Category: Headlines

by AspiDimitrov

LIFT OFF! FALCONS SOAR INTO NATIONAL LEAGUE

First they swept the AAA in their first year back up.  Then, in a dramatic 6-3 nail-biter, they swiped the championship trophy from their cross-division rivals.  Now, the Herts Falcons dream season has soared to greater heights still.

 

Official word came down from the British Baseball Federation this week that the Herts Falcons have a place in the 2009 National Baseball League, the top level of play in the United Kingdom.  Ending weeks of rumours and speculation, the Herts Executive Board has voted unanimously to accept the invitation and will begin an intense winter-season training scheme and recruitment drive in preparation for the competitive play to come.

The BBF's top division is by invite only, and the Falcons are the only squad moving up this year.  They will be one of just five squads in the 2009 Southern National League and will meet their London, Richmond, Bracknell and Croydon rivals at home and away, with all games officiated by the top UK umpires from the ABUA-GB.

 

Once unimaginable, accepting a bid to the NBL crystallises the Falcons as a top-tier squad… no small achievement for a team that’s had a roller-coaster ride through the lower BBF divisions since its inception in 1996, and suffered relegation to the AA as recently as 2006.  Without a doubt, the promotion catapults the Herts Baseball Club to national prominence.  Together with their ambitious Field Development Project and burgeoning Little League, the success of the Falcons the past two years – AA league leaders in 2007, and AAA champions in 2008 – has given Herts members a first team they can be proud of.

 

 

MOVE TO FOUR TEAMS, FOUR LEAGUES

 

As the Falcons promote to the NBL, a gap is left in their franchise at the AAA level.  A new, fourth team has been created to compete at that level.  The Herts Eagles will face the same on-field threats as last season’s Falcons, such as the talented London Metros, crafty Essex Arrows, and the fierce AAA runners-up, the Oxford Kings.  The Herts Hawks (AA) and Raptors (A) will remain in their respective leagues. 

 

Herts Baseball Club now sports four teams in four levels of adult play in the UK and, with its Little League programme in the mix, makes the most complete baseball franchise nationwide.  A player can join Tee Ball at age 5, and progress all the way through the Herts ranks to the National Baseball League.

 

 

NEWLY TAPPED CLUB COACHES PREPARE TO TRAIN

 

Competing in the NBL is no small feat, and the club managers have outlined an aggressive training programme for the 2009 season.  Known in-house as simply “The Programme,” the revamped strategy emphasises roster flexibility and individual player development.  “Our big objective is player improvement,” says Falcons Manager Jason Greenberg.  “As individuals learn more about the game and focus their on-field skills, they’ll advance through our system from one squad to the next.  That process will start during spring training, but will continue all season long.  We really want to encourage our guys to better themselves as competitors and athletes.”

 

Greenberg and fellow-manager Andrew Slater have named three coaches to manage the club’s on-field development.  Conditioning Coach Dan Kerry, Hitting Coach Andy Cornish, and Pitching Coach Darrin Ward are already knee-deep in a detailed training scheme, which utilises drills and repetition of fundamentals to boost each and every Herts player’s stamina, agility and accuracy.  Together with newly appointed club statistician, Greg Bochan, the coaches will chart individual progress throughout the spring and into the season, helping the managers to make informed roster decisions and regular promotions.

 

The off-season regimen begins this month, as the club will make use of indoor facilities to condition, work on hitting and pitching mechanics and just play some five-on-five basketball.  After a short break for the holidays, they regroup for an intense conditioning, hitting and pitching programme that leads straight into on-field spring training at Grovehill and the exciting all-club trials.  “Last year’s spring training was really the most exciting part of the year.  We had nearly the entire club out at the field every week running, throwing, hitting… pushing themselves and their teammates to keep up… and just working hard to prove themselves on the diamond.  This year – with four teams and the lingering National League debut to contend with – well, it’s going to kick butt.  I can’t wait.”

 

 

VIGOROUS RECRUITMENT DRIVE

 

It is hoped that the move to the NBL will bring an instant boost to the club’s membership.  With only five organisations competing at the top level, talented players in Hertfordshire and across the southeast UK will be hunting for a spot on the roster, and Herts plans to roll out the welcome mat.

 

“We are a family more than a club,” says President Aspi Dimitrov.  “With the expansion to four teams, we have opened up a whole new roster and additional playing time for everyone!  The hope is to attract new players of all abilities: the season veterans who like the atmosphere and professionalism at Herts… the recreational types who just enjoy being with the boys on Sunday… and, most importantly, gents (and ladies!) who are completely new to the game and just want to give it a go.  We have room for everybody… and hope everybody brings along a friend or two when they come on out to the ballpark.”

 

With the help of Sponsorship Director Nic Goetz, Herts will stage a massive recruitment drive in the winter and spring months.  They are hoping to sign around 20 to 25 new members in the coming weeks and no stone will be left unturned.  Keep an eye out for Herts Baseball coasters in the local pubs, banners in the Hemel Hempstead town centre, and a nationwide media blitz.

 

 

FALCONS FLYING TOO HIGH?

 

The National League invitation may not have taken Herts by complete surprise (speculation after the Final 4 brought rumours and debate), but the decision still warranted careful deliberation by the club’s Executive Committee.  “There was a lot of concern throughout our club,” confessed Greenberg.  “Some guys were all for the move… but others were worried we wouldn’t be able to compete at that level.  Nobody wants to be next year’s whipping posts on a national stage.  But, the more we considered the idea, the more we weighed the pros and cons, the more of a no-brainer it turned out to be.  After all, how often do you get invited to compete at the top level – the national level – in anything, let alone the sport that you live and breathe all summer long?!  This is a dream come true.”

 

There is no relegation from the National League, so even should the Falcons finish the 2009 season with a losing record they will retain their spot, regroup, and work to improve for 2010.  “Baseball is a cyclical sport – sometimes you’re winning, sometimes you’re rebuilding.  That’s just part of the game.”  Next year may prove a rebuilding year for Herts, as they retool and come to grips with a higher state of play and an expanded club roster.  But, then again, 2008 was supposed to be a rebuilding year, and the Falcons swept through to their first-ever championship trophy.

 

One thing is for sure: the Herts Baseball Club is riding high with this latest achievement and not even the fear of top-tier adversity is enough to dampen their pride or their spirits.  Whether they win or lose in this first year up, they plan to bring a dogged determination to the diamond every Sunday morning… and go home each night with their heads held high.  It’s the closest thing Britain has to professional baseball, and the Falcons have certainly earned their wings.

Welcome to the big leagues, boys.

by AspiDimitrov

HERTS SECURES PLANNING PERMISSION FOR GROVEHILL BALLPARK


Herts Baseball Club has secured planning permission from Dacorum Borough Council for its Grovehill Ballpark Project.  This means that the Club has managed to overcome a crucial hurdle in its path to successfully completing the project to create two baseball fields that would be among the best facilities in the UK.

With the pro bono assistance of Emma Burrow, of Property Lande Architecture, a local architect firm, the Club submitted its planning application in early September.  Whether it is a large shopping complex, residential buildings or a sports venue such as Grovehill Ballpark, obtaining a planning permission can be a big challenge.  Club President, Aspi Dimitrov, recalls the early weeks of the application process: “This was the first time that our club has been involved in applying for a planning permission and the Club’s Executive Board expected to have a daunting task of convincing local residents, private and public organisations and officials of the obvious benefits of the Grovehill Ballpark project for the community.”

“But we were very pleasantly surprised by the astonishing support which was received from pretty much everyone that we contacted as part of the consultation process.  From governing bodies such as BaseballSoftballUK and the British Baseball Federation, to local and national organisations and agencies such as Sport England, Dacorum Borough Council, Dacorum Sports Network, Herts Sports Partnership, the Police, the Mayor Cllr Mrs. Carol Green, our local MP, Mike Penning, not forgetting the hundreds of individuals who signed the paper and online petitions supporting the project including Head Coach, Stephan Rapaglia, and players of the European Championships silver medal-winning Great Britain Team, as well as players of baseball clubs from around the country.  The support was astounding.”

Dimitrov added:  “Over the years the members of our club knew that we are creating something very special and that we are building a good name and reputation, but we never realised that our work and activities have been noticed and are recognized by so many people, and that the name Herts Baseball would open so many doors.”

“Despite this great support we were aware that a planning application is a complicated legal process, and the presence of Emma Burrow has been vital.  Her guidance from day one has been pivotal.”- said Dimitrov.

On Thursday evening Dacorum Borough Council’s Planning Committee met to consider and announce their final decision.  The Executive Board of Herts Baseball Club received the all important telephone call just after 8pm, confirming that the application has been successful.

This clears the way for the first stage of the project to be completed in 2009.  The members of the club have raised around £16,000 over the last seven months, including the £10,000 Awards for All grant and around £6,000 raised in club fundraising events and initiatives.  It means that the club has secured the funds required for the first stage of the project and are now continuing the fundraising effort for the second stage which involves improving the turf quality of Grovehill Ballpark.

Dimitrov added: “When the planning application was prepared it included several additional elements and now that it has been approved, this opens the door for future improvement of the Ballpark.  For example the application included the full fence enclosure of the two diamonds, not just the backstops and the outfield parts of the fence, which will go a long way towards deterring vandalism and providing a better and more secure environment for our Little League teams.  We now have the freedom to plan and raise funds for stage 3, stage 4 etc. in the future, knowing that we have clearance, from a legal perspective.”

[more about the Grovehill Ballpark Project]

by AspiDimitrov

MANAGERS APPOINT 2009 CLUB COACHES, PREP PROGRAMME

Managers Jason Greenberg and Andrew Slater have announced the 2009 club coaching staff.  Three veteran team leaders will work as a unit and in coordination with the team managers to develop the hitting, pitching and conditioning of Herts adult players at every level of the organisation.

2009 Conditioning Coach Dan Kerry joined the club in 2007.  A professional physical fitness educator, Kerry brings to the job years of experience helping youth cricketers, ruggers, and footballers to develop their speed and agility.  He will draw from a wealth of conditioning exercises and techniques to push the Falcons, Eagles, Hawks and Raptors to speedier Sundays on the base paths and increased endurance and coordination on the diamond.  Kerry is a well-respected slugger and outfielder in his own right; in his first ever at-bat in a baseball game, he smashed a towering home run.  He is often the flashy centrepiece in Herts Baseball web gems, never afraid to dive flat out for a line drive.  No doubt, the on-field respect he's earned from his teammates will aid his efforts as a peer instructor.

Help the club to swing a mightier bat is 2009 Hitting Coach Andy Cornish.  Cornish is a local talent and lifetime Herts Baseball Club member, the only among the 2009 instructional and managerial staff.  He has played the game in Hemel Hempstead since he was a boy, and no doubt his passion and pride for the home team will fuel his coaching efforts.  Cornish's focus will be on effective use of body strength and proper mechanics.  He plans to use quick-release, contained-space drills to help batters find a balance between consistency and power, and will emphasize exercises that strengthen eye-hand coordination.  Cornish is consistently among the top Herts hitters; he was 2007 Falcons batting champ and runner-up for the 2008 title, leading the team in runs and stolen bases.  His patient and positive attitude will serve him well as he addresses the Herts hitting game with a fresh mindset.

While he's no newcomer to the game of baseball, 2009 Pitching Coach Darrin Ward is only in his second season with Herts Baseball Club.  A former National Leaguer, hurler for team Great Britain, and onetime season leader in the Milton Keynes programme, Ward sports a lifetime of achievements on the mound.  His goals for the upcoming season include motivating the Herts pitching staff to assess their strengths and limitations, correct mechanics, properly condition their arms and lower bodies to the task of consistent throwing, and tackle the nuances of pitching as a mental game.  Too many times last season, in Ward's opinion, Herts pitchers were done-in by their own lack of confidence and control.  He is already fashioning a structured development programme that will assist first-time pitchers with the basic motions and techniques to get them started on the mound, while also working closely with veteran pitchers to enhance their command and ability to muscle through adversity.

“All our coaches for the coming season are fired-up,” says Greenberg, manager of the National League Falcons.  “At our first planning session last week, they all brought fantastic ideas to the table and they'll prove invaluable to Andrew, myself and our Hawks and Eagles managers, helping us to evaluate our strengths, improve on our areas of weakness, and keep our players motivated and in peak condition throughout the entire summer.  It's an enormous task, but if anyone is up to it, it's Dan, Darrin and Andy.”

The Herts staff plans to waste no time in making 2009 the most successful year ever for its teams on the diamond.  Winter conditioning training gets underway in just one week, and pitching and hitting clinics are scheduled for early December.

by AspiDimitrov

HERTS EAGLES TO PLAY IN AAA, FILL OUT FRANCHISE

The fastest growing baseball organisation in the United Kingdom is showing no signs of slowing down.

With the promotion of the Herts flagship team to the BBF National League, a vacancy has been created at the AAA level.  To stop the gap, Herts are unleashing the Eagles in 2009 as the final step in the transition to a four-team, four-tier franchise that will compete at every level of play in adult British baseball.

In keeping with tradition, the club’s Executive Committee voted to keep the Falcons as the top squad in the organisation.  The Falcons name dates back to 1996 when the team was based in Bushey, Hertfordshire.  The Eagles is the fourth title to join the Herts flock, and is a continuation of the club’s ‘bird of prey’ theme.

A fourth team manager will be sought to lead the Eagles into battle in 2009.  Moreover, Herts is undertaking a massive recruitment drive in the winter and spring months to pad out all four of its team rosters.  Posters, leaflets, advertisements in the local press and a web and media-based marketing campaign will invite local men and women of all ages and talents to join the family.  Grovehill should be teeming in February with rookies and seasoned veterans alike hoping to find their spot in the Herts franchise.

With the formation of this new squad, a player could enter the Herts programme at age 5 in the Tee Ball league, progress straight through Little League, join the Herts Raptors in single-A ball, and continue to promote until they are playing against the best teams in the country at the National League level.  This expansion means Herts is the most complete baseball organisation nation-wide, and highlights the club’s determination to share the game of baseball and help players to improve at every stage of their development.

by AspiDimitrov

HERTS BASEBALL CLUB OPEN FOR BUSINESS

 

Herts Baseball recently published its 2008-2009 Club Prospectus.   Inside, readers can find details of the many commercial and marketing opportunities which are available for businesses and other organisations to take advantage of in the upcoming season.

 

The Club’s growth over the years has meant that it can now offer valuable services to businesses and in 2008 the club concluded sponsorship contracts with Scotthall Watford’s BMW and MINI dealerships.

 

Advertising online or at the Club’s Ballpark, sponsor rights, corporate softball events are just some of the examples of the available services.  Several sponsorship packages have been shown as examples, but these can be tailored to suit specific requirements.

 

The Prospectus is available to download in HI RESOLUTION (6MB) and in LOW RESOLUTION (2MB).

 

If you require more information please CONTACT HERTS BASEBALL CLUB

 

by AspiDimitrov

2009 SEASON STARTS TODAY FOR HERTS BASEBALL CLUB

     

 

For many clubs around the country AGMs are usually held in January or February just a few weeks before the start of the season, but in the last two years Herts has decided to bring it forward by three months in order for the elected officers to commence their work and to better utilize the off-season period.  On Sunday, members of Herts Baseball Club gathered at the SportsSpace Centre in Hemel Hempstead for their 12th Annual General Meeting.   The 2008 Executive Board had an opportunity to report on the club’s progress and achievements in the last 12 months, which undoubtedly has been the club’s best season ever, on and off the field.

 

Herts successfully implemented the expansion into a club with three adult and four youth teams.  Its AAA team, the Falcons became the 2008 British AAA National Champion.  The Little League teams have already won a trophy and have performed very well against the best youth teams in the country.  The Club is an organiser of large events at national and regional level, from the Herts Little League and the Herts Spring League to the Herts Futures Tournament.

 

There are many more objectives which the club has set for 2009 including the completion of the Grovehill Ballpark project; further growth of the Herts Little League, adopting better coaching techniques, establishing stronger relationship with local schools.  The Club must also transfer the successful structure at AAA level to the other teams in the adult programme.

 

Over the years the Club has been very fortunate to have very hard-working, dedicated and creative people elected as club officers and on Sunday the members elected another very strong team of Club officers for 2009.  It is a very strong combination of old and new officers which ensures that continuity is maintained while injecting new energy into the organisation. 

 

2009 HBC OFFICERS

 

BOARD

Aspi Dimitrov, Secretary / President

Paul Auchterlounie, Treasurer

Jason Greenberg, First Team Manager

(vacant), Second Team Manager

Andrew Slater, Third Team Manager

Marty Cullen, Little League Commissioner

 

NON-BOARD

Jason Greenberg, Webmaster

Jo Smith, Fundraising Manager

Nic Goetz, Sponsorship Manager

Greg Bochan, Statistics Officer

 

The Second Team Manager position was left vacant.  The Club will be communicating with potential candidates in order to fill this position.

by AspiDimitrov

AND THE HERTS LITTLE LEAGUE AWARD GOES TO…

 

The 2008 Herts Little League season drew to a close on Saturday with the presentation of individual awards for the four Herts teams.  But before the trophy and medal presentation the players took part in the 2008 Herts Little League Home Run Derby.

 

In the first round Alex Ringrose (2) and Zack Longboy (1) hit home runs for the Blue Jays.  For the Yankees, the big sluggers were brothers Lewis (1) and Liam Green (3) as well as Marty Cullen Jr (2).  The absence of the League’s Home Run Leader, Lewis Paterson, for the Cubs was clear as they struggled to produce the necessary power.  Kieran Manning recorded one home run for the Red Sox but the most notable performance in the first Round was that of another Red Sock.  Mikito Ariga put on a real batting exhibition with six home runs reminding spectators at Grovehill Ballpark of Josh Hamilton’s performance on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean at Yankee Stadium during the MLB Home Run Derby earlier this year.

 

Photos from the day (including shots from the Family Softball Game)

 

Four of the players with highest scores in the first Round made it through to the Final Round where players had only 5 Outs to work with.  Mikito Ariga recorded one home run while Marty Cullen Jr had two, but this wasn’t enough as Liam Green and Alex Ringrose both hit 3 home runs.  This meant that the winner was to be decided in a Sudden-Death Elimination between the two.  Ringrose and Green were taking a swing each until finally Liam Green hit a bomb which confirmed him as the 2008 Home Run Derby Champion.

 

In the 2008 Awards Ceremony which followed, every player’s contribution was acknowledged with the presentation of the Herts Little League medals.  Players from each of the four teams were awarded with the individual awards in the various categories.  Infield and Outfield Gold Gloves were presented for some outstanding defensive performances.  The big hitters in each team received the Batting Champion trophies.  The Cy Young Award recognized the pitching aces of 2008.  For many players 2008 was the first year playing the game of baseball and the Rookie of the Year trophies were presented to those who have worked hard to develop their baseball skills and as a result have had very successful debut seasons.

 

Since the final game of the season the Little League players have been casting their Most Valuable Player (MVP) votes in order to determine the four players (one from each of the four teams) who is deemed most valuable to the team not only in terms of ability, talent and statistics but the ability to act as a team leader. This is perhaps the best award to be given as the MVP is seen as the best-all round player on the team and the one who has contributed most to the team’s success.

 

The Red Sox MVP vote was very competitive with both Charlie Mayhew and Yuki Ariga coming very close, but it was Yuki’s brother, Mikito, who picked up the MVP.  Storm Frisby, Nicolas Carlean and Georgia Ringrose all picked up MVP votes, but the undoubted winner among the Blue Jays was, Zack Longboy.  Lewis Paterson was the MVP for the Cubs in a close race with Carlos Casal Jr.  Finally, for the 2008 Champions, the Herts Yankees, the highest number of votes were collected by Liam Green.

 

FULL LIST OF AWARD WINNERS

 

HERTS RED SOX  

MVP

Mikito Ariga

Batting Champion

Mikito Ariga

Infield Gold Glove

Kieran Manning

Outfield Gold Glove

Declan Carlean

Rookie of the Year

Jamie Brener

Cy Young Award

Mikito Ariga

 

HERTS BLUE JAYS          

MVP

Zachary Longboy

Batting Champion

Alex Ringrose

Infield Gold Glove

Dan Phillips

Outfield Gold Glove

Storm Frisby

Rookie of the Year

Ozan Martin

Cy Young Award

Zachary Longboy

 

HERTS CUBS         

MVP

Lewis Paterson

Batting Champion

Lewis Paterson

Infield Gold Glove

Carlos Casal Jr

Outfield Gold Glove

Joshua Keenan

Rookie of the Year

Paul Sands

Cy Young Award

Carlos Casal Jr

 

HERTS YANKEES

MVP

Liam Green

Batting Champion

Liam Green

Infield Gold Glove

Marty Cullen Jr

Outfield Gold Glove

Lewis Green

Rookie of the Year

Theo Longboy

Cy Young Award

Marty Cullen Jr

by AspiDimitrov

COCK-A-DOODLE-DO! ROOSTERS STRUT STUFF, GOBBLE WIDOWS

With bolstered rosters from the recent Hunlock re-draft, the Red Rooster and the Black Widows were looking to settle the Series stalemate once and for all. Early predictions favoured the Widows, who beat the Roosters in each of their qualifying matches… but counter-rumours ran rampant as former Blue Dogs donned Black or Red and joined their respective new teams.

The Championship Game was postponed from the week before.  But on Saturday – in a complete reversal of fortunes – Mother Nature smiled down upon Grovehill with unrelenting sunshine.  Players and their families arrived early to set up the field and get the Rooster-Widow showdown underway.  Following a few words in memory of Kyle and a brief moment of silence, the Roosters took the field and the umpire called “Play.”

The first four innings showed everyone that this Final was going to be close. Rooster starting pitcher Darrin Ward kept the Widows at bay, and although he surrendered three hits in the top of the first, a ground out, pick-off and strikeout quickly sent the Widows back to their bench.  The Roosters struck first in the bottom of the inning as Dave Hamilton walked against Widow starter Aspi Dimitrov, and then advanced all the way to home plate on a series of wild pitches and passed balls.

Complicated pitching restrictions in the Hunlock Series allowed only three innings of work per pitcher, and so it was quickly time for Ward and Dimitrov to relinquish the mound to their successors.  Ward allowed five hits over three innings with two strikeouts and no runs allowed.  Dimitrov settled down in the 2nd and 3rd, delivering 4 walks and 3 strikeouts overall.

The game's later pitchers fared less well.  Rooster Mark Hoffman pitched only two innings – giving up 5 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks – before manager Hunter Devine yanked him in favour of veteran Humberto Goncalves.  Goncalves surrendered a further two runs, but soon settled down and prevented any further bloodletting by the Widows.

Rookie pitcher Marty Cullen took the mound for the Black team, allowing 2 runs on 3 hits with 4 walks.  By the 6th inning Cullen was dealing breaking balls for strike after strike, and leading his team toward the victory line with a commanding 7-3 lead.  But when starter Arnie Longboy hyper-extended his hamstring attempting to steal second base, things started to slip away for the Widows.

Reliever Luis Goncalves took the mound and, over the next 2.33 innings, watched the game slip away from his team.  A series of infield errors, wild pitches and passed balls allowed 4 Roosters' runs on only 2 hits… and the game was tied at 7-7.

With Andy Cornish standing on third base and only one out, veteran slugger Darrin Ward came to the plate.  Widows' manager Marty Cullen instructed his hard-throwing, 14-year old ace to intentionally walk Ward (for the second time that day!), but the strategy did not go according to plan.  After three balls had been thrown, Goncalves allowed the fourth and final pitch to sit out over the plate and Ward – to everyone's amazement – reached high and 'tomahawked' the ball into left field to score the winning run.

Some pundits have said an intentional walk in the Hunlock Series is a cowardly move.  Others blame Ward for taking advantage of a young pitcher by refusing to accept a base on balls with grace.

But one thing is for certain: the 2008 Hunlock Series ended in epic style.  The entire experience – from the thrilling live draft to the deadlocked qualifying matches to the delayed, one-run Championship finale – has capped an already historic year in the history of Herts Baseball.  After the Falcons AAA Championship Title and the birth of the Herts third team, the Raptors, no typical post-season series would do.

Sadly, now, the diamond is vacant… the bats and balls are stowed-away until spring.  So hopefully everyone savoured that last breath of crisp autumn air… that final trip round the bases… that Championship Game in which everyone (Raptors, Hawks and Falcons alike) got to 'walk off' in victory.

Herts Black Widows at Herts Red Roosters
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Herts Black Widows 0 0 0 0 2 5 0 0 0 7 13 5
Herts Red Roosters 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 2 2 8 9 5

Herts Red Roosters 8, Herts Black Widows 7
Herts Red Roosters Herts Black Widows
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Nick Russell lf 6 1 1 0 Luis Goncalves ss-p 3 1 0 0
Dave Hamilton cf 2 2 0 0 Aspi Dimitrov p-3b-ss 4 0 2 0
Andy Cornish c 5 1 1 0 Dave Westfallen c 6 2 3 2
Darrin Ward p-3b 4 2 3 1 Marty Cullen 1b-p 5 2 4 0
Peter Kikel 3b-ss-p 5 0 2 0 Greg Bochan 3b-1b 5 1 0 0
John Oliver 2b-1b 5 1 1 0 Tim Elkins cf 5 0 1 0
Humberto Goncalves ss-2b-p 3 0 1 0 Arnold Longboy 2b-rf-lf 4 0 0 0
Mark Hoffman 1b-p 1 0 0 0 Chris Barnes lf-2b 4 0 3 0
(t6) Ilya Dimitrov rf 2 0 0 0 Reagan Wood rf-lf 2 1 0 0
Andrew Slater rf 1 0 0 0 (b7) Liam Green rf 1 0 0 0
(t5) Hunter Devine rf-2b 2 1 0 2
TEAM TOTALS 36 8 9 3 TEAM TOTALS 39 7 13 2

E: Hunter Devine(3), Darrin Ward, Peter Kikel, Luis Goncalves, Dave Westfallen, Marty
Cullen, Greg Bochan, Tim Elkins. LOB: Herts Black Widows 14, Herts Red Roosters 16.
2B: Darrin Ward, Andy Cornish, John Oliver. SB: Andy Cornish, Humberto Goncalves,
Luis Goncalves(2), Dave Westfallen, Tim Elkins. CS: Arnold Longboy, Chris Barnes.

Herts Red Roosters IP H R ER BB SO
Humberto Goncalves 3.67 3 2 0 2 1
Darrin Ward 3.00 5 0 0 0 2
Mark Hoffman 2.00 5 5 2 3 2
Peter Kikel W 0.33 0 0 0 2 0
Herts Black Widows            
Aspi Dimitrov 3.00 3 1 0 4 3
Marty Cullen 3.00 3 2 0 4 1
Luis Goncalves L 2.33 3 5 1 5 4

HBP: by Darrin Ward (Aspi Dimitrov). , by Mark Hoffman (Reagan Wood). . . . . . WP:
Mark Hoffman, Luis Goncalves(5). PB: Andy Cornish(2), Dave Westfallen(5). Balk: Marty
Cullen. T: 3:45. A: 45.
Herts Black Widows – Top of the 1st:
Luis Goncalves grounded out.
Aspi Dimitrov singled, picked off.
Dave Westfallen singled, batted forward to 2nd.
Marty Cullen singled.
Greg Bochan struck out swinging.
0 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
Herts Red Roosters – Bottom of the 1st:
Nick Russell struck out swinging.
Dave Hamilton walked, advanced to 2nd on passed ball, advanced to 3rd on passed ball,
advanced to home on passed ball.
Andy Cornish popped out.
Darrin Ward walked, batted forward to 2nd.
Peter Kikel singled.
John Oliver grounded out.
1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
Herts Black Widows – Top of the 2nd:
Tim Elkins popped out.
Arnold Longboy struck out looking.
Chris Barnes singled.
Reagan Wood popped out.
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Herts Red Roosters – Bottom of the 2nd:
Humberto Goncalves singled, batted forward to 3rd.
Mark Hoffman walked, batted forward to 2nd.
Andrew Slater struck out looking.
Nick Russell popped out.
Dave Hamilton walked.
Andy Cornish struck out.
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 3 LOB.
Herts Black Widows – Top of the 3rd:
Luis Goncalves popped out.
Aspi Dimitrov hit by pitch, forced out at 2nd.
Dave Westfallen reached on fielder's choice, batted forward to 2nd.
Marty Cullen singled.
Greg Bochan popped out.
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
Herts Red Roosters – Bottom of the 3rd:
Darrin Ward grounded out.
Peter Kikel singled, advanced to 2nd on passed ball, tagged out going to 3rd.
John Oliver reached on fielder's choice, advanced to 2nd on passed ball.
Humberto Goncalves flied out.
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Herts Black Widows – Top of the 4th:
Tim Elkins singled, stole 2nd, batted forward to 3rd.
Arnold Longboy struck out looking.
Chris Barnes singled, batted forward to 2nd.
Reagan Wood hit by pitch.
Luis Goncalves popped out.
Aspi Dimitrov grounded out.
0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 LOB.
Herts Red Roosters – Bottom of the 4th:
Mark Hoffman walked, batted forward to 2nd, tagged out going to 3rd.
Andrew Slater walked, batted forward to 2nd.
Nick Russell flied out.
Dave Hamilton walked.
Andy Cornish out by infield fly rule.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
Herts Black Widows – Top of the 5th:
Dave Westfallen singled, stole 2nd, advanced to 3rd on error, advanced to home on
wild pitch.
Marty Cullen reached on error, advanced to 2nd on wild pitch, advanced to home on
error.
Greg Bochan flied out.
Tim Elkins reached on error, advanced to 2nd on error, advanced to 3rd on passed ball.
Arnold Longboy walked, caught trying to steal 2nd.
Chris Barnes struck out swinging.
2 runs, 1 hit, 2 errors, 1 LOB.
Herts Red Roosters – Bottom of the 5th:
Darrin Ward ground rule doubled, advanced to home on error.
Peter Kikel reached on error, advanced to 2nd on error, tagged out going to 3rd.
John Oliver flied out.
Humberto Goncalves reached on fielder's choice.
Mark Hoffman popped out.
1 run, 1 hit, 1 error, 1 LOB.
Herts Black Widows – Top of the 6th:
Reagan Wood walked, batted forward to home.
Luis Goncalves walked, batted forward to home.
Aspi Dimitrov singled, batted forward to 2nd, forced out at 3rd.
Dave Westfallen singled, batted forward to 2nd, advanced to home on error, 2 RBI.
Marty Cullen singled, advanced to home on error.
Greg Bochan reached on error, advanced to 2nd on error, advanced to 3rd on error,
advanced to home on error.
Tim Elkins struck out looking.
Arnold Longboy grounded out.
5 runs, 3 hits, 3 errors, 0 LOB.
Herts Red Roosters – Bottom of the 6th:
Hunter Devine called out by interference.
Nick Russell singled, batted forward to 3rd, advanced to home on balk.
Dave Hamilton struck out looking.
Andy Cornish doubled, advanced to 3rd on balk.
Darrin Ward walked, advanced to 2nd on balk.
Peter Kikel popped out.
1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
Herts Black Widows – Top of the 7th:
Chris Barnes walked, advanced to 2nd on passed ball, batted forward to 3rd.
Reagan Wood out by infield fly rule.
Luis Goncalves walked, batted forward to 2nd.
Aspi Dimitrov grounded out.
Dave Westfallen grounded out.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
Herts Red Roosters – Bottom of the 7th:
John Oliver doubled, advanced to 3rd on wild pitch, batted forward to home.
Humberto Goncalves walked, advanced to 2nd on wild pitch, batted forward to 3rd.
Ilya Dimitrov struck out looking.
Hunter Devine grounded out, 2 RBI.
Nick Russell grounded out.
1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Herts Black Widows – Top of the 8th:
Marty Cullen singled, forced out at 2nd.
Greg Bochan popped out.
Tim Elkins reached on fielder's choice, forced out at 2nd.
Arnold Longboy reached on fielder's choice.
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Herts Red Roosters – Bottom of the 8th:
Dave Hamilton grounded out.
Andy Cornish walked, batted forward to 2nd, advanced to 3rd on error, advanced to
home on wild pitch.
Darrin Ward singled, advanced to 2nd on error, advanced to home on wild pitch.
Peter Kikel reached on error, advanced to 2nd on wild pitch, advanced to 3rd on wild
pitch.
John Oliver struck out looking.
Humberto Goncalves walked, stole 2nd.
Ilya Dimitrov struck out looking.
2 runs, 1 hit, 1 error, 2 LOB.
Herts Black Widows – Top of the 9th:
Chris Barnes singled, caught trying to steal 2nd.
Liam Green grounded out.
Luis Goncalves walked, stole 2nd, stole 3rd.
Aspi Dimitrov walked.
Dave Westfallen grounded out.
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
Herts Red Roosters – Bottom of the 9th:
Hunter Devine walked, advanced to 3rd on error, advanced to home on error.
Nick Russell grounded out.
Dave Hamilton walked, advanced to 2nd on wild pitch, advanced to 3rd on error, batted
forward to home.
Andy Cornish reached on error, stole 2nd, batted forward to 3rd.
Darrin Ward singled, 1 RBI.
2 runs, 1 hit, 3 errors, 2 LOB.

by AspiDimitrov

ARACHNOPOLLO: ROOSTERS FACE SPIDERS IN HUNLOCK FINALE

After much ado, the 2008 Kyle Hunlock Series awaits its dramatic conclusion on Saturday, as the Black Widows look to three-peat with another win over their co-finalist Red Roosters.

Last Sunday's showdown was postponed due to inclement weather, but the Hunlock Commissioner has given the green light to Saturday's Final come rain or shine.  Manager Marty Cullen hopes to lead his Black Widows onto the field of battle and clinch the 2008 Hunlock trophy.  The Widows have twice beaten the Red Roosters and fellow-Manager Hunter Devine.  Will Saturday yield more roast-chicken, or will Devine herd his henhouse to greatness and steal the title from the over-confident Widows?

The Hunlock Final has twice seen a shift in format this year.  Following last Sunday's postponement, fickle Commissioner Jason Greenberg pushed for a three-team round-robin style climax to this year's dramatic three team tie.  However, limited player availability for Saturday's rescheduled match has forced a recourse to the original gameplan: the bested Blue Dogs have been carved up and redrafted by Cullen and Devine, and will join their new teammates on the diamond for a two-team-only knockout round.

The redraft – conducted Thursday night in a closed-door session in the Commissioner's Office – lasted only 7 minutes and proved easy-pickings for the finalist managers.  The result is a 31 player extravaganza.  Devine and Cullen will have nearly the entire Herts Baseball Club to draw on over nine dramatic innings.

Blue Dogs Manager Tim Elkins was unavailable for comment following Thursday's redraft.  However, sources confide that Elkins was chagrined to learn that his team was – after all – destined for the carving board following last week's strange developments.  The Blue Dogs, of course, have suffered a roller-coaster ride in this Series… the last loopty-loops coming as Commissioner Greenberg first rewarded all three teams for their nearly identical play in the Hunlock qualifying matches by reformatting the Championship Game, but then reversing course and reverting to a two-team face-off… and the abolition of the 2008 Blue Dogs.

Saturday's game begins sharply at 10am.  All players are reporting at 9am, allowing only a quick warm-up before play gets underway.  A coin will be tossed for home field advantage.

Following the Hunlock finale is the 2008 Herts Little League Home Run Derby and Awards Ceremony… and a Herts Family and Friends Softball Game and Picnic.  Local residents are welcomed to the field and – with a little luck – the sunshine will reign over Grovehill for one final day in 2008.

THE 2008 HUNLOCK SERIES FINALISTS

RED ROOSTERS
ANDY CORNISH (SS/CF)
ROB CROUCH (RF/LF)
HUNTER DEVINE (2B/LF)
ILYA DIMITROV (SS/LF)
HUMBERTO GONCALVES (2B/P)
JASON GREENBERG (C/IF)
MARK HOFFMANN (P/1B)
PETE KIKEL (3B/P)
JOHN OLIVER (P/1B)
ANDREW SLATER (3B/LF)
DARRIN WARD (P/DH)
STEVE NIPPRESS (CF/LF)
PAUL AUCHTERLOUNIE (C/CF)
DAN KERRY (CF/LF)
JAMES ROBERTS (IF/OF)
ROB JONES (CF/LF)
STUART BOAST (P/IF)
DAVID HAMILTON (OF/IF)
JAKE KIKEL (C/P)
PETE COX (SS/2B)
LUKE ASHMEAD (IF/OF)
JACK MOON (/)
NICK RUSSELL (OF/IF)

BLACK WIDOWS
MARTY CULLEN (1B/3B)
ASPI DIMITROV (CF/P)
TIM ELKINS (OF/2B)
LUIS GONCALVES (SS/P)
LEE MANNING (LF/2B)
CARLOS CASAL (3B/P)
KAL DIMITROV (C/RF)
DAVE WESTFALLEN (C/SS)
JAMIE MUNN (IF/OF)
ROD NAGHAR (RF/LF)
GREG BOCHAN (LF/RF)
RODERIC ARISS (IF/OF)
ALEX CASEY (IF/OF)
LOUIS HARE (1B/P)
MARK HOUCHIN (IF/OF)
NICOLAS GOETZ (P/3B)
PAUL HAWES (1B/3B)
JIM HYDE (LF/CF)
KIMIYOSHI SAIONJI (2B/DH)
CHRIS BARNES (OF/2B)
EBOW HALM-QUASHIE (/)
REAGAN WOOD (/)