With the success of the Covid vaccination roll out, families around the country are looking forward to resuming outdoor activities in April. The government’s timetable currently indicates that organised outdoor sport can commence from Monday, 29 March. On the basis of this Herts Baseball Club has published the Spring Training schedule for its adult and youth teams.
The adult teams are set to return to the ballpark for the first time on Sunday, 4 April, while the youth teams start preparations on the following weekend, 10-11 April.
Youth players who are new to the sport will have the opportunity to come to one of the Open Days in April to try baseball and see if they will enjoy it before they register for the 2021 inaugural season of the Herts Youth Baseball League. These will be held at both of the club’s ballparks in Hemel Hempstead and in North West London.
New adult players will have the opportunity to do the same during the Spring Training sessions in April.
Although the youth teams do not have a session on Easter weekend, the Great Britain National Team is inviting all players aged between 9 and 12 who are British passport holders, or soon to be passport holders, to attend the first GB Under-12 National Team workout which we understand will be used as a tryout in preparation for the U12 European Championships to be held in Germany this summer between 4 and 10 July 2021.
All Herts events will follow the Covid-secure protocol approved by the government which allows baseball activities for up to 30 players and coaches on a baseball diamond at any given time. In view of this, players will need to book their places for the sessions in advance by marking their availability in the online Clubhouse. Those who are not registered for the 2021 season yet but who are interested to come to one of these open sessions to try baseball, must contact the club in advance to book their place. If we reach the limit of 30 players per event, the club will give priority to registered members and will put non-registered players on a waiting list so that they are given priority at the next event which has available places.
Before the players return for their first baseball sessions at Grovehill Ballpark, the club will have its annual Field Maintenance Day on Saturday, 3 April. Players and volunteers are invited to come and help to prepare the field for the upcoming season. The club will provide more details about this closer to the event.
Note: The schedules may be subject to change to comply with Covid restrictions.
Schedule – Adult teams based at Grovehill Ballpark in Hemel Hempstead
| DAY | DATE | TIME (START) | TIME (END) | EVENT NAME | VENUE |
| Sun | 04-Apr-21 | 10:00 | 12:00 | Spring Training | Grovehill Ballpark, Hemel Hempstead |
| Sun | 11-Apr-21 | 10:00 | 12:00 | Spring Training | Grovehill Ballpark, Hemel Hempstead |
| Sun | 18-Apr-21 | 10:00 | 12:00 | Spring Training | Grovehill Ballpark, Hemel Hempstead |
| Sat | 24-Apr-21 | TBC | TBC | Herts Spring League | Grovehill Ballpark, Hemel Hempstead |
| Sun | 25-Apr-21 | TBC | TBC | Herts Spring League | Grovehill Ballpark, Hemel Hempstead |
| Sun | 02-May-21 | TBC | TBC | BBF League Opening Day | TBC |
Schedule – Adult teams based at Basing Hill Ballpark, NW London
| DAY | DATE | TIME (START) | TIME (END) | EVENT NAME | VENUE |
| Sun | 04-Apr-21 | 10:00 | 12:00 | Spring Training | Grovehill Ballpark, Hemel Hempstead |
| Sun | 11-Apr-21 | 12:30 | 14:30 | Spring Training | Basing Hill Ballpark, NW London |
| Sun | 18-Apr-21 | 12:30 | 14:30 | Spring Training | Basing Hill Ballpark, NW London |
| Sat | 24-Apr-21 | TBC | TBC | Herts Spring League | Grovehill Ballpark, Hemel Hempstead |
| Sun | 25-Apr-21 | TBC | TBC | Herts Spring League | Grovehill Ballpark, Hemel Hempstead |
| Sun | 02-May-21 | TBC | TBC | BBF League Opening Day | TBC |
Schedule – Youth teams based at Grovehill Ballpark in Hemel Hempstead
| DAY | DATE | TIME (START) | TIME (END) | EVENT NAME | VENUE |
| Sat | 10-Apr-21 | 10:00 | 12:00 | Open Day – Spring Training | Grovehill Ballpark, Hemel Hempstead |
| Sat | 17-Apr-21 | 10:00 | 12:00 | Open Day – Spring Training | Grovehill Ballpark, Hemel Hempstead |
| Sun | 25-Apr-21 | 10:00 | 12:00 | Open Day – Spring Training | Grovehill Ballpark, Hemel Hempstead |
| Sat | 01-May-21 | 10:00 | 12:00 | Open Day – Spring Training | Grovehill Ballpark, Hemel Hempstead |
| Sat | 08-May-21 | TBC | TBC | HYBL Opening Day | Grovehill Ballpark, Hemel Hempstead |
Schedule – Youth teams based at Basing Hill Ballpark, NW London
| DAY | DATE | TIME (START) | TIME (END) | EVENT NAME | VENUE |
| Sun | 11-Apr-21 | 10:00 | 12:00 | Open Day – Spring Training | Basing Hill Ballpark, NW London |
| Sun | 18-Apr-21 | 10:00 | 12:00 | Open Day – Spring Training | Basing Hill Ballpark, NW London |
| Sun | 25-Apr-21 | 10:00 | 12:00 | Open Day – Spring Training | Basing Hill Ballpark, NW London |
| Sun | 02-May-21 | 09:30 | 11:30 | Open Day – Spring Training | Basing Hill Ballpark, NW London |
| Sat | 08-May-21 | TBC | TBC | HYBL Opening Day | Grovehill Ballpark, Hemel Hempstead |