Category: Featured

1 April 20191 April 2019 by Herts Baseball News Editor

Falcons, Sidewinders and Bobcats are the HSL champs

NBL/TRIPLE-A

The Herts Falcons won the NBL/Triple-A Division of the HSL convincingly with a 100% record (4-0). The London Mammoths were tied with the Herts Londoners both with a .500 record, but the Mammoths took second place based on their two wins over the Londoners in the head-to-head games. The Falcons and Londoners rosters were mixed for the HSL games as the managers of the two teams were assessing their squads for the 2019 season. We expect the Opening Day rosters of the two teams to be announced shortly. The London Archers impressed everyone and they now head to the Czech Republic where they will represent Great Britain in the PONY Tournament in Prague.

There were some flame-throwers on show and coaches came prepared (photos by Rob Jones)

DOUBLE-A

In the Double-A Division the Sidewinders overcame all challengers to clinch the HSL title. MK Bucks and the London Marauders were not not far away which suggests that we will see a very competitive race in the BBF Double-A League this season. The Hawks finished in last place, but don’t write them off. Over the last few years they have been one of the front runners in Double-A.

SINGLE-A

There was a very close three-horse race in the Single-A Division and the tie-break rule had to be applied to determine the HSL winner. Tonbridge’s superior head-to-head record against the London Musketeers nudged them into first place. We saw a large number of new players in the Eagles and Raptors rosters during the HSL and the managers of both teams experimented with various lineups, trying players in different positions. This would have given them valuable information and, as the league games commence, players will get a clearer idea of the positions and roles which they will be playing this season.

View HSL scoreboard

View HSL standings

GB NATIONAL YOUTH TEAM TRIALS

The HSL schedule also featured the Great Britain National Youth Team Trials which Herts has now hosted for a second consecutive year. We saw around 100 young players take part and they impressed. The GB coaches will now have the difficult task of whittling the list down before announcing the National Team squads for the upcoming international competitions. Many of the candidates were members of the Herts youth and adult teams and we hope to see them in action around the world this year.

2019 OPENING DAY JUST DAYS AWAY

We saw home runs, spectacular defence, lights-out pitching, many players who will be making their BBF league debuts in 2019 and a whole lot more over the last three weeks of the HSL.

With Spring Training completed, British baseball teams up and down the country will hope that this will be their year. Stay tuned as we build up to the 2019 Opening Day in the coming days. Also follow us on Twitter and Facebook for a comprehensive coverage of the 2019 baseball season.

15 March 201915 March 2019 by Rob Jones

Herts youth operation adds Roberts, seeks more coaches

As Herts baseball club prepares for a big year, it has added another new face to the coaching staff.

Andy Roberts has joined the board as the Head of Under-13 baseball, and will coach a promising side into the season ahead. Herts is still looking for more paid coaches to complete its youth set-up.

Roberts — primarily a catcher — joined the Herts club during the 2018 season, and played for the Falcons in the NBL. He was on their roster at Farnham Park as they took on the London Mets for the title.

This year he is also likely to be helping out the newly formed Herts Londoners in the Triple-A division.

Andy Roberts already has a rich history playing baseball. Growing up in Arizona, he has played in regional teams, city leagues and rec leagues and was set to play college ball before an injury setback. His first experience of coaching kids came with Under-7 coach pitch.

“This year, I really want to instil the fundamentals of baseball”, he says. “Not just on how to hit the ball and field the ball, but about what do with the ball when you get it. And start showing how it’s a game of chess that everyone can contribute to”.

“I believe the U-13 kids are at that crucial age where they really decide how passionate they want to be about this sport. So teaching them these fundamentals – and how to improve on them – will help keep the excitement going and help them aim for higher goals.”

Roberts hopes to set the Herts youth on a path to the NBL team of the future – a goal shared by the Falcons coaches. They have already been monitoring the indoor practice sessions.

“I want the kids to have fun”, says Andy, “but I also want them to learn why so many people love this game”.

Herts is now looking to add the final pieces of its coaching puzzle, and has more paid roles available in the youth set-up. The club is keen to recruit managers for the Under-8 teeball programme; the Under-11 player pitch side; and the Under-15s.

The Herts budget has been modified this year to allow for the recruitment of quality coaches to move the programme forward. Anyone who is interested should contact the club.

Lee Manning, the youth commissioner, says: “It’s a brilliant opportunity for someone to really make their mark on the teams, and help us take the next step up. We want to offer a quality 2019 is a big year for Herts baseball, and the kids are definitely part of that.”

Herts will be fielding a range of youth teams during 2019, from Under-8s to Under-18s. The aim is to offer baseball training and competitive games for as wide a range of boys and girls as possible.

In past years, Herts teams have taken on sides from as far afield as Brighton, Essex, Guildford and Leicester.

Last season, the Herts Under-11 coach pitch side reached the final of their category at the Youth National Baseball Championships at Farnham Park.

One of the veterans of that team, Evan Strong-Anderson, has been chosen for the Team UK coach pitch Under-10 side for the 2019 season. This project draws players from a range of British youth sides to take part in a SuperCup in Prague at the end of May.

Around 30 players took part in selection events in Milton Keynes in recent weeks, and Evan was chosen in the final 12. He has worked hard to develop his natural skills, and shows great potential.

Herts was pleased to see a number of our youth players were involved in the Team UK academy sessions, taking advantage of a scheme which is a great addition to British baseball.

The team’s general manager Matt Crawshaw said the overall quality had been extremely high. He is hopeful this year’s crop of talent can build on trophy wins in 2017 and 2018.

Team UK will take part in a series of fixtures on the Bank Holiday Mondays in April and May before heading to the Czech Republic.

11 March 201911 March 2019 by Rob Jones

BBC presenters agree to face Herts youth stars

It was perhaps a foolhardy moment for two of the stalwarts of sports broadcasting in Hertfordshire. Or was it the moment an epic confrontation was set in train?

Geoff Doyle and Luke Ashmead of BBC 3 Counties Radio were just wrapping up their interview with Herts’ own Lee and Riley Manning – when the visiting father and son duo pulled out their trump card.

“I want to get you down to face our juniors”, says Lee, quickly but casually. “Yeah, yeah” came the swift reply.

Geoff and Luke manfully said they would show no mercy. But Riley piped up with what was described as “fighting talk” in response.

“We’d absolutely love to do that”, insisted the BBC men. Now we just need to set a date.

Lee Manning, Herts’ youth commissioner for 2019, had chatted with them both about the year ahead, the Herts Falcons’ foray into European competition, and the opportunities offered by the MLB London Series between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox.

You can hear the whole thing here:

Of course, Geoff Doyle and Luke Ashmead are no strangers to Grovehill Ballpark. They came down in 2013 for a training session on a beautiful summer evening, and got to compete against one another at hitting.

When Lee and Riley dropped in to the studios this year, it was clear that the presenters remembered it well!

Luke quickly reminded Geoff that their previous experience of Herts baseball had included “me beating you in a batting competition”.

“I thought you might bring that one up”, he admitted after a brief pause. That’s how long baseball lives with you, and how much satisfaction it gives you when you get things right!

“It was such fun”, they agreed, saying anyone could try out the sport without any need to know the rules or the details.

You can listen to the original 2013 session here:

Stay tuned and we will keep you updated on when Geoff and Luke will be making their appearance at Grovehill to test their skills against our young stars.

You know they wouldn’t back out of it. Would they….?

10 March 201925 March 2019 by Herts Baseball News Editor

Herts teams announce preliminary 2019 rosters for the HSL

The five Herts teams have announced their preliminary rosters for the 2019 Herts Spring League .

We understand that these rosters are not fixed and it is likely that there may be movement between teams over the course of the HSL. Some players may play for more than one team as managers look to evaluate them ahead of the announcement of the 2019 Opening Day rosters. The Falcons and Londoners rosters are combined for this reason and it is expected that there will be a large amount of crossover between the two teams throughout the HSL.

The HSL games commence on 16 March 2019.

New players are registering every week, therefore some new names may be added to the rosters over the course of the HSL and throughout the league season.

HERTS FALCONS / HERTS LONDONERS

Aaron Witter
Alex Deacon
Andrew Roberts
Carlos Casal Jr
Christopher Gregory
Colin Whitton
Cristobal Hiche
Daniel Whitton
Darrin Ward
Dennis Grogan
Dominic Hill
Duane Badenhorst
Gary Davison
Hector Miguel Sarmiento de la Cruz
Jamie Warren
Jarrod Pretorius
John Blose
Kimiyoshi Saionji
Lucas Lebrato
Marco Pestana
Matthew Moran
Miguel Rodriguez
Moise Vasquez
Nicolas Goetz
Petar Kikel
Phil Clark
Robert Gibson
Sebastian Molina
Tetsuro Shinkawa
Tom Carson
Tyler Badenhorst
Wade Lynch
Walter Bates
Yosdany Bueno

HERTS HAWKS

Andrew Slater
Andy Cornish
Antony Lavender
Brian Morgan
Charlie Mayhew
Dan Bartram
Edoardo Lisi
Gilberto Medina
Giuseppe Basilea
Greg Bochan
Hunter Devine
Jamie Lang
Jonathon Lewys
Josh Morgan
Louis Hare
Michael Cresswell
Rod Naghar
Sonam Lama

HERTS RAPTORS

Alex Coakley
Bobby Gould
Callum Barwick
Daniel Gipple
Daniel Moran
Daniel Shaw
David Grindstaff
Francois Earp
Jay Curtis
Jack O’Brien
James Emblow
John Kjorstad
Jordon Fox
Kai Rajah
Laurence Currington
Lee Manning
Mantas Poderys
Matthew Jackson
Michael Johnson
Nicholas Durer
Oliver Durer
Paul Barton
Rob Jones
Stephen Patmore

HERTS EAGLES

Adam Collins
Adam Scales
Alessandro Antonini
Alexander Trautman
Andy Stratford
Antonio Lourenco
Arnold Longboy
Aspi Dimitrov
Clive Johnson
Darren Priest
Kumail Jaffer
Max Trautman
Mohamed Abdule
Robert Gibson
Tom Lock
Trevor Clissold

Adult and youth players, from beginners to advanced players, are now registering for the 2019 baseball season. For more details about how to join any of the Herts adult and youth baseball teams in Hemel Hempstead and in NW London or for more details about the HSL or if you are interested to give baseball a try in this competition contact Herts Baseball Club.

10 March 201911 March 2019 by Rachel Steinberg

Team GB’s Gary Davison joins Falcons

Gary Davison, the pitcher responsible for the Herts Falcons’ greatest playoff upset defeat, is now a member of the team.

The right-hander, who also plays first base and third base, is a member of Team GB and was the 2016 NBL MVP.

Davison — seen above pitching for the Southampton Mustangs — cited the Falcons’ strong ethic as his reason for joining the squad. “[The Falcons] play with heart and never give up,” he said. “Hopefully I can make a positive contribution to win the trophy this year.”

“Gary is a great addition to the team” said manager Cris Hiche. “He has a proven record in the NBL…he’s also a great guy to have in the clubhouse.”

As a member of the Division 1 Burgess Hill Colts, Davison was the key factor in Herts’ dramatic extra-innings playoff loss in 2006.

After rallying back from a 10-6 deficit, the Colts took a 12-10 lead in the ninth against the Premier Division Falcons, who would force the game into extra innings. Down 13-12 in the tenth, with no outs and a runner on third, Herts looked poised to tie the game.

Davison single-handedly ended the inning—and the Falcons’ playoffs—striking out the next three batters. His complete-game victory propelled the Colts into the Premier Division, relegating the Falcons to Division 1.

A true two-way player, the 2016 NBL home run leader represented British baseball as one of ten participants in MLB Battlegrounds’ home run derby in July 2017. He competed alongside 14-year MLB vet Carlos Peña, World Series champion and All-Star Cliff Floyd, as well as England cricketers Jos Buttler and Alex Hales.

The event, which took place in Hyde Park, drew about 12,000 spectators. “It’s the biggest thing I’ve ever done in my life, by far!” said Davison.

Davison (centre) with Peña (left) and Floyd (right). Photo credit Extra Innings UK.

With the Falcons set to make their continental club competition debut in 2019, Davison’s international playing experience, which includes two European Championships in Pool A, will no doubt be an asset.

“I believe [we] have a chance of winning [the Federations Cup qualifier],” he said, “especially if we just play British baseball as a team and a family.”

That new baseball family is eager to see what Davison can do in a Herts uniform.

He feels the same. “I’m looking forward to playing with you guys instead of against you all the time,” he told the Falcons. “I’ve chosen the right team to play for.”

6 March 20196 March 2019 by Herts Baseball News Editor

Countdown to HSL – first chance to see the teams ahead of the 2019 British baseball season

The biggest pre-season baseball competition in Britain is back. Commencing on March 16, the Herts Spring League (HSL) will see 15 teams compete over the 3 weeks of the HSL. Organised by Herts Baseball Club, it is Britain’s version of MLB’s Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues currently under way in the US, and it signals that the season is just around the corner.

FORMAT

The 15 teams will be entered into three HSL tiers – NBL/Triple-A, Double-A and Single-A – based on the ranking of the teams going into the 2019 BBF League season.

The organisers considered the possibility of a tournament format, but ultimately adopted a league format in the same way as the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues in MLB. “The objective of the HSL is to enable the teams to prepare for the new season and we have noticed that teams are increasingly starting to approach the HSL in the same way as MLB teams approach the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues” said HSL Commissioner, Aspi Dimitrov. He added “we have taken this into account when formulating the schedule putting greater emphasis on the preferences and preparatory requirements of the teams over the format of the competition”.

The teams finishing at the top of their respective division will be the HSL champions. The “games-back” column in the standings will be critical, but undoubtedly some teams will end up with the same record and so it may go down to the number of runs conceded per game to break the tie.

THE VENUE

The action will take place at Grovehill Ballpark in Hemel Hempstead, the home of Herts Baseball Club.

SCHEDULE

Over the three weekends 32 games are scheduled to be played on the two diamonds. The competition begins on March 16 with a clash between the Milton Keynes Bucks and the Herts Hawks in the HSL Double-A division. The HSL NBL division commences on the same day when the Herts Falcons will come up against the London Archers.

Click to view full 2019 HSL schedule

EXCITEMENT BUILDING UP

The Herts Spring League adds a competitive edge to Spring training. It’s the time for managers to work out their winning formula going into the BBF league season. It is an opportunity to evaluate existing and newly recruited players. Which players will earn a spot in the pitching rotation and who will be batting where in the batting order? Who will make the first team and who will have to work their way up with the minor league teams? Not forgetting, it’s a chance to size up your rivals for the year ahead. It’s the first big challenge and the first big excitement of the baseball year. Don’t miss it.

GET IN THE GAME

22 February 201922 February 2019 by Herts Baseball News Editor

Veteran duo in the Eagles hot seat

Herts Baseball Club has gone for experience with the appointment of Arnie Longboy (pictured right) and Aspi Dimitrov as co-managers of the Herts Eagles.

This is a role which Longboy is familiar with after previously reaching the Single-A National Semi-Final as manager of the Herts Raptors in 2013, a game which they lost 10-6 to the Haverhill Blackjacks. This time around he will be managing alongside Dimitrov and the two of them are expected to hit the ground running as they have worked together at board level and in coaching capacity over the last 12 years.

The Eagles are one of five Herts teams which will be playing in the four leagues of the British Baseball Federation. They are back in the Single-A League after a three-year absence, but this time they will be playing their home games at the club’s new Basing Hill Ballpark in North West London. Herts fans can look forward to a Herts derby as the Eagles are expected to be in the same Single-A division as the Herts Raptors. This would imply that Arnie Longboy will come up against the team which he took to the Playoffs six years ago.

Arnie Longboy celebrating with the Raptors after clinching a Playoff place in 2013

The two co-managers may be familiar figures but fans of the Eagles will see many new faces make their Herts debuts this year so it is very difficult to make any predictions at this stage about whether the team will be battling at the top or the bottom of the league standings.

There are only six weeks remaining until the first league game of the season so the coaching staff have limited time to prepare the team. The Herts Spring League will give them valuable opportunity to see the players working as a team before the league season commences.

Then there is the MLB London Series factor. The club is already seeing the positive effects of this, and the Eagles are likely to get an even bigger influx of new players as we approach the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees games at the London Stadium on 29 and 30 June. We understand the club has left sufficient room in its five team rosters in Hemel Hempstead and in London to be able to welcome new players throughout the year.

The first opportunity to see the Eagles and the other four Herts teams in action this year will be in the Herts Spring League which will be played over three weekends from 16 to 31 March.

Adult and youth players, from beginners to advanced players, are now registering for the 2019 baseball season. For more details about how to join any of the Herts adult and youth baseball and softball teams in Hemel Hempstead and in NW London or to try baseball at an upcoming open session, contact Herts Baseball Club.

18 February 2019 by Rob Jones

Herts into 2019: With Youth on our Side

Herts youth players have begun training for a 2019 season which could be the biggest ever for the club – and for British baseball as a whole. And as an extra bonus if they sign up before the end of the month, our youth stars will get their Herts baseball cap for free!

*Herts Under-11s in celebration at Farnham Park*

A lot of the focus so far for Herts in 2019 has been on the adult side of the club, where two new teams have been announced at the new field in North-West London. The Falcons of the NBL are also the centre of a promotional and fund-raising drive, as they are playing in European competition in June for the first time in the club’s history.

But we shouldn’t forget that the Herts Under-11 coach pitch side also reached a national final too last year! The All-Stars won two games at Farnham Park, including a stunning walkoff victory over London Sports, to get to the final.

Once there, they performed admirably against the Brighton Fireballs, and held their heads high in defeat. Herts also fielded under-13, under-15 and under-17 sides at the Youth National Baseball Championships, showing both strength and depth.

The youth sides are vital to the future of Herts and — with that in mind — the club is now pushing hard to get boys and girls signed up for the year ahead.

To help club managers plan for the season, we are keen to get kids involved now. Anyone who signs up for 2019 before the 28th of February will get a Herts cap thrown in for free. So get on to it quickly!

To maximise our offering for our youngest players, Herts has decided to shuffle our budget and make sure we can secure high quality coaches for the youth teams. This has meant an increase in the membership fees of between £6 and £36 — although some remain unchanged.

The club continues to subsidise youth fees, so membership remains tremendous value for money – especially compared with other youth baseball programmes around the country which have higher fees.

Many players had already registered for 2019, including both returning players from last year and brand new recruits. The Herts computer magicians have reset the system so those families can now decide whether to accept the revised fees.

They can then simply register again with their existing clubhouse user name and password. That means that all players can take advantage of the free cap offer, even if they had already signed up.

*The 2018 Herts Futures Tournament for youth teams*

Youth players have already been taking part in our first indoor training sessions at Berkhamsted Leisure Centre and will progress to outdoor sessions.

During the year, coaches have plans for competitive games against other British clubs. In past years, these have included teams from Brighton, Leicester, Guildford and London.

Herts offers playing opportunities for boys and girls from ages 4 to 18. Youth baseball will also be available at the new expansion operation at Basing Hill Ballpark in Northwest London.

15 February 201915 February 2019 by Herts Baseball News Editor

Herts Londoners unveil their manager

The newly unveiled Herts Londoners are preparing for their inaugural season in British baseball and they have announced that their player-manager will be Wade Lynch who Herts baseball fans are already familiar with after his debut season with the Herts Falcons last year.

Born in New Jersey and with a dual French-American nationality, Lynch has had extensive experience as a player and coach on both sides of the Atlantic. As a player in the United States he played at semi-pro level in the MSBL in four different states – New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Florida. He then went on to play in France for Paris University Club, Lions Savigny, Seaguls Cherbourg and later in Ireland with the Dublin Hurricanes and the Munster Warriors.

Last season he was part of the Herts Falcons team which shocked the NBL by eliminating the Southampton Mustangs and London Capitals in the Playoffs to reach the National Final and qualify for the European Federation Cup for the first time in the club’s history.

Wade Lynch on the mound for the Falcons in Game Two of the 2018 NBL National Final

He will now take on the challenge of leading a brand new team into the very competitive BBF Triple-A League. We located him in France this week and had a chance to chat briefly about the upcoming season.

Q: This is the first year of this brand new team in north-west London. What would be realistic goals for the team in 2019?

Lynch: The establishment of a Triple-A team is overdue. Our goal as a club this year is to fill the gap between the NBL team and the rest of the organisation. This means a few things. We want to be the first line of support for our NBL team as it applies to talent pool. Our Triple-A players should work on their individual and team skills with the goal of being called up to play with the NBL team. This will depend on their performance as well as roster availability and league rules. Secondly, players on the NBL team should embrace the opportunity to play Triple-A games. This will mean that they will be getting at bats and innings on the mound rather than dealing with the frustration of sitting on the bench in the NBL. Thirdly, the free flow of players between the teams will strengthen all the teams and the organisation as a whole. In light of the above, I expect the Herts Londoners to be an extension of the Herts Falcons and to be competitive this year.

Q: Beyond 2019, how do you see the team evolving in the coming years?

Lynch: I feel that in the next few years if not sooner, the Herts Londoners should be able to challenge for the Triple-A title if our players embrace the organisational strategy. If we have a large influx of players, we may be able to field two teams in the Triple-A League or quite possibly two NBL teams. Based on numbers, player quality and development, a second Double-A team would also make sense to work with the Triple-A team regarding player development. Players need to embrace the needs of the organisation regarding player movement for this to work. It’s the key to operating a strong, professional baseball club for years to come.

Q: What effect do you think the MLB London Series will have on the Herts Londoners and the BBF Leagues as a whole? Are the Herts managers expecting a major influx of new players after the Red Sox vs Yankees game in June? We understand the club has allowed room in the five team rosters for this eventuality.

Lynch: The Red Sox-Yankees series is an opportunity to introduce new British players to the game. This is clear. We need to be prepared to support these players whose playing skills will certainly be diverse. The club is in a great position to capitalise on this with teams in all four league tiers of the BBF. If the MLB London Series gains momentum, it may not be the last time we see games in the UK so the cycle can be repeated. I think once the Red Sox and Yankees leave, the real work begins regarding a community outreach PR campaign. The future looks bright for Herts!

Note: Adult and youth players, from beginners to advanced players, are now registering for the 2019 baseball season. For more details about how to join any of the Herts adult and youth baseball and softball teams in Hemel Hempstead and in NW London or to try baseball at an upcoming open session, contact Herts Baseball Club.

10 February 2019 by Herts Baseball News Editor

Teams starting to enter the 2019 Herts Spring League

The Herts Spring League (HSL) has confirmed the game dates for the 2019 edition of the competition*.

HSL (Week 1 of 3)
Sat, 16-Mar-19
Sun, 17-Mar-19

HSL (Week 2 of 3)
Sat, 23-Mar-19
Sun, 24-Mar-19

HSL (Week 3 of 3)
Sat, 30-Mar-19
Sun, 31-Mar-19

Spring is the time when managers put together their teams and aim to turn them into winning machines ahead of Opening Day. Similar to the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues in MLB, the HSL provides a competitive edge to spring training. This is the twelfth year of the HSL. Every year this competition keeps growing. The geographic spread of participating teams seems to be expanding as well. For more details visit the HSL site.

LEAGUE FORMAT
Teams will be placed in two or more divisions (e.g. NBL, Triple-A, Double-A, Single-A) based on the teams’ ranking going into the new season. The exact format will depend on the number of teams entering the HSL. Full details will be published when the league line-up is confirmed.

TEAMS
Over the years the HSL has featured teams from the National Baseball League (NBL), Triple-A, Double-A and Single-A Leagues, as well as international teams such as the GB Under-19 and Under-16 National Teams and the ASL Eagles.

“The number of team entries has been going up every year. Last year we somehow managed to fit all of the entrants, however in 2018 we have to be mindful of the fact that we may once again reach our full capacity and we may have to restrict team entries when we reach that level again.” said HSL Commissioner, Aspi Dimitrov.

The addition of U19 and U17 league teams in previous years has worked very well. The high standard of most of the BBF U19 and U17 League teams will certainly enable them to comfortably compete at the level of adult teams from the Double-A and Triple-A League teams, or perhaps even the NBL.

Teams from around the United Kingdom will be submitting their entries over the next few weeks and the HSL lineup and games schedule is expected to be published in early March.

* – The HSL dates are based on the indication that the BBF league season is likely to start on 7 April 2019 for all senior leagues (NBL, Triple-A, Double-A, Single-A).