Herts Baseball Club has announced that infielder, John Blose, will be wearing the Herts jersey in 2013. The 25-year-old makes the move from NBL rivals Essex Arrows.
“I am looking forward to joining such a great club like Herts and I am hoping to help the club as much as I can and that the Falcons can go that extra step to take the title that this club deserves” said Blose.
He added: “Grovehill Ballpark is the field where I seem to be producing my best performances. This is where I hit my first career homerun last year so I hope to keep that going and that the move will up my game.”
Before the start of 2012 Herts pitcher, Darrin Ward, swapped the Herts jersey for that of the Essex Arrows, which meant that John Blose has played with and against Ward over the years. “Darrin is a great guy with great attitude and has been a pest to get a hit off in the past.” said Blose. Ward rejoined the Falcons at the end of May this year so they will be playing alongside each other once again in 2013. “I am looking forward to having an intelligent pitcher like Darrin on my side once again next season. I must add that I’m looking forward to playing ball with everyone in the Falcons team. They all seem like a great group of players.”
Leaving the Essex Arrows has not been easy for Blose. He said: “I have had so many great years with the Arrows and I am grateful to all the guys at Essex for the support and love they have shown me over the years, and all the great memories.”
Blose started his baseball career at the age of 7 playing in the Alconbury Air Force base Little League, where his team won the title twice and later played for the Alconbury juniors and seniors internationally reaching the European stages. He was also selected by the Great Britain Cadets (Under-15) national team.
John Blose sliding home with the GB Team
With RAF Alconbury undergoing changes the Alconbury baseball teams were dissolved and in 2003 John Blose joined the Under-17 team of the Essex Arrows with whom he won the British U17 league title in his first season. In 2004 he was called up to the GB Juniors (U19) national squad and made his international debut in the international series versus Ireland in 2006. In his debut he played outfield and batted lead-off going 1-for-4 with 2B 2RBI and a stolen base.
He has been playing in the British senior leagues since 2003 going straight into the AAA league level, which was known as the Premier League at the time. After reaching the AAA National Championships with the Essex Arrows in 2009, he moved to the Mildenhall Bulldogs in 2010 making his NBL debut. He played for the Bulldogs for 2 seasons and in 2011 returned to the Essex Arrows.
Over the last 3 years in the NBL, Blose has played mainly at second base but has also appeared at shortstop and as a pitcher.
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