Category: Headlines

by AspiDimitrov

NBL WEEK 12: SURPRISE 9-INNING WINS MARK EXCITING NBL FESTIVAL

This article was first published on www.britishbaseball.org

From NBL special correspondent Simon Fitzjohn

It was a day for surprises, as Croydon toppled Bracknell.  It was a day for teams to emerge from a slump, as Herts pasted Essex.  It was a day for close-run things, as Southampton squeezed Mildenhall.  And it was a day for the London Mets to further stretch their lead in the standings with a win over Richmond.  All eight teams took to the fields at Croydon on July 3 for a National Baseball League bonanza.

Croydon Pirates @ Bracknell Blazers

The story of the day undoubtedly came from the host Pirates, who sneaked by the high-flying Blazers 12-11 in a thriller. Croydon jumped out to a 6-0 lead early on, only for Bracknell to slowly chip away at that lead. The Pirates again surged ahead, taking a 12-9 lead into the bottom of the final inning, with the Blazers scoring twice before their rally came to an end.  Tim Ssali took the win, and also clubbed a home run along with Alex Von Rosenbach. For Bracknell, Mike Cattermole was saddled with the loss. Pirates coach Dave Ward said: “This is a great day for us. Over the past few weeks we have had to try and fight our way back into games but today we took the lead early. It looked like we could still throw it away at the end but we held on. This is very uplifting for us and we know we can compete with the better sides in this league.” Bracknell coach Rob Rance said: “All around it was a bad day at the office. We just did not turn up to play. I do not want to dwell too much on the result as it was an awful performance. But credit Croydon as they played very well and I do not want to take that from them.”

Richmond Flames @ London Mets

The clash of the heavyweights took a late twist as the Mets battled back for a 12-5 win. Trailing 5-0 early on, London chipped away but took until the sixth inning to get back into the contest, where a flurry of runs eased them into the lead. Jason Roberts took the win, his 11th of a magnificent season on the mound. Mets coach Alex Pike said: “It was a tough game. Richmond really came out firing. We kept chipping away but we did not find an answer until late. I am pretty happy with the boys as they did what they had to do to find a way to win.”

Herts Falcons @ Essex Arrows

Herts got things back on track by pounding the Arrows 18-6, backed by strong pitching from Pete Kikel. Richard Chesterton took the loss as Essex were well beaten in a battle between teams looking to kick-start their seasons. Herts’ Aspi Dimitrov said: “It is a real boost for us to get a win like this. We have suffered a bit recently and it has started to weigh on the minds of the players. It is great to get back on the winning trail. Apart from the top couple of teams it is still a tight league and we have to be looking for a play-off spot.”

Mildenhall Bulldogs @ Southampton Mustangs

Another thriller saw Southampton move their season record to 10-10 after a comeback 7-6 win over Mildenhall. The Mustangs grabbed two runs in the bottom of the ninth, erasing a 6-4 deficit and then struck again in the bottom of the tenth as Phil Johnson bunted home Oscar Sierra. Southampton coach Ben Davis said: “It was a really big win for us. Mildenhall had some of their players back that were huge early this season and it was a tough game. We played a really good game – we kept plugging away and we managed to sneak the win.”

by AspiDimitrov

ALL 8 NBL TEAMS HEAD TO CROYDON FOR ANOTHER BASEBALL EXTRAVAGANZA

We are now into the second half of the National Baseball League (NBL) season and the teams are jostling to qualify for the postseason automatically or via the Playoffs. All eight NBL teams are still very much in with a chance to make it to the postseason and this Saturday, 3 July, they all head down to Croydon for the NBL Independence Day Weekend.

This is the second of the NBL Special Events introduced by the British Baseball Federation (BBF) this year and it provides an excellent opportunity to see all of the teams from the country’s top league on the same day and at the same venue. This is also a chance to see a large number of the players who were included in the Great Britain National Team preliminary 40-men roster announced this week as the team prepares for the European Championships in Stuttgart, Germany (23 July to 1 August 2010).

 

 

Jonathan Cramman for the London Mets is one of the many NBL players

who were called up as part of the preliminary

40-men roster  of the Great Britain National Team (photo by www.event-photos.co.uk)

 

LONDON METS (17-2) vs RICHMOND FLAMES (11-6)

First pitch 3:00pm (Main Diamond)

A serious injury to short stop Robbie Unsell meant that Richmond could not complete their game against Bracknell last Sunday. They will be hoping that the swelling on his eye would reduce sufficiently and that he will be given the all clear to return for the Flames in this key game. This is a must-win game for them if they are to stay in the battle for the top two places which would give them automatic qualification to the National Baseball Championship.

 

BRACKNELL BLAZERS (17-2) vs CROYDON PIRATES (5-12)

First pitch 12:00pm (Main Diamond)

Despite being the visitors in this game, the Croydon Pirates will have a significant advantage as they are playing on home soil and can count on their fans’ support. Bracknell know that automatic NBC qualification is not secured yet and they would not want to slip up especially as they are expected to be hit the most out of all the NBL teams during the European Championships with as many as six Blazers included in the preliminary 40-men GB roster and likely to miss key NBL games at the end of the month.

 

 

(photo by www.event-photos.co.uk)

SOUTHAMPTON MUSTANGS (9-11) vs MILDENHALL BULLDOGS (3-12)

First pitch 3:00pm (Diamond 2)

After taking the league by surprise and leading in the NBL Standings in the early weeks of the season, the Mildenhall Bulldogs are suffering from the absence of a large number of their players who are away on military duty. However, they expect their key players to make their return gradually in the coming weeks and they can still reach the playoffs if they can pick up wins against their direct opponents starting with the game against Southampton on Saturday. The Mustangs have been the surprise team in this year’s NBL. A win on Saturday will bring their win-loss percentage back up to .500 and a step closer to securing a Playoff spot.

ESSEX ARROWS (3-14) vs HERTS FALCONS (4-11)

First pitch 12:00pm (Diamond 2)

The Essex Arrows come into the game with momentum on their side. They have won 3 of their last 6 games while the Herts Falcons have not won a game since 5 June 2010. In their last meeting the two teams served up a thriller which the Falcons won 12-11. The game had everything you could ask for, including 4 home runs. The fans who will be coming to this event will be hoping for more of the same. Both teams still have a chance to reach the playoffs but a loss would be a major setback for either team.

For a map and directions to the venue visit the official Croydon Pirates website

Car park spaces will be available on the field behind the Main Diamond. Food and drink will be on sale throughout the day.

 

by AspiDimitrov

BOOST FOR FALCONS AS FISHER FLIES IN FROM AUSTRALIA

The Herts Falcons have had a difficult first half of the 2010 season.  They find themselves with a 4-11 record, but they are still very much in the race for the playoffs.  The Falcons face the Essex Arrows this Saturday at the NBL Independence Day event which will take place in Croydon and ahead of this vital clash they have received a major boost.  Riley Fisher, who moved back to the Australian League after the 2009 season with Herts, is flying in to join up with the Falcons for these crucial weeks of the season.  Fisher was one of the most influential players from last season.  He will reinforce the team's injury-ravaged pitching staff and his ability to play in any position on the field will certainly re-energise the team.

The game against the Essex Arrows starts at 12:00 at Roundshaw Plaing Fields in Croydon this Saturday, 3rd July.  The event also includes three other NBL games so baseball fans will be able to see all eight NBL teams on the same day and at the same venue as we enter the second half of the season and the games start to get that October feel.

by AspiDimitrov

HAWKS STRUGGLES CONTINUE AGAINST NEAR-PERFECT POOLE

On Sunday the 27th June the Herts Hawks travelled to top-of-the-table Poole in search of their first win in three. Instead, the Hawks would suffer a similar fate to that of England’s footballers later on the same day.

Game One had few high points for the Hawks in offense, as they did not register a single hit or walk. Had it not been for a dropped third strike, Poole would have recorded a perfect game against them. The defensive effort was slightly more encouraging. Simon Langton took the mound and in the first inning was able to keep the home team scoreless. The second and third inning, however, proved to be very different, with a grand slam setting Poole’s bats on fire and starting a two inning rally during which Poole would score twelve runs. Young Jesse Reinebold took over pitching duties in the fourth. Having already made some great catches in left field, he pitched well enough to keep Poole to just two more runs. However, it would still be too many, and the game was called on the slaughter rule at 14-0 after just 5 innings.

Game two saw a much better offensive effort from the Hawks. Ilya Dimitrov led off the order with three hits, while the manager Greg Bochan also contributed significantly with two hits and three RBIs. These efforts — added to RBIs from Hunter Devine, Simon Langton, Perrie Sherman and Phil Crooks — helped the Hawks total ten runs, which was a great response to the shutout which had occurred just hours earlier. Unfortunately Poole’s offense was even stronger than it had been in game one. Bochan started the game on the mound, but a tough twelve-run first inning meant that he had to come off half way through the second and Jonathon Reinebold finished off the inning. Jesse Reinebold — who had continued to make great catches in left field — then had to retake the mound for the third, and suffered a tougher time than he had in game one. To finish the game, Perrie Sherman came on to pitch for the fourth and was able to hold a great offense to just three more runs. By the fifth inning Poole had totalled 25 runs and the game was again called after five on the slaughter rule 25-10. This, added to the news of England’s similarly lop-sided score, made for a long journey back to Hemel for the Hawks.

by AspiDimitrov

PRINCE HARRY THROWS OUT FIRST PITCH AT NEW YORK METS GAME

This article first appeared on www.telegraph.co.uk

 

The prince was given the honour usually reserved for presidents, politician and pop stars but did not disgrace himself despite his initial fears.

When asked how he felt before making his way to the pitcher’s mound the 25-year-old royal replied “don’t ask”, then joked “can I have a practice first?”.

 

Pointing towards his private secretary Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton he said: “He wants to bat against me.”

The prince appeared a little apprehensive when he finally walked out in front of the crowds and prepared to throw the ball to the catcher at the New York Mets’ Citi Field stadium in the suburb of Queens.

But he received a rapturous welcome from the near capacity audience of around 40,000 people who applauded and cheered as the prince was introduced.

He pointed at the Mets catcher Rod Barajas as if to warn him about the thunderbolt about to come his way.

Harry was wearing the local team’s blue baseball cap and a T-shirt supporting the Walking with the Wounded expedition.

The fundraising trek, which has Harry as its patron, will take a group of injured British servicemen on a gruelling trek to the North Pole next year.

The 25-year-old royal wound up his right hand to deliver the ball to Barajas, who was standing just behind home plate, and as he let go the pitch slammed into the sportsman’s glove and the crowd cheered wildly.

The prince took his cap off and wiped his brow in relief before running down the mound to shake hands with the catcher.

VIDEO: Click here to watch the Prince in action…Nice pitch! Atta boy Harry!

 

by AspiDimitrov

CARDINALS GAIN GROUND ON RED SOX. CUBS END 5-GAME LOSING STREAK

Report from Herts Baseball Little League Correpondent, Tracey Manning

As the sun beats down on the 4th week the Herts Little League gets going to a keen start after a week off. On Field One Cubs versus Cardinals the game started fast. Big hits of the day came from Nick Martinez and Brodie Caress to give the Herts Cubs the lead. Cardinals starting pitcher, Kyle Lloyd-Jones, helped himself out catching a fly ball and was always close to the action. Cubs third baseman, Oliver Durer, made a nice catch and throw to 2nd base, but at the end it wasn’t enough for theCubs, as they continued their losing streak with a final score of 8-3 to the Herts Cardinals.

Over on Field Two the Yankees and Redsox got down to business with the usual zest to take a win from their rivals. It proved to be a pitching duel.  The Yankees took a one-run lead into the bottom of the last inning but the Red Sox had plans of their own and delivered with clutch hits when it really mattered to earn a walk-off win 2-1.

 

In the second games of the day the Herts Cubs faced the Yankees. The struggling Cubs went into the game trying to end a 5-game losing streak.  With new found energy after lunch, they showed a lot of determination and desire to give the Yankees a tough time. Nick Martinez provided the much needed starting pitching for them to shut down the Yankees offence.  Ben Jones came in to close the game in the final inning.  Despite mounting a come back in the final inning to load the bases, the Yankees ended without a run after some amazing fielding by Nick Martinez first throwing out the batter at first base all the way from centerfield and then reaching over the outfield fence for the final out after a big hit from Marty Cullen Jr..  Final score 9-0 to the Cubs.


The finala gam,e of the day was a top of the table clash between the Cardinals and the league leading Redsox. Ozan Martin of the Cardinals hit a couple of big hits whichhe followed with some aggressive base-running. Despite great defensive work by the Red Sox, which included a double-play, the Cardinals came out on top winning 5-0.

After 8 games the Red Sox lead the way, but the chasing pack has closed the gap and the race for the title is hotting up.

Majors
Team W L % F A Run +/- GB Streak
Herts Red Sox 5.5 2.5 0.688 39 29 10               – L1
Herts Cardinals 5 3 0.625 39 25 14            0.5 W2
Herts Yankees 3.5 4.5 0.438 38 42 -4               2 L1
Herts Cubs 2 6 0.250 25 45 -20            3.5 W1
Minors
Team W L % F A Run +/- GB Streak
Herts Tornados 1 1 0.500 18 19 -1              –  L1
Herts Crocs 1 1 0.500 19 18 1              –  W1

by AspiDimitrov

SLOW START COSTS HAWKS

Herts Hawks v. Essex Archers, Sunday June 20th

By Beat Reporter, Simon Langton

 

The Hawks suffered another heavy defeat last Sunday with Essex claiming their second victory over them this year. With a 25-9 finish, it is also the second time this season that Essex have beaten the Hawks via the 10 run slaughter rule.

Defensively the Hawks once again started badly, conceding 13 runs in three innings. With things clearly not going their way, manager Greg Bochan was forced to take out the starting pitcher, Mark Hoffman, and take to the hill himself despite suffering with a broken finger. Bochan was able to give the Hawks a chance, giving up just 4 runs in the middle innings. But Essex’s seventh inning 8-run rally — firstly off Bochan and then his replacement on the mound Simon Langton — pretty much ended the Hawks hopes of a comeback as the total reached 25.

At the plate, the Hawks were solid, picking up a few runs here and there to reach a respectable total of 9. Hunter Devine led the offense with 4 hits, 3 runs and an RBI. This was aided by Perrie Sherman’s 3 RBI game and the manager Greg Bochan, who put his broken finger to the back of his mind to drive in and score couple of runs. The offensive effort, however, was not enough to make up for the slow start offensively, and the 10 run slaughter rule came into effect at the end of the seventh with the final score at Essex 25-9 Herts Hawks.

by AspiDimitrov

BLAZERS, METS AND MUSTANGS SWEEP AWAY OPPOSITION IN NBL WEEK 10

From BSUK NBL Correspondent Simon Fitzjohn.  This article was first published on www.britishbaseball.org

It was a field day for the road teams on June 20, with all six National Baseball League games going the way of the away side. League leaders Bracknell Blazers and London Mets continued to flex their muscles atop the standings, while the Southampton Mustangs continued to show signs of improvement.

BRACKNELL @ ESSEX

The Blazers eased to a sweep by virtue of 15-2 and 10-2 victories against the Essex Arrows. Mike Trask pitched a complete game to claim the win in Game One, with Matt Maitland taking the mound honours in Game Two. Matt Gilbert and Richard Chesterton were the losing pitchers.

Bracknell coach Rob Rance said: “It was a case of getting the job done. We had a couple of our guys back from university and we brought some guys up from AAA and it was great to see we are becoming such a solid unit. The platform is there for us to take things on and have a great season.”

Essex coach Phil Chesterton was far from downbeat despite the losses. He said: “I certainly don’t think we disgraced ourselves. I’m not going to be too down about it. We are continuing to play much, much better. Bracknell are easily the best hitting team we have faced and in the main we lived with them.

LONDON @ HERTS

The Mets moved into top gear at Herts, cruising to impressive 11-0 and 30-5 wins. Jason Roberts and Rob Anthony claimed the pitching wins, but it was on offense that London really hit form. Dan Williams led the way, going 8 for 8 with two home runs, including a grand slam. Kyle Hickson also homored to leave Mets coach Alex Pike purring. “There were shades of our 2008 team out there on Sunday,” he said. “I am very happy with how the guys played and everyone in our line-up hit. Strangely enough, I do not think Herts played that badly – we were just that good.”

Herts’ manager Jason Greenberg was less enthusiastic about how his team performed. “We failed to execute in every sense,” said Greenberg. “Pitching, hitting, fielding… everything was a bust this week. There’s not much more to say. We know we’re a quality team, and it’s time to start playing like it.”

SOUTHAMPTON @ CROYDON

Southampton won the battle of the sides with top-four aspirations, rolling to 9-7 and 18-7 wins in Croydon. Gary Davison and Dave Wrigley took the wins, with Tim Ssali and Jose Sosa saddled with the losses.

Game One was the real thriller, with the Pirates coming close to clinching victory in the seventh inning, only to succumb in the eighth and the Mustangs took that momentum into a more routine Game Two win.

Pirates coach Dave Ward said: “We were really hoping to split the two games but it was not to be. Our problem at the moment seems to be conceding runs early on in games. We are always on the back foot and having to chase games and it is a case of trying to keep our spirits up.”

by AspiDimitrov

HERTS OFF TO A GOOD START IN THE YOUTH NATIONALS

Herts All-Stars after sweeping the Bracknell Blazers (photo by Ward Davis)

Herts Little League Reporter, Tracey Manning, looks back at Saturday's Under-13 clash between the Herts All-Stars and the Bracknell Blazers.

Herts Little League had a day off but our Herts All-star team played down in Bracknell against their team Branknell Brazers.The first game got of to a fantastic start,big hitters in the first innings Nick Martinez and Kieran Manning,a great catch from Michael Davis who was playing right field had the supporters out of their chairs and holding breaths. Jonny Compton-Weight had a ground rule double as the game progressed we saw some big hits from Marty Cullen jr. Nick Martinez on the mound no-one from the Brazers got to first base in the second innings.
Jose Morillo who was never far from the action made some big hits by his game play got home his team members, pitcher Jesse Reinbold made three strike outs in succession in the 4th innings Carlos Casel jr made a nice catch ,Nick Martinez scored a home run and Jesse Reinbold yet again with some excellent pitching stopped the Blazers in their tracks final score 23-0

 

Nick Martinez produced an outstanding performance both with the bat and on the mound.(photo by Ward Davis)

2nd game Bracknell Brazers batting first saw Zack Longboy on the mound three out with a brilliant catch by Zack, Jose Morillo had a huge hit and played a superb game other big hitters in this game were Jake Caress, Michael Davis and Marty Cullen jr. In the last innings of the day Lewis Green who came on at the end to close the game didn't disappoint and got three strikeouts.

The All-stars played well as a team but then I have to say in my eyes Jose Morillo was man of the day with a ray of triples and some aggressive base running on both games helped his team win 15-4

Jose Morillo was the Player of the Day in the eyes of many of the travelling Herts fans (photo by Ward Davis)