Category: Headlines

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Herts softball players reporting for duty this Wednesday. Club looking to appoint paid staff.

Summer is here and the Herts Softball Programme is staging midweek evening open training sessions over the next two weeks. The club is looking to build on last year when the Herts softball programme started. It now has a mailing list of over 50 players.

The first session is on Wednesday, 19 June, and the second on 26 June. They will be held at Grovehill Ballpark in Hemel Hempstead which is one of the best baseball venues in this country.

Sessions will start from 6:30pm and end around 8:30pm.

These sessions are for boys and girls, men and women aged 14 and above, from complete beginners to advanced players. To cover costs, on the day players will be asked to pay £2 per session.

To sign up for these sessions or to receive more details, please contact us.

Over the next few weeks the Herts Softball League will also be looking for people to perform the following roles and they will receive pay of between £50 and £150 over the course of the season.

Team Managers – duties include overseeing and co-ordinating team activities, coaching, provision of equipment, delegating tasks and other aspects of managing the team.

Coaches – duties include running training sessions and supporting team managers as a coach during games.

Softball League Department Staff – the Herts Softball League is looking to invite corporations from the nearby industrial zones to create teams and enter the league. To administer this the club is looking to add 2 or 3 members of staff to run league operations.

If you are interested in these roles or would like to receive more details please contact us.

by Rob Jones

Greetings from Wilderness Park

My aching muscles and joints — including those in my typing fingers — have finally recovered enough from my outing a fortnight ago against the Richmond Dukes, writes Rob Jones, that I can now share a few thoughts on the game. In fact, since I have now begun a forced month-long break from the game due to work, it’s a good time to reflect on the year so far.

Let’s start at the end, with the defeat by Richmond. It was a frustrating game for us all as, despite a good start, we didn’t ever lay a finger on them. We knew we had to try to get a good pitcher out of his rhythm and out of the game and we never did that. Instead, he stayed in charge. We hurt ourselves with some bad base-running which killed rallies – twice we were out trying to steal third. Fundamentals can help you win games, and also save you from losing them.

Mike Cresswell
One of the Eagles stars, Mike Cresswell, keeps up morale

My own batting was disappointing again. In my previous outing — another two weeks ago — I had started to get the better of things with some good drives. I felt that I was the baseball equivalent of stainless steel – I was rust free. Not perfect, by any means, but after a good run of games there were no flaws which could be blamed on a lack of action.

However, now I  made more clunky contact off the tip and handle of the bat, escaping with just one infield single (I reached base twice, but I assume one was scored as an error). I think my average for the season thus far is .458 (depending how you interpret a couple of plays it could be as high as .608, but I try to be firm and fair!) with my OBP at .608. So it’s certainly respectable but it’s the mis-hits that bother me. There’s nothing you can do about solid hits which find a glove, but little dribblers on the infield are never going to get the job done.

In the field, I am much more happy with the way the year has gone so far. I’ve played mainly second base which is fine by me, it suits me well. But I have taken decent outfield catches too, and even threw out a runner from shortstop this week. It wasn’t exactly text book – I managed to dive in the dirt towards third base to grab a ground ball , and fired off the throw as quickly as I could. Therefore it seemed to bounce about four times, but either the runner was slow or he had set off slowly because he thought it was through — either way, we got him! While my muscles may have stopped aching, the skin I tore off my arm to make the play has not yet grown back.

And I have to say a quick word about my two innings of pitching, too. It’s my second outing of the season, and was a lot of fun. I actually felt that I threw the ball better against Tonbridge, even though I made just 2/3 of an inning that time. This time two infield flies helped, and two strikeouts — only the second and third of my pitching career!

I also managed to hit the front edge of the plate twice, making the ball pop straight up in the air and into the catcher’s waiting glove. Remarkably, Slater had pulled off the same trick in his innings. Tell me honestly, have you ever seen that three times in one game?? Anyway, enough about pitching for now. It might demand a whole article in the near future!

Rob Jones
Rob Jones in one of his better at-bats

Instead, let’s talk about the Eagles. Sitting pretty at just one game under .500, with more than 140 runs scored, is more than anyone could surely have hoped for a team with so many genuine rookies. As a new boy to the team — if not to much else — I am really impressed by the enthusiasm, spirit and camaraderie on the Eagles. Games have been fun to play. A lot of the credit goes to the manager Duncan Hoyle. He has led from the front, taking pitching duties, hitting well, and using his resources cannily to help win.

There have been many moments to remember:

• The mobbing of Will Belbin as he scored the winning run against the Raptors in the rain. Great drama in a walk-off, no matter whether it is British Single-A, or the US Major Leagues.

• Five of us gathering comically at the third base coaches box to shout at Adrian Smithers to hold up as he ran enthusiastically for home. He said he didn’t hear so well in the batting helmet, so we were there to help.

• The self-same Smithers coming through time and again with the bat, and limping desperately round the bases to help the cause. For those of you old enough to remember, it was reminiscent of England’s Terry Butcher in the famous World Cup qualifier against Sweden.

• MVP candidate Mike Cresswell going half way from third base on a fly ball, returning to the base once he realised it had been caught, then loudly declaring “F**k it”, tagging and sprinting for home anyway. Gung-ho. He made it.

• My closest moment yet to a home run, at Essex. Not sure I will ever hit one but it seems this was my best effort so far! I wasn’t looking, as I had my head down going for two once I knew it was clearing the left fielder, but as I pulled up they said “You were robbed”. A ground rule double, then *sad face*

And so, I trudge off to the baseball wilderness for a few weeks as the Eagles surge on without me. Hopefully the English summer will hold off just enough to allow for a few more games and a few more wins. Though not so many that they don’t want me back!

I have managed to get in a little private training — which amounts to throwing a ball against the wall in the local park – and hopefully I might make some sessions at Grovehill. Either way, I will hope to build on what has been an enjoyable season so far, and one which still promises much more.

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Sunday’s Falcons vs Pirates NBL game has been moved to August

It has been confirmed that this Sunday’s National Baseball League game between the Herts Falcons and the South London Pirates has been moved to Sunday, 11 August. The venue, Roundshaw Park in Croydon, remains unchanged.

While the Falcons and the Pirates rest this weekend, 6 other teams are in action.  The London Mets travel to the Lakenheath Diamondbacks. If they win both games they would be tied at the top with the Falcons.  Southampton also have a chance to go neck and neck with Herts if they sweep against the Harlow Nationals in their doubleheader.  That will not be easy as the Nationals appear to have regained the form which saw them win the NBL championship in the last two seasons.

NATIONAL BASEBALL LEAGUE

STANDINGS (as at 13 June 2013)

 

Team W L Pct GB RF RA
Falcons 12 4 .750 – 116 58
Mets 9 3 .750 1 81 36
Mustangs 11 5 .688 1 114 55
Nationals 9 7 .563 3 115 75
Diamondbacks 7 7 .500 4 62 79
Blazers 7 9 .438 5 97 107
Arrows 7 9 .438 5 102 113
Pirates 4 10 .286 7 72 118
Redbacks 2 14 .125 10 61 179

 

by Herts Baseball News Editor

American reinforcements lead Blackjacks to a nail-biting win over the Eagles

BBF A-League, Herts Eagles 7 Haverhill Blackjacks 8

report by Duncan Hoyle

 

Herts Eagles made the long trip over into Suffolk to take part in the first meeting between a Herts team and the newly fromed Haverhill Blackjacks.

After losing their first two games of the season, Haverhill had stormed back into play off contention by winning 3 games in a row in impressive fashion to sit top of pool B, and despite showing substantial improvement themselves since the seasons start the Eagles knew they would be in for a tough afternoon.

Haverhill have signed some impressive players from the nearby US Air bases, and it was American Jerred Estenson on the mound for the home team, up against the returning Tony McDowell for the Eagles.

And as the game developed, defence and pitching dominated. Estenson was as quick as anything your likely to see at single A, with the Eagles struggling to hit his rapid fastballs. However he didnt always have the best control, Michael Cresswell had a painful introduction to the game taking a fastball straight onto his arm, and Estenson also issued several walks, meaning the Eagles were able to get onto base.

However the problem the Eagles then faced was trying to steal. Usually a gimme stealing 1st to 2nd at single A, it became obvious after Cresswell was caught stealing by what seemed an eternity on the arm of catcher Matt Schellhaas that this wouldnt be an option. Schellhaas’s arm would seem more at home in the National League rather than single A and after a quick first inning the Eagles had to regroup.

With the impressive Tony McDowell on the mound, the Eagles were able to put the Blackjacks batters under pressure, and despite conceding 3 in the first inning, they werent allowed to get away. The score was 8 – 3 to the Blackjacks at the end of the 4th. Rory Hutchinson and new boy Charlie Day both managing to take impressive confidence boosting hits of Estenson to begin the Eagles fightback

The Eagles kept on chipping away at the lead. 3 runs were scored in the 6th to narrow the lead to 2 and with Estenson having now left the action it was Ryan Pflugh who came into relief for the Blackjacks. Despite being no where near as fast as Estenson, the Eagles found Pflugh just as troublesome to hit with a wicked deceptive change up that caused no end of problems. Manager Duncan Hoyle managed to get a hit and got into score his 3rd run of the day in the 7th to narrow the lead to one, and with McDowell’s combination of fast and curve balls now well on top of the Blackjacks batters the game was all to play for.

Unfortunatly for the Eagles that was to be the end of the days scoring. Getting batters on base was hard in the remaining innings and despite Cresswell managing to get round to 2nd in top of the 9th the Eagles couldnt get him in to score. Pflugh kept his cool to close the game for the Blackjacks to ensure their 4th successive win in what was a uncharacteristically short Single A game which lasted just over 2 and a quater hours.

 

by Herts Baseball News Editor

80 Miles and 8 weeks make little difference in Raptors v 2Sox fixture

written by Ken Pike

Herts hosted Leicester 2Sox at Grovehill to mark the half way point of the season in a rematch of the opening day game which saw the Raptors walk away with a cricket score win on the longest road trip to start the season. With the home side having seen strong early results undone by a pair of embarrassing defeats, coach Arnie Longboy was not about to let his team take things easy. He insisted on the same clinical professionalism that had dispatched the powerful Marauders and solid Redbacks III in the last two games to bring the season back on track powering the young side to the top of the standings. Furthermore, while the 2Sox had been an easy win the last time round, they had also proven capable of upsets beating the Blackjacks and taking several other games to the wire.

Nerves were settled quickly though when the first inning went strongly in the home team’s favour as they demonstrated a solid defence while new pitcher Matt Kiddie’s powerful arm took some time to knock off layer of rust developed from four years away from the game. Despite walking several players, only 1 scored before the offense got to flex the muscles that have produced the most runs of any team in the single A. They started up where they had left off six games earlier and drove in 10 runners, drawing out an early lead that would never be threatened.

The second innings went briefly in Leicester’s favour as they pulled back two and briefly held the Raptors in check before normal service resumed. On the mound the Raptors starter got his groove back and started to overpower the Leicester side allowing no runs in the next two innings while the home side continued to punish the visitors with 13 Raptors making it round the bags to draw out a 20 run lead.

Having seen well over 100 pitches in his first game back Kiddie conceded another 2 runs in the fifth before giving way to young reliever Charlie Mayhew in the sixth. Having pitched for the youth teams the day before Charlie’s slower delivery proved little more fruitful for the away teams offense who only managed another 2 runs in the sixth, but the end result was still not in doubt as the Raptors had 33 points on the board by the end of the inning. Closer Sony Lama’s first appearance in a competitive game came with a comfortable margin of 15 runs before the mercy rule was even overcome. Despite some wild pitches for the rookie pitcher, and a solitary homerun giving minimal solace to Leicester, the rest of the team did their part with a solid defensive display and the pitcher helped himself by snagging a line drive straight at his face and fielding it to take out a runner. While 3 runs scored the damage was nowhere near sufficient and the mercy rule closed out a short but sweet 3.5 hour game to a decisive close.

“I insist that the guys bring their A game to every inning in every game, and I am proud that they showed real professionalism out there today playing with clinical precision,” said coach Arnie Longboy who made the game winning out with a short throw from second to first. “We keep generating runs thanks mostly to speed and great base running, but as the saying goes ‘defence wins championships.’ That was demonstrated when we lost to the Eagles and Coyotes despite scoring heavily, but now that our young stars are coming to the end of exams our pitching rotation should be complete again which will be a big boost. The big boost today was bringing three new players to the mound for the very first time. We also seem to have cut out most of the errors that troubled us earlier this season and adding that improved defensive aspect to our awesome batting and another 20 stolen bases means we are definitely progressing in the right direction.”

The final result of 10-33 in favour of the Herts Raptors keeps them in joint first with the Coyotes in Pool A, an ominous position considering they achieved that largely in the absence of clear starting pitchers who return to the side over the next few weeks as GCSEs end. Across the league they are also matched by London Marauders in Pool C, and potentially the Blackjacks in Pool B if they win their game in hand. The Raptors team face their sister team the Eagles next where they will look to avenge the loss earlier this year before they host the Blackjacks (June 23) and Coyotes (July 7) in quick succession. Those three games could be decisive in determining the look of the playoffs, with the remaining opposition’s records at a combined 10 wins to 11 losses at the midway point.

by Herts Baseball News Editor

VIDEO: Discovering baseball history

Following up on the announcement made by the BBC yesterday of the significant revelation about the history and origins of baseball, more information is coming out on how exactly the discovery was made.

The person who made it was the American researcher and author David Block with the help of Surrey County Council’s Julian Pooley.  To find out how they pinpointed the location of the royal baseball game, watch the video below. Many thanks to Surrey County Council for permitting us to embed this video.

 

by Cristobal Hiche

Bingo-Bango baseball takes Falcons top of the NBL

Jordan Farkas is putting up impressive pitching and batting numbers this season (photo by Will Baxter)

written by Cristobal Hiche

NBL (Game 1) Herts Falcons 9 Bracknell Blazers 1 (click to view box scores)

And they’re back! There are no words to describe the feeling of this weekend in which finally fans didn’t have to bite their fingernails. Herts Falcons finally looked like the hitting team of last year but even better, because the pitching was once again exceptional. It’s becoming a routine and this reporter might continue writing about other aspects of the game throughout the season, but the entire pitching staff has just been superb and carrying this team to the top position in the league. Game 1 was again dominated by Robbie Unsell who threw a complete 1-hitter game. The only run came by two errors in the bottom of the 2nd. After that, defence was perfect and Robbie was able to cruise to the end not allowing any walks throughout the game. Offence was back with two early runs in the top of the 1st and then slowly building the gap. Although Blazers were keeping it close not allowing runs in the 3rd and 4th inning (3-1), Falcons bats decided to wake up and score in the last 3 innings to win 9-1. It’s hard to say who had the best hitting performance of the game when everybody was hitting but Jordan Farkas continues to be ‘hot-like-a-jalapeno’ (going 3-5).

A grand slam home run for Cris Hiche put the game beyond Bracknell (photo by Will Baxter)

NBL (Game 2) Herts Falcons 13 Bracknell Blazers 1 (click to view box scores)

Another outstanding performance by Mike Osborn on the mound

The question before Game 2 among fans, and in the press box, was to know if Falcons would carry with the momentum from Game 1 or if the bats would go to a ‘siesta’ (nap) as it has been the norm this year. Fortunately it was a ‘fiesta’ (party) rather than a ‘siesta’. The bats were in full swing and by the top of the 3rd it was already 5-0. On my pre-game interview with starting pitcher, Michael Osborn, he told me his arm wasn’t feeling great and you could see from the press box, he was moving his arm with some sort of discomfort in the dugout after the 1st. Well, that shows how great he has been this year because even not feeling 100% he managed to allow only 1 run in 5 innings, striking out 5 and keeping Blazers on bay. Like Game 1, everybody was hitting well and in typical Herts fashion slowly building a gap. However, Cristobal Hiche KO’d Blazers with a grand slam in the top of the 5th to seal the game and leave the score 10-1. It was a bomb to right field on a knuckleball that just danced around the middle of the plate. But they weren’t done and in the top of the 7th they scored another 3 runs even though Blazers decided to focus on auditioning new relievers. They went through 3 different pitchers in the 7th.

The manager for the Blazers was not available for comments after the game but Lee Manning was very happy after the game. He summarised the day by saying: “Defence played great bingo and offence brought the bango. All four pitchers hit their spots and kept Blazers at bay. Very happy with the results and we are hoping to keep the momentum going until the end of the season”. He also finished with the remark that “…finally it’s the first week we haven’t had a player injured”.

So far this report has been full of praise for the Falcons (deserved), but let’s not forget that Bracknell played well and are a talented team. They made a few errors and it looks like inexperience was a key in these games. With many GB juniors in their squad, it’s a team to look out for in the future and even for the rest of the season. Unfortunately they just faced an inspired Falcons team who are determined to take the top spot in the table.

Number 64 Ryan Bird was back and that had a positive on the rest of the batting lineup (photo by Will Baxter)

It’s no coincidence that besides the absence of Dave Tretheway and Dave Westfallen (DL), Falcons finally had a full squad. Having Ryan Bird back in the middle of the lineup is a big boost because it brings the big bat that’s needed. It also offers more protection for Jordan and Darrin who should see more fastballs. Also, this means the rest of the lineup is hitting more relaxed which in turn makes everybody more dangerous at the plate. The relaxed attitude seen from the press box throughout the day was even more visible than in previous weeks even though some players argued laughter brings wrinkles. This team is a bit odd because the more relaxed this team looks (to the point it looks they don’t even care about the score and who wins), the better they perform. That’s what was seen in 2012 and this is what was seen this Sunday. It’s exciting time for every fan and they’re showing it. The fans are even turning to away games to support Falcons and the team is really welcoming it. Keep the support and those who haven’t been able to go often, please do because you’ll see some great Bingo Bango baseball!!!

 

by Herts Baseball News Editor

The 1749 baseball season with the Prince of Wales up to bat and the Earl of Middlesex on deck

This morning the BBC alerted the world of a significant discovery about the history and origins of baseball.

The British public are under the impression that baseball is an American game and was invented by Americans, but they are wrong. Today it was revealed that the earliest record of the game of baseball dates back to 1749. It was found in the Whitehall Evening Post and refers to a game of “base-ball” played in Surrey. Even more astonishing is the fact that the Prince of Wales and the Earl of Middlesex played in that game on what is now Ashley Park, Walton-on-Thames.

The Whitehall Evening Post item reads: “On Tuesday last, his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, and Lord Middlesex, played at Base-Ball, at Walton in Surry; notwithstanding the weather was extreme bad, they continued playing several hours.”

The Americans have certainly embraced this British game and consider it their own. We are seeing very positive signs over the last few years that the British public is beginning to embrace the sport of baseball too. Yes, that most British of games, baseball, is coming home!

There are baseball diamonds and clubs popping up in every corner of the United Kingdom and the opportunity is there for anyone, boys and girls, men and women, of any age or ability to get in the game as players, coaches, scorers, umpires and fans. For more details of how to get into baseball with Herts Baseball Club contact us or contact the British Baseball Federation to find your nearest baseball club.

Click here for more details on this story on the BBC website.

 

by ChrisJones

Herts U11s: The Late, Late Breaking News

“Hey, Jones. D wants to see you in his office. Now.”

Jones sighed deeply. This didn’t sound like good news. He trudged across the hallway, and knocked twice on the door. “Yeah,” barked the voice from within.

“You wanted to see me, Chief.” Jones glanced around the familiar room. Piles of newspapers covered the floor, some stacked higher than the filing cabinets that lined the wall. The window shades were drawn; the only light came from the green lamp on the huge mahogany desk. Behind it sat the editor himself: a lean man of vaguely eastern European appearance, hunched over a Remington typewriter. Behind his left ear was a chewed-up pencil.

“Jones – where’s your copy? Late again, huh? What’s the excuse this time – the dog ate it?” The editor stared across the desk. “Well, Boss, I… it’s just that… well, sorry Boss,” stammered Jones.

“Look – this isn’t some two-bit local rag. This is the leading baseball website in the greater Hemel Hempstead area, ya hear me ? We have literally tens of readers from around the world relying on us to bring them breaking stories of under-11 games, and it’s down to you to write them. Now, get outta here and start writing. I want reports on the Richmond trip, and the last two Grovehill gamedays on my desk first thing tomorrow morning. Or you’re fired. Ya want me to call Trautman?”

The Richmond Trip

On Saturday 25th May, a combined Herts under-11 side took on the Essex Redbacks U11 team in a double-header at Richmond. The games were held as part of Richmond Baseball Club’s 20th anniversary celebrations,and involved teams from Herts, London Mets, LYBL and Leicester Blue Sox. The club had set up five diamonds at its field in Ham, and laid on a pork roast too. But far from being lambs to the slaughter, the Herts team brought home the bacon, with a tie in game 1 and a win in game 2.

Despite traffic problems on the M25, we had a good showing of Herts regulars by the first pitch at 10am. In a break with our normal practice, it was agreed that runners could steal bases on wild pitches or passed balls, which would prove a new challenge for our players.

Game 1 started off quietly. Herts were first up, but three quick strike-outs later, we were on the field. Taking the mound, Christian Lynch confidently struck out the Essex side allowing only one run. Herts were again scoreless in the second; in reply, despite two early strikeouts, Essex took full advantage of passed balls to advance around the bases and score three runs. Herts heads drooped a little with the score 4-0 to Essex after two.

In the third, a trio of Zneimers plus Alex Trautman all got on base with a combination of singles and fielding errors, before a Lewis Auchterlounie double and a Noah Haines single brought Herts the maximum five runs for the inning. Christian kept things tight, conceding just one run after combining twice with Joe Gipple to make ground-outs at first. The ballgame was tied 5-5. And there it stayed, after a scoreless fourth inning pitched on the Herts side by Ozan Martin. Joe Gipple was again solid at first base.

At this stage, the Herts U14s were starting on the far diamond, but were a little short-staffed. Christian Lynch, Alex Trautman and Ozan Martin moved across to face the imposing Essex U14 team, while Herts recruited a couple of floating players, Alex Sollecito and Stephen Aboucher. Herts’ starting pitcher for Game 2 was Josh Jones. Some strong Essex hitting saw Herts conceding three runs in the first, replying with one run thanks to a Joe Gipple single.

Josh hit his pitching stride in the second inning, with two strike-outs and a pop fly well taken by catcher Alex Sollecito. Herts picked up another run in the second on fielding errors, keeping the score close at 3-2 to Essex. The Redbacks piled on the runs in the third, with some confident hitting before Josh despatched three Essex batters in ten pitches.

7-2 down, Herts fought their way back into the game, batting through the order to record a five-run maximum, including singles from Joe Gipple, Alex Jones, Josh Jones and Stephen Aboucher.

Stephen took over pitching duties and duly struck out one batter and partnered with Josh Jones, now at first base, for a couple of 1-3 groundouts. More solid Herts batting brought two more runs at the bottom of the 4th, with singles from Noah Haines, Alex Jones and our two guest players. Essex were unable to score in the top of the 5th, and that was the ballgame, with Herts winning 9-7.

The day’s work done, your correspondent headed over to watch the under-14 game, about which an excellent (and timely) write-up was filed by Jennie Lynch.

Gameday: 1st June 2013

After an extended training session, the Dodgers and Giants met for game 4 in the series. The Giants went into the game with a 2-1 lead, although with both Durer brothers and Ben Jupp missing this week, were somewhat under-strength. But we were delighted to welcome Caitlin Rainford and James Dullea to the Giants line-up.

Josh Jones pitched again for the Giants, following a successful outing in Richmond. The Dodgers worked a run thanks to singles from Thomas Garton, before Josh caught a flyball and struck out the next batter to end the inning. With Alex Trautman pitching for the Dodgers, the Giants also earned one run, as Josh hit an RBI single to bring home Christian Lynch.

The second inning continued in a similar vein. The Dodgers loaded the bases with two outs, but Joe Gipple could only drive the ball to Josh on the mound, who threw to Christian Lynch for a regulation tag on Leo Zneimer at home plate. The Giants then took a 2-1 lead at the bottom of the 2nd, as Lily Zneimer rounded third and reached home on a fumble by the catcher.

The Giants now secured three quick outs in the third, but were two down themselves when Josh Jones came to the plate. He clubbed a majestic solo home run clear over the right field fence, the second home run in this series.

The Dodgers were now 3-1 down after three innings, and Christian Lynch now took over pitching. However, the Giants failed to press home their advantage, and a few fielding errors later, the Dodgers had closed the gap, as both Leo Zneimer and Noah Haines reached home plate. Pitching for the Dodgers, Ozan Martin was clinical, taking just eleven pitches to account for three Giants batters.

Neither team could find a run in the fifth and last inning, so the game was called a tie. This was as close as we get in U11 to a classic pitchers’ duel: 11 hits, and a 3-3 scoreline.

Gameday: 8th June 2013

This was the first double-header of the year between the Dodgers and Giants. The Giants went into the day leading 2½ to 1½.

It was a cold, early Saturday morning, and we were missing a few regulars, so we started with coaches pitching and Ben Jones making a guest appearance as catcher.

The first inning was scoreless on both sides. A somewhat messy second inning from the Dodgers’ fielders saw the Giants score twice, before Lucas Lebrato closed things out, tagging Sebastian Bohn at third base. The Dodgers chalked up a run after singles from Joe Gipple and Alex Trautman. Alex nearly made it two, but was tagged at home. 2-1 Giants after two innings.

The Giants left two on base in the top of the third, but couldn’t score. The Dodgers, though, moved nearly all their batters around the bases, including singles from Alex Trautman, Jonathan Wakelam and Thomas Garton, before Lucas Lebrato stepped up to pound the ball to the fence. Lucas gets credit for an inside-the-park home run and three RBIs, although only two were needed to reach the five-run maximum. 6-2 to the Dodgers.

But the Giants have shown this season that they don’t know when they’re beaten. In the next inning, they hit ten singles, went more than twice through the batting order and scored 12 runs to leave the Dodgers reeling.  Shell-shocked, the Dodgers crumbled in the bottom of the final inning, adding no runs to limp away with a 14-6 loss and conceding a two-run deficit in the series.

After a short lunch break, we played the second game. After one inning, the Giants had a one-run lead; the Dodgers levelled at the top of the second as Lucas Lebrato singled, then took advantage of a fielding error at short stop to run home.

It looked bleak for the Dodgers, when the Giants piled on the runs at the bottom of the second. Singles from Sebastian Bohn (2), Ben Jupp, James Dullea, Christian Lynch and Alex Jones brought the maximum five runs and left the Giants 6-1 up.

But the Dodgers were up to the challenge. Singles from Joe Gipple and Lucas Lebrato, and a double from Josh Jones generated five runs to level the score.

Back came the Giants in the bottom of the third, to add another four, as most of the lineup contributed a base hit. The Giants were back in front, with a 10-6 lead.

The Dodgers weren’t finished this time, though. Lucas Lebrato continued his sparkling form with the bat, with a 2-RBI triple, and Joe Gipple doubled, amidst a string of singles which produced seven runs and gave the Dodgers a 13-10 lead. Could the Giants produce one more turn-around in this up-and-down game ?

Not this time. With two men on base, a ground-out from Alex Trautman at 2B to Josh Jones at 1B closed it out, and brought the Giants back to a one game deficit. The series stands 3½ to 2½.

It remains a puzzle why we saw so few runs the previous week and so many this week. Perhaps our batting improved dramatically in the space of a few days. Or maybe it’s that our U11 pitchers are more fearsome than our Head Coach. Only time will tell.

 

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Ravens prevail in a fiery encounter

Liam Green had to perform under pressure in extra innings and he didn't disappoint (photo by Will Baxter)

The Herts Ravens have had a difficult time so far in their debut season in the AAA-League, but this weekend they secured two morale-boosting wins against the Leones de Feltham to put their season back on track. There was danger that the final innings of a thrilling second game in this doubleheader would be overshadowed by non-baseball events, but now that the dust has settled everyone who was at the game will begin to appreciate the exciting game which they witnessed.

AAA League (Game 1): Herts Ravens 16 Leones de Feltham 4 (click to view box scores)

The Ravens welcomed back starting pitcher, Petar Kikel, for his first league appearance of 2013. This was exactly the boost they needed. He gave the team 6 impressive innings allowing only 1 earned run on 4 hits and striking out 5. The team had put the nightmare 3-for-41 batting performance 7 days earlier at Finsbury Park behind them and produced 10 hits which included at least 1 hit from each of the batting spots from 1 to 9. Ben Marques also managed to steal home, although it wasn’t clear whether this play was put on by manager, Carlos Casal, and whether his team mate who was up at bat knew about it. The Leones didn’t help themselves walking 11 batters and this deadly combination of hits and walks produced 16 runs and a final score of 16-4 in 6 innings.

AAA League (Game 2): Herts Ravens 10 Leones de Feltham 9 (F/8) (click to view box scores)

The second game proved to be a much closer encounter. Tom Everex-Armstrong had an effective performance on the mound. He was relieved by Matt Spaulding who played his first game of the 2013 season did not allow any earned runs, striking out 5 over 3 2/3 innings.

The Ravens had a big third inning putting 5 runs on the scoreboard with a big hit from Gilberto Medina (2-2), and a 1-run double by Petar Kikel. Jon Lewys also had a good day batting 4-for-8 over the two games. Feltham responded with 4 runs in the bottom of the inning to tie the game and then scored 2 more in the fourth to take an 8-6 lead.

The Ravens found it much more difficult to connect solidly against Feltham’s pitcher, Jeffry, in this game. He was mixing his curveball well with a good fastball, but the biggest hurdle which batters from both teams had to battle with all day was the inconsistent strike zone. Pitches at eye level were called strikes and at times batters felt helpless. The frustration was growing on both sides. The umpire didn’t help himself by allowing players to question decision of strikes and balls, safe or out, foul or fair, balk or no balk. Sometimes these discussions between players, managers and umpire involved 10 or more people and resembled a session to approve a United Nations resolution. A doubleheader would usually end at around 5pm. On this occasion the time was 7pm and the game was reaching an exciting climax.

The Ravens pulled one run back in the sixth but were facing defeat trailing 8-7 in the final inning. A lead-off single by Mike Cattermole was exactly what they needed. He moved to second after the next batter was walked and managed to get to third on a wild pitch. Up stepped player-manager, Carlos Casal, to pinch-hit carrying a knee injury. He grounded into a fielder’s choice but crucially brought Cattermole home to tie the game. Despite his injury Casal’s enthusiasm on the base paths could not be contained. He stole second base and then limped another 90 feet to advance to third (with 1 out) on the overthrow, visibly in pain willing to wreck his knee ligaments for the cause. Ultimately he was stranded on third base as the next two batters struck out after some very controversial umpiring calls.

Herts brought Liam Green to pitch in the bottom of the inning with the game on the line and no room for error. The leadoff batter for Feltham, Miguel, appeared to lose his cool on a slightly wild pitch from Liam Green and he stepped towards the mound accusing the pitcher of throwing to hit the batter intentionally. During that exchange there was fear that the game will not be able to restart as the tension had risen considerably. It took several minutes for the situation to calm down. The game resumed and Green managed to strike out the batter and calmly went on to induce two more quick outs and take the game into extra innings.

In the top of the eighth inning the Ravens somehow managed to manufacture two runs on two walks and two errors, without a hit. Leones responded in the bottom of the inning scoring a run and putting the tying run on second base but Liam kept his composure to secure the game, helped along the way by Jake Caress who made a spectacular diving catch in centerfield with the game on the line.

Despite the unpleasant incident in the final inning, the two teams shook hands at the end of the game and showed a great deal of appreciation and respect towards each other wanting to put the confrontation behind after what was a very exciting game of baseball.