Author: Matt Bell

by Matt Bell

YANKEES GAIN 2 GAMES ON CUBS, BOTH TIED IN FIRST PLACE

 

With only two weeks remaining, the Herts Little League season is heating up.  The Herts Cubs have been setting the pace from the very start and for the first time this season they have lost their lead in the league standings.  The Herts Yankees have managed to put together a 4-game winning streak in the most crucial time of the season.  They are now tied at the top with the Cubs.  Pitchers Michael Davis and Marty Cullen Jr combined over the course of the day allowing no runs and shutting down their opponents with two magnificent pitching performances.

 

Heavy downpours could not dampen the enthusiasm of the Herts Baseball Little League players and fans in week 6 of the league schedule.  To start the day first placed Herts Cubs met their nearest rivals the Yankees and they found it difficult to get their offensive game going against Marty Cullen Jr who pitched a complete game shutout for the Yankees to win 7-0.

 

But the real game of the day came later in the day.  The Blue Jays find themselves bottom of the table but in spite of this they have been playing terrific baseball and have been unfortunate to be on the losing end of four closely fought one-run games.  This turned out to be a real classic pitching duel.  Zack Longboy was pitching a gem putting up zero after zero on the scoreboard but his Yankee counterpart, Michael Davis, was matching his zeros inning-after-inning.  With the game going into extra innings, it was Yankees pitcher, Michael Davis, who delivered a crushing blow driving in the winning run for the Yankees.   Another heartbreaking one-run loss for the Blue Jays, but they deserve credit for the amazing courage and determination which they have shown week-in-week-out.

 

The attention turned to Field 2 where the Cubs and the Red Sox were also into extra innings.  The news of the Yankees win was filtering through and the pressure was on the Cubs players.   Finally, the Red Sox came through in the bottom of the 5th to win it 15-14 and that meant that the Cubs’ lead on top of the Little League is gone.  They now share first place with the Yankees.

 

The scene is set for a thrilling last two weeks of the Herts Little League season.  While the Cubs and the Yankees are wearing themselves out at the top, the Red Sox are making a late push for the title.  The League action continues next Saturday at 12pm with 4 more exciting matchups.

 

The Player of the Week award went to Herts Yankees’ hero of the day, Michael Davis.

 

League Scoreboard and Standings

by Matt Bell

VENUE FOR BRITISH YOUTH FINAL 4 DECIDED. WILL THE HERTS LITTLE LEAGUERS QUALIFY?

The British Baseball Federation has confirmed the venue for this year’s National Youth Baseball Championships.  It will be the Cartmel Valley Baseball Club, which is located in the Lake District.

 

After the end of the Herts Little League season in August the focus will turn to this event, which is the British equivalent of the Little League World Series.

 

Herts Baseball Club will look to reward the most dedicated, hard working and talented Little Leaguers by selecting them to represent Herst Baseball Club at this prestigious National event.  The decision, which players will be selected, will be a very difficult one for the coaches to make.   With three weeks still to be played in the Herts Little League every player still has the opportunity to earn the honour of playing for the Herts Little League All-Star Team.

 

But before the Herts players start to make their travel arrangements they will have to overcome a tough opponent in a one-off Wild Card playoff game.  The opponents are yet to be confirmed but are likely to be either the Horsham or the Plymouth Little League All-Star teams.  This deciding game is scheduled for Saturday, 6 September.  The Wild Card playoff venue is yet to be confirmed and the hope is that Herts will win home field advantage which will mean that the team can count on its many loyal supporters.

 

Herts Baseball Club’s AAA adult league team, the Herts Falcons, is on course to reach the AAA Adult British National Championships, which is also scheduled to take place over the weekend of 6-7 September.  Herts Baseball Club wants to ensure that these two events do not clash and have submitted an official request to the British Baseball Federation with the hope that a clash can be avoided.

 

The following is the official press release issued by the British Baseball Federation with more details about the eagerly awaited National Youth Baseball Championships – Final 4.

 

OFFICIAL BBF PRESS RELEASE

Cartmel Valley to host National Youth Baseball Championships this September

 

Cartmel Valley Baseball Club will be the hosts for the British Baseball Federation's National Youth Baseball Championships on September 13-14. The top four teams from each of the Pony and Bronco age category leagues will play out to be crowned National Champions in their age group.

 

The Cartmel club can offer a stunning setting for this year's finals. It is an idyllic South Cumbria village with the baseball diamonds on the local secondary school field and many pubs and restaurants within walking distance, not to mention the famous ‘Sticky toffee pudding’ shop.

 

The club has arranged the option of accommodation/breakfast with the YMCA Lakeside on the shore of Lake Windermere with rooms, cabins and ready-erected tents for visiting teams to enjoy the stunning scenery of the Lake District. It should make for a memorable weekend away for both the players and their parents.

 

Spectators are welcome and parking is free. Food and drink will be available on the field.

 

The first-placed teams from the North and South divisions of the Pony (Under-16) and Bronco (Under-13) leagues will qualifying automatically for the National Championships.

There will be playoffs on the weekend of Sept 6 for the remaining places between the second-placed North and South teams and teams from the Plymouth, Horsham, and Herts leagues (venue to be confirmed).

 

Related links: www.britishbaseball.org

by Matt Bell

HAWKS IMPRESSIVE AGAINST STAGS

Report from Herts Baseball Newswire correspondent, DAVE HAMILTON

 

The Herts Hawks continued their dominance over division rivals the Brentwood Stags last Sunday with a 9-3 victory in blazing hot sunshine at Brentwood. This victory lifts them to third place in the AA division, with a clash against second place Bournemouth their next fixture.

 

Despite their comfortable victory a week earlier, the Hawks were under no illusions they would be in for an easy game, and so it proved, with the first two innings being scoreless. The Stags pitcher breezed through the Hawks order the first time around, with only catcher Dave Westfallen having any success as he smashed a booming double to right center field.  However, the Hawks took the lead in the third with a critical two out rally that produced four runs, helped by an RBI single from stand in manager John Oliver.

 

The Hawks then extended their lead in the fourth, as the pitcher struggled for control, a two run double from Louie Hare being the highlight. Further runs were to follow from the Hawks, while in the field Hare was producing a pitching masterclass, as the Stags barely threatened to score. 

 

Both teams were helped by some dazzling defensive plays, with shortstop Luis Concalves athleticism for the Hawks being matched by his Brentwood counterpart.

 

Entering the bottom of the ninth with a 9-0 lead, unfortunately Louie was unable to complete the shut-out he so richly deserved. Unsurprisingly tired after pitching in such oppressive heat, he conceded three hits in the inning which, together with a fielding error led to three consolation runs for the Stags. 

 

Overall though, Herts produced a very professional performance, and will be looking to carry the form from this performance into their next game against the Bournemouth Sharks. And having now played in a full range of conditions over the past few weeks, the Hawks will be ready whatever the weather on the south coast!

 

by Matt Bell

BADGERS BULLISH IN HERTS SWEEP, MAGIC NUMBER AT 3

(Southmead, Bristol)  It was with traces of trepidation that the Herts first-team drove westward to Bristol.  The Badgers brought only a .235 winning percentage and were deep in the basement of their AAA bracket.

Nevertheless, they had managed to win three of their last four games including a surprising sweep of the third-place Essex Arrows.  It wasn't fear of losing that gave the Falcons pause, so much as doubt as to what kind of Bristol squad they would face.

Game One got underway after some rushed batting practice and just as the midday heat began to set in.  Sunday was the UK's hottest day in 2008 reaching a scorching high of 30.9C… and shade and breeze were in short supply at the Southmead Sports Centre.  Nevertheless, pitching can win a baseball game in any conditions and the Badgers found themselves simply outmatched on the mound.

Darrin Ward brought seven-innings of one-run baseball, allowing only a sacrifice fly in the first.  That one earned run was the sum total of the Badgers offence.  Ward showed excellent control allowing only six hits and surrendering zero walks with three strikeouts.  It was perhaps his best start of the season considering that, in his last outing, 'the Colonel' suffered his first loss to the Oxford Kings and saw his command and his team collapse just two weeks prior at the International London Tournament.

Strong batting from the Falcons brought them a solid 6-1 victory.  Andy Cornish, Aspi Dimitrov and Jason Greenberg all went 2-4 and second baseman Kimiyoshi Saionji was 1-3 with 2 RBI.  It was an offensive return-to-form for Herts, who continue to capitalise on errors-in-the-field by their opponents.

Game Two was Club President Aspi Dimitrov's second start of the season.  While Herts quickly got back on the board with one run on five singles in the first inning, the Badgers immediately responded after Dimitrov walked the first two batters.  Walks were the Falcons' greatest nemeses on Sunday afternoon.  Dimitrov allowed nine free passes to Badger base runners, four of whom ultimately crossed home plate.  However, he quickly regained control and held Bristol to four runs over five innings.

Dimitrov was given some run support to work with in the 4th inning when – with two outs and the bases loaded – catcher Greenberg doubled to deep leftfield clearing the diamond and tying the game at 5-5.  Saionji added the go-ahead run, driving Greenberg in with a single to right.

With a one-run lead to protect, the Falcons manager brought Game One-winner Ward back out to the mound to pitch the 6th and 7th.  An error, a wild pitch, a walk and a hit allowed a Badger to score and the game was re-tied at six apiece.  And so the story went as the teams with the AAA's best and worst records (discounting disbanded Milton Keynes) headed into extra-innings in the sweltering afternoon heat.

To comply with BBF pitching rules, Dimitrov (who moved to centerfield when Ward came in to relieve) was brought back out to the mound to carry on his epic struggle through the 8th, 9th and 10th innings.  It was in the tenth that the Falcons broke things open.  The Badgers sent a hard-throwing righty to the mound who, despite his 80+MPH heat, had difficulty keeping the ball out of the dirt.  Saionji struck out, but reached base safely when the catcher failed to keep control of the pitch and the ball ping-ponged around the backstop.  Two walks and three wild pitches later both Ward and Carlos Casal (called up from the AA Hawks to fill a critical whole at third base) slid across home plate and the Falcons took a two run lead.

Dimitrov trotted out to the mound for three more exciting outs.  After striking out the leadoff batter he surrendered a base on balls.  That runner stole second.  Dimitrov struck out another batter who fanned helplessly at the crafty righty's hard-breaking curve.  Then, with two outs left-fielder Greg Bochan made an amazing diving attempt at a line drive, only to miss the ball by inches.  The runner on second scored easily.  But this game was destined to end in 10, and the final batter (Bristol Manager Seth Cooper) stranded the tying run on second base by tapping out weakly to Dimitrov who fielded the ball cleanly and ended the game without further damage.

Casal went 2-4 in Game Two.  Sainoji continued his torrid season batting 3-5 with 1 RBI and Greenberg was 2-5 with 3 RBI.  Dimitrov secured his second win of the season and leads the Falcons with a 2.954 ERA.  Bochan 'the Motion' was erroneously charged with an error on his diving attempt and an appeal has been made to the official statistician to correct this unfortunate mistake.  In an ironic twist of fate, Bochan is also the Club's official statistician.  The appeal is pending review.

An exciting defensive exchange came in the bottom of the 1st.  With runners on first and second, Casal completed a tailor-made double play fielding a grounder, touching his base for the force, and throwing hard to Marty Cullen at first.  Cullen then fired the ball back to third to catch the remaining baserunner attempting to advance on the play.  While the Herts players will swear he was tagged out on the slide… the Bristol umpires called the runner safe and prevented a would-be Falcons triple play.

With the 7-6 win the Falcons improve to a record of 17-3 overall.  They are 6-for-7 in one run games this season, continually managing to pull a win out of the proverbial hat.  Still firmly atop the AAA, the Falcons have only six remaining games in the 2008 regular season.

Direct rivals the London Metroes (14-6) swept Oxford on Sunday, and stand at three games back of Herts with six to play.  Since the Falcons took three of four games in their summer showdowns with the talented London squad, the magic number to clinch a playoff berth stands at just 3… requiring only .500 baseball from here to the finish line.  The Oxford Kings are now tied with the Southampton Mustangs for first place in the alternate bracket and are likely opponents should the Falcons reach the Final 4.  Herts will host Southampton in Grovehill on August 17.

GAME ONE

Herts Falcons at Bristol Badgers
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Herts Falcons 0 0 2 1 2 0 1 6 9 0
Bristol Badgers 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 6 3

Herts Falcons 6, Bristol Badgers 1
Herts Falcons Bristol Badgers
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Andy Cornish ss 4 2 2 0 Luke Allen lf 3 1 2 0
Jason Greenberg c 4 1 2 0 Fabien Pereira 2b 3 0 0 0
Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b 3 0 1 2 Brad Freeman cf 3 0 0 1
Marty Cullen 1b 3 1 1 0 Jose Bobadilla ss 3 0 0 0
Darrin Ward p 3 0 0 1 Petr Sampson 1b 3 0 0 0
Greg Bochan rf 3 1 1 0 Guy Davies rf 3 0 1 0
Carlos Casal 3b 3 0 0 0 Ren Schouten 3b 3 0 1 0
Aspi Dimitrov cf 4 0 2 1 Ross Densley c 2 0 1 0
Rodney Naghar lf 2 1 0 0 John Lansdown p 2 0 1 0
TEAM TOTALS 29 6 9 4 TEAM TOTALS 25 1 6 1

E: Fabien Pereira(3). DP: Herts Falcons 1. LOB: Bristol Badgers 3, Herts Falcons 8.
SB: Kimiyoshi Saionji, Marty Cullen, Greg Bochan, Rodney Naghar, Luke Allen, Ross
Densley, Ren Schouten. CS: Andy Cornish.

Herts Falcons IP H R ER BB SO
Darrin Ward W 7.00 6 1 1 0 3
Bristol Badgers            
John Lansdown L 7.00 9 6 3 7 2
GAME TWO

Herts Falcons at Bristol Badgers
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 R H E
Herts Falcons 1 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 7 11 5
Bristol Badgers 1 0 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 6 6 0

Herts Falcons 7, Bristol Badgers 6
Herts Falcons Bristol Badgers
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Andy Cornish cf 4 1 1 0 Player 1 p 4 1 2 1
Jason Greenberg c 5 2 2 3 Player 2 c 4 2 0 0
Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b 5 1 3 1 Player 3 1b 3 1 2 0
Marty Cullen 1b 5 0 0 0 Player 4 2b 5 0 2 2
Darrin Ward dh-p-rf 4 1 1 1 Player 5 3b 5 0 0 0
Greg Bochan lf-rf 5 0 1 0 Player 6 ss 4 1 0 0
Carlos Casal 3b 4 1 2 0 Player 7 lf 3 1 0 0
Lee Manning ss 5 1 1 0 Player 8 cf 4 0 0 0
Rodney Naghar rf 3 0 0 0 Player 9 rf 4 0 0 0
(b6) Aspi Dimitrov p-lf 1 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 41 7 11 5 TEAM TOTALS 36 6 6 3

E: Jason Greenberg(2), Greg Bochan, Carlos Casal, Lee Manning. DP: Herts Falcons 1.
LOB: Herts Falcons 7, Bristol Badgers 9. 2B: Jason Greenberg. SB: Carlos Casal(2),
Lee Manning, Kimiyoshi Saionji, Player 1(2), Player 3(2), Player 7(2), Player 4,
Player 6, Player 8. CS: Player 3.

Herts Falcons IP H R ER BB SO
Aspi Dimitrov W 8.33 4 6 2 9 6
Darrin Ward 1.67 2 0 0 0 2
Bristol Badgers            
Player 1 L 10.00 11 7 6 3 7
by Matt Bell

(VIDEO) BISONS ROLL OVER RAPTORS, PETE KIKEL BACK ON THE MOUND AS PART OF REHAB PROGRAMME

 

Herts Raptors at Thames Valley
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Herts Raptors 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 10 0
Thames Valley 2 3 1 5 0 2 0 13 14 0

Thames Valley 13, Herts Raptors 1
Thames Valley Herts Raptors
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Player1 c 4 0 0 0 Andrew Slater 3b 4 1 1 0
Player2 p 2 2 2 1 Jon Lewys 1b-c 4 0 3 0
Player3 1b 3 3 1 0 Mark Hoffmann p-1b 4 0 0 0
Player4 3b 5 0 2 2 Pete Kikel 2b-p 4 0 2 0
Player5 2b 4 0 1 1 Craig Witney ss 3 0 1 0
Player6 ss 4 2 2 1 Steve Nippress cf 2 0 0 0
Player7 rf 1 2 1 1 Jake Kikel c-2b 2 0 1 0
Player8 lf 4 2 2 1 Rob Crouch rf-lf 2 0 0 0
Player9 sf 4 2 3 2 James Roberts lf-rf 3 0 2 0
TEAM TOTALS 31 13 14 9 TEAM TOTALS 28 1 10 0

LOB: Thames Valley 9, Herts Raptors 10. 2B: Player5, Player7. SB: Player6(4),
Player2(4), Player3(2), Player7(2), Player9(2), Player4, Pete Kikel(2), Craig
Witney(2), Andrew Slater, Jon Lewys, Jake Kikel.

Thames Valley IP H R ER BB SO
Player2 W 7.00 10 1 0 3 8
Herts Raptors            
Mark Hoffmann L 4.00 12 11 9 3 7
Pete Kikel 2.00 2 2 2 4 2

HBP: by Mark Hoffmann (Player3). . , by Mark Hoffmann (Player7). . . , by Player2
(Jake Kikel). . PB: Player1, Jake Kikel(3). Balk: Player2. T: 0:00. A: 0.
Herts Raptors – Top of the 1st:
Andrew Slater struck out swinging.
Jon Lewys singled, stole 2nd, batted forward to 3rd.
Mark Hoffmann struck out looking.
Pete Kikel singled, stole 2nd.
Craig Witney struck out looking.
0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
Thames Valley – Bottom of the 1st:
Player1 struck out looking.
Player2 singled, stole 2nd, batted forward to 3rd, advanced to home on passed ball.
Player3 hit by pitch, batted forward to 2nd, advanced to 3rd on passed ball, advanced
to home on passed ball.
Player4 struck out looking.
Player5 doubled.
Player6 flied out.
2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Herts Raptors – Top of the 2nd:
Steve Nippress popped out.
Jake Kikel struck out looking.
Rob Crouch walked, batted forward to 2nd.
James Roberts singled.
Andrew Slater struck out looking.
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
Thames Valley – Bottom of the 2nd:
Player7 walked, stole 2nd, batted forward to home.
Player8 singled, batted forward to home.
Player9 singled, batted forward to home, 1 RBI.
Player1 struck out looking.
Player2 singled, batted forward to 2nd, stole 3rd.
Player3 struck out looking.
Player4 singled, stole 2nd, 2 RBI.
Player5 struck out looking.
3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
Herts Raptors – Top of the 3rd:
Jon Lewys struck out looking.
Mark Hoffmann struck out looking.
Pete Kikel flied out.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Thames Valley – Bottom of the 3rd:
Player6 singled, stole 2nd, stole 3rd, batted forward to home.
Player7 hit by pitch, stole 2nd, batted forward to 3rd.
Player8 struck out looking.
Player9 grounded out, 1 RBI.
Player1 called out by interference.
1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Herts Raptors – Top of the 4th:
Craig Witney walked, stole 2nd, stole 3rd, tagged out going to home.
Steve Nippress struck out looking.
Jake Kikel singled, stole 2nd.
Rob Crouch grounded out.
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Thames Valley – Bottom of the 4th:
Player3 singled, stole 2nd, batted forward to home.
Player4 popped out.
Player5 struck out looking.
Player6 singled, stole 2nd, stole 3rd, batted forward to home, 1 RBI.
Player7 doubled, batted forward to home, 1 RBI.
Player8 singled, batted forward to home, 1 RBI.
Player9 singled, stole 2nd, batted forward to 3rd, stole home.
Player1 walked, batted forward to 2nd.
Player2 walked, 1 RBI.
Player3 flied out.
5 runs, 5 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
Herts Raptors – Top of the 5th:
James Roberts singled, batted forward to 3rd.
Andrew Slater popped out.
Jon Lewys singled, batted forward to 2nd.
Mark Hoffmann grounded out.
Pete Kikel grounded out.
0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
Thames Valley – Bottom of the 5th:
Player4 singled, left base early, called out.
Player6 walked, batted forward to 3rd.
Player7 walked, batted forward to 2nd.
Player8 struck out looking.
Player9 singled.
Player1 struck out looking.
0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 LOB.
Herts Raptors – Top of the 6th:
Craig Witney reached first base, batted forward to 3rd.
Steve Nippress walked, batted forward to 2nd.
Jake Kikel hit by pitch, tagged out going to 2nd.
Rob Crouch flied out.
James Roberts grounded out.
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
Thames Valley – Bottom of the 6th:
Player2 walked, stole 2nd, batted forward to 3rd, stole home.
Player3 walked, batted forward to 2nd, stole 3rd, batted forward to home.
Player4 grounded out.
Player5 grounded out, 1 RBI.
Player6 grounded out.
2 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Herts Raptors – Top of the 7th:
Andrew Slater singled, stole 2nd, batted forward to 3rd, advanced to home on passed
ball.
Jon Lewys singled, advanced to 2nd on passed ball, tagged out going to 3rd.
Mark Hoffmann popped out.
Pete Kikel singled, advanced to 2nd on balk, stole 3rd.
Craig Witney popped out.
1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
by Matt Bell

HERTS CUBS STILL IN CONTROL, TOP OF THE HERTS LITTLE LEAGUE STANDINGS

 

The Herts Cubs took a major step towards the 2008 Herts Little League Baseball title in week 5.  They overcame the Blue Jays and Yankees convincingly and also took care of the Herts Red Sox in a nail-biting 11-10 win.  The Yankees and Red Sox are keeping the pressure on the Cubs standing 2 and 4 games back.  The Blue Jays find themselves in trouble 6 games back and in a 3 game losing streak. 

 

The fans at Grovehill Ballpark had the opportunity to see another triple play (fielding team getting three outs to end the inning in the same play).  Last week it was Zachary Longboy for the Blue Jays.  This week, with runners on first and second base, shortstop, Mikito Ariga, snagged a line drive, which took the runners by surprise as they were expecting the hard hit ball to fly past Mikito for a base hit.  That was the first out.  Mikito made the rest look easy, stepping on second base for the second out and then swiftly tagging the helpless runner from first to complete an unassisted triple play. 

 

Week-after-week the Herts Little Leaguers are getting better and better and as the Great Britain National Team Manager, Stephan Rapaglia, told the players last week “the better you are, the more you will enjoy baseball”. 

 

Coach Lee Manning has taken the initiative over the next few weeks to hold extra midweek sessions focusing on positional play for those who want to specialize in specific positions.  More details will be sent out to players in due course.

 

Note: Last week’s player of the week is Lewis Paterson after hitting the first ever Herts Baseball Little League home run.  It was a two-run homer over left field and apparently Lewis said that one of the GB coaches had given him some advice which he followed – swing through from the hips more – which must have given him more power. 

 

This week’s player of the week is Ozan Martin who has shown tremendous improvement and dedication not only this week but from day one of the league season.

 

by Matt Bell

RAPTORS’ SPIRITED COME BACK NOT ENOUGH

Report from Herts Baseball Newswire correspondent, ROB JONES

The history books will show this another defeat for the newest Herts baseball team, but they won’t show how mighty close it was. The Raptors showed a lot of heart to stage a late rally, and nearly snatched a game that they can look back on with pride.

Things started badly for Raptors, with their first three batters going down weakly, and after loading the bases in the second they left empty-handed again. Bracknell had already started their steady accumulation of runs and they led 7-0 by the bottom of the third. Then with two outs the Raptors at last started to chip away at the lead – outfielder Steve Nippress driving in two runs. Rob Jones brought in two more in the next inning but Herts then hit a bad patch. Relief pitcher Humberto Goncalves struggled with his control, and fielding errors allowed four more Bracknell runners to cross the plate. Raptors now found themselves 12-4 down, and time was running out. Could they turn it around?

The first step was snuffing out the Blazers’ offense, and the new closer Rod Ariss did just that. He helped his own cause with a hit and a run in the bottom of the seventh and then, in the bottom of the eighth, the Raptors bats finally came alive. The team batted around, chasing the starting pitcher from the game and capitalising on the reliever’s slow start. There were RBI’s for Nick Russell and Pete Cox, and for Ilya Dimitrov, who beat out a spinning infield hit off the end of his bat to bring in two more runs.

Now it was crunch time. Bracknell were getting rattled, having seen a commanding lead slip away. They argued strikes, they argued calls, they even argued the score, and the officials had to hold a long conference before it was decided that the visitors led just 14-12. Their mood didn’t improve when Rod Ariss closed them down completely in the top of the ninth, striking out the final two batters he faced. For the first time in the game, Blazers had been held scoreless.

The Herts catcher Andy Ringrose started things off well, pulling a triple down the left field line. Hopes were raised of a truly dramatic finale, but the Raptors couldn’t bring him home. The final out was a tantalising, soaring drive, that came down too close to a waiting fielder. On this day, it simply wasn’t to be.

Herts Raptors again showed great team spirit, lively batting, aggressive running, and overall improved defense. They will be frustrated by the loss, but can take many positives into their next game at Thames Valley, and hopes are high of a win this time.

 

 

Bracknell Blazers II at Herts Raptors
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Template Team 3 1 3 1 2 2 1 1 0 14 9 1
Herts Raptors 0 0 2 2 0 0 2 6 0 12 13 5

Bracknell Blazers II 14, Herts Raptors 12
Template Team Herts Raptors
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Player 1 p 3 2 1 0 Rob Jones 1b 5 2 2 2
Player 2 c 4 1 3 3 Andy Ringrose c 5 1 2 0
Player 3 1b 4 1 0 0 Andrew Slater 3b 5 1 0 0
Player 4 2b 5 3 2 1 Rod Ariss ss-p 6 2 4 1
Player 5 3b 3 3 1 2 Steve Nippress lf 4 1 2 3
Player 6 ss 5 2 2 4 Carlos Casal cf 5 2 1 1
Player 7 lf 5 0 0 0 Jake Kikel p 1 1 1 0
Player 8 cf 4 2 0 1 (t5) Humberto Goncalves p 0 0 0 0
Player 9 rf 3 0 0 0 (t7) Nick Russell ss 1 1 0 1
Pete Cox 2b 3 0 0 1
Ilya Dimitrov rf 4 1 1 2
TEAM TOTALS 36 14 9 11 TEAM TOTALS 39 12 13 11

E: Player 5, Rob Jones(2), Andrew Slater, Carlos Casal, Pete Cox. LOB: Herts Raptors
12, Template Team 12. 2B: Player 6(2), Player 5, Rod Ariss. 3B: Steve Nippress. SB:
Player 1(4), Player 6(3), Player 3(2), Player 4(2), Player 5(2), Player 2(2), Player
8, Player 9, Rod Ariss(3), Ilya Dimitrov(2), Rob Jones(2), Jake Kikel, Carlos Casal,
Steve Nippress. CS: Player 5, Player 2, Player 9(2), Rob Jones. SB: Player 7.

Bracknell Blazers II IP H R ER BB SO
Player 1 W 9.00 13 12 10 9 9
Herts Raptors            
Jake Kikel L 4.00 7 8 5 5 7
Rod Ariss 3.00 2 2 1 0 4
Humberto Goncalves 2.00 0 4 1 10 3

HBP: by Player 1 (Steve Nippress). . . . . . , by Rod Ariss (Player 3), by Player 1
(Andy Ringrose), by Player 1 (Carlos Casal). . PB: Player 2, Andy Ringrose(5). Balk:
Player 1. T: 3:00. A: 0.

by Matt Bell

HAWKS SLAUGHTER STAGS

Report from Herts Baseball Newswire Correspondent, DAVE HAMILTON

 

The Herts Hawks bats came alive on Sunday as they racked up 19 runs in a 7 inning 'slaughter' of the Brentwood Stags in their AA league contest at Grovehill.  A reasonably even battle was blown open in the fourth inning, when 13 runs scored for the Hawks, leaving the Stags shell-shocked – and some tight defensive work duly completed the victory.

 

Following a narrow loss to the league leading Sidewinders in their previous league match, and a strong performance at last week's London Tournament in Croydon, the Hawks were confident heading into the game, and were keen to claim their fifth victory of the season.

 

The Stags scored first though, taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning.  However, this was soon obliterated by the Hawks as lead-off man Luis Concalves set the tone for the entire game by ripping the ball down the first base line and then using his speed to stretch the hit into a triple.  With hits from Carlos Casal, John Oliver and Louis Hare to follow, the Hawks scored three runs before a single out was recorded, and in the circumstances the visitors were probably fairly relieved to end the first inning only trailing by the score of 4-1.

 

Any thoughts of an easy victory were swiftly dispelled, as Brentwood came back, scoring two runs in the second inning and then knocking starting pitcher Stuart Boast out of the game in the third inning as they took a 7-4 lead, with the help of a home run by their shortstop/relief pitcher.  The Hawks responded with catcher Dave Westfallen smashing the ball to the deepest part of the ballpark, just out of the centerfielder's reach and over the fence for his first (and only the Hawks' second) home run of the season.  Even so, the Hawks still trailed 7-5 after three and a half innings.

 

At this stage the contest looked finely poised, but by the time the Stags next got to hit, the game was all but over.  All nine Hawks batted twice in the fourth inning, as the ball flew all over the field with a combination of line drives, bloop hits, and aggressive baserunning that was just too much for Brentwood to handle.  Even a pitching change couldn't reverse the Stags' fortunes and it was a demoralised side that came off the field to find they now trailed 18-7. 

 

With a large lead now in place, the Hawks became increasingly efficient in the field, with Dave Westfallen adding to his home run by producing a text-book throw to gun-down a runner at third base, and entertaining the crowds with a juggling circus catch that was certainly not in the coaching manual!  Overall, the Hawks put in a determined effort in the field, if a little over-exuberant at times – speedster right fielder Ross Asquith was so determined to close out one inning that he raced halfway across the field into shortstop Luis Concalves as the infielder made a catch on the edge of the outfield grass.

 

Further entertainment was provided by Hawks manager Carlos Casal who, not for the first time this season, got a little carried away on the basepaths and contrived to run himself out.  After reaching base safely, he tried to catch the Stags infield napping and only succeeded in being well and truly stranded between first and second base, with the visitors queuing up to apply the tag. 

 

There was little else for the Stags to cheer though and substitute outfielder Rod Ariss made the catch the sealed victory for the Hawks, giving pitcher John Oliver his third win of the season and restoring the team's record to .500 once more.

 

The two teams meet again next weekend, at Brentwood, and while the Hawks will be looking for a repeat performance you can be certain that the Stags will have their eyes firmly on avenging this week's defeat.

 

 

Brentwood Stags at Herts Hawks
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Brentwood Stags 1 2 4 0 0 1 0 8 15 5
Herts Hawks 4 0 1 13 1 0 0 19 20 2

Herts Hawks 19, Brentwood Stags 8
Herts Hawks Brentwood Stags
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Luis Goncalves ss 5 3 2 1 Player 1 cf 4 1 2 1
Carlos Casal 3b 5 3 4 1 Player 2 3b 5 0 2 0
John Oliver 1b-p 4 3 2 3 Player 3 2b 4 1 2 0
Louis Hare 2b 5 3 3 3 Player 4 1b 4 1 0 0
Dave Westfallen c 4 2 3 3 Player 5 lf 4 0 2 1
Stuart Boast p-1b 4 1 1 2 Player 6 p-ss 4 0 0 1
Dave Hamilton cf 3 1 2 2 Player 7 ss-p 4 2 3 1
(t6) Rod Ariss cf 1 0 0 0 Player 8 rf 3 1 0 0
Nick Russell lf 3 1 2 2 Player 9 c 4 2 4 2
Ross Asquith rf 3 2 1 0
TEAM TOTALS 37 19 20 17 TEAM TOTALS 36 8 15 6

E: Dave Westfallen, Nick Russell, Player 6(2), Player 2, Player 3, Player 7. LOB:
Herts Hawks 6, Brentwood Stags 9. 2B: John Oliver(2), Player 9(2), Player 2, Player
7, Player 5. 3B: Luis Goncalves. HR: Dave Westfallen, Player 7. SB: Ross Asquith(3),
Carlos Casal(2), Stuart Boast, Dave Hamilton, Dave Westfallen, Player 9(2), Player 3,
Player 4. CS: Nick Russell, Player 9. SB: Dave Hamilton. SF: Stuart Boast.

Herts Hawks IP H R ER BB SO
John Oliver W 4.33 6 1 0 0 2
Stuart Boast 2.67 9 7 4 2 3
Brentwood Stags            
Player 6 3.33 13 13 10 3 1
Player 7 L 2.67 7 6 3 1 3

WP: Stuart Boast(4), John Oliver(2). PB: Dave Westfallen(4), Player 9(2). T: 3:00. A:
0.

by Matt Bell

TOP BASEBALL ACTION BY GB AND LITTLE LEAGUE TEAMS, HOT DOGS, HOME RUNS, TRIPLE PLAY AND A LOT MORE

 

Hertfordshire is becoming baseball-crazy.  Saturday’s event was yet another confirmation of this.  Around 200 fans came to enjoy a great day of baseball at Grovehill Ballpark which started at 9:30am with a special Little League pre-game clinic ran by GB coaches and finished 11 hours later with the GB exhibition games.

 

The baseball facilities at the home of Herts Baseball Club were being utilized to the full especially around midday.  Two Little League games were taking place on the two Little League fields.  Little League spectators who were in attendance had the chance to see Zachary Longboy of the Herts Bue Jays turn a triple play, which is one of the rarest plays in baseball.  At the same time the GB Junior National Team was taking their batting practice behind the main field, while GB Senior Team Head Coach, Stephan Rapaglia, and his colleagues were putting the twenty or so GB Trialists through various drills to evaluate every aspect of their game.

 

This was one of the last tests for the GB Junior National Team before the European Championships qualifying.  The team is flying to Sweden next week to start their campaign and Head Coach, Liam Carroll will be upbeat about the team’s chances after a good showing today and over the last few games, including a second place finish at the International London Tournament last week. 

 

The GB Trialists’ team included players from various clubs around Great Britain.  Players made the trip to Hertfordshire from places as far as Edinburgh, but the longest trip was made by Head Coach, Stephan Rapaglia, who landed from America at 6am on the day of the event. 

 

Before the GB Exhibition game both teams and the Herts Little League players took part in the pre-game ceremony which included a traditional team roll-call.  This was followed by the National Anthem performed by 7-year old Mariana Casal, the ceremonial first pitch was thrown by Brian Essery and caught by Roddi Liebenberg, both members of the European Championship silver-medal winning GB Team last year in Barcelona.  There was also a “second” ceremonial first pitch.  This time the 50 or so Little League players lined up with their balls to pitch to the adult players from the GB Junior and GB Trialists teams.

 

Among the Trialists were two members of the hosts Herts Baseball Club.  Andy Cornish and Dan Kerry received the biggest cheer from the hometown fans.  Both performed very well and hopefully they have done enough to impress the GB coaches.

 

Visit the Herts Baseball gallery for more photos from this special day.