Blue Sox Banter

With time being called on the 2020/21 ABL season, first season of Blue Sox Banter has also come to an end.To wrap up the season, Glen Hawke catches up with 300+ game veteran and member of the leadership group, Jacob Younis. They discuss the tough loss to Canberra Cavalry in the Wildcard match, and also reflect on what has been a tough season, not only for the Blue Sox, but the entire league. A big thank you to everyone who has taken the time to listen over the last few months. We hope you’ve enjoyed the podcast as much as we have producing it. Catch you next season.Follow the Sydney Blue Sox on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.Website: sydneybluesox.com.au Follow Glen Hawke on Instagram and LinkedIn Thanks for listening.

The Sydney Blue Sox bounced back after a disappointing series in Lismore to score their first series win of the season, outgunning the Canberra Cavalry three games to one on their home diamond.This week, host Glen Hawke, chats with Field Manager, Shane Barclay, about the turnaround performance, as well as import Carlos Cortes, who provides an insight to his hot form with the bat and versatility in the field that sees him play as a righthanded second baseman and a lefty in the outfield. Follow the Sydney Blue Sox on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Website: sydneybluesox.com.au Follow Glen Hawke on Instagram and LinkedIn Thanks for listening.

After more than a month on the sidelines the Sydney Blue Sox were finally back on the diamond last weekend when they headed to Lismore on the NSW Far North Coast to take on the Canberra Cavalry.One this week’s episode, host Glen Hawke catches up with outfielder, Michael Campbell, to dissect and analyse the performance against the Cavs as the Blue Sox looks to turn things around when they take on their old rivals again this weekend.The 35-year-old father of two also talks about his late introduction to ABL baseball, how he got his start, what drives him, as well as the challenges of juggling baseball, work and family life.Follow the Sydney Blue Sox on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.Website: sydneybluesox.com.auFollow Glen Hawke on Instagram and LinkedInThanks for listening.

Huge news out of ABL headquarters today with the Sydney Blue Sox set to relaunch their season this weekend when they head to Lismore on the NSW Far North Coast to take on Canberra Cavalry.This week we catch up with Baseball Australia CEO, Cam Vale, who provides details on how the Blue Sox’s relaunched season will look heading into the play-offs as well as insights to the work that has been undertaken to get the team back on the ballpark.Star short stop and Mets prospect, Manny Rodriguez, also took time out for a chat about his time in Australia and what he has been doing to stay prepared and motivated for the resumption of the season.Follow the Sydney Blue Sox on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.Website: sydneybluesox.com.auFollow Glen Hawke on Instagram and LinkedInThanks for listening.

There’s been a lot happening since our last Blue Sox Banter episode. Unfortunately, not a lot of action has been on the diamond.Following the announcements regarding the Blue Sox season in recent days, we caught up with Blue Sox Owner and CEO, Adam Dobb, to dive a bit deeper on the state of the game and the season.While there’s no baseball action for Blue Sox fans in the immediate future, we are still hanging in there.Follow the Sydney Blue Sox on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.Website: sydneybluesox.com.auFollow Glen Hawke on Instagram and LinkedInThanks for listening.

After months of training, planning and preparation, it’s here! This weekend the Sydney Blue Sox open the 2020/21 ABL season with a four-game series against defending champions, Melbourne Aces.It’s a very different looking Blue Sox roster to the one that failed to make the play-offs last year, and Field Manager, Shane Barclay could not be prouder of the list of players they have assembled for this season’s campaign.We caught up with ‘Bucket’ the morning of the season opener to talk about the team’s preparations leading into game one of the season.Follow the Sydney Blue Sox on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.Website: sydneybluesox.com.auFollow Glen Hawke on Instagram and LinkedInThanks for listening.

With less than a week until the start of the 20/21 ABL season, Blue Sox Banter dropped in to Blue Sox training to catch up with two of the team’s new import players – Adam Oller and Cam Gibson.Oller, a 26-year-old Texan, is a pitcher out the New York Mets organisation, while Gibson is a tenacious outfield who joins the Blue Sox from the Detroit Tigers.Cam also happens to be the son of LA Dodgers legend, Kirk Gibson, who famously hobbled to the plate in the bottom of the ninth in Game one of the 1988 World Series and hit one of the most famous post-season walk-off home runs of all time.Both provide insights to their careers, surviving quarantine and also have a bit of fun when we test their knowledge of Aussie slang.Follow the Sydney Blue Sox on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.Website: sydneybluesox.com.auFollow Glen Hawke on Instagram and LinkedInThanks for listening.

He landed in Australia two weeks ago, has done his 14-day quarantine and now Manny Ramirez is ready to take on Sydney.We catch up with the two-time World Series winner and now Sydney Blue Sox player about how he got through quarantine. We also talk about that '04 Boston team, the rivalry with the Yankees and his move to LA.Follow the Sydney Blue Sox on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.Website: sydneybluesox.com.auFollow Glen Hawke on Instagram and LinkedInThanks for listening.

Since catching up with the Wells boys for Blue Sox Banter there has been a major development in Alexander's career.The Baltimore Orioles announced on 21 November that the Sydney Blue Sox left-hander had been added to their 40-man MLB roster.It’s great news for AJ who will head to the Orioles big league camp next February following the upcoming ABL season.Blue Sox Banter host, Glen Hawke, caught up with him to get his reactions to the promotion and the realisation that he is one important step closer to becoming a MLB pitcher.Follow the Sydney Blue Sox on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.Website: sydneybluesox.com.auFollow Glen Hawke on Instagram and LinkedInThanks for listening.

Lachlan and Alexander Wells are rising stars of Australian baseball.The Newcastle-born twin brothers forged almost identical paths through their early days in the sport. From the age of nine the left-handed pitchers played alongside each other, from junior league with Belmont Baseball Club thought to Newcastle, NSW Country and eventually Australian representative teams.That was until 2014 when Lachlan, who had developed a more commanding fast ball, caught the attention of big league scouts and eventually signed with the Minnesota Twins. Yep, a twin, signing with the Twins.Alexander also signed a professional contract just 12 months later, linking with the Baltimore Orioles. It’s from there thought that their journeys have taken different paths.Lachie and AJ sit down with Glen Hawke to talk about their early days in the sport, the life and challenges of a minor league ball player, battling adversity and injuries, and what keeps driving them towards the ultimate goal of pitching in the big leagues.Follow the Sydney Blue Sox on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.Website: sydneybluesox.com.auFollow Glen Hawke on Instagram and LinkedInThanks for listening.

FRIDAY, 20 NOVEMBER, 2020: The ABL has today confirmed the schedule for the 20/21 season.We catch up with Sydney Blue Sox Owner, Adam Dobb, to get his reaction to today's announcement, discuss how the season will unfold for the teams and fans, as well as more information about the Home Run Derby and Celebrity Softball Match – Team Manny vs Team Lloyd – set down for 26 and 27 December.Go online NOW to secure your tickets for the upcoming ABL season – sydneybluesox.com.auFollow the Sydney Blue Sox on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.Website: sydneybluesox.com.auFollow Glen Hawke on Instagram and LinkedInThanks for listening.

In his first interview since signing with the Sydney Blue Sox, Manny Ramirez speaks exclusively to Blue Sox Banter about how he ended up signing with the club, he’s preparations and what he’s looking to impart on the team the players.He also tells us about his greatest moment in baseball. For someone who has achieved what he has in the game, you may be surprised by the answer.Follow Many Ramirez on InstagramFollow the Sydney Blue Sox on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.Website: sydneybluesox.com.auFollow Glen Hawke on Instagram and LinkedInThanks for listening.

Sydney Blue Sox Hitting Coach, Rachel Balkovec, has achieved more in her 33 years than many could even dream of in a lifetime.She’s been a Division 1 NCAA college softballer, strength and conditioning coordinator for the St Louis Cardinals minor league organisation, worked for the Houston Astros, gave up her dream job to study in Europe and became the first woman to be appointed hitting coach for a big league ball club; the New York Yankees no less.But it’s not just what she has achieved that is impressive. How she has done it is remarkable and truly inspiring.She was laughed at when asked why there were no women filling strength and conditioning roles in Major League Baseball. She was told that despite having an impeccable CV, she wouldn’t get a job in the game. Why? Because she was a woman.Unfortunately for others who have faced the same challenges and adversity, it’s where their story ends. For Rachel, that where her story starts. It’s a story of unwavering dedication, unshakable self-belief and incredible resilience.In this special two-part episode, Rachel sits down with host, Glen Hawke, to talk about the challenges, setbacks and achievements, what drives and motivates her and the history-making moments that changed her life, and potentially the lives of many women who hope to follow her path.RACHEL BALKOVEC – I’m not done yet!Follow Rachel on Twitter and InstagramFollow the Sydney Blue Sox on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.Website: sydneybluesox.com.auFollow Glen Hawke on Instagram and LinkedInThanks for listening.

Sydney Blue Sox Hitting Coach, Rachel Balkovec, has achieved more in her 33 years than many could even dream of in a lifetime.She’s been a Division 1 NCAA college softballer, strength and conditioning coordinator for the St Louis Cardinals minor league organisation, worked for the Houston Astros, gave up her dream job to study in Europe and became the first woman to be appointed hitting coach for a big league ball club; the New York Yankees no less.But it’s not just what she has achieved that is impressive. How she has done it is remarkable and truly inspiring.She was laughed at when asked why there were no women filling strength and conditioning roles in Major League Baseball. She was told that despite having an impeccable CV, she wouldn’t get a job in the game. Why? Because she was a woman.Unfortunately for others who have faced the same challenges and adversity, it’s where their story ends. For Rachel, that where her story starts. It’s a story of unwavering dedication, unshakable self-belief and incredible resilience.In this special two-part episode, Rachel sits down with host, Glen Hawke, to talk about the challenges, setbacks and achievements, what drives and motivates her and the history-making moments that changed her life, and potentially the lives of many women who hope to follow her path.RACHEL BALKOVEC – I’m not done yet!Follow Rachel on Twitter and InstagramFollow the Sydney Blue Sox on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.Website: sydneybluesox.com.auFollow Glen Hawke on Instagram and LinkedInThanks for listening.

Alex Howe had a breakout season for the Blue Sox in 2019/20 with his hot bat and solid defence making him a regular starter in the outfield.Team Australia representative and number four starter, Josh Guyer, not only brings serious stuff to the mound each outing, but a tonne of passion and energy to the team.Both will not only be key members of the Blue Sox line-up this season but, along with Jacob Younis, were recently appointed to the club’s leadership group.Alex and Josh caught up with Glen Hawke to talk about their respective roles in the team, the prospects for the season and the standards they are looking to set for the players on and off the diamond.Follow the Sydney Blue Sox on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.Website: sydneybluesox.com.auFollow Glen Hawke on Instagram and LinkedInThanks for listening.

In this episode of Blue Sox Banter, Glen Hawke catches up with Field Manager, Shane Barclay, to talk about the ball club being assembled ahead of the 20/21 ABL Season. And, he likes what he sees.Barclay outlines the club’s affiliation with the New York Mets – how it came about, how it will benefit the Blue Sox and who they are sending out to line up for the club this season. He also provides an overview of the players, both Sydney and Internationally based, who will be joining the Blue Sox this season, and confirms the return of a fan favourite to this year’s roster.'Bucket' also takes time to reflect on his baseball journey that started as a 12 year old in Newcastle and leaves us in little doubt that he is excited about the prospects of this upcoming season.Follow the Sydney Blue Sox on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.Website: sydneybluesox.com.auFollow Glen Hawke on Instagram and LinkedInThanks for listening.

“What I let out was this euphoric scream. Like a schoolgirl at a Justin Bieber concert!”It was the moment that Owner and CEO, Adam Dobb, signed baseball legend, Manny Ramirez, to a contract with the Sydney Blue Sox for the 2020/21 season.Dobb is Blue Sox Banter’s first guest for the season, and he talks to host, Glen Hawke, about how he secured the signature of Manny Ranirez, his first impressions of the two-time World Series winner and the mark Manny is planning to make on the league.Dobb also provides an update on how the Australian Baseball League season is shaping up, what Blue Sox fans can look forward to this season and also his journey as the owner of an Australian sporting franchise.Follow the Sydney Blue Sox on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Website: sydneybluesox.com.auFollow Glen Hawke on Instagram and LinkedInThanks for listening.

Welcome to Blue Sox Banter!In this introductory episode, host, Glen Hawke, looks at some the club's key signings, including the biggest of them all, MANNY RAMIREZ! He also provides a preview of what's to come in future episodes.Follow the Sydney Blue Sox on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.Website: sydneybluesox.com.auFollow Glen Hawke on Instagram and LinkedInThanks for listening.