Canberra Cavalry

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Canberra Cavalry
Current season:
2019–20 Australian Baseball League season
Team Details
LeagueAustralian Baseball League
CityCanberra, Australian Capital Territory
BallparkMIT Ballpark
Year founded2010
Inaugural season2010-11
Postseason
Asia Series Championships1 (2013)
ABL Championships1 (2012-13)
Minor premierships1 (2011-13)
Finals appearances3 2012-13, 2013-14, 2017-18
Uniforms
Canberra Cavalry home and away orange uniform (also white shirt with orange and black writing)
Colours  Orange
  Black
  White
Management
ManagerAustralia Keith Ward
OwnerCanberra Community Ownership Group
General ManagerAustralia Sunny Singh

The Canberra Cavalry (nicknamed Cavs) is a professional baseball team in the Australian Baseball League. The team is based in the capital city of Canberra, Australia and the team's home ground is Narrabundah Ballpark.

Originally to be called the Colts, the team faced legal issues with the ACT Brumbies[1] that uses the same name for a local Rugby Union team.

History[]

Canberra Cavalry baseball team, with the Championship Claxton Shield for 2012-13.
2013 Asia Series champions banner

2012–13 Australian Baseball League season[]

In the 2012–13 season, the Cavalry won the Claxton Shield, having defeated the Perth Heat in the Championship Series in Canberra over 8/9 February 2013.[2] In November 2013, the Cavalry won the 2013 Asia Series resoundingly (14-4),[3] becoming the first non- Japanese or Korean side to do so.

    • Top of the stats by Christmas, then pulled away with significant wins against Perth Heat in away then home rounds in early January 2013.
    • Minor Premiership winners.
    • Premiership winners (Claxton Shield).
      • During the 2012-13 season, fan action caused the team to change the shirt number of a player. Marcus Knecht was wearing 51 but fans pointed out that he should have the number 4, in allusion to the game Connect Four; and, this became his catch-cry.

2013 Championship Series[]

Game 1[]

Score: Canberra Cavalry wins 6-4 over Perth Heat[2]

Game 2[]

Score: Canberra Cavalry wins 7-6. Takes Championship and Claxton Shield.[2]

2013 Asia Series - Champions[]

  • Cavalry won its first game against the CPBL Rhinos (2-0).
  • NPB Golden Eagles lost the second game (6-3).
  • Cavalry won the third game against the KBO Lions (9-5).
  • Cavalry advanced to the final, and played the U-Pres Lions, winning 14-4, to be Asia Series champions.[3]
    • The Cavalry was the 'home' side, on a coin toss. After being 2-0 up in the first inning, the Lions replied to be 4-2 up. The Cavalry replied in the fourth inning to be 4-3 down. In the seventh inning, Cavalry scored 5 runs, to be up 8-4. In the eighth inning, Jack Murphy scored a homer with loaded bases to make the score 14-4. The Cavalry's Toler pitched out the Lions to end the game.[3]

10th Season Redesign[]

In celebration of their 10th season of operation, the Cavalry redesigned their logo, uniforms, and hats. The change was first revealed on 3 July 2019 at MIT Ballpark.[5]

The Cavalry primary logo from 2010/11 - 2018/19

The logo went from a brown and black horse to a grey horse with fiery orange mane. The secondary logo was changed from an interlocking "CC" to interlocking horseshoes turned on their sides, giving the same "CC" effect.

The home white uniform had CAVALRY spelled across the chest while an orange alternate used the team's nickname, CAVS. A third jersey would later be unveiled: a black top with "The Capital" written in orange script. The new hats included a black, orange, and white colored panel hat with the primary horse logo on the front and an all orange hat with a single sideways horseshoe from the secondary logo.

Season-by-Season Records[]

Canberra Cavalry
Season Record Win % Manager Playoffs
2010/11 12–24 .333 Steve Schrenk
2011/12 20–25 .444 Steve Schrenk
2012/13 27–19 .587 Steve Schrenk/ Michael Collins Won ABL Championship vs. Perth Heat, 2-0
2013/14 22–24 .478 Michael Collins Won Preliminary Final vs. Sydney Blue Sox, 2-1
Lost ABL Championship vs. Perth Heat, 0-2
2014/15 22–24 .478 Michael Collins
2015/16 31–25 .554 Michael Collins Lost Preliminary Final vs. Adelaide Bite, 1-2
2016/17 20–20 .500 Michael Collins
2017/18 24–15 .615 Michael Collins Won Preliminary Final vs. Perth Heat, 2-1
Lost ABL Championship vs. Brisbane Bandits 1-2
2018/19 23–17 .575 Keith Ward Won Wild Card vs. Melbourne Aces, 1-0
Lost Semi Final vs. Brisbane Bandits 1-2
2019/20 17–17 .500 Keith Ward Won Wild Card vs. Perth Heat, 1-0
Lost Semi Final vs. Adelaide Giants 1-2
2020/21 11–14 .440 Keith Ward Won Wild Card vs. Sydney Blue Sox, 1-0
Lost Semi Final vs. Melbourne Aces 0-1
Won Elimination Final vs. Adelaide Giants, 1-0
Tournament prematurely ended due to COVID-19. Cavalry place 3rd
Totals 229–124 .649 —  12–13 Playoff Record
3 Championship Series Appearances, 1 ABL Championship

Players[]

Current roster[]

Canberra Cavalry roster - 2020–21 ABL
  • v
  • t
Active Roster Coaching staff
Pitchers

Right-handed pitchers

Left-handed pitchers

  •  8 United States Frank Gailey
  • 23 Australia Steven Kent
  • -- Australia Jack Lee
  • -- Australia Travis McDonald
 Catchers

Infielders

  • -- Australia Travis Bazzana
  • -- Australia Dermott Fritsch
  • -- Australia Josh Fritsch
  • -- Germany Donald Lutz
  • -- Australia Boss Moanaroa
  •  4 Australia Cam Warner

Outfielders

 Manager
  • 28 Australia Keith Ward

Coaches

  • 12 Australia Lee Mills
  • -- United States Taylor Jockers


Disabled list : 7-day disabled list

17 December 2020

Alumni in the Big Leagues[]

Players with the Cavalry who play, or have played, for a Major League Baseball (MLB) team or a Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) team:

Franchise Records[]

These are the franchise records for the Canberra Cavalry through the end of the 2020/21 season.

Single Season Records[]

Offensive[]

Hits
67‡…Brian Burgamy (2011/12)
63…Jason Leblejijian (2015/16)
62...David Harris (2015/16)

Doubles
19†… Jason Leblejijian (2015/16)
18…Jay Baum (2017/18)
17…Casey Frawley (2012/13)

Triples
5†…Casey Frawley (2013/14)
4…Buddy Reed (2017/18)
4…Ryan Stovall (2012/13)

Home Runs
15…Adam Buschini (2012/13)
12…Brian Burgamy (2011/12)
12…David Kandilas (2017/18)
12…Zach Wilson (2018/19)

Runs Batted In
50†…Adam Buschini (2012/13)
44…David Kandilas (2017/18)
44…Jason Leblejijian (2015/16)

Stolen Bases
31…Jon Berti (2013/14)
13…Scott Kelly (2016/17)
12...Josh Almonte (2016/17)
12…Kenny Wilson (2011/12)

Walks
34…Brian Burgamy (2011/12)
30…Jon Berti (2013/14)
30…Kyle Perkins (2017/18)
30…Bryan Pounds (2015/16)

† ABL Single Season Record
‡ Tied with Riley Unroe (2015/16) for ABL Single Season Record

Pitching[]

Wins
7…Steve Kent (2017/18)
6…Tim Atherton (2014/15)
6…Brian Grening (2015/16)
6…Steve Kent (2015/16)

Strikeouts
83…Brian Grening (2015/16)
79…Steve Kent (2015/16)
76…Steve Kent (2018/19)

Saves
11…Sean Toler (2012/13)
11…Sean Toler (2013/14)
10…Michael Click (2015/16)

Career Records[]

Offensive[]

Games Played
278…Robbie Perkins (2012/13-2020/21)
184…Kyle Perkins (2010/11-2013/14, 2016/17-2019/20)
164…Jack Murphy (2012/13-2015/16)

Hits
248…Robbie Perkins (2012/13-2020/21)
180…Jack Murphy (2012/13-2015/16)
166…David Kandilas (2016/17-2020/21)

Doubles
45…Robbie Perkins (2012/13-2020/21)
37…Jeremy Barnes (2012-2013, 2015/16)
37…Jack Murphy (2012/13-2015/16)

Triples
5…Casey Frawley (2013/14)
4…Buddy Reed (2017/18)
4…Ryan Stovall (2012/13)

Home Runs
25…Kyle Perkins (2010/11-2013/14, 2016/17-2019/20)
23…Zach Wilson (2018/19-2020/21)
22…Robbie Perkins (2012/13-2020/21)

Runs Batted In
122…Robbie Perkins (2012/13-2020/21)
114…Jack Murphy (2012/13-2015/16)
100…Boss Moanaroa (2015/16-2018/19, 2020/21)

Stolen Bases
31…Jon Berti (2013/14)
14…Mike Crouse (2013/14, 2018/19)
14...David Kandilas (2016/17-2020/21)

Walks
97…Robbie Perkins (2012/13-2020/21)
73…Kyle Perkins (2010/11-2013/14, 2016/17-2019/20)
72…Jack Murphy (2012/13-2015/16)

Pitching[]

Innings Pitched
433.2…Brian Grening (2011/12-2017/18)
320…Steve Kent (2010/11-2012/13, 2014/15-2020/21)
159…Frank Gailey (2017/18-2020/21)

Wins
26…Steve Kent (2010/11-2012/13, 2014/15-2020/21)
25…Brian Grening (2011/12-2017/18)
12…Frank Gailey (2017/18-2020/21)

Strikeouts
376…Brian Grening (2011/12-2017/18)
355…Steve Kent (2010/11-2020/21)
158…Frank Gailey (2017/18-2020/21)

Saves
22…Sean Toler (2012/13-2014/15)
20…Steve Kent (2010/11-2012/13, 2014/15-2020/21)
15…Michael Click (2015/16, 2017/18)

Staff[]

Coaching Department[]

On 8 September 2010 former Philadelphia Phillies pitcher and Lakewood BlueClaws pitching coach, Steve Schrenk, was announced head coach.

From 2012-18, former Cavalry player, Michael Collins was the manager.

Keith Ward replaced Michael Collins as manager starting in the 2018/19 season.

# Head Coach From To Reference
1 United States Steve Schrenk 2010 2012 [6]
2 Australia Michael Collins 2012 2018 [7]
3 Australia Keith Ward 2018 present [8]

Club Management[]

General Managers (GM)[]

# GM Name From To Reference
1 Australia Tony Fraser 2010 2011 [9]
2 Australia Peter Bishell 2011 2012 [7]
3 Australia Peter Bishell
United States Thom Carter 		2012 2013 [10]
4 United States Thom Carter 2013 2014
5 Australia Donn McMichael 2014 Current [11]

Assistant General Managers (AGM)[]

# AGM Name From To Reference
1 Australia Megan Salic 2010 2011 [12]
2 United States Thom Carter 2011 2012 [13]
3 Australia Anthony Cangelosi 2013 2014
4 Australia Mac Laudenbach 2015 2016
5 Australia Sunny Singh 2017 current

Venue[]

The Cavs play home games at MIT Ballpark, located in the south-central Canberra suburb of Narrabundah, ACT, Australia. The fans nicknamed the venue "The Fort", which the Cavs management has embraced. The ballpark received a major renovation upgrade in 2010 with a second stage of upgrades planned for 2017.[14][15]

The Fort, 28 November 2014, game-ready field

  • 2010 View of the field of play at MIT Ballpark

  • Main Stand at MIT Ballpark

  • concourse + Dugout at MIT Ballpark

  • Bullpen at MIT Ballpark

Bushfire smoke

Club Identity[]

Mascot[]

The Canberra Cavalry team mascot is a Yosemite Sam-type character named 'Sarge', with an Australian slouch hat, Cavalry-orange shirt, Auscam pants and brown Army boots. The team song, played after winning games, is "I Wanna Be in the Cavalry" by Corb Lund. In the 2014-15 season, Sarge got a 'quad' car.

  • geeing up the crowd

  • Sarge in 2015

  • Sarge's 2014 car

Community work[]

In the 2012-13 season, the degree of community work and outreach was markedly up on previous seasons, with game-day shirts for sale to assist community organisations for most days of home seasons. This began with Legacy Australia that supports family members of service people, and included the Canberra Hospital Trust, the Heart Foundation, Red Cross ACT, and The Global Poverty Walk's .

Local politicians[]

MIT Ballpark is owned by the Government of the Australian Capital Territory. The Cavalry management regularly hosts local politicians and their families at games, to raise their awareness of baseball and the Australian Baseball League. This is extended to each part of the political spectrum.

Sponsors[]

The current major sponsor, since the 2015/16 season, is MIT Services.

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ The countdown is ON! Only 3 days to go!, 2 November 2010, ABLbuzz.com, accessed 25 January 2011
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c Canberra Cavalry win ABL championship, Sydney Morning Herald, 9 February 2013, 11:12PM
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b c Canberra Cavalry wins Asia Series Archived 7 March 2014 at the Wayback Machine, David Polkinghorne, Canberra Times, 21 November 2013
  4. ^ Strike Zone, ABC Grandstand Sport, 15 February 2013, accessed 17 February 2013
  5. ^ Tim Gavel (4 July 2019). "Keeping it simple: Canberra Cavalry rebrands to celebrate 10 years in the ABL". the-riotact.com. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  6. ^ Fraser, Tom (8 September 2010). "Former Philadelphia Phillies Pitcher to Serve as Canberra Cavalry Head Coach". Canberra Cavalry. Retrieved 8 September 2010.
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b [1], Team Story about appoiontment
  8. ^ [2], Ward replaces Collins
  9. ^ [3], SMH about Fraser's hiring with Basketball ACT and reference to time with Cavalry
  10. ^ [4] Canberra Times, Cavalry CEO returns to States 1 July 2014
  11. ^ The Canberra Elite Cavalry, and Baseball ACT welcome the appointment of Mr Donn McMichael, The ABL, 16 September 2014, accessed 6 January 2015
  12. ^ Meet the Cavalry, Barry Barnes, 28 September 2010, accessed 25 January 2011
  13. ^ team story, 3 January 2012, accessed 7 January 2012
  14. ^ "An upgrade for Canberra's premier ballpark". www.act.gov.au. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
  15. ^ Polkinghorne, David (28 May 2016). "ACT govt to give Narrabundah Ballpark $4.5m facelift in budget". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 5 February 2017.

External links[]

Media related to Canberra Cavalry at Wikimedia Commons

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