Category: Featured

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Harriers end regular season on a high

The Herts Harriers got their revenge with a win against the London Mets. The two teams met in April in the opening game of the Under-17 league season and agonisingly for Herts the Londoners won it in extra innings. This time Herts came out on top with a 14-7 victory.

Tom Everex-Armstrong was the winning pitcher allowing only 3 earned runs over 4.1 innings and striking out 7 Mets batters. Callum Vangundy came in relief and was very effective pitching the remaining 2.2 innings allowing only 1 hit and no runs to pick up the save.

Vangundy also stood out with the bat with 2 hits, 2 RBIs and 3 runs. This was a game with very few hits and Herts took full advantage of the walks issued by the Mets pitchers.

U17 League: London Mets 7 Herts Harriers 14 (click to view box scores)

Both teams were missing some of their players, which is expected at this time of year, but this does not affect the value of this win for Herts as they moved into first place overtaking both the London Mets and the Cobham Cougars.

 

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Ryan Bird wins Home Run Derby

Herts Falcons slugger, Ryan Bird, won the Home Run Derby at Grovehill Ballpark on Saturday. He launched a total of 10 home runs over the course of the two rounds of the competition to the delight of the players and fans who had gathered in Hemel Hempstead.

The contest saw 43 competitors from the age of 6 to 50+ compete in the same competition by virtue of different home run boundaries in line with the outfield fences which the players are used to in their respective league games.

The large number of entries forced the organisers to reduce the number of outs in the first round down to 5. This put enormous pressure on the players as they needed to produce home runs with very little margin for error if they were to progress through to the final round.

Some big names made good contact with the ball but luck was not on their side and their hits were just short of the outfield wall. One of the big favourites, Herts Falcons 2012 Home Run Leader, Dave Tretheway, really should not have taken part as he is about to undergo an ankle reconstructive operation after sustaining the injury while playing squash, so it was always going to be difficult for him to compete on one foot.

There was a lot on the line for brothers Brodie Caress and Jake Caress, as well as Charlie Mayhew and Drew Mayhew, who were competing not only for the Home Run Derby title but also for family bragging rights. They each hit one home run, so that perhaps was the only scenario which ensures peace at home.

Joining them with one home run in the first round were Cris Hiche, Liam Green, Conner Brown, and Takuso Motoheshi, but for all of them one home run was not enough to secure a place in the final.

Three players managed to get more than 1 home run form the 5 outs in the first round. Warwick Byrne (Herts Raptors), Ewan Clegg (London Mets) and Ryan Bird (Herts Falcons) each hit two home runs.

In the final Ewan Clegg impressed with 4 more home runs to bring his tally to 6. Several of them went over the permanent outfield fence so he didn’t need the shorter fence set for his Under-17 age group.

But the winner at the end was Ryan Bird. The two-time National Baseball League Most Valuable Player put on an outstanding hitting display to the rhythm of the play-by-play commentary by Cristobal Hiche on the public announce system. He hit 8 more home runs for a total of 10 over the two rounds. Some of the bombs which he launched were elevated so high up into the air that it seemed as though they would go over the M1 motorway and drop in St Albans. There are many stories of Major League Baseball superstars ruining their swings for weeks after taking part in the Home Run Derby as they try to elevate the ball up. Herts Falcons fans will hope that this event will not affect Ryan Bird’s batting as the team prepares for the National Baseball League postseason which will determine the 2013 national champions.

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FINAL ROUND (home runs out of 10 outs)
PLAYER TEAM WALL DISTANCE HOME RUNS
Ryan Bird Herts Falcons NBL 8
Ewan Clegg London Mets U17 League 4
Warwick Byrne Herts Harriers U17 League 0

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FIRST ROUND (home runs out of 5 outs)
PLAYER TEAM WALL DISTANCE HOME RUNS
Ewan Clegg London Mets U17 League 2
Ryan Bird Herts Falcons NBL 2
Warwick Byrne Herts Harriers U17 League 2
Brodie Caress Herts Harriers U17 League 1
Charlie Mayhew Herts Harriers U17 League 1
Conner Brown Herts Harriers U17 League 1
Cristobal Hiche Herts Falcons NBL 1
Drew Mayhew Herts Harriers U17 League 1
Jake Caress Herts Ravens U17 League 1
Liam Green Herts Ravens U17 League 1
Takuso Motoheshi London Mets U17 League 1
Andrew Briden TBC A League 0
Bruce Dullea Sidewinders AA League 0
Callum Vangundy Herts Harriers U17 League 0
Carlos Casal Herts Ravens AAA League 0
Carlos Casal Jr Herts Harriers U17 League 0
Coleman Bohn London Mets U14 League 0
Connor O’Shaughnessy London Mets U17 League 0
Dave Tretheway Herts Falcons NBL 0
Dexxter Bohn London Mets U17 League 0
Dick Williams TBC A League 0
George McGarry London Mets U17 League 0
James Dullea Herts Giants U11 League 0
Joe Williams London Mets U17 League 0
Josh Jones Herts Giants U11 League 0
Joshua Briden TBC U14 League 0
Jules de PH London Mets U17 League 0
Katie Everex-Armstrong Herts Cardinals U14 League 0
Lee Manning Herts Falcons NBL 0
Lewis Auchterlounie Herts Giants U11 League 0
Marianna Casal Herts Cardinals U14 League 0
Marrty Cullen Jr London Mets U17 League 0
Marty Cullen Harlow Nationals NBL 0
Nicholas Durer Herts Giants U11 League 0
Nick Russell Herts Hawks AA League 0
Pat O’Shaugnessy TBC A League 0
Paul Auchterlounie Herts Hawks AA League 0
Rory Vangundy Herts Dodgers U11 League 0
Sony Lama Herts Raptors A League 0
Sumiaki Kamada London Mets U17 League 0
Tom Everex-Armstrong Herts Harriers U17 League 0
Tom Jansson-Wright Herts Harriers U17 League 0
Tomasz Kosak Herts Eagles A League 0
by Herts Baseball News Editor

Herts Home Run Derby with a difference

(Note: Event schedule updated to fit in rained out U17 games from earlier in the season, as London Mets U17 confirmed availability)

The superstars of Major League Baseball gathered in front of a packed Citi Field in New York last week for the annual Home Run Derby as part of the MLB All Star week. This week it is the turn of the Herts Home Run Derby.

Herts Baseball Club has members who play in the five senior baseball leagues, but the club also has the youth team players aged from 6 to 16 as well as softball players and all of them will be competing for the Herts Home Run Champion title. Different outfield fences will be set up for the different teams and age groups reflecting the field distances they play on during their league games. This will mean that, for example, 5-year-old William Morillo will be able to compete against his 15-year old brother Jose Morillo, his father Jose Antonio, and also against Herts Falcons and NBL All Star centerfielder, Cris Hiche.

There will be the added angle of buckets filled with water scattered around the diamond. If a hit ball drops into the bucket the batter will be awarded a free drink from the Herts concessions bar.

EXHIBITION GAMES

The day will begin with an exhibition game between the Herts Harriers and a Herts All Star team featuring players from the club’s five senior league teams. There will be baseball activities for all other age groups before the Home Run Derby as the club welcomes newcomers to the game as part of the Olympics Legacy Festival of Sport in Dacorum Borough.

The day will end with an exhibition softball game involving baseball and softball players as well as parents of the Herts youth team players.

FOOD AND DRINKS

Throughout the event, the concessions stand will be running at full capacity offering hot and cold drinks and various traditional baseball snacks from hot dogs to Big League Chew.

EVENT SCHEDULE

10:00am, Updated: Herts Harriers vs London Mets (New Diamond) U17 League Game

11:00am, Baseball drills and exercises for all age groups, youth and adult (Old Diamond)

12:00pm, Lunch

12:15pm, Home Run Derby (New Diamond)

1:00pm, Updated: London Mets vs Horsham Hornets (Old Diamond) U17 League Game

2:00pm, Exhibition Softball Game

3:00pm, Event ends

VENUE

The event will take place at Grovehill Ballpark, the home of Herts Baseball Club (click for venue address and details)

CONTACT US

If you are not already on the club’s mailing lists contact us for details how to take part in this event. Everyone is welcome – male and female players of all ages.

 

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Play baseball in Herts as part of the 2013 Olympics Legacy Festival of Sport

Dacorum Borough in Hertfordshire celebrates one year on from the Olympic and Paralympic Games 2012 in London, and one to go until the Commonwealth Games 2014 in Glasgow. Most importantly, the event brings the Olympic Legacy to life by giving people in Dacorum, of all ages and abilities, the chance to experience a range of sporting events and activities.

If you’re not already involved in sport, want to get back into sport or if you just want to have fun with the family and try something new, then this week provides the ideal starting point. Throughout the festival period, local sports clubs and other sporting organisations across the borough are opening their doors and running events such as offering free taster sessions at their clubs.

There are more than 15 sports to try at more than 30 events right across the borough – and we are very pleased to confirm that baseball is part of the Festival.

WHERE?

Herts Baseball Club, Grovehill Ballpark, Washington Avenue, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire HP2 6BB

WHEN?

6pm to 8pm on Wednesday, July 24

11am to 2pm on Saturday, July 27

EVENT DETAILS

On Wednesday, July 24, there is an opportunity for anyone to come and give baseball a try at Grovehill Ballpark. Participants will be able to sample all aspects of baseball – fielding, batting, throwing and catching, base running and more.

On Saturday, July 27, apart from the opportunity for newcomers to come and try baseball, they will also be able to take part in games, the home run derby and other baseball contests.

On both days they will be able to meet and play alongside players from the Herts youth and adult teams.

WHO IS THE EVENT AIMED AT?

Boys and girls aged 6 to 16 and men and women aged 14 to 55+, from complete beginners to accomplished players is welcome – So Basically Everyone

COSTS?

Anyone can take part free of charge.

FOOD AND DRINKS?

Throughout the event on Saturday, July 27, the Herts Baseball concessions will be selling hot and cold drinks and all sorts of traditional baseball snacks from hot dogs to Big League Chew.

WHAT IS PROVIDED BY THE ORGANISERS?

All equipment will be provided by the organisers during the events.

WHAT WILL PARTICIPANTS NEED TO BRING?

Any sport clothing for a hot summer’s day and footwear suitable for grass surface.

DO WE NEED TO CONTACT THE CLUB IN ADVANCE?

We advise all those who are considering attending one of these events and who are not already in the Herts Baseball mailing lists to contact us ahead of the event providing an email address or telephone number so they can be notified if the event is cancelled due to unsuitable weather conditions or other circumstances.

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Is Marques the first British player to hit 2 grand slam home runs in the same game?

On Sunday the Herts Raptors won at the Guildford Mavericks to stay top of the British Single-A League and in the process catcher, Ben Marques, hit two grand slam home runs. For readers who are new to the game, a grand slam is a home run with the bases loaded to score four runs with one swing of the bat.

According to legendary pitchers Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine “chicks dig the long ball” (see their Nike video below) and we asked Marques whether he has experienced a surge in interest from females since Sunday. He said “my phone has been ringing off the hook all day and night”.

 

Marques’ achievement is certainly a first for Herts Baseball Club. The club has had the back-to-back-to-back 3-homerun game by Jim Denison in the Herts Falcons vs Cambridge Monarchs AAA League game in 2005, but there have been no Herts players who have hit two grand slam homeruns in the same game.

We are now going through the records to see if this feat has been done by any player in any of the British leagues. We contacted Joe Gray of Project COBB for assistance, who said “from my records for the top tier I have only one instance where two grand slams were clobbered in the same game, but that was by two different players (Robbie Unsell and William Schmitt on 21 August 2011 in a Bracknell Blazers vs Richmond Flames NBL game). I don’t have anything formal for lower league tiers, but I have done a fair bit of reading of old match reports and never come across this occurrence”.

Gray added: “Many congratulations to Ben for a tremendous achievement. I just hope that he does not do a “Tony Cloninger” who hit two grand slams in his entire MLB career, and they came in the same game while playing for the Atlanta Braves in 1966.”

If you have come across a player hitting two grand slams in the same game in Great Britain, we would be interested to know, so please contact us or send us a message via facebook or twitter.

 

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Falcons extend winning streak to 14 to stay top of NBL

photos by Richard Lee (richardleephotography.org)

written by Cristobal Hiche

After a weekend off where some Falcons players joined the Herts Team in the London Tournament and a few others played with the NBL All-Star Team, it was back to business to finish the season strong and continue with the winning streak. However, the always dangerous Lakenheath Diamondbacks were standing in the way. If they have all their players available they can be a real threat and it started that way in the first game.

NBL (Game 1) Herts Falcons 7 Lakenheath Diamondbacks 2 (click to view box scores)

Dbacks got ahead early in the game and every Falcons player was trying to adjust their strike zone and Kevin Carr was pitching very well for the Dbacks, exploiting the outside corner of the plate and a good repertoire of fastballs and wicked curveballs. By the bottom of the 4th Falcons had only 1 hit and had left few men on base. Kevin was striking out too many Falcons (8 in total) and the Falcons realised they needed just to put the ball in play if something was going to happen. With Carr getting a little bit tired, he walk a few batters and with bases loaded and 1 out, Michael Osborn being down 0-2 battled to a 2-2 count and put the ball in play on a grounder to second base but an error was made on the catch and then trying to rush the throw to first base it went wild and two important runs were scored. This changed the momentum of the game and gave the Falcons the lead. That was probably a psychological boost for the Falcons and also the realisation by Lakenheath that the game might be slipping away. Why? Because, although Robbie Unsell allowed an early run, he was still pitching a gem and for the most part taking control of the game. However with the score 3-1 in the top of the 5th, Robbie made a small but costly mistake hanging a slider in the middle of the plate which Kevin Carr smashed to left field reducing the Herts lead. However Falcons regained control and ended up scoring 4 more runs with the help of Ryan Bird who went 2-3 (1RBI, 1R, 1 double) to give Falcons a final score of 7-2.

NBL (Game 2) Herts Falcons 17 Lakenheath Diamondbacks 0 (click to view box scores)

The second game ended up being a slug fest for the Falcons. Let’s make no mistake, Lakenheath starting pitcher Shawn Benton had a good slider and curveball. In fact, he managed to strike out Cris Hiche twice who up to these games had only 5 all season. However, he abused too much of his breaking balls and Falcons jumped all over them. With a final score of 17-0 is difficult to find the player of the match. Although Robbie Unsell (2-3, 4R, 1RBI, 1BB), Xavi Gonzalez (2-3, 3R, 4RBI, 1 Triple) and Jordan Farkas (2-4, 1R, 2RBI) had their usual amazing performances, it was once again Ryan Bird who stole the show (in the reporter’s opinion) finishing 2-3, 3R, 1BB, and an impressive 6RBI, including a clearing bases double. That’s Bingo Bango right there!…And even though it now sounds like a broken record, it’s impossible to avoid mentioning another stellar performance by Michael Osborn who pitched a shutout.

Manager Lee Manning had this to say at the end of the day: “I’m very happy with the way the whole team played today. It was a slow start in Game 1 but we found the runs when we needed to”. He then added: “Game 2 was a hitting show with Michael doing an amazing job once again on the hill. Bingo Bango!”

Falcons have another weekend off since they have only 2 weekends left in their regular season in the next month and a half. It seems such a shame since Falcons are playing so well, carrying lots of momentum and the beautiful weather screams for baseball games. But although in the US summer is associated with baseball, beers, hot dogs and apple pie, given UK’s recent rainy summers it makes complete sense to have started the season quite early in the cold days of spring. Unfortunately there wasn’t any rain and now there won’t be much baseball in the best UK summer in decades. With playoffs pushed all the way to September, and God forbid there isn’t a downpour that weekend, let’s hope Falcons can keep the winning streak going until the end. So Falcons fans can relax this weekend, spend time with the family, and plan for the last two home dates for the team on 11 and 18 August and of course the September playoffs.

 

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Ravens unable to stop impressive Metros

The Herts Ravens were not able to upset the odds and lost both games of their doubleheader with the AAA League leaders.

AAA League (Game 1) London Metros 17 Herts Ravens 5 (click to view box scores)

The London Metros produced an impressive hitting display in the first game outhitting the Ravens 16-4. Ten of their 16 hits came in the top of the first inning which produced 13 runs. Herts did well to recover after that, scoring 5 and conceding 4 runs from the second inning onwards, but the early deficit was too much to come back from.

Johan Villanueva hit one of three homeruns for the Metros, but it was lefty centerfielder, Andrew Vargas, who stood out for them batting 4-for-5, with 2 home runs and a double, just missing out on the cycle. His two home runs went deep over the right-centerfield wall falling on the new diamond and interrupting the NBL game between the Falcons and Dbacks which was being played at the same time. Given the power which he displayed on the day, it is surprising to see that he does not have any other home runs so far this season and has only 2 extra base hits over the course of the season. On today’s display he is certainly worth a call up to the London Mets NBL team.

AAA League (Game 2) London Metros 10 Herts Ravens 6 (click to view box scores)

In the second game Herts turned the table on the Londoners taking an early 1-run lead. They were still holding on to a 1-run lead going into the fifth inning. Liam Green was in control on the mound for Herts allowing only 3 hits through the first 4 innings, but in the fifth the Metros produced another devastating inning scoring 5 runs. Herts stayed in touch right to the end with debutants JP Prouty and Matt Bucher contributing both defensively and offensively. London reliever, Johan Villanueva came in to pitch very effective sixth and seventh inning to close the game for the save.

The Herts Ravens will be looking to return to winning ways next Sunday, 28 July, when they welcome the Oxford Kings (first pitch 12pm).

by Rob Jones

Fastballs, hot dogs and underpants: Herts in Croydon 2013

One of the most famous sayings in sports goes something like this: Winning isn’t everything. It’s the only thing.

But there are times when it isn’t true — and the annual London Tournament is one of them. For me anyway. Perhaps not everyone comes with the same attitude. But I see this weekend as a chance to relax on a baseball diamond while still playing a competitive game. If I have to choose a pithy quote, I’d prefer Grantland Rice’s “it’s not that you won or lost, but how you played the game”.

For anyone who hasn’t been, the London Tournament in Croydon is a weekend bunfight of baseball, with teams competing from around England but also from further afield. Clubs have come over from Ireland, France, and the Netherlands.

Herts players
Cris Hiche (R) gives his first team talk of the weekend

Some are complete teams. Others are made up from random bits of clubs and from collections of players who make shifting rosters. The Herts offering this year was one team, made up of the very best from the NBL Falcons, down to the Sunday hackers like me from Single-A.

That is a great opportunity to play against and alongside some classy players. Xavi Gonzalez has been causing a stir in British baseball this year, so to see him up close is fun. Chilean international Cris Hiche was managing the squad, so it was good to watch him handle some of the rising young stars he has helped to develop at Grovehill.

I took first base for our first game of the day, against the MK Bucks. I really enjoy playing first, as you can be in on virtually every play. You coach players to always want the ball, and to always expect the ball — at first base, there is never any question about that. I’d gladly do it more often, though manages would probably want me to grow five inches.

It can be a little daunting to be taking the throws from cannon arms like Liam Green and Carlos Velazco-Caruz, but at least you know that the ball is definitely going to reach you! It’s not like Single-A here (I would still quite like it if Liam took something off his throws though!)

I safely caught a couple of routine ground-outs which the infield had snared. There was another which I caught, but then lost as I pulled my hand out from the runner’s path, before gathering it again. MK argued their guy was safe, the umpire gave him out. I honestly don’t know, but I did think that I had got him before the ball came out the glove.

Lee Manning
Falcons manager Lee Manning suits up. Form an orderly queue, ladies.

Hitting was a challenge against a strong pitcher. The downside of getting to play with great players is that you have to face some, too! My scoresheet shows that the Bucks starter struck out 8 in his four innings of work, so I should feel no shame in being one of them!

At least the second time up I managed to get a bat on it. I figured it was best to go the other way to help me deal with the high speed fastballs, but I lined out to second base. If I’d come up a third time, I’d have got him! Definitely.

The second game went slightly less well for me, though much the same for the team (a defeat this time by the Midland All Stars, one of those pick-up squads which seemed to have players from the Latin Boys, the Nottingham Rebels, and the Essex Redbacks). I never got to hit, and in the field was a party to three balls which were just too far out of reach. The one play I could have made — receiving a force-out at second — Lee threw instead to first and muffed it. But I won’t hold it against him…

Of course, as the first words of this article suggested, the London Tournament experience is not just about playing competitive baseball. It is about beer and hot dogs in the baking sun. About reading the Daily Telegraph sports section while relaxing on the bench.

It’s about endlessly ribbing Lee Manning, and fighting off unpleasant visions of him in his underpants. It’s about empathising with catcher Dave Westfallen as he took a foul ball directly to the crown jewels. When I say empathising, obviously I mean that we laughed cruelly, but we always had a good heart behind it.

It’s about catching up with former team-mates and old faces. Ex-Falcon Marty Cullen was helping run the show for the GB team, so he was busy lugging beer, hawking merchandise and shooting the breeze. Simon Langton, now with Hull, again lent Herts his soft hands and strong arm for the weekend.

I should also make honourable mention of my Herts Eagles team-mates, who did us proud with their performances on Saturday. Duncan Hoyle and Tom Kosak scored our first runs in both Saturday games, and hit well against higher league pitchers. Hopefully that will boost their confidence for the stretch run in Single-A.

Attention at the club now returns to the serious business of qualifying for playoffs, and hopefully securing a national title. This sun-soaked experience in south London — this small-time equivalent of the All Star break — could be the springboard for even better things.

 

 

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Herts add two American outfielders

J.P. Prouty with the Grinnell Pioneers

With big games coming up this weekend, Herts have confirmed that they have added two players to their roster.

J.P. Prouty is a 25-year-old outfielder. He comes from Stilwell, Kansas. The 6’1” tall right-handed batter has played at the college level in America for several seasons with Grinnell College alongside Herts Falcons pitcher and infielder, Robbie Unsell. His stats with Grinnell College are shown below.

Also joining is Matt Bucher, who played high school baseball at Marquette Catholic High School and is currently a history/business teacher and the head American Football and junior varsity baseball coach at Marquette Catholic.

Both players have been registered in time for this Sunday’s league games.
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J.P. Prouty statistics with Grinnell College Baseball

Year Avg. GP AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI Slg% OB%
2007 0.286 22 56 9 16 0 1 0 6 0.321 0.328
2008 0.292 33 113 16 33 5 0 0 16 0.336 0.346
2009 0.302 29 96 21 29 4 1 1 16 0.396 0.382
2010 0.243 14 37 3 9 1 0 0 2 0.27 0.282
Totals 0.288 98 302 49 87 10 2 1 40 0.344 0.347
by Herts Baseball News Editor

Herts Giants end Dodgers’ winning streak

The U11 series between the Herts Giants and the Herts Dodgers is now tied after the Giants secured a convincing 15-6 win on Saturday. Before the game the Herts Dodgers were on a 3-game winning streak threatening to take the series beyond the Giants but this win has blown the contest wide open.

Nicholas Durer (4-5), Josh Jones (4-5), James Dullea (3-4) and Lewis Auchterlounie (2-3) stood out with a multi-hit game, but in fact the Giants performed with the bat from the top to the bottom of the batting lineup outhitting the Dodgers 17-10.

Halfwway through the game the Haines family gave both teams a treat with ice-cream for everyone and that seemed to give the Dodgers the boost they needed, but it wasn’t enough to get back into the game.

U11 Series: Herts Giants 15 Herts Dodgers 6 (click to view box scores)

With the start of the school holidays the U11 series will be taking a break over the next few weeks, but it is perfectly poised for a climactic U11 championship decider when the players return from the holidays.