Newton Aycliffe Spartans have unveiled their new pitching machine and a large portable batting net, which has been purchased with help from Great Aycliffe and Middridge Partnership (GAMP) and local County Councillors Sarah Iveson and Jed Hillary.
Newton Aycliffe Spartans was set up in order to help bring baseball back to the North East of England. The Club was set up in 2011 and plays in the BBF Northern AA League against teams like Sheffield, Manchester and Liverpool.
Mike Holton, General Manager said: “The club is looking to develop and through the purchase of this equipment we hope to further improve the skills of our players and also increase our ability to offer taster and starter programmes to the Aycliffe community.”
Over the past three years the club has grown from strength to strength, in 2014 the Spartans were crowned British Baseball Federation’s AA Northern Division Champions.
The club’s junior programme has seen a steady increase in numbers. However, due to a lack of local competition the club sees the purchase of new equipment as a great way to keep the current juniors engaged as well as a tool to recruit new juniors. The club will also use the equipment to support the training of the adult team.
Mike Holden, said: “As a club the Spartans have made great strides in recent years, both on and off the field, with over 18 junior members playing baseball from the age of 10 to16 years, as well as fielding a successful senior team. We would like to thank the GAMP and Councillors Iveson and Hillary for their support”
Newton Aycliffe Spartans are always keen to recruit new players; anyone interested in trying Baseball can attend sessions at Woodham Academy: Tuesday evenings: Juniors (10-16 years) 6pm-7pm; Adults (16+) 7pm-9pm.