On Thursday, July 3, at 10.05 a.m., the Australian umpire yelled out 'play ball' signaling the start of the game between Team Malta and USA Athletes.
This game was a first of a variety of sorts - the first of the 2003 Belgian Baseball Open, the first time Team Malta faced other international competition, and the first participation of Team Malta in a Confederation of European Baseball recognised competition.
The team showed a lot of heart and soul on that day. Jeff Tabone, the starting pitcher, led Malta out on to the field keeping the score close for the first six innings. Up to this point the score read 3-0 in favour of USA Athletes.
This in itself was quite an achievement for the Maltese. If only they could have got their offence going it could have put some pressure on their rivals who went on to shut out the Maltese team.
In the second game, Malta faced eventual tournament winners - Team France. This side is ranked fourth in Europe, behind the Dutch, Italy and Germany. Team France used this tournament to prepare for the upcoming European A Championships and the Olympic qualifying competition.
Definitely it was a tough task for Malta. France had opened the tournament against USA Athletes posting a favourable 11-0 scoreline.
Malta, with Charles Attard pitching, quickly fell behind 6-0, in the first inning. The game ended on a close play at home. Marlon Borg hit a double down the right field line and Jeff Tabone, attempting to score from first base, was thrown out at home on a close play in the ninth inning. France vs Malta 12-1.
France went on to win all four games they played. In the final they beat Australian Provincial Team 11-2.
Malta figured in two more games in the relegation round, losing twice against host team Bogerhout Squirrels, an Antwerp-based top flight club in the Belgian League, and a re-match with USA Athletes for fifth place.
Final standings: 1. France won 4, lost 0; 2. Australian Provincial 3-1; 3. Belgium 3-2; 4. Bogerhout Squirrels 2-3; 5. US Athletes 2-2; 6. Malta 0-4.
On the scoresheet Malta was beaten but the national team players significantly boosted their confidence ahead of next year's European B Championships.
Dennis Catania, the manager, explained that considering Maltese baseball is only 10 years old and all other organisations have been around for at least 50 years, the team was still in shape to compete admirably when faced with such opposition. His group's average age is 23 years.
"This baseball team has a bright future with a good chance of clinching good results with more experience," he said.
The national team, assisted by Air Malta, will now take a few weeks' rest before resuming training. The local baseball association is contemplating participation in competitions in Holland and Italy later this year.
Anyone interested in local baseball may visit website www.maltabaseball.org.mt or contact Steve Ellis on 7984-9060.