Category: Headlines

12 May 202512 May 2025 by Rob Jones

Weekend roundup: Sharing a split

We are all playing to win, right? But if that can’t be guaranteed, surely the next thing we all want is a close game, a competitive game.

The Herts Raptors’ last four games have been decided by a total of 5 runs. My maths tells me that’s an average margin of 1.25 runs per game. That’s close. That’s competitive.

They managed to have one of the nail-biters end in their favour yesterday, as they took an 8-6 victory over the Richmond Dukes at Grovehill.

The main factor in that was a tremendous performance on the pitching mound by Abdul El-Hamri, who scattered 7 hits over 5 innings, and struck out 8. He kept the ball down in the zone more consistently than on previous showings, and with devastating effect.

The Raptors only took the lead for the first time in the bottom of the fourth, showing spirit to rally after falling behind 5-1 early on. Michael Foyo drove in 2, and Dave Roberts picked up 2 hits. El-Hamri closed it out with a scoreless final inning – a groundout, a strikeout, and a flyout.

Game 2 of the double-header saw another cagey start, before Richmond capitalised on some walks to take a 5-1 lead again. But the Raptors rallied again to take the lead, with a 5-run inning keyed by a triple from catcher Nic Hine.

The Dukes retook the lead and as a very hot day in Hemel Hempstead drew to a close, Herts needed 2 to tie and 3 to win. They managed to push across Joe Spiers but couldn’t get the one more, and Richmond took the 8-7 win.

There was similar last gasp drama over at Basing Hill, where the Herts Eagles in Single-A were facing the Finchley Capybaras (who had got the better of the Raptors in those two tight games last week).

The Eagles were out of the gate quickly in the first, keeping the top half scoreless with a double play by Bex Williams, then racking up 5 runs with hits from Jacob Coyne and Chakradari Baiya. Frequent base-stealing, and good outfield work by Andres Hoyos, all added up to a quality team performance.

Finchley fought back, briefly taking the lead and tying it in the final inning. But Herts were able to secure the victory, with Danny Chan taking the pitching win.

Game 2 was a tougher experience, as some new pitchers experimented. But the Eagles had taken a split, and won their second game of the year.

In Double-A, the Herts Hawks fought off a rally by the Essex Archers to win Game 2 by a score of 15-14 and secure a share of their double-header. Ben Peters got the pitching win, striking out 7 across 3 1/3 innings – and backed himself up with 4 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. Giuseppe Basilea also went 2-3 and scored 2.

Game 1 was also a squeaker, with Herts leading until the middle of the fourth – with Riley Manning and Sebastian Greenberg among those chipping in – and Essex then rallying ahead. With 2 out in the bottom of the sixth, Ben Peters drove in 2. But the Archers managed to close the door to hang on for victory.

On a weekend of splits, the Herts Ravens notched up another win against Formosa Islanders. Darrin Ward pitched a complete game in the 12-8 win, with Sony Lama driving in 4 runs. They are now 2-6 on the season. The Herts Harriers had a tough trip to the league-leading Cambridge Lancers, where they were swept.

Herts Ravens take their first win of the year

28 April 202528 April 2025 by Rob Jones

Up and running

“Opening Day” in the BBF leagues in 2025 has been more of a marathon than a sprint. But all 7 of the Herts adult teams are now on the track, and are up and running.

The last of them to taste action were the Herts Hawks in Double-A, this past weekend. They were quick out of the blocks with a sweep of their double-header against the Oxford Kings. Lee Manning got the 5-4 win in extras in Game 1, after Ken Pike scattered 5 hits and struck out 4 in his 6+ innings.

Young GB star Ben Peters got the W in a more comfortable 11-5 win in Game 2. He was backed up by 3 RBIs from another bright talent, Seb Greenberg – who had scored the winning run in the first game. The Hawks have a blend of youth and experience which could deliver big things.

Perhaps the biggest drama of the weekend was the Herts Harriers, also in Double-A, getting their second win of the year with an astonishing comeback against Latin Boys. Going into the final half inning of Game 2 they were down 16-6. After getting roughed up in Game 1, you might expect heads to drop. But a string of walks, and hits from Mike Cresswell and Natasha Romoff, set the stage for Lee Dunn to drive a walk-off single and set off cheers and even screaming among the fans.

*Lee Dunn is all smiles after his walkoff*

The Herts Ravens got their first win of the season, taking Game 2 of their double-header at home to the Formosa Islanders. The Ravens had endured a baptism of fire in Double-A after moving up, taking on last year’s defeated finalists Richmond Dragons on back to back weekends. Now on a more level playing field, the Ravens battled in 2 games against the Formosa Islanders. Veteran Darrin Ward got the pitching W, while Sonam Lama keyed the offense, with 3 RBIs.

Herts Toucans, who have marked Herts’ return to the NBL after a year away, continued their solid season with a sweep away at the Croydon Pirates. Josh Marriott hit a home run in Game 2, to follow his triple in Game 1. The Toucans had kicked off their season – on actual Opening Day, three weeks ago – with a win over the Sheffield Bruins and currently stand 3-3. Masa Hasiguchi has 31 strikeouts in 17 innings pitched, and leads the league in both categories.

The last of our teams in action this past weekend were the Herts Raptors in Single-A. They travelled to Milton Keynes to face the Bucks, last year’s defeated finalists. The Raptors made a great showing against such a tough opponent, with 12-7 and 9-6 defeats. Abdul El Hamri gave a gutsy performance on the mound in the second game as he learns his pitching craft, striking out four — and he also got on base 4 times to help his own cause, and drove in 2 runs.

The Raptors had got their win in the bag a couple of weeks ago, taking their first game against the Herts Eagles. But in a happy bit of symmetry for the club, the Eagles then got their first win in the second half of the Herts derby double-header, 18-13. Boran Sahin was their star on that day, and the Eagles get to taste action again next week as they go to Milton Keynes.

Like the Eagles, the Herts Cardinals in Triple-A have also had a slow start to their 2025 schedule. They’ve had just the one fixture, a double-header against last year’s semi-finalists the London Metros. They suffered narrow defeats – including a 14-13 walkoff in Game 2. The Cardinals’ season doesn’t crank into real action until mid-May.

Herts returns to top tier with Capital investment

13 February 202513 February 2025 by Herts Baseball News Editor

Toucans land Herts back in the top tier

Herts is delighted to announce that the club will be returning to the top level of British baseball, the National Baseball League (NBL), in 2025.

The Capitals, who have been mainstays of the NBL for many years now, are moving over to the Herts organisation. They will now become the Herts Toucans, and will play most of their home games at Grovehill Ballpark in Hemel Hempstead.

The team brings a wealth of experience to the club, and a record of success. They made five consecutive appearances in the national championship series from 2019 to 2023, and that has seen them qualify for European competitions too.

Herts club President, Mike Cresswell, welcomed the Capitals aboard: “We are delighted to have an amazing group of people who will contribute to Herts as a whole. The club is pleased to make a return to the NBL.”

The Herts Falcons were a regular fixture in the NBL after their promotion in 2008. They won the NBL regular season pennant in 2013, and their numerous playoff appearances reached a peak in 2018 when they made it to the final and qualified for Europe. Herts last had an NBL team in 2023, when the Falcons were part of an experiment at Grovehill featuring ticketing and promotions.

The club is keen to see the Toucans help build on a successful 2024, in which the Herts Cardinals in Triple-A and the Herts Ravens in Single-A both reached the post-season.

The Capitals had a 13-10 record last year, before being knocked out of the playoffs by the London Mets. They were formerly part of the London club, and will hope that this move is accompanied by another step up in their fortunes.

25 September 202425 September 2024 by Rob Jones

Old rivals see off Ravens in nailbiter

Somehow it always felt as if this match-up was inevitable. For two seasons, the Herts Ravens and the Milton Keynes Bucks have traded blows in Single-A, battling for supremacy in their division. They have broadly split their regular season series.

This year, the Ravens locked up the division in a way which meant they skipped all the postseason play-ins and qualifiers, and sat back to wait. Meanwhile, MK went through round after round with their mix of big hitting, solid fielding, and wily strategy – and it just felt as if the face-off against Herts was meant to be.

The Ravens’ ace Nic Goetz got the start in this semi-final at Farnham Park and was, predictably, dealing. The first five batters all sat down, through a mix of strikeouts, groundouts and flyouts. A single did put a runner on in the second, but another strikeout fixed that pretty quickly.

But it was the Bucks who got on the scoreboard first, with a two-out rally in the third inning. A couple of singles and a throwing error and they had scored two, with the Ravens getting one back in reply in their half.

It was in the bottom of the fourth when the Herts bats really sprang to life to seize the lead. Right fielder Dan Taylor got aboard to get it started, and Henry Bell got his second hit of the day. Third base stalwart Greg Bochan drove in two with a triple to centre field. Then lefty slugger Zak Beller promptly managed to one-up him with an inside the park home run.

It was a maximum 5-run inning and a real statement from the Ravens. But these two teams are evenly matched and it was never going to be the last word.

The one moment of controversy and confusion arose in the top of the fifth, and it was a clear setback for Herts. With an MK runner on base, who had reached through an error, a ball was hit down the third base line. The feeling of everyone was that it had gone foul, but it was ruled fair. Once the ball was recovered, the batter was safe and the runner had scored. The Bucks capitalised on the moment, and soon they’d tied the game.

More hits for Gilberto Medina, Taylor, Bell, and a run from Andrew Slater created from a walk and steals, helped Herts get their nose back in front. Goetz had struck out 5 and walked none in another epic performance.

But somehow momentum seemed to be swinging against them. MK took a 9-8 lead and the Ravens were held scoreless for the first time since the second inning.

They would get one more chance in the bottom of the seventh and final inning, and came supremely close.

Dan Taylor got on base again. With two outs, Nic Goetz — who by now had thrown 149 pitches, 100 of them for strikes — helped keep the game alive with a single to bring Taylor home. Matt Lewis pinch-ran and stole a base, and the man who had been the Ravens’ leadoff sparkplug all year, Hunter Devine, singled.

So with the tying runs on base, Greg Bochan drove one high out to right field. A running, shoe-string catch from the Milton Keynes outfielder was all that kept Herts from levelling the score. Maybe those fates who brought these two teams together had decided it was MK who should progress, by a score of 11-9.

*The two teams relaxing together after the game*

All the heroes for the Ravens in 2024 remained heroes – including the co-manager and chief scorer Matt Bell; fan extraordinaire Debra who provided cookies and vocal support; and team mascot Tess.

Everyone was gutted by the result, but delighted by the 15-3 season. Several Ravens were on the BBF leaderboards – Zak Beller for home runs, Hunter Devine for stolen bases, and Nic Goetz for ERA.

The team can be proud of its achievements again, and looks forward to more adventures in 2025.

14 September 202424 September 2024 by Greg Bochan

Players have started registering for the 2024 Hunlock Series

The 2024 BBF season has had its climax but, whether your team made it to the Playoffs or not, arguably the best part of the season is still to come.

Every year, after the end of the BBF season and just when the MLB postseason is about to start, players from Herts and other British baseball clubs – as well as overseas players – compete over several weeks in a tournament in memory of Herts Baseball Club’s number 36, the late Kyle Hunlock.

SERIES FORMAT

This is the 18th year of the Hunlock Series. In its inaugural year in 2006 two teams were involved, the Falcons and the Hawks. The format of the competition has evolved since then. The club has over 170 registered adult players this year and a considerable number of new players are expected to register to play in the Series. As players sign up over the next few weeks we will know how many teams will enter the Series this year.

SCHEDULE

It will be played over three Sundays on 29 September, 6 and 13 October.

VENUES

Games will be played at two ballparks – weeks 2 and 3 at Grovehill Ballpark in Hemel Hempstead, and the opening week at Basing Hill Ballpark in London (both pictured above).

WHO CAN PLAY?

Any players aged 14 and over on 31 December 2024 are eligible to play in the Hunlock Series.

THE DRAFT

As in previous years, the teams will be selected by the team managers during the Hunlock Series Draft. Who will be the first round picks? How will Single-A league players and newcomers perform alongside NBL and Triple-A players?

Over the years we have seen how decisions made during the Draft can shape the outcome of the Series before a pitch has been thrown. The managers will have to make carefully calculated decisions if they are to put together a team which can compete for the Hunlock Series title, otherwise they could face a tough few weeks.

With all of the club’s managers and coaching staff observing these games, players who have been pushing for promotion to a higher league team will have the perfect opportunity during the Hunlock Series to make a claim to play on the bigger stage in 2025.

NEW PLAYERS

The club has also received enquiries from many potential new members over the last few weeks and this event is the ideal opportunity for them to come and play and help them decide whether to join the club for the 2025 season.

HOW TO REGISTER

All Hunlock Series players will be drafted into teams. To be eligible for the Draft you will need to update your availability for ALL the Hunlock Series dates in the online Clubhouse by 7pm Monday, 23 September. If you miss the deadline or the first one or two weeks of games, don’t worry. You will still be eligible to play but will have to be assigned as a free agent after the Draft.

If you already have a Clubhouse account you can update availability for the Hunlock Series dates by logging on with your existing username and password. Click here to go to the Clubhouse.

If you do not have a Clubhouse account but wish to play in the Hunlock Series, please register here and select “Play Hunlock Series” in the membership category list. After registering you can log on and mark your availability.

ENTRY FEE

2024 Herts club members do not have to pay an entry fee as the Hunlock Series is part of their membership package. If you don’t have a Hunlock Series team shirt, you can buy one before your first game. The team shirt is expected to be priced at around £10.

New players or players from other clubs can play by paying the £24 entry fee which includes a free Hunlock Series shirt of the team which has drafted them.

ENQUIRIES FROM NEW PLAYERS

For more details about playing in the Hunlock Series, contact us.

11 September 202411 September 2024 by Rob Jones

Cardinals go down swinging

“One swing of the bat” has always seemed like a misleading phrase, as nothing in baseball is ever that simple. It’s a bit like saying only the last metre of an Olympic sprint final matters. But that one home run swing felt really crucial in the Herts Cardinals’ first playoff game on Saturday (September 8th).

After a 15-9 season, the Cardinals had reached the postseason. They walked over the Long Eaton Storm to secure a qualifier at Finsbury Park against the Essex Saxons.

By the bottom of the third, Herts were down 1-0. A strikeout and flyout meant they had two out. But there were two men on base. And when catcher Conner Brown connected on a pitch, it was a booming no-doubter towards centre field.

Brown’s home run put the Cards 3-1 up and they didn’t look back. He racked up a fourth RBI in the bottom of the fifth when his groundout brought in Tyler Cote who had reached with one of his two hits. Mike Cresswell drove in the fifth run in the next inning.

And that was enough to back up Cote’s impressive outing on the pitching mound. He yielded only one hit, walked four and struck out nine for the complete game victory.

*The Cardinals in action at Finsbury Park (pic. Mike Cresswell)*

A tidy morning of work for the Cardinals. But in the playoff schedule, that put them straight back into action in the afternoon in a quarter final facing the London Metros.

The first inning was pretty clean for both teams, then Herts threatened in the top of the second. Conner Brown scored the first run, driven in by Bob Laflamme. But the Metros were able to limit the damage to just that singleton, and they scored a pair of two-out runs in reply in their half to take the lead.

Tyler Dale was pitching a gem for the Cardinals, and scattered six hits while striking out three. But London were able to stretch their lead in the third inning to 5-1 and were staying strong. Cardinals bats made good contact but line drives and fly balls always found a fielder.

Going into the seventh and final inning, Herts needed a rally and Vytas Macenas started it off with a single. A hit by pitch got a second man on. But by the time Macenas came round to score there were two out, and a final flyout sealed the Metros’ win.

This has been another another tremendous season for the Cardinals, and a playoff win is a further step forwards. They will return reinvigorated in 2025.

*MK facing London at Grovehill (pic: Rob Jones)*

Over at Grovehill on Saturday, Herts were hosting a round of Single-A playoff games for the British Baseball Federation (BBF). The games were all close, with Milton Keynes Bucks 2, Bracknell Phoenix, and Guildford Millers running out as winners.

The Sunday was due to see Double-A playoffs at the field, but overnight rain and a fresh downpour in the morning threatened to derail things badly. Teams were coming from all over the country, with Bootle Trojans the first to arrive before 8:30.

Rather than see the visitors waste their long trips, the Herts ground crew performed miracles to mop, rake, dry and mark the diamonds ready for baseball. Some sponges and kitty litter also played a part, as did visiting players. The club is immensely grateful to all of them!

Wragby, Richmond, Leeds and London were the winners. The playoffs continue this weekend and beyond.

Cardinals in 2024 action (photo: Herman Ng)

26 August 202425 September 2024 by Rob Jones

Cards start their playoff run; Ravens wait in the wings

The Herts Ravens and the Herts Cardinals now know what September holds for them as they enter the British Baseball Federation (BBF) post-season.

In the Triple-A league, the Cardinals’ 15-9 record put them in the first round of wildcard playoffs. They claimed victory over the Long Eaton Storm on Sunday September 1st because their opponents could not muster a full team and had to forfeit.

The next hurdle is the Essex Saxons, who they face on Saturday September 7th at Finsbury Park. First pitch is at 11am. The two teams split their season series, so look evenly matched.

If they win that, the Cardinals leap straight back into action at 2 o’clock that afternoon at the same venue, facing the London Metros. We are cheering them on all the way!

The Herts Ravens of Single-A ended their regular season with two narrow defeats by the MK Bucks, their closest challenger in their division all year. The two teams split their series of games over the season but the Ravens had locked up the division and take the number 2 seed nationally based on their 15-3 record.

Last year, they had to clock up the miles to play back-to-back playoff games, the last of them in Cardiff.

But in 2024, the Ravens’ seeding means they go straight into the final weekend. On Saturday September 21st they will be the home team in semi-final 1 at Farnham Park. They would be the home team for the final there the next day if they win through, so we are already anticipating some walk-off drama!

Elsewhere in Single-A, the Herts Buzzards closed their regular season with victory in a high-scoring hit-fest against the Essex Redbacks. The teams shared out 30 hits between them, and the Buzzards ended with a 14-13 win and a pitching victory for Declan Carlean.

The Herts Eagles ended with a tough visit to Finsbury Park. They played well, but an injury and admin issues led to an unsatisfactory final day.

*Essex Arrows secure the NBL pennant (pic: Henry Bell)*

There is plenty of activity at Grovehill Ballpark throughout September for anyone wanting to get their baseball fix. Our excellent facilities and fields allow us to host games for a range of other teams – and volunteers are always welcome to help us put on the events!

There were a final round of NBL games there on September 1st, as they wrapped up their regular season and decided playoff placings. Essex Arrows secured the league title. On September 7/8th there are quarter finals for the Single-A and Double-A leagues, and then a further fixture on the 15th.

Our youth players have also returned to action, after the separate summer camps which ran during July and August (which, we are delighted to say, attracted some new talent to the club).

There is training at both Basing Hill and Grovehill on August 31st, with activity combined at Basing Hill the following week. This is all building up to the Youth Baseball National Championships (YNBCs) at Farnham Park. The U-10s and U-12s are there on September 14th, with the U-15s and U-18s following up on September 21st.

*Herts has a long pedigree at YNBCs – this is from 2014*

Hawks walk-off leads the way in weekend of big wins

13 August 202413 August 2024 by Herts Baseball News Editor

Hawks walk-off a highlight in weekend of big wins

by Ken Pike and Rob Jones

The Herts Hawks of the AA-league went into their final double-header of the regular season knowing that a win might secure them a playoff berth. It would depend on other results, thanks in part to a number of teams falling foul of the forfeit rules. But the first task is to beat the team in front of you.

The Norwich Iceni, being tough competition, would not have been the Hawks’ opposition of choice under a beating hot sun at Grovehill. The Hawks went for it full throttle from the first inning of Game 1 when the first two pitches resulted in outs.

This was the start of a close and fast game with defence on both sides being highly effective. Norwich took the lead after two, but the Hawks kept chipping away and held the visitors to zeroes in most innings.

In the end, after more than 2 hours in the baking dust, it came down to the last inning with the Hawks behind by 1 run.

Ken Pike dropped a bunt and got on first thanks, in part, to a slip by the pitcher. He promptly worked his way to second where a hit from Dale Hardwick brought him round with another error from Norwich. The pressure was telling. Hardwick, now on first, made his own call for lightning-fast rookie Kobby Darteh to come in as a pinch runner.

The youngster said thanks by stealing second before Gio Basilea stepped to the plate and, a couple of swings later, launched a ball deep into the outfield. Darteh’s first and only contribution to the game became the winning run sending the Hawks into cheers. Pike took the pitching win, scattering 8 hits and striking out 6.

The second game was a similarly edgy affair, with Basilea and then Lee Manning sharing the duties on the mound. Harry McMenamin drove in two, while Jack O’Brien hit a double. But the heat was taking its toll and in the end Norwich built up a lead that despite a late surge proved to be just enough to clinch the win 8-5.

On Saturday, the Herts Buzzards of Single-A had secured the first big headline of the weekend. They took a dramatic win at Grovehill against MK Bucks, one of the powerhouses of the division. It was a game with lots of traffic on the basepaths, with Herts’ Declan Carlean, Danny Preston and Lee Dunn racking up multiple hits.

The Buzzards had edged ahead 12-11 entering the final inning. Then Dunn locked down the complete game win from the mound, his 100th pitch a fly-out to seal victory. MK had their revenge in Game 2, but the Buzzards can be proud of a great win.

Their Single-A stablemates, the Herts Eagles, came away from their Sunday trip to Richmond with a sweep. They beat the Dukes 11-3 and 17-7, with Danny Chan and Ben Myzer the winning pitchers and there was praise from the team for their solid work.

First baseman Neil Chilton got the Eagles’ fielding highlight of the day, ending the third inning with an unassisted double play to end the threat of a Richmond rally. Gregoire Iseli and Ahmed Hassan led the offense. The Eagles are finishing the season strong.

The Herts Ravens’ unbeaten record finally fell in Game 2 of their double-header at MK Bucks on Sunday. The home side hung on for a 16-15 victory on a very hot day which drained everyone’s energy.

But the Ravens’ 9-4 win in Game 1 had secured them the division title for the second year in a row. Nic Goetz sparkled as always on the mound, guest star Danny Preston bashed a home run, and Hunter Devine did everything across the two games – as catcher, outfielder, batter and base-stealer.

The club’s expert statisticians say the Ravens had actually been on a 34-game regular season unbeaten run. That’s pretty extraordinary, and the team feel well poised for the Single-A playoffs, whatever that might bring.

All box scores can be found at the British Baseball Federation website.

12 June 202412 June 2024 by Herts Baseball News Editor

Youth summer camps come to Herts for 2024

In a year which has seen MLB return to the UK with a bang, Herts Baseball Club is thrilled to announce a new offering for our players – and for kids across British baseball.

The club will run a Summer Youth Baseball Training program at Grovehill Ballpark in Hemel Hempstead designed to cater to young players of all ages and skill levels. Sessions will take place from 23rd July to 15th August, every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

The program will be divided into two levels, Beginner and Experienced, to ensure the best and safest development of all of those taking part. Please ask your coaches if you have questions about which level suits you best.

The cost is just £15 per week (the fourth week has two sessions rather than three), or £50 for all 11 sessions. We feel this is excellent value, considering the expert leadership provided by Coach Stephen and his team. It is important to us to make sure baseball is available to as many families as possible.

Experienced Players

Skill Level: Players with over 1 year of baseball experience.
Age Group: 11-16 years old
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM (3 hours per session)
Training Content:
- Advanced skill development
- Pitcher and catcher training
- Hitting drills and techniques
- Physical conditioning

Beginner Players

Skill Level: Players with less than 1 year of baseball experience, or under 10 years old.
Age Group: less experienced players or under 10 years old
Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM (2 hours per session)
Training Content:
- Basic skill development
- Introduction to catch and throw
- Fundamental hitting drills
- Body coordination training

Registration

Participants will need to be registered with the British Baseball Federation (BBF), the sport’s UK governing body. To do this, you must sign up through the Sport80 website. All our existing players will already have done this, but please ensure you sign up if you are new to the season.

To register for the Herts Summer Baseball Training program, please fill in the online registration form. Ensure you select the appropriate skill level group for your child. If you have any questions, please consult your coach. Payment will be taken through the club’s Direct Debit process.

Training Content Breakdown

Individual Skill Development

Throwing: Techniques to improve accuracy and strength
Catching: Proper catching techniques and positioning
Fielding: Infield and outfield drills to enhance agility and reaction time

Pitcher and Catcher Training

Pitchers: Mechanics, control, and various pitching techniques
Catchers: Stance, receiving, blocking, and throw-down drills

Hitting Training

Beginners: Basic batting stance, swing mechanics, and tee work
Experienced: Advanced hitting strategies, live pitching, and situational hitting

Physical Conditioning/ Body coordination training

Strength Training: Age-appropriate exercises to build muscle and endurance
Agility Drills: Enhance speed and coordination
Flexibility Exercises: Stretching routines to prevent injuries
Body Coordination Drills

We look forward to seeing you at the Herts Baseball Club Summer Camp — and helping our young players enhance their skills and enjoy the game of baseball!

Herts rallies support for MND on Lou Gehrig Day

10 June 202426 July 2024 by Herts Baseball News Editor

Herts raises over £1,400 for MND on Lou Gehrig Day

Last week, Hertfordshire residents and businesses joined members of the baseball community in support of Motor Neurone Disease research for a charity event at a sunny Grovehill Ballpark in Hemel Hempstead.

The fundraising event for the Motor Neurone Disease Association on Sunday 2 June attracted people from across Hertfordshire and beyond. They enjoyed hotdogs, home-baked cakes, and other food and drinks donated by volunteers and local businesses in a tremendous display of community spirit and support for a vital cause. The most intrepid took part in ice-bucket challenges.

*(L-R) Pete Hogg, Hetty Smith, Mike Cresswell*

Of course, this is a baseball club – so we had sporting challenges too. People of all ages and abilities joined in with a friendly softball match and other fun baseball games. Two of Herts’ British Baseball Federation (BBF) AA-league teams, the Hawks and the Ducks, battled it out in league games in front of a record number of spectators. Fittingly, they won one game each!

The event raised over £1,460 for the MND Association charity. It will be split between the national branch to fund medical research and the local branch to provide care and equipment for people in Hertfordshire living with MND.

June 2nd is a significant date for Major League Baseball (MLB), as America’s top professional league marks Lou Gehrig Day each year in honour of the former Yankees star player, and the degenerative disease that bears his name.

MLB featured Herts Baseball Club on their global website in the lead up to the event and donated an array of prizes, including team hats, jerseys, and tickets to the London Series games between the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies at the London Stadium, which were eagerly won by attendees. Other great prizes included a bat, donated by Baseball Outlet, batting cage time donated by The 108 in Brent Cross, and a softball signed by the Great Britain Women’s World Cup team, donated by BSUK.

The event took on an additional layer of significance as the day drew to a close, with the breaking news that another sporting legend, former Rugby League player Rob Burrow, passed away from Motor Neurone Disease.

Event organiser for Herts Baseball Club, Pete Hogg, who also ran the inaugural Rob Burrow Marathon for MNDA in 2023, remarked: “The generosity and enthusiasm of our volunteer team and everyone who chipped in with prizes and donations made the day a roaring success. I can’t thank them all enough. We are thrilled with the turnout and that everyone had an amazing fun day.”

“Rob Burrow and Lou Gehrig are both sporting icons who share the same tragic fate at the hands of Motor Neurone Disease, but will be remembered for generations to come as inspirational figures in their respective sports. The funds raised today will make a real difference in the fight against it.”

The ceremonial first pitch was thrown by Hetty Smith from the MND Association’s Hertfordshire branch, who was the guest of honour at the event. Speaking on behalf of the MND Association, she shared her gratitude: “The Hertfordshire Branch are immensely grateful to Pete Hogg for organising this event. Without the support of people like Pete and his friends, family, and colleagues, we would not be able to fund equipment for people living with this horrendous disease in Hertfordshire. Half of the funds raised will go to the National Office towards research funding which is hugely important. Events like this are also a very important way of raising awareness.”

Herts Club President Michael Cresswell added: “We are grateful to the residents of Hertfordshire and beyond for their incredible support. Whether they attended, donated, or volunteered, their contributions have made a meaningful impact in our collective fight against Motor Neurone Disease. Herts Baseball Club plans to make Lou Gehrig Day an annual event and we hope to inspire other international clubs, players, and fans to get involved and make next year even bigger.”

The successful fundraiser not only generated significant funds for MND research but also showcased the growing enthusiasm for baseball in the UK. As the sport continues to gain momentum, events like this highlight its potential to bring people together for a greater good.

To support Herts Baseball Club’s fundraising efforts please visit https://givestar.io/gs/lou-gehrig-day-at-herts-baseball-club.