Category: Raptors

by AspiDimitrov

BUILDING WORK COMMENCES AT GROVEHILL BALLPARK

20 months after the start of the Grovehill Ballpark project, work on the baseball diamonds in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire will commence this Monday, 2 March 2009, immediately after Sunday’s Herts Baseball Club Open Trials and exhibition game between the GB Juniors and the Herts Falcons. 

 

This first stage of the project will involve the installation of the outfield fence for the existing baseball diamond and the second diamond which Herts Baseball Club is creating this year.

 

This would make Grovehill Ballpark the first baseball facility in Great Britain with two diamonds which have permanent outfield fence.

 

The outfield fence will be Chainlink coated in green PVC material (example image shown).  It will include a double top-rail system to support the weight of outfielders making a leaping catch at the fence. 

 

Herts players who returned to the field a few weeks ago for the start of outdoor Spring Training noticed the fact that the football pitch beyond left field has been moved by 21 feet to make space for what will be one of the deepest baseball outfields in Great Britain.  For Diamond 1 the distance to Left Field will be 312 feet, 363 to Center Field and 265 to Right Field.

 

When the Herts Little League players start Spring Training in March the Ballpark will be able to accommodate three Little League-size diamonds which will have permanent fence and three without permanent fence, but with permanent backstops. 

 

So, no more temporary orange outfield net for all Herts Teams.

 

Work will begin at 1pm on Monday with the installation of the posts.  This will be followed by the installation of the actual Chainlink fence on Wednesday.  This stage of the project is expected to be completed by the end of the week, which means that when Herts players report for split-squad training on Sunday, 8 March, they will have a brand new permanent fence installed.

 

This project is partly-funded by the National Lottery’s Awards for All programme, with the remaining funds raised by members and friends of Herts Baseball Club.

 

Due to the timing of the next step of the project, which is the levelling of the playing surface of the second diamond, the installation of the backstop for the second diamond will have to be delayed to coincide with that next stage.  The reason is that the backstop will be located on a slope which will be levelled in the summer and installing the backstop before that levelling process is going to be difficult, so the Club has chosen the less risky option of waiting until the summer.  As a result when there is a clash of adult home games at Grovehill during the 2009 league season, Herts Baseball Club will be making arrangements to stage such games at other baseball venues located nearby.  The second field is expected to become fully operational for the start of the 2010 season.

 

by AspiDimitrov

HERTS FALCONS, GB JUNIORS PLAY FIRST GAME OF 2009

Herts seeks National League hopefuls and rookies alike to ‘join the family’.

 

The Herts Falcons Spring Training Camp will face off against the Great Britain Junior National team on Sunday, in what marks the first baseball game of the English pre-season.   GB Coach Paul Vernon will field a team of home-grown talent, while Herts will form a mixed squad: some returning veterans from their 2008 AAA Championship Team, some call-ups from within their organization, and hopefully some National League contenders who turn up that morning for the Club’s Open Trials.

 

The spring training exhibition match will take place at Grovehill Ballpark in Hemel Hempstead as a postscript to the Herts Baseball Club’s official tryouts.  Herts is rapidly expanding into the UK’s largest baseball franchise, introducing a fourth adult squad in 2009 and sending their flagship Falcons to the invite-only National Baseball League.  To pad out their rosters with as much talent as possible, Herts will run an Open Trials & Rookies Clinic starting at 9am on Sunday 1 March.

 

But Herts is not just seeking newcomers to the game.  “We’re looking for skill and enthusiasm at every level of play,” confesses Falcons Manager Jason Greenberg.  “In an ideal world, on Sunday we’ll see talented veterans, complete rookies, and everything in between.  We’re hoping to swell our ranks by 10 to 20 players, and we think the enticement of joining a multi-tier franchise with a team in the National League will encourage a lot of guys to turn out.  We want to give an opportunity to any British slugger to join a quality organization that provides them a chance to advance to the National League… rather than top-out at AA or AAA.”

 

The GB Juniors last came to Grovehill Ballpark in summer 2008…

 

The Trials will consist of timed base-running, infield, outfield and batting drills, and a radar-gunned bullpen session for pitchers and catchers.  Then, as the tryouts end the exhibition game against the GB Juniors gets underway at 2.30pm.  Greenberg plans to suit-up an expanded spring training roster of around 15-20 players, including some of the standouts from earlier in the day.


“Winning is not the first priority in the game against the Juniors,” says Greenberg.  “We’ll give them a good game, I’m sure, and I like our chances for a win… but our managerial staff is looking to evaluate our own players, move them around to different positions, really take stock of what we’ve got to work with this season.”  Greenberg and his co-managers have introduced the Herts organisation to a system of player movement like the one in Major League Baseball, where excelling stars are promoted within the organisation.  “We plan to shift players quite a bit through the year – as much as the BBF regulations will allow.  Hopefully it will motivate our members to develop and improve, and it lets our competitors know we’re using every tool in the box to go out there and win ballgames.”


REGISTER FOR THE OPEN TRIALS HERE: www.hertsbaseball.com/trials/

For more information about the March 1 event: join@hertsbaseball.com

Or visit the Herts Baseball Club website: www.hertsbaseball.com

 

by AspiDimitrov

HERTS BASEBALL TO HOLD OPEN TRY-OUT, ROOKIES CLINIC ON SUNDAY 1 MARCH, CLUB TO RECREATE MLB EXPERIENCE IN HERTFORDSHIRE AND NORTH WEST LONDON

 

A look back at the newspapers over the last few weeks may lead us to the conclusion that the people of Britain are concerned with nothing other than snow and how the newly-elected American President is going to save us all from the worst economic crisis in 100 years, while at the same time football clubs have been breaking transfer records with hundreds of millions of pounds spent on players.

 

But in Hertfordshire and North West London a whole community has been thinking of nothing but baseball with the launch of a campaign for the promotion of the game in the region.

 

Herts Baseball Club is preparing for one of its most important seasons in its history.  After the Herts Falcons won the AAA National Championship last year, the British Baseball Federation invited them to join the top tier of British Baseball – the National Baseball League.  Jason Greenberg, the Manager who led the Falcons to the title said: “This is the first time that a team from Hertfordshire will play at the highest level of British baseball.  The Club has also announced plans to create a fourth adult team, the Herts Eagles, which is expected to join the League at the AAA level.  This would mean that Herts Baseball Club would be the only baseball organisation in Great Britain to have a team at every level of British Baseball.”

 

Greenberg added: “Whatever your baseball abilities, anyone from absolute beginners to elite players, would be able to find a Herts baseball team to fit with their level.  Those who work hard to improve will be able to progress up the Herts pyramid all the way to National League level.”

 

The Herts players have just returned to the baseball diamond after intense indoor sessions in the last few weeks.  This coincides with the launch of the Club’s 2009 recruitment campaign.  The campaign aims to make men and women, boys and girls, of any age, aware of one of the most popular sports in the world.  Not many Brits know that baseball is played by millions across the globe and that the game of baseball is alive and well right here in the British Isles, and is growing fast. 

 

Over the years, Hollywood movies have given the British public a sense of the significance of baseball and why it generates so much passion.  Club President, Aspi Dimitrov said:  “For one reason or another, the opportunity to play baseball in this country has never been marketed well.  We are hoping to change this in our region with our campaign.  Our club is looking to recreate the Major League Baseball (MLB) experience for all its members – the competition for places in pre-season Spring Training; hitting a home run like Barry Bonds; looking to have a better batting average than Alex Rodriguez of the Yankees; striking out a batter with a nasty curveball, turning a double-play, coming up to bat with two outs in the bottom of the ninth – these are just some of the aspects which our players get to experience in the course of the British baseball season.  We want more people to experience this.  In the first of a series of promotional videos which can be seen on our website, we have tried to put exactly this point across”

 

 

As part of the Campaign, on Sunday 1 March 2009, the Club is staging Open Trials for anyone who wants to get a taste of baseball.  The Try Outs are aimed at both newcomers and players who are hoping to make the Herts Falcons roster in their first season in the British National Baseball League.  They will all go through a series of skills trials which will test their batting, fielding, pitching and running abilities.  Since any adult can join the Herts Baseball Club, and all members get playing time on the diamond each weekend, the day is not about 'making the cut'… but, rather, welcoming new members to the Herts family and helping the four team managers fashion their squads (or 'Camps') for the rest of the Spring Training.

 

Dimitrov is certain that among the newcomers there will be players who unknowingly possess phenomenal baseball talent.  He said:  “We are hoping that we will discover a Roy Hobbs (from the Oscar-nominated movie, The Natural, starring Robert Redford), someone who can hit a home run or maybe a flame-throwing pitcher.  The Managers will have a radar gun ready and hopefully someone will be able to get into 80mph or, who knows, maybe even 90mph.  We may just find that player who helps one of our four teams bring home the Championship trophy.”  

 

In the afternoon, Falcons Manager, Jason Greenberg, will send his Spring Training Camp out for an exhibition game against the Great Britain Juniors National Team.  Apart from existing Herts players the Falcons NBL Camp will include a selection of invitees who impress during the morning tests.

 

Those who are interested to attend should register online at: http://www.hertsbaseball.com/trials/

Any questions about the day's events can be directed to join@hertsbaseball.com. 

 

If you can’t wait until 1 March, you can join the Herts players in their upcoming Spring Training sessions.  All of these sessions and the Open Day on 1 March are open for anyone to attend and there are no costs involved.  Newcomers who don’t have a baseball glove will be provided with one.

 

·         BULLPEN SESSION, Sat – 14 Feb 2009 – 11:45 , Grovehill Ballpark, Hemel Hempstead

·         HEADSTART CLINIC, Sun – 15 Feb 2009 – 11:15 , Grovehill Ballpark, Hemel Hempstead

·         SPRING TRAINING, Sun – 15 Feb 2009 – 12:45 , Grovehill Ballpark, Hemel Hempstead

·         BULLPEN SESSION, Sat – 21 Feb 2009 – 12:45 , Grovehill Ballpark, Hemel Hempstead

·         SPRING TRAINING, Sun – 22 Feb 2009 – 10:45 , Grovehill Ballpark, Hemel Hempstead

·         OPEN HERTS TRIALS, Sun – 01 Mar 2009 – 09:45 , Grovehill Ballpark, Hemel Hempstead

·         TEAM TRAINING (SPLIT-SQUAD), Sun – 08 Mar 2009 – 09:45 , Grovehill Ballpark, Hemel Hempstead

·         TEAM TRAINING (SPLIT-SQUAD), Sun – 15 Mar 2009 – 09:45, Grovehill Ballpark, Hemel Hempstead

 

Note: These events are for adults (14 years old and above).  For boys and girls under 14 the Club will soon be publishing details of the 2009 Herts Little League season.  If you are under 14 years of age please contact the club for more details about the Herts Little League.

 

by AspiDimitrov

RAPTORS TO FOCUS ON DEFENCE AND TEAMWORK IN 2009 – EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH MANAGER, ANDREW SLATER

As we build up to the start of the 2009 baseball season, the Herts Newswire will be running a series of exclusive interviews with some of the people who will be making the headlines in British Baseball in 2009.  Leading off we have an interview with the newly appointed Herts Raptors Manager, Andrew Slater.

 

What was your reason for choosing to play the game of baseball and not one of the other sports?

 

I had previously played many sports including football and more recently American football.

I never had any link to baseball until my friend Kyle Hunlock (member of Herts Falcons in 2005) alerted me of how big baseball was in this country. I was looking for a new challenge and having only been a rookie last season and now a manager I certainly have one.

 

Do you prefer managing or playing?

 

I have captained and coached in other sports and have enjoyed the experience. So I hope that will not change. One thing I do know is I love playing the game.

 

How would you describe yourself as a manager?

 

This is a hard question to answer. The words that come to mind are: Committed; Passionate; Easy to talk to; Motivational.

 

Baseball teams in Great Britain always try to find the right balance between being competitive and providing enjoyment and a fair amount of playing time for all.  Which of the two would be more important for you as a manager, competitiveness or individual player satisfaction?

 

Both competitiveness and individual player satisfaction go hand in hand. If you seize the playing time you are given with full commitment in improving yourself and helping the team move forward. Then both the player and team will win. If you have a squad of 15 players all fighting to improve themselves this will lead to a great level of competitiveness within the squad as well as in the league.

 

What are you looking forward to most in 2009?

 

I’m looking forward to another season of playing and helping to introduce new players to some enjoyable baseball, and moving the team forward into its 2nd season.

 

Which will be the most important ingredient for your team in 2009 – pitching, defence, offence, speed, teamwork or maybe something else?

 

I believe all are important in the game of baseball.  On previous experience in sports I have learnt the team with the better defence tends to be victorious. I believe this is the first place to start with a team, which include rookie players. I also feel that no team will work without good teamwork.

 

Being the manager of the Club's Single-A team, means that the other three managers are able to pick players ahead of you.  Do you think that this is going to be a big problem in fielding a competitive team?

 

With our existing Herts players and the very good group of new players who have made an appearance so far this year, I am full of confidence that all 4 teams will be strong in 2009.

 

Is there one player that you are hoping the Falcons, Eagles and Hawks Managers will forget to pick for their team?

 

I couldn’t possibly pick.

 

After the players are split into their respective teams this Spring, do you think there should be a lot of movement of players between the Herts teams, or would you prefer to identify your players at the beginning and work with these same players the whole year?

 

Player movement will be very important this season. This will give players the goals and aims they need to improve and work themselves up the Herts baseball franchise. It will also give players the chance to move down a level to try out new positions such as pitching.

 

What are your team's objectives for the season in terms of place in the league standings and win-loss record? 

 

My top aim this season is players’ improvement and creating a team who love to play the game and are happy whatever the end result.  When it comes to standings, an improvement of last season’s 2-9 is well within this team’s capabilities. If the season ends 6-6 then that will be a great result but I believe we can do even better.

 

What message would you like to give to the 2009 players who will be playing in your team?

 

Hopefully the previous answers in this interview will give any player who will be involved with the Raptors an insight of things to come.  All I can add is that I hope you all are looking forward to the coming season as much as I am.

 

Stay tuned to the Herts Newswire.  Next week, Hawks Manager, Marty Cullen Sr, shares his thoughts on the DH Rule, the future of British baseball, the secret of the Falcons’ success, why Baseball is the best team sport and much more.

by AspiDimitrov

SNOWSTORM REVEALS BRITAIN’S UNDISCOVERED BASEBALL TALENT

 

With the weather bringing the United Kingdom to a standstill, the top story on every TV and radio station is the snow.  The global social messaging site twitter.com is reporting that messages about the snow in Southern England are outpacing messages about Barack Obama as well as last night’s exciting Super Bowl game.

 

The heaviest snowfall in 20 years coincides with the Herts adult players returning to the diamond this weekend as Spring training moves outdoors after weeks of indoor training. 

 

The snow may have brought chaos and may scupper many sporting events this week, but has given a once-in-twenty-years opportunity for the whole country to actively get involved in practicing baseball.  Snowball fights involve many of the skills required in baseball.  The streets of Southern England are packed with children and adults who couldn’t get to school and work this morning so have chosen to have a snowball fight instead.  There are some very strong and accurate arms out there and not many people in the UK know that they have a hidden talent which could make them a superstar in the British Baseball League.  Herts officials have asked several of their coaches to go out in the snow with their radar guns and scout for the players that will bring the British title to Hertfordshire.  Herts baseball Club Secretary, Aspi Dimitrov, said: “When you see any undiscovered baseball players out there make sure to give them the website address of Herts Baseball Club.“

 

More snow is forecast for the next few days and the four Herts managers will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye on conditions before deciding whether the first outdoor session of 2009 will proceed as planned. 

 

Herts Baseball Club has issued a statement advising newcomers who are planning to attend this weekend’s first session to contact the Club via the official website for more details.  Contacting the Club in advance will allow club officials to add the email addresses of new recruits to the club’s mailing list and will be able to advise them about this week’s training and future training sessions coming up this Spring.

 

The new wave of players joining the club at the start of every season will play a key role as Herts Baseball prepares for expansion into four teams competing at all four league levels of British baseball, from the National League to the Single-A League.  The Club has many positions to fill in its four rosters which offers an opportunity to baseball players of all abilities to come and play, from complete beginners to experienced players.

by AspiDimitrov

ASK THE MANAGER

Herts Baseball Newswire will be building up to the new season with a series of interviews with the managers of the four Herts teams.  Andrew Slater will make his debut as the new Raptors Manager taking over from Jake Kikel.  Marty Cullen is looking forward to a new challenge as the Manager of the Hawks playing in the AA Division.  Dave Westfallen will lead the Herts Eagles into battle in the AAA Division.  Jason Greenberg will take the AAA National Champions, the Falcons, into unchartered territory as a Herts team enters the top-tier of British Baseball for the first time in the club's history. 

Herts Baseball Newswire wants to give its visitors the chance to ask the questions.  You may be interested in the Manager's predictions for 2009 or maybe you want to find out more about what makes them tick.

If you want to put your question to any of the Managers please send them to the Newswire.  Please indicate which of the four managers (or maybe all four of them) you want to ask.  If you want your question to be kept anonymous, please indicate this in your message.  You can ask more than one question so please include all your question in your message.

by AspiDimitrov

WESTIE TAKES EAGLES HELM

Herts Baseball Club has announced that Dave Westfallen has been appointed as the Manager of the newly formed Herts Eagles.  The Eagles are the fourth adult team of the Herts franchise and will be its representative in the AAA League of British Baseball. 

 

Dave Westfallen has had many years of experience in British baseball.  He made his return to Herts in 2008 with the Herts Hawks becoming their first-choice catcher.  He proved to be one of the key players for the team and amongst the best performers both defensively and offensively.

 

Apart from his contribution as a player he had a very positive influence on the rest of the team, always staying positive and offering quiet but timely words of advice to those who needed it.

 

This did not go unnoticed by Herts Falcons Manager, Jason Greenberg, and Westie was called up to the Herts Falcons roster for the most important games in the club’s history at the AAA Final 4 in September. 

 

2009 will be an exciting year for everyone involved with Herts Baseball.  The Herts players will have to step up their efforts in a big way if they are to succeed at all four tiers of the British Baseball League.  This will be a massive challenge for the club, but it appears that many new players like the idea of achieving something which may appear impossible and the club has reported that a large number of enquiries from new players have been received.  With Spring just around the corner, the competition for places will be fierce and it will be up to the Team Managers to find the right formula for each of the four teams.  Dave Westfallen is now a member of the management team and the Herts Baseball Newswire will be following his progress and that of the Herts Eagles in 2009.

by AspiDimitrov

2009 SEASON BUILD-UP: REPORT FROM BBF WINTER MEETINGS

Report from Herts Newswire correspondent, Kal Dimitrov

Bracknell, Westmorland Park

 

The BBF held a meeting on Sunday 30 November to review the 2008 season and set out goals and targets for the 2009 season.

 

The success of Herts Baseball did have a prominent place of pride. In conjunction with that, a number of issues were raised to make the experience in 2009 better than last year for all the teams involved.  It was agreed that a number of scheduling issues, such as stretching the season out to include September, as well as the inclusion of double headers for AA games were put forward for consideration.   The Herts Raptors and Herts Hawks remember the large number of games played against the same opponents week-after-week (Essex Arrows and Brentwood respectively) and they will be happy to know that the BBF Board will aim to provide a more balanced schedule for AA and Single-A teams.

 

In addition, it was proposed to establish an end-of-season competition – a cup or a fall league, for the clubs that have players keen to continue playing into September and even the first week of October. 

 

The BBF Board reported that several new teams are expected to join the league in 2009 in addition to the Herts Falcons joining the National League and the Herts Eagles going into the AAA league.  The London Mets are creating a third team, the London Marauders, who are expected to enter the Single-A Division.  There was also very positive news from the Midlands Division which is expected to expand from three to six teams.

 

The delegates also discussed how to handle teams that fold midway through the season or forfeit a number of games.  A proposal was reviewed on how to treat the games played by teams that have dropped out of the league, such as wiping out all their scores for the season.

 

The BBF Board reported that the Southern League Commissioner, Cody Cane, has stepped down.  Herts delegate, Aspi Dimitrov, put forward his candidacy to be co-opted as Southern League Commissioner until the next BBF AGM and this will now be considered by the BBF Board.

by AspiDimitrov

WHERE EAGLES DARE [Newswire Op-Ed]

NEWSWIRE OPINION EDITORIAL

2007 Falcons Manager Bruce Dullea – now with the Sidewindersorganisation – has been following closely the on and off-fielddevelopments at Herts Baseball with the unique interest of anoutsider/alumni.  He offers his wise and candid perspective into theFalcons chances for success in the National League, some skepticismabout the future of the Herts franchise, and some praise for the club's”meteoric rise” of late.  Does this renewed interest in his formerfamily foreshadow Dullea's return to the fold… the prodigal son comehome again?  Or is it, simply, a message in the proverbial bottlewashed up from distant shores?

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

WHERE EAGLES DARE
by Bruce Dullea

Forthose of us who didn’t sleep through our Greek mythology class, weshould remember the story of Icarus.  Deciding not to heed the adviceof his Father, he chose to fly too close to the sun, thinking that thehigher he flew, the more God-like he would become. Tragically, hisfeathers, which were made of wax, melted, and he fell into the sea.

Someof the more erudite members of the Herts Falcons may be aware of thelegend of Icarus.  Analogies do exist.  Their recent history is trulyfascinating, and is a lesson in perseverance, tenacity, and overcomingadversities.  After examining what they have endured, and where theyhave come from, it is apparent that the club has made a remarkableascent through the ranks of the British Baseball Federation.  (Givenwhat they’ve gone through, perhaps they should rename themselves thePhoenix).  After languishing for two years in the bottom of the premierleague, and then being subsequently relegated, they have made ameteoric rise.  Initially promoted to the then premier league in 2005,they found the competition very arduous.   In 2005 and 2006 theyfinished near the bottom of the league, and in September of 06 wound uplosing an epic extra inning relegation playoff game to the Burgess HillColts.   This meant that in just two mere years after gainingpromotion, they were then forced to take a major step back by beingrelegated to the division that they formerly had conquered.  At thetime, they more resembled the legend of Sisyphus than Icarus.  Ratherthan wallow in self-pity, the club made it their personal mission toretool, improve, and once again attain promotion. 

Since thatepic defeat, the club has experienced nothing but success.  In 2007they finished with an 18-3 record, won the Division I Southern pennant,and were the National runner-up in the Final 4.  They were thenrewarded with a promotion back to the Premiere (now called AAA)division.  Their performance in the 2008 campaign surpassed everyone’sexpectations.  The club finished with a 21-3 campaign, clinched aplayoff spot, won their division, and ultimately brought home thehardware by winning the AAA National Championship.  Perhaps what iseven more astonishing is that their accomplishments off the field haveexceeded their success on the diamond.  While baseball clubs have beenfolding all over the country, they have been a model for consistency aswell as how to develop the sport in the UK.  In 2007 they founded theirown Little League, which has prospered and proven to be verysuccessful.  They have the most impressive website and the most mediasavvy club in the UK.  They have grown to three teams with over 50members, can boast of a multitude of corporate sponsors, and haverecently received permission to build a second field at Grovehill Park,which has been their home since their inception in 1996.

Thecoup de grace came last Monday, when the BBF announced that the Falconshave accepted a promotion to the National League, the top tier leaguein the country.  To those of us who have followed British Baseball andin particular the trials and travails of the Herts Baseball Club, thisis a truly unbelievable accomplishment, and they must be commended.

Whatdoes the future hold for the HBC?  Since accepting the invitation tojoin the National League, they have announced that they are forming afourth team (the Eagles) which will take the place of the Falcons andcompete in the AAA division in 2009.  Are they growing too soon, toofast?  How much of a risk are they taking?  It is readily obvious thatalthough the club is capitalizing on their recent successes, they havemany challenges and questions in front of them.

Sources havesaid that the Falcons benefited from a “watered” down 2008 AAAdivision.  They no longer had to compete against the CambridgeMonarchs, the perennial power that had folded once their Americanmilitary base closed.  They didn’t have to play against any of theNational League clubs.  One club (Milton Keynes) disbanded during theseason and another (Bristol) was an expansion club.  The last time theteam was in the premier league they regularly faced pitchers who threwin the 90’s, including Glen Goodrich, Bob Runyon, and Derek Kelly, twoof whom pitched professionally in the US.  Long time observers feltthat the team benefitted from facing weaker pitching in 2008.  Evenagainst the diluted pitching, the team suffered a prolonged battingslump during the course of the season.    Their team batting average of.308 was more than 100 points lower than their previous (AA) season,and their home run total dropped from 14 to 4, even though GrovehillPark is very accommodating to right handed power hitters.

How will the Falcons hitters fare against the London Mets, who were 23-1 and gave up an average of 2.2 runs per game?

Will the club be able to hit against Richmond’s Cody Cain, a hard throwing right hander?

Theclub’s 21-3 record was impressive, but on closer inspection, 3 of thewins were by forfeit and 6 others were decided by one run.  Two otherclubs scored more runs and matched their run differential.  Are theyreally a legitimate NBL team, or do they need more time to grow andprove themselves?

The Falcons pitching was very strong in 08,and carried the team when they weren’t hitting.  Their top two pitchersare master craftsmen who rely on control rather than power.  It remainsto be seen how they will fare against National League batters.

In2006, the last time the club faced National League teams, they went 0-4and were outscored 66-9. Granted, the team struggled throughout theseason, and it was a totally different environment, but many of theteam’s nucleus were a part of that club.

The biggest questionmark is how the club will fill the roster for the newly formed Eagles. They will need a massive recruiting effort to ensure that the club iscompetitive and the talent from the three existing clubs aren’tdiluted.   Their two other clubs (Hawks & Raptors) will need tokeep the core of their rosters intact to remain competitive.  TheFalcons will need everyone to help them compete in the NBL.  In thelast three seasons, clubs have folded in Shropshire, Brighton,Liverpool, London, Windsor, and Cambridge.  There is also a rumour thatthe Northern National Baseball League will disband.  Baseball in the UKis dying, not growing.  Where will they find the extra players?

Ithas been reported that the HBC Executive Committee voted unanimously toaccept the promotion invitation.  However, a published report fromtheir website indicated that there was some internal trepidation aboutthe move.  What was the mood in the boardroom, and how much internaldissent was there?  Are there expansion plans overly optimistic, ordoes the club truly feel that they can field 4 competitive teams oneyear removed from AA ball?  Did they feel overly compelled to go forbroke, or should prudence have won out?

Another question to askis the BBF’s rationale in extending the invitation.  It is obvious thatthe sport is declining in the UK.  In 2004, there were 6 clubs in theNL south.  Three of those clubs (Windsor Bears, London Warriors, andthe Brighton Buccaneers) no longer exist.   With the recent disbandmentof the Liverpool Trojans, there are now only two remaining NL northclubs, and in all likelihood there will not be a Northern Division in09.  Given the current state of the NBL, something had to be done, butit remains to be seen as to whether the Falcons will be competitive,and what impact their promotion will have on the HBC.

In anyevent, the Falcons have made their decision.  It is risky, but you haveto give them credit.  They are ambitious and are one of the trulypositive stories about baseball in Britain.  Everyone is pulling forthem.  They are also now in the same position as Icarus.  Their wingswill take them up, up, and away to the NBL.  There will be no goingback.

Was Daedalus around to warn them of the perils of flying too high, too soon?

Are their wings made of wax?

Next year, we will find out.

I wish them all the best on their journey.