BasebALL - a game for everyone

When Adam Bonney suffered an injury that kept him from playing competitive rugby, he wasn't sure if he would find or play another sport competitively again.

That was until he found Townsville Taipans Baseball Club.

Adam Bonney is your typical die-hard sports fan. From basketball to rugby and now baseball too, if there is a game to be watched Bonney will be sure to have it on.

But watching sport is one thing. Playing sport is another entirely. There is a feeling that comes with playing sport that can't be replaced simply by watching.

"It is the company and comradery that your teammates bring," says Bonney about what he loves the most.

"That and the challenge of learning new things."

So some ten years after hanging up the boots, he decided it was time to give something new a try.

"I saw the ad for Taipans Baseball pop up and thought - how hard could it be?"

Armed with the self-belief that all it would take was the ability to throw and hit a ball, he took that first leap, attending the club come and try day.

If trying new things was what he was after, Bonney didn't have to wait long. Only moments after arriving a teammate thrust a glove his way and invited him to join in. Looking down at his black polished work shoes and dress pants, not even his attire could counter the pull of the baseball.

That one moment was all it took for Bonney to catch the baseball bug.

Donned with his new first base mitt and pine bat there was an air of anticipation around his first game.

"I still remember it fondly," says Bonney, vividly recalling the first moment he stepped on the diamond.

"It's one of my most cherished baseball memories,

"I look around me now and so many of my lifelong friends, I met on the field that day."

2020 Razorbacks preseason team

Five years on and that list of friends has only grown and strengthened as Bonney has carried on the legacy of handing out gloves to new commers, watching as they too catch the baseball twinkle in their eye - including his own daughter and fiancé.

Baseball has truly become a whole family affair for Bonney and his family, from the friendly rivalry watching the Astros take on the Yankies to coming together to help out behind the scenes of the club and association.

And his dream of playing representative competitive sport again was met as he pulled on the Townsville Stealers jersey for the Masters and Barrier Reef games, a moment that was special not only for his involvement but one he shared with his daughter Jess.

"The year she (Jess) and I both went away to represent Townsville was amazing,

"To see how much her love of the game has grown along with her confidence and abilities, I couldn't be prouder."

But it was the simple gesture from Jess during the jersey presentation that had Bonney in complete disbelief. As Jess unveiled her new Townsville Stealers kit, she proudly displayed the number 34.

"That was a true proud dad moment right there." says Bonney who has donned the number 34 his whole career.

Bonney and Jess representing Townsville at the 2024 Intercity and Barrier Reef tournament in Cairns.

While everyone's journey to baseball is different, in Bonney's experience he has witnessed firsthand how much it brings to the people fortunate enough to have discovered it.

"There are so many layers to baseball." says Bonney.

Whether it's friendships, a new challenge, an outlet, competition or simply a community you are after, baseball has something for everyone. And as Bonney can testify, it's never too late to try something new.