With spring training just a few weeks away, we look forward to the 2010 season with news from around the leagues. In an article first published on www.britishbaseball.org the signs are that the growth of baseball is not isolated only to Herts Baseball Club and the British Baseball Leagues will see many new teams next year which is an enticing prospect for all Herts teams.
British Baseball Leagues set for explosive growth in 2010
British Baseball has been growing slowly but steadily over the past few years in terms of both player numbers and numbers of teams in adult leagues – but the sport looks set for a growth explosion for the 2010 season.
British baseball leagues are expected to gain eight new teams in 2010, which would represent 22% growth on the previous season. Some of this growth will come from existing clubs entering new teams, a possibility currently being considered by Bracknell, Bristol, Essex, Guildford, Leicester and Mildenhall.
But the really exciting news is that five brand new baseball clubs should appear next year on the British baseball map. Two of them are the Chelmsford Clippers and the Essex RedBacks, who are separate organisations but plan to share a home field at Melbourne Park in Chelmsford.
Youth to Adults
Meanwhile, Horsham, which has the largest youth programme in this country, is planning to create its first ever adult team and they will certainly be a club to keep an eye on in the coming years as their talented young players start to roll off the conveyor belt. Horsham has the potential to grow into one of the biggest baseball organisations in the country, and are likely to play their home games at Pavilion Field in Brighton, which is also the home of the Burgess Hill Red Caps.
Plymouth is another club that has existed as a youth programme and is now making steps towards establishing its first adult team.
Tonbridge Bobcats, who have existed as an independent team for several years, are now making plans to join a British Basenall adult league and baseball enthusiasts in Telford are working hard to set up a brand new club from scratch in the area, with support from BSUK. Most of these prospective new teams are on course to join the league in time for the 2010 Opening Day.
Recruiting
We may be months away from the 2010 season, but all British Baseball League clubs are now recruiting new players.
And with all the new teams in prospect, fantastic opportunities exist for players of any standard, from complete rookies to experienced professionals, so contact Herts Baseball Club to be part of the 2010 baseball season.