The Pinch Hitter was established in 2021 after identifying the need to support the quality of participation and growth of Softball in Victoria. Where The Pinch Hitter stands apart from similar operations is that we solely focus on the delivery of high quality Softball (and by extension Tee Ball) programs which is only possibly due to our forty years of experience in Softball. We havent just sat an online course to tick a box to expand our revenue, we live and breathe Softball. We dont just do Softball when were getting paid either, we are active on our local club and competition supporting the community through coaching and administration.
Softball is a highly inclusive sport which provides an opportunity for participation by everyone. Every person gets to bat, every person gets to field. Softball is a small sport in Victoria as sporting giants such as cricket, football, soccer, netball and basketball dominate the sporting landscape. Although excellent sports, entry to participation can be difficult if your skills are not up to the standard of the team. For example, in football you can be left in the defensive portion of the ground as your team may spend most of its time in the forward 50m.
The Pinch Hitter has over forty years of experience in playing, coaching and administering softball. A summary of my experience and accreditations are provided below.
2022 to 2024 Softball Australia State Operations Manager - Victoria
2021 Softball Australia Participation Coordinator of South East and Regional Victoria
2020 to present North West Softball League Delegate
2020 to present Keilor Park & Districts Softball Association Committee (roles including President, Secretary and Treasurer)
2018 to present West Coburg Redbacks Softball Club (roles including Vice President and Treasurer)
2002 to 2016 Cubs Ball Club (roles including Secretary and General Committee)
1989-1996 Kelmscott Armadale Tee Ball Club (General Committee)
2025 to present Sporting School Programs
2025 Keilor Park & Districts Softball Association15 & Under Boys State Championships Head Coach
2024 Keilor Park & Districts Softball Association Open Women State Championships Head Coach
2021 to present Overnewton Anglican Community College Head Softball Coach (Year 5 to Year 12)
2022 School Sports Victoria 12 & Under Boys Head Coach
2022 Softball Victoria Under 14 Girls Assistant Coach
2019 to present West Coburg Redbacks Softball Club Head Coach (Tee Ball, U12, U14, U16, U19, Open Women, Open Men)
2005-2008 Cubs Ball Club Chief Coach
2002 to 2016 Cubs Ball Club Head Coach (Senior Women, Senior Men, Tee Ball)
1999 to 2000 Albany Tigers Softball Club Head Coach
1994-1996 Kelmscott Armadale Tee Ball Club Chief Coach
1989 to 1996 Kelmscott Armadale Tee Ball Club Head Coach (U10, U11, U13)
2018-present West Coburg Redbacks Open Men
2019 Western Ferrals Australian Masters Games (A Grade Gold Medalist)
2018 Western Ferrals Pan Pacific Masters Games (B Grade Silver Medalist)
2015 Dale Warriors Australian Masters Games (A Grade Bronze Medalist)
2005 to 2016 Cubs Ball Club Senior Men
2002 to 2003 Southdale Spectres Mens State League
2001 to 2004 Mets Softball Club Senior Men
1989 to 1998 Kelmscott Bulldogs U16 and Senior Men
1988 Armadale Aces U13
1983 to 1988 Kelmscott Armadale Tee Ball Club U9, U10, U11, U13
Softball Coach Foundation
Softball Scoring Level 2
Tee Ball Coach Level A
Tee Ball Umpire Level 1
Working With Children Check 2113872A
Community Coaching Essential Skills
Community Coaching Masterclass
Protecting Children Mandatory Reporting and Other Obligations Non-Government Schools 2025
First Aid & CPR 2025
Sporting Schools is an Australian Government initiative designed to help schools increase children's participation in sport and connect them with community sport opportunities. Sporting Schools programs are provided free to children and their families to help students build the confidence and capability to be active for life. To help achieve this, the Australian Sports Commission has partnered with more than 35 national sporting organisations (NSOs) and national sporting organisations for people with disability (NSODs). There is a program for primary schools, and a targeted program for Year 7 and 8 students in secondary schools. For more information please visit Schools | Australian Sports Commission
Hit a ceiling with how far you can take your team? Having trouble developing a particular skill? Would you like to work on a situational strategy? Got a tournament coming up and you`d like a knowledgeable assistant coach? The Pinch Hitter can assist taking your team to the next level via running training sessions on your schools grounds during or after school or attending your tournament as head or assistant coach.
The Pinch Hitter offers individual or group professional development sessions catering to the level of knowledge of the participants. We have found that many schools assign an inexperienced teacher to coach the schools Tee-Ball/Softball team leading to a poor experience for both the teacher and the students. Our mission is to ensure Tee-Ball/Softball is enjoyed in schools by teachers and students. Whether its teaching fundamental skills, the rules of the game or game strategy, The Pinch Hitter can build your teacher coaches confidence and program so that everyone involved enjoys their time on the diamond to the point where students select Tee-Ball/Softball as their number one choice rather than be assigned it when they don`t get their preferred sport.
Through my experience of administering Tee-Ball/Softball for over thirty years in several clubs in Western Australia and Victoria we are able to bring a broad range of experience to assist grow your club and make it a great place to play. Our most recent success story is our volunteer work with the West Coburg Redbacks Softball Club. In 2018 I arrived at the Redbacks who had less than ten members in their club after 6 years of establishment. With an evolving strategy in place and a vision for what we wanted the club to become, we have seen it grow to one of the biggest clubs in Victoria with over 120 members including juniors and seniors of all genders.