Category: Adult Leagues

23 August 2011 by Rob Jones

Raptors End it on a High

The Herts Raptors wrapped up their season with a win on Sunday, August 21st. They beat the Tonbridge Bobcats 22-17 over nine innings at Grovehill Ballpark to complete an impressive end to their 2011 campaign. The side won three of its final four games, and recorded its best win total since 2009.

Raptors after beating Tonbridge 22-17 — Herts Raptors: "Let's go to work..."

The game against the visiting Bobcats began well. Manager, Ken Pike, started on the pitching mound, and did not give up a single run in the first two innings. The Herts side, however, scored freely – Jon Gamble got two hits and Theo Scheepers was a constant menace with the bat.

After three innings it was 10-2 to the Raptors, and it was looking comfortable. But that can never be said for certain in a Single-A game. The visitors had started to have some impact and score runs – 2 in the third, 4 in the fourth, building towards a 5-spot in the fifth. But Scheepers – who has been a star of the second half of the season – had now taken over on the mound and pitched calmly to limit the damage.

The Herts defense also showed its mettle. Now moved to third base, Ken Pike made a series of good stops and throws, and showed impressive concentration to catch one line drive when the flying bat was so close to him he could have caught that instead. The father-son combo of Arnie and Zach Longboy were now in the game, too, and were bossing things on the infield to mow down a string of Bobcats on the basepaths. At second base, Longboy Snr was in on a couple of close double plays, while Jnr combined with his Little League team-mate Jose Morillo to tag out runners at home plate as they unwisely tried to score. In the outfield, Senna Ashida was once again clutch.

Even though their bats went a little quiet over the final innings, the Raptors did not fold under the pressure. They had the chance to secure mercy-rule victories in the seventh and eighth but were held to just one manufactured run. Each inning, the Bobcats inched closer. But the Raptors were always one step ahead, and they closed it out with a five-run cushion in the ninth inning.

The Herts club was delighted that after a tough start to 2011, its rookie team had taken three wins. The Raptors have shown great spirit and great all-around improvement in their game. In the second half of the season they competed well against the Old Timers and against Braintree even when they didn’t come away with the win. Some players will move up the ranks next year, while others will look to build on their success and make games against the top sides in the Single-A division much closer affairs.

10 August 2011 by Rob Jones

The highs and lows of the walk-off

The Herts Hawks have been as high and as low as baseball can take you in the past two weeks. Paul Auchterlounie — catcher, outfielder, and all-around baseball good guy — was in the thick of it, and shares his experience.

“The walkoff. Possibly the most exciting way to end a baseball game. It doesn’t get much closer than the bottom of the last inning, or extras, the game is tied and someone gets to be a hero.

The best kind of hero? Perhaps the hitter who clubs the walkoff home run, in the first at-bat, off the first pitch. Or perhaps the hitter who fouls off several pitches before getting to first, stealing second, then charging round third on another hit to cross the plate.

Whatever your kind of hero, the walkoff is a great way to win a ballgame, and a devastating way to lose. In two weeks, the Herts Hawks have encountered both emotions. Interestingly, on two similar plays.

Last week, on possibly the second hottest Sunday in the summer, they travelled to Croydon to take on the Latin Boys. Outclassed in Game 1 and handed a thumping loss, Game 2 needed a change. But with only eight players as one had to leave early, there could be no changes of personnel. Instead, the Hawks dug deep and behind a stellar pitching performance from Nick Russell somehow were still in the game heading into the seventh.

We needed four runs to make the Latin Boys bat again. And we got them. Then held them scoreless. Then into extras. I’m sure we played 2 extras but everyone said it was only 1 — blame my confusion on the heat! We were held scoreless in however many we played.

So, bottom half. Leadoff batter. A ground ball up the middle, under the glove of the shortstop. The runner starts to head for second, OK we’ll get him there. Oh no! Overthrow. Fielded by first, and the runner has taken off for third. We’ll get him there. Oh no! Another overthrow into the trees. Dead ball. Extra base, and the batter gets home. What a way to lose. And Nick Russell didn’t really deserve to lose on that performance, but that’s baseball.

Then onto today. At home versus Thames Valley and to the end of a somewhat fraught game, punctuated by rain delays, disputed calls, arguments, but thankfully no punches! This time the Hawks had to do it, having so nearly snatched defeat from the jaws of victory by giving up a 6 run lead in just over 2 innings to be behind by 3. I have already forgotten the actual order of play, and who reached, who didn’t, except for Paul Curtis who scored the winning run, and Greg Bochan who hit the ball enough for Paul to score. Well……sort of….

Here’s the interesting bit, see, and how Hawks won in a similar way to how they lost the previous week. And even more exciting, this happened with 2 outs. The ball was a fly ball to very shallow centre. Infielders couldn’t make the play, outfielder had no chance. But only when the ball hits the floor does Paul decide to run to third! (haven’t we repeated enough “2 outs, run on contact”!)

Surely he’s left it too late?? The game’s going to extras……but no! The third baseman somehow lets the ball out of his glove without applying the tag. Winning run now on third…… no wait! What’s this?? Paul’s run through the stop sign. Was there one?! There was certainly a STTTTOOOOPPP shouted from the bench! He’s now heading for home. The third baseman throws, taking a good line inside the baseline. All the catcher has to do is apply the tag, and Paul’s done like a kipper……….But it’s gone past him!!! Paul stands on home plate and the home bench erupts!! (apologies to Thames Valley, but the emotions got on top of us!).

Hugs and high fives all round. A get-the-lead-let-them-back-in-it-have-to-do-it-all-now-come-from-behind win. But commiserations to Thames Valley, we DO know how it feels to lose a game on throwing errors. And their pitcher probably didn’t deserve to lose wither, because he pitched a blinder. But that’s baseball. And that’s the excitement of the walkoff.”

7 August 2011 by Rob Jones

Rays Squeak Past Raptors

Life has been getting much much better for the Herts Raptors recently. There were two strong performances against the Old Timers, then a long-awaited victory against Tonbridge. This week, there was a re-run of the good performance. But the final score was a repeat of the 16-15 defeat to the Old Timers, once again on a walk-off hit.

The wind blew hard across the field at Braintree, and clouds occasionally threatened rain, but two sides who have had their struggles this season matched up well. Both pitchers recorded a clean first inning, with their defenses making the plays smoothly. Then in the second Ken Pike started the scoring for the visitors, with a walk and a steal before being driven in by Senna Ashida. He was then brought home, along with Jose Morillo, by shortstop Chris Deacon’s double to right field. The Raptors had a 3-0 lead.

Catcher Oz Kemal in action against Braintree

It looked as if the Rays would answer right back. Their first two batters in the bottom of the second came around to score. But Theo Scheepers picked up his first strikeout of the day, and the Raptors fielders again kept it tight. With runners on first and second, Jose Morillo ended the threat by grabbing a sharp line drive at second base.

The top of the Herts order led off the third inning, and it did all you could ever ask really. Chris Deacon got aboard for the third time, and was driven home by right-fielder Duncan Hoyle’s single to left. John Kjorstad was next to get a hit, then up stepped Glen Downer, the clean-up hitter. The first baseman had already clouted a double to centre, but the Rays came right after him, and he hit right back. Again, it went deep to centre but this one was wayyy back. There is no fence at Braintree but with Hoyle and Kjorstad already safe at home, Downer was heading for third and showed no sign of stopping. He didn’t need to. He crossed home plate standing up for a three-run inside-the-park homer.

Downer was also part of a second offensive explosion, in the top of the sixth inning. He scored his third run of the day, while Theo Scheepers finally had some luck with his big bat, and third baseman Ken Pike also scored his third run. The Raptors now had 15 on the scoreboard and a 10-run lead. But the problem was that the Rays hit back in the bottom of the sixth, batting around to score 7 runs of their own.

And this might be where the crucial moments of the ball-game occurred. The Raptors needed to extend their lead if they were to be comfortable in the closing stages of this game. Substitute right fielder Tak Ashida led off the inning well with a double. But while Rob Jones was at the plate, Ashida tried to swipe third base. The Braintree reliver was a hard thrower, and the catcher had shown he had an arm which was strong if not always accurate. On this occasion, they combined perfectly to cut down the runner.

Jones battled on, and drove the ball over the head of the first baseman to right field. But he, too, had too much fire in the blood. An attempt to stretch the hit into a double was doomed, and he was tagged out in a clumsy collision at second base. Glen Downer took a walk, but there was little the Raptors could do to recover this one, and they ended the inning without scoring.

The Rays replied with their biggest hit of the day, a triple deep to centre. But they were held to just one run in the bottom of the inning, so the Raptors had a final chance to tack on runs. It was their first nine inning game of the year, and it was going to be tight. Pike reached again, and Senna Ashida reached again (he would make just one out from six plate appearances on the day). After a strikeout, catcher Oz Kemal drew a walk and the bases were loaded. But the Rays’ reliever was up to the task. A second strikeout left the runners frozen, and a final flyout left the Herts side empty handed again.

They now had to defend a 15-13 lead in the bottom of the final frame. Theo Scheepers was in for the complete game, and had shown a lot of fight to keep his side in front, giving up just five walks despite the high winds. The first Braintree batter hit a single, and stole unforgivingly to score on a groundout. One run in, one man out, but that ratio was not going to work for Herts this week. Another hit, more steals, and then a walk laid the table for the decisive blow. Braintree got the final hit they needed to walk off as winners, 16-15.

It was a painful defeat, but it must also be seen as a welcome change from the overwhelming defeats early in the season. Manager Ken Pike — who had a 3-for-5 day with a pair of RBIs – has seen the team grow in confidence and ability during the season. This was the second time in three games that the Raptors had lost by just one run, and a walk-off at that. The third game of the three was a convincing win. The season still holds the return fixtures against Braintree and Tonbridge, so hopes are high that the Herts Raptors can put another win on the 2011 record.

3 August 2011 by Rob Jones

Raptors make it count

The batter hits a flare to shallow right field. Second base goes back, and back, but can’t get it and the ball drops. The runner digs for second but the right fielder makes a perfect throw, and the shortstop is waiting to apply the tag. And that is how the Raptors won their first game of the season.

But there was so much more involved in the four and a half hours leading up to that moment, and so much more in the three months and the ten games since the season started. A 37-23 victory over the Tonbridge Bobcats capped off a process of battling, and learning, and wrestling the game of baseball to a point where the Raptors could win, and win well.

Glen Downer at bat — Glen Downer smashes another shot into the Tonbridge outfield

The game started with two relatively tight innings. The visiting Raptors showed patience at the plate, with Arnold Longboy and Duncan Hoyle each taking a walk, and scoring a run on steals and pass balls. The Bobcats did manage a scatter of early hits against Ken Pike, but then either struck out or were dealt with by the defense. After two innings, it was 8-6 to the home side.

Then the Raptors put themselves on the right side of a “big inning” for once. All season, a single meltdown had undone good work by the Herts rookies. Now, they took their bats and pummelled the game into the shape they wanted it. Right fielder Will Belbin led off with a hit and eventually scored twice in the inning. Arnie Longboy took two of his six walks to score two of his seven runs on the day, the highest total on the team. And newly recruited slugger Glen Downer began a series of towering hits which menaced the Bobcats all day. The Raptors batted around twice and scored 13 runs.

Tonbridge had little reply, getting just two hits off Pike in the next inning, and tacking on just a few runs each time to their total. There were pitching changes and conferences, but it all became academic once the Herts bats opened up again in the fifth inning. The rookies had shown both patience and confidence at the plate, an ideal combination. After using early walks to manufacture runs, there were now big hits too. Shortstop Theo Scheepers got two doubles in the inning, while Rob Jones got his third and fourth hits and catcher Oz Kemal scored his fourth run.

The Raptors reliever on the mound now was Jose Morillo, a graduate of the Herts Little League. He blew away the first batter he saw, and persevered through the heat and the pressure heaped on him to finish off the game. Tonbridge put up their best score in the final inning, with Shaun Dary even getting a home run to make his 4-for-5 figures look more gaudy. But all the time the game was ebbing away from them, with Herts defending a commanding lead and giving up runs to secure outs.

In the end there was that flare to right field, and the throw from Belbin to Scheepers, and the celebrations. On a baking hot day in Kent this had been a strong team performance to secure the deserved victory. The manager-of-record for the season, Ken Pike, scored five runs to go with his four strikeouts to help his own cause and secure the big W. John Kjorstad, who has taken over game-day duties, even managed to come off the DL and take part with a hit. There were still fielding errors and baserunning misadventures, because this is still British single-A baseball. But there was relief and delight for the Raptors to break their duck and take the win. Credit goes to the Tonbridge Bobcats who have also had a long and tough season against more powerful teams — they played this game in a tremendous spirit and battled right to the end with a lot of heart.

Arnold Longboy — Outfielder-catcher Arnie Longboy scored a team-leading 7 runs on the day

The rest of the Herts club extended congratulations to the rookies for their win. At some point in the season, both the Falcons and the Hawks had found themselves looking longingly at the Win column, and in time, they both managed to put some numbers in it. This weekend, they both played hard and took games to extra innings, but were ultimately denied. The Hawks lost 18-2 but then 12-11 to the Latin Boys in the AA-division. By the end of the day, the travelling Hawks had only eight players so the result was even more creditable. The Falcons went down 9-5 to the Essex Arrows in their first game before taking them to extras in a tighter second half of the double-header. Falcons scored five to surge ahead in the fourth inning, but were pegged back and then could not hang on to a one-run lead in the bottom of the seventh. After a scoreless eighth, Essex snatched the win 9-8 after nine.

25 July 2011 by Rob Jones

Within a whisker

Theo Scheepers had to fight off some nasty pitches from former Herts player, the legendary Paul Raybould

This was a proper game of baseball, with twists and turns and big hits and injuries, and a dramatic walk-off hit. Sadly for Herts, it ended in defeat. But this was the closest the Raptors had come to the big W this year.

The Raptors actually played two games against the Old Timers on Sunday, July 24th, one the scheduled game and one a make-up from a rained out fixture earlier in the year. There was no hint of rain this time — in fact Grovehill was even quite warm in the sunshine. It was the second game which was the classic, but the first one almost matched it.

On the mound, Andrew Slater was taking on the former Herts legend Paul Raybould, and the early exchanges were tight. The visiting Old Timers put up 3, then were shut down in the second inning. The home side squeezed in 1 run in the first, but smashed 4 to take the lead. The big moment came when, leading off the fourth for the Raptors, John Kjorstad deposited a pitch way over the left field fence for a spectacular home run. The side’s first homer of the year helped them establish a 9-8 lead.

But as has been the frustrating pattern this season, a big inning undid a lot of the good work. A handful of walks but also a string of tight singles helped the Old Timers bat around. They scored 12 runs and buried the game. Little League star Jose Morillo came in to pitch and closed out the inning, but there was no way back. The final score was 27-9, not a reflection of how tight the first half of the game had been. Slater and Chris Deacon each scored two runs, while Senna Ashida got on base 3 out of the 4 times he came to the plate.

Rob Jones began the second game on the mound, his debut as a starter. Two walks from the first three batters showed a little tension, but the Raptors defense did its job to get the lower order hitters and hold the Old Timers — now the home side — to 6 runs. By the top of the third it was 9-3 to the Old Timers but rather than be downcast the Raptors fought back. Kjorstad got two hits in the inning, and Theo Scheepers started his sparkling game with a hit and a run. After three innings, it was tied 10-10.

Raptors chose this unfortunate moment to go down 1-2-3, giving the Old Timers a chance to surge ahead. Scheepers had taken over on the mound and also took time to settle in. Raybould got the veterans started with a walk and two steals before scoring. The next three batters also scored, but then the defense stepped up. Ken Pike fielded a fly ball at third; Chris Deacon juggled a ground ball and made the out at first; then Pike finished it all with a neat play of a ground ball.

Old Timers reliever Tony Smyth — Old Timers releiver Tony Smyth

Herts stayed focused and re-took the lead, only for the Old Timers to tie it again with a single run. That meant it was 15-15 going into the top of the seventh and final inning. It started promisingly. Kjorstad reached with a single, Senna Ashida followed with another walk. Two men on, nobody out. But things can change fast in baseball, and as Jose Morillo struck out, Kjorstad tried to steal third. Not only was he gunned down but he sprained his ankle on the play and is doubtful for the remaining games. Now it was two down and advantage to the Old Timers. Jones got aboard again, but had no escape when Andrew Slater’s ground ball was neatly fielded by the shortstop and he was forced at second.

Herts had to have a clean inning if they were to take the game to extra innings.But the first batter reached on a single and was gifted second by an overthrow. Once the Old Timers’ clean-up hitter worked a walk, the signs were ominous. And, indeed, a single through the left side of the infield brought home the winning run.

It was deflating for a Herts team which had worked so hard and made so many good plays. But the Old Timers are the total opposite of the Raptors. They are veterans who maybe don’t run so fast any more, but have played the game for years, and made only one mental mistake in the entire game. Herts are young, mainly rookies with potential and rough edges, and they can take confidence for the next game.

16 July 2011 by AspiDimitrov

Falcons in Big Playoff Push

Kimiyoshi Saionji hit a vital home run in the 10-9 win against the Essex Arrows last year. The two teams meet again on 31 July

The BBF has just announced the 2011 Postseason format and this has given a major boost to the Herts Falcons.

The Falcons found themselves in Pool B of the National Baseball League, which many refer to as “The Pool of Death”. With powerhouses like London, Lakenheath, Mildenhall and the Southern Nationals, the Falcons always knew that they were going to face a difficult challenge this year.

This week’s BBF announcement confirmed that the winners of each Pool will qualify automatically for the NBC. Four more NBL teams will qualify for the playoffs and the critical aspects for Herts is that these will be the next four teams with the best regular season, regardless of which Pool they are in.

The Falcons are currently 10 games back on the leaders Lakenheath in NBL Pool B, however this playoff announcement has brought the Falcons right back in the race for the postseason playoffs. Looking at the Playoff standings they still find themselves at the bottom, but crucially only four games back in the Playoff chase.

NBL STANDINGS (Playoff Race)
Team	W	L	Pct	GB	Playoffs
Lakenheath Diamondbacks	12	2	0.857	–	NBC
Richmond Flames	12	4	0.75	1	NBC
Southampton Mustangs	11	5	0.688	2	Playoffs
Southern Nationals	9	5	0.643	3	Playoffs
London Mets	8	5	0.615	3.5	Playoffs
Bracknell Blazers	5	7	0.417	6	Playoffs
Croydon Pirates	5	10	0.333	7.5
Mildenhall Bulldogs	4	10	0.286	8
Essex Arrows	3	11	0.214	9
Herts Falcons	2	12	0.143	10

Another important factor is that the boys from Hertfordshire still have to play against their direct playoff rivals, Bracknell, Essex and Mildenhall, who all have records of less than .500 (win-loss percentage) so there is real hope that the playoffs are still very much within reach for Herts.

Of course in order to make up the deficit, they will need to start a winning run. The old cliché of “take one game at a time” will apply for them so all their focus has to be on the next game on 31 July which is a crucial encounter against direct rivals, Essex Arrows. A sweep in that doubleheader and the Falcons will jump over Essex and perhaps over Mildenhall as well depending on the outcome of the Bulldogs’ games versus Croydon.

With so many Herts players on the DL or overseas at the moment, the two-week break comes at a perfect time for Herts. By the time the decisive clash with the Arrows comes they should have players like Nic Goetz, Mahendra Prasad, Jamie Munn, Troy Linton, Liam Green and Aspi Dimitrov back.

15 July 2011 by AspiDimitrov

BBF Announces Postseason Format

There will be many more twists and turns this season before teams get their hands on the silverware

The BBF has announced the format and schedule of the 2011 Postseason Playoffs and National Baseball Championships for the BBF Senior Leagues.

Due to the numerous postponements this season, the 2011 BBF Senior League Playoffs will start one week later than last year and an additional make-up date for postponed regular season games will be added on 3-4 September. The post season will start on the 10-11 September, continue on the 17-18 September and culminate with the National Baseball Championship (NBC) on the 24-25 September (a week after the Youth NBC).

The NBL and AAA Playoffs will be extended to a two week, best-of-three series with the higher seed playing away for game one in the first week and at home for games two and (if necessary) three in the second week. The AA and Single-A Playoffs remain the same as last season.

The NBC weekend will follow a very similar structure to 2010’s successful format, with some modifications to game start times. The NBL and AAA Finals will now be played as 9-inning games.

The BBF will imminently announce the application process to host the NBC for prospective clubs and venues. The deadline for application is Monday 1 August.

10 July 2011 by AspiDimitrov

Croydon Win the 2011 London Tournament

Herts' John Kjorstad at the Home Run Derby on Saturday

This article by Rob Jones was first published on britishbaseball.org

With Croydon baseball club celebrating its thirtieth anniversary, the Croydon Pirates have won the London Tournament, beating the Liverpool Trojans 9-4 at Roundshaw Playing Fields.

Fifteen teams came from around Britain and Europe to spend two days slugging it out, and by 3.15 on Sunday the two who came out on top were Liverpool and Croydon. With the sun breaking through the clouds, they took to the newly-named Dave Ward Field for the final.

The strongest teams, cheek by jowl with some of the strangest. Europeans playing side by side with the British baseball contingent. And controversy nestling up alongside relaxed knockabout. It can only be the London Tournament.

Anniversary Celebrations

This year’s event marked the thirtieth anniversary of the founding of the Croydon Pirates. At the time, it was an upstart in the borough, but it is now a veteran presence and its summer tournament has been a fixture for fifteen years. Mark Goater has been waiting all of those fifteen years for someone to help him set up the beer tent (they’ve not showed up yet) but he’s still full of enthusiasm. GM Dave Ward has done everything except maybe sell beer, and he has been justly rewarded with his name on Croydon’s main diamond.

The anniversary party was capped off by the Pirates’ victory in Sunday’s final. But for the club, the presence of alumni in that winning team made it all the sweeter. Darrin Ward, of the clan Ward, pitched a key qualifying game against Essex Arrows, as well as closing out the final. Catcher Craig Perry also made a return. And the Pirates II outfit which took part in the weekend was a reunion team of former Croydon players, many of whom had been retired for several years. They were back to recover former glories. One of them, Simon Price, enjoyed his reprise immensely. Taking on the Latin Boys, he hit what might be the longest single in baseball history, clouting an enormous drive into the campsite in left field, but taking it easy on the base paths and stopping at first. Price led a charmed life in that game, reaching base later on two errors – when the second baseman dropped his pop-up, Price audibly sighed that he would have to run for first, but the first baseman then dropped the throw and the un-retired Pirate was safe. Maybe the baseball Gods were smiling on him.

High spirits and family feeling were not confined to the Croydon club. The MK Bucks guiding presence, Ernie Ayala, was overseeing his own son EJ on the base paths against Herts, grooming another star of the future. The Bucks also staged the most dramatic rally of the weekend to beat Pirates II 10-7 and qualify for the main competition on Sunday. They all rolled gleefully on their backs, waggling hands and feet in the air in a celebration which only they can explain.

The Herts team were all smiles after they won their first game on the Sunday, and none of the smiles were bigger than Ken Pike’s. The long-suffering Raptors manager and pitcher, who has not yet recorded a win this season with his band of rookies, was exhilarated by the feeling of victory. “It’s amazing”, he said, “the whole team played out of their skins”. The next day his considered view was this: “My ankles are aching, my muscles are jelly, my shoulder is a dull throb. Add to that mild sunburn and a general lack of sleep. Ironically, though I feel amazing. Great weekend of baseball.”

Controversy

You can’t please all of the people all of the time, of course. Team France, made up from different clubs in the Paris region, won all four of their games over the weekend but did not make the final. Coach Matthew Jackson was briefly fuming – “In a league with divisions, there will always be a team with a good record missing out. But in a tournament, shouldn’t that final be between the two best records? We won all our games, what more can you do?” In the end there were handshakes all round, and Jackson and his protégés headed for the beer tent. Essex Arrows were also disappointed to miss out despite being undefeated. They were undone by a 5-5 tie against the eventual winners, Pirates I, having looked like the team to beat on the Saturday.

But of course, grumbling is part of baseball and of life. Arrows’ use of players from the Southern Nationals and Mildenhall Bulldogs had attracted raised eyebrows during the weekend, too. But many teams were patched up from different bits of the same club, or members of other clubs. The Humber Pilots’ Simon Langton returned to play for Herts, where his soft hands had been the big stars for the Hawks last year. The Nationals’ Edwin Alcantara played most of the weekend for the Arrows, but also turned out for the Latin Boys when they were short, and came off the bench for the Croydon Pirates in their final triumph. It’s hard to criticise the spirit of guys who just want to play as much baseball as they can. And it’s part of the tournament’s appeal that players are thrown together in often random combinations just for the love of the game.

The Frank Brady Trophy winners, Zuidvogels, receiving their trophy

For the record, we should add that Zuidvogels of the Netherlands won the Frank Brady Trophy, the second-string competition which is played out on the Sunday. They racked up wins of 21-3 and 20-2 so were pretty clear victors. The team is a regular fixture at the London Tournament, and this year was pleased to bring a full complement of their own players instead of having to borrow from the Brits. They camped at the site, dined at the local restaurants (“They were the best ribs I have ever had… (pats belly)… And I’ve had a lot of ribs”) and breakfasted on donuts. They are part of an impressively extensive league set-up in the Netherlands, but still make the trip to Croydon every year just for the fun of it.

All of this is a tribute to what the Pirates do each year, and to what British baseball can muster despite its position as a minority sport. Small children were there supporting their fathers and learning the game; dogged veterans were there with their sandwiches, scoring the games meticulously, and telling fascinating tales of the past. Baseballs were flying in every direction, often from one game into the thick of another. And everyone felt a whole lot better just because they had been there and been a part of it.

The Final

Fifteen teams travelled to Croydon for the London Baseball Tournament, 9-10 July 2011

The Pirates had the best of the early exchanges. Despite hitting one batter and walking another, starting pitcher Jose Sosa got out of the first inning without giving up a run. Liverpool’s starter Rob Vondy responded in an efficient manner, getting groundouts from the first two Croydon hitters. But when he walked Darrin Ward, he was punished – the next hitter Maikel Azkuy thumped a home run over the fence in right centre, for a 2-0 lead.

Croydon manufactured another run in the second inning to increase their lead. Shortstop Connor Riffle led off with a single, and moved to second on a wild pitch. He then took third on a groundout, and took the opportunity to slide home while Gary Ward was being tagged out trying to steal second.

Liverpool struck back in the third, capitalising on Sosa’s occasional wildness. Ian Smith got aboard with a walk, and Dave Martin-Baez was hit by a pitch for the second time in the game – they were both driven in by a long double from the catcher, Kevin Butterfield-Ray. He was then driven in by Martin Godsall and the game was tied.

The Pirates edged back ahead immediately, chasing Rob Vondy in the process, but then the fourth inning was scoreless. The game was finely poised, waiting for its decisive moment.

The decisive fifth inning

Croydon’s Connor Riffle hits a clutch 2-RBI single in the fifth inning

It looked as if it might be the strikeout of Azkuy in the fifth inning. There were runners at first and second and one man out when the third baseman fouled of a series of pitches with mighty swings, as he tried to hit another bomb. In the end he was struck out by Godsall, who had come in as relief, and it looked as if Liverpool might have defused the threat. But then Jose Sosa hit a single to load the bases and Riffle stepped up to the plate and, with two outs, smashed the ball through the infield to score two runners.

It was now 6-3 to the Pirates and Liverpool’s offense was being shut down. Darrin Ward replaced Sosa on the mound for the sixth inning, and was never going to be wild or tense. The former Pirate, now pitching with Herts, had returned to support the Ward family on a big weekend, and he retired the side in the sixth.

The Pirates padded their lead with the help of the first Liverpool errors of the game. Edwin Alcantara – a Southern Nationals player who had been suiting up for the Essex Arrows throughout the weekend – was now in the Pirates’ camp and with two outs he managed to get aboard. Missed pickoff throws left him at third, and he was able to score. When Darrin Ward clouted a towering fly ball to left field it looked sure to end the inning, but in a mix-up it fell between two fielders and the damage was done. Trojans were 9-3 down and needing a miracle.

They had a real good try at making one in the top of the seventh. Ian Smith led off with a walk, and stole second. He took third on a groundout, then was brought home by a sacrifice fly from second baseman Paul Smith. But there were now two out. Butterfield-Ray drew a walk, and Rob Vondy got his second hit of the game, and there was just a sniff that it could all go wrong for Croydon. But Godsall’s sharply hit grounder to short was picked up at the second attempt, just in time to get the force at third and end the ballgame.

Honouring Dave Ward

The Pirates took the trophy, dedicating the win to the club’s stalwart Dave Ward. The night before, Ward’s team made a surprise announcement at a special presentation for their skipper, when they name the first diamond at Croydon “Dave Ward Field”.

The weekend had seen many former players return to pull on a Pirates uniform and mark the 30th anniversary, and everyone at the club was delighted by their victory. Although disappointed by defeat, Liverpool Trojans had been one of the most consistent teams of the tournament, and impressed everyone with their play and their attitude. This had been the final which the weekend had deserved, and the winner which fate had decided.

The Croydon Pirates celebrate their thirtieth anniversary victory

9 July 2011 by AspiDimitrov

Liverpool and Essex leading London Tourney standings

Herts catcher Andy Cornish applies the tag at home in the team's opening game of the 2011 London Tournament versus MK Bucks

This article written by Rob Jones, was first published on britishbaseball.org

Liverpool Trojans and the Essex Arrows lead the charge for the big prize at the 2011 London Tournament in Croydon. Both sides went undefeated on day one.

Meanwhile, Team France, Milton Keynes Bucks and Birmingham Maple Leafs won two out of two and will prove stiff competition on the second day of competition.

Liverpool’s first victims were the Southampton Mustangs, essentially fielding their single-A side with a couple of upgrades. The Trojans won 14-4. Later they had a comprehensive win against Richmond, who had patched together a team in order to take part. A revamped combination of Flames, Knight and Dragons looks to be more of a threat in the Frank Brady Trophy on Sunday.

Essex Arrows also fielded an impromptu team – but it wasn’t weakened so much as strengthened. “Arrows Plus” is the way the club described it, as they recruited Adwin Alcantara from the Nationals as well as members of the Mildenhall Bulldogs. Essex beat Richmond 6-2 in one of the games of the day, before mercilessly crushing Southampton.

Saturday had begun with an international matchup, with Team France facing Zuidvogels from the Netherlands. The game saw the first home run of the weekend, with a Dutch player hitting a screaming line drive into the trees in right field on Diamond 2. But France ultimately took the win 4-2, and later came from behind to beat Essex Redbacks 6-3 to claim their spot for Sunday.

The Milton Keynes Bucks – last year’s national champions at single-A – had the most dramatic route through to the Sunday playoffs. After beating Herts convincingly in their first match, they were trailing Croydon Pirates II in the final stages of their next game. Somehow, they managed an extraordinary rally and as the rain fell harder they surged ahead 10-7. With the clock ticking on the game, Ernie Ayala induced three fly ball outs to secure the win.

The Maple Leafs secured two one-run victories, showing they can also come through in the clutch. The main competition is completed with Croydon’s other two teams – Pirates I and III – and the Essex Redbacks. The action starts at 9.45 on Sunday, with the champions due to be crowned at about 6pm. Competition will be just as fierce for the Frank Brady Trophy, with Richmond joined by Herts, Zuidvogels, Pirates II, Southampton and Latin Boys.

8 July 2011 by Rob Jones

Hawks take two

AA-league South, July 3rd 2011

Another week and another win for the Herts Hawks, who are finally seeing good work pay off with victories. Joint manager and spiritual leader Greg Bochan returned for the trip to Brentwood Stags, and was delighted to see that once again his players had brought their best game.

In both halves of a double-header, the Hawks jumped out to an early lead. In the first game, they then exploded for 6 runs in the third inning to put it beyond reach of the Stags. Perrie Sherman ended it in the fifth inning, hitting a sacrifice fly to secure a mercy rule victory 12-2.

In the second game, it was the fourth inning which was the big run-fest. Five came across and although Brentwood managed to take this one the full distance, they never threatened. It ended 12-3.

Nick Russell was a master on the pitching mound once again. He pitched nine innings over the two games, allowing just four runs. Jim Arnott had a great game with the bat, finding a gap in the field every time he came to the plate, and he also picked off a runner at second to end the second game.

The Hawks now have four wins under their belt, and are on a three-game winning streak. On this form, their remaining schedule does not look daunting. Instead it offers a good chance to push for a highly creditable .500 record — or even better.

The Herts Falcons were taking part in the National League’s second special event of the season, facing the London Mets at Richmond. It was a tough day for Herts’ top team, with base-running errors costing them dear in an otherwise decent performance. The Mets rolled to an 11-1 victory, with Darrin Ward taking the loss.

The Falcons now stand with a 2-12 record for the season. Coach Lee Manning is taking the positives though: “I think we are definitely getting stronger and I believe we are very close to getting a couple of wins. We had problems baserunning and that cost us runs. It was not a great day for us.”

Their next opponents are the Mildenhall Bulldogs, who have had struggles of their own this year, so the Falcons will be looking to get back on track.

Herts' John Kjorstad at the Home Run Derby on Saturday This article by Rob Jones was first published on britishbaseball.org