Category: Adult Leagues

by AspiDimitrov

RAPTORS TO FOCUS ON DEFENCE AND TEAMWORK IN 2009 – EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH MANAGER, ANDREW SLATER

As we build up to the start of the 2009 baseball season, the Herts Newswire will be running a series of exclusive interviews with some of the people who will be making the headlines in British Baseball in 2009.  Leading off we have an interview with the newly appointed Herts Raptors Manager, Andrew Slater.

 

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

 

I had previously played many sports including football and more recently American football.

I never had any link to baseball until my friend Kyle Hunlock (member of Herts Falcons in 2005) alerted me of how big baseball was in this country. I was looking for a new challenge and having only been a rookie last season and now a manager I certainly have one.

 

Do you prefer managing or playing?

 

I have captained and coached in other sports and have enjoyed the experience. So I hope that will not change. One thing I do know is I love playing the game.

 

How would you describe yourself as a manager?

 

This is a hard question to answer. The words that come to mind are: Committed; Passionate; Easy to talk to; Motivational.

 

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?

 

Both competitiveness and individual player satisfaction go hand in hand. If you seize the playing time you are given with full commitment in improving yourself and helping the team move forward. Then both the player and team will win. If you have a squad of 15 players all fighting to improve themselves this will lead to a great level of competitiveness within the squad as well as in the league.

 

What are you looking forward to most in 2009?

 

I’m looking forward to another season of playing and helping to introduce new players to some enjoyable baseball, and moving the team forward into its 2nd season.

 

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

 

I believe all are important in the game of baseball.  On previous experience in sports I have learnt the team with the better defence tends to be victorious. I believe this is the first place to start with a team, which include rookie players. I also feel that no team will work without good teamwork.

 

Being the manager of the Club's Single-A team, means that the other three managers are able to pick players ahead of you.  Do you think that this is going to be a big problem in fielding a competitive team?

 

With our existing Herts players and the very good group of new players who have made an appearance so far this year, I am full of confidence that all 4 teams will be strong in 2009.

 

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

 

I couldn’t possibly pick.

 

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?

 

Player movement will be very important this season. This will give players the goals and aims they need to improve and work themselves up the Herts baseball franchise. It will also give players the chance to move down a level to try out new positions such as pitching.

 

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

 

My top aim this season is players’ improvement and creating a team who love to play the game and are happy whatever the end result.  When it comes to standings, an improvement of last season’s 2-9 is well within this team’s capabilities. If the season ends 6-6 then that will be a great result but I believe we can do even better.

 

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

 

Hopefully the previous answers in this interview will give any player who will be involved with the Raptors an insight of things to come.  All I can add is that I hope you all are looking forward to the coming season as much as I am.

 

Stay tuned to the Herts Newswire.  Next week, Hawks Manager, Marty Cullen Sr, shares his thoughts on the DH Rule, the future of British baseball, the secret of the Falcons’ success, why Baseball is the best team sport and much more.

by AspiDimitrov

SNOWSTORM REVEALS BRITAIN’S UNDISCOVERED BASEBALL TALENT

 

With the weather bringing the United Kingdom to a standstill, the top story on every TV and radio station is the snow.  The global social messaging site twitter.com is reporting that messages about the snow in Southern England are outpacing messages about Barack Obama as well as last night’s exciting Super Bowl game.

 

The heaviest snowfall in 20 years coincides with the Herts adult players returning to the diamond this weekend as Spring training moves outdoors after weeks of indoor training. 

 

The snow may have brought chaos and may scupper many sporting events this week, but has given a once-in-twenty-years opportunity for the whole country to actively get involved in practicing baseball.  Snowball fights involve many of the skills required in baseball.  The streets of Southern England are packed with children and adults who couldn’t get to school and work this morning so have chosen to have a snowball fight instead.  There are some very strong and accurate arms out there and not many people in the UK know that they have a hidden talent which could make them a superstar in the British Baseball League.  Herts officials have asked several of their coaches to go out in the snow with their radar guns and scout for the players that will bring the British title to Hertfordshire.  Herts baseball Club Secretary, Aspi Dimitrov, said: “When you see any undiscovered baseball players out there make sure to give them the website address of Herts Baseball Club.“

 

More snow is forecast for the next few days and the four Herts managers will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye on conditions before deciding whether the first outdoor session of 2009 will proceed as planned. 

 

Herts Baseball Club has issued a statement advising newcomers who are planning to attend this weekend’s first session to contact the Club via the official website for more details.  Contacting the Club in advance will allow club officials to add the email addresses of new recruits to the club’s mailing list and will be able to advise them about this week’s training and future training sessions coming up this Spring.

 

The new wave of players joining the club at the start of every season will play a key role as Herts Baseball prepares for expansion into four teams competing at all four league levels of British baseball, from the National League to the Single-A League.  The Club has many positions to fill in its four rosters which offers an opportunity to baseball players of all abilities to come and play, from complete beginners to experienced players.

by AspiDimitrov

ASK THE MANAGER

Herts Baseball Newswire will be building up to the new season with a series of interviews with the managers of the four Herts teams.  Andrew Slater will make his debut as the new Raptors Manager taking over from Jake Kikel.  Marty Cullen is looking forward to a new challenge as the Manager of the Hawks playing in the AA Division.  Dave Westfallen will lead the Herts Eagles into battle in the AAA Division.  Jason Greenberg will take the AAA National Champions, the Falcons, into unchartered territory as a Herts team enters the top-tier of British Baseball for the first time in the club's history. 

Herts Baseball Newswire wants to give its visitors the chance to ask the questions.  You may be interested in the Manager's predictions for 2009 or maybe you want to find out more about what makes them tick.

If you want to put your question to any of the Managers please send them to the Newswire.  Please indicate which of the four managers (or maybe all four of them) you want to ask.  If you want your question to be kept anonymous, please indicate this in your message.  You can ask more than one question so please include all your question in your message.

by AspiDimitrov

CULLEN AT THE WHEEL

 

Marty Cullen was elected as the Herts’ AA manager for the season 2009 in a contest that completed the full house of managers for the upcoming season.

 

The appointment of Cullen is thought to be a radical measure by the club, as it is hoped that his experience in AAA will bring about some tactical improvements, while his experience with the Little League will allow Cullen to bring through players of all ages and ability.

 

In retrospect, the appointment of managers for the upcoming season was the penultimate step before Spring Training is turned on full blast from January 11 onwards.  All four teams now have their managers, who will be able to cast a discerning eye on the potential of players during the combined spring sessions of all Herts players.

 

It is to be hoped that there will be no fisticuffs between managers about selecting specific players, and if there are, your reporter would like to be called in to watch.

 

Congratulations to Marty Cullen and the best of luck to the managers of all Herts Baseball Teams.

by AspiDimitrov

WESTIE TAKES EAGLES HELM

Herts Baseball Club has announced that Dave Westfallen has been appointed as the Manager of the newly formed Herts Eagles.  The Eagles are the fourth adult team of the Herts franchise and will be its representative in the AAA League of British Baseball. 

 

Dave Westfallen has had many years of experience in British baseball.  He made his return to Herts in 2008 with the Herts Hawks becoming their first-choice catcher.  He proved to be one of the key players for the team and amongst the best performers both defensively and offensively.

 

Apart from his contribution as a player he had a very positive influence on the rest of the team, always staying positive and offering quiet but timely words of advice to those who needed it.

 

This did not go unnoticed by Herts Falcons Manager, Jason Greenberg, and Westie was called up to the Herts Falcons roster for the most important games in the club’s history at the AAA Final 4 in September. 

 

2009 will be an exciting year for everyone involved with Herts Baseball.  The Herts players will have to step up their efforts in a big way if they are to succeed at all four tiers of the British Baseball League.  This will be a massive challenge for the club, but it appears that many new players like the idea of achieving something which may appear impossible and the club has reported that a large number of enquiries from new players have been received.  With Spring just around the corner, the competition for places will be fierce and it will be up to the Team Managers to find the right formula for each of the four teams.  Dave Westfallen is now a member of the management team and the Herts Baseball Newswire will be following his progress and that of the Herts Eagles in 2009.

by AspiDimitrov

2009 SEASON BUILD-UP: REPORT FROM BBF WINTER MEETINGS

Report from Herts Newswire correspondent, Kal Dimitrov

Bracknell, Westmorland Park

 

The BBF held a meeting on Sunday 30 November to review the 2008 season and set out goals and targets for the 2009 season.

 

The success of Herts Baseball did have a prominent place of pride. In conjunction with that, a number of issues were raised to make the experience in 2009 better than last year for all the teams involved.  It was agreed that a number of scheduling issues, such as stretching the season out to include September, as well as the inclusion of double headers for AA games were put forward for consideration.   The Herts Raptors and Herts Hawks remember the large number of games played against the same opponents week-after-week (Essex Arrows and Brentwood respectively) and they will be happy to know that the BBF Board will aim to provide a more balanced schedule for AA and Single-A teams.

 

In addition, it was proposed to establish an end-of-season competition – a cup or a fall league, for the clubs that have players keen to continue playing into September and even the first week of October. 

 

The BBF Board reported that several new teams are expected to join the league in 2009 in addition to the Herts Falcons joining the National League and the Herts Eagles going into the AAA league.  The London Mets are creating a third team, the London Marauders, who are expected to enter the Single-A Division.  There was also very positive news from the Midlands Division which is expected to expand from three to six teams.

 

The delegates also discussed how to handle teams that fold midway through the season or forfeit a number of games.  A proposal was reviewed on how to treat the games played by teams that have dropped out of the league, such as wiping out all their scores for the season.

 

The BBF Board reported that the Southern League Commissioner, Cody Cane, has stepped down.  Herts delegate, Aspi Dimitrov, put forward his candidacy to be co-opted as Southern League Commissioner until the next BBF AGM and this will now be considered by the BBF Board.

by AspiDimitrov

BASEBALLGB.CO.UK ANALYSES FALCONS NL ENTRY

Following Herts Baseball Club's announcements on 9 November 2008, the news of the Herts Falcons joining the National League has received a large amount of media coverage.  Yesterday, the Herts Baseball Newswire posted an article from Bruce Dullea who is in a very unique position to assess this month's developments.  Today, we offer an article published on BaseballGB.co.uk, which is well known for its intelligent analysis of the game from a British perspective.

 

SOUTHERN TOP-TIER BASEBALL TO EXPAND FOR ONLY THE SECOND TIME SINCE THE 1999 SEASON

November 10th, 2008 by Joe Gray

 

In 1999 there were nine teams in the southern bracket of the National Baseball League (NBL), but since then the yearly progression has gone eight, six, five, five, six, five, four, four, and four (in 2008). So there has been a drop five times (including a two-team drop between 2000 and 2001) and an increase only once.

 

The 2009 season should see a second increase, though, according to an article on the Herts Baseball Club website, which states that the club’s first team (the Falcons) will compete in the NBL South from next year. Of course, if the Mets were to not defend their title or if the Blazers, the Flames, or the Pirates were to not field a team in the top tier next season then we would not see a growth, but there were no forfeits in 2008, which is a good sign that the four teams are healthy at present.

 

While the growth of Herts Baseball Club can be celebrated by baseball enthusiasts up and down the country, it is not necessarily indicative of a reversal in the “shrinking south” trend. The progression of Herts Baseball Club has resulted more from an immeasurable amount of work from several members of the club than from national or local measures to grow the game.

 

Alongside the “shrinking south” trend sits a “narrowing north” pattern. Only two NBL North teams were able to complete the 2008 schedule, after the Liverpool Trojans pulled out mid-season. With the result that automatic berths in the Final Fours were available for the two remaining teams (Manchester and Menwith Hill), it could be argued that they were only involved in meaningful competition in 2008 for one game (both teams were eliminated at the semi-final stage). Clearly, then, a similar piece of news form the north, or at least a confirmation of Liverpool’s continuation in the top tier, would be very welcome.

 

In other Herts baseball news, the petition to support planned grounds improvements, highlighted on BaseballGB, was clearly a success as the club has secured planning permission for the work.

 

The publication of this article sparked a heated discussion among readers of BaseballGB.co.uk   To view the comments which were posted click the following link:

REACTION TO THE ARTICLE FROM READERS OF BASEBALLGB.CO.UK

by AspiDimitrov

WHERE EAGLES DARE [Newswire Op-Ed]

NEWSWIRE OPINION EDITORIAL

2007 Falcons Manager Bruce Dullea – now with the Sidewindersorganisation – has been following closely the on and off-fielddevelopments at Herts Baseball with the unique interest of anoutsider/alumni.  He offers his wise and candid perspective into theFalcons chances for success in the National League, some skepticismabout the future of the Herts franchise, and some praise for the club's”meteoric rise” of late.  Does this renewed interest in his formerfamily foreshadow Dullea's return to the fold… the prodigal son comehome again?  Or is it, simply, a message in the proverbial bottlewashed up from distant shores?

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

WHERE EAGLES DARE
by Bruce Dullea

Forthose of us who didn’t sleep through our Greek mythology class, weshould remember the story of Icarus.  Deciding not to heed the adviceof his Father, he chose to fly too close to the sun, thinking that thehigher he flew, the more God-like he would become. Tragically, hisfeathers, which were made of wax, melted, and he fell into the sea.

Someof the more erudite members of the Herts Falcons may be aware of thelegend of Icarus.  Analogies do exist.  Their recent history is trulyfascinating, and is a lesson in perseverance, tenacity, and overcomingadversities.  After examining what they have endured, and where theyhave come from, it is apparent that the club has made a remarkableascent through the ranks of the British Baseball Federation.  (Givenwhat they’ve gone through, perhaps they should rename themselves thePhoenix).  After languishing for two years in the bottom of the premierleague, and then being subsequently relegated, they have made ameteoric rise.  Initially promoted to the then premier league in 2005,they found the competition very arduous.   In 2005 and 2006 theyfinished near the bottom of the league, and in September of 06 wound uplosing an epic extra inning relegation playoff game to the Burgess HillColts.   This meant that in just two mere years after gainingpromotion, they were then forced to take a major step back by beingrelegated to the division that they formerly had conquered.  At thetime, they more resembled the legend of Sisyphus than Icarus.  Ratherthan wallow in self-pity, the club made it their personal mission toretool, improve, and once again attain promotion. 

Since thatepic defeat, the club has experienced nothing but success.  In 2007they finished with an 18-3 record, won the Division I Southern pennant,and were the National runner-up in the Final 4.  They were thenrewarded with a promotion back to the Premiere (now called AAA)division.  Their performance in the 2008 campaign surpassed everyone’sexpectations.  The club finished with a 21-3 campaign, clinched aplayoff spot, won their division, and ultimately brought home thehardware by winning the AAA National Championship.  Perhaps what iseven more astonishing is that their accomplishments off the field haveexceeded their success on the diamond.  While baseball clubs have beenfolding all over the country, they have been a model for consistency aswell as how to develop the sport in the UK.  In 2007 they founded theirown Little League, which has prospered and proven to be verysuccessful.  They have the most impressive website and the most mediasavvy club in the UK.  They have grown to three teams with over 50members, can boast of a multitude of corporate sponsors, and haverecently received permission to build a second field at Grovehill Park,which has been their home since their inception in 1996.

Thecoup de grace came last Monday, when the BBF announced that the Falconshave accepted a promotion to the National League, the top tier leaguein the country.  To those of us who have followed British Baseball andin particular the trials and travails of the Herts Baseball Club, thisis a truly unbelievable accomplishment, and they must be commended.

Whatdoes the future hold for the HBC?  Since accepting the invitation tojoin the National League, they have announced that they are forming afourth team (the Eagles) which will take the place of the Falcons andcompete in the AAA division in 2009.  Are they growing too soon, toofast?  How much of a risk are they taking?  It is readily obvious thatalthough the club is capitalizing on their recent successes, they havemany challenges and questions in front of them.

Sources havesaid that the Falcons benefited from a “watered” down 2008 AAAdivision.  They no longer had to compete against the CambridgeMonarchs, the perennial power that had folded once their Americanmilitary base closed.  They didn’t have to play against any of theNational League clubs.  One club (Milton Keynes) disbanded during theseason and another (Bristol) was an expansion club.  The last time theteam was in the premier league they regularly faced pitchers who threwin the 90’s, including Glen Goodrich, Bob Runyon, and Derek Kelly, twoof whom pitched professionally in the US.  Long time observers feltthat the team benefitted from facing weaker pitching in 2008.  Evenagainst the diluted pitching, the team suffered a prolonged battingslump during the course of the season.    Their team batting average of.308 was more than 100 points lower than their previous (AA) season,and their home run total dropped from 14 to 4, even though GrovehillPark is very accommodating to right handed power hitters.

How will the Falcons hitters fare against the London Mets, who were 23-1 and gave up an average of 2.2 runs per game?

Will the club be able to hit against Richmond’s Cody Cain, a hard throwing right hander?

Theclub’s 21-3 record was impressive, but on closer inspection, 3 of thewins were by forfeit and 6 others were decided by one run.  Two otherclubs scored more runs and matched their run differential.  Are theyreally a legitimate NBL team, or do they need more time to grow andprove themselves?

The Falcons pitching was very strong in 08,and carried the team when they weren’t hitting.  Their top two pitchersare master craftsmen who rely on control rather than power.  It remainsto be seen how they will fare against National League batters.

In2006, the last time the club faced National League teams, they went 0-4and were outscored 66-9. Granted, the team struggled throughout theseason, and it was a totally different environment, but many of theteam’s nucleus were a part of that club.

The biggest questionmark is how the club will fill the roster for the newly formed Eagles. They will need a massive recruiting effort to ensure that the club iscompetitive and the talent from the three existing clubs aren’tdiluted.   Their two other clubs (Hawks & Raptors) will need tokeep the core of their rosters intact to remain competitive.  TheFalcons will need everyone to help them compete in the NBL.  In thelast three seasons, clubs have folded in Shropshire, Brighton,Liverpool, London, Windsor, and Cambridge.  There is also a rumour thatthe Northern National Baseball League will disband.  Baseball in the UKis dying, not growing.  Where will they find the extra players?

Ithas been reported that the HBC Executive Committee voted unanimously toaccept the promotion invitation.  However, a published report fromtheir website indicated that there was some internal trepidation aboutthe move.  What was the mood in the boardroom, and how much internaldissent was there?  Are there expansion plans overly optimistic, ordoes the club truly feel that they can field 4 competitive teams oneyear removed from AA ball?  Did they feel overly compelled to go forbroke, or should prudence have won out?

Another question to askis the BBF’s rationale in extending the invitation.  It is obvious thatthe sport is declining in the UK.  In 2004, there were 6 clubs in theNL south.  Three of those clubs (Windsor Bears, London Warriors, andthe Brighton Buccaneers) no longer exist.   With the recent disbandmentof the Liverpool Trojans, there are now only two remaining NL northclubs, and in all likelihood there will not be a Northern Division in09.  Given the current state of the NBL, something had to be done, butit remains to be seen as to whether the Falcons will be competitive,and what impact their promotion will have on the HBC.

In anyevent, the Falcons have made their decision.  It is risky, but you haveto give them credit.  They are ambitious and are one of the trulypositive stories about baseball in Britain.  Everyone is pulling forthem.  They are also now in the same position as Icarus.  Their wingswill take them up, up, and away to the NBL.  There will be no goingback.

Was Daedalus around to warn them of the perils of flying too high, too soon?

Are their wings made of wax?

Next year, we will find out.

I wish them all the best on their journey.

by AspiDimitrov

LIFT OFF! FALCONS SOAR INTO NATIONAL LEAGUE

First they swept the AAA in their first year back up.  Then, in a dramatic 6-3 nail-biter, they swiped the championship trophy from their cross-division rivals.  Now, the Herts Falcons dream season has soared to greater heights still.

 

Official word came down from the British Baseball Federation this week that the Herts Falcons have a place in the 2009 National Baseball League, the top level of play in the United Kingdom.  Ending weeks of rumours and speculation, the Herts Executive Board has voted unanimously to accept the invitation and will begin an intense winter-season training scheme and recruitment drive in preparation for the competitive play to come.

The BBF's top division is by invite only, and the Falcons are the only squad moving up this year.  They will be one of just five squads in the 2009 Southern National League and will meet their London, Richmond, Bracknell and Croydon rivals at home and away, with all games officiated by the top UK umpires from the ABUA-GB.

 

Once unimaginable, accepting a bid to the NBL crystallises the Falcons as a top-tier squad… no small achievement for a team that’s had a roller-coaster ride through the lower BBF divisions since its inception in 1996, and suffered relegation to the AA as recently as 2006.  Without a doubt, the promotion catapults the Herts Baseball Club to national prominence.  Together with their ambitious Field Development Project and burgeoning Little League, the success of the Falcons the past two years – AA league leaders in 2007, and AAA champions in 2008 – has given Herts members a first team they can be proud of.

 

 

MOVE TO FOUR TEAMS, FOUR LEAGUES

 

As the Falcons promote to the NBL, a gap is left in their franchise at the AAA level.  A new, fourth team has been created to compete at that level.  The Herts Eagles will face the same on-field threats as last season’s Falcons, such as the talented London Metros, crafty Essex Arrows, and the fierce AAA runners-up, the Oxford Kings.  The Herts Hawks (AA) and Raptors (A) will remain in their respective leagues. 

 

Herts Baseball Club now sports four teams in four levels of adult play in the UK and, with its Little League programme in the mix, makes the most complete baseball franchise nationwide.  A player can join Tee Ball at age 5, and progress all the way through the Herts ranks to the National Baseball League.

 

 

NEWLY TAPPED CLUB COACHES PREPARE TO TRAIN

 

Competing in the NBL is no small feat, and the club managers have outlined an aggressive training programme for the 2009 season.  Known in-house as simply “The Programme,” the revamped strategy emphasises roster flexibility and individual player development.  “Our big objective is player improvement,” says Falcons Manager Jason Greenberg.  “As individuals learn more about the game and focus their on-field skills, they’ll advance through our system from one squad to the next.  That process will start during spring training, but will continue all season long.  We really want to encourage our guys to better themselves as competitors and athletes.”

 

Greenberg and fellow-manager Andrew Slater have named three coaches to manage the club’s on-field development.  Conditioning Coach Dan Kerry, Hitting Coach Andy Cornish, and Pitching Coach Darrin Ward are already knee-deep in a detailed training scheme, which utilises drills and repetition of fundamentals to boost each and every Herts player’s stamina, agility and accuracy.  Together with newly appointed club statistician, Greg Bochan, the coaches will chart individual progress throughout the spring and into the season, helping the managers to make informed roster decisions and regular promotions.

 

The off-season regimen begins this month, as the club will make use of indoor facilities to condition, work on hitting and pitching mechanics and just play some five-on-five basketball.  After a short break for the holidays, they regroup for an intense conditioning, hitting and pitching programme that leads straight into on-field spring training at Grovehill and the exciting all-club trials.  “Last year’s spring training was really the most exciting part of the year.  We had nearly the entire club out at the field every week running, throwing, hitting… pushing themselves and their teammates to keep up… and just working hard to prove themselves on the diamond.  This year – with four teams and the lingering National League debut to contend with – well, it’s going to kick butt.  I can’t wait.”

 

 

VIGOROUS RECRUITMENT DRIVE

 

It is hoped that the move to the NBL will bring an instant boost to the club’s membership.  With only five organisations competing at the top level, talented players in Hertfordshire and across the southeast UK will be hunting for a spot on the roster, and Herts plans to roll out the welcome mat.

 

“We are a family more than a club,” says President Aspi Dimitrov.  “With the expansion to four teams, we have opened up a whole new roster and additional playing time for everyone!  The hope is to attract new players of all abilities: the season veterans who like the atmosphere and professionalism at Herts… the recreational types who just enjoy being with the boys on Sunday… and, most importantly, gents (and ladies!) who are completely new to the game and just want to give it a go.  We have room for everybody… and hope everybody brings along a friend or two when they come on out to the ballpark.”

 

With the help of Sponsorship Director Nic Goetz, Herts will stage a massive recruitment drive in the winter and spring months.  They are hoping to sign around 20 to 25 new members in the coming weeks and no stone will be left unturned.  Keep an eye out for Herts Baseball coasters in the local pubs, banners in the Hemel Hempstead town centre, and a nationwide media blitz.

 

 

FALCONS FLYING TOO HIGH?

 

The National League invitation may not have taken Herts by complete surprise (speculation after the Final 4 brought rumours and debate), but the decision still warranted careful deliberation by the club’s Executive Committee.  “There was a lot of concern throughout our club,” confessed Greenberg.  “Some guys were all for the move… but others were worried we wouldn’t be able to compete at that level.  Nobody wants to be next year’s whipping posts on a national stage.  But, the more we considered the idea, the more we weighed the pros and cons, the more of a no-brainer it turned out to be.  After all, how often do you get invited to compete at the top level – the national level – in anything, let alone the sport that you live and breathe all summer long?!  This is a dream come true.”

 

There is no relegation from the National League, so even should the Falcons finish the 2009 season with a losing record they will retain their spot, regroup, and work to improve for 2010.  “Baseball is a cyclical sport – sometimes you’re winning, sometimes you’re rebuilding.  That’s just part of the game.”  Next year may prove a rebuilding year for Herts, as they retool and come to grips with a higher state of play and an expanded club roster.  But, then again, 2008 was supposed to be a rebuilding year, and the Falcons swept through to their first-ever championship trophy.

 

One thing is for sure: the Herts Baseball Club is riding high with this latest achievement and not even the fear of top-tier adversity is enough to dampen their pride or their spirits.  Whether they win or lose in this first year up, they plan to bring a dogged determination to the diamond every Sunday morning… and go home each night with their heads held high.  It’s the closest thing Britain has to professional baseball, and the Falcons have certainly earned their wings.

Welcome to the big leagues, boys.