Team Duff throwing a party in Tamworth

Team Duff, named after Homer Simpson’s beer of choice, have  been coming to Tamworth for almost the past ten years  although, true to their origins, spokesman Dean Kennedy said a simple misunderstanding cost the side a place in last year’s carnival.

“We all said we wanted to come but no one did the paperwork and it was too late by the time we realised,” Kennedy said.

“Fortunately, someone did it this year and we are back.” 

While they did make it to the carnival, it wasn’t all smooth sailing after the kit was left at the motel for the opening game and the team shared a helmet and borrowed a bat.

The side is based out of Sydney and, while some of them do play club baseball together for the Seven Hills Diggers, the Duff team and Duff mobile only comes out for the Tamworth trip.

Players range from early twenties right through to player-coach Terry Veitch, who is approaching his 70th birthday and is a veteran of the carnival, although they all have a few things in common – their love of baseball and their love for a boys’ trip away each year.

While the veterans of the team get to wear the full Duff kit, eachyear the rookies have to wear Duff Lite shirts and have a nickname given to them by the team to wear on their back all weekend.

“Nothing wrong with some gentle hazing is there?” Kennedy said.

“It is a great excuse for a weekend away with the boys and we get to see some mates we only catch up with here. 

“We like to have some fun playing but also have plenty of fun after the games.”

Last time the team was here they ran into a bit of trouble when the Duff mobile was accidentally parked and bogged in the creek behind the old netball club house, although the team has learnt its  lesson this time.

“We needed a new Duff mobile but we know that it has been pretty wet here so we won’t take the short cut this time,” Kennedy said. 

While that might be the dark side of the club’s history, on the other hand the Duffs have a title in the pool room, after taking out the C Grade division in 2012 and, after two wins and a loss on the opening day, were hoping to get another look at some finals this time around.

“There is still probably a third of the team here that won in 2012,” Kennedy said.

Win lose or draw, the details of the Duff tour always come out at the final kangaroo court held every night and then again after the final game on Sunday.

Sponsored by beer but powered by Hunter Valley iconic port Dr Jurd’s Jungle Juice, the awards cover a range of achievements.

“If someone had a bad game or if someone is playing too well they get stood-out,” Kennedy said.

“No hits, big hits, strike outs and people that give out too many compliments.” 

“There is an award for everything.” 

One thing is for certain, the Duff team will be looking to return next season and the one after that, probably.

“We will be back next year, if someone does the paperwork in time,” Kennedy said.

“It is a great weekend.”