Herts Baseball Club has announced that infielder, John Blose, will be wearing the Herts jersey in 2013. The 25-year-old makes the move from NBL rivals Essex Arrows.

“I am looking forward to joining such a great club like Herts and I am hoping to help the club as much as I can and that the Falcons can go that extra step to take the title that this club deserves” said Blose.

He added: “Grovehill Ballpark is the field where I seem to be producing my best performances. This is where I hit my first career homerun last year so I hope to keep that going and that the move will up my game.”

Before the start of 2012 Herts pitcher, Darrin Ward, swapped the Herts jersey for that of the Essex Arrows, which meant that John Blose has played with and against Ward over the years. “Darrin is a great guy with great attitude and has been a pest to get a hit off in the past.” said Blose. Ward rejoined the Falcons at the end of May this year so they will be playing alongside each other once again in 2013. “I am looking forward to having an intelligent pitcher like Darrin on my side once again next season. I must add that I’m looking forward to playing ball with everyone in the Falcons team. They all seem like a great group of players.”

Leaving the Essex Arrows has not been easy for Blose. He said: “I have had so many great years with the Arrows and I am grateful to all the guys at Essex for the support and love they have shown me over the years, and all the great memories.”

Blose started his baseball career at the age of 7 playing in the Alconbury Air Force base Little League, where his team won the title twice and later played for the Alconbury juniors and seniors internationally reaching the European stages. He was also selected by the Great Britain Cadets (Under-15) national team.

John Blose sliding home with the GB Team

With RAF Alconbury undergoing changes the Alconbury baseball teams were dissolved and in 2003 John Blose joined the Under-17 team of the Essex Arrows with whom he won the British U17 league title in his first season. In 2004 he was called up to the GB Juniors (U19) national squad and made his international debut in the international series versus Ireland in 2006. In his debut he played outfield and batted lead-off going 1-for-4 with 2B 2RBI and a stolen base.

He has been playing in the British senior leagues since 2003 going straight into the AAA league level, which was known as the Premier League at the time. After reaching the AAA National Championships with the Essex Arrows in 2009, he moved to the Mildenhall Bulldogs in 2010 making his NBL debut. He played for the Bulldogs for 2 seasons and in 2011 returned to the Essex Arrows.

Over the last 3 years in the NBL, Blose has played mainly at second base but has also appeared at shortstop and as a pitcher.

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The amazing array of talent on the 2012 Herts Falcons roster produced the most successful season in Falcons history. This achievement has also been reflected in the end-of-season National Baseball League (NBL) awards and feats which have just been announced by Project COBB.

Two-time NBL Most Valuable Player, Ryan Bird, just missed out on winning the MVP award for a third time. He was pipped at the post by fellow South African and Harlow Nationals superstar, Jarrod Pretorius, who proved to be a thorn in the Falcons’ side all season, including in game 6 of the National Final.

Despite missing out on the MVP award, Ryan Bird’s outstanding performances have been recognised by awarding him the Best First Baseman Award, which is a fielding award, equivalent to the Gold Gloves awarded in MLB.

Two other Herts players were also awarded Best Fielder awards. Robbie Unsell was given the Best Shortstop award adding to the many other NBL accolades in his name over the years. Cris Hiche received Best Outfielder award recognising his exceptional debut seaosn in the British leagues with the Herts Falcons.

Maikel Azcuy won the home-run title. This is his third Home Run Champion award. He previous won the award in 2010 and 2007. He now has the third highest career home run tally in the modern game. Azcuy also claimed the “Most RBIs” title to round off a fantastic season which included an appearance in the European Championships for Great Britain.

Harlow Nationals’ Roberto Almanzar won the Best Pitcher title while Southampton’s Gary Davison was declared the Most Valuable Two-Way Player.

The full list of Best Fielder winners is as follows:

• C: Will Lintern (HARLOW NATIONALS);

• 1B: Ryan Bird (HERTS FALCONS);

• 2B: Luis Goncalves (HARLOW NATIONALS);

• 3B: Jarrod Pretorius (HARLOW NATIONALS);

• SS: Robbie Unsell (HERTS FALCONS);

• OF: Cristobal Hiche (HERTS FALCONS);

• OF: Michael Trask (BRACKNELL BLAZERS);

• OF: Marius Urbanavicius (SOUTHAMPTON MUSTANGS).

In another announcement made by Project COBB earlier today, voting has just opened for the 2012 British Baseball Photography Competition. Two Herts Baseball Club entrants feature among the 10 shortlisted finalists. To see the gallery of 10 entries shortlisted by the judging panel and to cast your vote, CLICK HERE. One vote will be accepted per email address and the ballot will close at 11.59pm on 16 November.

Project COBB is an online collaboration that was founded by Joe Gray in 2008. Joe was subsequently awarded a Life Membership of the British Baseball Federation to acknowledge his contributions to chronicling the game’s present and restoring its past. Joe acts as coordinator for the initiative, but its success depends largely on the work of its valued collaborators, who comprise members of a SABR Chartered Community and other contributors. You can find out further details at the Project COBB website.

 

The article was written by Oliver Mintz-Lowe and first appeared on britishbaseball.org

The Harlow Nationals sealed back-to-back NBL titles in only their second year in existence as they secured consecutive National Baseball Championship wins with a 6-3 victory over the Herts Falcons.

Two years in existence, two NBL National Baseball Championship titles – that’s the impressive resume of 2012 champions Harlow Nationals.

After winning it all last season in stunning fashion, the Nationals arguably achieved an even more impressive feat over the weekend by backing up their 2011 success with another championship, beating a strong Herts Falcons team in the final.

Harlow were always favourites after finishing in first place during the regular season, and played progressively better each time they took to the field. Their final win, in an entertaining high standard game, was an excellent advert for British baseball.

The eventual difference maker proved to be a pair of home runs from Jarrod Pretorius (2-3) and Maikel Azcuy (2-3) – two powerful hitters at the heart of Harlow’s line-up. Pitcher Robbie Almanzar, making his second start of the weekend, pitched a solid complete game to seal the win.

Number two seeds Herts Falcons undoubtedly played their part in the final, and certainly looked capable of winning to force a decider. British baseball stalwart Ryan Bird pitched better than his numbers suggested, and continued his excellent form with that bat, while explosive leadoff man Robbie Unsell was once again impressive at the top of the order.

Under the double elimination format the Nationals, coming into the contest with a 2-0 record, would only need to win one of two games. As the Falcons had one defeat to their name they would need to pick up two straight wins.

And while both teams got off to a confident start, it was Harlow that moved a step closer to the title thanks to Jarrod Pretorius’ first inning home run- his second of the weekend.

Herts did score first, however, when, not for the first time this weekend, Robbie Unsell and Ryan Bird (1-2, 2 RBI) combined to put a run on the board. After Unsell got aboard with a line drive single, the leadoff man stole second and advanced to third on a fly ball. Bird got the job done, knocking in the run on a groundout to put the Falcons in front.

But the lead was quickly reversed thanks to Pretorius’ three run shot. Leading off the inning, Robbie Almanzar hustled down the line to beat the throw and reach base on an error. George Lintern then laid down a perfect bunt to reach first, before Pretorious jumped on a 1-0 pitch to put the favourites into pole position.

And Pretorius backed up his fine batting with some excellent fielding in the very next inning, making an excellent diving stop at second base to assist with a double play, erasing Kevin Niedringhaus (2-3) after a leadoff single.

In the next couple of innings, the pitching remained tight, with both teams exchanging a run each. Herts pulled one back when Chris Hiche reached safely with a two out single, and ended up scoring on an error when right fielder George Lintern misplayed a fly ball. Brendan Cunliffe restored Herts two-run cushion when he drove in Azcuy in the very next inning.

The contest was tense, and there was nothing between the two top teams in the country. The Falcons once again made it a one run game when Chris Hiche and Ryan Bird hit back-to-back two-out doubles.

Bird was also turning in a strong performance on the mound to go with his two RBIs. But after striking out Edwin Alcantara for his eighth K of the contest, he ran into trouble in unfortunate circumstances. After Pretorious picked up a two-out scratch hit to barely keep the inning alive, Maikel Azcuy crushed the first pitch of his at bat over the left field wall and out of the yard for a two-run homerun.

This resulted in Jordan Farkas entering the game in relief, and he managed to throw 1.1 scoreless innings to keep Herts in with a sniff going into the 7th.

And the final inning certainly proved to be a tense one for Herts. Pinch-hitter Andy Cornish got aboard with a leadoff single followed by a five-pitch walk to Robbie Unsell, putting runners on first and second, with nobody out and the tying run at the plate. But Nationals pitcher Roberto Almanzar held his nerve, keeping his pitches down in the zone to induce a Chris Hiche ground ball. Azcuy tagged the lead runner, and calmly fired to Cunliffe who duly completed the crucial double play.

With two outs, Ryan Bird drew a walk to once again bring the tying run to the plate, and prolong the Nationals agony. But when right fielder Dan Parker nestled under a high fly ball from Darrin Ward, last year’s champions knew the National Baseball League trophy was staying in Harlow for another 12 months, and the celebrations could begin.

Click to view box scores and play-by-play

Harlow manager Marty Cullen said: “It’s a great reward for all the effort and hard work the guys have put in over the season.

“Today I thought we played much better defence, which has been our strength all year. We got a lead, and played really solid baseball to stay in front. That’s how we like to play and we managed to execute when it mattered.”

“It got a little tense at the end when they had two guys on with Ryan Bird on deck, but Robbie pitched great, stayed calm and we got the big double play.”

 

 

The Falcons and Nationals will meet in the Final on Monday in game 6 of the National Baseball Championships. The Falcons need to win to force a deciding game 7. If they lose either game 6 or 7, the Nationals will be crowned NBL champions for a second year in a row.

The AAA and A League Champions will also be decided on Monday at Grovehill Ballpark.

Here is Monday’s complete schedule.

2012 NBC SCHEDULE FOR MONDAY, AUG 27 @ Grovehill Ballpark in Hemel Hempstead

NBL Schedule

Monday, August 27

11:00 Game 6: Harlow Nationals vs Herts Falcons

14:30 Game 7: same as above (will be played if Harlow Nationals loses Game6)

 

AAA Schedule

Monday, August 27

14:00, (Final) Essex Redbacks @Liverpool Trojans

 

A Schedule

Monday, August 27

11:00, (Final) Hove Tuesday vs Leicester Blue Sox

If you can’t come to the ballpark you can follow the games using the links below:

NBL: https://www.gamechanger.io/g/NBLNBC2012

AAA; https://www.gamechanger.io/g/AAANBC2012

AA: https://www.gamechanger.io/g/AANBC2012

A: https://www.gamechanger.io/g/ANBC2012

 

This article written by Michael Jones and Oliver Mintz-Lowe was first published on britishbaseball.org

The Herts Falcons bounced back from their earlier defeat at the hands of Harlow to reach the final the hard way.

In a well-contested elimination clash with the London Mets, the number two seeds hit well to open up a healthy lead early on. London managed to grind out runs at regular intervals, and managed to make a game of it with a late rally.

But the Falcons hung on to set up an intriguing clash with the Nationals on Monday.

Herts, looking to bounce back from their tough morning loss, managed to shake off any potential hangover in a perfect manner – with early runs. After Jordan Farkas went through the top of the Mets lineup 1-2-3, their offense set to work establishing a quick lead.

Ryan Bird drove in Robbie Unsall, who had singled and stolen second, to open the scoring, and crossed the plate himself on a sharp Darrin Ward single. And following a well executed double steal by Ward and Dave Trethaway, Farkas picked up a smart contact hit to drive in a pair and give Herts a handy 4-0 lead.

They added another in the second, courtesy of a sacrifice fly from Ryan Bird, who had a 3 RBI night, capitalising on two more Unsall steals. The speedy leadoff man was a key offensive catalyst throughout, patiently drawing four walks, scoring three times and swiping four bags.

Looking to respond quickly, London managed to reduce the deficit. Trevor Allen advanced to third on a throwing error, after reaching safely with a single, allowing Josh Rappaport to drive in a run with a double. Alterto Cabalerro followed with another RBI to make it a three-run game.

But the number two seeded Falcons quickly managed to re-establish their commanding lead, through a mixture of intelligent small ball, opportune hitting and Mets miscues. Phil Clark and Ryan Bird both scored on wild pitches, while Chris Hiche drove in Robbie Unsall, and scored later in the inning from a Dave Trethaway sacrifice fly.

To their credit, the Mets continued to battle hard, and hit back with a couple of runs, courtesy of back-to-back RBI doubles from Martin Tucker and Jonathan Cramman.

And in the sixth, the number four seeds really managed to make a game of it, reducing the Falcons lead to just two runs. Trevor Allen (3-4 with an RBI and two runs) kicked off the scoring, driving home Grant Delzoppo with an RBI triple, before Rapapport batted in Cabalerro with a single. Rappapart himelf scored on a groundout, and Jonathan Cramman made it a 10-8 game with another RBI single. Unsall, taking the mound in relief, managed to strand a pair, picking up the final two outs of the inning.

Herts managed to tack on an insurance run in the bottom half of the frame when Farkas drove in Mike Cattermole for his second RBI of the game. And Robbie Unsall came out to pitch a solid 9th inning, working around a two-out-single, striking out two to pick up the save.

Click to view box scores and play-by-play

Falcons player Chris Hiche said: “I think it was just a case of who wanted it more. Both teams were quite tired so it came down to a survival of the fittest.”

As Herts qualified via the elimination game, they will now have to win two straight games against the Harlow Nationals. Harlow, who qualified with a better 2-0 record will only have to win once to claim the title.

Hiche said: “We don’t really have the pitching depth to go five games, but I think we just need to try and win the first one and go from there.”

The Final  between the Harlow Nationals will start at 11am on Monday, 27 August at Grovehill Ballpark in Hemel Hempstead. Can the Herts Falcons make history against all odds and be crowned the best team in Great Britain for the first time in the club’s history. If you can’t come to the ballpark you can follow the games using the links below:

NBL: https://www.gamechanger.io/g/NBLNBC2012
AAA; https://www.gamechanger.io/g/AAANBC2012
AA: https://www.gamechanger.io/g/AANBC2012
A: https://www.gamechanger.io/g/ANBC2012