Category: Adult Leagues

23 August 2012 by Herts Baseball News Editor

Q&A: Ryan Bird – Herts Falcons #60

As we count down to the 2012 National Baseball Championships we are running a series of question and answer sessions with members of the Herts Falcons and Herts Hawks teams who will be going for silverware this Bank Holiday weekend.

1. Name: Ryan Bird

2. Nationality (if dual nationality enter both): South African

3. Age: 29

4. Position(s): Catch / Pitch / 1B

5. Height:1.83cm

6. Weight: 104kg

7. Bats (right/left/switch): Left

8. Throws (right/left): Left

9. Previous appearances in the NBCs (year and which team and league i.e. NBL, AAA, AA etc.):2008 – 2011 Richmond Flames

10. What is your preferred song to go up to bat with:

11. Favourite baseball movie: Major League

12. Favourite MLB team: Yanks

13. Favourite MLB player: Derek Jeter

14. For or against the Designated Hitter rule: For

15. Should Barry Bonds’ home run record have an asterisk next to it: No

16. What was the largest audience you have performed to (sports or other), when and what event: InterProvincial Tournament South Africa 2005 1500

17. Who is the most undervalued player in the team:

18. Who is the prankster in the team: Lee Manning

19. What is your pre-game routine during the 24 hours before first pitch, any superstitions, etc.: None

20. Your favourite pre-game meal: None

21. Predictions for this weekend’s Championship: National vs Falcons Final

22. Key to our success this weekend in 3 words: Pitching, no errors.

23 August 2012 by Herts Baseball News Editor

Q&A: Andrew Fulford – Herts Hawks #8

1. Name: Andrew Fulford

2. Nationality (if dual nationality enter both): American

3. Age: 21

4. Position(s): Catcher/2B/3B/OF

5. Height: 5′ 7″

6. Weight: 165 lbs

7. Bats (right/left/switch): Right

8. Throws (right/left): Right

9. Previous appearances in the NBCs (year and which team and league i.e. NBL, AAA, AA etc.): None

10. What is your preferred song to go up to bat with: Anything by my buddy Benjamin Dunn (You can get his new album here: http://tiny.cc/uptdjw )

11. Favourite baseball movie: Hard Ball

12. Favourite MLB team: Tampa Bay Rays

13. Favourite MLB player: Recently, Mike Trout

14. For or against the Designated Hitter rule: Ehh, it’s been apart of baseball since I’ve been born. But personally I think Baseball should require all players to be excellent in all aspects of the game. I’m neutral.

15. Should Barry Bonds’ home run record have an asterisk next to it: No opinion BUT.. I don’t care how many times you’ve put steroids in your ass, Baseball is a mental and mechanical game. I don’t agree with the use of steroids or cheating. But Barry should receive the honor he deserves as one of Baseballs greatest sluggers.

16. What was the largest audience you have performed to (sports or other), when and what event: Some Baseball game somewhere one day.

17. Who is the most undervalued player in the team: This is probably one of the most honorable teams I’ve played on. I hope that no one feels undervalued, because every player is a HUGE part of our success and more importantly our joy.

18. Who is the prankster in the team: Jon is hilarious, with his British humor also known as Sarcasm. My favorite.

19. What is your pre-game routine during the 24 hours before first pitch, any superstitions, etc.: Hang out with my wife.

20. Your favourite pre-game meal: I’m a nutritious Vegan, so I eat plants all day everyday! #plantstrong

21. Predictions for this weekend’s Championship: Herts Hawks opponents will have a lot of failed stolen base attempts.

22. Key to our success this weekend in 3 words: Steroided Mental Strength

23 August 2012 by Herts Baseball News Editor

Q&A: Kevin Niedringhaus – Herts Falcons #22

1. Name: Kevin Niedringhaus

2. Nationality (if dual nationality enter both):American

3. Age: 25

4. Position(s): IF/OF/C

5. Height: 5’8″

6. Weight: 175 lbs

7. Bats (right/left/switch): R

8. Throws (right/left): R

9. Previous appearances in the NBCs (year and which team and league i.e. NBL, AAA, AA etc.): 2010, 2011 Richmond Flames

10. What is your preferred song to go up to bat with: Kashmir, Led Zeppelin

11. Favourite baseball movie: Major League

12. Favourite MLB team: Atlanta Braves

13. Favourite MLB player: Brian McCann

14. For or against the Designated Hitter rule: AGAINST!

15. Should Barry Bonds’ home run record have an asterisk next to it: No

16. What was the largest audience you have performed to (sports or other), when and what event: 1997 South Carolina Little League State Championship

17. Who is the most undervalued player in the team: Phil Clark

18. Who is the prankster in the team: Dave House

19. What is your pre-game routine during the 24 hours before first pitch, any superstitions, etc.: A beer to relax the night before, a coffee to start the day of

20. Your favourite pre-game meal: Full English Breakfast

21. Predictions for this weekend’s Championship: HERTS!

22. Key to our success this weekend in 3 words: relax, defense, fun

23 August 2012 by Herts Baseball News Editor

Q&A: Kal Dimitrov – Herts Hawks #12

1. Name: Kal Dimitrov

2. Nationality (if dual nationality enter both): British

3. Age: 41

4. Position(s): Bench (apart from cases when squad decimated due to injuries, plague or brawls – anywhere else but pitching)

5. Height: short

6. Weight: massive

7. Bats (right/left/switch): Right (if I don’t get confused)

8. Throws (right/left): Right (but better with left)

9. Previous appearances in the NBCs (year and which team and league i.e. NBL, AAA, AA etc.): 2010 (as a scorer)

10. What is your preferred song to go up to bat with: Carmina Burana

11. Favourite baseball movie: Major League

12. Favourite MLB team: Texas Rangers

13. Favourite MLB player: Pudge Rodriguez

14. For or against the Designated Hitter rule: Fully for

15. Should Barry Bonds’ home run record have an asterisk next to it: Shut up

16. What was the largest audience you have performed to (sports or other), when and what event: 1, weekly, shower

17. Who is the most undervalued player in the team: It’s a toss up between Fully and Slate

18. Who is the prankster in the team: Pranks are not tolerated, but if any occur, it is usually the management that is blamed

19. What is your pre-game routine during the 24 hours before first pitch, any superstitions, etc.: Eat, sleep, put on weight

20. Your favourite pre-game meal: Nicotine and caffeine

21. Predictions for this weekend’s Championship: We win, of course

22. Key to our success this weekend in 3 words: Hitting pitching defence

23 August 2012 by Herts Baseball News Editor

Q&A: Jon Lewys – Herts Hawks #3

1. Name: Jon Lewys

2. Nationality (if dual nationality enter both): English

3. Age: 26

4. Position(s): Wherever I’m put 🙂

5. Height: 6ft

6. Weight: Too much

7. Bats (right/left/switch): Right

8. Throws (right/left): Right

9. Previous appearances in the NBCs (year and which team and league i.e. NBL, AAA, AA etc.): AAA 2010 Herts Eagles

10. What is your preferred song to go up to bat with: –

11. Favourite baseball movie: Moneyball

12. Favourite MLB team: –

13. Favourite MLB player: –

14. For or against the Designated Hitter rule: For

15. Should Barry Bonds’ home run record have an asterisk next to it: –

16. What was the largest audience you have performed to (sports or other), when and what event: 50 a football final

17. Who is the most undervalued player in the team: Kal

18. Who is the prankster in the team: Slater

19. What is your pre-game routine during the 24 hours before first pitch, any superstitions, etc.: Normally DRINK

20. Your favourite pre-game meal: Breakfast (Chocolate squares)

21. Predictions for this weekend’s Championship: Hawks and Falcons WIN

22. Key to our success this weekend in 3 words: Nick’s, Louis, Andy’s

22 August 2012 by Herts Baseball News Editor

Q&A: Robbie Unsell – Herts Falcons #2

1. Name: Robbie Unsell

2. Nationality (if dual nationality enter both): American

3. Age: 26

4. Position(s): SS, 2B, P, C, CF

5. Height: 5’8″

6. Weight: 160

7. Bats (right/left/switch): right

8. Throws (right/left): right

9. Previous appearances in the NBCs (year and which team and league i.e. NBL, AAA, AA etc.): NBL ’10 and ’11 with Richmond Flames

10. What is your preferred song to go up to bat with: Till I Collapse – Eminem

11. Favourite baseball movie: The Sandlot or The Natural

12. Favourite MLB team: World Series Champs St. Louis Cardinals

13. Favourite MLB player: Yadier Molina

14. For or against the Designated Hitter rule: Against, let the pitchers hit!

15. Should Barry Bonds’ home run record have an asterisk next to it: No, unfortunately steroids are a part of baseball history. MLB didn’t implement a penalised-based policy against performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) until 2005, and as a result less blame should reside on the players. Bonds wasn’t the only player using PEDs, he was just the best. He was a participant in a broken system and an asterisk does nothing to fix that. Most baseball fans understand the context of the ‘steroid’ era and already view Bonds’ home run record, and other records broken during that time, in light of that context as evidenced by recent Hall of Fame voting for Mark McGwire. An asterisk doesn’t solve the problem of a failed PED policy, or lack thereof. It’s only an attempt to rewrite history based on past mistakes.

16. What was the largest audience you have performed to (sports or other), when and what event: ’08 National Amateur Baseball Federation College Division World Series Semifinal

17. Who is the most undervalued player in the team: Kimi Saionji

18. Who is the prankster in the team: Jordan Farkas

19. What is your pre-game routine during the 24 hours before first pitch, any superstitions, etc.: Relax and not think about the game

20. Your favourite pre-game meal: Cheerios

21. Predictions for this weekend’s Championship: Hert’s Falcons in 3 games!

22. Key to our success this weekend in 3 words: Pitching and defense

22 August 201222 August 2012 by Herts Baseball News Editor

Q&A: Matt Johnston – Herts Hawks #52

1. Name: Matt Johnston

2. Nationality (if dual nationality enter both): British

3. Age: 25

4. Position(s): OF

5. Height: 5,11″

6. Weight: 190lbs

7. Bats (right/left/switch): Right

8. Throws (right/left): Right

9. Previous appearances in the NBCs (year and which team and league i.e. NBL, AAA, AA etc.): None

10. What is your preferred song to go up to bat with: never had a song when going to the plate so perhaps I should stick with none

11. Favourite baseball movie: The Rookie

12. Favourite MLB team: The Texas Rangers

13. Favourite MLB player: Ian Kinsler/Robbie Ross

14. For or against the Designated Hitter rule: Both, I like that the different leagues have different rules, and makes inter league play more interesting, and comical

15. Should Barry Bonds’ home run record have an asterisk next to it: yes

16. What was the largest audience you have performed to (sports or other), when and what event: 2,000 – Birmingham lions vs Warwick Wolves, 2008 I think

17. Who is the most undervalued player in the team: I am not sure I would say he is undervalued but Elkins always gets the job done, certainly one of the most consistent players

18. Who is the prankster in the team: Jon Lewys

19. What is your pre-game routine during the 24 hours before first pitch, any superstitions, etc.: Eating

20. Your favourite pre-game meal: Fry up

21. Predictions for this weekend’s Championship: W’s for Herts

22. Key to our success this weekend in 3 words: focus, grit, fun

22 August 2012 by Herts Baseball News Editor

Q&A: Louis Hare – Herts Hawks #16

1. Name: Louis Hare

2. Nationality (if dual nationality enter both): English

3. Age: 24

4. Position(s): SS,P

5. Height: 6 foot

6. Weight: 14.5St

7. Bats (right/left/switch): right

8. Throws (right/left): right

9. Previous appearances in the NBCs (year and which team and league i.e. NBL, AAA, AA etc.): 2010 AAA (Herts Eagles, 3rd Place), won the U16 national chapionship with the Essex Arrows

10. What is your preferred song to go up to bat with: Louis Louis

11. Favourite baseball movie: –

12. Favourite MLB team: Red Sox

13. Favourite MLB player: Jeter

14. For or against the Designated Hitter rule: for

15. Should Barry Bonds’ home run record have an asterisk next to it: –

16. What was the largest audience you have performed to (sports or other), when and what event: football, Frank nevielle Cup final for MBDA

17. Who is the most undervalued player in the team: Kal

18. Who is the prankster in the team: Slater

19. What is your pre-game routine during the 24 hours before first pitch, any superstitions, etc.: Get Drunk

20. Your favourite pre-game meal: Breakfast

21. Predictions for this weekend’s Championship: Hawks Win

22. Key to our success this weekend in 3 words: Beat out everything

22 August 2012 by Herts Baseball News Editor

Q&A: Dave Tretheway – Herts Falcons #80

As we countdown to the 2012 National Baseball Championships we are running a series of question and answer sessions with members of the Herts Falcons and Herts Hawks teams who will be going for silverware this bank Holiday weekend.

1. Name: David Tretheway

2. Nationality (if dual nationality enter both): South African

3. Age: 29

4. Position(s): outfield

5. Height:1m70 (5ft7)

6. Weight: 80

7. Bats (right/left/switch): left

8. Throws (right/left): left

9. Previous appearances in the NBCs (year and which team and league i.e. NBL, AAA, AA etc.): 0

10. What is your preferred song to go up to bat with: anything

11. Favourite baseball movie: dont have one

12. Favourite MLB team: Yankees

13. Favourite MLB player: Derek Jeter

14. For or against the Designated Hitter rule: for

15. Should Barry Bonds’ home run record have an asterisk next to it: NO!

17. Who is the most undervalued player in the team: team manager

18. Who is the prankster in the team: Lee Manning

19. What is your pre-game routine during the 24 hours before first pitch, any superstitions, etc.: eat Percy pigs and a can of Monster before the game

20. Your favourite pre-game meal: Percy pigs

21. Predictions for this weekend’s Championship: Falcons

22. Key to our success this weekend in 3 words: SMASH THE BALL!

22 August 2012 by Herts Baseball News Editor

Q&A: Phil Clark – Herts Falcons #72

As we countdown to the 2012 National Baseball Championships we are running a series of question and answer sessions with members of the Herts Falcons and Herts Hawks teams who will be going for silverware this bank Holiday weekend.

1. Name: Phil Clark

2. Nationality (if dual nationality enter both): American / Australian

3. Age: 33

4. Position(s): Utility

5. Height: 180cm

6. Weight: (enough)

7. Bats (right/left/switch): Left

8. Throws (right/left): Right

9. Previous appearances in the NBCs (year and which team and league i.e. NBL, AAA, AA etc.): Windsor Bears 2004 (2nd), Brighton 2005 (2nd), Mets 2008 (won), Mets 2009 (missed due to my wedding), Mets 2010 (3rd)

10. What is your preferred song to go up to bat with: AC/DC – Thunder

11. Favourite baseball movie: The Rookie

12. Favourite MLB team: Red Sox

13. Favourite MLB player: Pass

14. For or against the Designated Hitter rule: For

15. Should Barry Bonds’ home run record have an asterisk next to it: Yes

16. What was the largest audience you have performed to (sports or other), when and what event: Can’t recall. No more than a 1,000 people

17. Who is the most undervalued player in the team: NO one is undervalued, we’ve all positively contributed to the team in different ways – some on the field, a the plate or on the bench

18. Who is the prankster in the team: Jordan / Crazy Dave

19. What is your pre-game routine during the 24 hours before first pitch, any superstitions, etc.: Not really… just the old wives tale and try to avoid sex

20. Your favourite pre-game meal: Food

21. Predictions for this weekend’s Championship: Easy – Herts. But in all honesty, every team has a chance. We are all equally weighted in terms of ability and skill level. It’s a very hard one to call this year, as there is no clear favourite.

22. Key to our success this weekend in 3 words: Teamwork, fundamentals, focus.