Author: Herts Baseball News Editor

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Q&A: Nick Russell – Herts Hawks #31

As we count down to the 2012 National Baseball Championships we are running a series of question and answer sessions with members of the Herts Falcons and Herts Hawks teams who will be going for silverware this Bank Holiday weekend.

1. Name: Nick Russell

2. Nationality (if dual nationality enter both): British/Canadian

3. Age: 32

4. Position(s): Pitcher/Shortstop

5. Height: 5’10”

6. Weight: 11.5st

7. Bats (right/left/switch): Right

8. Throws (right/left): Right

9. Previous appearances in the NBCs (year and which team and league i.e. NBL, AAA, AA etc.): 2010 Eagles AAA

10. What is your preferred song to go up to bat with: Beastie Boys, Sabotage

11. Favourite baseball movie:Major League

12. Favourite MLB team: Boston Red Sox

13. Favourite MLB player: Pedro Martinez

14. For or against the Designated Hitter rule: For

15. Should Barry Bonds’ home run record have an asterisk next to it: Yes

16. What was the largest audience you have performed to (sports or other), when and what event: Regional baseball tournament, Montreal, Canada.

17. Who is the most undervalued player in the team: Kal

18. Who is the prankster in the team: Louis

19. What is your pre-game routine during the 24 hours before first pitch, any superstitions, etc.: Stretch and warm up at the gym

20. Your favourite pre-game meal: Bacon sandwich

21. Predictions for this weekend’s Championship:2012 AA Champions

22. Key to our success this weekend in 3 words: Win!Win!Win!

 

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Q&A: Andy Cornish – Herts Hawks #7

As we count down to the 2012 National Baseball Championships we are running a series of question and answer sessions with members of the Herts Falcons and Herts Hawks teams who will be going for silverware this Bank Holiday weekend.

1. Name: Andy Cornish

2. Nationality (if dual nationality enter both): British

3. Age: 27

4. Position(s): Catcher, 3rd and Centre field

5. Height: 6’2

6. Weight: 85kg

7. Bats (right/left/switch): Right

8. Throws (right/left): Right

9. Previous appearances in the NBCs (year and which team and league i.e. NBL, AAA, AA etc.):

2004: Falcons AA (runner-up)

2007: Falcons AA (runner-up)

2008: Falcons AAA (Champions)

2009: Falcons NBL (4th)

2012: Hawks AA (??!!)

10. What is your preferred song to go up to bat with: Bill Conti – Gonna fly now

11. Favourite baseball movie: Bull Durham

12. Favourite MLB team: Dodgers

13. Favourite MLB player: Clayton Kershaw

14. For or against the Designated Hitter rule: For – in some situations

15. Should Barry Bonds’ home run record have an asterisk next to it: Yes, definitely

16. What was the largest audience you have performed to (sports or other), when and what event: 5

17. Who is the most undervalued player in the team: Tim

18. Who is the prankster in the team: Louis

19. What is your pre-game routine during the 24 hours before first pitch, any superstitions, etc.: no routine to speak of, but need long black socks, batting gloves have to be correct

20. Your favourite pre-game meal: breakfast! I usually have Fruit and Fibre

21. Predictions for this weekend’s Championship: Herts Win

22. Key to our success this weekend in 3 words: “Who wants it?!”

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Q&A: Mahendra Prasad – Herts Falcons #77

As we count down to the 2012 National Baseball Championships we are running a series of question and answer sessions with members of the Herts Falcons and Herts Hawks teams who will be going for silverware this Bank Holiday weekend.

1. Name: Mahendra Prasad

2. Nationality (if dual nationality enter both): Sri Lankan

3. Age: 33

4. Position(s): center fielder

5. Height: 5’9″

6. Weight: 74kg

7. Bats (right/left/switch): right

8. Throws (right/left): right

9. Previous appearances in the NBCs (year and which team and league i.e. NBL, AAA, AA etc.): AAA 2010 Herts Eagles

10. What is your preferred song to go up to bat with:

11. Favourite baseball movie: The Fan

12. Favourite MLB team: yankees

13. Favourite MLB player: Alex Rodriguez

14. For or against the Designated Hitter rule: against

15. Should Barry Bonds’ home run record have an asterisk next to it:

16. What was the largest audience you have performed to (sports or other), when and what event: National Baseball Asia Cup Tournament held in 2002 in Thailand.

17. Who is the most undervalued player in the team: (me lol)

18. Who is the prankster in the team: luvie

19. What is your pre-game routine during the 24 hours before first pitch, any superstitions, etc.: focus and dream about the match on my mind

20. Your favourite pre-game meal: hot dog

21. Predictions for this weekend’s Championship: falcons

22. Key to our success this weekend in 3 words: commitment, team work

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Q&A: Tim Elkins – Herts Hawks #45

As we count down to the 2012 National Baseball Championships we are running a series of question and answer sessions with members of the Herts Falcons and Herts Hawks teams who will be going for silverware this Bank Holiday weekend.

1) Name: Tim Elkins

2) Nationality (if dual nationality enter both): British

3) Age: More than my shirt number “45” !!!!! It’s actually 46

4) Position(s): 1B, OF

5) Height:5′ 11”

6) Weight:No idea, but probably a but heavier than I’d like !

7) Bats (right/left/switch):Right

8) Throws (right/left):Right

9) Previous appearances in the NBCs (year and which team and league i.e. NBL, AAA, AA etc.):AAA (the year before the Faclons went up to the NBL for the first time (can’t remember exactly which year)

10) What is your preferred song to go up to bat with: “Don’t stop the party” by The Black Eye Peas

11) Favourite baseball movie: Fever Pitch

12) Favourite MLB team: Boston Red Sox

13) Favourite MLB player: Pedro Martinez

14) For or against the Designated Hitter rule: For

15). Should Barry Bonds’ home run record have an asterisk next to it: Yes

16) What was the largest audience you have performed to (sports or other), when and what event: Unknown, but was interviewed for and appeared in the introduction to the 2009 Red Sox Fantasy Camp DVD. Used in publicity for 2010 Fantasy Camp on the Red Sox web site ……..

17) Who is the most undervalued player in the team:Slater – more than willing to put the team before his own playing time and happy to do whatever you ask of him

18) Who is the prankster in the team: Hard to pick – this year the Hawk’s have had such a loose attitude in the dug out, but played so hard to win, reminiscent of the 2004 Red Sox – the comraderie and team spirit have been what have defined this year’s team and made it so enjoyable to play for – unfair to pick out anyone

19) What is your pre-game routine during the 24 hours before first pitch, any superstitions, etc.: For the last two play off games, when going to field at 1st base, for the very first time, I touch my lips, touch the base, then touch the team name on my shirt – it worked so far so I ain’t changing it 🙂 also avoid stepping on baselines whenever running out to field

20) Your favourite pre-game meal: Eggs, bacon, toast, coffee and juice

21) Predictions for this weekend’s Championship: don’t want to tempt fate !!!!!

22). Key to our success this weekend in 3 words: “Keep The Faith” !!!!!

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Q&A: Jamie Munn – Herts Falcons #35

As we count down to the 2012 National Baseball Championships we are running a series of question and answer sessions with members of the Herts Falcons and Herts Hawks teams who will be going for silverware this Bank Holiday weekend.

1. Name: Jamie Munn

2. Nationality (if dual nationality enter both): British

3. Age: 32

4. Position(s): CF/LF

5. Height: 5’11

6. Weight: 11 stone

7. Bats (right/left/switch): R

8. Throws (right/left): R

9. Previous appearances in the NBCs (year and which team and league i.e. NBL, AAA, AA etc.): NBL 2009

10. What is your preferred song to go up to bat with:

11. Favourite baseball movie: Moneyball

12. Favourite MLB team: NY Yankees

13. Favourite MLB player: Mike Mussina

14. For or against the Designated Hitter rule: FOR

15. Should Barry Bonds’ home run record have an asterisk next to it: Yes

16. What was the largest audience you have performed to (sports or other), when and what event: 80,000 wembley football

17. Who is the most undervalued player in the team: Kimi

18. Who is the prankster in the team:

19. What is your pre-game routine during the 24 hours before first pitch, any superstitions, etc.: EAT pizza

20. Your favourite pre-game meal: pizza

21. Predictions for this weekend’s Championship: Herts/nats final

22. Key to our success this weekend in 3 words: BIG TEAM EFFORT

 

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Q&A: Mike Osborn – Herts Falcons #15

As we count down to the 2012 National Baseball Championships we are running a series of question and answer sessions with members of the Herts Falcons and Herts Hawks teams who will be going for silverware this Bank Holiday weekend.

1. Name: Mike Osborn

2. Nationality (if dual nationality enter both): British

3. Age: young enough

4. Position(s): Pitcher, OF, 3B, 1B

5. Height: 6’3

6. Weight: 200lbs

7. Bats (right/left/switch): Right

8. Throws (right/left): Right

9. Previous appearances in the NBCs (year and which team and league i.e. NBL, AAA, AA etc.):

London Warriors: finalists in 1998; champs in 2000.

Richmond Flames: finalists in 2008, 2009; champs in 2006, 2010.

10. What is your preferred song to go up to bat with: Darth Vador-Imperial March

11. Favourite baseball movie: Moneyball

12. Favourite MLB team: Red Sox

13. Favourite MLB player: I don’t really have one.

14. For or against the Designated Hitter rule: Against.

15. Should Barry Bonds’ home run record have an asterisk next to it: No. He was not breaking any rules at the time.

16. What was the largest audience you have performed to (sports or other), when and what event:

800ish in Regensburg during European baseball championships, early 2000.

17. Who is the most undervalued player in the team: Lee

18. Who is the prankster in the team: No one. We are not allowed to joke when we play. Lee is very strict.

19. What is your pre-game routine during the 24 hours before first pitch, any superstitions, etc.:I start stretching 24 hours before the first pitch.

20. Your favourite pre-game meal: Chloe’s Spag Bol

21. Predictions for this weekend’s Championship: Herts

22. Key to our success this weekend in 3 words: Focus and win

 

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Q&A: Ralph Bartholomew – Herts Hawks #17

As we count down to the 2012 National Baseball Championships we are running a series of question and answer sessions with members of the Herts Falcons and Herts Hawks teams who will be going for silverware this Bank Holiday weekend.

1. Name: Ralph Bartholomew

2. Nationality (if dual nationality enter both): American

3. Age: 42

4. Position(s): Anywhere except pitcher/catcher

5. Height: 5 ft 10

6. Weight: 169 lbs

7. Bats (right/left/switch): right

8. Throws (right/left): right

9. Previous appearances in the NBCs (year and which team and league i.e. NBL, AAA, AA etc.): none

10. What is your preferred song to go up to bat with: Silence

11. Favourite baseball movie: none

12. Favourite MLB team: Red Sox unfortunately

13. Favourite MLB player: Cal Ripken

14. For or against the Designated Hitter rule: For

15. Should Barry Bonds’ home run record have an asterisk next to it: Yes

16. What was the largest audience you have performed to (sports or other), when and what event: High school talent show

17. Who is the most undervalued player in the team: Kal

18. Who is the prankster in the team: There’s a few…

19. What is your pre-game routine during the 24 hours before first pitch, any superstitions, etc.: eat and sleep

20. Your favourite pre-game meal: Meat

21. Predictions for this weekend’s Championship: Partly sunny with a chance of Hawks win.

22. Key to our success this weekend in 3 words: Error free ball

 

by Herts Baseball News Editor

The 2012 NBC is a time to tweet

This weekend’s National Baseball Championships will be the first to take full advantage of the capabilities provided by Twitter. Here is some useful Twitter information courtesy of Michael Jones who will be one of the people providing media coverage for the British Baseball Federation this weekend at Grovehill Ballpark:

Official hashtags – #roadtoherts #bbfnbc #britishbaseball

(Note: The more we can get the hashtags trending the better)

Twitter accounts:

BBF Reporters

Michael Jones – @DazzMcGuinness

Oliver – @OliML

Trevor – @tdclissold

 

Neutrals/hosts

Matt Smith/BaseballGB – @MattBaseballGB

Joe Gray/Project Cobb – @Project_COBB

BBF – @BritishBaseball

GB Baseball teams – @GB_Baseball

 

Teams:

NBL

@HarlowNationals

@Hertsbaseball

@LondonMets2012

@SotonMustangs

 

AAA

@oxfordkings

@LiverpoolTrojan

@essexredbacks

 

AA

@mkbucksbaseball

@NottsRebels

@Hertsbaseball

 

Single-A

@HoveTuesday

@BlueSoxBaseball

 

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Q&A: Cris Hiche – Herts Falcons #44

As we count down to the 2012 National Baseball Championships we are running a series of question and answer sessions with members of the Herts Falcons and Herts Hawks teams who will be going for silverware this Bank Holiday weekend.

1. Name: Cristobal Hiche Schwarzhaupt

2. Nationality (if dual nationality enter both): Chile and Germany

3. Age:28

4. Position(s): CF, 1B

5. Height: 1.80m

6. Weight: 82kg

7. Bats (right/left/switch): Right

8. Throws (right/left): Left

9. Previous appearances in the NBCs (year and which team and league i.e. NBL, AAA, AA etc.): None (first year in the league)

10. What is your preferred song to go up to bat with: Sad But True (Metallica)

11. Favourite baseball movie: Major League

12. Favourite MLB team: Toronto Blue Jays

13. Favourite MLB player: Roberto Alomar

14. For or against the Designated Hitter rule: For the DH rule. I want to see a player that can actually hit rather than one that looks like a fool.

15. Should Barry Bonds’ home run record have an asterisk next to it: Yes, of course. He’s a cheater.

16. What was the largest audience you have performed to (sports or other), when and what event: Interestingly enough was in Athletics in high school in Chile for the national tournaments. A thousand or so would come watch the events.

17. Who is the most undervalued player in the team: This is a tough one because nobody is undervalued in our team. I would say that Michael Osborn and Jeff House are a bit undervalued. When they’re in their zone, their stuff is nasty and unstoppable.

18. Who is the prankster in the team: We don’t seem to have a stand-out prankster. We’re a very mature team who knows when to get down to business and when we can joke and when we do is the entire team. But again I would say Mike Osborn who has come up with the Falcons ‘battle cry’ which includes a ‘fly-in’ of the OFs to the field in most game.

19. What is your pre-game routine during the 24 hours before first pitch, any superstitions, etc.: Not very superstitious and nothing particular the day before. However, well known by Lee and the rest, is that I don’t put my jersey and cleats on until the very last minute before game time.

20. Your favourite pre-game meal: No meals (or just a fruit) before games. I don’t even eat in between games. So I end up VERY hungry after a double header but that’s my routine.

21. Predictions for this weekend’s Championship: We should win it. I can sense it. I said this before the season started and my prediction so far has been right. We’ll definitely be in the final game!

22. Key to our success this weekend in 3 words: a) We need to win the first game, b) Excellent pitching performances, c) bring the runners home. Lately we have left too many runners on base.

 

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Q&A: Paul Auchterlounie – Herts Hawks #33

As we count down to the 2012 National Baseball Championships we are running a series of question and answer sessions with members of the Herts Falcons and Herts Hawks teams who will be going for silverware this Bank Holiday weekend.

1. Name: Paul Auchterlounie

2. Nationality (if dual nationality enter both): British

3. Age: 38

4. Position(s): Outfield now that Andy F is behind the plate!

5. Height: 6ft

6. Weight: probably too much

7. Bats (right/left/switch): badly

8. Throws (right/left): right (on the money – sometimes!)

9. Previous appearances in the NBCs (year and which team and league i.e. NBL, AAA, AA etc.): 2010 AAA Herts Eagles

10. What is your preferred song to go up to bat with: Iron Maiden – Phantom of the Opera

11. Favourite baseball movie: Not sure

12. Favourite MLB team: Phillies

13. Favourite MLB player: Cole Hamels

14. For or against the Designated Hitter rule: Against

15. Should Barry Bonds’ home run record have an asterisk next to it: No(*)

16. What was the largest audience you have performed to (sports or other), when and what event: Probably a music concert as a kid – somewhere around 50 people!

17. Who is the most undervalued player in the team: Tim Elkins

18. Who is the prankster in the team: Slater

19. What is your pre-game routine during the 24 hours before first pitch, any superstitions, etc.: Don’t have a set routine, but if we win the NBC that may change!

20. Your favourite pre-game meal: Breakfast

21. Predictions for this weekend’s Championship: Hawks!!

22. Key to our success this weekend in 3 words: Hit the ball