Author: AspiDimitrov

by AspiDimitrov

HERTS BASEBALL FOOD AND BEER FESTIVAL THREATENS TO END CULINARY DOMINATION OF GORDON RAMSEY, JAMIE OLIVER, DELIA SMITH & Co.

 

Herts Baseball Club held its 2008 International Beer and Food Festival.  The event raised over £500, which will be used in the club’s Grovehill Ballpark project.   

 

The Festival was attended by over 60 adult and junior club members and other supporters of the club.  They were able to sample dishes prepared by club members who come from all corners of the globe creating a truly international culinary experience, from Haggis to Paella, Lasagne to Sushi.  And of course, this being the Herts Baseball Club, on offer was a wide range of international beverages to be sampled and enjoyed. 


The wide variety of comestible delights was presented in the best French “nouvelle cuisine” style, but came in quantities that satisfied the always hungry baseball players and fans.  The experience was immeasurably enhanced by the fact that everything was freshly cooked on the spot by the Fund Raising Team and other members of the Club.


TAKE THE FESTIVAL QUIZ – TEST YOUR BASEBALL KNOWLEDGE


The festival included several hotly contested competitions.  In the Hot Dog Eating Challenge, Ilya “KGB” Dimitrov won the prestigious title in a photo finish with Rodney Naghar, whose reputation of endless capacity for food is in tatters.  However, Dimitrov’s title was immediately challenged by original Falcons, Sean Young and Simon Clarke, who beat the record by employing a very effective technique and showed that experience can always overcome youthful enthusiasm.

 

In “Strictly Come Dancing”, Fatima and Humberto Goncalves were the undoubted winners, showing off their slick moves and practiced technique.

 

In the Tug-of-War competition, the New York Yankees proved they can pull with the best of them and won the “Tug-of-War” World Series.  Their opponents, the Chicago Cubs, came very close but ultimately lost only because they failed to follow Hunter’s Dad’s wise advice to tie the rope to the radiator.  MVP for the Yankees was Greg “the Motion” Bochan, but victory would not have been possible without his teammates. 

 

2008 TUG-OF-WAR RESULTS

ALCS: New York Yankees vs Boston Red Sox (2-0)

NLCS: Chicago Cubs vs Los Angeles Dodgers (2-1)

Tug of War World Series: New York Yankees vs Chicago Cubs (2-1)

 

The whole event was a rousing success and looks likely to become an entrenched tradition of Herts Baseball Club.

by AspiDimitrov

EXTRA REPORT: HAWKS 1 SHARKS 14

Report from Herts Baseball Newswire Correspondent, DAVE HAMILTON

The Hertfordshire Hawks stumbled to their third straight loss on Sunday, being beaten 14-1 by the Bournemouth Sharks in their AA league fixture at Grovehill.

 

It's well known in cricketing circles that 'catches win matches' and the Hawks were made to pay for a number of fielding errors by their opponent.  In the end at least four catches were dropped in the windy conditions, most critically in the fourth inning when the Sharks took advantage of three consecutive errors to score six times and effectively put the game out of reach.

 

By this point the game was 10-1 as Bournemouth had taken an early 4-0 lead although player-manager Carlos Casal's run for the Hawks narrowed the gap to three.  Unfortunately this was to be the Hawks only run of the game as the home team were unable to get a hit in the key moments, and ended up leaving 10 runners stranded on base.  Insurance runs by the Sharks in the final three innings completed the scoring.

 

One of the few high points for the Hawks in the loss was the performance of Louis Hare who smashed three of the Hawks' six hits in the game as well as pitching six strong innings.  Unfortunately his team mates were unable to match his success and extra training is planned next Sunday in their week off so that the Hawks can return to winning ways when Richmond visit on June 1st.

 

Given the quality of his squad, Carlos Casal is confident his team can recover from this early dip in form and climb back up the standings in a competitive division.  Commenting after the game, he said “we started positively but unfortunately we lost our composure and things quickly went downhill.  However, I know we all have the skills and spirit to achieve as a team and am confident we can put things right and start winning again.“

by AspiDimitrov

SHARK ATTACK IN HERTFORDSHIRE

The Herts Hawks suffered a heavy defeat against the visiting Bournemouth Sharks in their fifth game of the 2008 British Baseball’s AA league season. 

There were a large number of fans who had come out to support the Hawks, but unfortunately nothing seemed to be going right for the home team on the day.  They managed to keep within reach in the first 3 innings, but never managed to deliver the much needed hit with runners in scoring positions.  They left 10 runners on base during the game.   The only Hawk who seemed to be seeing the ball well was Louis Hare (3-3) who kept fighting even when the game was beyond the Hawks.   He also performed well on the mound with good control, allowing only two walks.  He did not receive  help from his teammates who committed an uncharacteristically high number of errors in the field (10).  Despite the demoralising score, the fans were once again able to witness some spectacular plays from 14-year old, Luis Goncalves at shortstop for the Hawks.

Late in the game, Rod Ariss, who had received a call up from the Herts single-A team, the Raptors, marked his debut in AA with a fine play in right field.  Another debutant was catcher Dave Westfallen, who is wearing the Herts jersey again after an absence of nearly 10 years.

The Sharks were missing their two big starting pitchers who were dominating the league last year, but in their place were some new faces from Latin America.  A new pitcher, catcher and infielders have made the Sharks a formidable defensive force and they will be winning many games this year.   They allowed 1 run and committed only 1 error.

After a promising start of the season with two big wins, the Hawks have now recorded three loses in a row and they need to bring their season back on track as soon as possible.  In situations like this players usually want the next game to come as soon as possible to wipe the memory of those defeats, but unfortunately for the Hawks, they will have to wait until 1 June for their next league game at home against the Richmond Dragons.  Until then, Hawks manager, Carlos Casal, has ordered extra training this week.

More Photos

Bournemouth Sharks at Herts Hawks
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Bournemouth Sharks 0 4 0 6 2 1 1 14 11 1
Herts Hawks 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 6 8

Bournemouth Sharks 14, Herts Hawks 1
Bournemouth Sharks Herts Hawks
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Player 1 c 5 1 0 1 Tim Elkins lf 2 0 1 0
Player 2 cf-rf 4 1 1 0 (b5) Stuart Boast lf-cf-p 1 0 0 0
Player 3 1b 5 1 1 0 Luis Goncalves ss 2 0 0 0
Player 4 p-ss 5 1 2 2 (b5) Rod Ariss rf 1 0 0 0
Player 5 ss-p 5 2 2 3 Louis Hare p-3b 3 0 3 0
Player 6 3b 3 2 1 1 John Oliver 1b 3 0 0 0
Player 7 lf 4 2 2 2 Humberto Goncalves 2b 3 0 0 0
Player 8 2b 4 2 1 1 Kal Dimitrov c-cf-lf 3 0 0 0
Player 9 rf-cf 3 2 1 2 Carlos Casal 3b-cf 1 1 1 0
Nick Russell rf-ss 2 0 1 0
Dave Hamilton cf 1 0 0 0
(b5) Dave Westfallen c 1 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 38 14 11 12 TEAM TOTALS 23 1 6 0

E: Player 5, Nick Russell(3), Luis Goncalves(2), Carlos Casal(2), Tim Elkins. DP:
Bournemouth Sharks 1. LOB: Bournemouth Sharks 8, Herts Hawks 10. 2B: Player 4, Player
6, Player 7. SB: Player 4, Player 6, Player 7, Player 2, Player 8, Player 9. CS: Luis
Goncalves, Tim Elkins, Louis Hare. SF: Player 9.

Bournemouth Sharks IP H R ER BB SO
Player 4 W 4.33 5 1 0 6 1
Player 5 2.67 1 0 0 3 0
Herts Hawks            
Louis Hare L 6.33 11 14 7 2 3
Stuart Boast 0.67 0 0 0 1 0

HBP: by Louis Hare (Player 7). . . . . . WP: Player 4. PB: Kal Dimitrov(2). T: 2:33.
A: 48.

by AspiDimitrov

AN UPDATE AFTER OUR FIRST WIN!

Last Sunday’s win, the first in Raptor history, was thebest I’d seen us play as a team. Everything was rolling along really. Pitching,Jake was awesome, defence, was awesome despite the rough infield which caused anumber of bad hops and the offence, which has put up 19 runs or more in thelast two games.

On a personal level it was another successful game,probably my best of the young season. It was the first time I’d really beentested in regards to working the count- before all I was looking for were hitsregardless of the count- but on Sunday I was forced to work really hard for twoof my walks. Both times I fell behind in the count 0-2 and managed to draw awalk, by fouling pitches off and taking some borderline calls. That wasprobably the part of my game on Sunday I was happiest about, or felt thebiggest improvement in, since it is very easy to just give up in anunfavourable count.

Defensively, despite being errorless in the season sincebecoming a second baseman, I have to improve. It seems at training everybodyhas their opinion on what needs fixing mechanically, which is fine since I wantto be the best I can be, but a lot of information I get can be conflicting soit’s hard to sort it all out mentally. Luckily last Wednesday I was fortunate enoughto observe Kimi as he trained with me at second- so hopefully some of hisfielding, well general baseball, magic rubbed off on me.

Also, since the scoring machine has been broken for thelast two games I kept track of what I’ve done this season in case anybody isinterested.

GP    AB    H    AVG    R    2B    3B    HR    RBI    BB    SB    K    OBP    SLG
3       15      9  .600   7     2       1     0       5       3       7      2     .667     .867

by AspiDimitrov

RAPTORS ON THE RAMPAGE

HERTS RAPTORS 27 

ESSEX ARROWS 11

British Single-A League

 

Report by Newswire reporter HUNTER DEVINE

 

The Herts Raptors returned to face Arrows, the team that two weeks earlier overcame an eight run deficit to win in the bottom of the 9th against them. This time, however, the Raptors would manage to retain their lead scoring early and often as well as keeping the opposition off the score board for most of the game.

 

Jake Kikel went the distance with a complete game despite the boiling temperatures as did Jon Lewys, who made his first start behind the plate, playing superbly. The defence played amazingly with some beautiful plays by Jim Hyde, Andrew Slater and Rob Jones as well as Rod Ariss nailing a runner at the plate- though injuring his arm on the throw.

 

The offence managed to feast off of inconsistent Arrows' pitching with big hits from many of the hitters all day. It was the top of the 9th which was the biggest boost for the team as they piled on some insurance runs to prevent a repeat of before. The team were so desperate to win and get more runs that with 2 outs Hunter Devine stole home successfully, though Jim Hyde brought all the runners home on the next pitch with another big hit.

by AspiDimitrov

SIDEWINDERS BRING HAWKS DOWN TO EARTH

The AA League leaders met at Grovehill Ballpark for what was promising to be a very closely-fought battle.  But a powerful Sidewinders line-up stunned the Hawks with 23 runs and 23 hits, combined with controlled pitching and smooth defence (2 errors).  They started the game with 4 runs in the top of the first inning.  Despite keeping within touching distance in the first three innings, it was an uphill battle for the Hawks after that. 

 

In the bottom of the fourth the Hawks received another blow as Paul Auchterlounie sustained an ankle injury after stepping awkwardly on the first base bag.  It was difficult to determine the extent of his injury and hopefully he will be able to recover quickly in time for next Sunday’s crunch game.  With no Hawks players left on the bench, Falcons player, Pete Kikel took Auchterlounie’s place behind the plate.

 

The 10 errors committed by Hawks fielders made a difficult task impossible against a team that will certainly be one of the main promotion contenders. 

 

There were bright spots for the Hawks.  14 years-old rookie phenom Luis Goncalves once again produced some amazing plays at short stop including a gem from deep in the hole on the 3rd base side.  Louis Hare had another good performance (4-5, 2B, RBI, 2R), as well as a fine work on the mound 2/3 of an inning in the ninth.

 

The Hawks will now have to regroup as they prepare for battle against the Bornemouth Sharks who will travel to Grovehill Ballpark this coming Sunday.

 

Among the Sidewinders was former Falcons manager, Bruce Dullea.  It was good to see Dullea alive and well out on the baseball field after his mysterious disappearance a few weeks ago.  He came on late in the game playing at first base and making good contact with the bat.  A rare diving attempt to catch a line drive by 6’7” Dullea brought cheers from both benches. 

 

 

Sidewinders at Herts Hawks
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Sidewinders 4 1 0 3 3 3 2 1 6 23 23 2
Herts Hawks 1 1 1 1 0 2 1 1 0 8 14 10

Sidewinders 23, Herts Hawks 8
Sidewinders Herts Hawks
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Player 1 p 4 5 2 0 Tim Elkins lf 5 0 1 1
Player 2 c 6 3 1 2 Nick Russell cf 4 1 1 0
Player 3 1b 7 2 4 4 Louis Hare 1b-2b-p 5 2 4 1
Player 4 2b 6 3 4 4 Stuart Boast 2b-p 5 0 0 0
Player 5 3b 6 2 3 1 Humberto Goncalves rf 5 0 2 2
Player 6 ss 6 2 3 2 John Oliver p-1b 5 0 1 0
Player 7 lf 6 2 2 1 Carlos Casal 3b 5 2 2 0
Player 8 cf 6 1 1 2 Paul Auchterlounie c 2 0 2 0
Player 9 rf 6 3 3 1 (b4) Peter Kikel pr-c 1 2 1 0
Luis Goncalves ss 2 1 0 1
TEAM TOTALS 53 23 23 17 TEAM TOTALS 39 8 14 5

E: Player 2, Player 4, John Oliver(3), Luis Goncalves(2), Peter Kikel(2), Stuart
Boast, Nick Russell, Carlos Casal. DP: Herts Hawks 1. LOB: Herts Hawks 8, Sidewinders
10. 2B: Player 4, Player 3, Player 6, Peter Kikel, Louis Hare. 3B: Player 9. SB:
Player 1, Player 4, Louis Hare(3), Peter Kikel(2), Carlos Casal(2), Nick Russell,
Humberto Goncalves, Tim Elkins, Luis Goncalves. CS: Player 2, Peter Kikel. SF: Luis
Goncalves.

Sidewinders IP H R ER BB SO
Player 1 W 9.00 14 8 4 2 6
Herts Hawks            
John Oliver L 6.00 16 14 9 4 1
Stuart Boast 2.33 6 9 5 3 0
Louis Hare 0.67 1 0 0 0 1

HBP: by Player 1 (Luis Goncalves). . . . . , by Stuart Boast (Player 1). WP: John
Oliver(4). PB: Player 2(2), Peter Kikel. T: 3:00. A: 45.

by AspiDimitrov

FALCONS AND METROS SPLIT TOPSY-TURVY SUBWAY SERIES

The London Metros (2-0) arrived at Hemel Hempstead by tube, train and taxi on Sunday to face the AAA-dominant Falcons (6-0).  Both teams anticipated a tough day of baseball against their undefeated league rivals.  The Herts squad was also keenly aware that the Metros National League side had the week off, and some of the nation's best sluggers would 'play down' to help their AAA farm team continue its winning streak.  Even the ABUA-GB Umpires Association got into the spirit sending Commissioner Darrin Muller to officiate the match from behind home plate.

 

Game One started well for the Falcons, who shut down the Metros 1-2-3 in the 1st and got on the board early with a solo home run from shortstop Andy Cornish.  But that was all the offense the Falcons would muster as Metros pitching shut out Herts in the next four frames.  London put up crooked numbers in each of their remaining at-bats, almost all coming  on Falcons defensive errors, and they took the game 15-3 in six innings.  It was the worst the Herts defense has played all season and by far the toughest outing yet for hurler Nic Goetz who gave up 7 earned runs on 13 hits with 5 walks.  The Falcons hit .259 in the game and Cornish's solo shot was the only recorded RBI.  Seven Falcons were stranded on base.

 

The tough transition to the second game, then, was all-important.  In a short team chat in the break Manager Jason Greenberg offered encouragement and reminded the team that their confidence, optimism and support of one another had helped garner them a (now) 6-1 record in the BBF AAA… a league which they had not played in since 2006… and a far better opening record then anyone had anticipated.  Greenberg said, “Our first loss was inevitable… it's how we respond to losing that makes all the difference.”  A bit more pumped-up, rehydrated and with Game One in the rearview mirror, the Falcons took the field for the second time that day.

 

From the first-inning the table was laid at 1-1.  The Metros advanced a runner home on an infield error, but the Falcons countered with a lead-off single from Lee Manning, followed by a hit-and-run double from Greenberg and a sacrifice fly from Cornish.  Herts was going to play this game more aggressively.  Down 2-1 in the bottom of the 5th inning, Kimiyoshi Saionji was hit squarely in the back by a pitch to lead-off the inning.  Undeterred, he stole 2nd base and was batted home on a double from center fielder Dan Kerry.

 

Tied 2-2 going in the bottom of the 6th, catcher Greenberg – in a career-worst slump starting the season only 2-for-19 – came to the plate with two outs and nobody on base.  He knocked a hard-hit single through the left side, then immediately stole second base and advanced to third when the throw-down scooted away from the 2nd baseman.  Cornish followed with a clutch line drive that glanced off the right-fielder’s outstretched glove, and the Falcons took a 3-2 lead.

 

Darrin Ward pitched masterfully, allowing only 2 runs on 6 hits with 1 walk and 8 strikeouts.  It was a true gem of a performance.  In the top of the 7th-inning, with Metros on second and third and one out, Ward reached deep into his reserves and struck out the final two batters to clinch the win.  All three outs in the inning were K's, and the final punch-out came on three, successive fastballs on the inside corner, each climbing the ladder on the last.  It was perfect pitching in any league.  Ward pumped his fist in the air and the Falcons celebrated the split and their 7-1 first-place record.

 

 

GAME ONE

11am

 

London Metros at Herts Falcons
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 R H E
London Metros 0 2 3 2 3 5 15 16 5
Herts Falcons 1 0 0 0 0 2 3 7 4

London Metros 15, Herts Falcons 3
London Metros Herts Falcons
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Player 1 ss 4 3 2 1 Lee Manning rf 4 0 1 0
Player 2 lf 2 1 1 2 Jason Greenberg c 3 0 0 0
Player 3 p 5 1 2 2 Andy Cornish ss 3 1 1 1
Player 4 cf 5 1 4 2 Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b 3 0 0 0
Player 5 rf 3 0 0 0 Marty Cullen 1b 3 1 2 0
(b4) Sub 2 rf 2 1 1 0 Peter Kikel 3b 3 0 1 0
Player 6 1b 4 2 3 0 Dan Kerry cf 3 1 2 0
Player 7 2b 1 0 1 2 Greg Bochan lf 3 0 0 0
(b4) Sub 1 2b 2 1 0 0 Darrin Ward dh 2 0 0 0
Player 8 3b 2 0 0 0 Nick Goetz p 0 0 0 0
(b4) Sub 4 3b 1 2 1 2 Aspi Dimitrov p 0 0 0 0
Player 9 c 2 3 1 0
TEAM TOTALS 33 15 16 11 TEAM TOTALS 27 3 7 1

E: Player 1(2), Sub 4(2), Player 3, Andy Cornish(2), Marty Cullen, Peter Kikel. DP:
Herts Falcons 1. LOB: Herts Falcons 7, London Metros 8. 2B: Sub 4, Player 4, Player
2, Peter Kikel, Dan Kerry. 3B: Player 4. HR: Andy Cornish. SB: Player 6(2), Sub 4,
Player 4, Andy Cornish. SF: Player 2.

London Metros IP H R ER BB SO
Player 3 W 6.00 7 3 1 1 3
Herts Falcons            
Nick Goetz L 5.00 13 12 7 5 3
Aspi Dimitrov 1.00 3 3 0 2 0

WP: Nick Goetz(3), Aspi Dimitrov. PB: Jason Greenberg. T: 2:30. A: 60.

 

GAME TWO

1:30PM

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

Herts Falcons 3, London Metros 2
Herts Falcons London Metros
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Lee Manning dh 4 1 2 0 Player 1 p 4 1 2 0
Jason Greenberg c 3 1 2 0 Player 2 c 3 0 0 0
Andy Cornish ss 3 0 0 1 Player 3 1b 4 0 2 1
Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b 2 1 0 0 Player 4 2b 3 0 1 0
Marty Cullen 1b 3 0 0 0 Player 5 3b 2 0 0 0
Dan Kerry cf 2 0 1 1 Player 6 ss 3 0 0 0
Nick Goetz 3b 2 0 0 0 Player 7 lf 3 0 0 0
Aspi Dimitrov lf 3 0 0 0 Player 8 cf 3 0 0 0
Rodney Naghar rf 2 0 0 0 Player 9 rf 3 1 1 0
Darrin Ward p 0 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 24 3 5 2 TEAM TOTALS 28 2 6 1

E: Nick Goetz(2), Jason Greenberg, Player 4, Player 9. LOB: London Metros 7, Herts
Falcons 11. 2B: Jason Greenberg, Dan Kerry. SB: Jason Greenberg, Andy Cornish,
Kimiyoshi Saionji, Player 3. SF: Andy Cornish.

Herts Falcons IP H R ER BB SO
Darrin Ward W 7.00 6 2 1 1 8
London Metros            
Player 1 L 6.00 5 3 2 6 6

HBP: by Darrin Ward (Player 2). . . . , by Player 1 (Kimiyoshi Saionji). . . PB:
Player 2(2). T: 2:30. A: 60.

 

GAME NOTES:  The Falcons travel to Essex on June 1st for their second series in 2008 against the Arrows……  Sunday saw the first home plate collision of the season as a Metro was tagged out by Greenberg when he barreled-in but failed to dislodge the ball……  Cornish's homer was his first of the year and he joins second-baseman Saionji in that elite club……  True to the rumours, former Falcons manager Bruce Dullea was spotted at Grovehill toward the end of the series as a third base coach for the visiting Sidewinders, who played a late afternoon game against the Herts Hawks……  Lead-off batter Lee Manning is .333 on the season with 8 runs and 4 RBI proving his consistency in the one-hole……  Team-leader Kimiyoshi Saionji was held hitless for the first time all spring, but still leads the Falcons with a .522 average and .633 OBP, and is slugging .783 with 3 doubles, 1 home run and 14 RBI.

by AspiDimitrov

LITTLE LEAGUE BACK IN TRAINING

 

On Saturday Herts Baseball Little League players returned to the baseball diamond after a long winter.  They are preparing for their first ever Baseball Little League in Hertfordshire which starts next month.

 

There was a very good turnout with many new players joining those who took part in last year’s Baseball Summer Camps.  They were put through an intensive session by the Little League coaches.  Many parents were in attendance giving their support and words of encouragement from the sidelines.  Some of the parents have had previous baseball experience and they generously agreed to join the other members of the Herts Baseball Little League coaching staff.

 

The session was meant to be 2 hours and 15 minutes long but with so many kids eager to play baseball the session had to be extended and at the end it lasted over 3 hours.

 

The players will be back next Saturday once again at 10am for the second pre-season session.  New players are very much welcome to join in at any time and make baseball history in Hertfordshire this season.

by AspiDimitrov

HERTFORDSHIRE KIDS GEAR UP FOR A SUMMER OF BASEBALL

 

An army of kids will be heading to Grovehill Ballpark in Hertfordshire this Saturday for the start of spring training ahead of the inaugural season of the Herts Baseball Little League. 

 

Last year Herts Baseball Club with support from BSUK, staged nine baseball summer camps, which were attended by around 50 boys and girls.  They will be joined by many more players who have pre-registered online for the League over the winter months. 

 

The season is scheduled to commence on 14 June and all league games will be staged at the baseball complex in Hemel Hempstead.  But before this, the players will go through five weeks of intensive spring training.  The training sessions will be ran by baseball players from Herts Baseball Club’s three adult teams, as well as parents who have already shown interest in getting involved in a coaching or other capacity.

 

Herts Baseball Club Vice Presidents, Marty Cullen and Lee Manning, who set the foundations for this project in 2007 are looking forward to what promises to be an unmissable event for children in and around Hertfordshire. 

 

Manning said: “Little-by-little all the pieces are coming together and it is very exciting to see so much interest being generated.  It seems like Hertfordshire will be going baseball-crazy this summer and it is not too late to join.  Those who are interested to get involved should go on www.HertsLittleLeague.com and complete the pre-registration form.”  

 

Cullen added: “We were hoping to have three teams in the League’s first season, but it looks like we may be able to have more than three teams.  We didn’t expect such interest so early, but our club has the capacity to accommodate many more teams.  Last year we went out to around 20 schools located close to our ballpark.  This year we are expanding our coverage and thousands of promotional flyers will be going out to 50 schools over the next week or so.”

 

Apart from playing Herts Little League games this summer, players will have the opportunity to earn a place in the Herts All-Star Team.  The team will represent the Herts Baseball Little League in the British National Championships (known as the Final 4) where they will face the best baseball players from around the country.  The Herts All-Stars have been given a wild card entry and if they win their one-game playoff they will qualify for the prestigious Final 4 event. 

 

The Final 4 events attract a great amount of interest not only from fans but also from the coaching staff of the Great Britain National Teams.  Last month a member of the Herts Baseball Little League received a call-up to the Great Britain National Team, which is another indication that, with hard work and dedication, the boys and girls of the Herts Baseball Little League have the opportunity to progress to the highest levels of baseball.

 

For more details and information how to join please visit the official website of the Herts Baseball Little League www.HertsLittleLeague.com

by AspiDimitrov

HERTS LITTLE LEAGUERS MAY BE ON THEIR WAY TO PENNSYLVANIA

The BBF, which is the governing body for baseball in Great Britain, will commence a consultation process with a view to operating a full Little League programme in this country for the start of the 2009 season in line with the world-famous Little League

There are now more than 7,400 Little League programs in more than 100 countries around the globe.  If the BBF approves this proposal then the Herts Baseball Little League program will become part of the Little League structure.  For more details of the effect this is likely to have on Herts Baseball Little League and youth baseball in this country below you will find a link to the BBF press release.  Put simply, the Herts Baseball Little Leaguers would become a part of a world-wide competition with the opportunity of reaching the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The event is shown live around the world by ESPN in front of the largest TV audience for any youth sports event in the world.

Click this link to read the full BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION PRESS RELEASE