Category: Headlines

by AspiDimitrov

RICHMOND ARE 2010 CHAMPIONS. EAGLES PICK UP BRONZE IN THE AAA-LEAGUE

This article was first published on www.britishbaseball.org

RICHMOND FLAMES ARE NATIONAL BASEBALL LEAGUE CHAMPIONS FOR 2010
by BSUK Special Correspondent Simon Fitzjohn
 
 
Richmond Flames won their first national title since 2006 when they defeated Bracknell Blazers in the final at the National Baseball Championships played at Grovehill Ballpark in Hemel Hempstead over the weekend of September 4-5.
 
The London Mets and Southampton Mustangs, the other National League teams to qualify for the Championships, had bowed out earlier in the weekend.
 
Aside from the main NBL action, there were three other National Championship titles up for grabs, with the Oxford Kings taking AAA honours, the Richmond Knights earning the AA title and the MK Bucks winning the Single A championship.

 
Herts Baseball Club hosted the 2010 National Baseball Championships at their picturesque two-diamond venue in Hemel Hempstead (photo by www.hp2photographic.com)

NATIONAL BASEBALL LEAGUE
SATURDAY
It was a day of surprises as the Richmond Flames, who finished third in the National Baseball League regular season standings, advanced straight to Sunday's final by dumping both the London Mets and Bracknell Blazers.
 
Both Bracknell and the Mets eased past Southampton on Saturday, eliminating the Mustangs in the process and setting up a winner-takes-all semi-final showdown on Sunday.

 
The NBC got off to an entertaining start as Richmond disposed of Bracknell by a score of 6-3. The Flames jumped out to an early lead, and with a strong pitching display from Ryan Bird, held on despite a Bracknell rally. Cody Cain clubbed a home run for Richmond, and Michael Osborn slapped a two-run single to pace their offence. For the Blazers, Reiniel Martinez was the tough-luck loser, giving up four runs in six innings of work, while Henry Collins singled in their only earned run.
 
There was no such surprise in Game Two, as the London Mets cruised past the underdog Mustangs by 8-2. Southampton actually took the lead in the top of the second inning thanks to a Ben Davis RBI, but that merely stunned the league leaders into action. With Alberto Casciello, Dan Williams and Alex Pike all contributing two RBIs each, London moved into a 7-2 lead after three innings and never looked back. Reid Wilson pitched the first known top-tier postseason no-hitter (according to the GBBSA archives dating back to 1994), which was a complete game win for the Mets.  Mustangs pitchers Chuck Truelson, Lee Ralph and Dave Wrigley each had two innings of work, and each were hit around by the mighty London offense.  Wilson's no-hitter was achieved despite throwing nine walks!
 
In the second round of Saturday games the Flames tangled with the Mets, with London expected to move to the final by disposing of Richmond. But the Flames jumped out to an early 3-0 lead, and with Michael Osborn pitching a gem they continued to keep the Mets at bay. Carlos Manchino went 3-for-4 for Richmond, launching a home run in the process as the Flames kept picking away at London starter Bryan Anderson. The Flames scored runs in five of the seven innings to earn a fully-deserved 8-2 verdict.

 

  
Cody Cain was the 2010 National League MVP, striking out 12 in his complete-game victory over Bracknell (photo by www.event-photos.co.uk)

 With Richmond and London having advanced, the final game of Saturday was a do-or-die struggle as Bracknell clashed with Southampton with the losers set for an early exit. The game began as a pitching duel between Matt Maitland and Gary Davison and was tied at 1-1 after four innings. But Bracknell broke through late on, scoring six runs in the final innings thanks to home runs from Mike Trask, Ryan Trask and Matt Maitland as they finally prevailed by a score of 7-3. 
photo by www.event-photos.co.uk
SUNDAY
The NBL's top two sides as far as the league standings were concerned opened Sunday's action as Bracknell and London met with a final spot open for the winner and a hasty exit for the loser.

And befitting the occasion, the teams produced a thrilling contest, which required ten innings to find a victor.

The Blazers got off to a fast start, scoring two runs in the top of the first, thanks in part to a Mike Trask triple that drove in Leo Nogami. But the Mets responded with four runs of their own in the bottom of the frame, with a two-run throwing error from Ryan Trask aiding their cause.

Both sides began to settle down after that, but Ryan Trask got Bracknell back on the board in the top of the third with a two-run blast, only for the Mets to respond with two runs of their own in the bottom of the inning, pitcher Jason Roberts stroking an RBI double.

Back and forth the game went, with Jason Roberts and Henry Collins matching each other pitch for pitch. And once again the Blazers hauled themselves level at 6-6 in the top of the sixth, scoring two runs triggered by Ed Jeffrey's RBI double.

And it was Jeffrey at it again in the top of the seventh, beating out an RBI single on a bang-bang play at first base to put Bracknell ahead by a score of 7-6.

So Bracknell had the lead, but Henry Collins couldn't close out the game and Jonathon Cramman lifted a sacrifice fly to the outfield to score Dan Williams with the tying run.

On to extra innings it went, with both pitchers continuing to produce the goods on the mound.

It was the tenth inning before there was any further scoring and it was Ed Jeffrey once more, smashing a solo home run to deep centre field to take the score to 8-7 in Bracknell's favour.

This time Collins was able to hold the lead, striking out the Mets' Will Lintern to end the game.

Bracknell coach Rob Rance – ejected mid-game for arguing with the home plate umpire – said: “We certainly did it the hard way. But to be honest I do not think these guys know any other way. We were a little bit flat and I got a little bit upset, but I hope my ejection put a bit of fire in their belly.

“There are no real words to describe what Henry did on the mound for us,” Rance continued. “He is a real machine and he pulled us through when we needed it.”

Alex Pike, the dejected London Mets coach, said: “It is bitterly disappointing to not even make the final, but the fact that we went down fighting takes away some of the bitterness. We really wanted it today and I think that performance showed it. We had opportunities, but we left far too many people on base and that killed us.

“Obviously we came here thinking we could win,” Pike added, “but baseball is a funny game and today showed how unpredictable it can be.”
photo by www.event-photos.co.uk

THE FINAL
So after two days of thrilling action, the Flames met the Blazers in the final, with Cody Cain and Brendan Cunliffe facing off on the mound.
 
Bracknell were looking to secure back-to-back titles, while Richmond were seeking their first championship since 2006.
 
Richmond had a great chance to take an early lead when Cain launched a deep fly ball in the bottom of the first inning, but Bracknell centre fielder Mike Traskmade a superb throw to the plate to nail Rob Unsell.
 
Both sides were relying on strong pitching and defence, with Cain and Cunliffe keeping the scoreboard blank through the first two innings.
 
But a succession of walks allowed the Flames to load the bases in the third, and Ryan Bird laced a two-RBI single to give Richmond the lead.
 
The Blazers immediately ate into that deficit when Ryan Trask doubled home Mike Trask in the fourth inning.
 
The Flames were growing in confidence, though, and they opened up a 4-1 lead with a succession of hits in the bottom of the fourth. With Cody Cain in dominant mood, Bracknell were struggling to get anything going and their exertions earlier in the day seemed to be taking their toll.
 
Richmond moved further ahead as pinch-hitter Chris Cook singled home Grant Delzoppo in the fifth inning, and a wild pitch allowed Richmond to tack on another.
 
With the light fading, the Blazers were unable to make any further impression on the scoreboard, while the Flames helped themselves to four more runs in the sixth inning to run out 10-1 winners.
 
Cody Cain claimed MVP honours after a dominating pitching display that saw him register 12 strikeouts.
 
Victorious coach Grant Delzoppo said: “It feels great. London and Bracknell have been the form teams all year so to come through as underdogs was great. We hit form at the right time and doing well on Saturday gave us that extra rest which was important.
 
“We have some older guys here,” Delzoppo continued, “and I think that experience pulled us through. We had some great pitching, especially from Cody, and we are absolutely delighted to be back on top.”
 
Bracknell coach Rob Rance said: “I think the London game pretty much killed us and the final was a game too far. We were carrying a couple of injuries and that really hurt us.
 

 “But we should not be too disappointed,” Rance concluded. “We have had the best regular season in our history and if we had come through again and did what we did last year it would have been amazing.” 
photo by www.event-photos.co.uk
AAA LEAGUE
SATURDAY
 
The Liverpool Trojans made themselves the team to beat with two wins on Saturday based on fundamentally sound baseball, easing past both the Herts Eagles and Oxford Kings with a combination of strong pitching and timely hitting.
 
The Kings and Eagles were also to advance to Sunday's sudden-death showdown after both sides saw off the Bracknell Inferno.
 
In the first game of the day, Martin Godsall pitched a beauty for the Trojans as they dispatched the Herts Eagles 4-0. Godsall tossed seven shutout innings, giving up just two hits.
 
To his credit, Darrin Ward also pitched well for the Eagles, allowing just four hits and two earned runs.
 
Having scored a run in the first, the third inning proved decisive as Liverpool tacked on two runs to open up what proved to be a match-winning lead. Harry Wrenproved to be the offensive difference as far as the Trojans were concerned, claiming two RBIs with a single and a sacrifice fly.
 
Game Two was the exact opposite, a run-fest, as Oxford squeezed by Bracknell 11-10.
 
The Kings broke out to a 6-2 lead early on, feasting on Leigh Coke's pitching.
But the Inferno kept chipping away, with Shayne Wagner going 4-for-4 at the plate with four RBIs.
 
Bracknell struck four times in the top of the sixth inning, chasing Oxford starter Masaharu Egawa, and when the Inferno added a run in the top of the seventh inning, they actually had the lead.
 
But there was one final twist, as Oxford scored twice in the bottom of the frame for a thrilling win.
 
Oxford were obviously drained by their efforts in that encounter, and they came unstuck in slipping to a 3-2 defeat to Liverpool in the next game.
 
Once again Martin Godsall produced the goods on the mound, but this time he was matched by Chris Oates, with the score tied at 2-2 after six innings.
 
As in their previous game, a run in the final inning was to prove decisive, but this time it counted against the Kings as the Trojans moved into Sunday's final.
 
The battle of the losing sides saw the Herts Eagles face the Bracknell Inferno, with elimination the price for the defeated team.
 
Both sides struck early, with the score 3-2 to the Eagles after three innings.  Pitchers Louis Hare and Connor Vernon then began to trade zeros as both offences were shut down.
 
But with the scores still tight, relief pitcher Shayne Wagner was victimised to the tune of four runs as the Eagles eventually eased home 8-2.
 
Louis Hare and Jon Lewys were the batting stars for Herts, going 2-for-3 and 2-for-4 respectively.
 
 
SUNDAY
Herts met Oxford in the semi-final showdown, and the Eagles looked on their way to victory when they broke out to an early 5-1 lead, thanks in the main to Darrin Ward's two RBIs.
 
But the Kings piled on the pressure in the middle innings, with Masaharu Egawa, Jorge Pinto Machadoand Chris Oates all starring at the plate. Egawa was 2-for-4 with two RBIs, Pinto Machado 2-for-3 with two RBIs and Oates contributed two sacrifice flies as Oxford stormed back to earn an 8-5 win, eliminating Herts in the process.
 
The Kings moved on to face the Liverpool Trojans in the final, with Chris Oates and Rob Vondy on the mound for their respective sides.
 
Oxford jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the third inning, only for Paul Smith to reply with a two-RBI single.
 
But the Kings broke things open in the fourth inning, scoring 11 runs in an amazing outburst before limiting the Trojans to one run in reply to earn a 13-3 mercy-rule triumph.
 
John Lebreglio was the big hitter for Oxford, going 3-for-4 with three RBIs, while Masaharu Egawa claimed the MVP prize.

 
photo by www.hp2photographic.com
AA LEAGUE
The Leicester Blue Sox tangled with the Richmond Knights in an incredible struggle in the AA League final on Sunday afternoon.
 
Richmond struck early, scoring three times in the bottom of the first inning off Sox pitcher Shannon Henry. But Leicester responded with a mammoth second inning, producing 10 runs and chasing Knights starter Dan Lally.
 
And the runs kept coming, with Leicester tacking on another five to move 15-5 ahead after five innings. There was even the possibility of a mercy-rule finish, but Richmond chipped away with three runs in the sixth and another in the seventh to stay in the contest.
 
Back came the Blue Sox, with Ken Chapman launching a long home run to left field in the eighth inning.
 
And though the Knights added a further three runs in the bottom of that frame, Adam Brown's RBI single padded the Leicester lead to five.
 
Into the ninth and, and Richmond were far from finished. They scored twice and then, with reliever Richard Hu struggling with his command, Nick Osborne smashed a three-run home run to tie the score.
 
So the game went to extra innings and the Blue Sox immediately jumped back in front, bringing home two runs in the top of the tenth.
 
But, amazingly, the Knights came back again and Nick Osborne's two-RBI double in the bottom of the tenth secured a 20-19 triumph for Richmond.
 
Unsurprisingly, Osborne's five RBIs earned him the MVP title.

 
photo by www.event-photos.co.uk
SINGLE-A LEAGUE
The MK Bucks and Guildford Mavericks served up a thriller in Sunday's Single A League final.
 
The two sides matched each other step for step over the first six innings, with the score tied at 3-3 going into the seventh.
 
But after Guildford starter Kevin Zanes departed, reliever Matt Bruce coughed up seven runs in the ninth inning.
 
Ben Alexander laced three RBIs and Jim Kerr added another two, making a winner out of pitcher Tom Lloyd as the Bucks eventually romped to a 10-3 win to claim the title.

 Fittingly, Tom Lloyd was to claim MVP honours for his efforts on the mound.
 

BOX SCORES

For complete box scores from the 2010 National Baseball Championships, please visit:

National Baseball League

http://www.gamechanger.io/g/bbf_nbc_nbl

AAA
http://www.gamechanger.io/g/bbf_nbc_aaa

AA
by AspiDimitrov

BBF NATIONAL BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS TO PROVIDE LIVE SCOREBOARD VIA GAMECHANGER

 The 2010 National Baseball Championships are set to get underway at Grovehill Ballpark, home of the Herts Baseball Club, Saturday morning at 9.30am.  The BBF has announced that all games will be 'simul-cast' live on the internet via GameChanger.

To follow the action, use the league hubs below.

Follow live postseason match-ups on GameChanger™:

National League Championships:
http://www.gamechanger.io/g/bbf_nbc_nbl

AAA Championships:
http://www.gamechanger.io/g/bbf_nbc_aaa

AA Final:
http://www.gamechanger.io/g/bbf_nbc_aa

A Final:http://www.gamechanger.io/g/bbf_nbc_a

  

by AspiDimitrov

BBC RADIO 5 LIVE COVERAGE OF THE 2010 NBC

Fans of British baseball can tune in to BBC Radio 5 Live on Sunday morning during the Weekend Breakfast programme presented by Rachel Burden and Phil Williams for a look back at the games played on Saturday and  a preview of the final games of the 2010 National Baseball Championships on Sunday. 

 

The show will feature Matt Smith, who is the founder and editor of  www.baseballgb.co.uk , an online publication which is well-known by fans of baseball in the UK.  The programme starts at 6:00am and ends at 8:30am.  The NBC segment is scheduled around 7am.

 

Later on Sunday, Jonny Gould and Josh Chetwynd will report the scores from the NBC games as they come in on Sunday evening, during the regular MLB coverage on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra.  This week's MLB game is the Texas Rangers at the Minesotta Twins.  programme starts at 7pm. 

by AspiDimitrov

BRITISH BASEBALL SEASON REACHES ITS CLIMAX THIS WEEKEND

British baseball fans are on the edge of their seats in anticipation of the National Baseball Championships (NBC) this weekend. Year-after-year the NBC never seems to disappoint. By Sunday evening we will know the identity of the champions in the four British baseball leagues. But before that we will be going through the emotions and excitement of 14 baseball games with enormous implications riding on every single one of them.

After Saturday’s playoff games, we now know the names of the 12 teams which will be heading to Grovehill Ballpark in Hemel Hempstead in the hope of making history.

NATIONAL BASEBALL LEAGUE (NBL)

The London Mets and the Bracknell Blazers already booked their places by virtue of taking the top two spots in the regular season standings. Richmond and Southampton joined them in the NBC after their playoff wins against Croydon and Mildenhall, respectively. For more on last week’s NBL playoffs read Simon Fitzjohn’s playoff roundup.

Bracknell Blazers will open the NBC on Saturday at 9:30am against the Richmond Flames on the new diamond at Grovehill Ballpark, followed by the Mets and Mustangs at 12:00pm.

AAA-LEAGUE

The last team to book their place in the AAA NBC were the Herts Eagles after their 14-3 playoff win against the Bracknell Inferno. Darrin Ward pitched a complete game for the win. He was supported by a solid Herts offence which included a 3-run home run by Mahendra Prasad, his second of the year. The Eagles may be seen as the underdogs in the AAA Championship, but they will have the advantage of playing at their home field and in front of the loyal Herts baseball fans.

The other teams in the AAA race are the Liverpool Trojans and the Oxford Kings who finished top of the AAA (North) and AAA (South) divisions, respectively. The Menwith Hill Patriots earned a place in the NBC, but due to their team’s obligations at the airbase, they have withdrawn from the Championships. The Bracknell Inferno will take their place in the AAA NBC as both the Manchester A’s and Halton Jaguars were unable to take the slot due to insufficient time to organise their trip.

AA-LEAGUE

After two weeks of exciting playoff action, we are down to the two best British teams in the AA League. One of them is Leicester after they produced yet another epic one-run win against the Birmingham Maple Leafs. Shannon Henry picked up the win and Richard Hu came in to close the game for the save and a 10-9 win. In the AA Final they will meet the Richmond Knights, who extended their incredible winning streak to 19 after a 11-4 win against the Poole Piranhas.

A-LEAGUE

MK Bucks are through to the A-League Final after a 7-0 win against the Humber Pilots. Pitchers Tom Lloyd and Tom McVay combined for a 2-hit shutout. Starter Lloyd threw 6 innings, recording 9 strikeouts and retiring 8 batters in a row at one point. McVay came in for the last three innings to close the game and he also contributed with the bat going 2-4 with a double, triple and 3 RBI. Last week we reported on Bucks slugger, Barnes, having to miss out on the NBC due to an assignment in Afghanistan. We can now confirm that Barnes will be available for the NBC having been granted extended leave to take part in this weekend’s title decider. The Bucks will meet the Guildford Mavericks after they ended the Chelmsford Clippers incredible postseason. There were no upsets this time as the Mavericks won convincingly 25-7.

A CELEBRATION OF BRITISH BASEBALL

The NBC is a unique opportunity for fans of baseball and those who are new to the sport to get close to the action and witness the crowning of the 2010 Champions. Of course it would not be a true baseball celebration without good food. A variety of food and drinks will be on offer including BBQ Beef and Pulled-Pork Sandwiches (pictured right), Gourmet Sausages, Homemade Coleslaw, Old Fashioned Lemonade and more. A commemorative NBC programme will be available. First 200 fans will receive the programme free of charge, so get there early.

SCHEDULE

NATIONAL BASEBALL LEAGUE

Saturday, 4 September 2010

09:30

Diamond 1

Game 1

Richmond Flames

@

Bracknell Blazers

7 innings

12:00

Diamond 1

Game 2

Southampton

@

London Mets

7 innings

14:30

Diamond 1

Game 3

Game 1 Winner

@

Game 2 Winner

7 innings

17:00

Diamond 1

Game 4

Game 1 Loser

@

Game 2 Loser

7 innings

Sunday, 5 September 2010

09:30

Diamond 1

Game 5

Game 4 Winner

@

Game 3 Loser

7 innings

15:30

Diamond 1

Final

Game 5 Winner

@

Game 3 Winner

7 innings

AAA League

Saturday, 4 September 2010

09:30

Diamond 2

Game 1

Herts Eagles

@

Liverpool Trojans

7 innings

12:00

Diamond 2

Game 2

Bracknell Inferno

@

Oxford Kings

7 innings

14:30

Diamond 2

Game 3

Game 1 Winner

@

Game 2 Winner

7 innings

17:00

Diamond 2

Game 4

Game 1 Loser

@

Game 2 Loser

7 innings

Sunday, 5 September 2010

09:30

Diamond 2

Game 5

Game 4 Winner

@

Game 3 Loser

7 innings

15:30

Diamond 2

Final

Game 5 Winner

@

Game 3 Winner

7 innings

AA League

Sunday, 5 September 2010

12:00

Diamond 1

Final

Leicester Blue Sox

@

Richmond Knights

9 innings

Single-A League

Sunday, 5 September 2010

12:00

Diamond 2

Final

MK Bucks

@

Guildford Mavericks

9 innings

Note: Start times may be pushed back if earlier games overrun. The BBF reserves the right to make alterations to the schedule if there is a change in circumstances (e.g. rain delay etc.).

VENUE DETAILS

The event will be held at Herts Baseball Club, Grovehill Park, Washington Avenue, Hemel Hempstead

Hertfordshire HP2 6NH (click for map and directions).

by AspiDimitrov

AUDIO: BBC RADIO 5 LIVE SX PREVIEWS THE 2010 NBC COMING TO HERTS THIS WEEKEND

British Baseball legends Jonny Gould and Josh Chetwynd took time to preview the 2010 National Baseball Championships during the Sunday evening coverage of the New York Yankees vs the Chicago White Sox on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra. The preview included a guest appearance by Rob Rance whose Bracknell Blazers will look to defend their 2009 title when they go out onto Grovehill Ballpark in Hemel Hempstead on Saturday, 4 September, in the opening game of the NBCs.

by AspiDimitrov

HERTS EAGLES THROUGH TO THE NBC

 

Job done. Herts Eagles win convincingly against the always dangerous Bracknell Inferno

 

Special Report by Paul Auchterlounie

 

Postseason Baseball. What we all play for. A time when the form book can be torn up, and regular season meetings count for nothing. One game. 9 innings. All or nothing. To the victors the spoils, to the vanquished the disappointment of an early start to the off season.

This is what it came down to for the Herts Eagles last Saturday, 28th August. A single game playoff against Bracknell Inferno for the right to go to the AAA NBC’s on September 4th / 5th.

 

The regular season meetings had gone the same way – a sweep for the home team. Would the Eagles prevail again on their own ground, or would Bracknell spoil the party?

 

It was good weather for baseball, not too hot and no rain. Around 12 noon the game got underway. On the mound for the Eagles was veteran pitcher Darrin Ward; behind the plate Lee Manning for the absent Dave Westfallen. Infield of Rad Nagher (1B), Perrie Sherman (2B) Louis Hare (SS) and Liam Green (3B). Outfield of Paul Auchterlounie(LF), Mahendra Prasad (CF) and Jon Lewys (RF).

 

The game got off to an awkward start as Ward fielded a leadoff bunt and threw over the head of Naghar for an error. The 2nd Bracknell batter Jordan Edmonds singled and stole to put 2 runners in scoring position and no outs. Could the Eagles’ season be unravelling so soon?? Thankfully not as Ward’s experience prevailed, retiring the next 3 batters with no runs scored.

 

In the bottom of the 1st leadoff Prasad failed to reach base, then Naghar was allowed to reach base on an error from the Bracknell LF Norio Kenjo who unfortunately failed to hold his fly ball down the line. A strikeout for Hare followed, before Ward was the recipient of another Kenjo error on a running fly ball that came out of his glove, which brought Naghar round to score. A final strike out and the inning was over. Eagles 1 up.

 

Another error in the top of the 2nd allowed the leadoff Bracknell batter on and he promptly stole second, advanced to third on a deep fly ball from Kenjo when the Eagles LF lost his footing after making the catch, then came home to tie it up on a Chambers groundout. No other runs crossed the plate though. In the bottom of the 2nd things started badly for the Bracknell pitcher Wagner as he walked Sherman, Auchterlounie, Green and Manning before being pulled by Inferno manager Paul Vernon. New pitcher Jordan Edmonds was welcomed to the game by Prasad hitting a 3 run HR. It would have been a grand slam but for a passed ball a couple of  pitches before allowing the runner on 3rd to score. 7 more batters came to the plate through the inning, as Herts scored 6 runs in total to take early control 7 –1.

That control was never really relinquished through the rest of the contest. Bracknell were held scoreless through the next 3 innings as Herts scored 1,5 and 0 to lead 13-1 going into the 6th inning. Unfortunately for Bracknell the Herts batters were getting on base through successive walks being issued as the pitchers were unable to find the strike zone on a consistent basis. Indeed both Auchterlounie and Manning walked every time at the plate.

 

Into the 6th and the Eagles were looking to close out the game early on the 10-run slaughter rule. Bracknell scored 1, Ryan Soan leading off with a double before Huxley finally brought him home with a bases loaded fielder’s choice single. Eagles replied in the bottom of the 6th with 1 of their own, Hare scoring on a Ward RBI groundout. This put Herts up 14-2 going into the 7th.

 

Jordan Edmonds reached again on a walk, and made it round to home on another Eagles error. Eagles then made it interesting, allowing a runner to reach 3rd base with less than 2 outs and Bracknell looking as though they might yet make the Eagles bat again. However after a missed double play ball up the middle Ward again made key pitches when it counted, getting the last 2 outs on a force at 2nd and a pop fly to 1st with no further runs scored.

So the Eagles made it.

 

A final score of 14 – 3 somewhat lop-sided and not a reflection of the close games played through the regular season.

 

Whether Bracknell were missing some key personnel or whether it was just post season baseball nerves I’m not sure – their pitching was unfortunately not quite good enough. They will be back next year I’m sure; and will no doubt be better prepared for having experienced disappointment in the unpredictable chaos that is postseason baseball.

 

Up next for the Eagles – the NBC’s on home turf and the fight to win it all.

 

View more images from Saturday’s playoff triumph for the Eagles.

 

BOX SCORES


Bracknell Inferno at Herts Eagles

Score By Innings

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

R

H

E

Bracknell Inferno

0

1

0

0

0

1

1

3

5

4

Herts Eagles

1

6

1

5

0

1

0

14

7

5

 

 

Herts Eagles 14, Bracknell Inferno 3

Herts Eagles

Bracknell Inferno

 

ab

r

h

bi

 

ab

r

h

bi

PRASAD Mahendra cf

3

1

2

4

GITTOES Cam 2b-p

3

0

0

0

NAGHAR Rodney 1b

5

2

1

2

EDMONDS Jordan cf-p-2b-ss

3

1

1

0

HARE Louis ss

3

3

1

0

WAGNER Shayne p-cf-c-ss

4

0

1

0

WARD Darrin p

4

0

0

1

MATEY Scott 1b

4

0

1

0

LEWYS Jonathon rf-2b

5

0

3

2

SOAN Ryan rf

4

1

1

0

SHERMAN Perrie 2b

2

1

0

0

VERNON Connor ss-p

4

1

0

0

(b5) RUSSELL Nick rf

1

0

0

0

KENJO Norio lf

2

0

0

0

AUCHTERLOUNIE Paul lf

0

2

0

1

(t6) GRAY Danny lf-rf

1

0

0

0

(b6) HAMILTON Dave lf

0

0

0

0

(t7) MATTHEWS Chris lf

1

0

0

0

GREEN Liam 3b

3

2

0

0

CHAMBERS Zack 3b

2

0

0

1

MANNING Lee c

0

3

0

1

HUXLEY Adam cf-c

3

0

1

1

TEAM TOTALS

26

14

7

11

TEAM TOTALS

31

3

5

2

 

 

E: GREEN Liam(2), HARE Louis, WARD Darrin, LEWYS Jonathon, KENJO Norio(2), VERNON
Connor, GRAY Danny. DP: Bracknell Inferno 1. LOB: Bracknell Inferno 10, Herts Eagles
12. 2B: SOAN Ryan. HR: PRASAD Mahendra. SB: WARD Darrin(2), PRASAD Mahendra, LEWYS
Jonathon, VERNON Connor, EDMONDS Jordan. CS: LEWYS Jonathon.

 

 

Herts Eagles

IP

H

R

ER

BB

SO

WARD Darrin W

7.00

5

3

1

3

4

Bracknell Inferno

 

 

 

 

 

 

GITTOES Cam

3.00

5

3

2

3

2

EDMONDS Jordan

1.00

2

3

2

4

0

VERNON Connor

1.00

0

3

3

5

1

WAGNER Shayne L

1.00

0

5

4

4

2

 

 

HBP: by GITTOES Cam (PRASAD Mahendra). . , by GITTOES Cam (HAMILTON Dave). . WP:
GITTOES Cam(2), VERNON Connor(2), WAGNER Shayne. PB: HUXLEY Adam. T: 2:48. A: 89.

by AspiDimitrov

EAGLES ONE STEP AWAY FROM THE NBC

 

The whole club will be getting behind the Eagles this Saturday as they go for glory in the AAA postseason

 

The postseason playoffs are coming to Grovehill Ballpark tomorrow.  With the Falcons dramatic exit form the NBL postseason last weekend, they and everyone else connected with Herts will be right behind the Eagles with the hope that they can keep the Herts flag flying high all the way to the National Championships on 4-5 September.

 

The Eagles meet the always dangerous Bracknell Inferno. The two teams have been involved in some epic encounters so far this year so this playoff game is a mouth-watering prospect. Can the Eagles do it?

 

The game starts at 12:00pm this Saturday, 28 August, at Grovehill Ballpark (Directions). 

by AspiDimitrov

BRITISH BASEBALL BUZZING WITH EXCITEMENT AS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS DRAW NEARER

This article was first published on www.britishbaseball.org

The British Baseball postseason is underway and the sense of anticipation and excitement around the country can hardly be contained. After five months and 521 games in the British baseball leagues, the best teams in the country are now battling in the playoffs to book a place in the National Baseball Championships (NBC) which will take place on the weekend of 4 and 5 September to decide the 2010 champions. 
Bad News Bird – 2009 MVP Ryan Bird is back in form and this can only be bad news for Richmond’s opponents in the postseason (photo by www.event-photos.co.uk)

NBL PLAYOFFS

Mildenhall advanced to the postseason with two wins against direct rivals Herts Falcons on the final day of the regular season. This sets up an intriguing playoff line-up in Britain’s top baseball league.

Both NBL playoff games will be played at Richmond’s Connare Field this Saturday. First up is the clash between Mildenhall and Southampton. The problem that has plagued the Bulldogs all season long is the fact that most of its players are US servicemen whose unpredictable working schedule can sometimes leave their squad down to bare bones. If their top performers are available then they will be a very awkward opponent and the Mustangs will have their work cut out, as they found out two weeks ago when they lost 0-6 and 2-3 to Mildenhall.

In the second game of the day starting at 3:30 pm, the Richmond Flames will meet the Croydon Pirates. After a slow start the Flames have picked up speed just at the right time. 2009 MVP Ryan Bird is back firing on all cylinders. He was the wining pitcher in the 13-0 win against 2009 champions Bracknell and that can only be bad news for the Pirates. Also returning for the Flames is Robbie Unsell, who was last year’s stolen base leader but missed several games this season after a freakish head injury trying to field a ground ball.

Despite Richmond’s recent return to form, Croydon have proven this year that they are capable of beating any NBL opponent. They have some very dangerous players in their line-up, most notably Home Run Champion Maikel Azcuy.

NBL Playoffs (Connare Field, Richmond, Saturday 28 August 2010)12:00, Mildenhall Bulldogs (10-16) @ Southampton Mustangs (13-15).
15:30, Croydon Pirates (10-18) @ Richmond Flames (17-11).

AAA-LEAGUE PLAYOFFS

Oxford’s win against the Bracknell Inferno on Sunday confirmed them as the AAA (South) winners and they go straight through to the AAA NBC. This leaves the Bracknell Inferno and Herts Eagles fighting for the last remaining place in the AAA National Finals. They will meet this Saturday at Grovehill Ballpark in Hemel Hempstead. The two teams have been involved in some epic encounters so far this year so this playoff game is a mouth-watering prospect.

AAA Playoff (Grovehill Ballpark, Hemel Hempstead, Saturday 28 August 2010)12:00, Bracknell Inferno (16-8) @ Herts Eagles (18-6).

  
Catcher Dave Westfallen is expected to be one of the key men for the Eagles as they play the Bracknell Inferno for a place in the NBC (photo by www.HP2photographic.com)
Can the Blue Sox repeat their walk-off win against Birmingham or will the Maple Leafs get their revenge

AA-LEAGUE PLAYOFFS

While the National Baseball League (NBL) and AAA League completed their regular season schedule on Sunday, teams from the AA and Single-A Leagues were already going head-to-head.

The Leicester Blue Sox appear to be carrying a great deal of momentum into the postseason. After winning the AA (Midlands) divisional title earlier this month they met the Sheffield Bladerunners who were the runners-up in AA (North). The Blue Sox eased to a 19-9 win with Shannon Henry picking up another win on the mound, while Oscar Martinez provided the highlight of the game with a towering two-run home run.

Meanwhile, a second team from the Midlands booked a place in the AA Semi-Finals. The Birmingham Maple Leafs produced the most dominating performance in the 2010 postseason so far with a 18-1 blowout win over the Bolton Robots of Doom, which is the best team in AA (North). Birmingham and Leicester will clash once again at Western Park this Saturday at 12.00 noon in a repeat of the Midlands title decider. The Blue Sox came out on top that time, but the Maple Leafs will feel that have been given an opportunity for sweet revenge.

The team with the best record in the AA League, Richmond Knights, booked their place in the Semi-Final with a 10-6 win over the Windsor Bears. A two-run home run by Windsor slugger Clint Milner was not enough for the team from Berkshire. The Knights will meet the Poole Piranhas in the Semi-Final, after they overcame the Essex Archers by a score of 17-3. Shannon Hall was the winning pitcher, while Archers Manager, Darren Ludlow was saddled with the loss.

Despite the loss, Essex can be very proud of reaching the AA League playoffs in their first year after promotion from the Single-A League. And so, in accordance with the formbook, the Poole Piranhas will be travelling to Ham Ground to face the Richmond Knights. They Knights have the upper hand as they won convincingly when the two teams met in the first week of August in the regular season. 

AA Playoffs (Semi-Finals) Saturday, 28 August 201012:00, Birmingham Maple Leafs (15-5) @ Leicester Blue Sox (15-5) (Western Park, Leicester).
12:00, Poole Piranhas (13-5) @ Richmond Knights (17-1) (Ham Ground Richmond).

A-LEAGUE PLAYOFFS

The Chelmsford Clippers stunned British Baseball with a 16-12 win over the Richmond Dragons, who went into the playoffs as the favourite to go all the way and win the A-League title.

The Clippers clinched a place in the postseason in the last minute after the Old Timers dropped out. They may have had an average regular season with a modest 6-7 record, but that doesn’t seem to have affected them and their win over Richmond was an amazing achievement for a team in their first year of existence.

In the semi-final Chelmsford will play against Guildford, who produced a dominant performance to beat the Braintree Rays 22-14. Matt Bruce pitched a complete nine-inning win, recording 10 strikeouts for the Mavericks. Their better regular season record has given them home field advantage in the Semi-Final.

The other Semi-Final will be between the Humber Pilots and the MK Bucks, both of whom progress after convincing wins in their quarter-final games. Humber beat the Leicester Blue Sox in a high-scoring 36-12 win. MVP for the Pilots proved to be Lee Evans, who was the winning pitcher and also contributed offensively with a home run. MK Bucks beat Manchester Torrent 22-3. Tom Lloyd was the winning pitcher for the Bucks and his teammate Ross Barnes scored an inside-the-park home run. Barnes’ may have played his last game of the season as he is due to be posted to Afghanistan imminently. Will this setback prove to be decisive when the Bucks host the Pilots this Saturday?

A Playoffs (Semi-Finals) Saturday, 28 August 201014:00, Humber Pilots (14-8) @ Milton Keynes Bucks (13-7) (Woughton on the Green, Milton Keynes).
14:30, Chelmsford Clippers (6-7) @ Guildford Mavericks (9-4) (Broadwater School, Guildford).

  
Matt Bruce pitched a 9-inning complete game as the Mavericks knocked Braintree out of the postseason
by AspiDimitrov

BULLDOGS KNOCK FALCONS OUT OF THE PLAYOFFS

This article by BSUK special correspondent Simon Fitzjohn, was first published on www.britishbaseball.org

 

The Mildenhall Bulldogs claimed the prized final playoff spot in 2010, and the Richmond Flames laid down an impressive marker as the National Baseball League regular season drew to a close on Sunday 21 August. The Bulldogs swept the Herts Falcons in a winner-takes-all showdown, while the Flames eased past heavyweights Bracknell Blazers.

 

 

Herts Falcons’ leading batter, Dan Kerry, had to be taken out of the first game with a  suspected broken toe.

Everyone connected with Herts wishes him a speedy recovery. (photo by www.HP2photographic.com)

 

HERTS FALCONS AT MILDENHALL BULLDOGS

Anyone expecting a tension-filled, tight brace of encounters were to be disappointed as the Bulldogs rolled to impressive 11-4 and 18-1 victories. Barry Wiles and Ken Reber picked up the wins on the mound, sentencing Pete Kikel and Nic Goetz to defeat and erasing the Falcons from the play-off picture in the process.  Herts’ Aspi Dimitrov said, “My immediate reaction is obviously one of disappointment.  We were so close to making it, but all of the credit must go to Mildenhall.  They fully deserved their wins.” “I would predict that if they have their full roster available for the play-offs they are going to surprise a few people and could even go all the way.”

  

BRACKNELL BLAZERS AT RICHMOND FLAMES

Richmond swept the Blazers in impressive fashion to wrap-up their third-placed finish in style.  The Flames were 13-0 and 6-5 winners, with Ryan Bird and Rob Unsell taking the pitching honours. Coach Grant Delzoppo also clubbed a two-run home run in game one as part of an impressive all-round display. Delzoppo said: “We are really pleased.  To get two wins and finish the season on a high is a real plus for us.  We beat their best pitchers.  It is always good to beat a side like Bracknell and this will give us a real boost heading into the play-offs.”