Spartans ready for battle

Excitement is about to become a frenzy in the north east as the BBF welcomes the Newton Aycliffe Spartans to their Northern AA Division.

It all becomes a reality for the Spartans on March 25 when they play in a pre-season tournament against five other BBF sides including the Oldham North Stars and Leicester Blue Sox at Western Park, Leicester. Games are also being played on April 1 and April 8.

Formed in the summer of 2011 the organisation has been greeted with enthusiasm locally, with players on their roster from County Durham, Tyneside and Teeside. That sport loving community will soon get the chance to see the Spartans take to their own diamond at Horndale Field when they open their BBF campaign at home to Manchester Torrent on April 15.

Speaking of their journey so far John Johnston, Team Manager explained. “Our hard work to establish baseball in Newton Aycliffe is starting to pay off, both on and off the field. Training sessions have been great fun and things are really starting to click. Off the field too, we have been working closely with both Great Aycliffe Town Council and Durham County Council and their help to date in establishing baseball in Newton Aycliffe has been fantastic. We are getting new members coming along each week and we are now looking to establish Spartans Softball as well.”

The Spartans train every Sunday at 10am at Horndale Field, opposite Greenfield Community College in Newton Aycliffe.

The club encourage the local community to get involved and have issued an open invite to training sessions. If you’re interested in learning more the sessions run each Sunday from 10am until 1pm with the first training session free and all future sessions charged at £2.

For further details, contact John Johnston, Team Manager on john@newtonaycliffespartans.co.uk or visit the team’s website at www.newtonaycliffespartans.co.uk