Category: Falcons

by AspiDimitrov

A SETBACK FOR FALCONS IN RACE TO REACH FINAL4

Late last night medical reports confirmed that Falcons pitcher and infielder, Pete Kikel has fractured a bone on his ankle.

The incident occured during Sunday’s exhibition game against the Sidewinders.  Attempting to steal second base, Kikel jammed his foot on the base and rolled over it.  Although Pete Kikel did not want to reveal the extent of the injury and even wanted to try to continue playing the game, the diagnosis from the doctors confirmed that there has been a bone fracture.  Kikel is expected to be out of for the rest of the 2008 campaign.  This is  a major blow for the Falcons, especially as they were gearing up for the game of the season so far against their direct rivals for top spot, the London Metros.

The one positive news is that the medical procedure has proved to be very successful and the bone has been placed in its proper position which will allow for a natural knitting of the bone.  Pete Kikel will have to stay in a cast for the time being.

Get well soon Pete.

by AspiDimitrov

FALCONS MUZZLE BEARS, LEAD AAA WITH 10-2 RECORD

Center fielder Dan Kerry was overheard during Sunday's warmups questioning his choice of lumber.  “Maybe I should be using a 34-inch bat,” Kerry debated with a teammate, instead of his usual, lighter 33-inch model.  The long-time cricketer took his musings to the extreme, suggesting he would ask a builder friend for a quality chunk of willow from which to fashion a home-made stick on the lathe.  Nevermind that baseball bats are traditionally carved from ash or maple.  Nevermind that Kerry has never made a bat before.  Nevermind anything.  The Falcons coaching staff has a strict policy when it comes to Kerry at the plate: don't get in his way and good things will happen.  Kerry is a true athlete and baseball star – a Natural – akin to the indomitable Roy Hobbs in the classic film.  If he wants to whittle his own piece of lumber and swing it wrong-way-round while hopping on one foot and spitting sunflower seeds at the umpire, more power to him.  Chances are he'll still put one out of the park.

So it was on Sunday, when the league-leading Herts Falcons travelled to Maidenhead for a two-game set with the Windsor Bears.  The Falcons were coming off their most lukewarm stretch of the season, enduring a three-week hiatus bookended by split-series with the London Metros and Essex Arrows.  While comfortably atop the AAA since Opening Day, the Falcons were hoping to return to their early form and take both of Sunday's games.

A sweep seemed inevitable from the get-go, as the Bears surrendered eight runs in the top of the 1st on five hits, four walks and three errors.  A series of wild pitches and passed balls plagued American-import and Windsor starter Tom Minkkinen, who never regained his composure on the mound.  Bears pitching combined for seven walks and nine earned runs over the short 5-inning game, which was ended early by the slaughter rule.  Nic Goetz picked up his fifth win of the season, pitching a solid start allowing only one earned run on three hits, and striking out three.  Lee Manning, Kimiyoshi Saionji and Jason Greenberg had two hits apiece in the victory.

After a short break in the broiling afternoon sun, the teams trotted back out to the field for game two.  Taking the mound for the Falcons was sixteen year-old Pete Kikel in his second appearance and first start of the season.  After a 1-2-3 first inning, Kikel seemed to have hit his stride, but some sloppy Falcons defense in the 2nd combined with four walks and three wild pitches led to a daunting 4-0 lead for the Bears.  Windsor added another three runs in the next two innings and it seemed like the game was spiralling out of control for the Herts first team – where was their trademark errorless defense…?

With two-on and nobody out in the 4th inning, Manager Greenberg headed to the mound for his second visit with Kikel, where he was joined by Bench Coach and 1st baseman Marty Cullen.  While the young flame-thrower's control had improved, the momentum was slipping away from the Falcons and it was time to make some changes.  The infield was reshuffled and veteran reliever Aspi Dimitrov came off the bench and quickly worked out of the jam.

Dimitrov pitched three innings of long-relief, allowing three hits but surrendering no earned runs.  It was just the opportunity the Falcons needed to get back in the game. Inning after inning they chipped away at the Bears' lead, including a solo home run from slugger Dan Kerry in the top of the 5th.  In the next inning, Goetz (now at short stop) reached on a walk, stole second base, advanced to third on an error, and came home on a wild pitch.  That tied the score at 7-5 heading into the top of the 7th.  It was now score-or-go-home for the Falcons.

To lead off the inning Greenberg stroked a hard line drive into centerfield that proved too much for the fielder and glanced off his glove.  Greenberg coasted into second base, representing the go-ahead run.  Up stepped Kerry, trusty old 33-inch bat in hand.  He took the first pitch high for a ball… and then connected with a high fastball for a monster home run to straightaway centerfield.  There was no doubt about the 'dinger' – it could very well be the longest ever hit by a Falcon – and as the Herts bench roared with excitement the Bears hung their heads in horror as their early-innings lead was wiped away.  It was a new ballgame.

Darrin Ward – recovering from a strained chest muscle – brushed off his injury and took the mound.  He quickly retired the bottom of the Bears' line-up to force the game into extra innings.  That 1-2-3 inning featured two defensive gems from first baseman Marty Cullen – a diving stop deep behind the bag with a quick flip to Ward for out-number-one, and a speared line drive for the inning's final put out.

Cullen brought his enthusiasm to the plate to lead off the top of the 8th, singling through the hole on the left side.  He promptly took second base on a wild pitch and then, in the game's most gutsy move, tested the arm of the left-handed catcher by attempting to steal third base.  While the throw beat Cullen to the bag, his hard slide knocked the ball lose and the umpire quickly reversed his decision and spread his arms wide to show the runner was safe.  One more wild pitch was all it took as Cullen sprinted home and the Falcons had earned an 8-7 lead.

Despite earning a walk and stolen base in the bottom of the 8th, the Bears were overpowered by Ward's crafty pitching and stranded the tying run on second.  It was truly a team victory.  The Falcons used their entire bench, fielding thirteen players, two pinch hitters and three pitchers.  The sweep brings the AAA leaders to a 10-2 record and pushes them to three games ahead of the 2nd place London Metros (who were swept on Sunday by the Essex Arrows' resurgent pitching staff).

GAME NOTES:  Herts committed 9 errors on the day, the most in any 2008 series… Back in 2007 Kerry hit a home run in his first career at bat, but the two home runs on Sunday were his first of the 2008 season…  Andy Cornish made his first appearance behind the dish when the sun got to catcher Greenberg in game two…  Greenberg moved to left field, his first appearance in any position but catcher since he joined the Falcons in 2006.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:  Dan Kerry  (4-6,  4 R,  4 SB,  2 HR,  4 RBI)


HERALD EXPRESS ARTICLE
Thursday 12 June 2008
(click to view the full-size version)




GAME 1 BOX SCORE

Herts Falcons at Windsor Bears
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 R H E
Herts Falcons 8 2 0 5 0 15 11 3
Windsor Bears 0 4 0 0 0 4 3 4

Herts Falcons 15, Windsor Bears 4
Herts Falcons Windsor Bears
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Jason Greenberg c 4 2 2 2 Maroudas M. 2b 2 1 0 0
Dan Kerry cf 1 2 1 1 Sherwin 3b 3 0 0 0
Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b 4 1 2 1 Milner ss 2 0 1 0
Andy Cornish ss 2 2 1 0 Douglas G. c 3 0 0 0
Marty Cullen 1b 3 2 1 0 Minkkinen T. p 1 1 0 0
Peter Kikel 3b 3 2 1 1 Selleck lf 2 0 0 0
Lee Manning dh 3 2 2 1 Clift 1b 2 0 1 1
Greg Bochan rf 1 1 0 1 Dalusong rf 1 1 0 0
Aspi Dimitrov lf 2 1 1 0 Kujiria cf 2 1 1 0
Nick Goetz p 0 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 23 15 11 7 TEAM TOTALS 18 4 3 1

E: Kimiyoshi Saionji, Marty Cullen, Peter Kikel, Douglas G.(2), Minkkinen T.,
Selleck. DP: Herts Falcons 1. LOB: Windsor Bears 2, Herts Falcons 3. 2B: Kimiyoshi
Saionji, Marty Cullen. SB: Dan Kerry(4), Marty Cullen(3), Andy Cornish(2), Peter
Kikel, Lee Manning, Greg Bochan, Minkkinen T., Maroudas M..

Herts Falcons IP H R ER BB SO
Nick Goetz W 5.00 3 4 1 2 3
Windsor Bears            
Minkkinen T. L 4.67 11 15 9 7 4



GAME 2 BOX SCORE

Herts Falcons at Windsor Bears
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 R H E
Herts Falcons 0 0 1 2 1 1 2 1 8 8 6
Windsor Bears 0 4 2 1 0 0 0 0 7 7 3

Herts Falcons 8, Windsor Bears 7
Herts Falcons Windsor Bears
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Jason Greenberg c-lf 5 1 1 1 Kujiria cf 4 0 1 1
Dan Kerry cf 5 2 3 3 Maroudas M. p 4 1 1 0
Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b 4 0 0 0 Clift 1b 4 0 0 0
Andy Cornish ss-c 4 1 1 0 Sherwin 3b 4 1 3 1
Lee Manning dh 1 0 0 0 Milner C. ss 3 2 0 0
(b2) Tim Elkins dh 2 0 0 0 Douglas G. c 3 1 0 0
(t7) Darrin Ward dh-p 1 0 1 0 Minkkinen 2b 2 2 1 2
Nick Goetz 3b-ss 2 2 0 0 Selleck lf 3 0 1 0
Marty Cullen 1b 3 1 1 0 Dalusong rf 4 0 0 0
Greg Bochan lf-3b 4 1 1 1
Rodney Naghar rf 3 0 0 0
Peter Kikel p 0 0 0 0
Aspi Dimitrov p 0 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 34 8 8 5 TEAM TOTALS 31 7 7 4

E: Andy Cornish(4), Dan Kerry, Jason Greenberg, Kujiria, Clift, Douglas G.. DP: Herts
Falcons 1. LOB: Herts Falcons 6, Windsor Bears 8. 2B: Andy Cornish. HR: Dan Kerry(2),
Minkkinen. SB: Nick Goetz(2), Marty Cullen(2), Andy Cornish, Greg Bochan,
Minkkinen(2), Maroudas M., Sherwin, Milner C., Selleck.

Herts Falcons IP H R ER BB SO
Peter Kikel 3.00 4 7 3 5 2
Aspi Dimitrov 3.00 3 0 0 2 2
Darrin Ward W 2.00 0 0 0 1 2
Windsor Bears            
Maroudas M. L 8.00 8 8 5 4 4

by AspiDimitrov

SEVENTEEN INNINGS OF EPIC BASEBALL

The AAA league teams of the Essex and Hertfordshire ball clubs produced two classic games of baseball.   They will go down in history as two of the purest games of baseball ever played on these shores.   On a warm but grey afternoon, these the two evenly matched teams battled it out for five and a half hours over a marathon 17 innings of baseball.  The Falcons were coming off a fantastic 7-1 season opening homestand, but they faced a much improved Essex Arrows with a retooled pitching staff. The day would see 34 strike outs and only 12 runs, but what a great day it was.

 

In game one, Essex took an early 1-0 lead.  Their leftie starter, Ritchie Chesterton, took the mound and quickly retired the Herts batters in the first two innings.  In the third Aspi Dimitrov led off with a bunt, followed by a walk for Rod Naghar.   Both quickly made it home after a combination of a steal, passed ball and the only error in the game made by Essex.  The Falcons added two more runs in the fourth and fifth with Greg Bochan and Jason Greenberg coming in to score.  Greenberg scored after a perfect sacrifice bunt by Marty Cullen.  The bunt was so good that Greenberg was followed home by Kimiyoshi Sajonji flying around the bases all the way from second base only to be called out on a close play at home.  The umpire’s decision prompted some very heated arguments.  There was a lot at stake and this was evident by the fiery reaction by Falcons player-manager Greenberg.   The Arrows kept in touch with two runs of their own.  Hurky-jerky starter, Nic Goetz, had another quality start for the Falcons and his nerves held up as he completed the game to pick up his fourth win of the season.

 

Falcons ace Darrin Ward started game two while the Arrows named newly signed Colombian flame-thrower, Carlos Mancheno.  Inning-after-inning both pitchers kept putting up zeros on the scoreboard.  The teams had to wait until the 6th inning for the first run of the game and it came thanks to the heavy rain of the previous night which had left a massive pond of mud and water just behind 3rd base.

 

Jason Greenberg and Marty Cullen got on base after two singles and found themselves on 2nd and 3rd with two out.  Up stepped Nic Goetz.   With two strikes against him he hit an almighty towering pop-up which took an eternity to come down.  This was a routine pop-up on other day but this time the ball was heading down straight for the foot-deep mud behind 3rd base.   The Arrows shortstop, Perez, made his way into the swamp just in time for the ball to drop into his glove.  But suddenly, the ground gave in from underneath his feet as he slipped and the ball rolled out of his glove and into the mud.  Goetz was safe and Greenberg and Cullen came around to score two precious runs.


With a 2-0 lead and Ward painting a masterpiece from the mound, the win seemed to be within reach for the AAA League leaders from Hertfordshire.  They needed just 6 more outs.

 

The Arrows had other ideas.  Two hits and a walk loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the sixth.  The next batter hit a groundball straight into the gloves of second baseman Kimiyoshi Sajonji.  This was tailor-made for a double-play, but the Arrows runner from first base cleverly got himself into a run-down.  To keep the double-play alive Saionji got the force out at first base and then proceeded to tag the runner from first for the third out.  A well-executed double-play but it proved out to be very costly indeed as at Falcons got sucked into the double-play while at the same time the runners from 2nd and 3rd had come around to score and tie the game at 2-2.


This was not a day for those with a nervous disposition.  The 2-2 scoreline remained that way for 3 more innings as Ward and Mancheno continued to battle it out in extra innings.  It was becoming very clear that a single run could mean the difference between success and failure.  It is in games like this that minor errors become magnified exponentially.   What if the Falcons managed to execute with a runner on third and no outs in the 5th or if Perez hadn’t dropped the ball in the mud for Essex?  The reality is that errors are very much part of the game and players will have their good and bad days, but those that occur in an unforgettable game like this would stay in the memory the longest.

 

Into the bottom of the 10th inning and both starters were running out of gas.  The pressure was on the shoulders of 16-years old Falcons pitcher, Pete Kikel, who relieved Ward on the mound.  The leadoff batter got on base on an error.  Kikel managed to get two outs but not before the bases were loaded.  The count was three balls and one strike.  No space for errors.  With his next pitch Kikel managed to get the much needed groundball but it had enough power to go between the Falcons infielders who were sprawled out on the ground in a last-ditch attempt to stay in the game.

 

A classic game of baseball, appreciated by players and fans who were lucky to be present on this incredible day.  Bring on next weekend’s baseball action!  The Arrows will be looking to help the Falcons out next week when they play the London Metros. The Falcons will take on the Windsor Bears and are looking to continue their winning ways with a sweep.

 

 

GAME 1, 12:00pm

 

Herts Falcons at Essex Arrows
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Herts Falcons 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 4 5 1
Essex Arrows 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 3 7 1

Herts Falcons 4, Essex Arrows 3
Herts Falcons Essex Arrows
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Lee Manning ss 3 0 0 0 F. Perez ss 4 1 3 0
Jason Greenberg c 4 1 1 0 B. Marchant lf 3 1 0 0
Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b 3 0 1 0 C. Mancheno rf 3 0 1 1
Peter Kikel 3b 2 0 0 0 R. Chesterton p 2 0 0 0
Marty Cullen dh 2 0 0 1 B. Florence cf 3 1 1 1
Darrin Ward 1b 2 0 0 0 S. Simmons c 3 0 1 1
Greg Bochan lf 2 1 1 0 A. Bonsor 2b 3 0 1 0
Aspi Dimitrov cf 3 1 2 1 L. Castro 1b 3 0 0 0
Rodney Naghar rf 2 1 0 0 S. Wodzynski 3b 1 0 0 0
Nick Goetz p 0 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 23 4 5 2 TEAM TOTALS 25 3 7 3

E: Lee Manning, F. Perez. LOB: Essex Arrows 5, Herts Falcons 5. 2B: Jason Greenberg,
Kimiyoshi Saionji. SB: Aspi Dimitrov(2), Kimiyoshi Saionji, Greg Bochan, Rodney
Naghar, B. Marchant. CS: Darrin Ward, Lee Manning, F. Perez, S. Wodzynski. SB: Marty
Cullen.

Herts Falcons IP H R ER BB SO
Nick Goetz W 7.00 7 3 3 2 3
Essex Arrows            
R. Chesterton L 7.00 5 4 2 6 7

HBP: by Nick Goetz (B. Marchant). , by Nick Goetz (S. Wodzynski). WP: R. Chesterton.
PB: S. Simmons(2). T: 2:30. A: 35.

 

GAME 2, 2:30pm

 

Herts Falcons at Essex Arrows
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 R H E
Herts Falcons 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 5 1
Essex Arrows 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 3 6 3

Essex Arrows 3, Herts Falcons 2
Essex Arrows Herts Falcons
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
F. Perez ss 3 0 1 0 Lee Manning lf-ss 5 0 1 0
B. Marchant c 5 0 0 0 Jason Greenberg c 5 1 2 0
C. Mancheno p 3 0 0 0 Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b 5 0 0 0
R. Chesterton rf 5 1 2 1 Marty Cullen 1b 4 1 1 0
B. Florence cf 2 1 2 0 Peter Kikel 3b-p 4 0 0 0
S. Simmons 2b 4 0 1 0 Nick Goetz ss-3b 4 0 0 0
A. Bonsor 1b 4 0 0 2 Greg Bochan dh-lf 4 0 1 0
A. Clarke 3b 3 0 0 0 Aspi Dimitrov cf 3 0 0 0
J. Cane lf 4 1 0 0 Rodney Naghar rf 3 0 0 0
Darrin Ward p-rf 0 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 33 3 6 3 TEAM TOTALS 37 2 5 0

E: F. Perez, B. Marchant, A. Clarke, Nick Goetz. LOB: Herts Falcons 7, Essex Arrows
8. 2B: Greg Bochan. SB: R. Chesterton, C. Mancheno, Aspi Dimitrov(2), Darrin Ward,
Greg Bochan. CS: F. Perez.

Essex Arrows IP H R ER BB SO
C. Mancheno W 10.00 5 2 0 1 16
Herts Falcons            
Darrin Ward 9.00 4 2 2 5 7
Peter Kikel L 0.67 2 1 0 0 0

HBP: by C. Mancheno (Aspi Dimitrov), by Darrin Ward (F. Perez). . . . . , by Peter
Kikel (C. Mancheno). WP: C. Mancheno(4). PB: B. Marchant(4). T: 2:30. A: 35.
by AspiDimitrov

LEE MANNING SUBMITS HALF-TERM REPORT ON HERTS TEAMS

After playing in the BBF leagues for over 10 years I thought I would do a first 1/3 of the season report on would I think each team will do over the next 1/3.

 

FALCONS

The Falcons have had an amazing start to the 2008 league, going 7 wins and 1 loss. The one loss was against the London Metros and it was a painful one but the Falcons quickly got back to winning ways with a 3-2 victory in the second game of the double-header. The Falcons have won 7 of there games with great pitching, solid fielding and some nice timely hits.  Only 4 or 5 players can be happy with their hitting and if the law of averages is applied in this case then a lot of players are expected to hit a hot streak later in the season. So far the players have worked very hard and have made a great jump on improving every part of their game. I strongly believe that this team will still be at the top of the table after the next 8 games and will get their own back by sweeping the Metros at their field later this year.

 

HAWKS

The Hawks have not been playing at full potential yet but I feel a winning streak is right around the corner. The Hawks have had some tough losses to the Knights, Sidewinders and the Sharks in the last three weeks. With Hare and Oliver on mound duty they should start picking up some big wins. They have great fielding and some very good hitters but it’s time to pull it together and help the cause. Carlos has had a hard start trying to pick which players to play where but I think he’s heading the right way. They are working hard and the gel is starting to set and the hits are coming. I think that the Hawks will be in the top two after there next 4 games and will start to show the league the talent which Herts Baseball Club in all its teams.  This is a winning team that will be playing AAA next year. Come on boys we are all behind you”.

 

RAPTORS

The Raptors got their first win last weekend and will feel on top of the world and rightly so. I know that for a lot of them this is their first season playing and that they will find the game a far reach for the MLB’s game they have been watching but stay with it and it will come. Jake has been around the game and knows how to coach.  His son Pete is a good example of this. He will help the players grow and move up to the Hawks when ready. The league they are in is not as easy as it looks at first sight. With all the other teams being in the BBF leagues for a few years and the old timers who I think could do well in the AAA Division. The main thing about this team is that almost everyone is in the same boat as rookies with a few veterans thrown in. I remember when I first joined the Falcons 11 years ago when we were in the old Division 2 and we would be lucky to win 4 games a year. Every year we all got better and started to move up the leagues. I think these boys’s will do the same. I think the Raptors will win a few more games this season and should be aiming for a .500 winning percentage.

 

Do you agree with me?  Give me your views by clicking the add a comment button.

by AspiDimitrov

FALCONS AND METROS SPLIT TOPSY-TURVY SUBWAY SERIES

The London Metros (2-0) arrived at Hemel Hempstead by tube, train and taxi on Sunday to face the AAA-dominant Falcons (6-0).  Both teams anticipated a tough day of baseball against their undefeated league rivals.  The Herts squad was also keenly aware that the Metros National League side had the week off, and some of the nation's best sluggers would 'play down' to help their AAA farm team continue its winning streak.  Even the ABUA-GB Umpires Association got into the spirit sending Commissioner Darrin Muller to officiate the match from behind home plate.

 

Game One started well for the Falcons, who shut down the Metros 1-2-3 in the 1st and got on the board early with a solo home run from shortstop Andy Cornish.  But that was all the offense the Falcons would muster as Metros pitching shut out Herts in the next four frames.  London put up crooked numbers in each of their remaining at-bats, almost all coming  on Falcons defensive errors, and they took the game 15-3 in six innings.  It was the worst the Herts defense has played all season and by far the toughest outing yet for hurler Nic Goetz who gave up 7 earned runs on 13 hits with 5 walks.  The Falcons hit .259 in the game and Cornish's solo shot was the only recorded RBI.  Seven Falcons were stranded on base.

 

The tough transition to the second game, then, was all-important.  In a short team chat in the break Manager Jason Greenberg offered encouragement and reminded the team that their confidence, optimism and support of one another had helped garner them a (now) 6-1 record in the BBF AAA… a league which they had not played in since 2006… and a far better opening record then anyone had anticipated.  Greenberg said, “Our first loss was inevitable… it's how we respond to losing that makes all the difference.”  A bit more pumped-up, rehydrated and with Game One in the rearview mirror, the Falcons took the field for the second time that day.

 

From the first-inning the table was laid at 1-1.  The Metros advanced a runner home on an infield error, but the Falcons countered with a lead-off single from Lee Manning, followed by a hit-and-run double from Greenberg and a sacrifice fly from Cornish.  Herts was going to play this game more aggressively.  Down 2-1 in the bottom of the 5th inning, Kimiyoshi Saionji was hit squarely in the back by a pitch to lead-off the inning.  Undeterred, he stole 2nd base and was batted home on a double from center fielder Dan Kerry.

 

Tied 2-2 going in the bottom of the 6th, catcher Greenberg – in a career-worst slump starting the season only 2-for-19 – came to the plate with two outs and nobody on base.  He knocked a hard-hit single through the left side, then immediately stole second base and advanced to third when the throw-down scooted away from the 2nd baseman.  Cornish followed with a clutch line drive that glanced off the right-fielder’s outstretched glove, and the Falcons took a 3-2 lead.

 

Darrin Ward pitched masterfully, allowing only 2 runs on 6 hits with 1 walk and 8 strikeouts.  It was a true gem of a performance.  In the top of the 7th-inning, with Metros on second and third and one out, Ward reached deep into his reserves and struck out the final two batters to clinch the win.  All three outs in the inning were K's, and the final punch-out came on three, successive fastballs on the inside corner, each climbing the ladder on the last.  It was perfect pitching in any league.  Ward pumped his fist in the air and the Falcons celebrated the split and their 7-1 first-place record.

 

 

GAME ONE

11am

 

London Metros at Herts Falcons
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 R H E
London Metros 0 2 3 2 3 5 15 16 5
Herts Falcons 1 0 0 0 0 2 3 7 4

London Metros 15, Herts Falcons 3
London Metros Herts Falcons
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Player 1 ss 4 3 2 1 Lee Manning rf 4 0 1 0
Player 2 lf 2 1 1 2 Jason Greenberg c 3 0 0 0
Player 3 p 5 1 2 2 Andy Cornish ss 3 1 1 1
Player 4 cf 5 1 4 2 Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b 3 0 0 0
Player 5 rf 3 0 0 0 Marty Cullen 1b 3 1 2 0
(b4) Sub 2 rf 2 1 1 0 Peter Kikel 3b 3 0 1 0
Player 6 1b 4 2 3 0 Dan Kerry cf 3 1 2 0
Player 7 2b 1 0 1 2 Greg Bochan lf 3 0 0 0
(b4) Sub 1 2b 2 1 0 0 Darrin Ward dh 2 0 0 0
Player 8 3b 2 0 0 0 Nick Goetz p 0 0 0 0
(b4) Sub 4 3b 1 2 1 2 Aspi Dimitrov p 0 0 0 0
Player 9 c 2 3 1 0
TEAM TOTALS 33 15 16 11 TEAM TOTALS 27 3 7 1

E: Player 1(2), Sub 4(2), Player 3, Andy Cornish(2), Marty Cullen, Peter Kikel. DP:
Herts Falcons 1. LOB: Herts Falcons 7, London Metros 8. 2B: Sub 4, Player 4, Player
2, Peter Kikel, Dan Kerry. 3B: Player 4. HR: Andy Cornish. SB: Player 6(2), Sub 4,
Player 4, Andy Cornish. SF: Player 2.

London Metros IP H R ER BB SO
Player 3 W 6.00 7 3 1 1 3
Herts Falcons            
Nick Goetz L 5.00 13 12 7 5 3
Aspi Dimitrov 1.00 3 3 0 2 0

WP: Nick Goetz(3), Aspi Dimitrov. PB: Jason Greenberg. T: 2:30. A: 60.

 

GAME TWO

1:30PM

London Metros at Herts Falcons
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
London Metros 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 6 2
Herts Falcons 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 3 5 3

Herts Falcons 3, London Metros 2
Herts Falcons London Metros
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Lee Manning dh 4 1 2 0 Player 1 p 4 1 2 0
Jason Greenberg c 3 1 2 0 Player 2 c 3 0 0 0
Andy Cornish ss 3 0 0 1 Player 3 1b 4 0 2 1
Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b 2 1 0 0 Player 4 2b 3 0 1 0
Marty Cullen 1b 3 0 0 0 Player 5 3b 2 0 0 0
Dan Kerry cf 2 0 1 1 Player 6 ss 3 0 0 0
Nick Goetz 3b 2 0 0 0 Player 7 lf 3 0 0 0
Aspi Dimitrov lf 3 0 0 0 Player 8 cf 3 0 0 0
Rodney Naghar rf 2 0 0 0 Player 9 rf 3 1 1 0
Darrin Ward p 0 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 24 3 5 2 TEAM TOTALS 28 2 6 1

E: Nick Goetz(2), Jason Greenberg, Player 4, Player 9. LOB: London Metros 7, Herts
Falcons 11. 2B: Jason Greenberg, Dan Kerry. SB: Jason Greenberg, Andy Cornish,
Kimiyoshi Saionji, Player 3. SF: Andy Cornish.

Herts Falcons IP H R ER BB SO
Darrin Ward W 7.00 6 2 1 1 8
London Metros            
Player 1 L 6.00 5 3 2 6 6

HBP: by Darrin Ward (Player 2). . . . , by Player 1 (Kimiyoshi Saionji). . . PB:
Player 2(2). T: 2:30. A: 60.

 

GAME NOTES:  The Falcons travel to Essex on June 1st for their second series in 2008 against the Arrows……  Sunday saw the first home plate collision of the season as a Metro was tagged out by Greenberg when he barreled-in but failed to dislodge the ball……  Cornish's homer was his first of the year and he joins second-baseman Saionji in that elite club……  True to the rumours, former Falcons manager Bruce Dullea was spotted at Grovehill toward the end of the series as a third base coach for the visiting Sidewinders, who played a late afternoon game against the Herts Hawks……  Lead-off batter Lee Manning is .333 on the season with 8 runs and 4 RBI proving his consistency in the one-hole……  Team-leader Kimiyoshi Saionji was held hitless for the first time all spring, but still leads the Falcons with a .522 average and .633 OBP, and is slugging .783 with 3 doubles, 1 home run and 14 RBI.

by AspiDimitrov

BIG WEEKEND LOOMS ON THE HORIZON FOR HERTFORDSHIRE’S THREE TEAMS

This coming Sunday the climax of the English Football Premier League will not be the only sporting event taking place.  Hertfordshire’s three baseball teams enter a critical stage of the season. 

 

In the AAA Division the Herts Falcons will clash with the London Metros.  Both teams sit at the top of the standings with 100% records.  The London Metros are affiliated to the London Mets Ball Club which snatched all of the British baseball titles last season from the National League Final 4 to the Youth National Final 4.  The Falcons have had a perfect start of the season winning their first 6 games.  As a newly promoted team their opponents so far may have underestimated the strength of the Falcons, but after a 6-0 start, the secret is out and now teams in the AAA league know that Herts Baseball Club means business.  The team has now played 4 games without making a single error.  Can they keep this impressive streak going this coming Sunday?  This will be a double-header which will be played at Grovehill Ballpark in Hertfordshire.  The first game starts at 11am followed immediately by the second game at around 1:30pm. 

 

The action does not end there.  A top of the table clash between the Herts Hawks and the Sidewinders takes place immediately after that on the same field at around 4pm.  The Hawks’ loss at Richmond on Sunday means that they are now tied at the top of British Baseball’s AA Division with the Sidewinders and two other teams.  The Hawks and the Sidewinders are expected to stay involved in the title race all the way to the end so this game will have serious implications on the league table in August.

 

With three games back-to-back at the same venue, this will be a great event for regular baseball fans and for those who have not had a chance to attend a baseball game yet to come and enjoy.  The number of fans attending games at Grovehill Ballpark has increased this season and last Sunday included some loyal Herts Baseball fans who had travelled all the way from Seattle, USA to support their favourite baseball club.

 

This year fans at Grovehill Ballpark can also enjoy various hot and cold beverages, snacks, sunflower seeds, sun-screen and other goodies from the concessions stand.  Starting this Sunday, the club will revive a Grovehill tradition going back to the 1990s by offering an official matchday programme for sale.  The prices are reasonable and profits will be used to fund the development of the club’s baseball facilities including the building of a second baseball diamond.

 

While the Hawks and Falcons play their games at home, the Herts Raptors travel to Essex for a repeat of the heartbreaking clash with the Arrows last month which they lost in the last inning.  Can the Raptors win their first game of the season and start a climb up the league table?  Mobile phones and text messages will be exchanged nervously between Hertfordshire and Essex all day with players and fans keeping a close eye on scores.

by AspiDimitrov

STORM CLOUDS SILENT AS FALCONS SWEEP HURRICANES

Posted on behalf of Falcons Correspondent Andrew Cornish (#7)


With spirits running high before the day’s baseball, due to Kimiyoshi ‘Kimi’ Saionji’s birthday, the Falcons were hopeful to keep their momentum into the game.  This was dashed slightly when the Milton Keynes took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first due to a home run with one runner on base.  The Falcons managed to plug away against the Hurricanes with a highlight being Greg ‘The Motion’ Bochan laying down a perfect squeeze in the third, which tied the defensive team up, scoring a run and getting all runners safe.

After great fundamentals, and another no-error game, the Falcons rolled on with a 12-2 victory after 6 innings of play.  Nic Goetz wrote up another successful victory, already taking his season to an impressive 3-0 with an exciting 3.79 ERA.

Game 6 of the season was a game of firsts with promoted Tim Elkins making his first start in centre field and Aspi Dimitrov making his first start on the mound.  Anticipation was high and hoping to continue on the same run of form, the Falcons, fuelled by the blue Powerade sold on the fantastic new fund-raising concessions stand, rampaged to a 6-0 lead in the second inning concluding in a monster home-run by ‘maturing’ Kimiyoshi Saionji.  The impressive Aspi Dimitrov ended the game allowing 1 earned run in 6 strong innings, striking out 6 and stranding 8 opposing runners.  

Tidbits: On his 34th birthday, Kimiyoshi Saionji collected the first Falcon home run, adding another team leading 8 RBIs…… Tim Elkins went 1-3 scoring 2 runs…… Andy Cornish scored 5 of the 23 runs on the day.

GAME 1, 12:00pm

MK Hurricanes at Herts Falcons
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 R H E
MK Hurricanes 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 4 0
Herts Falcons 0 0 4 1 4 3 12 12 0

Herts Falcons 12, MK Hurricanes 2
Herts Falcons MK Hurricanes
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Andy Cornish ss 2 3 2 0 A. McVay ss 3 1 1 0
Jason Greenberg c 2 1 1 0 G. Sheppard 1b 3 0 1 0
Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b 2 1 2 3 D. Larwell p 3 1 1 2
Marty Cullen 1b 4 0 0 0 S. McVay 3b 3 0 1 0
Greg Bochan lf 4 1 2 1 K. O'Sullivan c 3 0 0 0
Nick Goetz p 3 2 1 0 M. Philpot cf 2 0 0 0
Darrin Ward 3b 3 1 1 0 E. Wilmot lf 2 0 0 0
Aspi Dimitrov cf 4 1 1 1 P. O'Sullivan 2b 1 0 0 0
Lee Manning rf 2 2 2 0 C. King rf 2 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 26 12 12 5 TEAM TOTALS 22 2 4 2

LOB: MK Hurricanes 3, Herts Falcons 7. 2B: Kimiyoshi Saionji, Aspi Dimitrov, S.
McVay. HR: D. Larwell. SB: Kimiyoshi Saionji, Andy Cornish, Nick Goetz.

Herts Falcons IP H R ER BB SO
Nick Goetz W 6.00 4 2 2 1 7
MK Hurricanes            
D. Larwell L 5.33 12 12 6 6 1

HBP: by D. Larwell (Andy Cornish). . , by D. Larwell (Lee Manning), by D. Larwell
(Andy Cornish). . WP: D. Larwell(5). PB: K. O'Sullivan(5). T: 2:30. A: 58.

GAME 2, 2:30pm

MK Hurricanes at Herts Falcons
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 R H E
MK Hurricanes 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 7
Herts Falcons 0 6 0 1 3 1 11 14 0

Herts Falcons 11, MK Hurricanes 1
Herts Falcons MK Hurricanes
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Lee Manning lf 4 1 2 0 Player 1 p 2 1 0 0
Andy Cornish ss 4 2 2 0 Player 2 c 1 0 0 0
(b5) Greg Bochan 3b 0 0 0 0 Player 3 1b 2 0 0 0
Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b 4 1 3 5 Player 4 2b 2 0 1 1
Jason Greenberg c 3 0 0 0 Player 5 3b 1 0 0 0
Marty Cullen 1b 4 2 2 0 Player 6 ss 3 0 0 0
Nick Goetz 3b-ss 4 0 1 0 Player 7 lf 3 0 0 0
Darrin Ward dh 4 2 3 1 Player 8 cf 2 0 0 0
Tim Elkins cf 3 2 1 0 Player 9 rf 3 0 0 0
Rodney Naghar rf 3 1 0 1
Aspi Dimitrov p 0 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 33 11 14 7 TEAM TOTALS 19 1 1 1

E: Player 6(3), Player 1(2), Player 2, Player 8. LOB: Herts Falcons 7, MK Hurricanes
8. 2B: Lee Manning, Player 4. HR: Kimiyoshi Saionji. SB: Darrin Ward(2). CS: Jason
Greenberg.

Herts Falcons IP H R ER BB SO
Aspi Dimitrov W 6.00 1 1 1 5 6
MK Hurricanes            
Player 1 L 5.33 14 11 2 1 1

HBP: by Aspi Dimitrov (Player 2). . , by Aspi Dimitrov (Player 2), by Aspi Dimitrov
(Player 3). . . . PB: Player 2. T: 2:10. A: 58.
by AspiDimitrov

FAULTLESS FALCONS EXTEND WINNING STREAK

Report by Herts Baseball Newswire reporter, ROD NAGHAR

 

This Sunday's double header was played against the Windsor Bears whom the Falcons last met at the Croydon Tournament last summer which ended in a Falcons win. The game was played at Grovehill, Falcons home ground, where things got off to a wet start as the heavens unleashed a 2 hour rainstorm before play could begin. The Falcons were on a 2 win opening streak, characterised by a very strong defense but weaker offence – something Manager Jason Greenberg was looking to improve upon.
 
Starting Pitcher Nick Goetz (1-0, 3.86 ERA) took the mound for the Falcons after his win the previous week, but got off to a shaky start giving up 1 walk and 4 singles. However, the solid Falcon's infield laid to rest any Windsor hopes for an early rout, and with a strong final K from Goetz, Windsor only managed a 1 run lead.
 
Hopes were raised for a stronger Falcons offense to dispell nay-sayers that they were a purely defensive side. In the bottom of the first, those hopes were exceeded when 7 runs were scored, achieved by a combination of big hits and some Windsor infielding errors. At that point Windsor's weak infield began a trend, which progressed to be the norm by the end of the day.
 
Unfortunately, to manager Greenberg's chagrin, the Falcon's offence then reverted to type, and most of their remaining runs were achieved though Windsor errors.
 
Nevertheless, spurred on by the big early lead, Nick Goetz went on to pitch superbly, shutting out the Bears until the 5th inning where he gave up 2 back to back single home-runs. However, by that stage the score was 10-1 to the Falcons and it didn't affect his form.
 
The game ended 11-3 to the Falcons, with pitcher Peter Kikel (a promoted Hawks player) confidently closing out the final inning.
The Falcon's made no fielding errors during the game, and with an excellent Bullpen, had little to fear from the Windsor side.
 
 
The second game began where the last game ended, this time with Darrin Ward (1-0, 1.29 ERA) at the mound for the Falcons. He opened with 3ks giving up only 1 walk and 1 hit, which proved to be one of the better Windsor offensive innings.
 
A trickle of runs came from the Falcons until the 4th, where a combination of a tiring Windsor pitcher and further infield errors led to 5 runs and an 8-0 lead. The demoralised Windsor side came back the next inning with a last ditch attempt to get some runs on the board, but managed only 3 hits with no runs.
 
The game ended 10-0 to the Falcons.
 
Much praise must go to Darrin Ward who had another incredible appearance at the mound shutting out the struggling Windsor side, putting 7ks under his belt, and only giving up 2 walks the whole game.
 
Today the Falcons proved that their impressive opening wins against Essex was no fluke. Their staggering pitching staff and impenetrable defensive lineup, justifying their promotion from the 1st division yet again. With no defensive errors in either games, an impressive win followed by a shut out, no team in the AAA can possibly look forward to playing them.
 
Next week the Falcons play at home against Baseball Milton Keynes. That is the time the Falcons hope to finally dismiss the batting drought which they find themsleves in, which will undoubtedly position them as the force to be reckoned with in this years hotly contested AAA division.

GAME 1

 

Windsor Bears at Herts Falcons
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Windsor Bears 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 3 9 6
Herts Falcons 7 0 1 2 1 0 0 11 6 0

Herts Falcons 11, Windsor Bears 3
Herts Falcons Windsor Bears
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Lee Manning lf 4 1 1 2 Player 1 cf 4 0 0 0
Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b 4 2 3 1 Player 2 c 3 1 0 0
Andy Cornish ss 3 2 1 1 Player 3 ss 4 1 2 1
Jason Greenberg c 3 1 0 0 Player 4 3b 4 1 4 2
Peter Kikel 3b-p 2 1 1 1 Player 5 1b 4 0 1 0
Dan Kerry cf 3 1 0 1 Player 6 p 3 0 1 0
Darrin Ward 1b 2 1 0 1 Player 7 2b 3 0 0 0
Nick Goetz p-3b 1 2 0 1 Player 8 lf 2 0 1 0
Rodney Naghar rf 3 0 0 0 Player 9 rf 2 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 25 11 6 8 TEAM TOTALS 29 3 9 3

E: Player 3(3), Player 7(2), Player 4. DP: Windsor Bears 1. LOB: Herts Falcons 4,
Windsor Bears 8. 2B: Kimiyoshi Saionji(2), Andy Cornish. HR: Player 3, Player 4. SB:
Kimiyoshi Saionji(2), Nick Goetz, Player 2. CS: Lee Manning. SB: Peter Kikel.

Herts Falcons IP H R ER BB SO
Nick Goetz W 6.00 8 3 3 3 4
Peter Kikel 1.00 1 0 0 0 1
Windsor Bears            
Player 6 L 6.00 6 11 5 6 5

HBP: by Player 6 (Dan Kerry). . . . . . . WP: Nick Goetz, Player 6(2). PB: Player 2.
T: 2:30. A: 50.

GAME 2

Windsor Bears at Herts Falcons
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 R H E
Windsor Bears 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 4
Herts Falcons 2 1 0 5 2 10 7 0

Herts Falcons 10, Windsor Bears 0
Herts Falcons Windsor Bears
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Lee Manning 1b 4 1 1 1 Player 1 p 3 0 2 0
Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b 2 2 1 3 Player 2 c 3 0 1 0
Andy Cornish ss 3 2 2 1 Player 3 1b 2 0 1 0
Dan Kerry cf 3 1 1 0 Player 4 2b 3 0 2 0
Jason Greenberg c 3 0 1 0 Player 5 3b 2 0 0 0
Nick Goetz 3b 3 0 0 0 Player 6 ss 2 0 1 0
Darrin Ward p 0 3 0 0 Player 7 lf 2 0 1 0
Aspi Dimitrov lf 1 1 1 0 Player 8 cf 1 0 0 0
Rodney Naghar rf 3 0 0 0 Player 9 rf 2 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 22 10 7 5 TEAM TOTALS 20 0 8 0

E: Player 6(3), Player 4. LOB: Herts Falcons 6, Windsor Bears 7. 2B: Andy Cornish,
Player 2, Player 7. SB: Lee Manning(2), Kimiyoshi Saionji, Dan Kerry. CS: Player 1.
SB: Aspi Dimitrov.

Herts Falcons IP H R ER BB SO
Darrin Ward W 5.00 8 0 0 2 7
Windsor Bears            
Player 1 L 4.33 7 10 6 6 1

PB: Jason Greenberg. T: 2:30. A: 50.
by AspiDimitrov

HERTS BASEBALL STARS TO APPEAR ON BBC THIS SATURDAY

BBC Radio ThreecountiesMembers of Herts Baseball Club will be paying a visit to the BBC Radio studios this weekend.  They will appear on the Saturday Breakfast Show on BBC Three Counties Radio at around 8:45am.  You can listen to BBC Radio Online

 

The show is expected to preview the 2008 baseball season for the three Hertfordshire teams – Herts Falcons, Herts Hawks and the Herts Raptors and of course will look forward to the first ever season of the Herts Baseball Little League which will be an unmissable event for boys and girls in and around Hertfordshire this summer.

 

Baseball has never been so popular in Hertfordshire and Herts Baseball Club is beginning to attract a lot of attention from the written press, radio and TV.