JBF Vets Give Western Province fierce challenge in final
In a thrilling national final, JBF Vets fell 8–5 to Western Province, demonstrating resilience and skill while keeping the defending champions under pressure throughout the match.
The Johannesburg Baseball Federation (JBF) Vets team, under coach Marius Lourens, put up a valiant fight against Western Province in the national baseball final but fell 8–5 in a thrilling contest.
“It was a very good final. Western Province has dominated in recent years, but we gave them a good outing on the field,” Lourens said.
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The match opened with Western Province taking an early lead, scoring three runs in the first inning. The Vets quickly responded in the second, with solid hitting from the middle order bringing two runs home and keeping them within striking distance.
Throughout the game, both teams traded blows. The Vets displayed sharp fielding and disciplined pitching, keeping the defending champions under pressure. In the fifth inning, a key double by the Vets’ captain brought in another run, narrowing the deficit to just one.
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Despite the JBF Vets’ relentless effort, Western Province pulled away in the later innings with a series of well-timed hits, including a home run in the seventh inning that sealed the game. Lourens praised his players for their determination. “Even though we didn’t win, the team showed great spirit. Everyone fought hard, and it was a proud moment for our players,” he said.
The match highlighted the growing competitiveness of baseball in the region. “These high-level games are essential for our players’ development. It’s exciting to see the juniors and seniors playing with such commitment,” Lourens added.
Based at the corner of Silver Pine Avenue and Republic Road, the Randburg Mets have been working to rebuild baseball after the challenges of Covid-19. The club runs Major, Reserve, and Minor League teams, with a focus on nurturing young talent.
“We’re inviting juniors, boys and girls from age five, to come and join us. Players like Victor and Gift Ngoepe started here and went on to play overseas,” Lourens said. “There’s real growth potential for those who get involved.”
With three international coaches currently developing both juniors and seniors, the club hopes to continue producing players who can compete nationally and internationally, keeping the sport alive and thriving in the Randburg area.
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