Sad Demise of Baseball

After 100+ years of Baseball being played locally in the Cardiff & Newport areas, it's looking more and more likely that this great game is on its way out; with participating sides down to a paltry 4 teams for this season!

Many a footballer has played the game (from ex-Bluebirds: Lee Kendall, Lee Jarman, Martin Giles and most recently Curtis McDonald (Brackley) as well as Mike flynn (Newport coach) and Ellis Harrison (Bristol Rovers) who both represented St. Michaels in Newport

There is also the superb talent that is Regan Poole(Man Utd) who has also had a good few seasons enjoying playing for his local team Grange Albion

Also, from the rugby side of things, there have been a few very talented individuals who have also enjoyed playing the game; most notably Dai Bishop, Mark Ring, Glenn Webbe and Mike Rayer and up to the present Nathan Trevett (London Welsh) and Dan Fish (Cardiff Blues)

From the women's side: Cardiff City's very own Suzanne Twamley (City Staff) has also played the game from a very young age, as has the talented Jessica Fishlock (Wales Women's Football Captain)

I'm sure there are many fellow Bluebirds on this Forum that know of someone who has played the game at some stage!

The Wales v England International came to a halt last season due to dwindling numbers and sadly (despite numerous efforts by a number of dedicated individuals) to try and get the game back into Primary & Secondary Schools, they have been met by a brick wall as the Council has made no effort to help, which is quite sad as many a game has been enjoyed by many players and supporters; whether it be a Saturday afternoon over Seven Oaks or a midweek game up at Ely Racecourse, followed (of course!) by a few well deserved pints and a Clarke's Pie!

Baseball (British version!) was always a part of the sports at my local junior school (Birchgrove, Cardiff). We weren't very good, probably because it was a small school and not too many to choose from, but I still loved playing the game. I often looked forward to playing against our local rivals Tonyrewyn (sp?) who usually beat us ... but the banter was good!
The game was never carried on at secondary school as all the sports teachers were rugby/cricket types. Football was also given 'second division' status.

I also remember spending a few Sunday afternoons with my old man watching quality baseball matches at the Rec at the end of Albany Road. Cardiff, Newport and Liverpool (I believe) have always had a good Baseball tradition.
Such a shame it's losing the interest it once had. Although I no longer live in South Wales, I hope something can be done to revive this local tradition.

Used to play it at school but sadly was part of its demise as I didn't want to play a summer sport after 9 months of Saturday commitments. Participation sport seems to be on the demise nowadays. I was shocked how few pitches were being used when i went for a walk at Pontcanna on a Saturday afternoon away game late last season.

Several thousand common at roath park for Wales England games# I watched up at rumney rec as well as roath park my uncle was very good player for grange Albion!

I think nearly every primary school in Cardiff had a baseball team I'm going back a good 15/20 years mind.It's a Shame its dying out as it fits lovely with following the city as its season normally goes from june-early August so don't miss out on watching the bluebirds,some great games over the years involving Llanrumney,st albans,st,peters,gower,grange albion,grange Catholics,caerau ely etc in the 80s i can remember the international game was televised & a crowd of 5/6000 were in attendance at roath park rec how times have changed

Pembroke Allan grange Albion is my team for the past 10 years,they habe had some legends over the last 30/40 years as has many clubs in the baseball game

Very sad to hear that that this great game is dying. My father played for Grange Albion and I used to love watching a game in the summer.

Pembroke Allan grange Albion is my team for the past 10 years,they habe had some legends over the last 30/40 years as has many clubs in the baseball game

Jonny bladen?

Yes Pembroke Allan I could be wrong but I'm 99% sure he played in the same welsh side as John Roberts & paddy Hennessy in 64?i could be a year or 2 out mind

Did,nt Phil Dwyer play as well?

He certainly did

Yes Pembroke Allan I could be wrong but I'm 99% sure he played in the same welsh side as John Roberts & paddy Hennessy in 64?i could be a year or 2 out mind

Sounds about right he was welsh international!

that was in the day when there was easily upwards of 15 players vying for the same fielding place in the Welsh team so must of been pretty good

The last wales v England international played up in Liverpool in 2013 saw over 600 Welsh supporters follow the side up there (which we won)excellent trip friday-Sunday night great memories

that was in the day when there was easily upwards of 15 players vying for the same fielding place in the Welsh team so must of been pretty good

He was very good also good enough play professional football!

Fair play mate

I watched Wales beat England in 1978 at the GKN sports ground on Sloper Road. For those of you too young to know, this is where the City Gardens housing estate is now built.

Used to play it at school but sadly was part of its demise as I didn't want to play a summer sport after 9 months of Saturday commitments. Participation sport seems to be on the demise nowadays. I was shocked how few pitches were being used when i went for a walk at Pontcanna on a Saturday afternoon away game late last season.

Very true. Rugby teams are struggling for numbers and there's been a decline in pool and darts teams in the city too.

Fond memories of watching Llanrumney on sunny Thursday evenings Big crowd with great enthusiasm.Film goers on the way to the County cinema would stop en route to watch
John Smith frighten the life out of batsmen with his rocket bowling .No videos,no I Pads or Play stations this was a great evenings free entertainment .

Awesome bowler was john smith the great llanrumney side of the 70/80s won the premier division something like 15/16 years on the trot.outstanding achievement whatever the sport

Awesome bowler was john smith the great llanrumney side of the 70/80s won the premier division something like 15/16 years on the trot.outstanding achievement whatever the sport

I remember watching him at rumney rec!

There's been some tremendous feats achieved over the years to many to mention but here's a few,ninian parks juniors Charlie Kinsey & Clive Ayres aged 13 achieved an amazing batting feat....playing against Llanrumney boys took their teams score from 19 for 9 to 119 all out!sharing in a stand of 100 runs Kinsey contributed 60 runs including three 4s & a3 as last man!2012 Wales bowler Matthew Hopkins rewrote the history books....the game started at 2pm England won the toss & chaise to bat,by 2.10pm England were all sat down for amazingly one hit run & 3 extras!hopkins also bowled out a very competitive St michaels team for no runs 3 years ago!any who has an understanding of the British baseball will acknowledge these are 2 (of many) great baseball moments

yep a great game to play and to watch in the summer months

played for many years and got to quite a few cup finals and played against and with the likes of dave bishop ,mark ring ,rayer and even played against paul bodin when he played for the Tavistock baseball club .got hit a few times on the pegs against the likes of duffin,meredith and co with a bruised rib , busted nose and broken fingers to show but great times


I think the best side in my time was the llanrumney team that destroyed everyone late 70's early 80's until caerau ely took over there mantle . oh well the game will be a long distance memory soon it seems

So many very talented players have graced the diamond over the years,but yes mozzer you are correct soon to be a distant memory sadly

yep a great game to play and to watch in the summer months

played for many years and got to quite a few cup finals and played against and with the likes of dave bishop ,mark ring ,rayer and even played against paul bodin when he played for the Tavistock baseball club .got hit a few times on the pegs against the likes of duffin,meredith and co with a bruised rib , busted nose and broken fingers to show but great times


I think the best side in my time was the llanrumney team that destroyed everyone late 70's early 80's until caerau ely took over there mantle . oh well the game will be a long distance memory soon it seems

I knew this post would set you off

Set me off?you have lost me there fella?