Category: Raptors

by AspiDimitrov

MANAGERS APPOINT 2009 CLUB COACHES, PREP PROGRAMME

Managers Jason Greenberg and Andrew Slater have announced the 2009 club coaching staff.  Three veteran team leaders will work as a unit and in coordination with the team managers to develop the hitting, pitching and conditioning of Herts adult players at every level of the organisation.

2009 Conditioning Coach Dan Kerry joined the club in 2007.  A professional physical fitness educator, Kerry brings to the job years of experience helping youth cricketers, ruggers, and footballers to develop their speed and agility.  He will draw from a wealth of conditioning exercises and techniques to push the Falcons, Eagles, Hawks and Raptors to speedier Sundays on the base paths and increased endurance and coordination on the diamond.  Kerry is a well-respected slugger and outfielder in his own right; in his first ever at-bat in a baseball game, he smashed a towering home run.  He is often the flashy centrepiece in Herts Baseball web gems, never afraid to dive flat out for a line drive.  No doubt, the on-field respect he's earned from his teammates will aid his efforts as a peer instructor.

Help the club to swing a mightier bat is 2009 Hitting Coach Andy Cornish.  Cornish is a local talent and lifetime Herts Baseball Club member, the only among the 2009 instructional and managerial staff.  He has played the game in Hemel Hempstead since he was a boy, and no doubt his passion and pride for the home team will fuel his coaching efforts.  Cornish's focus will be on effective use of body strength and proper mechanics.  He plans to use quick-release, contained-space drills to help batters find a balance between consistency and power, and will emphasize exercises that strengthen eye-hand coordination.  Cornish is consistently among the top Herts hitters; he was 2007 Falcons batting champ and runner-up for the 2008 title, leading the team in runs and stolen bases.  His patient and positive attitude will serve him well as he addresses the Herts hitting game with a fresh mindset.

While he's no newcomer to the game of baseball, 2009 Pitching Coach Darrin Ward is only in his second season with Herts Baseball Club.  A former National Leaguer, hurler for team Great Britain, and onetime season leader in the Milton Keynes programme, Ward sports a lifetime of achievements on the mound.  His goals for the upcoming season include motivating the Herts pitching staff to assess their strengths and limitations, correct mechanics, properly condition their arms and lower bodies to the task of consistent throwing, and tackle the nuances of pitching as a mental game.  Too many times last season, in Ward's opinion, Herts pitchers were done-in by their own lack of confidence and control.  He is already fashioning a structured development programme that will assist first-time pitchers with the basic motions and techniques to get them started on the mound, while also working closely with veteran pitchers to enhance their command and ability to muscle through adversity.

“All our coaches for the coming season are fired-up,” says Greenberg, manager of the National League Falcons.  “At our first planning session last week, they all brought fantastic ideas to the table and they'll prove invaluable to Andrew, myself and our Hawks and Eagles managers, helping us to evaluate our strengths, improve on our areas of weakness, and keep our players motivated and in peak condition throughout the entire summer.  It's an enormous task, but if anyone is up to it, it's Dan, Darrin and Andy.”

The Herts staff plans to waste no time in making 2009 the most successful year ever for its teams on the diamond.  Winter conditioning training gets underway in just one week, and pitching and hitting clinics are scheduled for early December.

by AspiDimitrov

LIFT OFF! FALCONS SOAR INTO NATIONAL LEAGUE

First they swept the AAA in their first year back up.  Then, in a dramatic 6-3 nail-biter, they swiped the championship trophy from their cross-division rivals.  Now, the Herts Falcons dream season has soared to greater heights still.

 

Official word came down from the British Baseball Federation this week that the Herts Falcons have a place in the 2009 National Baseball League, the top level of play in the United Kingdom.  Ending weeks of rumours and speculation, the Herts Executive Board has voted unanimously to accept the invitation and will begin an intense winter-season training scheme and recruitment drive in preparation for the competitive play to come.

The BBF's top division is by invite only, and the Falcons are the only squad moving up this year.  They will be one of just five squads in the 2009 Southern National League and will meet their London, Richmond, Bracknell and Croydon rivals at home and away, with all games officiated by the top UK umpires from the ABUA-GB.

 

Once unimaginable, accepting a bid to the NBL crystallises the Falcons as a top-tier squad… no small achievement for a team that’s had a roller-coaster ride through the lower BBF divisions since its inception in 1996, and suffered relegation to the AA as recently as 2006.  Without a doubt, the promotion catapults the Herts Baseball Club to national prominence.  Together with their ambitious Field Development Project and burgeoning Little League, the success of the Falcons the past two years – AA league leaders in 2007, and AAA champions in 2008 – has given Herts members a first team they can be proud of.

 

 

MOVE TO FOUR TEAMS, FOUR LEAGUES

 

As the Falcons promote to the NBL, a gap is left in their franchise at the AAA level.  A new, fourth team has been created to compete at that level.  The Herts Eagles will face the same on-field threats as last season’s Falcons, such as the talented London Metros, crafty Essex Arrows, and the fierce AAA runners-up, the Oxford Kings.  The Herts Hawks (AA) and Raptors (A) will remain in their respective leagues. 

 

Herts Baseball Club now sports four teams in four levels of adult play in the UK and, with its Little League programme in the mix, makes the most complete baseball franchise nationwide.  A player can join Tee Ball at age 5, and progress all the way through the Herts ranks to the National Baseball League.

 

 

NEWLY TAPPED CLUB COACHES PREPARE TO TRAIN

 

Competing in the NBL is no small feat, and the club managers have outlined an aggressive training programme for the 2009 season.  Known in-house as simply “The Programme,” the revamped strategy emphasises roster flexibility and individual player development.  “Our big objective is player improvement,” says Falcons Manager Jason Greenberg.  “As individuals learn more about the game and focus their on-field skills, they’ll advance through our system from one squad to the next.  That process will start during spring training, but will continue all season long.  We really want to encourage our guys to better themselves as competitors and athletes.”

 

Greenberg and fellow-manager Andrew Slater have named three coaches to manage the club’s on-field development.  Conditioning Coach Dan Kerry, Hitting Coach Andy Cornish, and Pitching Coach Darrin Ward are already knee-deep in a detailed training scheme, which utilises drills and repetition of fundamentals to boost each and every Herts player’s stamina, agility and accuracy.  Together with newly appointed club statistician, Greg Bochan, the coaches will chart individual progress throughout the spring and into the season, helping the managers to make informed roster decisions and regular promotions.

 

The off-season regimen begins this month, as the club will make use of indoor facilities to condition, work on hitting and pitching mechanics and just play some five-on-five basketball.  After a short break for the holidays, they regroup for an intense conditioning, hitting and pitching programme that leads straight into on-field spring training at Grovehill and the exciting all-club trials.  “Last year’s spring training was really the most exciting part of the year.  We had nearly the entire club out at the field every week running, throwing, hitting… pushing themselves and their teammates to keep up… and just working hard to prove themselves on the diamond.  This year – with four teams and the lingering National League debut to contend with – well, it’s going to kick butt.  I can’t wait.”

 

 

VIGOROUS RECRUITMENT DRIVE

 

It is hoped that the move to the NBL will bring an instant boost to the club’s membership.  With only five organisations competing at the top level, talented players in Hertfordshire and across the southeast UK will be hunting for a spot on the roster, and Herts plans to roll out the welcome mat.

 

“We are a family more than a club,” says President Aspi Dimitrov.  “With the expansion to four teams, we have opened up a whole new roster and additional playing time for everyone!  The hope is to attract new players of all abilities: the season veterans who like the atmosphere and professionalism at Herts… the recreational types who just enjoy being with the boys on Sunday… and, most importantly, gents (and ladies!) who are completely new to the game and just want to give it a go.  We have room for everybody… and hope everybody brings along a friend or two when they come on out to the ballpark.”

 

With the help of Sponsorship Director Nic Goetz, Herts will stage a massive recruitment drive in the winter and spring months.  They are hoping to sign around 20 to 25 new members in the coming weeks and no stone will be left unturned.  Keep an eye out for Herts Baseball coasters in the local pubs, banners in the Hemel Hempstead town centre, and a nationwide media blitz.

 

 

FALCONS FLYING TOO HIGH?

 

The National League invitation may not have taken Herts by complete surprise (speculation after the Final 4 brought rumours and debate), but the decision still warranted careful deliberation by the club’s Executive Committee.  “There was a lot of concern throughout our club,” confessed Greenberg.  “Some guys were all for the move… but others were worried we wouldn’t be able to compete at that level.  Nobody wants to be next year’s whipping posts on a national stage.  But, the more we considered the idea, the more we weighed the pros and cons, the more of a no-brainer it turned out to be.  After all, how often do you get invited to compete at the top level – the national level – in anything, let alone the sport that you live and breathe all summer long?!  This is a dream come true.”

 

There is no relegation from the National League, so even should the Falcons finish the 2009 season with a losing record they will retain their spot, regroup, and work to improve for 2010.  “Baseball is a cyclical sport – sometimes you’re winning, sometimes you’re rebuilding.  That’s just part of the game.”  Next year may prove a rebuilding year for Herts, as they retool and come to grips with a higher state of play and an expanded club roster.  But, then again, 2008 was supposed to be a rebuilding year, and the Falcons swept through to their first-ever championship trophy.

 

One thing is for sure: the Herts Baseball Club is riding high with this latest achievement and not even the fear of top-tier adversity is enough to dampen their pride or their spirits.  Whether they win or lose in this first year up, they plan to bring a dogged determination to the diamond every Sunday morning… and go home each night with their heads held high.  It’s the closest thing Britain has to professional baseball, and the Falcons have certainly earned their wings.

Welcome to the big leagues, boys.

by AspiDimitrov

2009 SEASON STARTS TODAY FOR HERTS BASEBALL CLUB

     

 

For many clubs around the country AGMs are usually held in January or February just a few weeks before the start of the season, but in the last two years Herts has decided to bring it forward by three months in order for the elected officers to commence their work and to better utilize the off-season period.  On Sunday, members of Herts Baseball Club gathered at the SportsSpace Centre in Hemel Hempstead for their 12th Annual General Meeting.   The 2008 Executive Board had an opportunity to report on the club’s progress and achievements in the last 12 months, which undoubtedly has been the club’s best season ever, on and off the field.

 

Herts successfully implemented the expansion into a club with three adult and four youth teams.  Its AAA team, the Falcons became the 2008 British AAA National Champion.  The Little League teams have already won a trophy and have performed very well against the best youth teams in the country.  The Club is an organiser of large events at national and regional level, from the Herts Little League and the Herts Spring League to the Herts Futures Tournament.

 

There are many more objectives which the club has set for 2009 including the completion of the Grovehill Ballpark project; further growth of the Herts Little League, adopting better coaching techniques, establishing stronger relationship with local schools.  The Club must also transfer the successful structure at AAA level to the other teams in the adult programme.

 

Over the years the Club has been very fortunate to have very hard-working, dedicated and creative people elected as club officers and on Sunday the members elected another very strong team of Club officers for 2009.  It is a very strong combination of old and new officers which ensures that continuity is maintained while injecting new energy into the organisation. 

 

2009 HBC OFFICERS

 

BOARD

Aspi Dimitrov, Secretary / President

Paul Auchterlounie, Treasurer

Jason Greenberg, First Team Manager

(vacant), Second Team Manager

Andrew Slater, Third Team Manager

Marty Cullen, Little League Commissioner

 

NON-BOARD

Jason Greenberg, Webmaster

Jo Smith, Fundraising Manager

Nic Goetz, Sponsorship Manager

Greg Bochan, Statistics Officer

 

The Second Team Manager position was left vacant.  The Club will be communicating with potential candidates in order to fill this position.

by AspiDimitrov

FALCONS REIGN ON KINGS PARADE, CROWNED AAA CHAMPS



After amodest toast to their charmed ascendancy through the League, the Hertsfirst-team quickly rested and refocused for a Sunday morning clash with theirAAA Oxford rivals.  The Falcons arrivedat Croydon’s Diamond One a full hour-and-a-half before their opponents and the umpiringcrew, fueled only by their sheer determination to finish what they’d begun.

 

The weatherhad not improved despite Club President Aspi Dimitrov’s claim that this was “abetter rain.”  The mist was unrelentingand left the field water-logged and – according to BBF officials –unplayable.  Nevertheless, the Falconsstretched and warmed their arms no less than three times before the mainstagewas relocated to the better-maintained second field, and the game commenced 90minutes behind schedule.

 

Withseveral runner-up games already cancelled due to weather, Herts was eager toget proceedings underway and avoid an unnecessary postponement.  They were present, they were warmed and theywere fired up.  The growing crowd wasequally impatient; the excitement of an inevitable climax hung in the air.

 

Flashbackto July 6 2008: Oxford Kings travel to a rain-soaked Grovehill for a crucialcross-division matchup. Capitalizing as the away team, Oxford jumps out to a four-run lead in thetop of the 1st (unbelievably, in both games of this double-header).

 

It was nosurprise then that Kings Manager Santo Bains chose to again be the away teamwhen he won the coin toss prior to Sunday’s final… a gamble that Oxford would soon regret.

 

Darrin “TheColonel” Ward took the mound seeking revenge – having suffered his only loss ofthe season to Oxfordtwo months prior – and immediately shut down the Kings’ impressiveoffense.  Leadoff batter Masaharu Egawa struckout looking before Jorge Pinto Machado reached first on a hard-hit grounder tothe right side.  Despite the admonitionsof first baseman Marty Cullen, Machado attempted to steal on the next pitch andwas cut down easily by Catcher Jason Greenberg’s cannon.  That play brought Oxford’s running game to a screeching halt;it was their only attempt at a stolen base, and Greenberg was 3-3 in throwdowns over the weekend.  Anotherstrikeout ended the inning, and the Falcons had neutralized Bains’ plans for adominant top-of-the-first.

 

With noscore and two outs in the bottom of the 2nd, and Kimiyoshi Saionjion third base, rightfielder Aspi Dimitrov connected on a 1-and-2 count for aline drive up the middle, bringing home the first run of the game.  Herts had taken a lead they would neverrelinquish.  In the top of the 3rdwith the bases loaded and one out, Ward’s legendary changeup forced Oxford intoan infield fly and a foul-pop to catcher Greenberg ending the threat.

 

The windbeneath their wings, the Falcons quickly tacked on three more runs in thebottom of the inning on two hits and two Kings’ errors.  Despite a string of four hits by Oxfordscoring two runs in the fourth (including a to-the-fence double from Machado),the Falcons brought their lead to 6-2 with precision defense, a triple fromClub President Dimitrov and timely strikeouts from the crafty Ward.  Machado wasn’t finished; he crushed a hangingbreaking ball over the right field wall for the game’s final run (the Kings’third)… but no amount of muscle could combat Herts dogged determination.  Outfielder and lightening-bolt Jim Hyde wasejected in the bottom-of-the-6th for attempting to score on a groundball to the left side.  Although photoevidence shows him under the tag, the umpire punched him out and Hyde,incensed, pounded his helmet into the batters circle.  It was that kind of never-die grit that keptHerts on top despite the game’s mounting pressure.

 

With theFalcons leading 6-3 in the top of the seventh, a strikeout, a fly-out and apop-out brought the AAA season to an end. The natural finalists – first in their respective League brackets – haddone battle in the inclement English weather, in front of the BBF’s top umpiresand officials and to the delight of their many supporting fans.  The Herts Falcons were crowned National Champions,taking the trophy from their scrappy opponents in what proved the tightest,hardest-fought contest of the 2008 Final 4. It was a showdown for the annals, and will be hotly remembered in theseason to come when Herts and Oxfordnext face-off on the diamond.

 

2008 saw animprobable rise to the top for the Herts Baseball Club.  Weathering demotion, re-promotion and nowcoronation, the Falcons’ successes have made for a glory season of resurgenceand optimism.  They garnered the bestwin-loss record in the AAA, bested every opponent they faced, and allowed thefewest runs of any team in the League.  AsBBF President Rob Rance presented the championship trophy, he offeredencouraging words of support to Hertfordshire’s ballclub, saying “Herts is agreat programme – a class act – the kind of Club that the BBF needs to helpthis country develop the game. Congratulations to the Falcons on a fine season.”



BOX SCORE

Oxford Kings at Herts Falcons
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Oxford Kings 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 3 11 2
Herts Falcons 0 1 3 2 0 0 0 6 9 5

Herts Falcons 6, Oxford Kings 3
Herts Falcons Oxford Kings
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Jim Hyde lf 2 2 1 0 Player 1 p 4 0 1 0
(t7) Greg Bochan rf 0 0 0 0 Player 2 c 5 1 3 3
Andy Cornish 3b 4 1 1 0 Player 3 1b 4 0 0 0
Jason Greenberg c 4 1 1 1 Player 4 2b 3 0 1 0
Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b 2 1 1 2 Player 5 3b 3 0 1 0
Dan Kerry cf 3 0 1 0 Player 6 ss 4 0 1 0
Marty Cullen 1b 3 0 0 0 Player 7 lf 4 0 1 0
Aspi Dimitrov rf-lf 3 1 2 1 Player 8 cf 4 1 1 0
Nick Goetz ss 3 0 1 0 Player 9 rf 4 1 2 0
Darrin Ward p 3 0 1 1
TEAM TOTALS 27 6 9 5 TEAM TOTALS 35 3 11 3

E: Nick Goetz(3), Marty Cullen, Darrin Ward, Player 1, Player 4. DP: Oxford Kings 1.
LOB: Herts Falcons 7, Oxford Kings 15. 2B: Player 2, Player 9. 3B: Aspi Dimitrov. HR:
Player 2. SB: Jim Hyde(2), Dan Kerry. CS: Player 2.

Herts Falcons IP H R ER BB SO
Darrin Ward W 7.00 11 3 3 3 5
Oxford Kings            
Player 1 L 6.00 9 6 3 2 5

HBP: by Darrin Ward (Player 3). . , by Player 1 (Jim Hyde). . . , by Player 1 (Jim
Hyde). . PB: Player 2. T: 2:28. A: 151.
Oxford Kings – Top of the 1st:
Player 1 struck out looking.
Player 2 reached on error, caught trying to steal 2nd.
Player 3 hit by pitch.
Player 4 struck out swinging.
0 runs, 0 hits, 1 error, 1 LOB.
Herts Falcons – Bottom of the 1st:
Jim Hyde singled, forced out at 2nd.
Andy Cornish hit into double play.
Jason Greenberg struck out swinging.
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Oxford Kings – Top of the 2nd:
Player 5 walked, forced out at 2nd.
Player 6 reached on fielder's choice, batted forward to 2nd.
Player 7 singled.
Player 8 struck out looking.
Player 9 grounded out.
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
Herts Falcons – Bottom of the 2nd:
Kimiyoshi Saionji walked, batted forward to home.
Dan Kerry struck out looking.
Marty Cullen grounded out.
Aspi Dimitrov singled, 1 RBI.
Nick Goetz struck out looking.
1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Oxford Kings – Top of the 3rd:
Player 1 walked, batted forward to 2nd, forced out at 3rd.
Player 2 singled, batted forward to 3rd.
Player 3 reached on fielder's choice, batted forward to 2nd.
Player 4 singled.
Player 5 out by infield fly rule.
Player 6 popped out.
0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 LOB.
Herts Falcons – Bottom of the 3rd:
Darrin Ward grounded out.
Jim Hyde hit by pitch, advanced to 3rd on error, advanced to home on passed ball.
Andy Cornish reached on error, advanced to 2nd on error, advanced to 3rd on passed
ball, batted forward to home.
Jason Greenberg reached on error, advanced to 2nd on passed ball, batted forward to
home.
Kimiyoshi Saionji singled, advanced to 2nd on throw, batted forward to 3rd, tagged
out going to home, 2 RBI.
Dan Kerry singled, stole 2nd.
Marty Cullen flied out.
3 runs, 2 hits, 2 errors, 1 LOB.
Oxford Kings – Top of the 4th:
Player 7 flied out.
Player 8 singled, batted forward to home.
Player 9 singled, batted forward to home.
Player 1 singled, batted forward to 3rd.
Player 2 doubled, 2 RBI.
Player 3 grounded out.
Player 4 walked.
Player 5 flied out.
2 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 3 LOB.
Herts Falcons – Bottom of the 4th:
Aspi Dimitrov tripled, batted forward to home.
Nick Goetz struck out swinging.
Darrin Ward singled, forced out at 2nd, 1 RBI.
Jim Hyde reached on fielder's choice, batted forward to home.
Andy Cornish singled, batted forward to 3rd.
Jason Greenberg singled, batted forward to 2nd, 1 RBI.
Kimiyoshi Saionji walked.
Dan Kerry popped out.
2 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 3 LOB.
Oxford Kings – Top of the 5th:
Player 6 singled, forced out at 2nd.
Player 7 struck out looking.
Player 8 reached on error, batted forward to 3rd.
Player 9 doubled.
Player 1 grounded out.
0 runs, 2 hits, 1 error, 2 LOB.
Herts Falcons – Bottom of the 5th:
Marty Cullen grounded out.
Aspi Dimitrov struck out looking.
Nick Goetz singled.
Darrin Ward grounded out.
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Oxford Kings – Top of the 6th:
Player 2 hit solo home run, 1 RBI.
Player 3 grounded out.
Player 4 popped out.
Player 5 singled, advanced to 3rd on error.
Player 6 reached on error, advanced to 2nd on error.
Player 7 reached on error.
Player 8 grounded out.
1 run, 2 hits, 2 errors, 3 LOB.
Herts Falcons – Bottom of the 6th:
Jim Hyde hit by pitch, stole 2nd, stole 3rd, tagged out going to home.
Hyde ejected for tossing helmet after being called out at home. It must be noted
that Hyde did not say a single word to the umpire and this may have just been due to
frustration. Hyde wouldn't have been ejected if this had happened in an MLB game.
Andy Cornish popped out.
Jason Greenberg reached on fielder's choice.
Kimiyoshi Saionji popped out.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Oxford Kings – Top of the 7th:
Player 9 struck out swinging.
Player 1 reached on error, advanced to 2nd on error.
Player 2 flied out.
Player 3 popped out.
Falcons are AAA Champions…Falcons are AAA Chapmions…Go crazy folks…go crazy
0 runs, 0 hits, 1 error, 1 LOB.
by AspiDimitrov

HERTS QUALIFY, PILOTS SHOT DOWN OVER CROYDON

The diamond was drenched in déjà vu.  Only one year ago the Herts first-team were onthis same field… facing the same opposition.

 

In the 2007 National Championships, the Falcons metthe Humber Pilots in the AA Final. Relegated from the Premier League the season before, Herts weredetermined to cap their walk-over winning season with a trophy and trip backinto the AAA.  But sloppy first-inningdefense and ineffective pitching allowed Humbera 5-0 lead, and they never looked back. The Falcons suffered an 8-5 loss and hung their heads in defeat.  Although they secured re-promotion to theAAA, the lack of a national title was the sole blemish on an otherwise perfect(and perfectly effortless) season.

 

Here we go again. Humber – also promoted to the AAA in the Northern bracket – made thelong trek due south from Hullto face their pushover opponents from the previous year.  Heavy storm clouds loomed over the same,rain-soaked field… and the Pilots came expecting a repeat victory.

 

Mayday! Mayday!

 

These were not the same Falcons.  Herts charged into 2008 with a full head ofsteam.  New leadership brought a wholenew approach.  With a focus on improvedtraining methods and a unifying philosophy, these Falcons sported adetermination and team commitment unrivalled in years past.  The emergence of additional talent – newfoundand home grown – meant that Herts brought improved speed, pitching, defense andpower to an already successful lineup. The Pilots were in for a dogfight.

 

In a complete reversal of their last encounter, theFalcons won the coin toss, took the home side dugout and readied themselves fora tooth-and-nail showdown.  The Pilotsseemed to take an early advantage when 2007 Best Pitcher Nic Goetz got off to aherky-jerky start walking the first two batters and beaning the third.  But the threat was quickly silenced.  Catcher Jason Greenberg gunned down awould-be base-stealer for the first out of the game, and a line-drive doubleplay by third baseman Darrin Ward brought the inning to the end.  Herts wasted no time in embracing theirmomentum.  In the bottom of the 1st,speedy leadoff batter Jim Hyde walked, stole second and was brought home on adouble from slugger Andy Cornish.  Twomore hits, two walks, a hit batter and a suicide squeeze brought in anadditional four runs for the Falcons who, in a reversal of fortunes of their2007 championship game, had an early 5-0 lead… and a confidence that evenMother Nature couldn’t quash.

 

Goetz quickly found his focus and dominated the Humber offense.  Ina foreshortened five-inning game the Pilots were held to one run on only twohits.  Meanwhile, the Falcons batserupted for six runs in the 2nd, six more in the 3rd, andfour runs in the 4th.  Theblowout seemed to end before it had even begun as the Falcons brought theirwinged rivals down to earth in a 21-1 qualifying win.

 

The game was not without controversy.  The two-man ump crew of Petter Nordwall andDarrin Muller hand their hands full with the frustrated Humberside.  Shortly after shortstop C. Radgewas ejected for colourfully objecting to a close play at second base, oneinning later replacement shortstop S. Radgewas thrown out for intentionally tripping speedster Hyde on the base-path.  Indeed, this marked the first father-sonejections in recorded BBF championship history.

 

On the positive side, Herts busted out the bigbats.  Cornish connected for two doublesand a monster-run for 4 RBI.  MartyCullen and Darrin Ward also doubled, and Ward smacked a two-run blast of hisown.  Second-baseman Kimiyoshi Saionjiwent 4-for-4 with 4 RBI including a three-run dinger.  The Falcons flew around the base-pathsstealing 8-of-8 and hustling out two triples from Jim “T-Devil” Hyde and Dan“Hollywood” Kerry.

 

As the Falcons packed up their rain-soaked gear withthe knowledge that Oxfordhad bested their division rival London Metros, the inevitable question loomed…“Can we win it all…?”



BOX SCORE

Humber Pilots at Herts Falcons
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 R H E
Humber Pilots 0 0 1 0 0 1 2 4
Herts Falcons 5 6 6 4 0 21 19 2

Herts Falcons 21, Humber Pilots 1
Herts Falcons Humber Pilots
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Jim Hyde lf 4 2 3 1 M Radge cf 2 0 0 0
Andy Cornish ss 4 3 3 4 S Radge 2b 2 0 1 0
Jason Greenberg c 4 3 1 0 C Radge ss 0 0 0 0
Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b 4 4 4 4 A Maltby c 1 0 0 1
Darrin Ward 3b 2 3 2 3 B Webb p 2 0 0 0
(t4) Peter Kikel 3b 1 0 0 0 M Gilbert 3b 2 0 0 0
Dan Kerry cf 2 3 2 1 S Mayhew lf 2 0 0 0
(t4) Tim Elkins cf 0 1 0 0 K McThitas 1b 2 0 1 0
Marty Cullen 1b 3 2 2 2 P Senn rf 2 1 0 0
Greg Bochan rf 2 0 1 1
(b3) Rodney Naghar rf 2 0 1 1
Lee Manning dh 3 0 0 0
Nick Goetz p 0 0 0 0
Aspi Dimitrov p 0 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 31 21 19 17 TEAM TOTALS 15 1 2 1

E: Andy Cornish, Darrin Ward, M Gilbert(2), C Radge, M Radge. LOB: Humber Pilots 4,
Herts Falcons 6. 2B: Andy Cornish(2), Darrin Ward, Marty Cullen. 3B: Jim Hyde, Dan
Kerry. HR: Kimiyoshi Saionji, Andy Cornish, Darrin Ward. SB: Andy Cornish(2), Jim
Hyde(2), Jason Greenberg(2), Kimiyoshi Saionji, Dan Kerry. CS: M Radge, S Mayhew. SB:
Marty Cullen.

Herts Falcons IP H R ER BB SO
Nick Goetz W 4.00 2 1 1 4 1
Aspi Dimitrov 1.00 0 0 0 0 1
Humber Pilots            
B Webb L 4.00 19 21 16 5 3

HBP: by Nick Goetz (C Radge), by B Webb (Dan Kerry). . . , by B Webb (Lee Manning). .
Balk: B Webb. T: 2:00. A: 151.
Humber Pilots – Top of the 1st:
M Radge walked, caught trying to steal 2nd.
S Radge walked, batted forward to 2nd, tagged out going to 3rd.
C Radge hit by pitch.
A Maltby lined out.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Herts Falcons – Bottom of the 1st:
Jim Hyde singled, stole 2nd, batted forward to home.
Andy Cornish doubled, stole 3rd, batted forward to home, 1 RBI.
Jason Greenberg grounded out.
Kimiyoshi Saionji singled, stole 2nd, batted forward to home, 1 RBI.
Darrin Ward walked, batted forward to 3rd, advanced to home on error.
Dan Kerry hit by pitch, batted forward to 2nd, advanced to 3rd on error, batted
forward to home.
Marty Cullen sacrifice bunted, 1 RBI.
Greg Bochan singled, 1 RBI.
Lee Manning grounded out.
5 runs, 4 hits, 1 error, 1 LOB.
Humber Pilots – Top of the 2nd:
B Webb grounded out.
M Gilbert struck out looking.
S Mayhew reached on error, caught trying to steal 2nd.
0 runs, 0 hits, 1 error, 0 LOB.
Herts Falcons – Bottom of the 2nd:
Jim Hyde walked, stole 2nd, batted forward to home.
Andy Cornish hit 2-run home run, 2 RBI.
Jason Greenberg reached on error, stole 2nd, batted forward to home.
Kimiyoshi Saionji singled, batted forward to home, 1 RBI.
Darrin Ward doubled, batted forward to home, 1 RBI.
Dan Kerry singled, stole 2nd, advanced to 3rd on balk, batted forward to home, 1 RBI.
Marty Cullen singled, batted forward to 3rd, 1 RBI.
Greg Bochan flied out.
Lee Manning flied out.
Jim Hyde singled, advanced to 2nd on error, picked off.
6 runs, 6 hits, 2 errors, 1 LOB.
Humber Pilots – Top of the 3rd:
K McThitas singled, forced out at 2nd.
P Senn reached on fielder's choice, batted forward to home.
M Radge popped out.
S Radge singled, batted forward to 3rd.
C Radge walked, batted forward to 2nd.
A Maltby walked, 1 RBI.
B Webb grounded out.
1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 LOB.
Herts Falcons – Bottom of the 3rd:
Andy Cornish doubled, batted forward to 3rd, stole home.
Jason Greenberg singled, stole 2nd, batted forward to home.
Kimiyoshi Saionji singled, batted forward to home.
Darrin Ward hit 2-run home run, 2 RBI.
Dan Kerry tripled, advanced to home on error.
Marty Cullen reached on error, batted forward to home.
Rodney Naghar struck out swinging.
Lee Manning popped out.
Jim Hyde tripled, 1 RBI.
Andy Cornish grounded out.
6 runs, 6 hits, 1 error, 1 LOB.
Humber Pilots – Top of the 4th:
M Gilbert reached on error, forced out at 2nd.
S Mayhew lined out.
K McThitas grounded out.
0 runs, 0 hits, 1 error, 0 LOB.
Herts Falcons – Bottom of the 4th:
Jason Greenberg walked, batted forward to home.
Kimiyoshi Saionji hit 2-run home run, 2 RBI.
Peter Kikel struck out looking.
Tim Elkins walked, batted forward to home.
Marty Cullen doubled, batted forward to home.
Rodney Naghar singled, batted forward to 3rd, 1 RBI.
Lee Manning hit by pitch, batted forward to 2nd.
Jim Hyde struck out looking.
Andy Cornish walked, 1 RBI.
Jason Greenberg grounded out.
4 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 3 LOB.
Humber Pilots – Top of the 5th:
P Senn grounded out.
M Radge grounded out.
S Radge struck out swinging.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.

by AspiDimitrov

(VIDEO) BASEBALL IS TALK OF THE TOWN

 

 

This Saturday the town centre in Hemel Hempstead had an added baseball flavour.  Members of the adult and Little League teams of Herts Baseball Club alongside Little League parents invaded the Riverside Shopping Centre.  This was billed as a fundraising event for the club’s Grovehill Ballpark Project, but it was about a lot more than just raising funds.  This was an opportunity for the club to spread news of the great work it does for the local community and the fantastic opportunities it offers for youngsters and adults to play baseball by joining one of the best and coolest sports clubs in the UK.

 

 

It was impressive to see so many members of the public who were already aware of Herts Baseball Club and the game of baseball.  Those who did not know that baseball is being played right on their doorstep, took the club’s recruitment flyer and the club is very happy to report that within hours of the event, the club’s website started to receive enquiries about joining the Herts Baseball Little League and the Herts adult teams.  Herts Little League Vice President, Marty Cullen, said: “This was a very successful event and we intend to do more promotional events in the future.  We certainly hope that we will have the opportunity to say hello again to the many people who we met today, but this time in our home at Grovehill Ballpark.”

 

Many shoppers had the opportunity to take part in the Baseball Quiz to test their baseball knowledge and they certainly did well despite some hesitation earlier in the day. 

 

Amazingly, one of the Quiz contestants turned out to be a relative of New York Mets third baseman, David Wright.  It is beyond belief that one of the superstars of baseball who can be regularly seen on the front covers of the world’s major sports magazines, has a relative right here in Hemel Hempstead.  But then again, Hemel Hempstead is becoming something of a central point for baseball in the UK, so it makes sense that UK-based relatives of baseball stars would be living in Hemel Hempstead.

 

The undoubted stars of the day were the Little League boys and girls who were buzzing around from start to finish with their collection buckets.  In total they single-handedly raised £177.96 from the very generous residents of Hemel and other parts of Hertfordshire – an amazing achievement by the Little Leaguers.

 

Many members of the public also left their good luck video messages to the Herts Falcons ahead of their games in the AAA British National Championships Final 4 on 6-7 September. 

 

Herts Baseball Club wants to thank the Riverside Shopping Centre in Hemel for allowing this fundraising event to take place on their premises.

 

 

Can you believe it?  New York Mets third baseman, David Wright,

has relatives right here in Hemel Hempstead.

by AspiDimitrov

HERTS BASEBALL CLUB ANNOUNCES POSTSEASON/FUNDRAISING SCHEDULE

With just a few weeks remaining of the regular season, Herts Baseball Club has announced the 2008 postseason schedule.  It will be packed with events for all branches of the Herts Baseball organisation, from the Little League to the club’s adult teams.  The postseason is also the time to get volunteers, friends and family members involved and playing the game.  Who knows?  The club may discover a new superstar among friends and family members.

 

In September the Herts Little League will be hosting its first tournament inviting all the top British League teams in the Bronco age group (10-13 year olds).  Most of these teams will include players who are members of the GB Juveniles Team so the Herts Little League will be able to check on its progress against top opposition.

 

The postseason period coincides with a critical period for the club’s project to develop Grovehill Ballpark.  The club requires one final fundraising push before commencing the construction work.  If the club reaches its fundraising target, members of the club as well as everyone else in the British baseball community can look forward to 2009 when the revamped Grovehill Ballpark and its second baseball diamond will be unveiled.  Members of the adult and Little League teams will be asked to play a key role in the upcoming fundraising events and absolutely everyone must do their best to take part in these events.

 

This September and October the club remembers fallen Falcon number 36 in the 2008 Kyle Hunlock Series.  Full details of an exciting new format for this event will be released in the next few days.  As part of the event, Herts Baseball Club will be making history with the first ever live radio broadcast online on the Herts Baseball Channel. 

 

Even after the last pitch of the season is thrown, club events keep coming thick and fast as we build up to 2009, so make a note of these dates.

 

 

2008 POSTSEASON AND FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN

SCHEDULE

 

Key:

Little League

Adults

Fundraising

 

Thursday, 21 August 2008

3:30pm-5:30pm

Fundraising Visit to Hemel Industrial Zone

 

Saturday, 23 August 2008

11am-2:30pm

Little League Final Day

 

3pm-5pm

Fundraising at local shopping centres

 

Saturday-Sunday, 6-7 September 2008

Morning-night

AAA Final 4 at Croydon

 

Thursday, 18 September 2008

8pm

LIVE – Kyle Hunlock Series Draft

(making history with first ever LIVE broadcast on the Herts Baseball Channel)

 

Sunday, 21 September 2008

11pm-7pm

Kyle Hunlock Series (DAY1)

 

Saturday, 27 September 2008

TBC

Herts Little League Tournament

 

Sunday, 28 September 2008

11pm-7pm

Kyle Hunlock Series (DAY2)

 

Thursday, 2 October 2008

8pm

LIVE – Kyle Hunlock Series re-Draft

 

Sunday, 5 October 2008

11pm-2pm

Kyle Hunlock Series (FINAL DAY)

 

2pm-3pm

Little League Home Run Derby

 

3pm-4pm

Little League 2008 Awards Ceremony

 

4pm-7pm

Family Softball Game (s)

·         Little League Parents and Adult members family/friends

 

Sunday, 12 October 2008

TBC

2009 Annual General Meeting

 

October-November 2008

TBC

The HBC Tennis League

(unlike baseball, you gotta keep the ball IN the park)

 

Adult Herts Baseball Players (and family members) will be competing head-to-head over several weeks in a league format.

 

Friday, 12 December 2008

TBC

2008 Awards Night (Adult Teams)

 

 

by AspiDimitrov

RAPTORS STUNG BY RAYS

Braintree Rays at Herts Raptors
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Braintree Rays 6 1 0 2 2 0 1 1 3 16 9 4
Herts Raptors 1 4 1 1 0 0 0 1 4 12 10 11

Braintree Rays 16, Herts Raptors 12
Braintree Rays Herts Raptors
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Player 1 p 6 3 1 1 Hunter Devine 2b 6 4 3 3
Player 2 c 6 2 2 2 Jake Kikel p-1b 6 0 2 3
Player 3 1b 6 0 1 0 Rob Jones cf-ss 4 0 2 1
Player 4 2b 6 1 0 2 Peter Kikel ss-p 4 1 1 0
Player 5 3b 3 3 1 0 Jonathon Lewys c 3 2 1 0
Player 6 ss 6 1 1 0 Andy Ringrose 3b-cf 5 2 0 1
Player 7 lf 4 2 1 1 Andrew Slater 1b-3b 4 1 0 0
Player 8 cf 3 3 1 1 Robert Crouch rf 4 1 0 0
Player 9 rf 4 1 1 0 Pete Cox lf 4 1 1 2
TEAM TOTALS 44 16 9 7 TEAM TOTALS 40 12 10 10

E: Player 5(3), Player 2, Peter Kikel(5), Jake Kikel(2), Rob Jones(2), Jonathon
Lewys, Pete Cox. LOB: Herts Raptors 8, Braintree Rays 8. 2B: Player 2, Player 7,
Hunter Devine(3), Rob Jones, Pete Cox, Peter Kikel. 3B: Jonathon Lewys. SB: Player
5(4), Player 2(3), Player 8(3), Player 4(2), Player 9(2), Player 6, Andy Ringrose(2),
Hunter Devine(2), Andrew Slater.

Braintree Rays IP H R ER BB SO
Player 1 W 9.00 10 12 5 6 10
Herts Raptors            
Jake Kikel 7.00 9 7 2 7 18
Peter Kikel L 2.00 0 9 3 0 0

HBP: by Player 1 (Robert Crouch). . . . . , by Jake Kikel (Player 8). . . WP: Jake
Kikel(4). PB: Player 2(4), Jonathon Lewys. T: 0:00. A: 0.
Braintree Rays – Top of the 1st:
Player 1 reached on error, advanced to 2nd on error, advanced to 3rd on error, batted
forward to home.
Player 2 ground rule doubled, stole 3rd, stole home, 1 RBI.
Player 3 struck out looking.
Player 4 flied out.
Player 5 walked, stole 2nd, advanced to home on error.
Player 6 reached on error, batted forward to home.
Player 7 doubled, advanced to 3rd on throw, batted forward to home, 1 RBI.
Player 8 singled, batted forward to home, 1 RBI.
Player 9 singled, stole 2nd, tagged out going to 3rd.
Player 1 reached on fielder's choice, 1 RBI.
Player 2 grounded out.
Player 3 struck out looking.
Player 4 struck out looking.
6 runs, 4 hits, 3 errors, 1 LOB.
Herts Raptors – Bottom of the 1st:
Hunter Devine doubled, stole 3rd, advanced to home on passed ball.
Jake Kikel popped out.
Rob Jones struck out looking.
Peter Kikel walked.
Jonathon Lewys struck out looking.
1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Braintree Rays – Top of the 2nd:
Player 5 walked, batted forward to 3rd, advanced to home on error.
Player 6 singled, stole 2nd, tagged out going to 3rd.
1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Herts Raptors – Bottom of the 2nd:
Andy Ringrose reached on error, stole 2nd, advanced to 3rd on passed ball, batted
forward to home.
Andrew Slater walked, stole 2nd, batted forward to home.
Robert Crouch hit by pitch, batted forward to home.
Pete Cox walked, batted forward to 3rd, tagged out going to home, 1 RBI.
Hunter Devine doubled, batted forward to home, 2 RBI.
Jake Kikel grounded out, 1 RBI.
Rob Jones doubled, 1 RBI.
Peter Kikel flied out.
4 runs, 2 hits, 1 error, 1 LOB.
Braintree Rays – Top of the 3rd:
Player 7 reached on error.
Player 8 struck out looking.
Player 9 struck out looking.
0 runs, 0 hits, 1 error, 1 LOB.
Herts Raptors – Bottom of the 3rd:
Jonathon Lewys tripled, batted forward to home.
Andy Ringrose grounded out, 1 RBI.
Andrew Slater grounded out.
Robert Crouch struck out looking.
1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Braintree Rays – Top of the 4th:
Player 1 singled, advanced to home on error.
Player 2 reached on error, advanced to 2nd on error, stole 3rd, advanced to home on
wild pitch.
Player 3 struck out looking.
Player 4 grounded out.
Player 5 popped out.
2 runs, 1 hit, 2 errors, 0 LOB.
Herts Raptors – Bottom of the 4th:
Pete Cox struck out looking.
Hunter Devine reached on error, batted forward to home.
Jake Kikel singled, batted forward to 3rd, 1 RBI.
Rob Jones singled, forced out at 2nd.
Peter Kikel flied out.
Jonathon Lewys reached on fielder's choice.
1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 2 LOB.
Braintree Rays – Top of the 5th:
Player 6 struck out looking.
Player 7 walked, advanced to 2nd on passed ball, advanced to home on error.
Player 8 walked, stole 2nd, stole 3rd, advanced to home on error.
Player 9 walked, stole 2nd, advanced to 3rd on error.
Player 1 struck out looking.
Player 2 reached on dropped 3rd strike w/error, advanced to 2nd on error.
Player 3 struck out looking.
2 runs, 0 hits, 2 errors, 2 LOB.
Herts Raptors – Bottom of the 5th:
Andy Ringrose struck out looking.
Andrew Slater struck out swinging.
Robert Crouch struck out swinging.
Pete Cox grounded out.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Braintree Rays – Top of the 6th:
Player 4 popped out.
Player 5 walked, batted forward to 2nd, advanced to 3rd on wild pitch.
Player 6 grounded out.
Player 7 struck out swinging.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Herts Raptors – Bottom of the 6th:
Hunter Devine grounded out.
Jake Kikel popped out.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Braintree Rays – Top of the 7th:
Player 8 hit by pitch, stole 2nd, batted forward to home.
Player 9 struck out swinging.
Player 1 grounded out.
Player 2 singled, batted forward to 2nd, 1 RBI.
Player 3 singled.
Player 4 grounded out.
1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
Herts Raptors – Bottom of the 7th:
Rob Jones walked, batted forward to 3rd.
Peter Kikel grounded out.
Jonathon Lewys walked, forced out at 2nd.
Andy Ringrose reached on fielder's choice.
Andrew Slater flied out.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
Braintree Rays – Top of the 8th:
Player 5 singled, stole 2nd, stole 3rd, advanced to home on wild pitch.
Player 6 struck out swinging.
Player 7 struck out swinging.
Player 8 grounded out.
1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Herts Raptors – Bottom of the 8th:
Robert Crouch popped out.
Pete Cox struck out looking.
Hunter Devine reached on error, advanced to 2nd on error, stole 3rd, batted forward
to home.
Jake Kikel singled, forced out at 2nd, 1 RBI.
Rob Jones reached on fielder's choice.
1 run, 1 hit, 1 error, 1 LOB.
Braintree Rays – Top of the 9th:
Player 9 reached on dropped 3rd strike WP, advanced to 3rd on error, batted forward
to home.
Player 1 reached on error, advanced to 2nd on error, batted forward to home.
Player 2 struck out looking.
Player 3 reached on error, tagged out going to 2nd.
Player 4 reached on fielder's choice, stole 2nd, stole 3rd, advanced to home on
error, 2 RBI.
Player 5 reached on dropped 3rd strike w/error, stole 2nd.
Player 6 struck out swinging.
3 runs, 0 hits, 3 errors, 1 LOB.
Herts Raptors – Bottom of the 9th:
Peter Kikel ground rule doubled, advanced to home on error.
Jonathon Lewys walked, advanced to 3rd on error, advanced to home on passed ball.
Andy Ringrose reached on error, stole 2nd, advanced to 3rd on passed ball, batted
forward to home.
Andrew Slater struck out looking.
Robert Crouch struck out looking.
Pete Cox doubled, batted forward to home, 1 RBI.
Hunter Devine ground rule doubled, 1 RBI.
Jake Kikel popped out.
4 runs, 3 hits, 1 error, 1 LOB.
by AspiDimitrov

SINGLE-A LEAGUE LEADERS TOO STRONG FOR RAPTORS

Report from Herts Baseball Newswire Correspondent, ROB JONES

Grovehill Ballpark, Hemel Hempstead

 

The new boys of Herts baseball always knew they were going to face a tough task against the surging Croydon Pirates, and so it turned out. The visitors set out their stall straight away. They hit a string of singles in the top of the first inning, then stole second base, then stole third base. Three runs crossed the plate, and it was a lead they would stretch steadily throughout the game.

 

Raptors couldn’t get their bats going against the consistent Croydon pitching, and when they were able to manufacture runs through walks, steals and errors, it was only one run at a time. When the most feared Herts hitters did make contact, the ball somehow found a fielder. In the end, Croydon took the game 17-3 in 7 innings, and moved to the top of their division.

 

The weather over Grovehill was mainly cloudy, with some heavy showers and just the odd burst of sunshine. That was reflected in the game for the Herts Raptors. They now hope that their hard work and improving defense gets better reward in the last few games of the season.

 

Croydon Pirates III at Herts Raptors
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 R H E
Croydon Pirates III 3 1 2 2 4 3 2 0 17 15 1
Herts Raptors 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 3 3 3

Croydon Pirates III 17, Herts Raptors 3
Croydon Pirates III Herts Raptors
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Player 1 p 2 5 2 1 Hunter Devine cf-2b 2 0 1 2
Player 2 c 4 2 2 2 Andrew Slater 3b 3 0 0 0
Player 3 1b 3 2 2 2 (t7) Carlos Casal 3b 0 0 0 0
Player 4 2b 4 1 1 1 Andy Ringrose c 3 0 0 0
Player 5 3b 5 1 3 2 Rod Ariss ss-p 3 0 0 0
Player 6 ss 4 1 0 0 Pete Cox rf 1 0 0 0
Player 7 lf 4 1 1 2 (t6) Robert Crouch rf 1 0 0 0
Player 8 cf 5 2 3 1 Jonathon Lewys 1b-cf 3 0 0 0
Player 9 rf 3 2 1 1 Dave Hamilton lf 2 0 0 0
(b5) Tim Elkins lf 1 0 0 0
Rob Jones 2b-ss 2 2 1 0
Mark Hoffman p-1b 2 1 1 0
TEAM TOTALS 34 17 15 12 TEAM TOTALS 23 3 3 2

E: Player 3, Andrew Slater(3). LOB: Herts Raptors 6, Croydon Pirates III 8. 2B:
Player 1, Player 5, Player 7. SB: Player 1(4), Player 5(4), Player 2(4), Player 3(4),
Player 6, Player 4, Player 8, Hunter Devine(3), Rob Jones(3), Mark Hoffman(2), Andy
Ringrose, Carlos Casal.

Croydon Pirates III IP H R ER BB SO
Player 1 W 7.00 3 3 3 6 9
Herts Raptors            
Mark Hoffman L 6.00 12 15 10 10 7
Rod Ariss 1.00 3 2 2 1 1

HBP: by Player 1 (Andy Ringrose). . . . . . , by Rod Ariss (Player 7). . WP: Mark
Hoffman(2). PB: Player 2. T: 0:00. A: 0.