Deano just keeps on keeping on

WHEN many champion athletes pass certain birthdays they tend to hang up their boots and uniforms for more leisurely paced activities, but don't tell that to 69-year-old Ian 'Deano' Dinsdale. Deano has been a star player in a number of sports, and was a legend in local cricket who played more than 400 games for Springhurst in the old Sunday comp and more than 400 games for Bruck in the WDCA, plus countless rep games. And despite donning spectacles for the first time this year on the sporting field, Deano will take to the diamond this week at Targoora Park to play his 300th game for Wangaratta Rangers. This season is in fact his 48th year playing baseball, his time with Rangers 'only' beginning in 2000 when the club was formed, and he reckons he probably played at least another 300 games for Saints and Tarrawingee prior to that. "I've played continuously from when I was 21; Ray Lewis who played cricket for us at Springhurst got me to play," he said. "We had two others celebrate their 350th matches for Rangers a few weeks back (Rob Seymour and Testu Kamiyama), I probably would've reached that too by now, except I miss three games each year because I take my holidays in winter. "Three games a year over 24 years adds up." Deano admits he has slowed slightly from his early days but is far from retiring, ready to help out when required in C grade when numbers are short. "I've had three 'at-bats' this season and because of my lack of speed I'm stuck on first base," he said. "But even if I don't get a call up I'm definitely not retired; things can change quickly. "I still wear the same uniform from when I was younger, although it it's under a bit more pressure these days." It will be a big weekend for Rangers, not only celebrating Deano's milestone, but for the first time this year all the teams will be playing at home and the club is hosting a 'Ladies Day'. Appropriately, Deano will have his loyal family share in the celebrations, daughters Leah and Lauren who play alongside him in the C grade, while Keira will be on the sidelines while she has a break from playing due to "mothering duties", and of course wife Sandra who has been at his side virtually each and every Sunday over the last 40 plus years. "I owe Sandra a lot, she's had to deal with baseball and cricket, she and the girls would always come along, now the girls are playing and two of them, Keira and Lauren, have their own children coming and Sandra will be there on 'grandmother duties," he said. "And I want to thank the club for allowing me to be a part of it for so long. "Even though I am 'so old' I still enjoy the team aspect of sport." Deano has a simple motivation behind his longevity in sport. "I would rather play than watch," he said. Tickets to the Ladies Day are $20 per head which includes a drink on arrival and grazing board. Bookings essential via the Rangers Facebook page.

Deano just keeps on keeping on

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