Author: Rob Jones

9 July 201313 July 2013 by Rob Jones

Marauders take Eagles treasure in tropical heat

London Marauders 42-14 Herts Eagles, Sunday 7th July

The powerful London Marauders brought their 6-2 record to Grovehill on the hottest day of the year so far, looking to maintain their challenge for a playoff spot. The Herts Eagles stood in their way, trying to fight back towards .500 and continue their learning curve.

It’s hard to ignore the weather for this clash, as an early morning start and the punishing heat all played a part. But nobody was complaining that the British baseball season had been kissed by the sun at last.

The early exchanges were fairly even. Ben Marques continued his varied season for Herts by making his pitching debut. His two-seam fastball was effective, but finding consistency in the zone was harder.

However, Marques and his defense limited the Marauders to just three runs in the first. The Eagles’ lead-off man, catcher Hunter Devine, then got on base, promising a quick response. He was stranded at third thanks to solid work by the visitors. 3-0 after the first.

Then the Marauders broke out big-time, plating 11 runs with Adam Landau-Smithers scoring the only Herts reply. Three more runs and London were threatening to make it a massacre.

But the Eagles responded impressively in the bottom of the third inning. They rallied to score nine runs before making an out. The London pitcher Sam Melton, who had been solid and crafty up to this point, tired in the heat, giving up three walks in a row at one point.

There were two hits for the Eagles manager Duncan Hoyle, one for new recruit Rob Gibson, and a second hit of the day for Jamie Lang. The comeback was finally snuffed out when Hunter Devine was doubled off at third by an alert fielder.

Sadly for the Eagles, they were not able to build on the momentum they had created. John Peters came in as relief on the mound, and pounded the strike zone with impressively fast fastballs.

There had been just one strikeout in first three innings, but there were another six in the final four innings. DH Adrian Smithers and Tomasz Kosak were among the only players who could get a bat on the ball.

Having been hauled back into range at 17-10, the Marauders then piled on another eight runs by the bottom of the fourth, and 11 more in the fifth. Their offense was as unforgiving as the Hemel Hempstead heatwave. Rob Jones pitched a scoreless seventh for the Eagles, but it was a mere consolation prize.

London ran out 42-14 victors and are two games ahead of the Mavericks in their pool. There was no shame for the Eagles in defeat to a strong side which looks set for the playoffs.

There must be special mention for Devine, who caught the full game of some four and a half hours without passing out from the heat. Will Belbin also played the full game, securing two hits and a run, and Rob Gibson made a dramatic outfield catch — even sliding into the fence — to end an inning.

No matter the result, there are good points for the Eagles to carry with them. And the game was played in an excellent spirit, with sunshades and cold drinks very much the order of the day once it was over.

15 June 201315 June 2013 by Rob Jones

Greetings from Wilderness Park

My aching muscles and joints — including those in my typing fingers — have finally recovered enough from my outing a fortnight ago against the Richmond Dukes, writes Rob Jones, that I can now share a few thoughts on the game. In fact, since I have now begun a forced month-long break from the game due to work, it’s a good time to reflect on the year so far.

Let’s start at the end, with the defeat by Richmond. It was a frustrating game for us all as, despite a good start, we didn’t ever lay a finger on them. We knew we had to try to get a good pitcher out of his rhythm and out of the game and we never did that. Instead, he stayed in charge. We hurt ourselves with some bad base-running which killed rallies – twice we were out trying to steal third. Fundamentals can help you win games, and also save you from losing them.

One of the Eagles stars, Mike Cresswell, keeps up morale

My own batting was disappointing again. In my previous outing — another two weeks ago — I had started to get the better of things with some good drives. I felt that I was the baseball equivalent of stainless steel – I was rust free. Not perfect, by any means, but after a good run of games there were no flaws which could be blamed on a lack of action.

However, now I made more clunky contact off the tip and handle of the bat, escaping with just one infield single (I reached base twice, but I assume one was scored as an error). I think my average for the season thus far is .458 (depending how you interpret a couple of plays it could be as high as .608, but I try to be firm and fair!) with my OBP at .608. So it’s certainly respectable but it’s the mis-hits that bother me. There’s nothing you can do about solid hits which find a glove, but little dribblers on the infield are never going to get the job done.

In the field, I am much more happy with the way the year has gone so far. I’ve played mainly second base which is fine by me, it suits me well. But I have taken decent outfield catches too, and even threw out a runner from shortstop this week. It wasn’t exactly text book – I managed to dive in the dirt towards third base to grab a ground ball , and fired off the throw as quickly as I could. Therefore it seemed to bounce about four times, but either the runner was slow or he had set off slowly because he thought it was through — either way, we got him! While my muscles may have stopped aching, the skin I tore off my arm to make the play has not yet grown back.

And I have to say a quick word about my two innings of pitching, too. It’s my second outing of the season, and was a lot of fun. I actually felt that I threw the ball better against Tonbridge, even though I made just 2/3 of an inning that time. This time two infield flies helped, and two strikeouts — only the second and third of my pitching career!

I also managed to hit the front edge of the plate twice, making the ball pop straight up in the air and into the catcher’s waiting glove. Remarkably, Slater had pulled off the same trick in his innings. Tell me honestly, have you ever seen that three times in one game?? Anyway, enough about pitching for now. It might demand a whole article in the near future!

Instead, let’s talk about the Eagles. Sitting pretty at just one game under .500, with more than 140 runs scored, is more than anyone could surely have hoped for a team with so many genuine rookies. As a new boy to the team — if not to much else — I am really impressed by the enthusiasm, spirit and camaraderie on the Eagles. Games have been fun to play. A lot of the credit goes to the manager Duncan Hoyle. He has led from the front, taking pitching duties, hitting well, and using his resources cannily to help win.

There have been many moments to remember:

• The mobbing of Will Belbin as he scored the winning run against the Raptors in the rain. Great drama in a walk-off, no matter whether it is British Single-A, or the US Major Leagues.

• Five of us gathering comically at the third base coaches box to shout at Adrian Smithers to hold up as he ran enthusiastically for home. He said he didn’t hear so well in the batting helmet, so we were there to help.

• The self-same Smithers coming through time and again with the bat, and limping desperately round the bases to help the cause. For those of you old enough to remember, it was reminiscent of England’s Terry Butcher in the famous World Cup qualifier against Sweden.

• MVP candidate Mike Cresswell going half way from third base on a fly ball, returning to the base once he realised it had been caught, then loudly declaring “F**k it”, tagging and sprinting for home anyway. Gung-ho. He made it.

• My closest moment yet to a home run, at Essex. Not sure I will ever hit one but it seems this was my best effort so far! I wasn’t looking, as I had my head down going for two once I knew it was clearing the left fielder, but as I pulled up they said “You were robbed”. A ground rule double, then *sad face*

And so, I trudge off to the baseball wilderness for a few weeks as the Eagles surge on without me. Hopefully the English summer will hold off just enough to allow for a few more games and a few more wins. Though not so many that they don’t want me back!

I have managed to get in a little private training — which amounts to throwing a ball against the wall in the local park – and hopefully I might make some sessions at Grovehill. Either way, I will hope to build on what has been an enjoyable season so far, and one which still promises much more.

2 June 20135 June 2013 by Rob Jones

Eagles brought down to earth by Richmond

Herts Eagles 9-37 Richmond Dukes, Grovehill Ballpark

The Eagles’ impressive winning streak was brought to a sharp halt on Sunday (June 2nd) by the power of the Richmond bats, and a dominant performance on the mound by Dan Collett.

The game started with the teams seeming evenly matched. Andrew Slater was pitching for the home side and was once again staying in the strike zone and fearlessly challenging hitters. The top half of the Dukes line-up showed its capabilities and brought home some early runs, 2 in the first and 4 more in the second.

Andy Cornish powered the Eagles offense for the day, with 2 hits and 4 RBIs

But the Herts fielders were able to keep it under control. The Eagles manager, Duncan Hoyle, made a strong throw on a difficult dribbler to third to get one batter out. Shortstop Rob Jones and first baseman Michael Cresswell made their contribution to the highlight reel, with Jones diving to backhand a ground ball before unleashing a desperate throw which bounced several times before Cresswell grabbed it to beat the runner by half a step.

The Eagles also put up runs of their own, Hoyle bringing in two runners with an imperious line drive. Adam Landau-Smithers continued his season of walks and stolen bases to score one of three runs the home side put on the board in the opening frames.

But Herts also hurt their own cause with some mistakes on the basepaths. Twice, they committed the cardinal sin of making the final out of an inning at third base, attempting ill-advised steals.

At that point it looked as if it could go either way. Then Collett really found his rhythm and Herts started to fall behind. The Richmond hitters consistently found gaps in both infield and outfield, and it seemed clear that this day was not going to fall in Herts’ favour. Mike Archibald and David d’Urbano were a constant threat along with Collett, each hitting multiple RBI’s.

Slater was relieved after throwing more than a hundred pitches, and Michael Cresswell began well on the mound. But he then lost his zone and had to be substituted after suffering an injury. Rob Jones was the next to take the ball, getting out of the inning with the help of two infield fly balls but then issuing two walks and hitting a batter in the seventh.

With the Dukes now comfortably ahead there was little doubt that the game would end after seven innings on the mercy rule. But there were high still points for Herts. Catcher Andy Cornish hit a booming three-run triple in the sixth inning, the cherry on the top of a day which saw him go 2-for-2 with 4 RBI’s.

New players also enjoyed success. Rookie Chetan Shah made a good catch in the outfield and made better and better contact with the bat as the day went on. Daniela Phillips was substituted in to the demanding position of third base, and made the final defensive out with an impressive throw across the diamond on a ground ball.

All in all, manager Duncan Hoyle was disappointed but resolute. “There’s no shame in being beaten by the better team on the day”, he said, “and Richmond were very strong. We still made some good plays. We are at .500 on the year which is excellent, and the league is still wide open if we keep up the form we have been showing.”

20 May 201320 May 2013 by Rob Jones

Eagles strike again, devour Redbacks

Herts Eagles 40-23 Essex Redbacks III, Forest Glade, Sunday 19th May

The Eagles travelled to the Essex Redbacks on Sunday with hopes high that they could build on the walk-off win over the Raptors. Both teams went into the game with 1-2 records, and all to play for.

It started well enough for Herts as the Eagles bats got to work. Mike Cresswell hit his first double of the day, while Will Belbin also picked straight up where he had left off the week before, and drove in a run. The Eagles batted one to nine, and scored four runs.

But once again they made life hard for themselves in the field in the first inning. Serge Plata was starting on the mound, and while the Redbacks showed little sign that they could handle his looping curveballs, they reached base on errors and the shortest of infield hits. Plata was also having trouble getting into the strike zone, so patience at the plate helped the Essex side to six walks and ten runs.

Manager Duncan Hoyle had taken over pitching duties to get out of the inning and he confidently reminded his troops that they were capable of scoring runs, and of defending much better. He helped to show the way with 3 hits and 4 RBIs, as well as striking out three batters. The Eagles tightened up their fielding to hold the home side scoreless in the bottom of the second inning, and the game was now tied at 10-10.

The Redbacks manager Dave Jesshop had started solidly on the mound but the Herts batters had now sized him up and began to show their prowess at the plate. There were hits for left-fielder Jamie Lang, third baseman Tomasz Kosak, and slugging catcher Adrian Smithers.

Aggressive base running was also helping to keep the score ticking over — Adam Landau-Smithers stole six bases on the day, including a steal of home, and he scored five runs. The third inning broke the back of the game. Herts had scored 18 runs in all and led 28-14 once Essex had replied.

However, the win over the Raptors showed that even a big lead could be overcome and the Eagles sideline was staying focused on the task. Rob Jones led off the fourth inning with a booming double to left field, while Serge Plata — as well as settling in at shortstop – hit a consistent stream of doubles.

Essex never gave up hope, and continued to add to their total, but were not eating into the Herts lead. By now, the sun had come out at Forest Glade and it was a perfect baseball setting as the Eagles looked to seal the win by the mercy rule.

Catcher Adrian Smithers got 4 hits and 4 stolen bases

Mike Cresswell moved from first base to become the closer in the bottom of the seventh. He had added Herts final insurance run in the top of the inning, and now sat down the first two Redbacks he faced. There was then a brief glimpse of life for Essex as runners got aboard. But the mountain to climb was too high and the final out was secured without a run scoring.

The Eagles now move to 2-2 on the season, with an impressive 104 runs scored. Everyone had contributed with the bat or the glove, including the injured Manny Banson who had to be called off the bench to play left field. Duncan Hoyle was full of praise for his players: “They really showed what they can do and deserved the win. We are getting better all the time and there is no need for the Eagles to fear anyone.”

15 May 2013 by Rob Jones

Euphoric house: Eagles walk off as winners

In more than a decade playing baseball, I have been walked off on many times, writes Rob Jones. I can easily think of two occasions within a few weeks of each other, when first Braintree and then the Old Timers snatched a victory from my team in the bottom of the ninth. And yet it took much rummaging in my brain to find an instance when I had enjoyed the euphoria instead of the deflation of a walk-off.

That just shows how rare and special Sunday’s Eagles victory was over the Raptors. A rain-soaked, see-sawing four hour epic of conflicting emotions. Anticipation. Concern. Confidence. Frustration. Jubilation.

I had a lot invested in the game. For one thing, I had used up a day of my annual leave from work to be able to take part! And the weather was threatening to scupper it all. In the end, the heavy rain never really materialised, more a steady drizzle. And us in the British baseball community… well, we laugh in the face of steady drizzle.

The Eagles as a whole had invested a lot too. After two heavy losses, you want to win. I don’t think there was ever any question of a grudge match, but you do want to do well against your most direct rivals — and what could be more direct than the Raptors, the other Herts Single-A team, and the one which is built for greater success?

When we started badly you feared the worst. Rookie errors made by rookies are no surprise, but that didn’t make Duncan any happier about them, and it didn’t make us any happier. The Raptors can hit well, and they didn’t need our help to do it. When we got our own bats out, that led to the confidence and some satisfaction. And we tightened the defense considerably.

I have not hit particularly well so far this season, but managed better contact in this game. There were a couple of ground balls from the tip of the bat, but at least one of them allowed to reach base on either an infield hit or an error (I couldn’t entirely see which). And other hits, including a double, were more solid. I was less than an inch away from a perfect triple down the right field line, too – frustratingly, that was just another strike.

But at that point it didn’t seem to matter. We were well in control. Not much came my way in the field, that I can recall. But when I was removed along with other starters I didn’t mind too much.

That was when this really became a game of two halves though! The Raptors made a remarkable comeback, and I tip my hat to them for that. Not only the 13 runs they scored in one inning, but the way they fought to use that as inspiration to actually go on and win. Watching from the sidelines as the runs came in, and as Eagles rallies were snuffed out, was a nervy experience.

The biggest triumph of the day was for the team spirit of the Eagles. Because everyone really wanted this win, and refused to crumble even when it would have been far easier. Momentum and confidence count for a lot in baseball, and seeing a 17-run lead eroded doesn’t make you feel good!

But the ending was the storybook one — for the Eagles, at least. A pinch hit single, stolen bases, the walk-off hit and the mobbing at home plate. Whilst I did finally manage to conjure up a walk off win from my memory (from 2006 – you can even watch that one on YouTube) there was no home plate party that time. This time, we had our act together more.

So there was the euphoria. The first Eagles win of 2013, a clear upset victory, and a fitting finish to a great game. An experience which defines why we turn up on a rainy Sunday. Why we turned up for so many rainy Sundays before we got to this point. A lot of laughs, some really good plays, and a good competitive ball-game from which both sides should take a lot of heart. I speak as an Eagle this year, and the players on our roster should definitely be proud of that win.

13 May 201315 May 2013 by Rob Jones

Derby day ends with upset win for Eagles

Herts Eagles 31-30 Herts Raptors, Grovehill, Sunday 12th May

How many runs do you need to lead by if you are to feel secure in a baseball game? Yesterday’s Herts derby didn’t give us a definitive answer, but we do know that it’s more than 17. Because that is the cushion which the Eagles had built up over their Single-A rivals by the end of the fifth inning. But it was not enough to prevent a nail-biting finale.

Herts debutant Antony McDowell pitched a complete game

The game started badly for the home side, Duncan Hoyle’s Eagles, as missed chances and poor throws allowed the Raptors to rack up runs. Hoyle had to call in his fielders for a pep talk before a single out had been recorded, an illustration of how crucial this game was.

Raptors scored six in the first frame, but the Eagles quickly answered back with 5 against starting pitcher Jeff Witter. Mike Cresswell led off with a single, and after stealing bases he came home to score the first run. We will hear more of Cresswell later. By the end of the second inning, Eagles led by 15-6.

The Eagles had a Dominican debutante on the pitchers mound, Antony McDowell. He was making his first start for the club, though he clearly was no new boy to baseball. He kept the powerful Raptors bats in check and the defence tightened up behind him, so that for four consecutive innings the Raptors did not score a single run.

Rain had fallen a couple of times by the end of the fifth, when the score had reached 23-6, and heavy downpours had been forecast for late afternoon. It’s possible that minds on the Eagles bench were starting to turn towards a mercy rule victory, or even a convenient rainout now the game was official. Several of the starters had been subbed out to give playing time for the large squad.

Arnie Longboy’s Raptors, though, were far from giving up. As McDowell perhaps showed some signs of tiredness, the hits and the runs started to come. Theo Scheepers was a constant threat, and Longboy himself hit a long drive to the outfield. The highlight was a bases clearing triple by Brodie Caress — and he crowned his hit by coming home to score on an overthrow.

The Raptors' Brodie Caress pitched, hit and fielded like a winner, but ended up on the losing side.

The Raptors scored an improbable 13 runs in the top of the sixth, and were down by just four. And the Eagles run rate had slowed dramatically since the early outburst. Caress had come in to pitch, and looked as if he could be in line for a remarkable win. Catcher Ken Pike helped cut down base-stealer with a laser throw to end an inning, and keep his team in the game.

The momentum was clearly with the Raptors. But now, with the rain falling steadily, the Eagles stood firm when they could have crumbled. Rory Hutchinson, new to the game of baseball, had been introduced at shortstop as part of the sixth-inning changes. He made back-to-back excellent stops to secure outs and save runs. In the wilds of right field, Adam Landau-Smithers made two heart-stopping snow-cone catches on fly balls drifting back towards the fence.

McDowell had got a second wind, and was perhaps determined not to see his remarkable effort go to waste. In all, he threw close to 250 pitches on the day. His efforts helped limit any further big onslaught from the Raptors, although they did take the lead. They were in front, 30-28, as the Eagles went in to bat in the bottom of the ninth. The stage was set.

The first man got on, stole second. And up stepped pinch hitter Adrian Smithers, last year’s home run champion. He’d not played since the first game of the season, but he came through with a drive down the third base line to bring in a run. He scored the tying run himself after Will Belbin continued his excellent form at the plate and got aboard.

And when lead-off man Mike Cresswell stepped in, Belbin was there on third base as the winning run waiting to score. Cresswell was calm, as if nothing was at stake. The crack of the bat was a clean sound and the ball sailed decisively out to the outfield. Arms aloft, Will Belbin crossed the plate. He was mobbed by a team which had its first win of the season in the most dramatic fashion.

7 May 201315 May 2013 by Rob Jones

The best of rivals

The Raptors are expected to deploy their young pitchers against the strong-hitting Eagles lineup

It’s an experience which few British baseball clubs can even contemplate. But this Sunday, for the second year in a row, Herts will see two of its teams go head to head in a competitive league match. And there is little question that it is one of the choice Single-A match-ups on the baseball calendar for 2013.

The Herts Eagles and the Herts Raptors will play twice this year, and the first contest is arriving early in the season with both sides having something to prove. They are both feeling their way into the year, and will want to use their club rivals as a springboard to greater things.

The Raptors have the upper hand, having started the year 2-0. They beat the Leicester 2Sox by a football score, after a game which had started evenly matched, then came from behind to beat the always tough prospect of the Old Timers.

But the Raptors manager Arnie Longboy is looking for further improvements from his players. “Going into this game we’ve done okay”, he says, “but we still need to overcome mental errors if we want to compete in the post season.” He adds that he will tell his players to be ready for a close game and “not to let up.”

Much will depend on the outstanding young pitchers such as Zack Longboy and Will Zucker, as well as on catcher and compulsive base-stealer Ken Pike.

“The Eagles are especially hyped up to do well and it can get very competitive”, says coach Longboy.

His opposite number on the Eagles has an idea why that might be. “There will be a bit of extra spice”, explains Duncan Hoyle, “as several of last years Eagles will be with the Raptors this time around.”

Theo Scheepers and Sonam Lama are just two of the players who switched rosters to the Raptors in the off-season, while veteran Rob Jones went in the other direction to add some depth to an Eagles line-up which includes many novice ballplayers. All of those who have experienced both camps will want to show their old team-mates what they can do.

“It’s an exciting prospect to help the large numbers of new players who are coming on board”, says Jones. “We have guys with great arms, great bats, and they are learning the game very fast.”

Of course, Duncan Hoyle was a Raptor himself once, before stepping into managerial duties. He says: “I’ve seen enough from our batting to know we can score well at Single A, so I’m looking forward to the occasion and I know we can give a good account of ourselves.”

The Eagles have indeed scored 33 runs in two games, despite suffering defeats in both, so there is clear ability there. Mastering the fielding could make the difference — “I want us to focus on our game”, says Hoyle, “we need to start bringing down our error count and look to cut out the mistakes.”

Mike Cresswell and Will Belbin are two of the Eagles who have already done good work with both the bat and the glove, and the team will be looking for big performances.

The first ever Herts derby clash in 2007 was surrounded by hype as the Falcons took on the expansion Hawks for the first time “in anger”. The club has come a long way since then — now fielding five adult teams as well as strong youth sides and a Little League — but there is still something special about a derby.

As Raptors’ coach Arnie Longboy puts it: “I think this is the Herts baseball fixture of the season, because the club knows that Herts will come out on top! Play ball!”

The Eagles are the nominal host team for the fixture at Grovehill Ballpark, Hemel Hempstead, on Sunday May 12th. First pitch is at 1:30pm.

5 May 2013 by Rob Jones

The first cracks of the bat

It was a bright, cold and sunny Monday morning. I had slept like a log, but another four hours of sleep wouldn’t have gone amiss. That’s what a couple of weeks of baseball can do to you. My arms ached and my pride was wounded but I had certainly had an interesting start to the 2013 season, writes Rob Jones.

The two games could hardly be more different. In the first, I was with the Raptors as they ran up a football score against Leicester 2Sox. In my second game, I was on the receiving end of a similar thumping as the Eagles were undone at Hemel by the Tonbridge Bobcats.

There was a consistent thread in both games — and that was my bat making lousy contact with the ball. I hit infield dribblers, comebackers, pop-ups and all sorts of rubbish. Horrid. It was crowned by a strikeout in each game, which is galling as two strikeouts is usually my total for a season, not a fortnight! Both were on third strikes which I considered high — especially the first of them — but I guess you live and learn.

The bat-on-ball contact did get better as each game went along, so I take solace in that. I hit one decent single at Leicester, and then a single, double and sac-fly in the run-fest against Tonbridge.

My overall performance in the field was of a better standard. OK, yes, I dropped a pop-up on the infield against Tonbridge, and yes I should have been slapped for it. It was a classic lesson in not thinking about the people around you, and not thinking ahead to the impending double play. I failed to close my mind to these things, and paid the price. Duncan, who was pitching, also paid the price, as he had to go through it all over again. A lesson for us all.

Otherwise, I fielded all the ground balls which came my way, and I had put away a couple of outfield catches in my first-week outing. It feels good when you can slip back into baseball smoothly, after a long winter break. Training both indoors and back on the Grovehill diamond really help, but it is satisfying when any good work continues during a competitive game.

I felt that the fielding performance of both Raptors and Eagles was actually pretty good. There was some sloppiness which could be put down to rust, particularly with the Raptors, and to the first “game-time” situations of the year. But there were few howlers. The Eagles are fielding a lot of genuine rookies, who will learn fast, and Raptors eked out a tough win against the Old Timers in week 2, so must have improved!

There is just room for a quick word on my pitching debut for the year. I haven’t taken the mound since 2011, but I felt quite comfortable up there. Apart from walking the first batter, I did stick to my usual mantra of not giving away free passes. At this level, I have often seen walks eat away at a team and while I know I can’t blow away hitters, I also know that I can throw strikes. Unfortunately a hot-hitting Tonbridge team rather teed off on me.

I did get two outs — one thanks to a good stop by Mike Cresswell — and nearly got out of the inning. But we made some fielding errors, and missed fly balls. This isn’t a grumble against my team-mates, as one of the errors was by me when I picked up a bunt cleanly but threw high and wide to first base. But you do really feel the effect of those errors when you are the man on the mound.

I threw one or two curve balls that I was happy with, but probably stayed away from it too much for fear of walks. If the coach lets me get back up there, I must try to work batters more.

So that’s how 2013 opened for me. Barely days after becoming a big money transfer to the Herts Eagles, I found myself all suited up for Opening Day with the Raptors. Life’s full of surprises. And I headed up to a new venue for me, Leicester. Western Park is a nice little diamond. As undulating as most British ballparks, and with its batting circle and bases having the consistency of a slightly pebbly beach. But with a permanent backstop, a decent amount of cover from trees, and an overall good feel.

Milton Keynes and Haverhill will also be new experiences. And I am still looking forward to the year. Although I still need more sleep. It’s hard to tell what the season will be like, or what the story will be when summer fades away. But I like the opening chapters.

19 April 2013 by Rob Jones

Hawks Overcome by Mammoths Stampede

Match report by Ben Marques

The Herts Hawks were absolutely chomping at the bit to begin their season, but with rain pouring down on Friday and again on Saturday, these hopes were looking in doubt. However, the baseball gods were looking down at Grovehill early on Sunday morning, as the sun beat down, drying out the boggy parts of the Old Diamond.

The game started off with the Mammoths scoring two runs on three hits, setting the pace for what was set to be a tight game. The bottom of the first also went the way of London, striking out the side.

The top of the second looked like the momentum was swinging back in favour of the Hawks, the only blip being a throwing error charged to second baseman Ben Marques, after he attacked a slow roller, picking up but throwing wide of Greg Bochan at first base. The error meant nothing, as Marques completed a 4-3 put out on the next play, and starting pitcher Nick Russell rung up the following hitter.

The Hawks’ momentum continued into the bottom of the inning with the Herts side getting one hit and two walks. However, a lapse in concentration cost them two base runners, with the third out being Callum Vangundy going down swinging.

The fourth inning contained eight runs, with a 4-4 split. Herts’ runs came from what looked like a sure fire triple from OF/C Paul Auchterlounie, however, the hole in the fence restricted him to a Ground Rule Double. Jose Morillo Jr. came in for Vangundy and singled, moving the runner over. Both Morillo and Auchterlounie scored on an error, which left Hunter Devine on second.

Bobby Gould earned a walk, which looked like a good rally starting to build for the Hawks. But Ross Asquith was out on an infield fly, and Bochan swiftly grounded out. Ilya Dimitrov (1-4, 1R, 2RBI) came to the plate with two outs, and came through with a two-out, 2-run single.

The Hawks couldn’t build on this momentum as Russell grounded out ending the inning, with the Hawks two runs behind, 7-5. The Mammoths then put six runs on three hits with four errors, one LOB in the fifth, shutting the Hawks out in reply.

After five innings, Nick Russell was finished pitching for the day. Hertsbaseball.com asked Nick how he felt after a long off-season:

“I felt a bit rusty and started aching after only a few innings.”

“Were you confident with AA rookies supporting you on the mound?”

“I wasn’t sure about the new Hawks, as I hadn’t seen them play before. The jump from A to AA will be tough on some players but with a bit more training and game time I’m sure they will be picking up their game. The new guys showed a lot of enthusiasm which helped us rally back and score a few runs.”

Greg Bochan came in to relieve for Russell, who had pitched better than his line score suggested: 5IP; 12H; 13R; 5ER; 2BB; 3K, and immediately made a statement, earning four outs in seven pitches. His AA rookies Marques and Devine both made great plays in support of their manager, Marques a 4-3 put out and Devine making a great backhanded snare L6.

Russell and John Kjorstad made the other two outs in centre-field and right field. After that though, London kept putting bat on ball and finding gaps, going 8-8, 1K and an F8.

The bottom of the 7^th inning meant the Hawks needed seven runs to avoid a mercy rule defeat. Nick Russell (1-4, 1R) led off, and set the rally going, with Marques then reaching on an error after laying down a bunt down the third base line. Russell advanced to third.

Auchterlounie stepped up to the plate, and reached on an error, plating Russell (he ended his day 2-3 with 2R). Marques had stolen second, and advanced to third on the error, but as he rounded third, the ball was still a fair way out. He went for it, and a huge collision at home plate followed from a great throw. Marques was called out, and time was taken for the catcher to recover, who to his credit still had the ball in his mitt. This summed up Marques’ day at the plate, who struggled going 0-4, 1SB, 2Ks.

With one out, Jose Morillo Jr. popped up for the second out, leaving a huge task for the team, particularly Devine who reached on an error and later scored along with Auchterlounie from a 2-run single by Bobby Gould (1-2, 1R, 2RBI). This brought Ross Asquith (1-4) to the plate who, although still showing speed, was unable to beat out the throw, and grounded out, ending Herts’ hopes of an
Opening Day win.

After a 21-8 loss, it might be fair to say that the Hawks have yet to hit their stride offensively. On a warm but windy afternoon, the Hawks ended up scoring eight runs on seven hits, striking out six times. The Hawks also struggled with runners in scoring position, going 4-11).

“I think everybody is trying to get to where we want to be,” Ben Marques said. “Everybody is battling, we’ve had bad weather and limited training sessions, both inside and outside. A new group of players stepping up to AA: myself, John, Hunter and Jose Jr. As well as losing some great players like Nic Goetz and Rod Naghar…It has been a combination of things, but I don’t think anybody is concerned about our offense just yet, not after Game 1. I’m not. It’s a long grind.”

However, the Herts fielding was better than the line score suggested with Gold Glove performances from rookies Marques, Devine and Kjorstad, as well as Russell and Auchterlounie. All five had outstanding days in the field letting nothing past, with Marques the busiest at second base with a left-handed heavy lineup (1 tag, 6 put-outs).

After the game, we asked Hawks manager, Greg Bochan, for his assessment of the performance:

Next time around we need better organization. There were a lot of missed cuts from the outfield and a general sense of players not knowing where to be.

“Although the Hawks lost, what positives can the team take from the game?”

Stand out moments would be our middle infield. Ben made a bunch of great plays and Hunter made that
awesome grab at short.

“Finally, what are you looking for from your team next time around?”

Next time around I am looking forward to a little more attention to detail. A little more baseball smarts. I think that will have to start with pre-game infield/outfield.

16 April 201316 April 2013 by Rob Jones

The Art of Training

The Spring, having finally arrived in the wake of the snow, is now almost over. The National Leaguers and the Double-A Hawks have kicked off their baseball season, and Triple-A will follow shortly after a weather-induced postponement, writes Rob Jones. The Herts Raptors and Eagles will start on Sunday, and as the league action draws closer, I felt it was time to reflect on the pre-season training period.

I made it to three or four indoor sessions this year. It was great to have the help of a conditioning coach, working us out and teaching us new exercises. I’m not sure I have fully grasped the idea of plyometrics, but I learned something. And in a slightly perverse way I enjoyed making my body ache. In the last session, I started off a bit badly and actually felt quite ill. But a break and some water helped overcome the effects of intense exercise early on Sunday morning.

Indoor Training — This was how it all started, indoors in January in Berkhamsted

Many of my erudite followers will also have read the excellent baseball novel which was a minor phenomenon last year, The Art of Fielding. In many ways, it’s not really about baseball — like any novel it is, in fact, about love, frailty, friendship and frustration — but the baseball setting speaks to us players more than it does to the average British Joe.

However, one of the biggest things to strike me was the way the shortstop phenom Henry Skrimshander would physically push himself — “working til you puke” — running up and down the football stadium steps, and doing endless reps with weights. It might be going too far to say that it inspired me, but it did make me want to do more and work harder.

That combination of early morning runs, protein shakes, and constant practise is part of the overall vision of being a professional athlete, which most of us reach for with our involvement in baseball. It’s not the glamour part, but it’s an element in the whole.

Perhaps, as I share Henry’s slight build, I saw it as an example of what work could achieve. And honestly, I have tried to put in some extra hours. That meant running round Regents Park in the snow in my dinner breaks whenever I could, and remembering to do my Powerball exercises at home of an evening. There has been no Skrimshander-like transformation, but I did feel better and brighter. And even more keen for the baseball season to start.

But this masochistic passion for personal pain was never going to last. “Running til you puke” is not really my style. Don’t get me wrong — especially if you are a likely opponent this season — I will give a game my all. But I am not one to drive myself over the edge in pursuit of physical perfection. I’m just too rational, too common-sense. And I often did my Powerball exercises with a glass of red wine on the go. Which may have defeated the object slightly.

And so, in the first weeks of March, we were back at the diamond. A couple of cold and grey sessions were the best we could manage here. But even if you don’t arrive at the field to see its glowing emerald green stretch out before you, like a Major League ballpark, it still lifts the heart a little to be at Grovehill.

And I felt pretty happy with these workouts. Just getting to throw the ball freely was good, and playing the rough hops of the diamond instead of the smooth predictability of a gymnasium floor! I felt I was throwing well, and the masterful Darrin Ward gave a large squad of would-be pitchers excellent tips.

In one session, the equally excellent Geoff Hare taught me a base-running technique I had never heard before. Which impressed me, I can tell you. It’s not that I thought I knew everything about baseball, but that after ten years or so you do assume that further things you learn will be on the next level of the game — wheel plays, hit and runs, delayed steals. But this was something you can use in every situation. Obviously, I can’t reveal it here, it’s top secret, but suffice it to say it was fine advice.

The training part of the year ended on Sunday, with a few final drills and a scrimmage game between the Single-A rivals, the Eagles and the Raptors. I’m not sure I made a dramatic case for getting a second baseman’s job ahead of Raptors’ manager Arnie Longboy (who also likes to play there!), as I distinctly remember bobbling a ground ball which should have been the final out of an inning. But fortunately I became the first of three players involved in getting the last out at home plate instead!

I have hardly swung the bat this year so perhaps should not be surprised that my two at-bats led only to a groundout to short, and a pop-up to third which, luckily, was dropped. At least the first AB went to a full count, which is normal service for my batting! I did manage to hurt my back swinging for a low pitch, but I am trusting that is just the rigours of old age.

The most important thing was to take part, and to feel the ball in the glove after weeks snowed off, rained off, and dominated by weekends of work. Hopefully I — and the other Single-A players — will now be set up for Opening day. The Raptors are away in Leicester. Yes, Leicester. This game can take you places. Some places you never dreamed, some that you always dreamed of…. See you there.