Author: AspiDimitrov

by AspiDimitrov

ASK THE MANAGER

Herts Baseball Newswire will be building up to the new season with a series of interviews with the managers of the four Herts teams.  Andrew Slater will make his debut as the new Raptors Manager taking over from Jake Kikel.  Marty Cullen is looking forward to a new challenge as the Manager of the Hawks playing in the AA Division.  Dave Westfallen will lead the Herts Eagles into battle in the AAA Division.  Jason Greenberg will take the AAA National Champions, the Falcons, into unchartered territory as a Herts team enters the top-tier of British Baseball for the first time in the club's history. 

Herts Baseball Newswire wants to give its visitors the chance to ask the questions.  You may be interested in the Manager's predictions for 2009 or maybe you want to find out more about what makes them tick.

If you want to put your question to any of the Managers please send them to the Newswire.  Please indicate which of the four managers (or maybe all four of them) you want to ask.  If you want your question to be kept anonymous, please indicate this in your message.  You can ask more than one question so please include all your question in your message.

by AspiDimitrov

HERTS BASEBALL CLUB MISSES OUT ON CASH GIVEAWAY

Herts Baseball Club has missed out on picking up a £1,000 cash award in an initiative organised by Betfair.  Herts Baseball Newswire understands that it was a closely fought contest and the club has missed out on the prize by a very small margin.

Over the last few months, members of Herts Baseball Club have been collecting tokens in order to participate in Betfair's Cash-4-Clubs scheme.  The Club successfully collected the required number of tokens and submitted a presentation giving its reasons why the Club thinks that it deserves the cash prize more than other sports organisations in Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire.

Unfortunately, it wasn't to be for Herts Baseball, but the club did receive encouraging feedback from Betfair CSR Executive, Georgina Corbett, who said: “There was a great response to this initiative and it is evident that there are many desrving sports clubs in Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire.  Judging the entries has been a difficult task and I am sorry to say that Herts Baseball Club was not chosen to receive one of the five £1,000 cash awards.  I wish Herts Baseball Club every success for the future”.

Betfair has confirmed the five winners.  They are: Welwyn Warriors Lacrosse Club, Cambourne Cricket Club, Special Olympics St Albans, Hitchin Rugby Club and Parson Drove Cricket Club.

by AspiDimitrov

ANTIQUES ROADSHOW…WITH A BASEBALL FLAVOUR

Over the years Herts Baseball Club has generated a large number of fans who always look for ways to support the club.  One such fan is Dave Smith.  He has been a follower of the game of baseball for many years.  Apart from following MLB he enjoys coming down to Grovehill Ballpark to check out the progress of his local club and has even donated equipment such as fielding gloves for Herts to make use of.

Over the years Dave Smith has managed to collect an extensive collection of baseball memorabilia which he will be auctioning off.  Over the holidays he got in touch with Herts Baseball Club with a proposal to give members and fans of the club an advance opportunity to buy items from his collection.

“Over the last 20 years or so I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to travel extensively with my job and I have visited the US and Canada many times. During those visits I nearly always managed to take in a game or extend the visit into a short holiday.  So I am now in the position of having collected dozens of programs, books, caps and other souvenirs.  I intend to auction some of the more expensive items via Ebay, but wanted to make sure that my “local” team were given the first opportunity to buy them without having to go through the process of an auction.” – said Dave Smith.

He has also very generously offered to donate a percentage of the proceeds to the Grovehill Ballpark project, so it is an opportunity for supporters of Herts not only to get their hands on a baseball memorabilia but also to support the club’s projects.

Below is a list of some of the items on offer.  Any interested buyers can find out more about purchasing them by sending an email to secretary@hertsbaseball.com

Item Publication Date Cover Comments Price (£’s)
           
1 San Jose Mercury News Oct 6th 2001 Bonds 72nd Homer 2 sections from the day after Bonds broke the single season home run record 5.00
2 San Francisco Chronicle Oct 6th 2001 Bonds 72nd Homer 2 sections from the day after Bonds broke the single season home run record 5.00
3 The Boston Globe Oct 28th 2004 World Series (Johnny Damon) 2 sections the day after the RedSox won their first world series in 86 years 5.00
4 Sotheby’s catalog of the Barry Halper collection Sept 23rd 1999   3 full colour catalogs and results price list – housed in special box. 10.00
5 The Show Yearbook 1992 Frank Thomas   1.00
6 Athlon Baseball 1993 Roberto Alomar   1.00
7 Sporting News Baseball Yearbook 1992 Ron Gant   1.00
8 Athlon Baseball 2002 Ryan Dempster, Drek Jeter   2.00
9 Sporting News Baseball Yearbook 2002 Ichiro Suzuki, Derek Jeter   2.00
10 World Series Commemorative Program 1992 Toronto Blue Jays   2.00
11 Baseball Forecast 1991 Rickey Henderson   1.00
12 Athlon Baseball 1995 Greg Maddux   1.00
13 Sporting News Baseball Yearbook 2000 Sammy Sosa   1.00
14 Athlon Baseball 2000 Sammy Sosa   1.00
15 Sporting News Baseball Yearbook 1993 Juan Guzman, Roberto Alomar   1.00
16 Athlon Baseball 1994 Paul Molitor   1.00
17 Petersen’s Baseball Preview 1992 David Justice, Tom Glavine   1.00
18 Bill Mazeroski’s Baseball 1997 Tini Martinez   1.00
19 Athlon Baseball 1992 Tom Glavine   1.00
20 Sporting News Baseball Yearbook 1991 Bobby Thigpen   1.00
21 Sporting News Baseball Yearbook 1994 Jimmy Key   1.00
22 Boston Bruins (NHL) Program 1999/2000 Jason Allison   1.00
23 Colorado Rockies game program 2000 Jeffrey Hammonds includes unmarked scorecard for game against Atlanta Braves 1.00
24 NHL Challenge Official Program 1993   from the NHL game at Wembley between the Rangers and the Leafs. Unmarked scorecard 1.00
25 Bill Mazeroski’s Baseball 1998 Mo Vaughn   1.00
26 San Francisco Giants game program 1996 Marvin Benard includes unmarked scorecard for game against Philadelphia Phillies 1.00
27 Baseball Cards collector’s magazine   Willie Stargell, Pete Rose   1.00
28 Yankees Scorebook and Program 1989 Steve Sax includes unmarked scorecard for game against Toronto Blue Jays 1.00
29 Spring Training Yearbook 1992 Frank Thomas   1.00
30 Boston Red Sox Spring Training program 1992 Butch Hobson includes completed scorecard for game against Yankees 1.00
31 Playball! Official Blue Jays program 1998 Darrin Fletcher includes unmarked scorecard for game against Kansas City Royals 1.00
32 Boston Red Sox program 1990 Tom Brunansky includes unmarked scorecard for game against Toronto Blue Jays 1.00
33 Scorebook – Official Toronto Blue Jays magazine 1990 Fred McGriff includes completed scorecard for game against Yankees 1.00
34 Scorebook – Official Toronto Blue Jays magazine 1989 various Blue Jays includes unmarked scorecard for game against Cleveland Indians 1.00
35 Inside Sports Baseball Yearbook 1994 David Justice   1.00
36 Spring Training Yearbook 2004 Bonds, Jeter, Sosa, Rodriguez   1.00
37 Street & Smith’s Baseball 2003 Garret Anderson   1.00
38 Athlon Baseball (Western US edition) 2003 Randy Johnson   1.00
39 Athlon Baseball (Eastern US edition) 2003 Josh Beckett, Derek Jeter   1.00
40 Philadelphia Phillies Spring Training program 1994 various Phillies includes unmarked scorecard for game against Toronto Blue Jays 1.00
41 Baltimore Orioles official program 1993   Opening Day issue, includes completed scorecard for game against Texas Rangers. Includes free fanzine – GameDay 1.00
42 Yankees Scorebook and Program 1998 Claudell Washington   2.00
43 All Time Baseball Greats   Ted Williams   1.00
44 Red Sox Official Scorebook 1989 Joe Morgan (manager) Chuck Finlay pitched 1 hitter vs Clemens – completed scorecard for game against California Angels 1.00
45 Scorebook – Official Toronto Blue Jays magazine 1993 World Champions ring includes unmarked scorecard for game against Chicago White Sox 1.00
46 Bill Mazeroski’s Baseball 2000 Manny Ramirez   1.00
47 Red Sox Official Scorebook 1989 Dwight Evans   1.00
48 Grand Slam Baseball magazine 1998 Mike Scott   1.00
49 Royals Baseball program 1992 various from Spring Training at Baseball City, includes completed scorecard for game against Blue Jays 1.00
50 New York Mets official score magazine 1994 Bobby Bonilla inludes completed scorecard for game against Cincinnati Reds 1.00
51 Scorebook – Official Toronto Blue Jays magazine 1989 Dave Stieb, Kelly Gruber includes completed scorecard for game against Milwaukee Brewers 1.00
52 NHL “Fire On Ice” Official Program 1992   from the NHL game at Wembley between the Black Hawks and the Canadiens. Unmarked scorecard 1.00
53 Chicago Baseball – White Sox/Cubs guide 1996 Jose Hernandez, Steve Trachsel locally produced fanzine 1.00
54 Red Sox Official Scorebook 1991 Fenway Park includes unmarked scorecard for game against Minnesota Twins 1.00
55 Petersen’s Baseball Preview 1991 Frank Viola   1.00
56 Chicago White Sox – Spring Training 1994   includes unmarked scorecard for game against Boston Red Sox 1.00
57 Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL) program 1994 Jon Hayt includes unmarked scorecard for game against Edmonton Oilers 1.00
58 Expos – Quebec’s baseball magazine 1990 various   1.00
59 Street & Smith’s Baseball 1985 Dwight Gooden   2.00
60 Houston Astros Spring Training Magazine 1994 Terry Collins   1.00
61 Spring Training Yearbook 2002 Derek Jeter   1.00
62 Spring Training Yearbook 1994 Gregg Jeffries, Rafael Palmeiro   1.00
63 Today – official Phillies scorecard 1988 Chris James includes unmarked scorecard for game against New York Mets and a game ticket 1.00

Note: Herts Baseball Club is publishing this article only for the purpose of informing the public of the opportunity to buy this rare baseball memorabilia.  Herts Baseball Club is not the seller of this baseball memorabilia and cannot be assumed to be a party to such transactions.  Those interested in making a purchase are advised and are able to receive more information from the seller and to verify the item which they are interested in and to inspect its condition.

by AspiDimitrov

CULLEN AT THE WHEEL

 

Marty Cullen was elected as the Herts’ AA manager for the season 2009 in a contest that completed the full house of managers for the upcoming season.

 

The appointment of Cullen is thought to be a radical measure by the club, as it is hoped that his experience in AAA will bring about some tactical improvements, while his experience with the Little League will allow Cullen to bring through players of all ages and ability.

 

In retrospect, the appointment of managers for the upcoming season was the penultimate step before Spring Training is turned on full blast from January 11 onwards.  All four teams now have their managers, who will be able to cast a discerning eye on the potential of players during the combined spring sessions of all Herts players.

 

It is to be hoped that there will be no fisticuffs between managers about selecting specific players, and if there are, your reporter would like to be called in to watch.

 

Congratulations to Marty Cullen and the best of luck to the managers of all Herts Baseball Teams.

by AspiDimitrov

WESTIE TAKES EAGLES HELM

Herts Baseball Club has announced that Dave Westfallen has been appointed as the Manager of the newly formed Herts Eagles.  The Eagles are the fourth adult team of the Herts franchise and will be its representative in the AAA League of British Baseball. 

 

Dave Westfallen has had many years of experience in British baseball.  He made his return to Herts in 2008 with the Herts Hawks becoming their first-choice catcher.  He proved to be one of the key players for the team and amongst the best performers both defensively and offensively.

 

Apart from his contribution as a player he had a very positive influence on the rest of the team, always staying positive and offering quiet but timely words of advice to those who needed it.

 

This did not go unnoticed by Herts Falcons Manager, Jason Greenberg, and Westie was called up to the Herts Falcons roster for the most important games in the club’s history at the AAA Final 4 in September. 

 

2009 will be an exciting year for everyone involved with Herts Baseball.  The Herts players will have to step up their efforts in a big way if they are to succeed at all four tiers of the British Baseball League.  This will be a massive challenge for the club, but it appears that many new players like the idea of achieving something which may appear impossible and the club has reported that a large number of enquiries from new players have been received.  With Spring just around the corner, the competition for places will be fierce and it will be up to the Team Managers to find the right formula for each of the four teams.  Dave Westfallen is now a member of the management team and the Herts Baseball Newswire will be following his progress and that of the Herts Eagles in 2009.

by AspiDimitrov

2009 SEASON BUILD-UP: REPORT FROM BBF WINTER MEETINGS

Report from Herts Newswire correspondent, Kal Dimitrov

Bracknell, Westmorland Park

 

The BBF held a meeting on Sunday 30 November to review the 2008 season and set out goals and targets for the 2009 season.

 

The success of Herts Baseball did have a prominent place of pride. In conjunction with that, a number of issues were raised to make the experience in 2009 better than last year for all the teams involved.  It was agreed that a number of scheduling issues, such as stretching the season out to include September, as well as the inclusion of double headers for AA games were put forward for consideration.   The Herts Raptors and Herts Hawks remember the large number of games played against the same opponents week-after-week (Essex Arrows and Brentwood respectively) and they will be happy to know that the BBF Board will aim to provide a more balanced schedule for AA and Single-A teams.

 

In addition, it was proposed to establish an end-of-season competition – a cup or a fall league, for the clubs that have players keen to continue playing into September and even the first week of October. 

 

The BBF Board reported that several new teams are expected to join the league in 2009 in addition to the Herts Falcons joining the National League and the Herts Eagles going into the AAA league.  The London Mets are creating a third team, the London Marauders, who are expected to enter the Single-A Division.  There was also very positive news from the Midlands Division which is expected to expand from three to six teams.

 

The delegates also discussed how to handle teams that fold midway through the season or forfeit a number of games.  A proposal was reviewed on how to treat the games played by teams that have dropped out of the league, such as wiping out all their scores for the season.

 

The BBF Board reported that the Southern League Commissioner, Cody Cane, has stepped down.  Herts delegate, Aspi Dimitrov, put forward his candidacy to be co-opted as Southern League Commissioner until the next BBF AGM and this will now be considered by the BBF Board.

by AspiDimitrov

BASEBALLGB.CO.UK ANALYSES FALCONS NL ENTRY

Following Herts Baseball Club's announcements on 9 November 2008, the news of the Herts Falcons joining the National League has received a large amount of media coverage.  Yesterday, the Herts Baseball Newswire posted an article from Bruce Dullea who is in a very unique position to assess this month's developments.  Today, we offer an article published on BaseballGB.co.uk, which is well known for its intelligent analysis of the game from a British perspective.

 

SOUTHERN TOP-TIER BASEBALL TO EXPAND FOR ONLY THE SECOND TIME SINCE THE 1999 SEASON

November 10th, 2008 by Joe Gray

 

In 1999 there were nine teams in the southern bracket of the National Baseball League (NBL), but since then the yearly progression has gone eight, six, five, five, six, five, four, four, and four (in 2008). So there has been a drop five times (including a two-team drop between 2000 and 2001) and an increase only once.

 

The 2009 season should see a second increase, though, according to an article on the Herts Baseball Club website, which states that the club’s first team (the Falcons) will compete in the NBL South from next year. Of course, if the Mets were to not defend their title or if the Blazers, the Flames, or the Pirates were to not field a team in the top tier next season then we would not see a growth, but there were no forfeits in 2008, which is a good sign that the four teams are healthy at present.

 

While the growth of Herts Baseball Club can be celebrated by baseball enthusiasts up and down the country, it is not necessarily indicative of a reversal in the “shrinking south” trend. The progression of Herts Baseball Club has resulted more from an immeasurable amount of work from several members of the club than from national or local measures to grow the game.

 

Alongside the “shrinking south” trend sits a “narrowing north” pattern. Only two NBL North teams were able to complete the 2008 schedule, after the Liverpool Trojans pulled out mid-season. With the result that automatic berths in the Final Fours were available for the two remaining teams (Manchester and Menwith Hill), it could be argued that they were only involved in meaningful competition in 2008 for one game (both teams were eliminated at the semi-final stage). Clearly, then, a similar piece of news form the north, or at least a confirmation of Liverpool’s continuation in the top tier, would be very welcome.

 

In other Herts baseball news, the petition to support planned grounds improvements, highlighted on BaseballGB, was clearly a success as the club has secured planning permission for the work.

 

The publication of this article sparked a heated discussion among readers of BaseballGB.co.uk   To view the comments which were posted click the following link:

REACTION TO THE ARTICLE FROM READERS OF BASEBALLGB.CO.UK

by AspiDimitrov

WHERE EAGLES DARE [Newswire Op-Ed]

NEWSWIRE OPINION EDITORIAL

2007 Falcons Manager Bruce Dullea – now with the Sidewindersorganisation – has been following closely the on and off-fielddevelopments at Herts Baseball with the unique interest of anoutsider/alumni.  He offers his wise and candid perspective into theFalcons chances for success in the National League, some skepticismabout the future of the Herts franchise, and some praise for the club's”meteoric rise” of late.  Does this renewed interest in his formerfamily foreshadow Dullea's return to the fold… the prodigal son comehome again?  Or is it, simply, a message in the proverbial bottlewashed up from distant shores?

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

WHERE EAGLES DARE
by Bruce Dullea

Forthose of us who didn’t sleep through our Greek mythology class, weshould remember the story of Icarus.  Deciding not to heed the adviceof his Father, he chose to fly too close to the sun, thinking that thehigher he flew, the more God-like he would become. Tragically, hisfeathers, which were made of wax, melted, and he fell into the sea.

Someof the more erudite members of the Herts Falcons may be aware of thelegend of Icarus.  Analogies do exist.  Their recent history is trulyfascinating, and is a lesson in perseverance, tenacity, and overcomingadversities.  After examining what they have endured, and where theyhave come from, it is apparent that the club has made a remarkableascent through the ranks of the British Baseball Federation.  (Givenwhat they’ve gone through, perhaps they should rename themselves thePhoenix).  After languishing for two years in the bottom of the premierleague, and then being subsequently relegated, they have made ameteoric rise.  Initially promoted to the then premier league in 2005,they found the competition very arduous.   In 2005 and 2006 theyfinished near the bottom of the league, and in September of 06 wound uplosing an epic extra inning relegation playoff game to the Burgess HillColts.   This meant that in just two mere years after gainingpromotion, they were then forced to take a major step back by beingrelegated to the division that they formerly had conquered.  At thetime, they more resembled the legend of Sisyphus than Icarus.  Ratherthan wallow in self-pity, the club made it their personal mission toretool, improve, and once again attain promotion. 

Since thatepic defeat, the club has experienced nothing but success.  In 2007they finished with an 18-3 record, won the Division I Southern pennant,and were the National runner-up in the Final 4.  They were thenrewarded with a promotion back to the Premiere (now called AAA)division.  Their performance in the 2008 campaign surpassed everyone’sexpectations.  The club finished with a 21-3 campaign, clinched aplayoff spot, won their division, and ultimately brought home thehardware by winning the AAA National Championship.  Perhaps what iseven more astonishing is that their accomplishments off the field haveexceeded their success on the diamond.  While baseball clubs have beenfolding all over the country, they have been a model for consistency aswell as how to develop the sport in the UK.  In 2007 they founded theirown Little League, which has prospered and proven to be verysuccessful.  They have the most impressive website and the most mediasavvy club in the UK.  They have grown to three teams with over 50members, can boast of a multitude of corporate sponsors, and haverecently received permission to build a second field at Grovehill Park,which has been their home since their inception in 1996.

Thecoup de grace came last Monday, when the BBF announced that the Falconshave accepted a promotion to the National League, the top tier leaguein the country.  To those of us who have followed British Baseball andin particular the trials and travails of the Herts Baseball Club, thisis a truly unbelievable accomplishment, and they must be commended.

Whatdoes the future hold for the HBC?  Since accepting the invitation tojoin the National League, they have announced that they are forming afourth team (the Eagles) which will take the place of the Falcons andcompete in the AAA division in 2009.  Are they growing too soon, toofast?  How much of a risk are they taking?  It is readily obvious thatalthough the club is capitalizing on their recent successes, they havemany challenges and questions in front of them.

Sources havesaid that the Falcons benefited from a “watered” down 2008 AAAdivision.  They no longer had to compete against the CambridgeMonarchs, the perennial power that had folded once their Americanmilitary base closed.  They didn’t have to play against any of theNational League clubs.  One club (Milton Keynes) disbanded during theseason and another (Bristol) was an expansion club.  The last time theteam was in the premier league they regularly faced pitchers who threwin the 90’s, including Glen Goodrich, Bob Runyon, and Derek Kelly, twoof whom pitched professionally in the US.  Long time observers feltthat the team benefitted from facing weaker pitching in 2008.  Evenagainst the diluted pitching, the team suffered a prolonged battingslump during the course of the season.    Their team batting average of.308 was more than 100 points lower than their previous (AA) season,and their home run total dropped from 14 to 4, even though GrovehillPark is very accommodating to right handed power hitters.

How will the Falcons hitters fare against the London Mets, who were 23-1 and gave up an average of 2.2 runs per game?

Will the club be able to hit against Richmond’s Cody Cain, a hard throwing right hander?

Theclub’s 21-3 record was impressive, but on closer inspection, 3 of thewins were by forfeit and 6 others were decided by one run.  Two otherclubs scored more runs and matched their run differential.  Are theyreally a legitimate NBL team, or do they need more time to grow andprove themselves?

The Falcons pitching was very strong in 08,and carried the team when they weren’t hitting.  Their top two pitchersare master craftsmen who rely on control rather than power.  It remainsto be seen how they will fare against National League batters.

In2006, the last time the club faced National League teams, they went 0-4and were outscored 66-9. Granted, the team struggled throughout theseason, and it was a totally different environment, but many of theteam’s nucleus were a part of that club.

The biggest questionmark is how the club will fill the roster for the newly formed Eagles. They will need a massive recruiting effort to ensure that the club iscompetitive and the talent from the three existing clubs aren’tdiluted.   Their two other clubs (Hawks & Raptors) will need tokeep the core of their rosters intact to remain competitive.  TheFalcons will need everyone to help them compete in the NBL.  In thelast three seasons, clubs have folded in Shropshire, Brighton,Liverpool, London, Windsor, and Cambridge.  There is also a rumour thatthe Northern National Baseball League will disband.  Baseball in the UKis dying, not growing.  Where will they find the extra players?

Ithas been reported that the HBC Executive Committee voted unanimously toaccept the promotion invitation.  However, a published report fromtheir website indicated that there was some internal trepidation aboutthe move.  What was the mood in the boardroom, and how much internaldissent was there?  Are there expansion plans overly optimistic, ordoes the club truly feel that they can field 4 competitive teams oneyear removed from AA ball?  Did they feel overly compelled to go forbroke, or should prudence have won out?

Another question to askis the BBF’s rationale in extending the invitation.  It is obvious thatthe sport is declining in the UK.  In 2004, there were 6 clubs in theNL south.  Three of those clubs (Windsor Bears, London Warriors, andthe Brighton Buccaneers) no longer exist.   With the recent disbandmentof the Liverpool Trojans, there are now only two remaining NL northclubs, and in all likelihood there will not be a Northern Division in09.  Given the current state of the NBL, something had to be done, butit remains to be seen as to whether the Falcons will be competitive,and what impact their promotion will have on the HBC.

In anyevent, the Falcons have made their decision.  It is risky, but you haveto give them credit.  They are ambitious and are one of the trulypositive stories about baseball in Britain.  Everyone is pulling forthem.  They are also now in the same position as Icarus.  Their wingswill take them up, up, and away to the NBL.  There will be no goingback.

Was Daedalus around to warn them of the perils of flying too high, too soon?

Are their wings made of wax?

Next year, we will find out.

I wish them all the best on their journey.

by AspiDimitrov

LIFT OFF! FALCONS SOAR INTO NATIONAL LEAGUE

First they swept the AAA in their first year back up.  Then, in a dramatic 6-3 nail-biter, they swiped the championship trophy from their cross-division rivals.  Now, the Herts Falcons dream season has soared to greater heights still.

 

Official word came down from the British Baseball Federation this week that the Herts Falcons have a place in the 2009 National Baseball League, the top level of play in the United Kingdom.  Ending weeks of rumours and speculation, the Herts Executive Board has voted unanimously to accept the invitation and will begin an intense winter-season training scheme and recruitment drive in preparation for the competitive play to come.

The BBF's top division is by invite only, and the Falcons are the only squad moving up this year.  They will be one of just five squads in the 2009 Southern National League and will meet their London, Richmond, Bracknell and Croydon rivals at home and away, with all games officiated by the top UK umpires from the ABUA-GB.

 

Once unimaginable, accepting a bid to the NBL crystallises the Falcons as a top-tier squad… no small achievement for a team that’s had a roller-coaster ride through the lower BBF divisions since its inception in 1996, and suffered relegation to the AA as recently as 2006.  Without a doubt, the promotion catapults the Herts Baseball Club to national prominence.  Together with their ambitious Field Development Project and burgeoning Little League, the success of the Falcons the past two years – AA league leaders in 2007, and AAA champions in 2008 – has given Herts members a first team they can be proud of.

 

 

MOVE TO FOUR TEAMS, FOUR LEAGUES

 

As the Falcons promote to the NBL, a gap is left in their franchise at the AAA level.  A new, fourth team has been created to compete at that level.  The Herts Eagles will face the same on-field threats as last season’s Falcons, such as the talented London Metros, crafty Essex Arrows, and the fierce AAA runners-up, the Oxford Kings.  The Herts Hawks (AA) and Raptors (A) will remain in their respective leagues. 

 

Herts Baseball Club now sports four teams in four levels of adult play in the UK and, with its Little League programme in the mix, makes the most complete baseball franchise nationwide.  A player can join Tee Ball at age 5, and progress all the way through the Herts ranks to the National Baseball League.

 

 

NEWLY TAPPED CLUB COACHES PREPARE TO TRAIN

 

Competing in the NBL is no small feat, and the club managers have outlined an aggressive training programme for the 2009 season.  Known in-house as simply “The Programme,” the revamped strategy emphasises roster flexibility and individual player development.  “Our big objective is player improvement,” says Falcons Manager Jason Greenberg.  “As individuals learn more about the game and focus their on-field skills, they’ll advance through our system from one squad to the next.  That process will start during spring training, but will continue all season long.  We really want to encourage our guys to better themselves as competitors and athletes.”

 

Greenberg and fellow-manager Andrew Slater have named three coaches to manage the club’s on-field development.  Conditioning Coach Dan Kerry, Hitting Coach Andy Cornish, and Pitching Coach Darrin Ward are already knee-deep in a detailed training scheme, which utilises drills and repetition of fundamentals to boost each and every Herts player’s stamina, agility and accuracy.  Together with newly appointed club statistician, Greg Bochan, the coaches will chart individual progress throughout the spring and into the season, helping the managers to make informed roster decisions and regular promotions.

 

The off-season regimen begins this month, as the club will make use of indoor facilities to condition, work on hitting and pitching mechanics and just play some five-on-five basketball.  After a short break for the holidays, they regroup for an intense conditioning, hitting and pitching programme that leads straight into on-field spring training at Grovehill and the exciting all-club trials.  “Last year’s spring training was really the most exciting part of the year.  We had nearly the entire club out at the field every week running, throwing, hitting… pushing themselves and their teammates to keep up… and just working hard to prove themselves on the diamond.  This year – with four teams and the lingering National League debut to contend with – well, it’s going to kick butt.  I can’t wait.”

 

 

VIGOROUS RECRUITMENT DRIVE

 

It is hoped that the move to the NBL will bring an instant boost to the club’s membership.  With only five organisations competing at the top level, talented players in Hertfordshire and across the southeast UK will be hunting for a spot on the roster, and Herts plans to roll out the welcome mat.

 

“We are a family more than a club,” says President Aspi Dimitrov.  “With the expansion to four teams, we have opened up a whole new roster and additional playing time for everyone!  The hope is to attract new players of all abilities: the season veterans who like the atmosphere and professionalism at Herts… the recreational types who just enjoy being with the boys on Sunday… and, most importantly, gents (and ladies!) who are completely new to the game and just want to give it a go.  We have room for everybody… and hope everybody brings along a friend or two when they come on out to the ballpark.”

 

With the help of Sponsorship Director Nic Goetz, Herts will stage a massive recruitment drive in the winter and spring months.  They are hoping to sign around 20 to 25 new members in the coming weeks and no stone will be left unturned.  Keep an eye out for Herts Baseball coasters in the local pubs, banners in the Hemel Hempstead town centre, and a nationwide media blitz.

 

 

FALCONS FLYING TOO HIGH?

 

The National League invitation may not have taken Herts by complete surprise (speculation after the Final 4 brought rumours and debate), but the decision still warranted careful deliberation by the club’s Executive Committee.  “There was a lot of concern throughout our club,” confessed Greenberg.  “Some guys were all for the move… but others were worried we wouldn’t be able to compete at that level.  Nobody wants to be next year’s whipping posts on a national stage.  But, the more we considered the idea, the more we weighed the pros and cons, the more of a no-brainer it turned out to be.  After all, how often do you get invited to compete at the top level – the national level – in anything, let alone the sport that you live and breathe all summer long?!  This is a dream come true.”

 

There is no relegation from the National League, so even should the Falcons finish the 2009 season with a losing record they will retain their spot, regroup, and work to improve for 2010.  “Baseball is a cyclical sport – sometimes you’re winning, sometimes you’re rebuilding.  That’s just part of the game.”  Next year may prove a rebuilding year for Herts, as they retool and come to grips with a higher state of play and an expanded club roster.  But, then again, 2008 was supposed to be a rebuilding year, and the Falcons swept through to their first-ever championship trophy.

 

One thing is for sure: the Herts Baseball Club is riding high with this latest achievement and not even the fear of top-tier adversity is enough to dampen their pride or their spirits.  Whether they win or lose in this first year up, they plan to bring a dogged determination to the diamond every Sunday morning… and go home each night with their heads held high.  It’s the closest thing Britain has to professional baseball, and the Falcons have certainly earned their wings.

Welcome to the big leagues, boys.