A shortfall of registration money from the Mustangs' reserves side meant the club as a whole was penalised and missed out on playing finals at the weekend.

President Brad Davis said the outcome was disappointing but the club had no one to blame but itself.

"It won't be happening again," Davis said.

"Unfortunately, we're classified as a club and in [Baseball Victoria's] eyes there's no difference between the club's seniors and reserves.

"The club's unfinancial, I can understand the decision."

Davis said the club would

definitely like to stay in division 3 next year rather than return to division 4.

"It'd be much more of a challenge, the players from our senior team are coming back to the side again next year."

The unfortunate end to Melton's season means one of its break-out players, Brad's brother Troy, will miss out on pitching in

finals.

Troy's pitching had been one of the finds of the season for Melton, the 25-year-old working his way from a relief pitcher up to a starting role in conjunction with clubmate Brent Lyons.

Troy was a cricketer before taking up baseball, and was a batsman, not a fast bowler.

"I've only been playing baseball for four or five years," he said.

"I had a cricket background before that.

"I don't know why I picked it up, we just went and had a look and wanted to give it a go and have a hit."

Troy soon found his specialty was pitching.

A fast learner, he credits teammate Lyons with teaching him a lot about the game.

"I haven't come up with anything special," he said.

"I love throwing fast balls but the curve ball is always one that's enjoyable to throw.

"It's tough, you enjoy it when it really comes off."

Mastering the curve-ball technique has been a difficult task for Troy so far this season.

He was disappointed with the way the season ended.

"It's a shame to go out the way we did," he said.