South Australia will be hosting a finals game for only the second time in 20 years this Friday, when NSW visit SA for a best-of-three semi-final, of the 2009/2010 Dominos Claxton Shield, at Norwood Oval, at 7.05pm.
In the 10 years of the Australian Baseball League from 1989, the Adelaide Giants were involved in three finals series, losing both games to the Sydney Blues in NSW (1994), hosted the Brisbane Bandits at Norwood Oval for two losses (1997), and after finishing top in the final season (1999), lost both games in Sydney to the Storm.
And over the past decade no finals games have been played in South Australia for the Claxton Shield, although SA has been involved in four finals campaigns interstate.
The 2002 semi-final saw Victoria beat South Australia 5-2 in Melbourne, then in 2004 and 2005 SA lost semi-final games to NSW in Sydney, 8-5 and 2-0 respectively.
Finally, in the state’s best chance to reach a Claxton Shield final in 27 years, SA beat Queensland in the 2007 semi-final before losing 3-2 to NSW in the preliminary final. Victoria claimed the championship with a 4-3 win over NSW, in the Perth finals series.
Last season South Australia only won one of 16 games to finish bottom of the Claxton Shield, while this year’s 14-10 mark is a vast improvement as SA strive to beat NSW to qualifier for the grand final series against Victoria from February 5.
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All this week’s games at Norwood Oval will be played over nine innings, the first on Friday (January 29) at 7.05pm, then on Saturday (January 30) at 7.05pm, and if needed, the third contest will be on Sunday (January 31), again at 7.05pm.
Purchase a series pass and you won’t miss a finals game at Norwood Oval – $20 for adults, $10 for youth (6-17) and concession. Individual games are $10 for adults and $5 for youth and concession. * no refunds on series pass if game three is not played
For more information call 8431-0441. Tickets can be purchased online at: www.southaustralia.baseball.com.au or can also be purchased at the gate.
Let’s pack Norwood Oval and cheer the SA team on to a Claxton Shield National Championship!
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