Canberra Cavalry
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.
Current season: | |
Team Details | |
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League | Australian Baseball League |
City | Canberra, Australian Capital Territory |
Ballpark | MIT Ballpark |
Year founded | 2010 |
Inaugural season | 2010/11 |
Postseason | |
Asia Series Championships | 1 (2013) |
ABL Championships | 1 (2012/13) |
Minor premierships | 1 (2012/13) |
Finals appearances | 3 2012/13, 2013/14, 2017/18 |
Uniforms | |
Colours | Orange Black White |
Management | |
Manager | |
Owner | Canberra Community Ownership Group |
General Manager | |
Assistant GM |
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
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
- Champions: Canberra Cavalry
- MVP of Finals Series: Aaron Sloan
- Venue: Narrabundah Ballpark, Canberra
- Report: Strike Zone[4]
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 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 | |
Totals | 218–110 | .665 | — | 10–12 Playoff Record 3 Championship Series Appearances, 1 ABL Championship |
Players
Current Roster
Canberra Cavalry roster - 2019–20 ABL | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Active Roster | Reassigned Players | Coaching staff | ||||
Pitchers Right-handed pitchers
Left-handed pitchers
|
Catchers
Infielders Outfielders
|
Pitchers
Catchers Infielders
Outfielders |
Manager Coaches
| |||
25 December 2019. |
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:
- Didi Gregorius - 2010/11 (Cincinnati Reds, Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies)
- Donald Lutz - 2010/11 (Cincinnati Reds)
- Kevin Kiermaier - 2011/12 (Tampa Bay Rays)
- John Holdzkom - 2012/13 (Pittsburgh Pirates)
- Jon Berti - 2013/14 (Toronto Blue Jays, Miami Marlins)
- Anthony Alford - 2014/15 (Toronto Blue Jays)
- Mitch Walding - 2014/15 (Philadelphia Phillies)
- Aaron Thompson - 2015/16 (Pittsburgh Pirates, Minnesota Twins)
- Ryan Kalish - 2017/18 (Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs)
- Shota Imanaga - 2018/19 (Yokohama DeNA Bay Stars)
- Yuki Kuniyoshi - 2018/19 (Yokohama DeNA Bay Stars)
- Tomoya Mikami - 2018/19 (Yokohama DeNA Bay Stars)
- Madison Younginer - 2018/19 (Atlanta Braves)
- J. J. Hoover - 2019/20 (Cincinnati Reds, Arizona Diamondbacks, Milwaukee Brewers)
- Gavin Cecchini - 2019/20 (New York Mets)
- Akeel Morris - 2019/20 (New York Mets, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Angels)
- Shingo Hirata - 2019/20 (Yokohama DeNA Bay Stars)
- Takamasa Kasai - 2019/20 (Yokohama DeNA Bay Stars)
- Shinichi Onuki - 2019/20 (Yokohama DeNA Bay Stars)
- Kosuke Sakaguchi - 2019/20 (Yokohama DeNA Bay Stars)
Franchise Records
These are the franchise records for the Canberra Cavalry through the end of the 2019/20 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
256…Robbie Perkins (2012/13-2019/20)
184…Kyle Perkins (2010/11-2013/14, 2016/17-2019/20)
164…Jack Murphy (2012/13-2015/16)
Hits
226…Robbie Perkins (2012/13-2019/20)
180…Jack Murphy (2012/13-2015/16)
162…David Kandilas (2016/17-2019/20)
Doubles
37…Jeremy Barnes (2012-2013, 2015/16)
37…Jack Murphy (2012/13-2015/16)
37…Robbie Perkins (2012/13-2019/20)
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)
21…David Kandilas (2016/17-2019/20)
20…Jack Murphy (2012/13-2015/16)
Runs Batted In
114…Jack Murphy (2012/13-2015/16)
110…Robbie Perkins (2012/13-2019/20)
93…Boss Moanaroa (2015/16-2018/19)
Stolen Bases
31…Jon Berti (2013/14)
14…Mike Crouse (2013/14, 2018/19)
13...David Kandilas (2016/17-2019/20)
13…Scott Kelly (2016/17)
Walks
89…Robbie Perkins (2012/13-2019/20)
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)
299.1…Steve Kent (2010/11-2019/20)
121…Frank Gailey (2017/18-2019/20)
Wins
25…Brian Grening (2011/12-2017/18)
25…Steve Kent (2010/11-2019/20)
11…Tim Atherton (2010/11-2011/12, 2014/15, 2016/17)
Strikeouts
376…Brian Grening (2011/12-2017/18)
339…Steve Kent (2010/11-2019/20)
128…Frank Gailey (2017/18-2019/20)
Saves
22…Sean Toler (2012/13-2014/15)
18…Steve Kent (2010/11-2019/20)
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 | 2010 | 2012 | [6] | |
2 | 2012 | 2018 | [7] | |
3 | 2018 | present | [8] |
Club Management
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]
- 2010 View of the field of play at MIT Ballpark
- Main Stand at MIT Ballpark
- concourse + Dugout at MIT Ballpark
- Bullpen at MIT Ballpark
- Smoke from the 2019-20 bushfire season, 2019-12-20 @7pm
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 Matt Napier.
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.
References
- The countdown is ON! Only 3 days to go!, 2 November 2010, ABLbuzz.com, accessed 25 January 2011
- Canberra Cavalry win ABL championship, Sydney Morning Herald, 9 February 2013, 11:12PM
- Canberra Cavalry wins Asia Series Archived 7 March 2014 at the Wayback Machine, David Polkinghorne, Canberra Times, 21 November 2013
- Strike Zone, ABC Grandstand Sport, 15 February 2013, accessed 17 February 2013
- 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.
- Fraser, Tom (8 September 2010). "Former Philadelphia Phillies Pitcher to Serve as Canberra Cavalry Head Coach". Canberra Cavalry. Retrieved 8 September 2010.
- , Team Story about appoiontment
- , Ward replaces Collins
- , SMH about Fraser's hiring with Basketball ACT and reference to time with Cavalry
- Canberra Times, Cavalry CEO returns to States 1 July 2014
- The Canberra Elite Cavalry, and Baseball ACT welcome the appointment of Mr Donn McMichael, The ABL, 16 September 2014, accessed 6 January 2015
- Meet the Cavalry, Barry Barnes, 28 September 2010, accessed 25 January 2011
- team story, 3 January 2012, accessed 7 January 2012
- "An upgrade for Canberra's premier ballpark". www.act.gov.au. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
- Polkinghorne, David (28 May 2016). "ACT govt to give Narrabundah Ballpark $4.5m facelift in budget". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 5 February 2017.