THE Comets Baseball Club at Jannali is flying high.
With Sydney Airport as the major sponsor in 2015, the club's officials are predicting a good future.
The Comets have come a long way since they formed in 1981 and play in the winter competition in the St George Baseball Association, which celebrated its centenary in 2014.
In the summer months they play under the Cronulla Sutherland Junior Baseball Association banner.
Soldiers Road Field at Jannali is their home turf.
Comets executive committee member Greg Hollingsworth said the philosophy was to encourage players of all ages and abilities to enjoy baseball.
He said Sydney Aiport's support had helped with operational costs and baseball equipment for the club.
Among the club's promising junior players are Kristin Bishopp, 12, Joshua Bishopp, 14, and Jasmine Johnston, 12, who are all from Oyster Bay.
Joshua said playing baseball with his friends and enjoying the sport is what motivates him.
"It is the atmosphere, the fun and the focus of playing the game," Joshua said.
Jasmine said it was the team camaraderie that ignited her passion for baseball.
"I enjoy being a part of a team," Jasmine said.
Kristin said the Comets was a great club.
"I enjoy playing baseball with my friends."
In the 2015-16 summer competition the Comets have 19 teams, with players ranging in age from four to 16, including 53 girls and 130 boys; a total of 193 registered players.
The Comets have seven senior teams in the 2015-16 season summer competition comprising 84 players.
In the 2015 winter season they had 10 senior teams and 130 registered players.
Cronulla Sutherland Junior Baseball Association president Peter Barrington said they had 1298 registered players and 118 teams playing this summer season.
Barrington said the game was thriving in the shire.
"The Comets have certainly grown over the years, they are firing and started out as a small club," he said.
Cronulla Sutherland senior association executive director Stuart Hitchcock said senior summer registration numbers include 604 players representing 44 teams.
Genuine challengers
I have gazed into my rugby league crystal ball and this is my top eight for 2016 in no particular order:
Dragons, Sharks, Manly, Bulldogs, Broncos, Roosters, Cowboys and Warriors. The Broncos are the team to beat and I expect Manly, the Bulldogs and Sharks to be genuine title challengers.
