How the Port Melbourne (Baptist) Baseball Club was formed

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In January 1929 on the site of the buildings at the rear of Malcolm Slone Ltd, Williamstown Road, Port Melbourne, three chaps discussed the unsatisfactory conditions governing junior football at the time; they were Sam Connor, Stan Jenkins and Perc Mahony.

Stan Jenkins made the suggestion of learning baseball and forming a team, with this in view he interviewed Alf Beckfield of the Y.M.C.A for particulars and material. These three were then playing cricket for the Port Melbourne Baptist Cricket Club and it was at a practice match that the above occurred.

A meeting was called and on February 25th 1929 at 10 Bridge Street, Port Melbourne it was decided to form a club and enter the Victorian Baseball Association. The club was to be known as the Port Melbourne Baptist Baseball Club.

The first President was Rev A.P.Dawson, Secretary Perc Mahony and Assistant Secretary Stan Jenkins. Arrangements were made to play at Port Melbourne Cricket Ground for a cost 5 pounds. Lectures were arranged and the next meeting was held at Laurie Letterman’s home in Garden City (Laurie was the deputy Commissioner of the Y.M.C.A. to the troops in New Guinea). Prominent among the patrons was the nomination of Tony Shippen, although known then by W.C. Isles. (Later President).

A lecture given at the meeting was by an old baseball player Percy Steele. “About April 5 at practice one night a big giant of a fellow came along and it was none other than Tony Shippen. Tony was unknown to us then but he was soon known for he later took over the team. March 31st the Constitution was drawn up and on April 14th Tony Shippen made his presence felt at his first meeting of the Club.“

There were 8 General and 6 Executive meetings up to September 1929.

Foundation Members of the Club were:

  • Rev. A.P. Dawson (President)

  • Perc Mahony (Secretary)

  • Sam Connor (Pitcher)

  • Amos Coyle (Catcher)

  • Anthony Shippen (1st base)

  • Eric Carter (2nd base)

  • Bob Kerr (3rd base)

  • W Cornelius (Short Stop)

  • J Sinclair (Left Field)

  • Stan Jenkins (Centre Field)

  • Alf Wyatt (Right Field)

Bench

  • Bert Youll

  • Cyril Johnson

  • Les Dettman

  • Reg Malkin