The Bendigo Baseball Association is $5000 closer to recovering from a fire that destroyed its club rooms.
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Memorabilia, uniforms and equipment went up in smoke when the building at the Albert Roy Recreation Reserve in Eaglehawk was gutted in February.
Bendigo Bank presented a $5000 donation as part of the closing ceremony of the Under 12 State Winter Championships on Sunday.
Bendigo Baseball Association president Brendan Aikman said the community support meant a great deal to the league.
“This boost to our league will certainly help us to focus on growing our participation rate, by having the equipment and resources needed to be able to run clinics and programs in schools, and really get our sport out there again,” he said.
“We really appreciate the support Baseball Victoria has given us and the boost from Bendigo Bank.”
Baseball Victoria general manager Ashley Blair said was hopeful the financial contribution would also help lift the spirits of those involved in the association, “given the tough few months it has had.”
Much of what was lost in the fire was acquired by fundraising and donations from the community.
The blaze also destroyed photographs and honour boards bearing achievements dating back more than 70 years.
The club rooms were home to not only the Bendigo Baseball Association, but two baseball clubs: the Falcons and the Scots.
Other sporting codes also used the facilities.
In addition to the fire, the Bendigo Baseball Association faced the threat of the 2016 season failing to go ahead because of difficulties filling key off-pitch positions at the start of the year.
“As a major partner of Baseball Australia and the Australian Baseball League, we see first-hand the great passion people have for this growing sport,” Bendigo Bank senior manager Scott Whatley said.
“We’re so proud to be able to support the Bendigo Baseball Association to keep baseball growing at a grassroots level here in our hometown.”