UPDATE: Since publishing this article the BBF has confirme that the Under-14 Playoffs on 10 September will be moved to Finsbury Park while the Under-17 games will remain at Daws Hill.
Late this evening the British Baseball Federation (BBF) announced details of the 2011 postseason for the British Youth Baseball Leagues, including the draw for the playoffs. Players and fans of Herts baseball have been eagerly awaiting this announcement. As expected, the draw is particularly difficult for the Herts U14 and Herts U17 All Star teams.
Both Herts teams will need to go through a gruelling playoff format. The Playoffs will be played on Saturday, 10 February 2011, at the former RAF Daws Hill airbase in Buckinghamshire.
BBF UNDER-17 PLAYOFFS
In the Under-17 competition, the Herts All Stars will first face the Essex RedBacks at 11:30am. The two teams have faced each other four times in the regular season and the RedBacks have dominated this match-up winning all four games. The winner will then clash with the London Mets who are the top seeded team and the undoubted favourites to win the national championship. The winner of that game would progress through to the National Baseball Championships (NBC) to be played in Richmond on 17 and 18 September.
BBF UNDER-14 PLAYOFFS
The task for Herts in the Under-14 bracket is even more gruelling. They are the reigning National Champions after their memorable 2-1 win against the London Mets last October, but in order to secure their place in the NBC and defend their title, the Herts All Stars have to win three playoff games in a row on the same day. Herts are the number three seed for these Playoffs and they open the day at 9am against the number six seed, Essex Atoms. The two teams have not faced each other in the past, so the Atoms could prove to be a dangerous opponent.
If Herts manage to win this first game, next for them will be winner of the Bracknell and Essex RedBacks game. This game is schedule to start at 1pm. If they manage to win this second game they will then go on to play against the loser of the game between top two seeds, London Mets and LYBL. This final game is scheduled for 3pm.
So the task for Herts U-14 is clear – win three games in a row otherwise the team will have to relinquish the National Championship trophy. If they manage to do this they will book their place for the National Championship event a week later.
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09:00
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Game 1
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Cobham Cougars U17
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@
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Horsham Hornets U17
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6 innings
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11:30
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Game 2
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Herts All Stars U17
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@
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Essex RedBacks U17
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6innings
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14:00
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Game 3
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Game 2 Winner
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@
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London Mets U17
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6 innings
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14:00
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Game 4
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Game 1 Loser
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@
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Game 2 Loser
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6 innings
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10:00
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Game 1
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Bracknell U14
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@
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Essex RedBacks U14
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5 innings
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10:00
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Game 2
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Essex Atoms U14
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@
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Herts All Stars U14
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5innings
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12:00
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Game 3
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London Mets U14
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@
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LYBL U14
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5 innings
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12:00
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Game 4
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Game 2 Loser
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@
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Game 1 Loser
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5 innings
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14:00
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Game 5
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Game 1 Winner
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@
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Game 2 Winner
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5 innings
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16:00
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Final
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Game 5 Winner
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@
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Game 3 Loser
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5 innings
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