Author: Rob Jones

Hotshots and doubles as Ravens host Eagles
by Rob Jones

Hotshots and doubles as Ravens host Eagles

In two games packed with both drama and laughs, a couple of fielders will have seen their lives flash before them.

The winning Ravens team

Herts Ravens’ pitcher Andrew Slater caught a bullet from the bat of Mo Nasr more through instinct than from intent. And playing third base for the Herts Eagles, Eleni Xintaras was targeted by a missile off the bat of Sonam Lama – and wisely and superbly got a glove to it. The catch ended the inning.

These were the first Herts derbies for the Ravens this season, and they had plenty of fielding highlights. They ended with a pair of Ravens wins, 15-2 and 9-5. But the Eagles put up a strong fight, especially in Game 2.

The day started with a well-struck single for the Eagles pitcher and leadoff man, Jamie Lang-Richards. Atena Barani drove him in but the first of the day’s double plays then snuffed out the early threat. Ravens shortstop Eddie Wang took a catch and smartly doubled off the runner from first.

When the Ravens got to hit, it was Wang’s 2-RBI single which keyed a 5-run first inning. Arnie Longboy soon settled in on the mound and the home side took control. He was helped by another double play – this one a fully-fledged Major League style 6-4-3 off a ground ball – turned by Wang, Joey Li and Eric Ferng which ended the top of the third inning.

The Ravens put up another 5 runs in the third with Norman Peng and Jack Page among those getting hits to extend the lead. The Eagles had a last surge of base runners in the fifth, with Xintaras getting a hit and scoring a run. But it wasn’t enough to keep the game alive.

In Game 2, it looked as if the Ravens would impose themselves again, holding a 4-1 lead after the first. But there was no score by either side in the second. The Ravens had loaded the bases, but that hotshot catch by Xintaras ended the danger. In the third the Eagles, led by Lang-Richards and aided by some flawed fielding, pulled back two runs to make it 4-3.

The Ravens were able to get the line moving again in the bottom of the third. Matt Jackson, on loan to the Eagles and on the hill, kept pitching around the zone, striking out 2 and surrendering only 2 hits. But walks took their toll and the lead was 9-3 entering the final uncapped inning.

Hits from George Thomas, and from Jackson, helped make some drama. A close play at the plate, with Ravens’ centre fielder Joseph Field showing off his arm, went the Eagles way. They clawed back 2 runs, but it ended with a final ground-out.

These were games played in a good spirit, with friends getting the chance to face each other on opposing teams and test their mettle. Tremendous catches, and some good hitting, made for good baseball for the spectators. But it was always going to be tough for the Eagles. The two teams meet again next weekend at Basing Hill.

Ducks dazzle in breakthrough win
by Rob Jones

Ducks dazzle in breakthrough win

The Herts Ducks have claimed their first win of the season, beating East London Latin Boys 11-7 on Sunday (4th June). Our correspondent Kumail Jaffer was in the thick of it, and has this report:


THE DUCKS are in flight.

Herts’ brand new AA team have won their first game at this level – 11-7 away at the league leaders, East London Latin Boys.

Ducks dazzle in breakthrough win


The season so far has involved a series of close losses as many of the Ducks players continue to acclimatise to the AA division. But a fierce team effort in the opening game of Sunday’s doubleheader put Herts on the board against a previously unbeaten opponent.

Evan Robins and Miguel Gibson gave the Ducks a fast start before young Prime Mencias pitched the first of what would be three astounding innings.

Limiting the Latin Boys to just four runs in his outing, he gave the Ducks a platform to launch their offensive game.

The pressure was clearly getting to the hosts as they gave up a couple of unforced runs due to throwing and fielding errors.

In the top of the third, hits from Gibson, Kumail Jaffer and a brilliant double from Mo Abdule brought four runners home.

That gave Herts a 7-4 lead going into the 4th, before Taysir Barakat took to the mound. The wily relief pitcher has been working on his fastball for years – and it came to fruition here as he drew a number of ground balls and fly outs for the disciplined Ducks to gobble up.


It was crucial – the Ducks’ bats were shut down in the fifth, meaning Barakat had to come up with the save.


A grounder to second got the first out. A run came through, but the Ducks remained calm and focused. Outs two and three came quickly, courtesy of some great first-base play from Jake Spicer.
And that was that.

Rumours of a second game did emerge — in which the Ducks got hammered but discovered that Robins could throw some heat– but they could not be independently verified.

Herts gets first ever PA announcer
by Rob Jones

Herts gets first ever PA announcer

The official National Baseball League Opening Day at Grovehill Ballpark on Saturday marked not only a big step for Herts Baseball Club’s NBL Pilot Project. It also marked the arrival of Gabriel Fidler as the club’s first ever official announcer. Best known as Chair of the British Baseball Hall of Fame and founder of Extra Innings UK, Fidler began his career as colour commentator for perennial NAIA World Series contender Lee University in the U.S.

At Lee, Fidler completed a joint B.A. in broadcasting and history, working for the university’s Sports Information Department under local legend and inductee to multiple Halls of Fame, George Starr. Among his many duties over six years with Flames Athletics, Fidler travelled around the U.S. with Lee’s baseball and basketball teams as its full-time radio broadcaster alongside Starr. He also served as the regular P.A. for the four-time national champion women’s football side, and the men’s football team, which produced two MLS draftees.

Since then, Fidler – who was raised in Suffolk before moving to the U.S. – has held roles as public address announcer for the 2018 NCAA Division III New England Baseball Regional, hosted at the Cape Cod League’s Whitehouse Field in Harwich, Mass., and for four sports at Massachusetts Maritime Academy, including the Grand Re-Opening of its Hendy Baseball Field. He also served as a guest on numerous radio programmes and baseball podcasts in the U.K. and U.S.

At the 2019 London Series, Fidler returned to the mic alongside Chris Knoblock as the duo broadcast the London Cup, which featured multiple British Little League squads playing in the shadow of the Queen Elizabeth II Olympic Stadium. As part of his role with BaseballSoftballUK, he also coordinated London Series’ legacy events, including media coordination for the Elite Tournament at Farnham Park, a press conference with MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and USA Baseball’s Rick Riccobono to announce the launch of Fun At Bat in East London schools, and various other activities.

‘We want to make NBL game days an amazing experience for fans, and this is a brilliant new addition for the club,’ noted Herts President Aspi Dimitrov. ‘Gabriel has long had contacts with Herts, and we are excited that he is taking on this role.’

Fidler has a connection to Herts Baseball, as he co-founded Durham University’s baseball team in 2016 with Will Zucker, then a rising prospect for Herts and Under-15 selection for Great Britain. Zucker, of course, is now Herts’ Co-Director of Youth Baseball and has since suited up for the GB U23 squad. Under their leadership, Durham played in three countries in its first season, sent two squads to the 2016 Spring National University Baseball Championship (NUBC), and claimed the 2016 Autumn and 2018 Spring NUBC titles with its first team.

‘I am thrilled to join Herts as public address announcer in time for Opening Day and the launch of its ambitious NBL Pilot Project,’ remarked Fidler. ‘I first became aware of Herts through Will and am fortunate to count Aspi as a friend now as well. With the return of MLB clubs to Britain for this year’s London Series and the success of Great Britain Baseball at the WBC, enthusiasm for baseball in the U.K. is at an all-time high. As the sport develops further in Britain, Herts is positioned to take a leading role and I look forward to playing a small part in its endeavours.’

As a credentialled journalist, Fidler has also reported live from numerous top baseball events, including the 2016 MLB Battlegrounds in Hyde Park, the 2017 World Baseball Classic and its Brooklyn Qualifier [pictured above with Great Britain Coach Trevor Hoffman, a U.S. Baseball Hall of Fame member], the 2018 Under-23 World Cup, and the 2020 Europe-Africa Olympic Qualifiers for both baseball and softball. In fact, he has not long returned from on-the-ground coverage of the 2023 WBC, where he witnessed the game-by-game build-up to the electrifying final showdown between Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout.

The official Opening Day of the 2023 National Baseball League season for the Herts Falcons saw the club host the London Mets, six-time consecutive national champions. The doubleheader was the first event of the club’s new Pilot Project and featured some of the fun and festivities of Opening Day to which baseball fans everywhere look forward. Fans can purchase tickets for all home games on hertsbaseball.com.

New era at Herts: Falcons open NBL season at home to Mets
by Rob Jones

New era at Herts: Falcons open NBL season at home to Mets

The return for the Herts Falcons was an emotional and hugely positive moment, even if the results were not the stuff of dreams.

After a year out of British baseball’s top division in order to rebuild, the Falcons are back in the National Baseball League (NBL) for 2023 with a revamped roster and ethos. The team is at the forefront of Herts’ attempt to take the game in Britain on to a new footing.

photo by Will Baxter

Saturday (April 23) was the official home opener for Herts at Grovehill Ballpark in Hemel Hempstead, and came with plenty of trimmings. There were youth baseball games, ceremonies, a range of classic baseball food, and a real live announcer.

photo by Will Baxter

The kids from Sheffield Bruins, Nottingham Rebels and Northants Centurions who had joined Herts youth players for games at Grovehill in the morning took part in the Opening ceremony. They paired up with Falcons players in the lineup, high-fiving the adult players as they were introduced, and were there for the national anthem.

They also threw out the Opening Pitch. This is an established and popular tradition in US baseball, often featuring celebrities, and Herts has created its own special tradition by getting increasing numbers of kids involved.

Some of the young players joined parents and fans in a sprint race between the two games of the double header, with the prize of a burger at stake. An Under-11 Herts star was the victor. Later in the day, several youth players put dedicated work into trying to catch a foul ball – as that would also win them a hot dog from the revamped club concessions stand!

Herts was delighted to also have a new PA announcer to oversee all of this. Gabriel Fidler has been colour commentator for a top U.S. sports programme at Lee University, as well as for college baseball in New England, and for youth events at the 2019 MLB London Series.

Fidler, who has only recently returned from covering GB Baseball’s adventures at the World Baseball Classic, said he was “thrilled” to join Herts as the club’s first public address announcer.

“The NBL pilot project is ambitious”, he said. “With the return of MLB clubs to Britain for this year’s London Series and the success of Great Britain at the WBC, enthusiasm for baseball in the UK is at an all-time high. Herts is positioned to take a leading role and I look forward to playing a small part in its endeavours”.

photo by Will Baxter

The opponents for this NBL double-header could not have been tougher, the defending champion London Mets. The visitors scored early and often, but the Falcons’ starting pitcher Alex Deacon picked up a couple of strikeouts, and Harry Quixley hit a double.

Photo (still grab from video) by Oliver Pleece @olliepleece_videography

In Game 2 of the double-header, there were hits for Alex Paterson and Tez Shinkawa. Falcons manager Cris Hiche was also able to stabilise the game when he came in as a relief pitcher to steady things after a rough start.

Hiche was very much taking the positives from a day when the scores were 19-0 and 16-0 but some key elements of the Falcons roster were away at an international tournament. “The results don’t reflect the hard work put in by the team. We’re young and still learning how to play together”, he said. “For example, many of the errors were just the product of miscommunication. With time we will improve and bounce back. No doubt we will have much better games this season.”

photo by Will Baxter

The feedback on new arrangements at Grovehill was positive. 46 tickets were issued for the game, with visiting players and coaches added on top of that the make the total attendance. Seating was set up for the fans at key viewing points. Tickets for the Falcons season ahead are on sale, both as individual game tickets, and batches for the whole season.

photo by Will Baxter

Herts President Aspi Dimitrov said “The club wants fans to experience the excitement of the playoff race, and the players and coaching staff are determined to bounce back.” More elements will be added in future weeks and Dimitrov added: “the Game Day product will get better with every game.”

The Herts Falcons are aiming to get back in the playoff race, starting with their next fixture away at the Latin Boys.

Hawks are left stranded by Islanders; comeback not enough
by Rob Jones

Hawks are left stranded by Islanders; comeback not enough

The Hawks post-season run came to an end in a roller-coaster semi-final game in which two fierce rallies were not quite enough to secure victory.

The game was a mirror of the previous weekend’s battle against the Herts Londoners, with the Hawks on the ropes early and then pulling it out of the bag. But the Formosa Islanders were ultimately able to hang on and progress to the Farnham Park final.

Hawks in action in May (pic: Will Baxter)

Herts travelled to neutral ground in Bristol for this contest, and had seen Bracknell Inferno win a close first semi-final against the local Bats team.

Giuseppe Basilea got the start on the mound for Herts — who were the home side — but had a rough time. Three walks and a couple of hits allowed the Islanders to score the maximum 5 runs. Add a fielding error to the mix and the day looked difficult.

But the Hawks got one back in the bottom half of the frame, with Jack O’Brien doubling and scoring on a wild pitch. And Basilea settled down to keep the second inning scoreless.

Formosa Islanders tacked on a couple more in the top of the third, but then the Hawks were able to stage the first of their big comebacks to cut the lead to 7-6. A series of walks and wild pitches served up by the pitcher Sam Lin allowed 5 runs, with Harry McMenamin and Danny Preston among those reaching home.

Giuseppe Basilea v. Londoners (pic: Rob Jones)

Basilea got two more outs but then the game got away again, with the Islanders able to restore their lead. Manager Ken Pike came in as relief pitcher and the next couple of innings were much more nip and tuck.

Pike struck out 3, and limited the Islanders to 2 earned runs. But going into the bottom of the seventh and final inning Formosa had a 14-6 lead and seemed in a commanding position.

Herts were not surrendering, though. Substitute Dale Hardwick started it off with a walk, and was driven in by McMenamin. Wild pitches again damaged the Islanders’ cause, and helped Herts as they clawed back runs and forced a call to the bullpen for Harry Yang.

Cameron Schultz brought in Jack O’Brien, before Todd Neville really amped up the drama with an inside-the-park home run. That made it 14-11 with just one out and the extraordinary seemed possible.

There was to be no walk-off celebration this time, though. The homer was the only hit Yang gave up, and he coaxed a fly-out from Charlie O’Brien to secure the win.

Ken Pike (pic: Will Baxter)

The Formosa Islanders are in their first year in the BBF league, and started their schedule 1-6. But they grew throughout the season and will now play for the Single-A title.

The Herts Hawks had been drawn up as a team to compete for silverware and they delivered on that in spades. Their powerful bats and array of consistent pitchers took them to a 20-5 record, and a quarter-final win over the Londoners.

Manager Ken Pike was gutted by the defeat, but lavished praise on his “amazing” team. “What a year, and what a progression from last year”, he said – adding that as manager he had been “standing on the shoulders of giants”.

The Hawks players will next join the rest of Herts in taking part in the club’s Hunlock Series in October.

Hawks rally over Londoners in playoff derby
by Rob Jones

Hawks rally over Londoners in playoff derby

“It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish”.

That might be the phrase ringing in the ears of the Herts Hawks after they dug themselves out of an early hole to win their playoff match-up against friends and club-mates, the Herts Londoners.

The Hawks team meeting (Pic: Danny Preston)

The two teams faced off at Grovehill on Sunday (September 4th) in the first round of the Single-A playoffs. This seven-inning game was the first playoff derby for Herts since 2016, and the first time since 2019 the club had a side reach the BBF post-season.

The visiting Londoners struck first, and struck hard. Leadoff man Hunter Devine doubled and stole third, then scored on a sacrifice fly by Sonam Lama. A double by Greg Bochan and a triple from Norman Peng helped bring in the maximum 5 runs.

In reply, the Hawks also got their leadoff man aboard, Harry McMenamin. He ultimately came home on a throwing error, but would be the only run of the inning. It was 5-1 Londoners.

The visitors threatened again in the second, but scored only one. They suffered a setback when Devine was thrown out stealing second base thanks to a move by pitcher Ken Pike which the Londoners thought was illegal. There was a long debate – with both dugouts consulting the rule-book – but the umpire did not see a balk, and no amount of debate changed that fact.

Greg Bochan at bat

The powerful Hawks offense then got into gear in the bottom of the second. Paul le Guillou hit a double and Pete Hogg a triple, and the home side brought in 4 runs.

The Londoners loaded the bases in the third but couldn’t get a run across the plate. The Hawks saw their chance, and jumped into a 7-6 lead. Antony Lavender and Jack O’Brien were among those doing the damage, and chasing starter Andrew Slater from the game.

Hawks extended their lead to 9-6 in the fourth but the Londoners were not rolling over. A single from Bochan – who ended the day 4 for 4 – got them started, and they loaded the bases again. This time, they would capitalise. Devine was hit by a pitch to bring home one, while Zak Beller’s hit scored Arnie Longboy and Nic Goetz. Momentum had switched.

Now it was the Londoners who were 11-9 up, and in the driving seat. Goetz was pitching in relief and, for the first time, the visitors kept the Hawks off the board in the bottom of the fifth. This game was always going to be close, now it was tense, too.

The home side turned to their bullpen, and Giuseppe Basilea did the business. The former Herts youth player, only recently returned to the club, struck out two and induced a flyout to record a scoreless inning.

Giuseppe Basilea pitching

A Dale Hardwick single in the bottom of the 6th chipped into the Londoners lead, driving home Lavender. In return, a sac fly from Beller brought home Lama to tack a run back on. Going into the bottom of the seventh and final inning, Herts Londoners led the Herts Hawks 12-10.

The final and decisive rally was started by Todd Neville, hit by a pitch to lead off. Then Pedro Martins singled. McMenamin got another hit — and by the time he had stolen his way round to third base, he represented the winning run. Nobody was out.

As the Hawks dugout shouted for calm, they knew they were touching victory. Cam Schultz grounded out, but there was no way to stop McMenamin racing home on the play to be mobbed by his team. A 13-12 walkoff win.

The Hawks will travel to Bristol for their playoff semi-final, where they will face the Formosa Islanders on Saturday (10th September).

Dingers and drama on derby day
by Rob Jones

Dingers and drama on derby day

The Herts Eagles and Herts Londoners faced each other at Basing Hill Ballpark in their final games of the regular season. Stakes are always high in a club derby, but these were crucial games for the home side, the Londoners, if they were to keep alive their playoff hopes. The visitors were keen to play the spoiler! Here are your two game reports, one from each side.

GAME 1

By Kumail Jaffer

The Eagles may have been out of the playoff race, but they were keen to finish strong after a season hampered by player absences and injuries.

And as much as the two teams were friends off the diamond, they had enjoyed some feisty affairs on it. Sunday was no different.

The Londoners quickly showed why they boast an impressive record. Andrew Slater and his infamous curveballs (or are they just junk-balls?) frustrated the Eagles early on, and he retired the first NINE batters he faced.

Eddie Wang, Kenny Liao, Hunter Devine and Zak Beller all came home in the first inning, while a solid single from Greg Bochan allowed Sonam Lama to cross the plate in the third.

Kumail Jaffer at bat

The Eagles’ strength this year has been their offense – with good hitting and quick base-running throughout the order, their firepower has often made up for occasional errors in the field and on the mound.

But no runs through the first three innings meant that, despite a good shift from starting pitcher Saira Smith, they were 5 behind going into the fourth.

The bats suddenly threatened to get going, however, with Thomas Hill, Kumail Jaffer and Taysir Barakat all getting hits to bring home the Eagles’ first run.

But the Londoners showed their experience, with hit machine Kenny Liao, Lama and Beller driving in more runners.

The Eagles tried to rally as Neil Chilton doubled to score Michael Green, but Slater continued to bamboozle the batters and eventually secured the 8-2 win for the Londoners.

GAME 2

By Rob Jones

Giving up a leadoff home run is not how you want to start a game which you have to win. But that’s exactly what Londoners did as hard-throwing ace Nic Goetz took on the Eagles’ slugger Mike Wakelam.

With one loud crack of the bat, a fastball was launched over the left field fence.

Mike Wakelam is greeted at home plate

But a couple of fly-outs and a strikeout nullified any further threat, and Wakelam was not able to have the same impact when he stepped on to the mound to pitch. Walks and steals put runners in good position, and 2 runs scored before Jack Page drove in 2 more with a single to centre field.

Things were looking good for the Londoners, but with two out and two men on, Wakelam came up to bat again in the top of the second. And, yes, you can guess what happened. Three run homer. Tied game. 4-4.

But the home side were able to nose back in front and stay there for good. Kenny Liao delivered again to drive in Eddie Wang, while Liao and Sony Lama came home on wild pitches.

This was a game full of oddities. One runner who could have scored on a wild pick off at third accidentally blocked the ball, denying him an easy run. Another runner was out at third when a hot shot ground ball which deflected off the third baseman ricocheted straight to the shortstop as he moved towards the base, and he got there to apply the tag.

And it was one of these quirks which finally sealed the Eagles doom in the top of the third. They had loaded the bases with just one out, and threatened to rally back. Neil Chilton then worked a walk to bring home a run.

But the Londoners manager Matt Bell called time and, armed with his iPad, pointed out that Chilton shouldn’t have been batting at all. He was out of turn.

That meant that the scheduled batter Brad Charalambous was automatically called out, the run was taken off the board, and Chilton had to return to the plate to go again. This time he flied out and the inning was over.

Wakelam had started firing on all cylinders now with his pitching, but it was too late. Goetz was matching him and he polished off the Eagles in the fifth with a fly-out, a groundout and — for emphasis — his fourth strikeout. It ended 7-5.

Derby drama as Eagles and Londoners face off
by Rob Jones

Derby drama as Eagles and Londoners face off

HERTS Eagles pulled off a stunning comeback win in the opening game of their home double-header against division leaders and club rivals Herts Londoners.

The two sides – once compared to AC and Inter Milan due to their ground sharing arrangement – eventually split the double header in the July heatwave, with the Londoners roaring back in a dominant second tie.

In the spirit of unity, this report has been co-authored by a member of each roster.

GAME 1 by Kumail Jaffer

THE EAGLES flew back from 9-1 down to chalk up a well-earned 12-11 win at Basing Hill.

The Londoners, who have been swatting aside other Single A teams with ease, looked like giving the plucky Eagles similar treatment.

Kumail Jaffer at bat (file photo)

Although Jamie Lang-Richards was pitching well on the mound, the veteran batters kept finding the gaps in the field, and scored nine runs in the first two innings.

The Eagles sole reply came from Kumail Jaffer, who whacked a ground-rule double before stealing two bases to come home.

But the Eagles, still hunting a .500 record, were never going to give up.

Mo Abdule singled, classics expert and cramp-stricken Dowan Bellerose drew a walk before Peter Wilson loaded the bases.

It was down to Evan Robbins and Jaffer to bring the boys home, before Lang-Richards returned the favour to put the Eagles right back in the game.

A motivated Eagles side tightened it up, limited the Londoners to just two runs, including a powerful hit by Rob Jones. They matched it up again in the bottom of the inning, with Tom Hill and Wilson bringing home the batters.

Eagles speed on the bases

It was down to Lang-Richards to continue his assured dealing on the mound. Two scoreless innings sandwiched a three-run effort from the Londoners to tie up the game.

But Greg Bochan was pitching with a vengeance, and picked up two quick outs – the Eagles were already suiting up for extra innings when Robins turned up at the plate.

A powerful hit out to centre-field saw a triple come through, leaving Jaffer with the responsibility of bringing home the bacon.

But controversy struck. The Londoners gave him the Barry Bonds treatment and intentionally walked the leadoff hitter.

Lang-Richards, to complete a well-rounded performance, took one strike before hammering the next pitch to centre-field for the crucial RBI single.

And as Robins crossed home plate, the Eagles celebrated. This was a top team they had not only gone toe-to-toe against, but edged out a tough win.

Was the sweep on?

GAME 2 by Rob Jones

Losing is never fun, and losing to a walkoff hit can be a gut-punch. But the Londoners were quick to strike back.

The opening exchanges of Game 2 indicated that the Londoners were perhaps going to assert their dominance. They racked up the maximum 5 runs in the first frame, with Sonam Lama and Norman Peng among those with hits.

Derby drama as Eagles and Londoners face off

Londoners had their enigmatic slowball ace Andrew Slater on the mound, and he sat down the Eagles in order in the bottom of the first. Then the visitors scored 5 more. So far, so tidy.

But with 2 outs in the third, and one man on from a walk, the Eagles got a sniff of an opportunity and they took it. Dowan Bellerose reached on a throwing error, and his team followed it up with 4 straight singles.

The Londoners responded, capitalising on walks issued by the Eagles tiring pitching staff. In sapping heat, Kenny Liao and Simon Langton continued their hot hitting, and the visitors took advantage of a depleted Eagles bullpen.

After 3 innings it was 14-5 but a scoreless top of the fourth again indicated that the Eagles would not roll over. A wide throw allowed their leadoff man aboard in the bottom half of the frame, and soon the bases were loaded. Another five runs came across.

The last of them was driven in by Jaffer, after substitute first baseman Rob Jones saw the ball fly from his glove as he attempted to tag the approaching batter-runner. The call was out, but then overturned to safe, so the run scored. Was there to be more controversy? Fortunately, the hot weather did not fray tempers.

It did further deplete the Eagles ranks, though, when Bellerose finally succumbed to cramp. Catching two games in such heat took its toll, and the Londoners were able to finally crack the game open and lock down the win.

A fly-out, a pop-out and then a ground-out — with the tag securely applied – ended the game. 21-10 was the score, and Slater took a complete game victory.

These games had been moved forward in the day to avoid the worst of the heat. The temperature probably still influenced play, with some unusual errors, and a see-saw scoreline. But honours ended even and both sides now move forward to their next challenges.

They meet again in August.

Eagles downed by Minotaurs
by Rob Jones

Eagles downed by Minotaurs

by Kumail Jaffer

SHORT on numbers but high on chutzpah, the Eagles flew into Finsbury Park on Sunday aiming to wrestle themselves back into the Playoff hunt.


The Minotaurs were an interesting proposition – it was a team that the Eagles had got the better of last season, but an improving side who were playing on their own, slightly misshaped home turf.

Game 1


With upcoming star Alex Trautman on the mound, it was no wonder things started so smoothly for the visitors.
The young Herts pitcher dealt four devastating innings – the perfect Fathers’ Day gift for Max, who was egging him on from 1B.


Eagles downed by Minotaurs
The Trautmans in action (file photo)

But on a small field, any semblance of contact can result in extra-base hits and, despite a great effort from Tom Hill behind the plate, an inevitable couple of runs also squeaked through from base-stealers.
Regardless, it was a solid defensive effort from the Eagles, who limited the Minotaurs to just three runs in the first three innings. 


Things also looked great on the offensive end. Appearing in just his second game of the season, Eagles veteran Kumail Jaffer went 3-4 as leadoff hitter, picking up an RBI alongside Hill, the senior Trautman and captain Saira Smith.


In a particularly impressive show of spirit, the visitors battled back in the top of the 5th while 7-4 down – and were unlucky not to defend their narrow lead going into the bottom of the final inning. Minotaurs walked off with a 9-8 win.

Kumail Jaffer at bat earlier in 2022

Game 2


On-loan Londoner Jack Page – who fully embraced the Eagles ‘chant’ – did his best to make sure morale stayed high going into the second game. 
The team knew that going 1-1 on the road against a well-stocked outfit wouldn’t be the worst result to take home – but they needed to dig deep.


Unfortunately, the home pitcher didn’t quite have the same idea. Though he walked six batters, clutch strikeouts at crucial times limited the Eagles’ momentum early on and stranded runners on base. And in a flash, it was 8-0 to the Minotaurs going into the bottom of the third.


It was time for the Eagles’ offence to spark, and the defence to lock it down to give the batters another shot. Some clever pitching from Smith and young Prime Mencias limited the hosts to a single run in the third, meaning the Eagles needed nine to extend the game.


And to their credit, they put the Minotaurs under real pressure. After loading the bases with just one out, two disciplined walks from Mencias and Jaffer brought home a couple of easy runs before Hill drove in another.

But it just wasn’t meant to be. This one ended 9-3. The Eagles shall fly again.

Mantas Poderys
by Rob Jones

Return of the Mantas

The Herts leadership team for 2022 has taken further shape, with the return of Mantas Poderys. He has been co-opted by the club’s Executive Board as manager of the second Single-A team which will play in Hemel Hempstead.

Mantas was elected as the manager of the Herts Raptors at Grovehill for the 2020 season, only to see it all but wiped out by the pandemic.

However, he was instrumental in the creation and running of the internal league competition which was run at Hemel Hempstead that year, once organised sport was given the go-ahead in the summer. The Herts Baseball Development League was a huge success, which allowed players from all levels to see some game action.

Mantas brought his trademark enthusiasm to the project, the same spirit which saw him make such an impact in his first year as a player at Herts in 2019. His constant desire to improve — combined with endless encouragement of his team-mates — marked him out for a key role.

He had to step back from management in 2021 for personal reasons, but is now raring to go again. The Board was happy to approve his application and we are excited about what lies ahead.

Mantas Poderys (L) with Raptors in 2019

BBF league entries will be finalised in the coming days but the expectation is that two Single-A teams will be based at Grovehill. Most likely they will be the Raptors and the Hawks, but the managers will make the final call. Ken Pike, who led the Raptors last year, remains in place as a manager and is keen to build on last year’s progress.

The club has been having talks with candidates about the vacancy for the Herts Falcons manager. Players report for the first time for training this weekend, January 30th, so planning will take another step forward then.