Herts Falcons and Herts Harriers need two wins this weekend to make history and clinch the biggest prize in British baseball

When the dust settles, who will emerge as the 2013 NBL champion? (photo by Richard Lee richardleephotography.org)
Herts Baseball Club’s 17-year history has included some big games, but none can compare to this weekend’s climax of the 2013 British baseball season. The Herts Falcons will be aiming to win the National Baseball League championship trophy for the first time since the club was founded in 1996. If they succeed, the trophy will be coming back to Hertfordshire for the first time since the Watford Sun-Rockets won it back in 1969.
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The Falcons will face the reigning champions, Harlow Nationals, in the semi-final this Saturday, 14 September. This is a chance for revenge after the Nationals broke Falcons’ hearts 12 months ago beating them 6-3 in the final to clinch the NBL championship.
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The game will be played at Farnham Park in Slough (postcode SL2 3BP), which opened just a few weeks ago. The unveiling of this new venue has added to the excitement in the same way as the new Wembley Stadium and Olympic venues when they were opened. A record number of Herts baseball fans from around the region are expected to be in attendance. The game will start at 14h30.
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If the Falcons overcome Harlow, they will be through to the Final on Sunday at 15h00 where they will meet the winner of the other semi-final between the London Mets and the Southampton Mustangs.
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Also on Saturday and at the same venue, the Herts Harriers will be looking to carry the flag for the club in the Under-17 national championships. In the semi-final they will come up against the London Mets, who have been the dominant force in the U17 league in this country over the last 3 years. The game starts at 10h30. The timing is ideal for Herts fans who can cheer on the Herts youngsters in the morning and then walk over to main diamond to support the Falcons. Herts has one national title in the Under-14 league, which they won in 2010, but this is the first time that the club has a team which has reached the semi-final stage of the Under-17 league.
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If the Herts Harriers win their semi-final, they will play in the final 24 hours later (on Sunday, 15 September) against the winner of the Cobham Cougars vs Halton Polecats semi-final.
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To receive a Herts Fan Pack for this weekend’s national championships, contact Herts Baseball Club.
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