Category: Adult Leagues

by AspiDimitrov

SETBACK FOR FALCONS 2 VS HAVERING

Falcons 2nd team again came up short against a strong Havering team, whom they had lost to on the opening day of the season. They went down 33 – 10 at home, but look to gain another win next week as they travel to local rivals Essex Arrows.

by AspiDimitrov

FALCONS RETURN TO WINNING WAYS AT OXFORD

The Herts Falcons 1st team managed to halt their losing streak at 5 games, temporarily, as they took the first game of a doubleheader against the Oxford Kings 11 – 8.

It was a battling performance, as the Falcons were down 7 – 3 early in the game, but starting pitcher Takashi Hirai settled down and held the Kings scoreless through the remainder of his time on the mound at the end of the 5th inning. Some timely hitting throughout the order, and good baserunning helped the Falcons to chip away at the deficit, as for once they weren’t relying on the long ball power hitting of Denison. Solid defensive play also helped, after a couple of mistakes in the early innings had allowed Oxford to score their runs.

Liam Bath came in to pitch the 6th and 7th innings and, after a slow start walking the first batter and hitting the second one he faced, he started throwing strikes. Some continued good fielding allowed him to close out the game, with Oxford scoring once more in the 7th inning.

So the Falcons gained another win, and aimed to continue into the 2nd game.

 

The 2nd game was a classic, in baseball terms. Two ace pitchers, mostly dominating the opposing hitters, a solo home run from the Falcons Denison, and a game decided by just 1 run.

Denison started on the mound for the Falcons and the Kings started with Kelly, who was throwing hard and keeping the Falcons hitters off balance.

In the first inning, a bloop hit into shallow outfield by Kim Saionji followed by a stolen base, put him into scoring position. Denison put the ball into play and Saionji rounded the bases, sliding in head first at the plate to beat the tag and put the Falcons 1 up.

This was looking to be enough, as Denison was keeping the Kings off the scoreboard through 4 innings, and the Falcons tagged on another couple of runs for insurance.

Then in the 5th inning it all went south for the Falcons again, as the Kings scored 5 runs to take the lead, starting with a bases clearing 3 RBI double by the 1st baseman that sailed over the left fielders head. Denison tried to help himself in the 6th as he went deep over the left field fence for a solo homer that put the Falcons within 1. Top of the 7th inning and with 2 outs the Falcons came just short in an attempted rally. Manning reached base and then stole second. A wild pitch allowed him to reach third base, so the tying run just 90 feet away, all Bath had to do was put the ball through the infield, and at least the Falcons would make the Kings bat again. However, it wasn’t to be as Bath struck out swinging, and the Falcons winning streak was stopped at 1.

 

Next week the Falcons are back at home, with a double header against Croydon Pirates 2, who were promoted with them from division 1.

by AspiDimitrov

FALCONS FLYING AGAIN

After last week's disappointing loss to Cambridge, the Herts Falcons 2 baseball team played host to the Essex Arrows 2 last Sunday at Grovehill in Hemel.

 

The Arrows beat Cambridge earlier in the year and so the Falcons knew they were in for a tough game. After giving up 2 runs in the 1st inning, the Falcons responsed with 7 runs on the back of some good hitting and sloppy fielding by the Arrows. Former Arrows player Ross Davies was the Falcons starting pitcher and the young rookie pitched 4 solid innings. Veteran Paul Raybould, who spent 12 years with the Arrows, came in to pitch in the 5th inning.

 

The Falcons batting was impressive with Ross Asquith getting 2 hits in 4 at bats and scored 4 runs, Todd Nightingale hitting 3 singles and a double and driving in 4 runs, and Eddie Sierocinski who collected 2 hits, 3 runs and stole 3 bases. Special mention should also go to Peter Kikel who scored twice, collected 3 base on balls, and stole 4 bases.

 

In the bottom of the 7th inning, the Falcons came to bat needing just 4 runs to win the game on the Slaughter Rule (10 run difference). With 1 out, Ross Asquith dropped a perfect bunt to get safely to 1st base and then stole 2nd and 3rd. Substitute Rob Jones, in his first at bat, then singled to right field driving in Ross. Todd Nightingale then drilled a double to the outfield. Next up was Kal Dimitrov and he hit a clutch single and Rob scored. Then came Alex Casey having his first at bat of the game and on the first pitch he saw, hit a towering fly ball over the left-fielders head for a double and Todd scored. Still with just one out and Kal on 3rd base, up stepped Bruce Durrea. Almost immediately, Bruce pounded a fly ball base hit to right field for Kal to score the game winning run.

 

The final score was Essex 16 – Falcons 26. Had it not been for some untimely mistakes in the field, the Falcons could have won the game more comfortably.

 

Next Sunday sees the Falcons at home again to play Havering.

by AspiDimitrov

FALCONS CAGED

Following last Sunday's resounding 29-6 victory over Richmond, the Herts Falcons 2 baseball team jumped up 3 divisions by hosting the Cambridge Monarchs 2 at their home field in Hemel. The Monarchs all come from an American military base in Cambridgeshire and their obvious experience, fitness and general knowledge of the game totally overwhelmed the young Falcons 2 team.

 

Although the Falcons attempted to keep the game close and were only losing 11-7 after 3 innings, the final score of 30-8 to Cambridge was a more accurate reflection of the difference between the two teams.

 

Next Sunday the Falcons 2 host the Essex Arrows 2 who are the only team to beat Cambridge this season so another tough game is expected for the rookie team.

by AspiDimitrov

FALCONS GIVE CHAMPION MONARCHS A MAJOR SCARE

DENISON GOES 3-3 WITH 3HR WHILE HUNLOCK TURNS TRIPLE PLAY

 

The Herts Falcons 1st team gave a good account of themselves as they travelled to take on the best that the US air force had to offer. The 2004 Premier division champion Cambridge Monarchs have swept all before them so far this season, and the Falcons were expecting pretty much the same result. They rose to the challenge as they battled hard and gave the Monarchs a little scare.

 

Game 1 started with the Falcons scoring 2 runs in the 1st inning from a John Oliver single, but the Monarchs showed why they won last year as they plugged starter Takashi Hirai for 3 home runs in their half of the 1st inning. A scoreless 2nd gave the Falcons a little more confidence, and they plated 2 more runs in the 3rd, courtesy of a 2-run home run from power man Jim Denison, and 1 more in the 4th to make it a close 6 – 5 score after 4 ½ innings. However, Cambridge responded in their half of the 4th as they tagged 2 more HR’s, chasing Hirai from the mound. University of Herts student EJ Zoog took over, and Cambridge looked to be heading for the horizon as they scored 2 more runs before the rarest of events in baseball, a triple play [ all 3 required outs in one play ]. A sharply hit line drive was snagged at 2nd base by the other University student Kyle Hunlock, who then tagged the runner coming from 1st base (2 outs) before throwing over to 3rd base to get the retreating runner (3 outs). That lifted the Falcons as they scored 2 more in the 5th inning, with Jim again going over the fence for his second HR. The 6th inning saw the Falcons down 14 – 7 and they had their best inning of the game, scoring 4 to take it within 3, 3 of those runs coming from the bat of Denison again as he went deep for the third time in the game. A scoreless 6th for the Monarchs and the Falcons really felt they could take it but were blanked in the 7th (final) inning to end the game through some heads up managing from the Monarchs. Denison came to the plate with two men on the bases with one out. Having gone deep in his previous 3 plate appearances, a repeat performance would tie the game, so the Monarchs decided to give him a free pass to 1st base, and threw an intentional walk, much to the displeasure of the Falcons bench. However, the game is all about winning, and that’s what Cambridge did as the Falcons remained scoreless in the 7th, and lost 14 – 11.

 

Game 2 saw one of the best, if not the best, pitchers in the division start on the mound for Cambridge. No other team had yet managed a hit off Glenn Goodrich, never mind score a run, and after 2 scoreless innings for the Falcons and a 2 run HR off Zoog for the Monarchs, things were looking ominous. The 3rd inning saw the Falcons bats come alive, and some uncharacteristic fielding errors from the Monarchs resulted in 5 runs crossing the plate. Another 2 run HR in their half of the 3rd saw the Monarchs bring it to within 1 run, but the Falcons kept ahead through the 4th and 5th innings and after 5 complete innings were up 7 – 5. It was not to be however. Cambridge bats blasted 9 runs in the 6th inning – 2 more HR’s, one of them a 3 run shot, saw Zoog leave the mound to be replaced by Denison, but he coughed up a few more, the end of the inning seeing Cambridge up 14 – 7. A 3 run rally in the 7th moved the Falcons to within 4, but that was as far as they got, as the game finished 14 – 10.

 

Although they lost, it was a memorable day for the Falcons to run the champions so close, and to score more runs than any team have so far this season against the Monarchs is a big positive.

They have a week off next Sunday before travelling to Oxford for another double header, where they can hopefully build on the fine performance against Cambridge.

by AspiDimitrov

FALCONS SLAUGHTER THE RIVERDOGS

The recent growth in popularity of British baseball is not only responsible for the creation of the Herts Falcons' second team, but Richmond have also benefited to the tune of now fielding 4 teams.

 

On Sunday, the Falcons 2 travelled to Richmond to face the Riverdogs, Richmond's 4th team. Although both teams included a high percentage of rookie players, it was apparent early on that the Falcons were more talented, better coached, and had a stronger desire to win. Richmond were totally out-played in every department – batting, fielding, and pitching.

 

The Falcons got off to an early 2-0 lead and were 6-1 up after 2 innings. They continued to pile on the runs as the game progressed until the game was called after 7 innings on the Slaughter Rule with the Falcons 29-6 ahead.

 

This Sunday sees the Falcons 2 at home (Grovehill Playing Field, Hemel Hempstead) to play the Cambridge Monarchs 2. The game starts at 2.00pm (visitors are welcome).

by AspiDimitrov

FALCONS 2 FIRST WIN

The Herts Falcons 2 baseball team managed an impressive 18-5 win over the Brentwood Stags in only their second ever league game. Fielding 7 rookie (new) players, the Falcons raced off to a 14-1 lead by the middle of the 4th inning. Brentwood picked up 3 runs in their 4th inning and another run in the 5th but after that, teenage pitcher Ross Davies held them scoreless for the rest of the game.

 

Another new player, Ross Asquith, made several great catches in the outfield, picked up 3 hits and scored 2 runs. Rod Naghar hit 2 doubles and a single and scored 3 runs.

 

Next Sunday, the team travels to play Richmond who they beat in a pre-season friendly.

by AspiDimitrov

DEVASTATING SHROPSHIRE TRIP FOR FALCONS

A seesaw of a game ultimately ended with the Falcons 1 winning streak in the Premier Division ending at 1. The long trip to Shropshire to take on the Panthers resulted in a 23-22 loss, the game going down to the wire.

 

Again strong pitching from Takashi Hirai and Bruce Dullea helped the Falcons as they came back from an 18-10 deficit to take the lead in the top of the 9th (and final) inning 22-20. Home runs from University of Herts student Kyle Hunlock, and St Albans resident Bruce helped the pitching.

However in the bottom of the 9th inning with Shropshire batting, an umpire decision again went against the Falcons but this one ultimately affected the outcome of the game. With the bases loaded, and the Falcons up by 1, the umpire issued the batter a walk (free base), scoring the tying run. Catcher and manager Lee Manning queried the call, and was thrown out of the game by the umpire.

 

Shropshire managed to get the winning run in and the game was over.

Falcons 1 now look to the home opener on Sunday 1st May, a double header (two games one after the other) against Essex Arrows to make amends. A split, or better still a sweep, of those two games will get the season back on track.

by AspiDimitrov

A PROMISING START FOR FALCONS 2

On the back of last season's historic promotion campaign by the Herts Falcons baseball team, the club received massive interest over the winter break and are proud to now operate a brand new second team in the 1st division of the British Baseball Federation.

 

Comprised mainly of players totally new to the game with a mixture of experienced players, including 20-year veteran Paul Raybould managing the team, the Falcons 2 won both of their pre-season games. It was simply bad luck that their first league game was up against promotion favourites Havering.

 

On a bright, sunny day, the Falcons kept the score close through the first 3 innings. Then, Havering exploded with 5 runs in the 4th to take a 9 – 3 lead. They added 5 more runs in the 5th and 6th innings while the Falcons were unable to score and Havering won the game 14 – 3.

 

The Falcons may have started the league season with a defeat but a lot was learned and they are looking forward to their trip to Brentwood next Sunday.

by AspiDimitrov

HISTORIC PREMIER LEAGUE DEBUT ENDS WITH A FALCONS WIN

The Herts Falcons debut in the Premier division of the British Baseball Federation leagues was a successful one, as they ran out 11 – 7 winners over Sidewinders Baseball Club of Enfield.

 

Once again strong pitching was in evidence as Takashi Hirai started on the mound for the Falcons, and he was backed up by a solid defensive display as neither side were able to score in the first 3 innings.

In the fourth inning, the Falcons were able to scrape together enough hits to bring in one run, but Sidewinders came right back into the game and scored one of their own.

The game was surrounded by controversy in the 5th inning. With Sidewinders batting the score was still tied at 1-1. With a man on third base and only one out they were threatening, when a deep fly ball to left field was caught by Japanese import Kimiyoshi Saionji. The man at third base headed for home but an excellent relay to Denison at third and then to Manning at home plate appeared to have the runner dead. The umpire had a different view and called the runner safe, much to the disgust of the entire Falcons team.

The extra run didn’t matter however. In the 6th inning, with the Sidewinders starting pitcher beginning to tire, the Falcons began to put some more hits together, and scored three to take the lead 4 – 2. Denison relieved Hirai on the mound for the Sidewinders half of the 6th, and once again Falcons were hauled back to 4 – 4. They responded again, scoring in the 7th and 8th inning to take a commanding 11 –  5 lead. In the Sidewinders’ 9th inning, the first two batters reached base which resulted in Denison being pulled from the mound and Bruce Dullea relieving. Three ground balls to Todd Nightingale at second base who threw to first and the inning, and the game was over.

 

A successful start to the new season, with excellent performances from Nightingale, Shunji Kakutani in right field, Takashi Hirai on the mound, and Kyle Hunlock in centre field.

Next week, a long trip to Shropshire awaits the Falcons, as they look to build on this excellent start.