TEAM MANAGER BRINGS A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE TO DODGERS
SURREY DOWNS SA ~ 20 January 2025
There is no disputing that one of this year’s Unsung Heros is devoted mum and Golden Grove U13-1s Team Manager Celeste Adams.
Celeste brings over 30 years’ experience as a reputable softball player to the 2024-25 Dodger Little League lineup, even though many of the players and their families may already be familiar with her as a Team Manager. The last two seasons she held the same position with the U11s in 2022-23, U13-2s in 2023-24, and this year she’s on board with coaches Davey Roach, and assistants Darryl Soar, and Joel Mazurek.
“I’m enjoying being on the bench and part of this team, watching my son Jack and his teammates every week”, said Celeste. “Jack has improved a lot because of the quality of coaching and the chance to bond with old, and new teammates.”
Growing up in the Adelaide Hills community of Houghton with her parents Steve and Vicki, and younger brother Jaryd, Celeste and her family enjoyed a wholesome lifestyle on a 20-acre farm. She attended Tea Tree Gully Primary School and Banksia Park International High School.
Her father Steve Hardman had a distinguished baseball career with the Central Districts Baseball Club from the 1960s into the 80s, playing alongside notable Bulldog legends Leigh and Darren Roberts. Today his name is proudly on display on the Life Members Board on the walls of the GGCD Clubrooms at the Surrey Downs Reserve. Celeste, and Jaryd both wear 77, as a tribute to their dad’s uniform number 7.
When Celeste was just a youngster, her dad began coaching the juniors, which included cousins Brett and Shane Oxspring. Shane served as her dad’s assistant, and then when she was old enough Celeste became the bat girl.
Steve continues to be a huge influence, and you’ll see him on the sidelines each week watching his daughter and grandchildren play. Last season he even donned the Dodgers uniform and assisted Joel (Mazurek) coaching in the U11s.
“I recall watching dad play when I was little” recalls Celeste. “He’s always been a big supporter of Jaryd and I, and now his grandkids, and I hope I can be the great role model to my children, that he was to my brother and I."
Jaryd played his junior years at Golden Grove, before leaving for a stint with the East Torrens Red Sox, eventually returning to Surrey Downs to become an effective side arm pitcher at both the Division 1 and 2 levels. He has recently taken a year off to focus on his young family and to deal with some health issues.
“Back when I was a schoolgirl, playing baseball wasn’t an option for females, so softball became the alternative,” noted Celeste. “I was encouraged to play for the school team when I was 9, but I also played social netball, so eventually my parents gave me the ultimatum - softball or netball. I chose softball and have never looked back,” she recalls.
Soon she was playing up to three games each Saturday, beginning in the Public Schools competition for Tea Tree Gully Primary between 1995-98. She then joined the Comanches Softball Club - 1996-2003, before moving over to play for the Ingle Farm Falcons Softball Club in 2008, staying affiliated with the Falcons until 2022.
A catcher for most of her junior career, Celeste reached a crossroads in her life at the age of 18, when she met her future husband Clint on a night out with friends at the Highlander Hotel. The couple have now been married 15 years, and have three children, Jack, 11, and twins Connor and Lucy, 8.
“Both Jack and Connor started out in T-Ball at GGCD, and Lucy gave t-ball a try for a handful of games. The kids haven’t really had much choice as to their chosen sport, because of our background around baseball, but I can tell they’re enjoying playing and learning about the game. They watch the MLB and their favourite players like Freddie Freeman, Shohei Ohtani, and Mookie Betts of the LA Dodgers, and it’s rewarding to see them taking it all in,” said the proud mum.
Early into her marriage she took a break from softball, but soon an Ingle Farm teammate nagged her to return, but that turned out to be only for a couple of seasons, before once again stepping back to concentrate on her young family, studies, and employment. When she went back again several years later, she opted to play third base where her strong throwing arm became a team asset.
In 2022 Celeste and several Ingle Farm teammates left the Falcons and formed the Raptors Softball Club, who now boast over 100 registered members in only their third season, a huge success not only for a newly established club, but also the state association, given the decline in player numbers in recent years.
This season, she has moved into the shortstop position on the Raptors B Grade team, providing valuable experience for the younger players, while smashing her first ever grand slam homer.
Celeste has played representative softball in country, metro, and interstate competitions during her career with Tea Tree Gully District - South Australian Public Schools Amateur Sports Association; Central Districts Softball Association, and, most recently with the Raptors Over 35s at the Australian Masters Games.
She has also won her share of individual awards: MVP: - CDSA (Central Districts Softball Association - representative team) - Junior State Championships Labour Day Competition - U16 MVP 2000 - Commanches - Division 3 MVP -2000/2001; Most Consistent: - Ingle Farm Falcons - Division 1 -2009/2010; Best Fielder: - Ingle Farm Falcons- C Grade -2020/2021 - Ingle Farm Falcons - C Grade 2021/2022; - Raptors Softball Club - C Grade 2022/2023; - Raptors Softball Club - B Grade 2023/2024.
Celeste has worked as an Executive Personal Assistant to a team of senior lawyers, specialising in safety and employment law, but in 2019 she left that position to start a landscaping business with Clint, allowing for more flexibility to manage her role as a mum while overseeing the day-to-day operations of their companies Waterpro, and Lawnhub.
“It’s been great to watch this team continuing to improve collectively, and individually, with all the personalities, and constant banter on the bench week to week,” said Celeste. “I might appear to be quiet or reserved, but that’s because I’m taking it all in. I’ve even picked up some tips and refined my own skills, making my own game more efficient.”
Busy schedule and all, Celeste is expected to have the bench revved and ready for the final five minor round games, and then the Baseball SA Finals, with the ultimate goal of making it a season to remember.
AN ENGAGING LIFE IS BASEBALL,
DEATH METAL, AND A BRONX PROPOSAL
Surrey Downs S.A. ~ 4 January 2025
Joel and wife Mel, on the left, with some of their extended family following the Dodgers 2024-25 U13-1 Grand Final victory. Contributed Photo
Joel Mazurek loves baseball, music, and the New York Yankees, but these days you won’t often catch him strumming his guitar and sporting a navy-blue NY cap, instead he’s wearing royal blue and coaching his son’s Little League baseball team, the Golden Grove Dodgers.
Mazurek has teamed up with Head Coach Davey Roach and fellow assistant Darryl Soar, guiding the Dodgers to a 9-0 record halfway into the 2024-25 Baseball SA Little League season.
“I truly believe we have a chance to do something special this season, and I can’t wait to get the second half underway and continue the momentum we’ve built up,” said Joel recently.
“I love our current playing group and seeing how the lads are bonding as a real team. I appreciate all the parents, the help and support, and the coaching staff around me, even the guy who talks a lot (referring to the personable Roach).”
Joel has been coaching his son Chase since t-ball, continuing a baseball passion that stems from when his father Peter introduced him to the sport. Peter was a pitcher, and enjoyed a respectable career first with Salisbury West, then Northern Districts, West Torrens, Central Districts, and finally with the Dodgers at Golden Grove. He taught Joel a lot about the game, with one particular learning curve that still lingers in his mind.
“Dad threw a nasty 12 to 6 curveball,” recalled Joel. “I remember playing catch and asking him to throw me a high one so I could jump up and catch it. He rolled off a curve, and I jumped while the ball was up there at the 12 o’clock position, but then it quickly dropped down to the 6 o’clock mark and hit me right in the face, resulting in a couple a black-eyes. Ofcourse, mum wasn’t happy, and that was the beginning of my life-long struggle hitting curveballs. Thanks Dad!” quipped Joel.
Black eyes aside, Joel has plenty of memories from his father’s playing days, from attending grand final celebrations, presentation nights, to notable game performances. He also stays in touch with his fathers’ old team-mates, all of who were instrumental in his development.
Joel’s baseball career began in 1986 on a Little League team called the Jets in a competition at Parafield High School, then progressing to the Central Districts Baseball Club in Elizabeth where he played shortstop and third base for the Bulldogs. In 1992, the Bulldogs amalgamated with the Golden Grove Baseball Club, and Joel became a Dodger on the U11 team, playing under Coach Bob Neiswander, a Baseball SA Life Member and respected identity around the Dodger Clubrooms at Illyarrie Reserve, Surrey Downs.
Joel quickly made his mark with the Dodgers, progressing through the age divisions, evolving into a quality outfielder with the Division 1 team playing alongside multiple Capps Medal winner Brandon Diplock, and players such as Jeremy Cresswell, Sam Tibbits, Reed Brown, and Landon Hernadez, all who went on to such heights as the Australian national team, American college, professional, and independent ball. Brown married his sister, becoming his brother in-law.
Dodger coaches discovered Joel’s speed early and moved him into the outfield and the leadoff spot in the batting lineup, positions he’s held exclusively for more than 30 years. “I pride myself on stealing bases, and defence, running down a liner in the alley and robbing some poor bloke of extra bases,” he boasts.
In the late 1990’s Joel, a talented musician, joined a “somewhat successful” death metal band The Jonestown Syndicate as a guitarist, and baseball took a back seat. “It was a fun period in my life, out on the road touring around Australia and New Zealand, but I had very little time for baseball,” he recalls.
Eventually he left the band and returned to baseball. “I returned and started in the lower senior levels, and although not fully committed, I did get to share the diamond with dad and that’s something I’ll always cherish.
Then former teammate Gavin Payne dragged me to a Division 2 game against Woodville and I think I went 4 for 4, possibly off Darryl Soar, and from there I’ve never looked back.”
In 2011-12 he played on the Division 2 Premiership winning side, one of two major career highlights, the other is being named a GGCD Life Member in 2010-11. He’s also played winter ball with the International Pirates, and currently plays Division 4, in addition to coaching.
“I take pride in my work ethic and although I’m over 40, I’m always pushing for extra work after trainings, hoping that influences the younger players.”
Joel is a self-described “Mad New York Yankees Fan” another passion inspired by his father who would tape “The Game of the Week”, long before subscription TV or the internet. Back then Aussie baseball fans got their fix by watching delayed MLB games that were aired after mid-night on free-to-air tv, and because of the early morning time slot, many would set the timer on their video cassette recorders.
The Yankees struggled in the late 1980s and early 1990s, but then began their rise towards their mid ‘90’s dynasty years and by then Joel was a one-eyed Bronx Bleacher Creature. His all-time favourite player is Derek Jeter, adding “how could you not admire Jeter, I really miss him being out there today.”
Joel and his then girlfriend Mel made the pilgrimage to the new Yankee Stadium in 2010, and he surprised the love of his life by getting down on his knee and proposing to her in Monument Park. “Fans and staff told us ours was the first marriage proposal at the new stadium, so we celebrated at a local Bronx pub drinking from plastic cups and eating garlic cheesy fries. Nothing beats New York”.
Today Joel works in the IT industry, and he and Mel have two children, Chase,11, and daughter Raven,9.
Another notable memory from 1991, was when Darryl Strawberry of the Los Angeles Dodgers played his first game against his former team, the Mets, and a resentful New York crowd threw strawberries at him. That incident left such an impression on Joel that when he joined Golden Grove, he requested Strawberry’s uniform number 44. Today son Chase wears number 88, playfully teasing his dad that one day he will become twice the player he was.
“Chase was born in 2013, and I think he was holding a bat only minutes after entering the world”, said the proud father. “He didn’t stand much of chance as to his choice of sport, but he now loves baseball just as much if not more than me. I don’t tell him this, but I believe he will indeed go on to be twice the player I was.”
One thing for sure – Chase knows his mathematics, 88 is indeed twice as much as 44.
Joel, left, with his Dad, Peter, and Chase as a toddler. Family Photo
Photo - Tanya LeCouteur
Chase, 88, in action for the GGCD Dodgers U13-1 team 2024-25
Joel, second from the left, a member of The Jonestown Syndicate late 1990s. Band Publicity Photo
Joel, several years ago, with his Little GGCD Dodgers, son Joel, and daughter, Raven. Family Photo
A Lifetime Fan of MLB Legend- Darryl Strawberry, Joel proudly wears his uniform number 44. Contributed Photo
Joel, is still known for his speed on the base paths, sliding safe at home, in Baseball SA action last season for the GGCD Dodgers against East Torrens.
Contributed Photo
Joel on the Dodgers bench with a much younger Chase. "I don’t tell him this, but I believe he will indeed go on to be twice the player I was.”
Family Photo
On ther 2024-25 Coaching Staff of the GGCD Dodgers U13-1. From lefgt: Joel, Davey Roach, and Darryl Soar.
Photo - Tanya LeCouteur
Photo-Tanya LeCouteur
Photo-PASC
GGCD Dodgers Little League U13-1 Assistant Coach Darryl Soar (Photo to the left) with son Noah, and his late mother Beryl (Photo on the right), catching with the Port Adelaide Softball Club - 1980s.
ATTENDING TRAINING WITH MUM INTRODUCED
SOAR TO A LIFETIME OF BASEBALL
Surrey Downs SA ~ 2 January 2025
Whenever Golden Grove Dodgers Little League coach Darryl Soar watches his son Noah making a big play on the baseball diamond, his mind often drifts back to his childhood and how his late mother introduced him to the game.
“My mother Beryl was a top softball player and when I was a youngster I went along to her trainings and would always end up being part of the training sessions” remembers Darryl.
That introduction sparked enough interest for him to join a school mate at the Woodville Baseball Club in 1985, and he made the U15-2s his first season, winning the Premiership by beating Central Districts and being named as the Clubs Most Improved Junior Player.
“I started on the bench, but as the season progressed, I got better, until I was in the starting lineup playing in the Grand Final and making a run saving catch.”
After that, Darryl Soar was hooked on baseball.
“I have lots of good memories around ball, but attending those trainings with my mum, and then winning a premiership in my first season at Woodville, are up there among the best,” he says.
Darryl’s mum Beryl Soar, was a star with the Port Adelaide Softball Club, playing 389 games over 23 years. Primarily a pitcher and catcher, Beryl was a Port stalwart and was named a Life Member at the end of her career. After softball she turned to Darts and excelled there too, winning many tournaments and named to several South Australian state sides. Sadly, Beryl passed away earlier this year.
Following his successful rookie season, Darryl quickly progressed up the ranks, eventually making the Senators Division 2 team, and being named Most Improved, Best Fielder, and MVP. He then spent the next 12 years at the senior level as a shortstop and catcher.
“I was always willing to learn, and play any position,” he said. “One season in Div 1, I started in every position, except first base.”
Soar boasts a lengthy list of awards with Woodville, winning several Most Valuable Player, Most Improved, Best Fielder, and Best Club Man trophies, and multiple Premierships from Juniors to Division 1 and 2 and finally Back-to-Back flags in Division 4 in 2006, and 2007. He also won a softball Premiership in 2010-11.
“My biggest reward though, was being accepted for being a dependable player by my teammates”, noted Darryl. Teammates like David Freak; Tony Page; Ian Reval; Adam Lodge; Mark Haylock; Lawrie Moore; and Philip Hirchausen.
Soar has played his share of memorable games, but a game against Henley and Grange in 2000-01 stands out. That game was tied 8-8 in the 14th inning before it was called due to darkness. Darryl played six innings in right, four at third, four in centre field, and went 4 for 5 at the plate.
Away from the ball field, Darryl has worked the past decade in Project Management for Services Australia. He and his wife Allyson have two children, son Noah,11, and daughter Arlia,8.
Toward the end of his playing days, Darryl gradually turned his attention to coaching, beginning with an U12 Premiership with Woodville in 2000-01, and in more recent years moving up to Golden Grove where he continues coaching junior age players. This season he has teamed with Head Coach Davey Roach, and co-assistant Joel Mazurek, leading a talented group of Major level Little Leaguers, which includes son Noah.
His coaching approach involves teaching the correct mechanics and understanding the need for tailored messages to players with varied knowledge and skill levels. Last season he was on the coaching staff of the 2023-24 Dodgers Major Little League team were Noah was also a member.
“I often tell young players that baseball is a ten-year journey and to become a great senior player you can never stop learning. If you want to achieve something, you need to make sacrifices and work extra hard to reach the goal.
My prized time is now spent coaching Noah and watching him grow into a real baseballer,” Darryl said. “He’s taken a slightly different tact, venturing into pitching, but he’s been consistent at many facets of the game, and he’s inspired by his cousins Harrison and Lucas Manson,” both promising young stars at Golden Grove.
“It’s been fun watching this year’s team develop and thrive in certain situations and gaining confidence in their abilities. They have a chance to do something special in the finals, but right now we’re only a chance and we still have work to do” he added.
Perhaps during the finals, the Baseball Gods will call on Grandma Beryl to give a fist pump and nod of encouragement to her son and grandson, much like she did for the little boy who joined her at training all those years ago.
“I often tell young players that baseball is a ten-year journey and to become a great senior player you can never stop learning. If you want to achieve something, you need to make sacrifices and work extra hard to reach the goal." ~ Darryl Soar Photo - Tanya LeCouteur
Darryl standing on the right, teamed with Head Coach Davey Roach, and co-assistant Joel Mazurek, leading a talented group of U13-1 Dodgers, Photo- Tanya LeCouteur
“ Noah has taken a slightly different tact, venturing into pitching, but he’s been consistent at many facets of the game"
Photo - Tanya LeCouteur
Darryl and son Noah at first in action for the GGCD Dodgers U13-1. " My time now is spent coaching Noah and watching him grow into a real baseballer,”
Photo - Tanya LeCouteur
Darryl a fixture in the first base coaches box for the 2024-25 GGCD Dodgers U13-1 Photo - Tanya LeCouteur
Darryl and wife Allyson with Noah at GGCD in 2025 Contributed Photo