Category: Londoners

2 September 20225 September 2022 by Herts Baseball News Editor

Hawks vs Londoners – Playoff Quarter-Final preview.

We are now counting the hours until the Herts Hawks and Herts Londoners play in the Single-A League Playoff Quarter-Final this Sunday, 4 September.

The last time a Herts baseball team qualified for the BBF postseason playoffs at any league level was 2019. This may not sound like a very long time ago but for a club of the size of Herts with five teams competing in the various league tiers of British baseball, this feels like an eternity.

The format and seeding meant that the two Herts teams were drawn to play against each other. Herts fans would have preferred to see the two teams meet much later in the postseason, but they will have to accept that one team will be eliminated on Sunday.

Herts teams have met in the postseason only once in the club’s history. That was in 2016 when the Herts Hawks eliminated the Herts Raptors once again in the Single-A league quarter-final, pictured above.

This year the Hawks (20-5) dominated their division and secured their playoff place a few weeks before the end of the season, while the Londoners had to grind out results and go through a nail-biting experience right down to the last games of the season which saw them finish above the reigning national champions, the London Mustangs, only thanks to a better head-to-head run differential as they both ended the season with identical records of 18 wins and 8 losses.

Some would argue that the Hawks have the advantage as the Londoners must be physically and emotionally drained from that intense race. Others may say that this gives the Londoners an advantage as they are going into the game firing on all cylinders.

Both teams have many pitching options so it is difficult to predict the starting pitchers. For the Hawks, player-manager Ken Pike seems like the obvious choice having pitched the highest number of innings this year, but they also have Declan Carlean, Harry McMenamin and Luis Martins who have all been effective on the mound this season.

Andrew Slater has been the starting pitcher for the Londoners in 10 of their regular season games followed by Nic Goetz (7) and Greg Bochan (6).

Offensively, the Londoners have their big hitter, Gilberto Medina, who is the league’s joint home run leader with 3 as well as some very consistent hitters like Cory English (BA .750), Simon Langton (.700) and Kenny Liao (.691).

Danny Preston and Todd Neville have shown home run power this season and there are a number of other hitters with impressive batting averages like Paul le Guillou (.636), Harry McMenamin (.625) and Jack O’Brien (.529) but the one batter who the Londoners have painful memories of is Anthony Lavender who hit 3 triples when the two teams met in May. The Hawks won those two games 14-9 and 12-11.

The Hawks also have history on their side having appeared in the Postseason before – in Single-A (2015 and 2016) and Double-A (2017 and 2018) lifting the Single-A national championship trophy in 2016 (pictured above). This was one of only three national championships for Herts teams over the club’s 26-year history. The Herts Londoners were formed in 2019 and this will be their first postseason appearance.

Admission to the game is free. Fans are advised to bring their own chairs or other seating as currently there is no spectator seating at Grovehill Ballpark. Fans who are not able to watch the game in person, can follow the play by play live on the BBF website.

29 August 202229 August 2022 by Herts Baseball News Editor

BBF confirms the change of venue and date of the playoff clash between the Hawks and Londoners

The British Baseball Federation has approved the joint application of the Herts Hawks and the Herts Londoners to move the Single-A League Playoff Quarter-Final game between the two teams from Williams Field in Kent to Grovehill Ballpark in Hemel Hempstead.

The date of the game has also been changed and it will now be played on Sunday, 4 September 2022, with a first pitch at 12pm.

The plate umpire will be Chris Goldsmith. The base umpire will be confirmed in due course.

Admission to the game is free. Fans are advised to bring their own chairs or other seating as currently there is no spectator seating at Grovehill Ballpark.

25 August 202225 August 2022 by Herts Baseball News Editor

Two Herts baseball teams to face each other in the Playoffs

The British Baseball Federation (BBF) has announced the Playoff matchups confirming that the Herts Hawks and Herts Londoners will face each other in the quarter-finals of the BBF Single-A League Playoffs.

Pos	Team	W	L	Pct	GB
1	Hawks	20	5	0.800	0
2	Islanders	14	12	0.538	6.5
3	Minotaurs	12	14	0.462	8.5
3	Dukes	12	14	0.462	8.5
5	Raptors	1	25	0.038	19.5

The Hawks have dominated their division and booked their place several weeks ago. The Londoners played their final games of the regular season on 14 August and at that point they were almost certain of a place in the Playoffs regardless of what the reigning Single-A League National Champions, the London Mustangs, did in their remaining games by virtue of a better run differential in the direct games between the two teams.

However, the Herts team had to wait until last Sunday’s round of games involving other teams as there was a scenario where the Mustangs could overtake them due to a peculiarity in the tie-break rules. The Herts Londoners have a better record than the Mustangs in a two-way tie between them, but a worse record than the Mustangs in a three-way tie which would have occurred if the Bracknell Inferno had lost to the London Minotaurs leaving the Inferno, the Londoners and the Mustangs with identical win-loss records of 18 wins and 8 losses.

Herts fans had to endure a tense afternoon on Sunday waiting for game updates as the Minotaurs put up a real fight against the Bracknell Inferno but the division leaders came back late in the game to win it which confirmed Herts Londoners’ place in the Playoffs.

Pos	Team	W	L	Pct	GB
1	Inferno	20	6	0.769	0
2	Londoners	18	8	0.692	2
2	Mustangs	18	8	0.692	2
4	Eagles	7	18	0.280	12.5
5	Goldcats	7	19	0.269	13

The Playoff matchups were determined based on the seeding of the teams in the regular season league standings which paired the Herts Hawks and Herts Londoners against each other. The higher seeds are designated as the home teams.

Formosa Islanders (6^th seed) @ Tonbridge Wildcats (1^st seed)

Herts Londoners (5^th seed) @ Herts Hawks (2^nd seed)

Kent Mariners (4^th seed) @ Bracknell Inferno (3^rd seed)

All three games were scheduled to be played on Saturday, 3 September, at the home of the Kent Buccaneers in Hadlow, Kent.

In view of the two Herts teams being drawn to play against each other and given the cost of living crisis which players and fans are facing at the moment, last night Herts Baseball Club submitted an application to the BBF to move the game to Grovehill Ballpark in Hertfordshire and avoid Herts players and fans spending hundreds of pounds on fuel. The application also requests the game to be moved from the Saturday to the Sunday, 4 September, to avoid a clash with youth baseball events.

The club is awaiting BBF’s decision and will keep supporters updated when a confirmation is received.

19 August 202219 August 2022 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.

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.

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.

18 July 202218 July 2022 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.

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.

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.

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.

25 May 202225 May 2022 by Herts Baseball News Editor

Coach Monte Brooks is coming back to the UK to work with Herts players

In June 2019 the head coach of The Master’s University baseball team, Monte Brooks, was a special guest of Herts Baseball Club and Herts players had the unique opportunity of being coached by him.

He will be coming back to the UK and he will once again be working with the Herts adult and youth teams at the club’s two branches in Hemel Hempstead and in London. The two events which he will be taking part in are:

6pm, Wednesday, 1 June, Grovehill Ballpark, Hemel Hempstead
6pm, Thursday, 2 June, Basing Hill Ballpark, London

Brooks has just completed his 26th season as head coach of The Master’s University baseball team in the USA. He is the program’s all-time leader in wins with a record of 790-535. He has led the Mustangs to four NAIA World Series appearances (2000, 2013, 2016, 2017) and three regular-season GSAC titles.

As a player, Brooks was drafted by the San Diego Padres in 1987 with whom he spent four seasons in the minor leagues and later coached in the Padres organisation before his appointment with Master’s University.

Players who have developed through The Master’s University have gone on to be drafted by MLB clubs. One of them is Conner Menez (pictured above) who was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 14th round of the 2016 MLB Draft. Shortly after Coach Brooks’ visit to London in 2019, Menez made his MLB debut for the Giants where he played until last year. This season he was signed by the Chicago Cubs and with rumours going around that the 2023 MLB London Series will feature the Chicago Cubs and the St Louis Cardinals, Herts fans may have the opportunity to see Menez in action at the London Stadium.

Coach Brooks’ area of expertise is working with hitters and infielders so his visit to the club is a fantastic opportunity for players from the various Herts teams.

The sessions are open to all current Herts members as well as new players who are considering joining the club. If you are not a current club member and wish to take part in one of these sessions, please contact us.

10 April 202213 April 2022 by Herts Baseball News Editor

Opening Day rosters published

After two months of Spring Training and three weeks of Herts Spring League games, the managers of the five Herts adult league teams have confirmed their Opening Day rosters. Just like Major League Baseball, there may be movement of players up and down the leagues in accordance with BBF regulations.

Herts Cardinals (Triple-A League)

Rank	Player	Position	B/T	Ht	Wt
1	Hiroki Fujimoto	P, 2B, SS	R/R	-	-
2	James Hicks	1B, P	-	-	-
3	Sean Bennett	P, 2B, SS	-	-	-
4	Andy Cornish	2B, 3B	-	-	-
5	Osvaldo Badia Rivero	1B, 3B	-	-	-
6	Tyler Cote	C, OF, P	-	-	-
7	Will Davis	IF, OF	-	-	-
8	Joshua Pines	1B	-	-	-
9	Brian Dearing	P, SS	-	-	-
10	James Cavanagh	C, OF	-	-	-
11	Arik Raviv	P	-	-	-
12	“Stephen” Chun Hung Wong	C, IF, OF	-	-	-
13	Robert Laflamme	OF	-	-	-
14	Giorgio Ferroni	C, OF	-	-	-
15	Javier Cardenas Tomas	OF	-	-	-
16	Vytas Macenas	2B, 3B	-	-	-
17	Yves Schwarzbart	IF, OF	-	-	-
18	Michael Cresswell	1B, OF, P	-	-	-
19	Roberto Hernandez	OF, 2B	-	-	-

Herts Hawks (Single-A League)

Rank	Player	Position	B/T	Ht	Wt
1	Giuseppe Basilea	1B, IF, OF, P	-	-	-
2	Elroy Davis	SS	-	-	-
3	Michael Cunningham	1B, OF	-	-	-
4	Harry Mcmenamin	P, 3B	-	-	-
5	Danny Preston	IF, OF	-	-	-
6	Antonio Lourenco	IF, OF	-	-	-
7	Paul Le Guillou	LF	-	-	-
8	Antony Lavender	CF	-	-	-
9	Kennet Pike	C, P, SS	-	-	-
10	Luis Martins	IF	-	-	-
11	Declan Carlean	OF, P, SS	-	-	-
12	Cameron Schultz	C	-	-	-
13	Harry Ewen	IF, OF, 2B	-	-	-
14	Nick Barnaby	IF, OF, SS	-	-	-
15	Pedro Martins	P, SS	-	-	-
16	Todd Neville	IF, OF	-	-	-
17	Charlie Obrien	C, OF	-	-	-
18	Dale Hardwick	CF	-	-	-
19	Laurence Currington	1B, IF	-	-	-
20	Peter Hogg	IF, OF	-	-	-
21	Jack Obrien	IF, OF, P	-	-	-

Herts Raptors (Single-A League)

Rank	Player	Position	B/T	Ht	Wt
1	Callum Ferrier	IF/OF	-	-	-
2	Rufus Lloyd	IF, OF	-	-	-
3	Tom Roker	IF, OF	-	-	-
4	Jamie Berlofsky	OF, 2B	-	-	-
5	Beth Wain	IF, OF	-	-	-
6	Bradley Calvert	IF	-	-	-
7	Joel Eden	IF, OF	-	-	-
8	Marcus Wathew	IF, OF	-	-	-
9	Harry Williamson	IF, OF	-	-	-
10	Jack Burkett	IF, OF	-	-	-
11	Mantas Poderys	IF, P	-	-	-
12	Simon Jackson-Turner	IF, OF	-	-	-
13	Billy Perry	IF, OF	-	-	-
14	Paul Auchterlounie	C, P	-	-	-
15	John Kjorstad	1B, OF	-	-	-
16	Adam Scales	IF, OF	-	-	-
17	Max Farmbrough	IF, OF, P	-	-	-
18	Ellie Page	C, OF	-	-	-
19	Luis Martins	IF	-	-	-
20	Rory Vangundy	OF, P, SS	-	-	-
21	Noah Tabor	CF, LF	-	-	-
22	Lauren Dutch	1B	-	-	-
23	Calum Thompson	IF, OF	-	-	-
24	Jordon Fox	SS	-	-	-
25	Jamie Wise	IF, OF	-	-	-
26	Thomas Browne	IF, OF, P	-	-	-

Herts Eagles (Single-A League)

Rank	Player	Position	B/T	Ht	Wt
1	Michael Wakelam	C, IF, P, SS, 3B	-	-	-
2	Isabella Trautman	IF, OF	R/R	-	-
3	Aishiek Mitra Nandy	IF, OF	-	-	-
4	Reece Williamson-White	IF, OF	-	-	-
5	Dowan Bellerose	C	-	-	-
6	Olo Szostak	IF/OF	-	-	-
7	Errol Jarrett	IF/OF	-	-	-
8	Anders Pettersson		-	-	-
9	Andy Stratford	IF, OF, 2B	-	-	-
10	Max Trautman	1B, OF	-	-	-
11	Peter Wilson	OF	-	-	-
12	Bradley Charalambous	C	-	-	-
13	Paras Patravale	3B	-	-	-
14	Thomas Hill	C, SS	-	-	-
15	Michael Anunobi	1B	-	-	-
16	Kumail Jaffer	IF, OF, 2B, SS, 3B	-	-	-
17	Neil Chilton	1B, OF, P	-	-	-
18	Daniel Gipple	IF, OF	-	-	-
19	Evan Robins	IF, OF	-	-	-
20	Alexander Trautman	IF, OF, P	-	-	-
21	Michael Green	OF	-	-	-
22	Joe Gipple	IF, OF, 2B	-	-	-
23	Saira Smith	C, OF, P	-	-	-
24	Mohamed Abdule	IF, OF	-	-	-
25	Jamie Lang-Richards	C, IF, P, SS	-	-	-

Herts Londoners (Single-A League)

Rank	Player	Position	B/T	Ht	Wt
1	Sammy English	IF, P, SS	-	-	-
2	Sony Lama	C, CF, IF	R	-	-
3	Simon Langton	P, 2B, SS, 3B	-	-	-
4	Jack Page	IF, OF	-	-	-
5	Zak Beller	IF, OF, 2B	-	-	-
6	Aspi Dimitrov	IF/OF, IF, OF, P	-	-	-
7	Rob Jones	C, 1B, IF, 2B	-	-	-
8	Henry Bell	CF, IF, OF, P	R/R	-	-
9	Matthew Bell	IF/OF	-	-	-
10	Arnold Longboy	C, IF, P	-	-	-
11	Greg Bochan	1B, IF, P, 3B	-	-	-
12	Joseph Field	OF	-	-	-
13	Kenny Liao	1B	-	-	-
14	Wei Chieh Wang	IF, P, 2B, 3B	-	-	-
15	Cory English	IF, P, SS	-	-	-
16	Nicolas Goetz	IF, P, 3B	-	-	-
17	Hunter Devine	C, CF, IF, OF, 2B	-	-	-
18	Jason Reynolds	CF, IF, OF	R/R	-	-
19	Dan Taylor	RF, 2B	-	-	-
20	Zephaniah Prime Mencias	C, OF, P	-	-	-
21	Luke Ward	C, OF, 2B	-	-	-
22	Norman Peng	1B, IF, LF, OF, 2B	-	-	-
23	Gilberto Medina	SS	-	-	-
24	Andrew Slater	1B, IF, P, 2B	-	-	-

16 March 20224 April 2022 by Herts Baseball News Editor

Herts teams announce preliminary 2022 rosters for the HSL

The five Herts teams have announced their preliminary rosters for the 2022 Herts Spring League .

We understand that these rosters are not fixed and it is likely that there may be movement between teams over the course of the HSL. Some players may play for more than one team as managers look to evaluate them ahead of the announcement of the 2022 Opening Day rosters. The Eagles and Londoners rosters are combined for this reason and may split later in the HSL.

The HSL games commence on March 19th.

New players are registering every week, therefore some new names may be added to the rosters over the course of the HSL and throughout the league season.

Herts Cardinals (Triple-A)

Alexander Trautman
Andy Cornish
Arik Raviv
Brian Dearing
James Cavanagh
James Hicks
Javier Cardenas Tomas
Joshua Pines
Michael Anunobi
Michael Wakelam
Nicolas Goetz
Osvaldo Badia Rivero
Paras Patravale
Robert Laflamme
Roberto Hernandez
Sean Bennett
Tetsuro Shinkawa
Tyler Cote
Vytas Macenas
Will Davis
Yves Schwarzbart

Herts Hawks (Single-A)

Andy Cornish
Antonio Lourenco
Antony Lavender
Cameron Schultz
Charlie Obrien
Dale Hardwick
Danny Preston
Declan Carlean
Elroy Davis
Harry Ewen
Harry Mcmenamin
Jack Obrien
Jordon Fox
Kennet Pike
Laurence Currington
Luis Martins
Michael Cunningham
Nick Barnaby
Paul Le Guillou
Pedro Martins
Peter Hogg
Todd Neville

Herts Raptors (Single–A)

Adam Scales
Beth Wain
Billy Perry
Calum Thompson
Ellie Page
James Morrell
James Watson
Jamie Berlofsky
Jamie Wise
Joel Eden
John Kjorstad
Lauren Dutch
Marcus Wathew
Mantas Poderys
Max Farmbrough
Neil Chilton
Noah Tabor
Paul Auchterlounie
Rory Vangundy
Simon Jackson-Turner
Thomas Browne
Tom Roker

Herts Eagles / Herts Londoners (Single-A)

Aishiek Mitra Nandy
Alexander Trautman
Andy Stratford
Arnold Longboy
Aspi Dimitrov
Brad Charalambous
Bryan Mencias
Cory English
Dan Taylor
Daniel Gipple
Gilberto Medina
Giorgio Ferroni
Greg Bochan
Henry Bell
Hunter Devine
Isabella Trautman
James Angelou
Jamie Lang-Richards
Jason Reynolds
Joe Gipple
Joseph Field
Kenny Liao
Kumail Jaffer
Kwong yan Li
Luke Ward
Mark Lewinson
Matthew Bell
Max Trautman
Michael Green
Michael Wakelam
Mohamed Abdule
Nicolas Goetz
Norman Peng
Peter Wilson
Rob Jones
Saira Smith
Sammy English
Thomas Hill
Wei Chieh Wang
Yu Tsz Cheung
Zak Beller
Zephaniah Prime Mencias

Players, from beginners to advanced, are now registering for the 2022 baseball season. For more details about how to join the Herts baseball teams in Hemel Hempstead and in NW London or for more details about the HSL or if you are interested to give baseball a try in this competition contact Herts Baseball Club.

Adult and youth players now registering for the 2022 baseball season

16 March 202216 March 2022 by Herts Baseball News Editor

Countdown to HSL – first chance to see the teams ahead of the 2022 British baseball season

The biggest pre-season baseball competition in Britain is back. Commencing on March 19, the Herts Spring League (HSL) will see 19 teams compete over the 3 weeks of the HSL. Organised by Herts Baseball Club, it is Britain’s version of MLB’s Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues currently under way in the US, and it signals that the season is just around the corner.

Format

The 19 teams will be entered into three HSL tiers – NBL, Double-A and Single-A.

The organisers considered the possibility of a tournament format, but ultimately adopted a league format in the same way as the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues in MLB. “The objective of the HSL is to enable the teams to prepare for the new season and we have noticed that teams are increasingly starting to approach the HSL in the same way as MLB teams approach the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues” said HSL Commissioner, Aspi Dimitrov. He added “we have taken this into account when formulating the schedule putting greater emphasis on the preferences and preparatory requirements of the teams over the format of the competition”.

The teams finishing at the top of their respective division will be the HSL champions.

The Venue

The action will take place on the two diamonds at Grovehill Ballpark in Hemel Hempstead, the home of Herts Baseball Club.

Schedule

Over the three weekends 40 games are scheduled to be played on the two diamonds. The competition begins on March 19 with a morning clash on Diamond 1 between the London Metros and the Essex Redbacks in the HSL NBL division. At the same time on Diamond 2, there is a Double-A clash between the Croydon Pirates and the London Musketeers.

The Herts Raptors are the first Herts team in action on that day as they meet the Mustangs. The first opportunity to see the Herts Cardinals’ first ever game will be on Sunday, 20 March, when they will meet ACS Cougars and the Sidewinders.

Alongside the deciding HSL games on the final day (April 3), Grovehill Ballpark will host the NBL Opening Day doubleheader between the Lancashire Legends and newly promoted BC Vetra who won the Triple-A National Championship last year.

Click to view full 2022 HSL schedule

Youth Baseball Open Days

In addition to the games, there will be three Youth Baseball Open Sessions for any boys and girls aged 6 to 14 who are not members of a baseball club at the moment. This is a good opportunity for them to try baseball at no cost. Each session is 2 hours long.

For more details and to book a place, please complete this form.

Excitement building up

The Herts Spring League adds a competitive edge to Spring training. It’s the time for managers to work out their winning formula going into the BBF league season. It is an opportunity to evaluate existing and newly recruited players. Which players will earn a spot in the pitching rotation and who will be batting where in the batting order? Who will make the first team and who will have to work their way up with the minor league teams? Not forgetting, it’s a chance to size up your rivals for the year ahead. It’s the first big challenge and the first big excitement of the baseball year. Don’t miss it.

Get in the Game

Adult and youth players now registering for the 2022 baseball season

14 March 202216 March 2022 by Herts Baseball News Editor

19 teams will signal the arrival of Spring in the 2022 HSL

Herts Baseball Club has confirmed that 19 teams have entered this year’s Herts Spring League (HSL). The teams come from all British baseball leagues including the National Baseball League (NBL), Triple-A, Double-A and Single-A Leagues.

The HSL teams will be divided into three divisions as follows:

HSL (NBL) Teams

HSL (Double-A) Teams

HSL (Single-A) Teams

Schedule and Format

The HSL will be played over three weeks commencing on the weekend of 19-20 March and ending on 2-3 April. The HSL format and games schedule are expected to be announced shortly and hertsbaseball.com will bring this and all other HSL news as they happen.