Author: AspiDimitrov

by AspiDimitrov

NBCs ARE COMING TO HERTS FORTHE FIRST TIME IN THE CLUB’S HISTORY

 

Grovehill Ballpark has been chosen to host the 2010 National Baseball Championships

 

The British Baseball Federation has announced that the National Senior Baseball Championships (NBC) event has been awarded to Herts Baseball Club. It will take place on the weekend of 4 and 5 September at Grovehill Ballpark in Hemel Hempstead. Major development of the venue has taken place over the last few years and this year a second baseball diamond was added to the venue. It is now the only baseball venue in the country with two diamonds and permanent outfield wall on both of them.

The NBC is the showpiece event in the British Baseball season to decide the 2010 champions in the four British Baseball Leagues. The NBL and AAA League NBCs will adopt last year’s double-elimination format with four teams battling it out over a total of six games in each League over the two days. The champions in the AA and Single-A Leagues will be determined over a three-week knockout playoff format with the two best teams in each league meeting in their respective Finals on 5 September 2010.

Some of the teams have already booked their place in the NBC, others are still fighting for automatic qualification or entry via the playoffs which will be played on Saturday 21 and Saturday 28 August at different venues around Great Britain.

 

 

The Herts Falcons (Left) and the Herts Eagles (right) have a big battle ahead of them but they must reach the NBCs

 

This news is fantastic for everyone connected with Herts Baseball.  The key now is for the Herts teams to reach the Championships.  The Herts Falcons are involved in a dramatic battle with Croydon and Mildenhall to clinch a playoff place in the NBL.  Only two out of the three teams will make it.

 

In the AAA League the Herts Eagles have a 4-game winning streak which has taken within touching distance of the league leaders, Oxford.  The two teams meet in the final game of the regular season on Sunday, 15 August.  Whoever come son top will go to the NBC automatically.  But first the Eagles face the London Metros this Sunday at Grivehill Ballpark.

 

The Hawks and Raptors may be out of the AA and Single-A races, respectively, but players in those teams may still play a part in the postseason if they are called up by the Falcons or Eagles.

 

Click here to view full details and schedule of the postseason Playoffs and NBCs.

by AspiDimitrov

CROYDON, HERTS AND MILDENHALL CHASE A PLAYOFF SPOT IN NBL

The Croydon Pirates all but booked their top-six spot and Herts and Mildenhall split their crucial doubleheader in the only Week 15 National Baseball League action on August 2.

 

NBL Special Correspondent Simon Fitzjohn reports:

 

MILDENHALL BULLDOGS @ HERTS FALCONS

Mildenhall and Herts both have a chance of claiming sixth spot after the teams split their doubleheader in wildly contrasting games.

 

The Falcons squeezed to a 6-5 win in Game One, Pete Kikel outdueling Barry Wiles on the mound. But the Bulldogs responded with a 19-8 blowout in Game Two. John Blose took the win in this game, with Dan Kerry (pictured right) launching a home run.

 

Herts’ Aspi Dimitrov said: “We left the field quite disappointed, but after a day or so I think we will look at it differently. We are as we were, but with a round of games less to play, which means that the remaining games become even more important. “We missed an opportunity to move up in the standings” Dimitrov continued, “but we have not lost any ground in the race for the play-offs.”

 

ESSEX ARROWS @ CROYDON PIRATES

An understrength Essex side was put to the sword by the Pirates, who boosted their record to 9-15 with a sweep of both games. The 7-0 and 17-4 wins saw Croydon pitchers Tim Ssali and Jose Sosa pick up the victories, with Matt Gilbert and Richard Chesteron the Essex losers. With the Arrows struggling for numbers, 64-year-old coach Phil Chesterton was even pressed into playing first base in Game Two. Phil Chesterton said: “The key for us is to get through to the end of the season without forfeiting a game. We knew when we entered this season we were going to face some hard truths and we have not been disappointed. “That may sound negative,” Chesterton continued, “but it isn’t. We are definitely a work in progress and I think next season will be when all the hard work starts to pay off.”

 

photos courtesy of www.HP2photographic.com

 

GAME 1 BOX SCORES

 

Mildenhall Bulldogs at Herts Falcons
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Mildenhall Bulldogs 2 0 0 2 0 0 1 5 7 4
Herts Falcons 2 1 1 0 0 2 0 6 6 0

Herts Falcons 6, Mildenhall Bulldogs 5
Herts Falcons Mildenhall Bulldogs
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
CASAL Carlos 2b 2 1 0 0 KLINO cf 4 0 0 1
GONCALVES Luis c 4 2 2 0 TYLER ss 2 1 0 0
SAIONJI Kimiyoshi rf 4 0 1 2 PEREZ Leo 1b 4 1 2 2
KERRY Dan lf 2 0 0 0 WILES Barry p 3 1 1 0
KIKEL Peter p 2 1 1 0 BERK c 3 1 1 0
MARTINEZ Marc 1b 3 0 0 0 BLOSE John 2b 2 0 0 0
DEAL Brandon 3b 2 2 1 1 CULVER Kevin 3b 3 1 2 1
GOETZ Nic ss 3 0 0 0 HOUSE lf 2 0 0 1
MUNN Jamie cf 3 0 1 1 BERK Brook rf 2 0 0 0
          (t7) PIERCE rf 1 0 1 0
TEAM TOTALS 25 6 6 4 TEAM TOTALS 26 5 7 5

E: V Player 2, V Player 5, V Player 7, V Player 9. DP: Mildenhall Bulldogs 1. LOB:
Mildenhall Bulldogs 4, Herts Falcons 6. 2B: GONCALVES Luis, MUNN Jamie, V Player 7.
HR: V Player 3. SB: GOETZ Nic, DEAL Brandon, CASAL Carlos, V Player 1, V Player 7.
SF: V Player 8.

Herts Falcons IP H R ER BB SO
KIKEL Peter W 7.00 7 5 3 2 5
Mildenhall Bulldogs            
WILES Barry L 6.00 6 6 4 1 4

HBP: by V Player 4 (CASAL Carlos), by V Player 4 (KERRY Dan), by V Player 4 (KIKEL
Peter). . . . . , by V Player 4 (CASAL Carlos). , by KIKEL Peter (V Player 2). WP: V
Player 4(3). PB: GONCALVES Luis, V Player 5(2). Balk: KIKEL Peter. T: 2:05. A: 48.

GAME 2 BOX SCORES

 

Mildenhall Bulldogs at Herts Falcons
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 R H E
Mildenhall Bulldogs 0 1 8 2 4 4 19 12 4
Herts Falcons 2 3 0 0 2 1 8 9 6

Mildenhall Bulldogs 19, Herts Falcons 8
Mildenhall Bulldogs Herts Falcons
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
KLINO cf 4 2 2 1 GONCALVES Luis p-ss 3 0 0 2
TYLER ss 3 2 1 0 DIMITROV Aspi rf 3 2 2 0
PEREZ Leo lf 3 2 0 0 SAIONJI Kimiyoshi 2b 2 1 0 0
WILES Barry c 3 2 1 2 KERRY Dan cf 2 1 1 3
PIERCE 1b 5 3 2 1 KIKEL Peter 3b-p 3 0 2 1
BERK 2b-3b 5 5 2 0 CULLEN Marty c 3 0 1 0
BLOSE John 3b-p 4 2 2 2 DEAL Brandon ss-1b 2 1 1 0
HOUSE rf 5 0 2 2 MUNN Jamie lf 2 2 2 0
CULVER Kevin p-2b 3 1 0 0 MARTINEZ Marc 1b 1 1 0 0
          (b3) GOETZ Nic p-3b 2 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 35 19 12 8 TEAM TOTALS 23 8 9 6
E: V Player 1, V Player 3, V Player 6, V Player 9, GONCALVES Luis(2), KIKEL Peter(2),
CULLEN Marty, GOETZ Nic. LOB: Herts Falcons 4, Mildenhall Bulldogs 7. 2B: V Player
1(2), V Player 7(2), V Player 6, V Player 8, DEAL Brandon, MUNN Jamie. HR: KERRY Dan.
SB: V Player 6, V Player 5, MUNN Jamie(2), DIMITROV Aspi, MARTINEZ Marc. SF:
GONCALVES Luis(2), KERRY Dan.
Mildenhall Bulldogs IP H R ER BB SO
Jon BLOSE W 5.00 7 6 2 1 1
CULVER Levin  1.00 2 2 2 2 0
Herts Falcons            
GONCALVES Luis L 2.67 4 9 2 5 3
GOETZ Nic 2.00 5 6 1 1 0
KIKEL Peter 1.33 3 4 2 1 1
HBP: by GONCALVES Luis (V Player 3). . . . , by GOETZ Nic (V Player 4). , by V Player
7 (MUNN Jamie). WP: V Player 9(2), GONCALVES Luis(4), KIKEL Peter(3). PB: V Player 4,
CULLEN Marty(5). Balk: GONCALVES Luis(2). T: 2:20. A: 48.

by AspiDimitrov

HERTS DRAWN AGAINST HORSHAM IN THE PLAYOFFS

The British Baseball Federation has confirmed the seedings and the format of the 2010 National Under-14 (Bronco) Playoffs the winners of which will progress to the National Baseball Championships.

The Herts fans played a key role on the road to the National Final last year.

Can their support help the All-Stars go one better this time around.

 

Herts will be represented by the Herts All-Stars team which is selected from among all of the players who are members of the Herts Little League. To determine the Playoff seedings the Herts All-Stars took part in six games against teams from other regions. They won all six of these games and are the only team in the Under-14 League with an unbeaten record so far this season. However, the fact that several of the other teams have played more games has been taken into account by the British Baseball Federation and as a result Herts has been seeded as the third team in the Southern Conference. The team seeded in first place is the London Mets, followed by the Forest Glade RedBacks (affiliated to the Essex RedBacks), Herts are third, Horsham fourth and Bracknell are seeded fifth.

Herts know the top seeded London Mets very well after last year’s dramatic National Final which the team from Hertfordshire narrowly lost and had to settle for a runner-up spot. 12 months have passed since then and the Herts All-Stars will be looking for revenge.

 

 

There were tears after the Herts All-Stars narrowly missed out on becoming National Champions

last year in that unforgettable Final against London which ended with a score 0-1

 

But before that they have to once again do it the hard way through the playoffs. As the third seed they have been drawn to play against Horsham. The two teams met at the same stage of last year’s playoffs when Herts came out on top winning 9-6. Horsham proved to be one of the most difficult opponents which Herts faced in 2009 and they needed a 4-run rally in the final inning to win the game. The draw has not been kind to either Herts or Horsham and the “do-or-die” nature of the playoffs means that the loser will be out of the competition, so there will be a lot of pressure on the players to perform on the day.

If Herts win against Horsham, they will face the loser from the game between London and the Forest Glade RedBacks.

The games will be held at the home of the London Mets in Finsbury Park on Saturday, 11 September 2010 (See full Playoff Schedule below)

2010 National Under-14 (Bronco) League Playoffs (Southern Conference)

Saturday 11th September, Finsbury Park, London

10:00 – Field 1 – Game 1 – #2 Forest Glade @ #1 London

10:00 – Field 2 – Game 2 – #4 Horsham @ #3 Herts All-Stars

13:00 – Field 1 – Game 3 – #5 Bracknell @ winners game 1; winners qualify for NBC

13:00 – Field 2 – Game 4 – Losers Game 1 @ Winners Game 2; winners qualify for NBC

16:00 – Field 1 – Game 5 – Losers Game 4 @ Losers Game 3; consolation game

 

 

 

by AspiDimitrov

DON’T SAY IT’S OVER

The thing about baseball more than any other sport is that having played a game, what you most want to do the next day is play it all over again. My aching bones certainly don't want to do it again, but my mind and heart do. But that is never possible (unless you play in the Major Leagues, and have six games a week). And it is certainly not possible for me this time as, in July, my competitive season has come to an end.

It's good to end with something new — and so on my last appearance I finally played my first game as a Herts Hawk. I have been on their roster all year, but spent most of my time trying to offer wisdom and experience (don't laugh) to the Raptors. Sadly it wasn't to be my first win of the season, as we were outplayed by an eight-man Sidewinders team.

The Hawks are a different bag of fish to the Raptors in many ways. There is lots of talent on the team, and it plays with a positive spirit, but is probably disappointed with its results. I played a role in preventing the win this time around, so I am certainly not here to find fault! As further examples of the “value added” plays I was talking about last week, I caught two straightforward fly balls, but dropped two tougher balls which I had run down successfully but then needlessly put on the ground. It all exemplified the frustration I talked about last week.

It was a busy day in the outfield, and early in the game a booming hit came my way. It was sort of a fly ball, but was a little lower and a little faster than that. At first as I backtracked I thought I would make it, though it would be tough. For anyone who saw Ben Zobrist's catch for the Rays yesterday, it would have looked like that. But I didn't reach it, the ball bounced barely a yard shy of the home run fence and skipped over. I kicked myself about that, so you can imagine what I did later when I carefully chased down a shallow fly ball in left-centre, only to see it bobble out of my glove. I'm still not sure how I dropped it — guru Kal said I had overrun it, so he is probably right, but I maybe just didn't squeeze the glove at the right half-second.

I managed to redeem myself with two catches, and by hitting a 2-RBI double — so imagine my vibes when I then dropped another outfield ball! And that was to be my last actual play of the season. D'oh! Again it was shallow, a sinking liner, but I had seen it early and was running in so called off Tak from left field. I maybe took my eye off it as I saw him, though I should stress he did absolutely nothing wrong! Again I reached it and again the ball went down.

Other Hawks did a far better job than me, I am happy to say. Perrie made good plays from third base and, perhaps more importantly, smart plays. Knowing instantly where to throw the ball is one of the toughest things on the infield, and he did it with a sixth sense. Simon made a tremendous double play from shortstop, catching a bloop over his shoulder then making the quick throw to get the runner straying off second. And Greg showed me how it's done, taking a pop-up on the first base line even as the runner attempted to crash into him and put him off. He did crash into Greg, and they all went down in a heap, but the catch was made and the inning was over. Single-minded fielding.

So, for me, the season is over. Two weeks of work and then a summer holiday will keep me away from our remaining games. Despite my incessant grumbling on these pages, it has been great fun. Herts still shows the ideal way to play amateur sports — with passion to win, but with the ultimate aim of sharing the joy of playing. Raptors players have really come on, and have stuck with baseball despite learning some tough lessons. I don't think my own game has come on much, although I did get my first experiences of pitching and umpiring. On the positive side, I can say that after two years after stepping away from the outfield I can now volunteer myself to play almost anywhere on the diamond. Maybe next year, I'll be pulling on the tools of ignorance as the league's skinniest catcher …. OK maybe not.

 

by AspiDimitrov

FALCONS FINAL INNING DISASTER

The Bracknell Blazers and London Mets strengthened their place at the top of the BBF’s National Baseball League standings in Week 14, while Southampton and Richmond continued to squabble over third spot as the race to the National Baseball League play-offs is heating up.

 

NBL Special Correspondent Simon Fitzohn reports:

 

BRACKNELL BLAZERS @ HERTS FALCONS

Bracknell Blazers earned a sweep of their own against Herts, in wildly contrasting games.  Game One was a comfortable 12-1 win, with Kirby Brooks on the mound, Rob Rance clubbing a home run. But Game Two was a different matter entirely, the Blazers having to rally in the final inning for a 10-4 win. Aspi Dimitrov was saddled with the loss. A dejected Dimitrov said: “We had a 4-3 lead going into the final inning of the second game. We played really, really well and in the end I let the team down blowing the save.

 

“Our future is still in our own hands though.” Dimitrov added. “It is very disappointing and it hurts right now, but we have to get over that and keep battling.”

 

LONDON METS @ ESSEX ARROWS

An understrength London Mets side still had too much in their locker for the Essex Arrows, earning a sweep by 10-0 and 9-6 scorelines. Jason Roberts took the win in Game One, with Reed Wilson on the mound for Game Two. Roberts also caught the eye with the bat, scampering for an inside-the-park home run in the opening game. The Mets’ Alex Pike said: “The first game was pretty straightforward, but we only had nine men and it was a case of trying people out in different positions. We know we are going to make the finals and the key now is for us to try a few things out. “Anything could happen in the finals,” Pike added, “and we have to be prepared for what they throw up.”

 

CROYDON PIRATES @ MILDENHALL BULLDOGS

Mildenhall finally got back to winning ways by seeing off the Croydon Pirates in both their games, 5-4 and 17-2. Kevin Culver pitched the win in Game One and Jason Coffey followed up in Game Two, with Jose Perez smashing a home run. Mildenhall’s Gabriel Macias said: “It feels good to be back. We came out hard and we came out hungry. It was just what we needed. It had been a long time coming, but we still feel we can make the play-offs.”

 

SOUTHAMPTON MUSTANGS @RICHMOND FLAMES

The battle for third spot showed no signs of clearing up after Southampton and Richmond split this doubleheader. Southampton took Game One 7-5, thanks to Lee Ralph’s pitching and despite home runs from Grant Delzoppo and Ryan Bird. Bird was at it again in Game Two, clubbing another home run along with Michael Osborn, who also took the 6-1 win on the mound. Delzoppo said: “It was a little bit disappointing. We had plenty of chances in the first game but didn’t take them and gave runs away on errors. But it was really pleasing for us to bounce back the way we did and get the win in the second game.”

by AspiDimitrov

HAWKS GO DOWN AT RICHMOND

A severely under strength Hawks side travelled to Richmond on the 18th of July hoping to extract revenge for the thrashing the Knights handed out to them last time the two met. Unfortunately — despite a much improved performance — it was not to be, with Richmond winding up 19-4 winners. They still sit comfortably at the top of the table.

On the mound, the Hawks welcomed back their manager, Greg Bochan, from injury. He valiantly pitched the full 7 innings. However, nine errors along with eighteen Richmond hits took their toll and allowed the home side to rack up the runs.

 

Offensively, the Hawks bats were relatively dormant, only managing six hits and four runs in response to Richmond’s effort. The positive for Herts was the contribution made by several Raptor players who, due to missing personnel, got their chance at AA level and did not disappoint. Simon Elkington led the way with three hits and a run, Tak Ashida managed a hit and a run and Jeff Witter got himself an RBI.

 

The effort of these Raptors, however, would not be enough and the game ended in the seventh inning on the 10 run slaughter rule. It was still a much better outcome than the previous performance against Richmond.

 

by AspiDimitrov

RED SOX AND CARDINALS TO PLAY FOR THE 2010 LEAGUE TITLE. CUBS AND YANKEES TO FIGHT FOR BRONZE

Report from Herts Little League Correspondent, Tracey Manning

YANKEES VS CARDINALS
A great start to the first game, new pitcher Richard Ganster for the Yankees did a wonderful job in the opening innings, however Carlos Casal Jr (Cardinals) matched it and went one better, fellow team mate Drew Mayhew hit a double. Big hitters in this game were Marty Cullen Jr and Jose Morillo from the Yankees a big effort but Cardinals stopped them from making any head way. It ended 4-1 to the Cardinals.


RED SOX VS CUBSRed Sox played a calm and very precise game keeping the Cubs at bay. Cubs didn’t stand around and with some good hits and fielding, the older team members from both sides helped and encouraged the younger ones who did really well and they got on base this was a massive boost to them. The game ended with a score of 8-5 to the Red Sox.

After lunch some off the Little Leaguers joined in with their coaches for a mid-game training session then on with the second games of the day.


CARDINALS VS RED SOX
On the mound for the Cardinals Kyle Lloyd-Jones struck out many of his opponents. Cardinals held out in front up to second half of the game. Michael Davis caught many fly balls for the Red Sox and Theo Longboy came home to score the first run for the Redsox in the 3rd inning and they never looked back. Cardinals slugger Joshua Jones made a brave attempt to get to first base but was beaten to it by a strong throw. Red Sox won 5-4.

YANKEES VS CUBS
Young pitcher Alex Deacon opened for the Cubs and did a great job, The rest of the Cubs backed him up well. Big hits from Nick Martinez and Lewis Green both from the Cubs.
Slugger Jose Morillo yet again made some big hits and managed a inside the park home run. The Yankees pulled away and this left the score at 11-8 to the Yankees.

These results mean that the Red Sox and Cardinals finish in first and second place respectively so they will battle in the Herts Little League Championship game on Saturday 7 August. On the same day, the Yankees and Cubs will play in the Bronze medal game.

Herts Little League Standings (as at 24 July 2010)

Majors

Team

W

L

%

F

A

Run +/-

GB

Streak

Herts Red Sox

8.5

3.5

0.708

54

39

15

–

W2

Herts Cardinals

7

5

0.583

47

32

15

1.5

L1

Herts Yankees

5.5

6.5

0.458

51

54

-3

3

W1

Herts Cubs

3

9

0.250

39

66

-27

5.5

L2

 

 

by AspiDimitrov

NEW HERTS BASEBALL CAP AT THE HERTS SHOP FROM TOMORROW

 

 

 

The new Herts Baseball Caps have finally arrived. They will be available to buy at the ballpark starting from Sunday, 25 July, during the adult league games and in the following weekends at most Little League and Adult events.

The new Herts cap is a premium model fitted cap available in three different sizes. It features a 3D raised stitch logo as well as “hertsbaseball.com” on the back. The manufacturer’s brand name is embroidered on the left side of the cap.

This is a higher grade cap and its price is slightly higher than the previous model. The price is £12. Registered Little League players receive a discount so the price for them is £10.

 

 

by AspiDimitrov

SUMMER SUNDAYS

Some people enjoy getting a good thrashing on a Sunday. They maybe even look forward to it. I'm not one of them, but that is what I have endured for the past two weekends. Last week was at the London Tournament in Croydon, so it was in exhibition games really. This week was back in competition, albeit good-natured competition. Whatever you might infer from my calm exterior, I always want to win, and I want to do my absolute best. Getting thrashed rarely gives you the feelings you want.

Last week at Croydon I missed the heroics of Saturday's win, and was only there on the Sunday when we came up against the National League powerhouses of Richmond and Bracknell.  I can't grumble about the final results, however much I dislike a thrashing! But as this blog sees the world through the prism of my own performance, I can grumble a bit. I took one fly ball comfortably in left field, and blocked a ball in the gap. When playing first base I fielded balls thrown perfectly to me by Aspi and Luis, but couldn't bring down those which were thrown slightly too high. One towering pop up came my way which I was very happy with until it completely disappeared in the sun, and fell to earth.  So overall, solid results but no cigar.

I was back at first base as the Raptors returned to league action this Sunday, at home against Richmond. I'm not built like a classic first baseman — being of only average height and far less than average build — but I do enjoy playing first. You feel really close to the action, and feel involved in every play. I managed to collect a bloodied lip and a bruised shin to show for my efforts, but felt that I had little more besides.  I don't think I made any errors as such, but I can't think of a play which I was able to make which a rookie player couldn't.  And therein lies the frustration — having played this game for seven or eight years I feel I should be at a higher level. Learning to play the carom off the fence well wasn't much consolation.

My batting gave me similar concerns.  The rib strain which would probably have sidelined me for the past few weeks (had I not missed them due to work anyway) has been playing on my mind, and probably cramped my swing. At Croydon, I made a connection in my only two at-bats, even if I did get out, so I shouldn't belittle that against such lofty opposition. Facing Richmond this week, I hit the ball all four times I came up — as you should against A-ball pitchers — but never hit it hard.

So what am I driving at here? Clearly we are all limited by our individual talents, and that is certainly true of me. But my frustration is not because I can't play the way Albert Pujols does, it's because I can't play the way I can. And that means I am driving — as usual — at the frustrations of the part-time player, as he tries to balance the hankering to play every game, every week, with the fact that he has a life to live outside the game. Rust seemes to accumulate on my game far more quickly than it shakes off! I have been able to attend just one practice session since the season began.  I have played in five games, with just one more to go. That's not really good enough for the team, or for my satisfaction. Deep thoughts have to be thought about how I address this.

Being away from the action for a few weeks does at least help to highlight the positive changes in the team — rather like seeing a young relative shoot up in stature. Ken's pitching is far more authoritative than when I first saw it; Jim's pitching even more devastating. Steve Patmore caught the whole game in unpleasant heat on Sunday, and was one of our most solid defensive performers. As well as catching two pop-ups — which always look incredibly hard when encumbered by a mask and huge shinpads — he also made a perfect throw to me when a batter ran on a dropped third strike. In theory, it's an easy play but in practice, at our level, it is something else. I would consider that play my own defensive highlight of the day, and certainly one of his. Raptors were better than the scoreline suggested on Sunday, and the team can go on to even better things if they stick with the game. Hopefully the players will be a solid core for the club to build on in coming years.

by AspiDimitrov

HERTS FALCONS STUN LEGENDARY PITCHER CODY CAIN. SAIONJI TAKES HIM DEEP

 

This report by Simon Fitzjohn was firtst published on www.britishbaseball.org

 

It was the day of the underdogs in Week 13 of the BBF’s National Baseball League on Sunday, July 18 as both the Croydon Pirates and Herts Falcons sprang surprises. Expected to be brushed aside by heavyweight rivals London Mets and Richmond Flames, both Croydon and Herts each battled to earn a split in their two-game sets. In other action, Southampton Mustangs boosted their top-four aspirations with a sweep of Essex Arrows.

NBL Special Correspondent Simon Fitzjohn reports:

RICHMOND FLAMES @ HERTS FALCONS

Herts kept their season alive by fighting their way to a split in two wildly contrasting games. Game One was a real pitching duel between Herts’ Pete Kikel and Richmond’s Cody Cain, with the Falcons pitcher emerging triumphant thanks in part to Kimiyoshi Saionji’s home run in a 2-1 win. The Flames bounced back in Game Two, breaking open a tight contest late. Carlos Mancheno and Grant Delzoppo clubbed homers, helping Michael Osborn to the 11-6 win.

Grant Delzoppo said: “I am disappointed we had to settle for a split, as I thought we had chances to win both games. We had lots of opportunities in Game One but didn’t take them, so I am pretty happy that we came back in Game Two like we did.”

Herts’ stand-in coach Marty Cullen said: “I am really happy. We had nine guys out there who gave their all and it was a real gritty display. If we had had a decent bench we could have even have won both games, but we are happy with picking up the one win.”

LONDON METS @ CROYDON PIRATES

In one of the biggest turnarounds of the season, the Croydon Pirates responded to being thrashed 11-1 in Game One by stunning the league leaders by the same scoreline in Game Two. Jason Roberts earned the win in the first game, sentencing Jose Sosa to defeat, but Tim Ssali pitched a gem for Croydon in the second game, with Callum Woods saddled with the loss. Beaming Croydon coach Dave Ward said: “For us to come back in that fashion is fantastic. We completely turned things around. I think they were shocked by how we came out in Game Two. “We rested Tim last week so he would be ready for today,” Ward continued, “and he was almost unbeatable. It was a great performance and a great day.”

 

ESSEX ARROWS @ SOUTHAMPTON MUSTANGS

Southampton kept things ticking over nicely by seeing off the Arrows by way of 5-3 and 12-6 scorelines. Lee Ralph took the mound honours in Game One, with Gary Davison smashing a home run, and it was Davison himself who pitched the win in Game Two. Mustangs coach Ben Davis said: “If someone had offered us this record at the start of the season we would gladly have taken it. I don’t think anybody expected this. “We are really proud of what we have achieved so far,” David added, “and we just need to keep plugging away for the rest of the season.”

 

Photos by www.HP2photographic.com (click for more images of the Herts Falcons memorable 2-1 win)