Category: Headlines

by Herts Baseball News Editor

British baseball begins search for a new Ryan Bird


Herts Baseball Club has been trying to delay making this announcement, hoping against hope that it will not happen, but it has now been confirmed that three-time National Baseball League MVP (Most Valuable Player), Ryan Bird, has moved to America.

Over the last 6 years he has been one of the most dominant baseball players in Great Britain. His name appears prominently at the top of the majority of the defensive and offensive NBL stats. He received immediate recognition, voted as the NBL’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 2008. This was his first season in the League and this achievement is even more significant given that this was a time of total domination by the amazing London Mets. In the following year Bird was once again voted as the League’s MVP, making him the first player to receive two MVP awards since the days of Simon Pole during the London Warriors era. In 2009 he was also the league’s home run champion with 5 dingers.

In 2012 he made a high-profile move to the Herts Falcons and the domination continued. In 2013 he was voted NBL MVP for a third time.

He has performed consistently throughout and he is the NBL leader in career batting average (.500), career on-base average (.572) and career slugging average (.808). His primary position is catcher, but he has also had a real impact as a pitcher. His career ERA is 2.72 with a record of 15 wins, 4 losses, 2 saves and, very notably, one of the highest strikeouts per nine innings ratios (16.4). Last season he pitched those memorable back-to-back no-hitters for the Falcons.

Ryan Bird won his second NBL MVP award in 2009 as a Richmond player

This season’s opening game against the London Mets was his last for the Falcons before his move to the USA and he said good bye to the fans with another outstanding performance going 4-4 with a home run which probably is still hovering somewhere over St Albans.

NBL statistics courtesy of ProjectCOBB.org.uk

Bird’s departure is a major blow not just to Herts Falcons but to British baseball as a whole which needs players like him to fill the ballparks around the country.

This is one of several high-profile departures for the Falcons this season. Dave House, Jordan Farkas, Robbie Unsell and Xavi Gonzalez are all moving overseas. The start of the year for the Falcons has felt a lot like the opening scene of the Oscar-nominated movie Moneyball as staff at the Oakland Coliseum were removing the large banners of Jason Giambi, Johnny Damon and Jason Isringhausen.

Xavi Gonzalez is another Herts Falcons player who is playing overseas with the Stuttgart Reds this season

However, losing these big players also means that the door is open at Herts for the new stars to rise to the top of British baseball. The addition of players like Abel Salas and Jamie Gregory has been a major boost helping manager Lee Manning to start rebuilding the roster. Last week Herts fans had an extra boost seeing video footage of catcher Andrew Fulford preparing in Tampa Florida for his upcoming NBL debut. Manning has also shown faith in the club’s talented young players. Carlos Casal Jr, Conner Brown and Tom Everex-Armstrong joined Liam Green to make their NBL debuts in 2013 and this year they have been joined by Will Zucker, with more youngsters pushing hard with the club’s Triple-A team. We will have to wait and see how far these players will go over the next few years and if they will be the next Ryan Birds of British baseball.

 

by Herts Baseball News Editor

All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.

BBF Single-A League
Herts Raptors 24 Brentwood Bucks 25
Adrian Smithers, reporting from Clements Park, Brentwood

The Raptors arrived in Brentwood determined to get their first win of the season. The sun was shining brightly and it was a great day for baseball.

With the Raptors ready to go, the start time came and passed, with both teams awaiting the arrival of the match umpire. However the game still did not start until after both teams had lined up to be introduced to the mayor of Brentwood. With the ceremony finally concluded the game began.

Lead off batter Mike Cresswell stepped to the plate and took strike one above shoulder height and the tone for the day had been set.

In a hard fought game the Bucks leapt out to a 12-1 lead after two innings with Herts starting pitcher Jamie Lang tiring after throwing 87 pitches in search of an elusive and ever changing K-zone. Raptors scored 3 in the top of the third before Cresswell came in to relieve Lang for the bottom of the third. He slowed the Bucks charge holding them to 1 run in the bottom of the inning to make the score 13-4. Raptors then showed their teeth in the top of the fourth scoring seven runs without an out before Bucks pitcher Cook retired the next three in a row including striking out Raptors first baseman Will Belbin (who had originally got the inning going with a single) swinging at a high pitch that today he could not afford to take. Brentwood then added 4 more in the bottom of the inning to make the score 17-11 before lefty Cresswell’s superb pick off to 1st caught Bucks’ Davenport off of 1st and with no option but to head for second and into a run down situation that the Herts infield gladly took.

With the run rate slowing and the score 19-15, Jeff Witter came in to pitch the 6th inning for Herts, relieving Cresswell. Rob Jones also came into the game at shortstop with Raptors manager Geoff Thomas shuffling round his infield. Witter held the Bucks to one run in the sixth and with Herts failing to score in the 7th, everybody stretched as the slow moving game had already been going for four hours.

Bucks tacked on two more in the bottom of the seventh after a contentious call at home plate saw Bucks run threat Harris sliding into the tag applied by Herts catcher Smithers before being called safe, much to the incredulity of the whole Herts infield who were already trotting off the diamond. Manager Thomas came out to dispute the decision and intervene before his catcher, who had finally had enough and was voicing his opinion of the umpires decision, was tossed from the game. Despite his protestations and the clear evidence in the sand of a slide that had not reached the plate, the call stood.

Raptors were incensed and Thomas coralled his team between innings and implored them to go out & score the runs needed to win this game. Despite scoring four runs in the 8th aided by a pinch hitting Thomas’s double (in his first at bat of the season) the Raptors didn’t help their own cause with Smithers caught daydreaming off the bag at second for the second out of the eighth. Brentwood added 3 more in the bottom of the 8th inning to extend their lead to 25-19. Despite Herts best efforts, including Thomas hustling to second on a ball four wild pitch, they were only able to add another five runs. Finally losing 25-24, with Lang taking the loss, they had fought determinedly. Co-manager Rob Jones offered an extremely diplomatic view upon the game. “Brentwood is always a tough place to go and play. There were times today when we felt things weren’t going our way, a few calls went against us but players showed great spirit to keep rallying back.”

Notable Raptors batting stats for the day were….

Lang 5-7, 2B, 3R, 3RBI, SB. Belbin 3-5, BB, 4R, 4SB. Landau-Smithers 2-3, 3BB, 3R, RBI, 5SB. Jones 2-3, 2B, 2R, RBI. Smithers 3-4, 2BB, HBP, 4R, RBI, 3SB, CS. and Thomas 1-1, BB, 2B, 2R, RBI, 3SB.

Now 0-2, Raptors will look to regroup and look longingly ahead to their first game of the season at Grovehill Ballpark on Sunday, May 18.

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Herts represented at the MLB European Baseball Academy Try Outs for the first time in its history

Herts Falcons and Great Britain National Team players Jamie Gregory and Tom Everex-Armstrong have been invited to this year’s Major League Baseball European Academy Try Outs. Although there have been several other British players called up to the MLB European Try Outs in previous years, this is the first time that members of Herts Baseball Club take part in this prestigious programme.

The MLB European Baseball Academy was created to provide training for European, New Zealand and African baseball prospects by former major leaguers. It also provides a central scouting location during the weeks it is open and over two dozen Academy alumni have signed contracts with MLB teams.

In 2011, Alex Liddi became the first Academy product to be called up to the major leagues with the Seattle Mariners. Donald Lutz was the second, making it in 2013 with the Cincinnati Reds. Instructors have included Barry Larkin, Lee Smith, Art Howe, Wally Joyner, Bruce Hurst, John McLaren, Steve Finley, Craig Shipley and Dale Murphy.

Through July 2013, over 50 Academy alumni had been signed by MLB organizations. So far there have been no British players who have gone on to sign contracts with MLB teams from the Academy, but the signs are that MLB is beginning to recognise the talented players playing in Britain, which is a boost for players in this country.

Armstrong and Gregory are taking part in this weekend’s segment of the Academy which is held in Barcelona, Spain.  Herts fans should rest assured that both will be back in time for Herts Falcons’ next league game on Sunday, 11 May 2014, at the Bracknell Blazers.

 

by Herts Baseball News Editor

7 games over 3 days this weekend for Herts

2008 was the last time a Herts team faced an American varsity league team.

SATURDAY, 3 MAY

HERTS DODGERS vs HERTS GIANTS

The weekend’s action for Herts Baseball Club starts on Saturday morning at Grovehill Ballpark with the opening game in the Herts Dodgers vs Herts Giants Series. This rivalry has been played out over the last few years between the club’s U12 teams and this year the series will be spread over the season in between UK Little League games, BBF national championships and other games in this age group.

HERTS HARRIERS @ ASL EAGLES

In the afternoon the focus turns to the Herts U19/U17 team which will make the short trip to Canons Park in Stanmore (postcode HA7 1AR) for an exhibition game against the ASL Eagles which is a team playing in the American varsity league. Herts will be missing several players, but it will still be interesting to see how these two teams will compare. First pitch is at 2pm.

SUNDAY, 4 MAY

SOUTH LONDON PIRATES @ HERTS HAWKS

On Sunday it is the turn of the Herts adult teams. The Herts Hawks (1-3) missed an opportunity to sweep the Pirates (1-3) a week ago. They will have another opportunity, this time on home turf. Nick Russell missed last Sunday’s game but is expected to be back on the mound for this one. A sweep will see the Hawks go back to a .500 record.

HERTS RAPTORS @ BRENTWOOD BUCKS

The Raptors (0-1) will be on the road again for their second game of the season. They will face the newest member of the Single-A League, the Brentwood Bucks (1-1). This is the first ever meeting between these two teams.

MONDAY, 5 MAY

HERTS vs LONDON SPORTS

On this bank holiday weekend the baseball action continues on Monday as the U17 and U12 London Sports teams are the visitors to Grovehill Ballpark for pre-season games versus their Herts counterparts.

 

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Herts Baseball Club and Astley Cooper School establish a new baseball programme

Herts Baseball Club has teamed up with Astley Cooper School for the launch of a satellite baseball club. It will open up an opportunity for boys and girls aged 10 to 16 to play baseball. Events will be taking place on Tuesdays after school. The club commences on Tuesday, 6 May, and the weekly baseball events will continue right up until the final Tuesday of the school year on 15 July. Coaches from Herts Baseball Club will introduce students to the game of baseball.

Apart from Astley Cooper School’s 500 pupils, students from other schools are also welcome to take part in this club.

This programme is funded by Herts Sports Partnership with the goal of increasing participation in sport among youngsters.

Students don’t have to wait for Tuesday to play baseball. Herts Baseball Club is one of the leading clubs in the UK and is located just five minutes away from Astley Cooper School. They can sign up to play with the Herts youth teams covering ages from 6 to 16 and with the adult teams for those over the age of 16. The Herts teams compete in regional leagues, the national championships and internationally with Little League Inc. along with 2.6 million other participants in 75 countries.

Herts Baseball Club President, Aspi Dimitrov, was keen to emphasise the importance of this project. “Over the last 10 years we have been growing at an average rate of 27% per annum and this programme is expected to boost growth further” said Dimitrov. He added that “as it develops, the hope is that this can expand into a baseball league involving teams representing different schools from around the region”.

OPEN DAY – 10 MAY 2014

In addition to the launch of the baseball programme in Astley Cooper School, Herts Baseball Club will stage an Open Day on Saturday, 10 May 2014. Boys and girls from 6 to 18 will have the opportunity to enjoy a day packed with baseball activities alongside existing members of the club’s youth league teams.

For details about the Open Day or how to try baseball for free on Tuesdays at Astley Cooper School or on Saturdays at Grovehill Ballpark contact Herts Baseball Club.

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Marauders strike faster than RMT to hand opening game loss to Raptors

BBF Single-A League,
Herts Raptors 9 London Marauders 20,
Adrian Smithers, reporting from Finsbury Park

There’s always a special feeling on the day of the first baseball game of the season. This was noticeable amongst the Raptors who arrived at 8am, on a dreary grey Sunday morning in Finsbury park, only to find not a Marauder in sight. This despite furious communication upon social media the previous evening, about whether the game would take place, resulted in the Raptors being informed of an 8am inspection. Little did they know that what this actually involved was opposing manager Ryan Turtill peering out of his window to see what the weather was doing before strolling down Seven sisters road to meet and greet them.

As the home team finally arrived, the light drizzle over the park faded away to become just an overcast sky. The game was on!

The score was close for the first two innings with the Marauders leading 6-5 at the end of two. However after failing to score in the top half of the third, the Raptors conceded 10 runs in the bottom half of the inning as the Marauders plate discipline payed off. As a tiring Ralph Bartholemew (112 pitches through 3 innings) was on the end of a lot of full counts and a few ball four calls that could have been called strikes on another day by another umpire had they been umpiring from behind the plate. This inning was the main difference between the two teams and pushed the London team to an 11 run lead that the Raptors were never able to close. The Raptors added a run in the top of the fourth before Jeff Witter took over the pitching duties in relief through innings 4, 5 and 6, limiting the Marauders to four more runs, two of which were unearned. The Raptors remained scoreless in the fifth and sixth innings before a rally in the top of the seventh, trying to prolong the game ahead of the dreaded mercy rule, scored three more runs but fell short as the final out of the inning and the game was made with the bases loaded and the game extending run stranded on second base. So with a final score of 20-9 to the Marauders and the sun finally blazing in the north London sky, the Raptors were left to reflect upon an opening game loss.

It was noticeable that this was a team that had vastly improved its fielding and were now making the routine outs that had so often eluded them as the Eagles in previous seasons. Prompting Raptors co-manager, Rob Jones, to pragmatically reflect upon the day with the words, “I was really impressed with how the guys performed against a tough team. There are a lot of positives to build on.”

The Raptors highlight of the day was the sight of long term injury Joel Osborne-Brade (pictured) lining his first competitive bat in nearly two years straight back up the middle for a single. Along with four catches playing CF. Two of which, were BBF ‘A’ baseball to have a web gems feature, would have surely been contenders. He went on to produce batting stats for the day that read 1-2, 2R, 2BB, 2SB. Other notable stats were Michael Cresswell 2-2, RBI, R, 3BB, 3SB. Jeff Witter 1-2, RBI, 3BB. Jamie Lang 1-5, 2RBI & Rob Jones 2-5, RBI, 3R, 3SB. Although other Raptors reached base on errors, walks and a HBP, these five supplied the only hits on the day.

Raptors will be hoping to cut out the big inning next week as they look to build upon a solid, albeit losing, performance at Brentwood on Sunday.

 

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Late rally by Hawks not enough to complete the sweep in South London

The Herts Hawks picked up a confidence-boosting 19-9 away win over the South London Pirates. A spirited comeback in the final inning of the second game brought 2 runs in to make the score 8-7 for the Pirates, but the Pirates held on for the win leaving the bases loaded.

GAME ONE

Andrew Slater pitched a complete game for the Hawks to pick up the win. He allowed 7 runs in the first two innings but over the 5 innings that followed only 2 Pirates came home to score. From those 9 runs only 3 were earned as the Hawks were still getting up to speed defensively. It must be added that both teams struggled defensively as they had to work on an unpredictable playing surface with a very long grass.

Slater was supported well by the team’s offense scoring 19 runs in that first game of the doubleheader. Greg Bochan (3-4, 4 RBI), Arnie Longboy (2-2, 3 RBI) and John Kjorstad (2-6, 2 RBI) all had a multi-hit game.

TODAY’S UNUSUAL PLAY

We always hear TV pundits say that no matter how many games of baseball one has seen, baseball finds a way of surprising us with something unusual. Today it was a play at first base. The South London Pirates batter reached first base safely. He started rolling up his pants and in the process stepped off the bag without time out being called by the umpire at which point Hawks first baseman, Rod Naghar, applied the tag and claimed the out. All eyes turned towards the umpire to receive a confirmation of the call, but it appeared that he didn’t see it and his body language suggested that he was in two minds about whether the runner is out or safe. Without a confirmation from the umpire the runner seemed to assume that he was out and he walked away from the base gesticulating as if to explain that he stepped off the bag because he wanted to check the extent of the knock on his leg. He was suggesting angrily that it is unfair for someone to apply a tag under such circumstances. While he was complaining around the infield, the tag was applied to the relief of the umpire who was now able to confirm that the runner is out without any of the earlier hesitation. The runner seemed upset that no one was seeing his side of the argument, and shouted out loud “I love you all and Good bye” while turning towards the home and the away spectator areas after which he packed his bag and left for the car park.

GAME TWO

Charlie Mayhew started the second game for the Hawks and he was outstanding. He allowed only 7 runs in 5 innings of work. Many of them were unearned. He had reached the 95-pitch limit which applies to 16-year-old players and Greg Bochan came in to pitch the last two innings of the game. At that point the Pirates had a 7-5 lead. Bochan allowed only 1 run in those final two innings which ended with him turning a 1-6 double play. A little earlier in the game there was a display of real determination by Hawks catcher, Ken Pike. Charlie Mayhew was at the plate and as the Pirates pitcher was about to deliver his pitch, he could hear a strange oncoming noise from third base. It seemed like Ken Pike had given himself the green light to steal home and Mayhew was not aware that this play was on. To void the risk of Mayhew swinging the bat and hitting him, Ken Pike, gave several loud and clear instructions to Mayhew “Get out of the way, get out of the way”. He had taken a very daring early jump on the pitcher and arrived at home plate even before the pitch had hit the catcher’s glove.

It came down to the seventh and final inning. The Hawks were trailing 8-5. They needed something special against a good Pirates pitcher who had shut out Herts in 5 of the previous 6 innings. John Kjorstad stepped up and drove the ball high and deep but the Pirates centerfielder somehow got to the ball for the first out. Greg Bochan was next up. He was having another amazing day defensively and offensively and he started the Herts rally with a powerful line drive to right centerfield for a single. Aspi Dimitrov also singled. Ken Pike had to battle not only with the pitcher but also against a fluctuating strike zone and went down swinging for the second out of the inning. Dan Bartram also felt frustrated by the strike zone but delivered a single which drove in Bochan to reduce the deficit to 2 runs. The next two batters were Charlie Mayhew and Kal Dimitrov. Both were hit by pitch to load the bases and bring in the second run of the inning. The score was now 8-7 with the bases still loaded. The spotlight was on the next batter, Arnie Longboy, who had an impressive game. He managed to drive the ball hard and only a diving play by the South London second baseman prevented the ball from going through the infield for what would certainly have brought the tying and go-ahead runs in. There was serious doubt whether the second baseman managed to catch the ball before it had dropped on the ground. The umpire judged that it was a clean catch and that was the game-ending play. After the game the Pirates second baseman admitted that it was in fact a trapped ball and not a catch, but it would have been very harsh to put any blame on the umpire who was working alone without the help of a base umpire.

The two teams will meet again this Sunday at Grovehill Ballpark. The Hawks have the opportunity to get straight back into the playoff race if they can sweep the Pirates. Can they do it? The first game of the doubleheader starts at 1pm on the new diamond.

(start time updated 29 April 2014)

 

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Raptors season begins this Sunday. Eagles and Hawks also looking to boost playoff chances.

When the dust settles, will the Raptors, Eagles and Hawks be at, above or below .500 (photo by Richard Lee richardleephotography.org)

The Herts Eagles are preparing for their second series of the 2014 season this Sunday, 27 April, as they host the Richmond Knights at Grovehill Ballpark in Hemel Hempstead. The two teams shared a win each in their doubleheader last season and both finished in the lower half of the Triple-A League table. It is games against teams like Richmond which will decide whether the Eagles will be involved in the playoff race come August. The first game of the doubleheader starts at 1pm and the second at around 3:30pm. Admission is free for these games.

The club’s third team, the Herts Hawks, will travel to Croydon on the same day for a two-game series against the South London Pirates. Both teams suffered heavy defeats on opening day – the Hawks losing to the London Mammoths and the Pirates to the Brentwood Stags.

In the fourth league tier the Herts Raptors will start their campaign with a trip to title-favourites London Marauders. This is the first official league game for the newly appointed managerial duo of Geoff Thomas and Rob Jones. For many this will be a debut season with the Raptors. Among them are Clive Johnson, Daniel Bennett, Drew Mayhew, James Roberts, Ian Byers and Matt Taylor.  It will take a few weeks to assess whether the new-look Raptors will be able to repeat last year’s heroics.

In the National Baseball League, the country’s top league, the Herts Falcons are resting this weekend. Their next game is the away series against the Bracknell Blazers on 11 May. This means that they would have had 35 days without any games by the time they travel to Bracknell next month – far from ideal scenario.

At this time of year the Herts baseball teams usually receive a boost as they are joined by football players whose season is about to end, as well as cricketers and other players who are looking to try baseball. Regardless of whether they have played baseball in the past or are new to the game, boys and girls aged 6 to 16 and men and women from 14 to 45+can come and give baseball a try with the Herts adult and youth league teams and play a part in the race for the 2014 national championships. For more details contact the club.

 

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Triple Play by Hawks not enough to save them from unforgiving Mammoths

Double-A League

Game 1: London Mammoths 17 Herts Hawks 7 (W-Peters, L-Russell)

Game 2: London Mammoths 27 Herts Hawks 10 (W-Ditrich, L-Slater)

The Herts Hawks opened their Double-A League campaign at home against the London Mammoths. Despite another good pitching performance from Nick Russell, they found it difficult to contain the Mammoths’ batting assault. They lost the first game 17-7 and the second 27-10. Fielding errors proved to be a major weakness for the Hawks on the day, but ironically, among all the errors, there were two outstanding defensive plays which are already favourites for Plays of the Year. The first was a spectacular diving catch by centerfielder Ilya Dimitrov. The second was that rarest of plays in the game of baseball – the triple play. With runners on first and second and no one out, the ball was hit sharply on a frozen rope to first base where Andrew Slater caught it. Without hesitation he stepped on first base for the second out and then threw to second base for the third out with runners in both cases desperately diving back into the bags but unable to stay alive. According to the Society for American Baseball Research, there have been 691 triple plays in Major League Baseball from 1876 to April 13, 2013. The most recent triple play, was recorded April 12, 2013 by the New York Yankees against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium.

John Peters was the winning pitcher in game one continuing his unbeaten streak which goes back to the start of the 2013 season when he made his pitching debut with the London Marauders. In game two Andrew Slater was the losing pitcher for Herts and Australian lefty pitcher Max Ditrich was the winner for London. Ditrich is a new acquisition for the Mammoths this season and together with Peters will be difficult to beat.

The heavy defeat will have a negative effect on the Hawks’ confidence, but they will remain positive in the knowledge that they were crushed 21-8 by the Mammoths on opening day 12 months ago and still managed to reach the Double-A playoffs.

The British adult and youth leagues take a break for the Easter holidays. The action resumes on the following weekend, 26 and 27 April.

 

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Eagles come from behind to share spoils with Kings

Mix up between Lee Manning and Jose Morillo (right) as Oxford’s pitcher Masa is safe at first base (photo by Richard Lee richardleephotography.org)

Triple-A League

Game 1: Oxford Kings 17 Herts Eagles 3

Game 2: Oxford Kings 11 Herts Eagles 16

With the Herts Falcons not involved in NBL action at the weekend the focus was on two other Herts teams who opened their seasons in the second and third tier of the British Baseball League.

In the Triple-A League the Herts Eagles had a difficult start losing the first game against the Oxford Kings 17-3. However, they came back strong in the second game of the doubleheader to pick up a 16-10 win.  Lee Manning was the winning pitcher in that game. Similar to last year the Herts Eagles squad is made up predominantly of players from the club’s Under-19 and Under-17 teams but they are a year older and expectations are higher this season.

The win will give the team belief that they are capable of reaching the playoffs and Eagles Manager was optimistic after the games. “The second game was completely different. Lee managed to pitch a good game but the difference was the boys’ energetic, alert and aggressive attitude at bat and on the bases. Defensively, they only allowed 2 errors and completed 2 double plays. I am very proud of these group of youngsters” said Casal.

The British adult and youth leagues take a break for the Easter holidays. The action resumes on the following weekend, 26 and 27 April.