Category: Headlines

by AspiDimitrov

SWITCH-HITTER VS SWITCH PITCHER

A very unusual situation challenging the baseball rulebook occured last week in a Single-A game between the Cyclones and the Statton Island Yankees. 

A switch-hitter looks to gain an advantage by hitting on the left side vs a rightie pitcher and on the right side vs a leftie pitcher, but in this case the batter faced a “switch-pitcher” which is unheard of.  So who has priority over which side they bat/pitch from?  The Pitcher or the Batter?

This video was sent in by a Little League parent.

NOTE: If the embedded video does not work properly please use this link to view the video: http://www.redlasso.com/ClipPlayer.aspx?id=073860f8-cdc3-4778-92cb-ad2d20ac545d

by AspiDimitrov

CUBS MAINTAIN 100% RECORD, YANKEES 1 GAME BACK, BLUE JAYS IN TROUBLE

 

The Herts Cubs continued their unbeaten run and now stand on top of the Herts Baseball Little League with a 4-0 record.  In their first game of the day they met the Red Sox and came out on top 6-4.  In game two they faced the hard throwing Blue Jay pitchers, Zachary Longboy and Dan Philips, who kept Cub bats quite for a long time, but the Cubs eventually managed to put five runs on the board without reply from the Jays.

This was the fourth loss of the season for the Blue Jays after they lost the earlier game to the Yankees.  The Blue Jays put up a brave fight in a classic pitching duel between starters, Alex Ringrose and Liam Green, but ultimately lost 1-0 in a heartbreaking last inning.  They still search for their first win in 2008. 

The latest rumours around the League are that Blue Jays stand-in managers, Aspi Dimitrov and Nick White, could be the first managerial casualties in Herts Little League history after a dreadful start of the season.They have several big players coming back next week and the Jays will hope to turn their season around. 

The Yankees picked up two important wins on day two, the first against the Blue Jays and the second in another dramatic one-run encounter with the Herts Red Sox.  They are now just one game back on the league-leading Cubs and have a chance to catch up in a showdown game against the Cubs next Saturday.

One thing is for sure,with so many head-to-head matchups  any of the four teams could see their name on the trophy come August.

 

 

Week 2 Player Transactions:

 

HERTS BLUE JAYS

Acquired Ozan Martin from the Red Sox

 

HERTS RED SOX

Drafted Blake Manning

 

HERTS YANKEES

No transaction in week 2

 

HERTS CUBS

No transaction in week 2

 

by AspiDimitrov

FALCONS BATS SCORCHING AS SEASON SOARS TO 14-2

Posted on behalf of Newswire Correspondent Andy Cornish.


Sunday’s hosts – the London Metros – have papered their dressing room/toilet with inspirational quotes from MLB ‘Hall of Famers’.  It was these winning words that greeted the Falcons as they arrived at Finsbury Park for a two-game set against their division rivals.  The Metros stood firmly in second place with a 5-3 record… trailing the Falcons by a margin in the AAA standings, but not by enough for the Herts first team to harbour premature fantasies of a postseason berth.

So, the Falcons walked humbly into Finsbury Park knowing that these games would prove contentious.  A split would have been enough. Metros Field was slightly sheltered from the elements, but powerful winds were still a factor and an early gust claimed a casualty before the game was even underway!  R.I.P. Gazebo, our dear travelling ‘dugout’.

The games started in good fashion as Herts gained an early 1-0 lead in the 1st inning – a Metros balk with a runner on third base.  That early mistake aside, the game quickly developed into a pitcher’s duel which persisted for the rest of the game. Due to Falcons errors in the field, London managed to battle back to a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the 2nd.

With a combination of hits and steals by the top of the order (Dan Kerry connecting for a monster double; 1 RBI) the Falcons managed to ground out a 4-2 advantage going into the bottom of the 5th.  In a bizarre twist of fate, the Metros scored 4 runs and hit their way into the lead with a brace of doubles, and a few singles and errors to boot.  By the end of the 6th inning the game was locked at four runs apiece, and this showdown seemed destined for extra innings as the teams brawled for the W.

The Metros brought in their closer as the Falcons sent newcomer Jim Hyde to the plate.  Recently promoted from within the organisation, Jim worked a base on balls, took advantage of a wild pitch to reach second base, stole third and scored the go-ahead run on an error.  This was only the start of a rally, however, with Nic Goetz and Greg ‘The Motion’ Bochan (1-1 with a 2B) both scoring.

Now Darrin Ward had to close out the game.  With the first two balls batted straight to Nic Goetz at shortstop for groundouts, the tension was building.  The Metros managed to get two more runs on two singles and two walks before the final out was made… but shaky-or-not the Falcons earned the win by a score of 9-8.  Ward chalked up his fifth win of the season.

Both the players and the growing Finsbury Park audience needed to draw a breathe, with the sun beating down and the wind continually swirling.  But after a short rest Game Two started as the Falcons wished, with a five run top of the 1st.  The score stayed at 5-0, starting pitcher Goetz allowing only one hit going into the bottom of the 3rd.  But in this half an inning, the Metros managed to gain the momentum scoring five runs on only two hits.

It was a new ballgame.  The Falcons managed a small advantage in the 5th when – with Marty Cullen on base – Darrin Ward hit a double, scoring the run before being tagged out trying to aggressively turn his hit into a triple.  The Falcons summarily surrendered their lead when the Metros scored two more runs on errors.

At the top of the 6th the game changed hands once again. Bochan lead off the inning with a walk, reached second base on a wild pitch and was hit in on a double by Andy Cornish.  The Metros looked a completely different side as the Falcons beat out a 6-run inning.  Jason Greenberg and Andy Cornish successfully completed a double steal in this inning (two in the game).

In the bottom of the inning, London once again managed to score several runs on only one hit.  4 Metros crossed home plate in the 6th, pulling the game to within one run as the contest entered its final frame.  With the smell of victory floating in the humid air above the diamond – and aided by two London pitching changes during the inning – the Falcons went full-throttle scoring seven times and snagging an eight-run lead.

Despite faint whiffs of a comeback in the bottom of the 7th, the Falcons held on in this massive 19-14 slugfest and secured their 14th victory of the season.  Manager and catcher Greenberg said after the game that “these victories are important and critical, and the Falcons have earned some R&R – it’s time to rest our arms in preparation for the tough games coming up in a few weeks’ time.”  The team came together, did the customary cheer with extraordinary gusto, and left London with the belief and confidence that this winning streak would continue into July.

GAME ONE

Herts Falcons at London Metros
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Herts Falcons 1 0 2 1 0 2 3 9 14 3
London Metros 0 2 0 0 4 0 2 8 10 3

Herts Falcons 9, London Metros 8
Herts Falcons London Metros
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Andy Cornish 3b 4 3 2 0 Player 1 p 4 1 1 2
Jason Greenberg c 5 2 3 2 Player 2 c 4 1 2 0
Dan Kerry cf 5 0 2 2 Player 3 1b 3 2 0 0
Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b 3 0 3 1 Player 4 2b 3 0 0 0
Marty Cullen 1b 4 0 0 0 Player 5 3b 4 1 1 2
Jim Hyde dh 3 1 0 0 Player 6 ss 4 1 1 0
Lee Manning rf 3 0 0 0 Player 7 lf 3 0 2 1
Nick Goetz ss 4 1 3 0 Player 8 cf 3 1 2 1
Aspi Dimitrov lf 3 1 0 0 Player 9 rf 3 1 1 0
(t7) Greg Bochan lf 1 1 1 0
Darrin Ward p 0 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 35 9 14 5 TEAM TOTALS 31 8 10 6

E: Nick Goetz(2), Jason Greenberg, Player 2, Player 5, Player 6. DP: Herts Falcons 1.
LOB: London Metros 4, Herts Falcons 9. 2B: Nick Goetz, Dan Kerry, Greg Bochan, Player
7(2), Player 1. SB: Kimiyoshi Saionji(2), Andy Cornish(2), Jason Greenberg(2), Jim
Hyde, Dan Kerry, Greg Bochan, Player 3(2), Player 6. CS: Lee Manning.

Herts Falcons IP H R ER BB SO
Darrin Ward W 7.00 10 8 5 2 1
London Metros            
Player 1 L 7.00 14 9 6 5 6

WP: Darrin Ward, Player 1(2). PB: Player 2(2). Balk: Player 1. T: 2:30. A: 78.

GAME TWO

Herts Falcons at London Metros
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Herts Falcons 5 0 0 0 1 6 7 19 10 4
London Metros 0 0 5 0 2 4 3 14 9 10

Herts Falcons 19, London Metros 14
Herts Falcons London Metros
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Andy Cornish 3b-cf 5 2 2 1 Strezelski 3b 4 1 0 0
Jason Greenberg c 3 3 1 0 Dujardin lf 2 3 0 0
Dan Kerry cf-p 5 3 1 1 Byok cf 1 1 0 1
(b7) Aspi Dimitrov pr-p 0 0 0 0 (t5) Sub 1 cf 1 1 0 0
Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b 6 2 2 1 Rogalinski rf 4 3 2 3
Marty Cullen 1b 4 3 0 1 Stabe 1b 2 2 1 0
Jim Hyde lf 4 3 1 1 (t6) Alex Phipps 1b-rf 1 0 1 2
Lee Manning ss 4 1 2 2 Zeng c 5 1 2 3
Darrin Ward dh 2 0 1 1 Ferguson 2b 5 1 1 2
(t6) Nick Goetz p-3b 1 1 0 0 Sproule ss 3 0 1 2
Greg Bochan rf 3 1 0 1 Morris p 3 1 1 0
TEAM TOTALS 37 19 10 9 TEAM TOTALS 31 14 9 13

E: Andy Cornish(3), Nick Goetz, Morris(2), Sproule(2), Ferguson(2), Rogalinski,
Strezelski, Zeng, Alex Phipps. LOB: London Metros 8, Herts Falcons 9. 2B: Andy
Cornish, Lee Manning, Darrin Ward. SB: Andy Cornish(3), Jason Greenberg(3), Kimiyoshi
Saionji, Nick Goetz, Dan Kerry, Lee Manning, Morris, Sproule. CS: Lee Manning, Zeng.
S: Greg Bochan.

Herts Falcons IP H R ER BB SO
Nick Goetz 4.33 6 7 4 4 3
Dan Kerry W 1.67 1 5 5 6 2
Aspi Dimitrov 1.00 2 2 2 1 2
London Metros            
Morris L 7.00 10 19 7 11 3


HBP: by Dan Kerry (Rogalinski). . WP: Dan Kerry, Morris(6). PB: Zeng(4). T: 2:30. A: 78.

by AspiDimitrov

HAWKS TAKE ANOTHER WIN DESPITE CONTROVERSIALLY LOSING THEIR MANAGER

Report from Herts Baseball Newswire Correspondent, DAVE HAMILTON

 

A thrilling eighth inning rally led the Herts Hawks to a come-from-behind victory against the Northampton Bucks in a fiercely contested match in Milton Keynes on Sunday, lifting them back up to third place in the British AA league standings.

 

Forced to battle against the elements (most notably a gusting wind that made every fly-ball an adventure in the field) and some highly contentious umpiring decisions that resulted in a ninth-inning ejection, the Hawks pulled together producing a team effort full of controlled aggression that led them to victory.

 

The game started badly for the visitors as the Northampton Bucks took advantage of a couple of defensive lapses to jump out to an early four-run lead.  With the Hawks failing to mount any meaningful offense in the early innings it was 4-1 to the home side at the half way mark. 

 

The Herts bats sprung into life in the six inning though, with a run-scoring triple from Louis Hare being followed by a booming double over the centerfielder's head by catcher Dave Westfallen.  With the tying run now at second base, the momentum appeared to be shifting until Westfallen was called out on a pick-off move, despite having clearly slid back safely under the tag.  Understandably frustrated by the call, the Hawks rally died out and Northampton retained their slender one-run advantage.

 

Meanwhile in the field, the Hawks were producing some excellent defence.  Shortstop Luis Goncalves showed off a strong arm to fire out one runner, and also helped to complete two double plays as the visitors managed to cope better than expected with the windy conditions.  With relief pitcher Louis Hare looking strong on the mound, the Hawks were playing well but time was running out for them to overturn the deficit.

 

Finally, in the eighth inning, the Hawks broke through.  First the middle order took advantage of some weaknesses in the Bucks infield to string several hits together and tie the game.  Their aggressive baserunning disrupted the pitcher's concentration to such an extent he then walked in a run, before an rbi single by substitute Nick Russell completed the rally.  With two men being thrown out at the plate, the damage could have been even greater, but with six runs having scored Herts now led 9-4 and were six outs away from a thrilling victory.

 

Northampton chipped away slightly, with a run of their own in the bottom of the eighth inning, before controversy struck in the ninth inning.  With runners on second and third base, Dave Hamilton was called out on a check-swing to end the inning.  Whilst not contesting the call, the Hawks outfielder asked whether his strikeout was the result of a called strike or because he had failed to stop his swing in time, but was simply told again 'you're out'.  Manager Carlos Casal came over and (also very politely) tried to clarify the situation but was given the same answer before astonishingly being ejected from the game.

 

This bizarre twist led to a quick defensive re-shuffle as the Hawks completed the game under protest,  but pitcher Louis Hare made sure justice was done, striking out the last three hitters to clinch victory.

 

Whilst he has been known to have hot-tempered outbursts in the past, the Hawks' fiercely competitive manager was still stunned after the game at his first ever ejection from a baseball match, not least because it resulted from one of his calmest ever conversations with an umpire!  Nevertheless, he was thrilled with the team performance which returns the Herts second team to a .500 record for the season.  Further challenges lie in store for the Hawks though as they face the two teams above them in the table in their next two games, the Sidewinders visiting Grovehill next weekend.

 

 

Herts Hawks at Northampton
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Herts Hawks 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 6 0 9 11 3
Northampton 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 5 6 3

Herts Hawks 9, Northampton 5
Herts Hawks Northampton
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Ross Asquith lf 3 0 0 0 Player 1 p 3 0 0 0
Tim Elkins rf 3 0 0 0 Player 2 c 4 1 0 0
John Oliver 1b 3 1 0 0 Player 3 1b 3 2 1 0
Carlos Casal 3b 5 2 1 0 Player 4 2b 3 0 0 1
Louis Hare p 5 3 3 3 Player 5 3b 4 1 1 0
Dave Westfallen c 5 1 3 3 Player 6 ss 3 1 1 0
Humberto Goncalves 2b 4 0 3 0 Player 7 lf 4 0 1 1
Dave Hamilton cf 4 1 0 0 Player 8 cf 4 0 1 0
Luis Goncalves ss 3 0 1 1 Player 9 rf 4 0 1 0
Nick Russell b-rf 2 1 0 0
Paul Auchterlounie b-lf 2 0 0 1
Rodney Naghar b-pr-3b 0 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 39 9 11 8 TEAM TOTALS 32 5 6 2

E: Humberto Goncalves(2), Luis Goncalves, Player 4, Player 5, Player 6. LOB:
Northampton 7, Herts Hawks 8. 2B: Luis Goncalves, Dave Westfallen, Player 3. 3B:
Louis Hare. SB: Dave Westfallen, Humberto Goncalves, Rodney Naghar, Player 1(2),
Player 6, Player 4, Player 8. CS: Luis Goncalves, Player 1(2), Player 4.

Herts Hawks IP H R ER BB SO
Louis Hare W 8.67 6 5 1 5 11
Northampton            
Player 1 L 9.00 11 9 4 5 12

HBP: by Louis Hare (Player 1). . . PB: Dave Westfallen, Player 2(2). T: 3:00. A: 0.
by AspiDimitrov

RAPTORS DOWNED BY ARROWS

 

Report from Herts Baseball Newswire Correspondent, HUNTER DEVINE

 

The Raptors faced their rivals, the Arrows 2, for the fourth time this season, leading the season series two games to one. However, it was the Arrows who would walk away victors in this match up, powered by a homerun and many other timely hits.

Manager, Jake Kikel, started for the Raptors, however, struggled with control due to the harsh winds in the area. He was not added either by the defence in the early goings either, and eventually gave way to relief pitcher Mark Hoffman who pitched well, but could not hold the surging Arrows back. The game was relatively close until the Arrows pulled ahead by a wide margin, putting victory out of reach for the Raptors.

The Raptor hitting remains a positive point as they continue to score runs with relative ease. Defence will obviously be on the agenda in training for the next few weeks, the Raptors next match being a month away.

 

Essex Arrows 2 at Herts Raptors
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Essex Arrows 2 2 5 2 4 3 1 8 25 26 0
Herts Raptors 4 0 0 2 8 0 0 14 12 6

Essex Arrows 2 25, Herts Raptors 14
Essex Arrows 2 Herts Raptors
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Player 1 p 7 6 6 4 Hunter Devine 2b 4 3 2 1
Player 2 c 5 1 2 2 Jake Kikel p-xf1 1 2 0 0
Player 3 1b 4 2 1 0 Paul Hawes rf-1b 2 2 1 1
Player 4 2b 5 1 2 2 Rod Ariss cf 4 2 2 1
Player 5 3b 4 2 4 3 Mark Hoffman 1b-p 5 1 2 2
Player 6 ss 3 2 0 0 Andy Ringrose c 1 1 1 2
Player 7 lf 5 3 4 2 Andrew Slater 3b 5 0 1 2
Player 8 cf 5 4 3 1 Ilya Dimitrov lf 4 1 2 1
Player 9 rf 5 4 4 5 Pete Cox ss-2b 5 1 1 1
Robert Crouch rf 0 1 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 43 25 26 19 TEAM TOTALS 31 14 12 11

E: Andrew Slater(3), Pete Cox(2), Andy Ringrose. LOB: Herts Raptors 11, Essex Arrows
2 13. 2B: Player 7(2), Player 1, Player 9, Hunter Devine. HR: Player 9. SB: Player
1(8), Player 2(5), Player 3(4), Player 4(2), Player 5(2), Player 9(2), Player 8(2),
Player 7, Hunter Devine(6), Jake Kikel(2), Andy Ringrose, Ilya Dimitrov, Pete Cox,
Robert Crouch.

Essex Arrows 2 IP H R ER BB SO
Player 1 W 7.00 12 14 13 14 9
Herts Raptors            
Jake Kikel L 3.33 15 13 9 7 6
Mark Hoffman 3.00 11 12 7 5 5

HBP: by Jake Kikel (Player 3), by Player 1 (Hunter Devine). . . , by Jake Kikel
(Player 9). . . . PB: Player 2, Andy Ringrose(2). T: 4:00. A: 30.

by AspiDimitrov

A SETBACK FOR FALCONS IN RACE TO REACH FINAL4

Late last night medical reports confirmed that Falcons pitcher and infielder, Pete Kikel has fractured a bone on his ankle.

The incident occured during Sunday’s exhibition game against the Sidewinders.  Attempting to steal second base, Kikel jammed his foot on the base and rolled over it.  Although Pete Kikel did not want to reveal the extent of the injury and even wanted to try to continue playing the game, the diagnosis from the doctors confirmed that there has been a bone fracture.  Kikel is expected to be out of for the rest of the 2008 campaign.  This is  a major blow for the Falcons, especially as they were gearing up for the game of the season so far against their direct rivals for top spot, the London Metros.

The one positive news is that the medical procedure has proved to be very successful and the bone has been placed in its proper position which will allow for a natural knitting of the bone.  Pete Kikel will have to stay in a cast for the time being.

Get well soon Pete.

by AspiDimitrov

OPENING DAY REACTION

Following the spectacular Herts Little League Opening event, the League has be inundated with feedback from players, parents, and residents living in the Grovehill Ballpark area.  One of the Little League members even wrote a poem describing the event. 

by AspiDimitrov

HERTS RAPTORS SUFFER A DAY FULL OF LOSSES.

Report by Herts Baseball Newswire reporter, HUNTER DEVINE

The Herts Raptors suffered their second walk off loss of the season on Sunday, falling 18-17 to the Braintree Rays. In both cases the Raptors had sizable leads only to watch them slip away through poor defence.

Leading 10-2 through the first half of the game, Jake Kikel had thrown a gem of a game and the Raptors bench were talking of slaughter rule victories a bit too soon as the Rays struck back reducing the once sizeable lead to a mere few tallies.

The Raptors refused to surrender however, never actually giving up their lead, and adding extra runs on heading into the bottom of the 9th with a three run lead and Mark Hoffman on the mound. With two outs, bases empty and the game tied, the Rays relief pitcher smacked a ball, splitting the outfielders whom could not retrieve it in time due to their lack of speed and the lack of a fence, allowing the runner to come home and win the game.

It should be noted that the Raptors played with exactly 9 players all day, where as the Rays had 15 and made numerous substitutes. However, that is still no consolation.

There were positive aspects in the game, though. Andrew Slater, in his first game back after a two week break, hit the ball exceedingly well getting a double, as well as being robbed of a second.

Not only was the game lost, but two of the team's favourite bats; the red 33″, much to Slater's despair, and the standard 32″ were too.

Herts Raptors at Braintree Rays
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 R H E
Herts Raptors 1 0 1 0 8 1 0 3 0 3 17 26 3
Braintree Rays 1 0 0 1 1 7 1 3 0 4 18 21 1

Braintree Rays 18, Herts Raptors 17
Braintree Rays Herts Raptors
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Player 1 p 4 5 2 1 Hunter Devine 2b 5 3 3 1
Player 2 c 6 3 4 2 Jake Kikel p-1b 6 2 4 4
Player 3 1b 4 1 1 2 Mark Hoffman 1b-p 6 2 4 0
Player 4 2b 6 0 2 1 Jonathon Lewys c 6 3 4 2
Player 5 3b 6 2 3 0 Paul Hawes cf 5 2 3 3
Player 6 ss 3 2 1 1 Steve Nippress lf 5 1 2 1
Player 7 lf 6 2 5 2 Andrew Slater 3b 6 2 2 3
Player 8 cf 5 2 3 1 Ilya Dimitrov ss 6 1 3 1
Player 9 rf 5 1 0 1 Robert Crouch rf 5 1 1 1
TEAM TOTALS 45 18 21 11 TEAM TOTALS 50 17 26 16

E: Player 5, Andrew Slater(2), Ilya Dimitrov. LOB: Herts Raptors 9, Braintree Rays
12. 2B: Player 2, Andrew Slater(2), Mark Hoffman, Jake Kikel, Paul Hawes. HR: Player
2. SB: Player 1(8), Player 2(3), Player 7(3), Player 8(3), Player 9(3), Player 6(2),
Player 3, Jonathon Lewys(4), Mark Hoffman(3), Jake Kikel(2), Paul Hawes(2), Hunter
Devine(2), Ilya Dimitrov(2), Andrew Slater, Steve Nippress.

Braintree Rays IP H R ER BB SO
Player 1 W 9.00 26 17 16 2 6
Herts Raptors            
Jake Kikel 6.00 13 10 8 6 10
Mark Hoffman L 3.00 8 8 7 3 2

HBP: by Player 1 (Steve Nippress). , by Jake Kikel (Player 1). . , by Mark Hoffman
(Player 1). . . WP: Mark Hoffman(3). T: 4:00. A: 30.