Category: Headlines

by Matt Bell

FIRST EVER BRITISH SPRING LEAGUE READY FOR TAKE-OFF

Spring is here, which means that baseball is back.  This year Herts Baseball Club has added a new event to the British baseball calendar with the first ever Herts Spring League (HSL). 

 

One of the most exciting times of the baseball season is Spring Training. After a long and cold winter everyone connected with baseball is eager to get back to the baseball diamond. Teams start to put into action their master plans to win the league. Players are jostling for a position on the roster. Pitchers are competing for a starting spot in the rotation. It is a first chance for managers and players to see new players which have signed up with the clubs. These are just some of the reasons why Spring is a special time for baseball.

 

The 2008 HSL line-up has just been announced and it will certainly provide exciting baseball action over the next three weeks.  The 10 participating teams are split into two divisions, HSL1 and HSL2. 

 

HSL1 includes Hertfordshire’s top team the Falcons, the Burgess Hill Colts, Northampton Baseball Club who impressed at the 2007 London Tournament and the ASL Eagles.  The Eagles will add an element of suspense to HSL1.  They are very much an unknown quantity as they do not compete in the BBF leagues.  The ASL Eagles is a team representing the AmericanSchool in London, which is expected to bring an all-out American baseball mentality to the diamond.  

 

Looking at the HSL1 schedule one game stands out as a must-see clash.  The Herts Falcons meet the Burgess Hill Colts for the first time since the 2006 Premier League Playoff game which the Colts won in extra innings to sink the Falcons down from the Premier League to Division 1.  Revenge will be on the minds of the Falcons after that heart-breaking game.

 

HSL2 includes the Herts Hawks, Sidewinders, Richmond Dragons, Bracknell Blazers, Milton Keynes Hurricanes, and the newly created third Hertfordshire team, the Herts Raptors.  The MK Hurricanes go into the league as the favourites, but, with other teams strengthening their rosters over the winter, it could prove to be a very competitive league with almost all of the teams having a realistic chance of taking the HSL2 title.

 

Over the next three Sundays 23 games will be played at 4 baseball venues in and around London.  Some of the venues will host as many as 6 teams on the same day which is expected to create a great baseball atmosphere.  This is the perfect opportunity for baseball enthusiasts to enjoy a Spring day out watching a game of baseball and having a first glimpse of the teams as they gear up for the 2008 Opening Day.

 

For more information about the teams, game times and venues you can visit the official HSL website.  The HSL website has linked up with the Herts Baseball Newswire to provide extensive coverage of the HSL including game reports, video news, stats and much more so stay tuned.

RELATED LINKS

Official HSL website: www.hertsbaseball.com/HSL

by Matt Bell

ACTOR BILLY CRYSTAL TO PLAY FOR NEW YORK YANKEES TONIGHT

It is not very often that we see a 60-years old movie legend suit up and play for the New York Yankees in an official Spring Training game.  That's exactly what Billy Crystal will do tonight.  The star of movies like “When Harry Met Sally”, “Cityslickers”, “Throw Mama from the Train”, “Analyze This” etc joined up with the Yankees camp on Wednesday and will play against the Pittsburgh Pirates tonight at 6:15pm UK time.  The game will be shown live on www.mlb.com

RELATED LINKS:

VIDEO – Billy Crystal's lead off at bat

VIDEO – Pre-game Billy Crystal media conference

VIDEO – Derek Jeter on Billy Crystal's debut

VIDEO – Tino Martinez on Crystal

NEWS – MLB.COM coverage of this story

by Matt Bell

HERTS BASEBALL LITTLE LEAGUERS TAKE PART IN UNVEILING COUNTY SPORTS NETWORK

 

Over the years Herts Baseball Club has played an important part in the community throughout Dacorum Borough Council where the club’s baseball complex is based.  In 2003 the club’s contribution was acknowledged with the presentation of the “Club of the Year Award” by Sir Henry Cooper.

 

The club is keen to increase its role in the County and last month took part in the creation of the Dacorum Sports Network.  The unveiling of the Sports Network was done by the Mayor of Dacorum, Cllr Brian Ayling, who was particularly enthusiastic about the potential good the DSN could do for sport within the borough.

 

“This network in Dacorum has been so meticulously planned and developed that it's going to hit the ground running,” he said.  “Already there is a local structure for interaction between sports groups in Dacorum, reaching out into the broader spectrum of Hertfordshire and even nationally – that's the way to start.  “What particularly enthuses me is that this organisation here in Dacorum and nationally has no age or physical demarkations.  “What a wonderful concept and what a wonderful tribute to those involved. “I believe we are in a great position to contribute to the community of Dacorum and to represent the aims and aspirations of all the sports people (within the borough).”

 

The official DSN logo was unveiled by the Mayor in front of the local media.  The line up also included two members of the Herts Baseball Little League (See extract from the article in the Hemel Gazette).

Lee Manning and Jo Smith receive

2003 Dacorum Club of the year Award

from legendary boxer, Sir Henry Cooper.

by Matt Bell

HAWKS IMPRESSIVE IN FIRST SPRING TRAINING GAME

The Herts Hawks ended the 2007 season with a disappointing 7-12 record, but after this first spring training game it already looks like they will be taking the scalps of many Division 1 teams this season.  Their opponents were the Cityslick Sidewinders who last year played in the Premier League which is one division above the Hawks in the British Baseball League pyramid.  The Hawks won convincingly 12-3.

 

Starting on the mound was Darrin Ward, a familiar face to every British baseball fan.  He has signed up with Herts Baseball Club from the Milton Keynes Hurricanes and it already looks like he will be playing a key role for the club this year.  A combination of speed, control and movement kept the Sidewinders off-balance.  Statistics are only available for the first 5 innings of the game.  Over those innings Ward allowed only 1 hit with 0.00 ERA and 4 strike-outs (53 strikes, 27 balls, 3 walks). 

 

Another great addition to the club will be the double punch of Luis and Humberto Goncalves who played at short stop and first base, respectively.  Luis Goncalves’ smooth fielding mechanics will certainly make teams stand up and take notice.  His father Humberto came in with the power, causing havoc with every one of his at bats including a towering Home Run deep to left centerfield almost hitting the Falcons players who were warming up on the adjacent football field.

 

After a year’s absence on paternity leave, it was a pleasure to see Ross Asquith back in a Herts shirt.  He certainly has not lost any of his lightning speed and worked well alongside centerfielder, Paul Auchterlounie.

 

Several players in the Hawks roster were unavailable so Hunter Devine and Jonathon Lewys received a last minute call-up to the Hawks.  It would not be a surprise to see them again with the Hawks this season if they continue their fantastic progress.

 

See Hawks Photos section for more photos from this game

by Matt Bell

FALCONS LOSE FIRST SPRING TRAINING GAME TO NOTTINGHAM THIEVES

After weeks of training it was time for the Falcons to put on the Falcons jersey for their first Spring Training game in preparation for the 2008 season.  The Nottingham Thieves were the visitors and they certainly came out to play.  They took an early lead and the Falcons found it hard to catch up all day.  It may have been a friendly exhibition game but there was tension in the air from start to finish.  Nottingham’s two hard throwing pitchers appeared to have good control and yet managed to hit 6 batters.  This was the first time the two teams meet so there certainly couldn’t have been any previous history between the players.  Maybe it was just the excitement of baseball coming back after the long winter break.  Whatever the reason, the Falcons were clearly unhappy to lose the game.  Before the start of the game Falcons manager, Jason Greenberg, underlined that the final score is not the main objective but rather wanted to focus players’ minds on baseball fundamentals and teamwork, but the loss was too painful to accept nonetheless.

 

The game certainly revealed weaknesses which the Falcons will no doubt be addressing in the coming weeks ahead of the 2008 Opening Day. 

 

A big concern is the condition of last season’s joint Home Run Champion, Andy Cornish, who appeared to have dislocated his shoulder in a spectacular diving play at short stop.  Early reports indicate that there is no fracture which will come as great relief for all connected with the club.  No doubt everyone is holding their breath awaiting further news.

 

Regardless of the fact that the visitors from Nottingham played with aluminium bats, this loss has certainly left a bad taste in the mouth and the team will be keen to get back on the field to put the record straight. 

 

Despite the loss there were positives to take out of the game.  Pete Kikel had a very good outing on the mound showing good control and velocity, while Kimiyoshi Saionji, Lee Manning and Marty Cullen were swinging the bat well.

 

See Falcons Photos section for more photos from this game

by Matt Bell

CULLEN TAPPED AS FALCONS BENCH COACH

Infielder and slugger Marty Cullen was officially named as the Herts Falcons Bench Coach, amid many rumours and much speculation as to who Manager Jason Greenberg would appoint for the important leadership role.

Cullen – also the Herts Baseball Club VP in charge of Little League operations – came out of retirement last season and earned his place on the first team.  His stellar performance at the plate in 2007 was much rejoiced by Herts fans, who were skeptical about how Cullen would play after injuring his lower back early in Spring Training.  Despite the setback, Cullen hit .457 with 5 doubles and 13 RBI in 35 official at bats.  His on base percentage (.583) led the entire Herts Club among regular starting players.

But it's not Cullen's performance on the field that earned him this coveted role.  Rather, it's the work he puts in off the diamond, helping rookies to the game develop proper swings and fielding fundamentals.  He is a tireless champion of youth baseball and the development of the great game in the United Kingdom.  He is also well respected by his teammates and has developed a Clubhouse charm that will only aid him in the role of Bench Coach, where Cullen will need to walk the line between management and 'bat brother'.

Greenberg had only the highest praise for Cullen.  “I trust him implicitly.  He is the kind of guy that will lift up those around him, and the bottom line is that Marty shares my determination and optimism for what's developing on and off the field this year for the Club.   There's a very special sense of activity and growth… and Marty is a big part of that.  He's right in the middle of it.  I couldn't ask for a better partner.”

After practice on Sunday the Falcons held a private strategy session, at which Cullen was reintroduced to the team in his new post.  In his first words as Bench Coach, Cullen emphasized a 2008 gameplan which included revamped coaching signals, greater use of the designated hitter, and a commitment to 'small ball'.  Timely bunting, stealing, 
the hit-and-run, and effective 1st-and-3rd offense will  factor greatly in the Falcons' tactical playbook this season, and Cullen will be at the helm, no doubt, helping to push runners around the bases.