaching low A level ball.

He pitched 2.1 innings of relief over 2 games for the Blue Sox in the 2011-12 season, before returning as an outfielder for the 2012-13 season.

2012-13 Sydney Blue Sox Alessio Angelucci card front - © 2012 Adam East

Antonio Callaway - 2012-13 Canberra Cavalry (Revised)

This is the revised version of my card for 2012-13 Canberra import Antonio Callaway. The original design didn't feature the lightning background.

2012-13 Canberra Cavalry Antonio Callaway revised card front - © 2012 Adam East

Allan de San Miguel - 2011-12 Perth Heat

This was my 2011-12 card design for de San Miguel. I love this photo - but then, photos of deSan Miguel always seem to come out looking good.

Although having previously played in the Minnesota Twins minors system since 2005, he signed with the Baltimore Orioles in Jan 2012. During the American season he split his time playing between the high A level Fredericks Keys, and the AA Bowie Baysox.

He also managed a single game for the AAA level Norfolk Tides. In a game that went into it's 14th inning and with the pitching stocks low, catcher de San Miguel was called to pitch for the first time in his career in the Minors ... and it showed. He faced four batters, gave up 2 walks, 2 hits and the game winning run without getting an out. I don't think he'll be following in the footsteps of Kyle Perkins or Tim Kennelly.

2011-12 Perth Heat  Allan de San Miguel card front - © 2012 Adam East

Tom Vincent - 2010-11 Canberra Cavalry

One of the Canberra natives to play with the Cavalry in their inaugural season, although probably more than originally planned. He was listed as the Assistant Coach for Canberra in 2010-11, but still ended up playing 34 games during the season.

Vincent also spent three years in the San Diego Padres minors system between 2003-2005, reaching single A level. He can still regularly be seen wandering amongst the Cavalry crowd down at Fort Narrabundah when the Cavlary are playing..

2010-11 Canberra Cavalry Tom Vincent card front - © 2011 Adam East

Yuta Nakazaki (中崎 雄太) - 2012-13 Melbourne Aces

Nakazuki is a Japanese import for the Aces, coming from the Seibu Lions in the NPB. He has yet to play in the NPB, still working his way within the Lions minor league system, hence his opportunity to come Down Under to play and develop with the Aces.

2012-13 Melbourne Aces Yuta Nakazuki card front - © 2012 Adam East

Robbie Perkins - 2012-13 Canberra Cavalry

Younger brother of Cavalry team mate Kyle, Perkins signed with the Colorado Rockies in Feb 2012. Both brothers were chosen to play for the Australian team during the 2012 Spring Training against the Blue Sox, a possible pointer to potential selection for the 2012 Worlds Baseball Classic.

He has played 2 games so far this season, but having said that, Robbie was sporting an arm in a sling during the Cavalry vs Bite series over the last couple of days, so it may mean that his season has come to an early end. I haven't heard anything official yet as to what the problem is.

2012-13 Canberra cavalry Robbie Perkins card front - © 2012 Adam East 

Mathew Smith - 2012-13 Adelaide Bite

My first release of my 2012-13 design for the Adelaide Bite. Smith is returning for his third season with the Adelaide Bite in 2012-13. Was the Claxton Shield Rookie of the Year for the 2009-10 season.

2012-13 Adelaide Bite Mathew Smith card front - © 2012 Adam East

Kudos to the Adelaide Bite Players

Just a quick note giving praise to the Adelaide Bite players for being friendly and promoting the game of baseball well. I will quite often try and spend time taking shots of players during their warm-ups before their ABL games. Most players will simply ignore me and get on with their job. A couple will give me the evil eye and a couple like Matthew Williams from the Blue Sox and Aces import Fumikazu Kimaru have joked around with me, but they're usually the exception rather than the rule.

Shooting the Adelaide players this weekend, many of the players seemed to be in good moods and were very conscious of me being there, with players such as Josh Cakebread, Jeremy Cresswell and  import Ji-Man Choi hamming it up for the camera. In addition, both Chris Adamson and Darren Fidge came over and had several minute chats with me. Well done guys! I came out with a very positive view of the club and it's players - friendly, fan-savvy, approachable and positive. Thanks for providing a positive experience with your club. I'm looking forward to getting some of my 2012-13 Adelaide Bite cards up soon.

Adelaide Bite players Jeremy Cresswell and Josh Cakebread decide to make sure I get a good shot of them
© 2012 Adam East

Adelaide Bite import Ji-Man Choi deuces up for the camera © 2012 Adam East

Chirs Morgan - 2011-12 Canberra Cavalry

Local stalwart for the Cavalry, this is the 2011-12 card design for Morgan. He has also re-signed with the Cavalry for the 2012-13 season, although he has yet to pitch for them this season.

2011-12 Canberra Cavalry Chris Morgan card front - ©  2012 Adam East

Andrew Graham - 2011-12 Sydney Blue Sox

A Sydney native, Graham played the first two ABL seasons with the Sydney Blue Sox. After playing in the inaugural year, he was originally intended to be a part of the coaching staff, but ended up suiting up for 14 games in the 2011-12 season as well. This photo was taken during the 2010-11 season, however I used it for his 2011-12 card.

Graham also spent a lot of time with the Detroit Tigers organisation. Firstly as a player in the minors  between 2003-2007, reaching AAA level, before returning as a manager and looking after the Connecticut Tigers in the short season New York-Penn League for both the 2011 and 2012 seasons.

2011-12 Sydney Blue Sox Andrew Graham card front - © 2012 Adam East

Tom Edwards - 2010-11 Canberra Cavalry

If you check out the historical information on the Canberra Cavalry website, it will tell you that Edwards is an American who played for the Baltimore Orioles. The website is wrong.

Tom Edwards was a young Australian softballer who tried his luck at the Canberra Cavalry tryouts before the start of the inaugural ABL season. His speed convinced the Cavalry to take him on as a project to see if he could convert over to baseball. Tom ended up pitching in 2 games for the Cavalry during the season, but unfortunately, that is where his ABL career finished.

2010-11 Canberra Cavalry Tom Edwards card front - © 2011 Adam East

Chris Lamb - 2011-12 Brisbane Bandits

Originally from the Gold Coast, Lamb pitched in one game for the Bandits in the inaugural ABL season, before following up with 17 games in relief during the 2011-12 season. He also played Rookie level ball for the Baltimore Orioles in 2010 and 2011 before being released.

This photo was actually from Lamb's only 2010-11 appearance, but not having printed up a card for him for that season, I reused it for the 2011-12 card.

2011-12 Brisbane Bandits Chris Lamb card front - © 2012 Adam East

Christopher Motta - 2012-13 Canberra Cavalry

After having "settled" on a base design for my 2012-13 cards and creating a bunch for Sydney and Canberra players , I revisited it, and decided to try and utilise a non-photographic background. This design is the result - a background featuring "lightning" in the team's predominant colour. Now I'm torn between using my original design, or this one. The original design is a lot easier to do, but I think I prefer this one.

This card features American pitcher Christopher Motta who is a member of the Canberra Cavalry's 2012-13 team. Motta has only just graduated from Concordia College  New York, with the Cavalry being his first professional baseball opportunity.

2012-13 Canberra Cavalry "Lightning" variation Chris Motta card front - © 2012 Adam East

Brenden Webb - 2011-12 Perth Heat

American prospect for the Baltimore Orioles organisation who played with the Perth Heat for the 2011-12 ABL season. He finished the 2012 season playing high A level ball for the Frederick Keys in the Carolina League.

2011-12 Perth Heat Brenden Webb card front - © 2012 Adam East

Matthew Fawcett - 2010-11 Canberra Cavalry

Originally from Sydney, Fawcett pitched in 5 games as a reliever for the Cavalry in the 2010-11 Season. This card design features Fawcett from that period. He would also go on to pitch a single innings of relief for the Cavalry during the 2011-12 season. Matthew had previously been in the 2009-10 All Star Team for New South Wales' State Baseball League.

2010-11 Canberra Cavalry Matthew Fawcett card front - ©  2011 Adam East

Patrick Maat - 2011-12 Sydney Blue Sox

Hmmm - not happy with this photo of Maat, but again, a player I wasn't able to capture any other photos of. Maat is a local New South Welshmen, who spent two years playing Rookie ball for the New York Mets in 2007 and 2008. As a catcher, he played for the Blue Sox for the first two ABL seasons, but has not yet been a part of the Blue Sox 2012-13 season. This card was from the 2011-12 season.

2011-12 Sydney Blue Sox Patrick Maat card front - © 2012 Adam East

The Holy Grail of Aussie Baseball Cards

If anybody has a spare $1700, here's a chance to pickup the Holy Grail of Australian baseball cards from this Ebay auction.. From the 1887 Old Judge Cigarettes N172 set of cards come Joseph Quinn - Australia's first ever Major League Baseballer.

1887 Old Judge Cigarettes N172 Joseph Quinn Boston - the first ever baseball card to feature an Aussie

Got to http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1887-Old-Judge-Cigarettes-N172-Joseph-Quinn-Bostons-RARE-VINTAGE-OLD-CARD-/150925696571#ht_4486wt_1163 and buy it for me!

Luke Wilkins - 2010-11 Canberra Cavalry

In the inaugural ABL season, Wilkins was overlooked for the local Sydney Blue Sox roster, but successfully made it onto the Canberra Cavalry roster fro 2010-11. Despite only pitching in 4 games, he showed enough to make it onto the Blue Sox roster the following 2011-12 season and again in 2012-13. During the 2012 northern summer, he played for the Namur Angels in Belgium.

2010-11 Canberra Cavalry Luke Wilkins card front - © 2011 Adam East

Matthew Roxburgh - 2011-12 Brisbane Bandits

Roxburgh played for the Brisbane Bandits during the 2011-12 season, receiving a call-up after an impressive display playing for the club level Brisbane All-Stars against the Bandits during Spring Training. Although born in Brisbane, he made the Great Britain roster for the 2012 World Baseball Classic Qualifiers due to his British lineage. Yet to appear for the Bandits in 2012-13.

2011-12 Brisbane Badnits Matthew Roxburgh card front - © 2012 Adam East

Ben Warner - 2011-12 Canberra Cavalry

One of the few Canberra locals on the Cavalry team, Warner first played for the team during the 2011-12 season, and is returning for the 2012-13 ABL season. He previously had playing stints in the USA with the  Garden City Community College in Kansas and the Ouachita Baptist University in Arkansas.

2011-12 Canberra Cavalry Ben Warner card front - © 2012 Adam East

Adam Millson - 2011-12 Perth Heat

Perth relief pitcher who has been on the Heat roster for all three ABL seasons, albeit only for 10 games  total during that time. This was my card design for him for the 2011-12 season.

2011-12 Perth Heat Adam Millson card front - © 2012 Adam East

Kyu Hyun Moon (문 규 현) - 2010-11 Canberra Cavalry

One of Canberra's Korean imports from the Lotte Giants for the 2010-11 season, Moon had substantial experience in the KBO, having debuted in 2002 for the Giants.He is still playing for Lotte, most recently playing in the 2012 Asia Series for Lotte against the Perth Heat.

2010-11 Canberra Cavalry Kyu Hyun Mun card front - © 2011 Adam East

Aidan Francis - 2011-12 Sydney Blue Sox

Born in Newscastle, NSW, Francis played for the Blue Sox during the 2011-12 ABL season, earning Rookie of the Year honours. Prior to that he had spent 3 seasons at Georgia State University. In 2012 he was signed to play in the American Association  independent league, however was released less than two weeks before the opening night. I've been unable to find any more on him - despite his ROY honours last season, he doesn't appear to be on the Blue Sox roster for 2012-13.

2011-12 Sydney Blue Sox Aidan Francis card front - © 2012 Adam East

Antonio Callaway - 2012-13 Canberra Cavalry

One of the new American imports playing for the Cavalry in the 2012-13 season, Callaway was previously at the Mount Olive College in North Carolina, playing in the NCAA Division II Conference Carolinas during 2012. This was followed by a stint at the New Market Rebels, a team in the Valley Baseball League - an NCAA-sanctioned collegiate summer baseball league.

This is the first posting of my planned design for my 2012-13 Canberra Cavalry cards.

[Dec 2012 Update: I ended up doing a revised version of this card.]

2012-13 Canberra Cavalry Antonio Callaway card front - © 2012 Adam East

Trent Baker - 2011-12 Brisbane Bandits

Baker is a Qeensland local who spent two seasons with the Cleveland Indians, playing 4 games at AA level before being released at the end of the 2010 season. Baker played both the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons with Brisbane, however the inaugural season was as an outfielder, whilst his second season was as a pitcher.

2011-12 Brisbane Bandits Trent Baker card front - © 2012  Adam East

Michael Wells - 2011-12 Canberra Cavalry

My 2011-12 card for Michael Wells. despite being a member of the coaching staff, Michael always seems to end up playing for the Cavalry at some point during the season, He's already taken the field for them again in the 2012-13 season.

2011-12 Canberra Cavalry Michael Wells card front - © 2012 Adam East

Graeme Scorer - 2011-12 Perth Heat

Scorer is a West Aussie who played with the Perth Heat during the 2011-12 ABL season. Yet to play ball in the USA, he is listed on the Heat's roster for the start of the 2012-13 season.

A member of the Melville Braves in the WA State League, Scorer had previously played 9 Claxton Shield games with the Heat between 2007 and 2009.

2011-12 Perth Heat Graeme Scorer card front - © 2012 Adam East

Todd Glaesmann - 2011-12 Canberra Cavalry

Wasn't happy with the photo for Glaesmann, but it was one of the few shots of him I captured. Glaesmann is a prospect for the Tampa Bay Rays. He played in the outfield for the Canberra Cavalry in the 2011-12 season, and managed to reach high A level ball playing for the Charlotte Stone Crabs in 2012. He puts his success in 2012 down to his stint in the Australian Baseball League.

2011-12 Canberra Cavalry - Todd Glaesmann card front - © 2012 Adam East

Todd Van Steensel - 2012-13 Sydney Blue Sox

The grand unveiling of my 2012-13 card design for the Sydney Blue Sox. Even though the ABL are now releasing official ABL cards, I'm still taking photos at ABL games and plan on making a set of these cards for myself at the end of the season.

The ABL season started with a Canberra vs Sydney series. Due to some family emergencies I was only able to see two half games, but I still managed to take over 1300 photos.

This card is of Todd Van Steensel, who is now in his third season with the Blue Sox. He is recovering from an elbow injury he sustained off field during his 2012 season in the Dutch National League. He's also the author of the The Clubhouse Chronicles blog over in the sidebar.

2012-13 Sydney Blue Sox Todd Van Steensel card front - © 2012 Adam East

Travis Scott - 2011-12 Canberra Cavalry

Originally seen as a prospect for the Pittsburgh Pirates organisation, American catcher Travis Scott came to the Cavalry as a free agent, playing in the 2011-12 ABL season. He had 6 years experience in the minors behind him, with stints at AA level for both the Mariners and Pirates organisations. In 2012, he played for the York Revolution in the independent Atlantic League.

2011-12 Canberra Cavalry Travis Scott - © 2012 Adam East

Shannon Pender - 2011-12 Sydney Blue Sox

Pender is a Sydney native who has maanged 28 games across the first 2 seasons of the ABL for the Sydney Blue Sox. Prior to that he had several seasons playing for the NSW Patriots in the Claxton Shield. It doesn't appear that Shannon has made it onto Sydney's 2012-13 ABL roster.

2011-12 Sydney Blue Sox Shannon Pender card front - © 2012 Adam East

Ryan Searle - 2011-12 Brisbane Bandits

Ryan has played the last five years with the Chicago Cubs organisation, reaching the AAA level Iowa Cubs in the Pacific Coast League during 2012.  He has played for his hometown Brisbane Bandits during both ABL seasons to date and is ready to pitch in the upcoming 2012-13 season as well.

2011-12 Brisbane Badnits Ryan Searle card front - © 2012 Adam East