By Felix Glanville, Second Year History
The University Baseball society, the Bristol Black Sox, is just another exciting and passionate example of the growing variety of sports here at Bristol. Epigram interviewed Joe Walshe, one of the latest members of the team and Jordan Gaudette, the captain and head coach. They expressed the growing excitement and opportunity in a society that many assume would only work on the sports fields of American colleges.
Since their creation as a society in 2022, the team has had a fresh rebrand, array of give-it a go's for curious catchers, and fitting collaborations with UoB Rounders for socials and competitive matches. Joe expressed his overwhelmingly positive experience of the baseball society since joining, sharing those initial qualms that baseball would not work out as well as it does across the pond:
'With baseball being a rather niche sport over here, I was a bit worried about how it would all go when starting out, but the support from everyone involved has been incredible, and has really helped me progress quickly and gain more confidence every week.'
There is something about that uniqueness in baseball being a slight niche in the UK, Joe goes on to express. He brings to light the diverse and opportunistic approach the Black Sox have had since their inception: 'As with all other societies, there is a strong sense of camaraderie. It's also a mixed society, and we have a number of women who join us, widening the community'.
It is also important to note that the society is not solely catered to the most elite and hardiest of baseball player: Joe described how for many people joining this is their first time playing Baseball, with some using cricket as a familiar starting point. He is very keen to assert that 'this is not a bad thing in the slightest, as it gives everyone in the group opportunities to teach and learn from each other as they progress.' Joe rightfully believes that the society is not centred on ability nor skill, but a genuine enjoyment of the game and desire to foster a team lifestyle.
Epigram then spoke to Joe about the actual day-to-day running of the society, explaining: 'There are often 2 sessions a week, one on Wednesday afternoon on the downs, and the main one on a Friday evening. Socials tend to be relatively frequent, and there are often collaborations with other societies in the same lane.'
Signs of the Black Sox's collaboration efforts continue further as they work closely with the American football society– a fitting one due to their shared US roots. Joe exampled the 2025 Superbowl social at the White Harte that brought both societies together. Members can meet new faces beyond the confines of the field.
The society has ambitious plans as they move beyond their initial founding years and into full swing, captain and head coach, Jordan Gaudette headlined upcoming projects that aim to make their mark next academic year:
'We are in the process of applying for BUCS entrance for the 2025/26 academic year. We will post updates on the SU webpage once we know more. We currently have no scheduled matches aside from a friendly match we hope to set up with UWE again toward the end of this academic year. We’ve got some big plans for next year...Stay tuned!'
Jordan, in the continued spirit of improving and building the society into a fully fleshed operation, made a call out to readers to reach out to UoB Baseball ahead of their AGM in late March to put their name in for 2025/26 social sec. The commitment to evolve the baseball society is clear and will certainly facilitate a welcoming and successful environment. Joe makes a fitting note to how so many sports societies will optimistically push people who are uncertain about a new/inexperienced sport, but he really is confident in baseball's unique beneficial experience for fresh faces:
'I truly believe it can be incredibly enriching learning what is a completely new sport most people have never watched a minute of. Everyone is so supportive, equipment is provided as buying that stuff can be a big commitment, and overall it's just good fun'.
Talking to the members of Bristol Black Sox it is evident that they are driven with an ambition to provide a deeply inclusive and high-octane sports society. Epigram asked Jordan to offer some concluding remarks for those who seem ambivalent about a Bristol baseball society:
'While it’s a difficult sport to master, it’s an easy one to quickly become proficient at and is a good fit for anyone looking to get more active. We have players at all development levels with varied knowledge of how the game works. The first few sessions of every year are structured around newcomers learning the basics of the game before we move into skills development, so don’t be afraid to give it a go.'
The Bristol baseball society is showing no signs of a new society struggling, their plans for the upcoming year will certainly continue to build the welcoming and community that Joe and Jordan described. Best of all, Jordan noted how 'we can provide all necessary equipment for our training sessions so no worries if you’ve never played before or don’t have any kit!'. Accessibility for this batting crew is paramount, and frankly, refreshing to see.
Epigram is hugely grateful to Joe, Jordan, and the Bristol Black Sox for such informative and engaging words, alongside some brilliant photographs from their matches.
Featured image: UOB Baseball
