Category: Adult Leagues

by AspiDimitrov

HSL WEEK1 BOX SCORES: RICHMOND FLAMES 8 HERTS 1

Richmond Flames at Herts Falcons
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Richmond Flames 0 0 0 3 1 0 1 3 0 8 12 1
Herts Falcons 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 4 2

Richmond Flames 8, Herts Falcons 1
Richmond Flames Herts Falcons
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Robbie Unsell ss 3 0 0 1 Andy Cornish cf-lf 3 0 2 0
Michael Mann 3b 5 0 2 1 Jason Greenberg c 2 0 0 0
Cody Cain 1b 4 1 3 2 (t5) Dave Westfallen c 2 0 0 0
Grant Delzoppo c 5 1 2 0 (t4) Rod Ariss 3b-lf 3 0 0 0
Hayden Davidson lf 3 1 1 1 Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b-rf 2 0 0 0
George Naumzik cf 3 1 0 0 (t5) Carlos Casal 2b-3b 3 0 0 0
Matt Spaulding rf 5 1 2 0 Jamie Munn lf-cf 2 1 1 0
Mike Osborne p 3 2 0 0 (t4) Lee Manning 1b-2b 2 0 1 0
Jimmy Wright 2b 5 1 2 2 John Oliver 1b-rf 3 0 0 0
Luis Goncalves ss 3 0 0 0
(t0) Nick Goetz p-3b 1 0 0 0
(t4) Darrin Ward p 1 0 0 0
Aspi Dimitrov rf-p 1 0 0 0
Lin Yuchih 3b-p 2 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 36 8 12 7 TEAM TOTALS 30 1 4 0

E: Grant Delzoppo, Luis Goncalves, Rod Ariss. LOB: Herts Falcons 3, Richmond Flames
11. 2B: Grant Delzoppo(2), Jamie Munn. SB: George Naumzik, Jamie Munn. CS: Robbie
Unsell. SF: Robbie Unsell, Hayden Davidson.

Richmond Flames IP H R ER BB SO
Mike Osborne W 9.00 4 1 0 0 7
Herts Falcons            
Nick Goetz 3.00 3 0 0 0 0
Darrin Ward L 3.00 4 4 3 2 2
Lin Yuchih 2.00 2 0 0 2 3
Aspi Dimitrov 1.00 3 4 4 2 0

HBP: by Nick Goetz (Robbie Unsell). , by Nick Goetz (Hayden Davidson). . . . . , by
Mike Osborne (Jamie Munn). . . WP: Mike Osborne. T: 3:00. A: 0.
Richmond Flames – Top of the 1st:
Robbie Unsell hit by pitch, caught trying to steal 2nd.
Michael Mann flied out.
Cody Cain singled, forced out at 2nd.
Grant Delzoppo reached on fielder's choice.
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Herts Falcons – Bottom of the 1st:
Andy Cornish grounded out.
Jason Greenberg grounded out.
Lin Yuchih flied out.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Richmond Flames – Top of the 2nd:
Hayden Davidson hit by pitch, batted forward to 3rd.
George Naumzik reached on fielder's choice, batted forward to 2nd.
Matt Spaulding bunted out.
Mike Osborne grounded out.
Jimmy Wright grounded out.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
Herts Falcons – Bottom of the 2nd:
Kimiyoshi Saionji flied out.
Jamie Munn struck out swinging.
Aspi Dimitrov grounded out.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Richmond Flames – Top of the 3rd:
Robbie Unsell popped out.
Michael Mann singled, batted forward to 2nd.
Cody Cain singled, picked off.
Grant Delzoppo lined out.
0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Herts Falcons – Bottom of the 3rd:
John Oliver flied out.
Luis Goncalves popped out.
Nick Goetz grounded out.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Richmond Flames – Top of the 4th:
Hayden Davidson singled, batted forward to home.
George Naumzik walked, batted forward to home.
Matt Spaulding struck out looking.
Mike Osborne walked, batted forward to home.
Jimmy Wright singled, batted forward to 2nd, 1 RBI.
Robbie Unsell sacrifice flied, 1 RBI.
Michael Mann singled, 1 RBI.
Cody Cain struck out swinging.
3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
Herts Falcons – Bottom of the 4th:
Andy Cornish singled, picked off.
Jason Greenberg grounded out.
Rod Ariss struck out swinging.
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Richmond Flames – Top of the 5th:
Grant Delzoppo doubled, batted forward to 3rd, advanced to home on interference.
Hayden Davidson grounded out.
George Naumzik popped out.
Matt Spaulding grounded out.
1 run, 1 hit, 1 error, 0 LOB.
Herts Falcons – Bottom of the 5th:
Carlos Casal flied out.
Jamie Munn doubled, stole 3rd, advanced to home on error.
Lee Manning flied out.
John Oliver grounded out.
1 run, 1 hit, 1 error, 0 LOB.
Richmond Flames – Top of the 6th:
Mike Osborne reached on error, tagged out going to 2nd.
Jimmy Wright grounded out.
Robbie Unsell flied out.
0 runs, 0 hits, 1 error, 0 LOB.
Herts Falcons – Bottom of the 6th:
Luis Goncalves grounded out.
Darrin Ward grounded out.
Andy Cornish singled.
Dave Westfallen struck out looking.
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Richmond Flames – Top of the 7th:
Michael Mann flied out.
Cody Cain walked, batted forward to home.
Grant Delzoppo doubled.
Hayden Davidson sacrifice flied, 1 RBI.
George Naumzik flied out.
1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Herts Falcons – Bottom of the 7th:
Rod Ariss grounded out.
Carlos Casal grounded out.
Jamie Munn hit by pitch, batted forward to 2nd, advanced to 3rd on wild pitch.
Lee Manning singled, advanced to 2nd on wild pitch.
Kimiyoshi Saionji popped out.
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
Richmond Flames – Top of the 8th:
Matt Spaulding singled, batted forward to home.
Mike Osborne walked, batted forward to home.
Jimmy Wright singled, batted forward to home, 1 RBI.
Robbie Unsell walked, batted forward to 3rd.
Michael Mann struck out swinging.
Cody Cain singled, advanced to 2nd on throw, 2 RBI.
Grant Delzoppo struck out.
Hayden Davidson popped out.
3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
Herts Falcons – Bottom of the 8th:
Luis Goncalves struck out swinging.
Lin Yuchih grounded out.
John Oliver grounded out.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Richmond Flames – Top of the 9th:
George Naumzik walked, batted forward to 2nd, stole 3rd.
Matt Spaulding singled.
Mike Osborne out by infield fly rule.
Jimmy Wright struck out swinging.
Robbie Unsell flied out.
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
Herts Falcons – Bottom of the 9th:
Dave Westfallen struck out looking.
Rod Ariss struck out swinging.
Carlos Casal struck out.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
by AspiDimitrov

BATTER UP! HERTS SPRING LEAGUE SET TO COMMENCE. RECORD NUMBER OF TEAMS ENTER THE COMPETITION

15 March 2009 – Spring has arrived and that means that the baseball season is just around the corner, but before the 2009 Opening Day, fans of British baseball will have a chance to see the teams in action in the Herts Spring League (HSL), organised by Herts Baseball Club.

 

Last year was the inaugural year of the HSL and this time around it is set to be bigger and better.   In 2008 ten teams took part.  This year the demand has been phenomenal with 13 teams entering the league.  The organisers actually had to turn away several other teams as there simply weren’t enough venues to fit all the teams. 

 

This year, teams will be coming from all corners of Southern England, from Southampton to Alconbury, and they have been divided into two Pools.

 

Pool 1 includes the Essex Arrows, Southampton Mustangs and the Sidewinders, which are three teams with many years of experience at AAA level.   They are joined by the Bracknell Blazers and the newest member of the National League, the Herts Falcons.  The Alconbury Braves complete the Pool 1 line-up.  Like the ASL Eagles who won last year’s HSL1, no one knows what to expect of the Braves as they are joining the BBF Leagues for the first time this year, but will certainly be a team to watch out for as their roster comprises US Army personnel from RAF Alconbury. 

 

For one week only, Richmond’s National League team, the Flames, will play a one-off game against the Falcons.  The Flames’ record in this game will be added to their sister club, the Richmond Dragons who head the line-up in Pool 2.

 

Also in Pool 2 are the Milton Keynes Bucks, Braintree Rays and the Medway Mariners, who from this year will be renamed as the Kent Mariners following their merger with the Tonbridge Bobcats.  The final two teams in Pool 2 are the Eagles and the Hawks from the host club, Herts.

 

The games will be played at three venues: Herts, Richmond and Harlow.  Those who will be attending the games at Grovehill Ballpark in Hertfordshire will have a chance to see the developments which are taking place at Herts Baseball Club with a brand new outfield fence installed just a week ago.  This makes Herts Baseball Club the first British club with permanent outfield fence on both its diamonds.  Harlow is a relatively new club on the British baseball map and is one of the few clubs in the country who have a purpose-built baseball field.  The games taking place in Harlow will be used as part of Harlow’s plans to create its own adult team to support its existing youth programme.

 

The games will take place over three consecutive Sundays commencing on 29 March 2009 and will conclude on 12 April which is the final Sunday before Opening Day ’09.

 

The HSL is a competition organised by Herts Baseball Club.   It is similar to the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues in Florida and Arizona, respectively, and is used in the same way, as a pre-season competition to prepare the players for the season ahead.

 

This is a great opportunity for players of any standard to get in touch with their nearest team and to get involved in time for this year’s edition of the HSL.  Don’t miss it.

 

Contact Herts Baseball Club to get ivolved in the Herts Spring League.  Players of any standard are welcome.

 

For more information visit the official Herts Spring League website.

by AspiDimitrov

GROVEHILL BALLPARK FEATURED ON “MR BASEBALL”

 

The following article first appeared on the website www.mister-baseball.com.  It was written by Joe Gray who also provided the images of Grovehill Ballpark in his article.  Joe Gray writes for www.BaseballGB.co.uk  and also looks after Great British top-tier statistics, Project Cobb, and theGreat Britain National Team archive.

 

The HERTS FALCONS (Herts Baseball Club’s first team) will play in the top tier of the British baseball league for the first time this season, and installation of an outfield fence has just been completed at the team’s home field, Grovehill Park.

 

The fencing was installed not only for the main diamond at Grovehill Park, but also for a second diamond, which will be prepared over the summer to ready it for Opening Day 2010 (see right). The work is part of Herts Baseball Club’s Diamond Development project, which has been funded in part by the UK National Lottery’s Awards for All programme and in part through income raised by members and friends of the club.

 

The HERTS FALCONS will play in the National Baseball League (NBL) South, and of the four teams they will compete against, only one – the CROYDON PIRATES – has a diamond with a permanent outfield fence.

 

Click to view the full article.

by AspiDimitrov

CONFIDENCE IS THE KEY – JASON GREENBERG, EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

In this week’s edition of “Ask the Manager”, we are pleased to be in the company of Herts Falcons Manager, Jason Greenberg.  Here are his answers to the questions sent in by visitors of the Herts Baseball Newswire.

What was your reason for choosing to play the game of baseball and not one of the other sports?

I grew up in rural Washington State (read: small town USA).  Rainy Seattle is about three hours away by car, there’s a massive mountain range in between, and the weather in my hometown is very desert-like, with piping hot summers and bitter cold winters.  As a kid you roll with the seasonal sports.  I played baseball in the summer, soccer in the autumn, basketball in the winter, and tennis in the spring.  I was never gritty enough for American football, and only the insane took up ice hockey.  From age 8 to 18, my schoolmate Fletcher arrived at school every Monday with a black eye and split lip.

 

Do you prefer managing or playing?

That’s an impossible question to answer, like “do you prefer seeing or hearing.”  Nothing can beat playing in a great game – like last year’s AAA Championship – when the adrenaline kicks in, your blood pressure rises and the endorphins are pumping through your brain.  On the other hand, I love helping others to find that happy place, and I think a manager’s first duty is to enable his players to thrive.  I definitely think that, once you’re a player-manager, there’s no going back.  Just being a player, or just being a manager… it would be like wearing half a baseball cap.

 

How would you describe yourself as a manager?

Marty would say uptight.  Wardy would say megalomaniacal.  I’m definitely too forgiving of the umps, and I need to work on being more flexible in the moment… loose enough to deviate from the gameplan (which I probably stayed up most of the night reworking).

 

Baseball teams in Great Britain always try to find the right balance between being competitive and providing enjoyment and a fair amount of playing time for all.  Which of the two would be more important for you as a manager, competitiveness or individual player satisfaction?

In baseball, you always expect to lose some of your games.  At the Major League level, going .500 on the season means success.  So, it’s confidence-shattering and nerve-wracking if you put all your stock in getting the W.  But if you take pride in your performance and enjoy the game itself, then you’re becoming a better player even whilst losing.   Sounds cheesy, but I really believe that’s true.

 

What are you looking forward to most in 2009?

I have a great feeling about this year.  Our National League bid… debut of the Eagles… construction of our second diamond… it’s all just amazing growth for Herts.  I think in the immediate, though, I’m excited about all the new members we’ve welcomed to our ranks in the past six months.  I love seeing new faces at training, and I’m blown away by the dedication and positive attitudes of some of our rookies.  That’s what this is all about, really: growing the UK (and Hertfordshire) baseball community.

 

Which will be the most important ingredient for your team in 2009 – pitching, defence, offence, speed, teamwork or maybe something else?

I think confidence is the ingredient we’ll need most of all.  It takes a lot to win a ballgame, but while offence can sometimes compensate for a bad outing on the mound (or pitching for a bad day at the plate)… we can’t expect to win in the National League if we’re not confident in our own abilities, and those of our teammates.

 

Marty Cullen, who worked closely with you as the Herts Falcons Bench Coach last year, has taken the responsibility of leading the AA Herts Hawks.  How big a blow is this and what are you going to do to ensure that this does not affect the Falcons’ chances in 2009?

Frankly, it’s a huge blow.  Marty was the glue that held the Falcons together last year.  I believe his optimism and sense of camaraderie is unrivalled on our club.  I learned a lot from Marty last year – about baseball, about managing, and about how to inspire a team of men – and I plan to put all those lessons into practice in 2009.  While I’m bummed out he won’t be a Falcon, I’m equally excited for the Little Leaguers and the Hawks, who have in Marty an exceptional leader.  No doubt they’ll feed on his positivity and take the AA by storm.  (Might I add, I think the way that Marty stepped up to fill the final vacancy on the managerial staff – even though he could easily compete for a roster spot at AAA or the NBL – was an awesome and truly selfless act.)

 

Moving from AAA to the National League is a big step and the Falcons will be facing opponents which are expected to be much better equipped and with more talented rosters than the Falcons.  How big do you think the gap is between the Falcons and the other NBL teams?

Only time will tell.  The UK baseball community is really so small that a few changes to the roster can scuttle a team’s hopes for the season, or rocket them to the top of the standings.  I really like the Falcons chances to win some tough ballgames in 2009.  Don’t forget, we were 21-3 in the AAA, and would not have been invited up to the NBL if the Federation did not think we could compete.  That being said, this is a transition year for us, and expectations for an expansion team are always set quite low.  I think we’ll surprise quite a few people.

 

Some are of the opinion that to be competitive in the NBL, an expansion team from the AAA would need to attract players with previous experience of the British National League, a pitcher that can throw up to 85mph+ or a batter that can hit the ball out of the park on a regular basis.  The same people would say that the only way to do this is by enticing players from other NBL teams.  Others are of the opinion that this is a short-term solution as such players are likely to come and go from one year to the next, leaving an unstable foundation on which to build an NBL team for the future.  They would argue that for the last 12 years the club has maintained its policy of natural recruitment of members from Hertfordshire and North West London and those loyal members bring much more than just an 85mph fastball.  However, this second option may mean that success at NBL level will take much longer to achieve as improving existing players or organically recruiting top calibre players in the region may take a long time.  What do you think is the best strategy for Herts Baseball Club?

Poaching players from other clubs is very much frowned upon in the BBF.  Some players from rival clubs will invariably join us (some already have) because they find Herts a very supportive, progressive organisation to be a part of.  We welcome anybody that wants to play with us – so, that part of the equation is easy: if they come, they come… if they don’t, they don’t.  The country’s most talented players will seek out the baseball experience they want and, in my opinion, no amount of ‘recruitment’ is going to make much difference.

No… I agree with the long view.  We have already put in place a vigourous training regimen, and our pitching, hitting and conditioning coaches are working hard to help our returning members to improve and promote within the organisation.  In five years time, I’d love to see the Falcons comprised mostly of former Herts Little Leaguers who have bulked themselves up into flamethrowing, home run hitting superstars.  Meanwhile, we’ll take it a day at a time, continue to progress developmentally, and do the best we can with our many loyal and talented players.

 

After the players are split into their respective teams this Spring, do you think there should be a lot of movement of players between the Herts teams, or would you prefer to identify your players at the beginning and work with these same players the whole year?

All the managers agree here – we’ll be continually moving players between squads.  The goal is twofold:

1) help our teams to win on Sunday, and

2) enable our players to improve and promote.

Every week the managers will look at what we’ve got to work with and make a determination if players need to shift between rosters.  Some individuals will get time to develop a new position, recover from injury, or rebound from a slump in a lower league.  Conversely, others will shine on the diamond, pack their bags and report to the head office for promotion.  That’s part of baseball.  The sooner we foster this culture of fluidity between teams, the more we’re encouraging players to work hard and ‘earn their wings.’

 

Which player are you most excited to welcome to the Falcons?

Well, he was a Falcon some years back, and sadly he won’t be rostered with my team… but I would have LOVED to see Westie (Dave Westfallen) catching in the National League.  He’s a natural leader behind the plate and has one of the best guns in British Baseball.  He doesn’t know it yet, but I intend to get him on the Falcons’ diamond once or twice this season.

 

What are your team’s objectives for the season in terms of place in the league standings and win-loss record?

The objective is always a 1.000 winning percentage.  I’ll leave the realism to TV pundits and the baseball blog-o-sphere.

 

Which of Herts Baseball Club’s four teams will have the best win-loss percentage?

I would not be surprised to see all four teams in the Final 4 this season.  My hope is that the Raptors, in particular, will see some extended winning streaks in ’09.  With Slater at the helm, I know they’ll never give up hope for a victory.

 

Over the next 7-8 months we will gradually be seeing Grovehill Ballpark develop into one of the finest baseball venues in this country.  What would you like to add to the ballpark that is not included in the first two development stages?

I’m tempted to say something grand and expensive, like a Herts Baseball Channel JumboTron… or a players’ clubhouse with whirlpool and sauna…

… but mostly I’d be happy if we could just remove the rocks and gravel around second base.

 

In your opinion what is the one thing which British baseball needs in order to start to catch up with the other more popular sports in this country such as football, cricket and rugby?

Facilities.  Specifically, facilities based at schools.  Any kid can grab a football and head to the park, and there are literally thousands of cricket and rugby pitches on school grounds all over the UK.  But if a youngster is really interested in playing baseball, he or she will need a proper playing surface and some motivation from their school coaches to give it a whirl.

 

How much time would it take before current Little League players make it into your team and are you planning to start scouting Herts Little League players in the coming years?

I think we could see our first Little Leaguer reach the National League Falcons by 2012.  More and more, it will fall to the Raptors and Hawks managers to scout the Little League for talent – I know that Coaches Slater and Cullen are already on the case.

 

What message would you like to give to the 2009 players who will be playing on your team?

No message.  Just a little slap on the ass.

 

Are you for or against the DH rule?

Generally speaking, I love the rule.  Edgar Martinez – arguably the greatest career DH in history – is my favorite all-time baseball player.  We even named my family dog Edgar.  As far as Herts is concerned, using the DH on the Falcons in ’08 offered the starting pitcher some rest between innings, and it got a tenth man into the game which meant more playing time for everyone.  I hope to see the other teams take up the practice this season.

 

Finally, Kal Dimitrov wants to know if his place as the Falcons’ regular Short Stop is still secure.

 

Kal is being very closely vetted for the position… and since negotiations are underway and as Herts has a strict ‘behind closed doors’ policy when it comes to free agent acquisitions… I would ask that you contact the Falcons head scout and development director, Rod R. Blagojevich.

 

by AspiDimitrov

KEEPING AN EYE ON THE FENCE INSTALLATION

Earlier today, work started at Grovehill Ballpark with the installation of the outfield fence.  This stage of the project is expected to be completed within a week, subject to suitable weather conditions.  By the end of today all 90 or so holes around the two diamonds will be made and the posts will be placed in them.  The concrete is scheduled to go in on Wednesday.  Finally, the green chainlink fence will be rolled out and installed on the posts. 

If the weather conditions over the next few days are not suitable, this final part of the installation may have to be completed next week. 

Over the course of the installation we will keep you updated with images from the ballpark.  If you are passing by Grovehill Ballpark during this time and you happen to take a photo of the work please send it to us secertary@hertsbaseball.com

Any new images will be uploaded on the Herts Baseball Flickr pages, so click on it to see the images which have been uploaded so far.

For photos of yesterday's Herts Baseball Open Trials event click here.

by AspiDimitrov

BUILDING WORK COMMENCES AT GROVEHILL BALLPARK

20 months after the start of the Grovehill Ballpark project, work on the baseball diamonds in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire will commence this Monday, 2 March 2009, immediately after Sunday’s Herts Baseball Club Open Trials and exhibition game between the GB Juniors and the Herts Falcons. 

 

This first stage of the project will involve the installation of the outfield fence for the existing baseball diamond and the second diamond which Herts Baseball Club is creating this year.

 

This would make Grovehill Ballpark the first baseball facility in Great Britain with two diamonds which have permanent outfield fence.

 

The outfield fence will be Chainlink coated in green PVC material (example image shown).  It will include a double top-rail system to support the weight of outfielders making a leaping catch at the fence. 

 

Herts players who returned to the field a few weeks ago for the start of outdoor Spring Training noticed the fact that the football pitch beyond left field has been moved by 21 feet to make space for what will be one of the deepest baseball outfields in Great Britain.  For Diamond 1 the distance to Left Field will be 312 feet, 363 to Center Field and 265 to Right Field.

 

When the Herts Little League players start Spring Training in March the Ballpark will be able to accommodate three Little League-size diamonds which will have permanent fence and three without permanent fence, but with permanent backstops. 

 

So, no more temporary orange outfield net for all Herts Teams.

 

Work will begin at 1pm on Monday with the installation of the posts.  This will be followed by the installation of the actual Chainlink fence on Wednesday.  This stage of the project is expected to be completed by the end of the week, which means that when Herts players report for split-squad training on Sunday, 8 March, they will have a brand new permanent fence installed.

 

This project is partly-funded by the National Lottery’s Awards for All programme, with the remaining funds raised by members and friends of Herts Baseball Club.

 

Due to the timing of the next step of the project, which is the levelling of the playing surface of the second diamond, the installation of the backstop for the second diamond will have to be delayed to coincide with that next stage.  The reason is that the backstop will be located on a slope which will be levelled in the summer and installing the backstop before that levelling process is going to be difficult, so the Club has chosen the less risky option of waiting until the summer.  As a result when there is a clash of adult home games at Grovehill during the 2009 league season, Herts Baseball Club will be making arrangements to stage such games at other baseball venues located nearby.  The second field is expected to become fully operational for the start of the 2010 season.

 

by AspiDimitrov

HERTS FALCONS, GB JUNIORS PLAY FIRST GAME OF 2009

Herts seeks National League hopefuls and rookies alike to ‘join the family’.

 

The Herts Falcons Spring Training Camp will face off against the Great Britain Junior National team on Sunday, in what marks the first baseball game of the English pre-season.   GB Coach Paul Vernon will field a team of home-grown talent, while Herts will form a mixed squad: some returning veterans from their 2008 AAA Championship Team, some call-ups from within their organization, and hopefully some National League contenders who turn up that morning for the Club’s Open Trials.

 

The spring training exhibition match will take place at Grovehill Ballpark in Hemel Hempstead as a postscript to the Herts Baseball Club’s official tryouts.  Herts is rapidly expanding into the UK’s largest baseball franchise, introducing a fourth adult squad in 2009 and sending their flagship Falcons to the invite-only National Baseball League.  To pad out their rosters with as much talent as possible, Herts will run an Open Trials & Rookies Clinic starting at 9am on Sunday 1 March.

 

But Herts is not just seeking newcomers to the game.  “We’re looking for skill and enthusiasm at every level of play,” confesses Falcons Manager Jason Greenberg.  “In an ideal world, on Sunday we’ll see talented veterans, complete rookies, and everything in between.  We’re hoping to swell our ranks by 10 to 20 players, and we think the enticement of joining a multi-tier franchise with a team in the National League will encourage a lot of guys to turn out.  We want to give an opportunity to any British slugger to join a quality organization that provides them a chance to advance to the National League… rather than top-out at AA or AAA.”

 

The GB Juniors last came to Grovehill Ballpark in summer 2008…

 

The Trials will consist of timed base-running, infield, outfield and batting drills, and a radar-gunned bullpen session for pitchers and catchers.  Then, as the tryouts end the exhibition game against the GB Juniors gets underway at 2.30pm.  Greenberg plans to suit-up an expanded spring training roster of around 15-20 players, including some of the standouts from earlier in the day.


“Winning is not the first priority in the game against the Juniors,” says Greenberg.  “We’ll give them a good game, I’m sure, and I like our chances for a win… but our managerial staff is looking to evaluate our own players, move them around to different positions, really take stock of what we’ve got to work with this season.”  Greenberg and his co-managers have introduced the Herts organisation to a system of player movement like the one in Major League Baseball, where excelling stars are promoted within the organisation.  “We plan to shift players quite a bit through the year – as much as the BBF regulations will allow.  Hopefully it will motivate our members to develop and improve, and it lets our competitors know we’re using every tool in the box to go out there and win ballgames.”


REGISTER FOR THE OPEN TRIALS HERE: www.hertsbaseball.com/trials/

For more information about the March 1 event: join@hertsbaseball.com

Or visit the Herts Baseball Club website: www.hertsbaseball.com

 

by AspiDimitrov

BRING YOUR A-GAME BOYS…THE GIRLS ARE WATCHING! – EXCLUSIVE MARTY CULLEN INTERVIEW

This week Herts Baseball Newswire has been given exclusive access to British Baseball pin-up and Herts Hawks Manager, Marty Cullen Sr.  We caught up with him between his yoga class and a meeting with his agent.

 

What was your reason for choosing to play the game of baseball and not one of the other sports?

 

As a kid, I played every sport there is and I loved them all. American Football, Soccer, Basketball, but I've always considered Baseball to be the ultimate team sport.  Maybe it's because we high-five more than most.

 

Do you prefer managing or playing?

 

I'd play every day if my body would let me.  I love it.  Playing for the 2008 Falcons was one of the best experiences of my life.  We had such a great chemistry and one of the best managers in the country.  I'm hoping to bring what I've learned from that experience to the 2009 Hawks.

 

How would you describe yourself as a manager?

 

We'll find out soon enough!

 

Baseball teams in Great Britain always try to find the right balance between being competitive and providing enjoyment and a fair amount of playing time for all.  Which of the two would be more important for you as a manager, competitiveness or individual player satisfaction? 

 

Player satisfaction breeds competitiveness and vice versa. Everybody's happy when they're winning. The hard part is to keep happy when you're struggling.  We pay to play in this league, so we all deserve to play as much as the next.

 

What are you looking forward to most in 2009?

 

I can't wait to watch the Falcons lift the National League Title in their first season!

 

Which will be the most important ingredient for your team in 2009 – pitching, defence, offence, speed, teamwork or maybe something else?

 

All of these things are vital to success on the diamond. That being said, I think the single most important ingredient will be teamwork. The 2008 Falcons proved that!

 

Is there one player that you are hoping the Falcons and Eagles Managers will forget to pick for their team?

 

I won't mention any names, but…YES!

 

After the players are split into their respective teams this Spring, do you think there should be a lot of movement of players between the Herts teams, or would you prefer to identify your players at the beginning and work with these same players the whole year?

 

I'm a big advocate of the franchise style program we're setting up here at Herts, so I'm really looking forward to moving players around. It'll be great to see players moving up because of hard work. Equally, if someone needs to take a step back to work on something, we can do that. I'm all for it.  

 

What are your team’s objectives for the season in terms of place in the league standings and win-loss record?

 

Our objectives are always the same – Win the League.  We want to be at the Final Four…Period.

 

Which of Herts Baseball Club’s four teams will have the best win-loss percentage?

 

It will be a four-way tie with a .875 winning percentage.

 

Over the next 7-8 months we will gradually be seeing Grovehill Ballpark develop into one of the finest baseball venues in this country.  What would you like to add to the ballpark that is not included in the first two development stages?

 

Herts Baseball has probably the best, most dedicated development and fundraising teams in the country and they've all done an incredible job getting this project off the ground. When it's finished, Grovehill Ballpark will be the UK's premier Baseball Facility. There is however, one thing missing, and I'm absolutely sure that we'll have to add it at the end of 2009.  A Trophy Room!

 

In your opinion what is the one thing which British baseball needs in order to start to catch up with the other more popular sports in this country such as football, cricket and rugby?

 

Youth programs – plain and simple. Whether it's in schools or local leagues, Baseball has to be brought en mass to the kids.  Funding and media coverage are also key to development.  But first, Let the kids play!!!

 

How much time would it take before current Little League players make it into your team and are you planning to start scouting Herts Little League players in the coming years?

 

Lee (Manning) and I have been scouting Little leaguers since day one, and there are a few who could compete in our adult program now.  However, we're still in the early stages of our 'franchise', so don't expect to see any Little Leaguers don the metal cleats and wood bats before 2010.

 

What message would you like to give to the 2009 players who will be playing in your team?

 

Bring your A-game boys…The girls are watching!

 

Are you for or against the DH rule?

 

I love the DH rule, especially when you talk about pay and play Baseball.  It allows you to field 10 players and as a manager, it gives you more flexibility with pitching and batting orders.

 

Name one baseball aspect that your son, Marty Cullen Jr, is already better at than you, and one baseball aspect that he will never be able to beat.

 

He's already better than me at most things Baseball! He has a better arm and is a far better pitcher than I'll ever be. He's already played for his Country. I, however, am still waiting for the USA team to call! There is one way I'll always have him beat. He could never be as proud of his accomplishments as I am.

 

Stay Tuned to the Herts Baseball Newswire.  Next Week: Interview with Eagles Manager, Dave Westfallen.

by AspiDimitrov

HERTS BASEBALL TO FEATURE ON BBC RADIO: SATURDAY 21 FEB, 2.15pm



BBC Three Counties Radio will host Falcons Manager Jason Greenberg on Saturday afternoon's sports round-up, as he works the wires to promote the upcoming Herts Open Trials and Rookies Clinic on Sunday 1 March.

On that day, the Herts Baseball Club will undertake their largest adult recruitment event ever.  The gates at Grovehill Ballpark will be opened to the entire UK baseball community – experienced sluggers eager to make the National League Falcons squad, and newcomers to the game alike are expected to strap on their spikes and head to the field to test their mettle.



BBC 3CR has taken a keen interest in Herts Baseball over the last couple years, and star sports commentator Luke Ashmead was keen to get Greenberg back on the air for some discussion of 'the greatest game on dirt.'

Herts is expecting their greatest season yet in 2009.  With four adult teams and a thriving Little League programme they are set to become the largest, most successful baseball franchise in the United Kingdom.  Their flagship squad, the Herts Falcons, were recently inducted into the British National Baseball League, the top level of play in Britain.

On March 1st, following the open try-outs, Greenberg will lead his spring training camp in an exhibition game versus the Great Britain Junior National Team.  While the Falcons camp will comprise mostly of returning Herts players, standouts from the intense day of skills testing will be invited to join the bench and get into the game.  It should prove a terrific showcase of both newfound and veteran Herts talent.

Greenberg was unavailable for comment on the Falcons' chances for a winning summer, but you can catch his optimism and enthusiasm for the growing Herts programme this Saturday at 2.15pm on 95.5, 103.8, or 104.5 FM.

by AspiDimitrov

HERTS BASEBALL TO HOLD OPEN TRY-OUT, ROOKIES CLINIC ON SUNDAY 1 MARCH, CLUB TO RECREATE MLB EXPERIENCE IN HERTFORDSHIRE AND NORTH WEST LONDON

 

A look back at the newspapers over the last few weeks may lead us to the conclusion that the people of Britain are concerned with nothing other than snow and how the newly-elected American President is going to save us all from the worst economic crisis in 100 years, while at the same time football clubs have been breaking transfer records with hundreds of millions of pounds spent on players.

 

But in Hertfordshire and North West London a whole community has been thinking of nothing but baseball with the launch of a campaign for the promotion of the game in the region.

 

Herts Baseball Club is preparing for one of its most important seasons in its history.  After the Herts Falcons won the AAA National Championship last year, the British Baseball Federation invited them to join the top tier of British Baseball – the National Baseball League.  Jason Greenberg, the Manager who led the Falcons to the title said: “This is the first time that a team from Hertfordshire will play at the highest level of British baseball.  The Club has also announced plans to create a fourth adult team, the Herts Eagles, which is expected to join the League at the AAA level.  This would mean that Herts Baseball Club would be the only baseball organisation in Great Britain to have a team at every level of British Baseball.”

 

Greenberg added: “Whatever your baseball abilities, anyone from absolute beginners to elite players, would be able to find a Herts baseball team to fit with their level.  Those who work hard to improve will be able to progress up the Herts pyramid all the way to National League level.”

 

The Herts players have just returned to the baseball diamond after intense indoor sessions in the last few weeks.  This coincides with the launch of the Club’s 2009 recruitment campaign.  The campaign aims to make men and women, boys and girls, of any age, aware of one of the most popular sports in the world.  Not many Brits know that baseball is played by millions across the globe and that the game of baseball is alive and well right here in the British Isles, and is growing fast. 

 

Over the years, Hollywood movies have given the British public a sense of the significance of baseball and why it generates so much passion.  Club President, Aspi Dimitrov said:  “For one reason or another, the opportunity to play baseball in this country has never been marketed well.  We are hoping to change this in our region with our campaign.  Our club is looking to recreate the Major League Baseball (MLB) experience for all its members – the competition for places in pre-season Spring Training; hitting a home run like Barry Bonds; looking to have a better batting average than Alex Rodriguez of the Yankees; striking out a batter with a nasty curveball, turning a double-play, coming up to bat with two outs in the bottom of the ninth – these are just some of the aspects which our players get to experience in the course of the British baseball season.  We want more people to experience this.  In the first of a series of promotional videos which can be seen on our website, we have tried to put exactly this point across”

 

 

As part of the Campaign, on Sunday 1 March 2009, the Club is staging Open Trials for anyone who wants to get a taste of baseball.  The Try Outs are aimed at both newcomers and players who are hoping to make the Herts Falcons roster in their first season in the British National Baseball League.  They will all go through a series of skills trials which will test their batting, fielding, pitching and running abilities.  Since any adult can join the Herts Baseball Club, and all members get playing time on the diamond each weekend, the day is not about 'making the cut'… but, rather, welcoming new members to the Herts family and helping the four team managers fashion their squads (or 'Camps') for the rest of the Spring Training.

 

Dimitrov is certain that among the newcomers there will be players who unknowingly possess phenomenal baseball talent.  He said:  “We are hoping that we will discover a Roy Hobbs (from the Oscar-nominated movie, The Natural, starring Robert Redford), someone who can hit a home run or maybe a flame-throwing pitcher.  The Managers will have a radar gun ready and hopefully someone will be able to get into 80mph or, who knows, maybe even 90mph.  We may just find that player who helps one of our four teams bring home the Championship trophy.”  

 

In the afternoon, Falcons Manager, Jason Greenberg, will send his Spring Training Camp out for an exhibition game against the Great Britain Juniors National Team.  Apart from existing Herts players the Falcons NBL Camp will include a selection of invitees who impress during the morning tests.

 

Those who are interested to attend should register online at: http://www.hertsbaseball.com/trials/

Any questions about the day's events can be directed to join@hertsbaseball.com. 

 

If you can’t wait until 1 March, you can join the Herts players in their upcoming Spring Training sessions.  All of these sessions and the Open Day on 1 March are open for anyone to attend and there are no costs involved.  Newcomers who don’t have a baseball glove will be provided with one.

 

·         BULLPEN SESSION, Sat – 14 Feb 2009 – 11:45 , Grovehill Ballpark, Hemel Hempstead

·         HEADSTART CLINIC, Sun – 15 Feb 2009 – 11:15 , Grovehill Ballpark, Hemel Hempstead

·         SPRING TRAINING, Sun – 15 Feb 2009 – 12:45 , Grovehill Ballpark, Hemel Hempstead

·         BULLPEN SESSION, Sat – 21 Feb 2009 – 12:45 , Grovehill Ballpark, Hemel Hempstead

·         SPRING TRAINING, Sun – 22 Feb 2009 – 10:45 , Grovehill Ballpark, Hemel Hempstead

·         OPEN HERTS TRIALS, Sun – 01 Mar 2009 – 09:45 , Grovehill Ballpark, Hemel Hempstead

·         TEAM TRAINING (SPLIT-SQUAD), Sun – 08 Mar 2009 – 09:45 , Grovehill Ballpark, Hemel Hempstead

·         TEAM TRAINING (SPLIT-SQUAD), Sun – 15 Mar 2009 – 09:45, Grovehill Ballpark, Hemel Hempstead

 

Note: These events are for adults (14 years old and above).  For boys and girls under 14 the Club will soon be publishing details of the 2009 Herts Little League season.  If you are under 14 years of age please contact the club for more details about the Herts Little League.