Category: Headlines
Harlow win Game 6 against Herts to clinch back-to-back NBL titles
The article was written by Oliver Mintz-Lowe and first appeared on britishbaseball.org
The Harlow Nationals sealed back-to-back NBL titles in only their second year in existence as they secured consecutive National Baseball Championship wins with a 6-3 victory over the Herts Falcons.
Two years in existence, two NBL National Baseball Championship titles – that’s the impressive resume of 2012 champions Harlow Nationals.
After winning it all last season in stunning fashion, the Nationals arguably achieved an even more impressive feat over the weekend by backing up their 2011 success with another championship, beating a strong Herts Falcons team in the final.
Harlow were always favourites after finishing in first place during the regular season, and played progressively better each time they took to the field. Their final win, in an entertaining high standard game, was an excellent advert for British baseball.
The eventual difference maker proved to be a pair of home runs from Jarrod Pretorius (2-3) and Maikel Azcuy (2-3) – two powerful hitters at the heart of Harlow’s line-up. Pitcher Robbie Almanzar, making his second start of the weekend, pitched a solid complete game to seal the win.
Number two seeds Herts Falcons undoubtedly played their part in the final, and certainly looked capable of winning to force a decider. British baseball stalwart Ryan Bird pitched better than his numbers suggested, and continued his excellent form with that bat, while explosive leadoff man Robbie Unsell was once again impressive at the top of the order.
Under the double elimination format the Nationals, coming into the contest with a 2-0 record, would only need to win one of two games. As the Falcons had one defeat to their name they would need to pick up two straight wins.
And while both teams got off to a confident start, it was Harlow that moved a step closer to the title thanks to Jarrod Pretorius’ first inning home run- his second of the weekend.
Herts did score first, however, when, not for the first time this weekend, Robbie Unsell and Ryan Bird (1-2, 2 RBI) combined to put a run on the board. After Unsell got aboard with a line drive single, the leadoff man stole second and advanced to third on a fly ball. Bird got the job done, knocking in the run on a groundout to put the Falcons in front.
But the lead was quickly reversed thanks to Pretorius’ three run shot. Leading off the inning, Robbie Almanzar hustled down the line to beat the throw and reach base on an error. George Lintern then laid down a perfect bunt to reach first, before Pretorious jumped on a 1-0 pitch to put the favourites into pole position.
And Pretorius backed up his fine batting with some excellent fielding in the very next inning, making an excellent diving stop at second base to assist with a double play, erasing Kevin Niedringhaus (2-3) after a leadoff single.
In the next couple of innings, the pitching remained tight, with both teams exchanging a run each. Herts pulled one back when Chris Hiche reached safely with a two out single, and ended up scoring on an error when right fielder George Lintern misplayed a fly ball. Brendan Cunliffe restored Herts two-run cushion when he drove in Azcuy in the very next inning.
The contest was tense, and there was nothing between the two top teams in the country. The Falcons once again made it a one run game when Chris Hiche and Ryan Bird hit back-to-back two-out doubles.
Bird was also turning in a strong performance on the mound to go with his two RBIs. But after striking out Edwin Alcantara for his eighth K of the contest, he ran into trouble in unfortunate circumstances. After Pretorious picked up a two-out scratch hit to barely keep the inning alive, Maikel Azcuy crushed the first pitch of his at bat over the left field wall and out of the yard for a two-run homerun.
This resulted in Jordan Farkas entering the game in relief, and he managed to throw 1.1 scoreless innings to keep Herts in with a sniff going into the 7th.
And the final inning certainly proved to be a tense one for Herts. Pinch-hitter Andy Cornish got aboard with a leadoff single followed by a five-pitch walk to Robbie Unsell, putting runners on first and second, with nobody out and the tying run at the plate. But Nationals pitcher Roberto Almanzar held his nerve, keeping his pitches down in the zone to induce a Chris Hiche ground ball. Azcuy tagged the lead runner, and calmly fired to Cunliffe who duly completed the crucial double play.
With two outs, Ryan Bird drew a walk to once again bring the tying run to the plate, and prolong the Nationals agony. But when right fielder Dan Parker nestled under a high fly ball from Darrin Ward, last year’s champions knew the National Baseball League trophy was staying in Harlow for another 12 months, and the celebrations could begin.
Click to view box scores and play-by-play
Harlow manager Marty Cullen said: “It’s a great reward for all the effort and hard work the guys have put in over the season.
“Today I thought we played much better defence, which has been our strength all year. We got a lead, and played really solid baseball to stay in front. That’s how we like to play and we managed to execute when it mattered.”
“It got a little tense at the end when they had two guys on with Ryan Bird on deck, but Robbie pitched great, stayed calm and we got the big double play.”
Herts Falcons and Harlow Nationals meet on Monday for the 2012 NBL championship
The Falcons and Nationals will meet in the Final on Monday in game 6 of the National Baseball Championships. The Falcons need to win to force a deciding game 7. If they lose either game 6 or 7, the Nationals will be crowned NBL champions for a second year in a row.
The AAA and A League Champions will also be decided on Monday at Grovehill Ballpark.
Here is Monday’s complete schedule.
2012 NBC SCHEDULE FOR MONDAY, AUG 27 @ Grovehill Ballpark in Hemel Hempstead
NBL Schedule
Monday, August 27
11:00 Game 6: Harlow Nationals vs Herts Falcons
14:30 Game 7: same as above (will be played if Harlow Nationals loses Game6)
AAA Schedule
Monday, August 27
14:00, (Final) Essex Redbacks @Liverpool Trojans
A Schedule
Monday, August 27
11:00, (Final) Hove Tuesday vs Leicester Blue Sox
If you can’t come to the ballpark you can follow the games using the links below:
NBL: https://www.gamechanger.io/g/NBLNBC2012
AAA; https://www.gamechanger.io/g/AAANBC2012
AA: https://www.gamechanger.io/g/AANBC2012
A: https://www.gamechanger.io/g/ANBC2012
Falcons eliminate Mets in Game 5 to set up Final with Nationals on Monday
This article written by Michael Jones and Oliver Mintz-Lowe was first published on britishbaseball.org
The Herts Falcons bounced back from their earlier defeat at the hands of Harlow to reach the final the hard way.
In a well-contested elimination clash with the London Mets, the number two seeds hit well to open up a healthy lead early on. London managed to grind out runs at regular intervals, and managed to make a game of it with a late rally.
But the Falcons hung on to set up an intriguing clash with the Nationals on Monday.
Herts, looking to bounce back from their tough morning loss, managed to shake off any potential hangover in a perfect manner – with early runs. After Jordan Farkas went through the top of the Mets lineup 1-2-3, their offense set to work establishing a quick lead.
Ryan Bird drove in Robbie Unsall, who had singled and stolen second, to open the scoring, and crossed the plate himself on a sharp Darrin Ward single. And following a well executed double steal by Ward and Dave Trethaway, Farkas picked up a smart contact hit to drive in a pair and give Herts a handy 4-0 lead.
They added another in the second, courtesy of a sacrifice fly from Ryan Bird, who had a 3 RBI night, capitalising on two more Unsall steals. The speedy leadoff man was a key offensive catalyst throughout, patiently drawing four walks, scoring three times and swiping four bags.
Looking to respond quickly, London managed to reduce the deficit. Trevor Allen advanced to third on a throwing error, after reaching safely with a single, allowing Josh Rappaport to drive in a run with a double. Alterto Cabalerro followed with another RBI to make it a three-run game.
But the number two seeded Falcons quickly managed to re-establish their commanding lead, through a mixture of intelligent small ball, opportune hitting and Mets miscues. Phil Clark and Ryan Bird both scored on wild pitches, while Chris Hiche drove in Robbie Unsall, and scored later in the inning from a Dave Trethaway sacrifice fly.
To their credit, the Mets continued to battle hard, and hit back with a couple of runs, courtesy of back-to-back RBI doubles from Martin Tucker and Jonathan Cramman.
And in the sixth, the number four seeds really managed to make a game of it, reducing the Falcons lead to just two runs. Trevor Allen (3-4 with an RBI and two runs) kicked off the scoring, driving home Grant Delzoppo with an RBI triple, before Rapapport batted in Cabalerro with a single. Rappapart himelf scored on a groundout, and Jonathan Cramman made it a 10-8 game with another RBI single. Unsall, taking the mound in relief, managed to strand a pair, picking up the final two outs of the inning.
Herts managed to tack on an insurance run in the bottom half of the frame when Farkas drove in Mike Cattermole for his second RBI of the game. And Robbie Unsall came out to pitch a solid 9th inning, working around a two-out-single, striking out two to pick up the save.
Click to view box scores and play-by-play
Falcons player Chris Hiche said: “I think it was just a case of who wanted it more. Both teams were quite tired so it came down to a survival of the fittest.”
As Herts qualified via the elimination game, they will now have to win two straight games against the Harlow Nationals. Harlow, who qualified with a better 2-0 record will only have to win once to claim the title.
Hiche said: “We don’t really have the pitching depth to go five games, but I think we just need to try and win the first one and go from there.”
The Final between the Harlow Nationals will start at 11am on Monday, 27 August at Grovehill Ballpark in Hemel Hempstead. Can the Herts Falcons make history against all odds and be crowned the best team in Great Britain for the first time in the club’s history. If you can’t come to the ballpark you can follow the games using the links below:
NBL: https://www.gamechanger.io/g/NBLNBC2012
AAA; https://www.gamechanger.io/g/AAANBC2012
AA: https://www.gamechanger.io/g/AANBC2012
A: https://www.gamechanger.io/g/ANBC2012
Nationals beat Falcons in Game 3. Falcons need to get to Monday’s Final the hard way.
This article written by Michael Jones and Oliver Mintz-Lowe was first published on britishbaseball.org
With both sides having won the previous day, they each had the pleasure of a 10am start at Grovehill, with the winners guaranteed of a place in tomorrow’s final and the losers having a few hours to recover before a final elimination game later in the afternoon. And it was the defending champions who would get the best rest heading into the National Baseball League NBC final following a strong batting display.
The Harlow Nationals sent 2011 NBL NBC MVP Jamie Ratcliff to the mound as the youngster sought to bolster his ever expanding credentials against Herts Falcons stalwart and British baseball legend Darrin Ward.
Both sides came out swinging, as would be expected from the top two seeds during the regular season. In the last match-up the two teams split their series and things remained evenly placed throughout the early stages of this crucial encounter.
Ryan Bird hit a long double in the first to score Robbie Unsell but a slip at third base stranded the Herts’ catcher and the Nationals headed to the batter’s box just a solitary run behind their hosts. George Lintern drove Robbie Almanzar home, but was himself picked off by a great move from Ward. However, free-swinging Edwin Alcantara stroked a double from off his nose and crossed the plate when Jarrod Pretorius found a gap along the third baseline, providing the Nationals with the early advantage.
But the lead changed hands once again as Ward capped a five-run rally with a two-run double to right field after some excellent hustle on the base paths forcing some mistakes on the infield. The game threatened to become another run-fest in the NBL competition and four runs from the Nationals, led by doubles from catcher Will Lintern and shortstop Luis Goncalves, tied it up at six apiece but a great grab at third base by Kevin Niedringhaus and quick arm to second turned two to end the offensive onslaught.
Ratcliff managed to post the first zero of the game as things quietened down in the third. Although he issued the first two walks of the game, it amounted to nothing and his batters set to work on restoring the lead. With the bases full, Goncalves blooped into centre field in what would be Ward’s last action on the mound as Unsell got the Falcons home just one behind.
Two fantastic plays by the young shortstop kept his former club off the board and helped maintain their slender advantage, and the Nationals padded the lead by scoring a couple of Falcons fielding mistakes. But that was reduced as the Nationals followed Goncalves’s neat double-play with a couple of errant throws and the Falcons were back within touching distance having clawed their way back. However, the Herts bats couldn’t escape the GB Under-23’s glove on the infield and he ended the frame having turned all three outs en route to an MVP performance.
Unsell may have felt the momentum was with his side, but with two outs, big-hearted third baseman Maikel Azcuy had three Herts’ fielders sprawling on a double to the fence that knocked in two and restored the big lead. Brendan Cunliffe came in to relieve Ratcliff and quickly got ahead in the game to pick up the crucial save. Two pop-ups either side of a Niedringhaus double that would come round to score meant, heading into the bottom of the sixth, the Nationals remained a couple ahead.
The Herts pitcher, having loaded the bases on a couple of walks and hitting George Lintern on the back, was relieved by Bird, with Unsell picking up the pieces behind the plate, but the second pitch passed by his new catcher and allowed Will Lintern to come home, before Bird hit both Alcantara and Pretorius on consecutive pitches to force in another. Four runs behind now, the dangerous Azcuy at the plate, Unsell missed another for Aaron Webster to cross and the game was getting away from the hosts in a big way. Azcuy couldn’t put anyone else over and a line-out to right fielder Phil Clark got the Falcons out of a messy frame to try to come back with their bats.
Cunliffe again made use of his fielders with two quick outs, and the long save was wrapped up with Azcuy firing across the diamond to Pretorius at first base, Ward the unlucky batter.
In making six errors over the morning game, the Nationals only conceded one earned run (the score in the first frame), but they marginally out-hit the Falcons and looked much the stronger side in the box.
Click to view box scores and play-by-play
Nationals manager Marty Cullen said “It feels good again like yesterday, but if you look on the board there’s six errors and that’s not why we’re the number one seed. I think we’ve given up fewer runs than anybody this season and we’ve played really good defence – the past two days we haven’t. Fortunately the bats have come alive at the right time of year, which is where we’ve struggled in the past. In the really low-scoring games we’ve pitched really well and played defence extremely well, and today it seemed that we did everything pretty well but our defence.
“Brendan’s one of the best pitchers in the league – he doesn’t throw 90mph like he did in college, but he’s smart with what he has and when you get to the bottom of the final inning with a little bit of a lead, well for me he’s the one you want to see up there. Jamie threw really well and at times he had to get four or five outs in an inning because of the errors, but he was dealing. His breaking ball was breaking late and it had some juice on it.
“Luis Goncalves is one of the best raw talents in the league. He has been since he was 14 years old, and he gets baseball. He doesn’t get fazed at all on the big stage and if he can get to a ball then you know he’s going to get to it,” he concluded, before suggesting that yesterday’s starter, Robbie Almanzar, would be a favoured option on the mound for tomorrow’s final. Although to keep opponents guessing, he added: “You may even see me up there!”
Hawks eliminated by Nottingham in Semi-Finals
(This article was written by Michael Jones and first appeared on britishbaseball.org)
The Nottingham Rebels comprehensively swept aside the Herts Hawks in the second AA semi-final, showing the rest of the country what most of their fellow Midlands clubs had warned them – the Rebels are good.
The game was forced to be shortened to only a seven-inning match, bringing the potential slaughter rule forward to the fifth, following the rain that had delayed the Bucks-Piranhas semi-final, but the match was the fastest of the day, and perhaps the fastest of the summer, being completed in just 77 minutes.
All Star Louis Hare lined into a double-play in the first inning for the host Hawks at their Grovehill home, providing Rebels starter Richard Hu a great start in the Nottingham team’s first ever NBC appearance. In the bottom of the frame, three Rebels knocked in runs and Hu himself came round from first after an uncharacteristic overthrow from the much talked-about Herts catcher Andrew Fulford.
Zeros were traded in the second inning as the Hawks’ Nic Goetz found his rhythm, but Hu looked every part the pitcher that has delivered eight regular season wins during their pennant-winning summer.
To back his own cause, Hu drove in his second and third runs of the game with a triple to right field in the third and scored on Neil Eggleston’s single down the third base line to push the Nottingham side seven runs ahead. But that wouldn’t be the end of their offensive onslaught.
Sebastian O’Dell hit a two-run bomb to cap the nine-run inning as the Rebels batted round, with Oscar Martinez delivering a stand-up triple as the first mercy-rule result of the NBCs presented itself to the fans on the second diamond during the pleasant, if chilly, Saturday evening.
Tim Elkins scored Rod Naghar on a ground-out to second, but Hare went down swinging and Adam Taylor covered some great ground at third base to catch Jon Lewys after a big pop up. Twelve runs up, the Rebels were stealing this one away from the Hawks as they entered the bottom of the fourth.
Goetz was done for the day as Hare took on the pitching responsibilities for Herts, but even his big arm couldn’t prevent the Rebels from seeming to play softball, swinging for the fences. Hu and Taylor each singled, but pinch-hitter Duncan Clarke found Aspi Dimitrov’s glove on the full as the Herts Chairman doubled Hu off at second with the help of co-manager Andy Cornish.
Fulford could only pop up to start the fifth inning before Greg Kobel made a good scoop to help Shannon Henry turn the second out. For the Hawks to come back, Dimitrov would need to deliver something amazing.
Down 0-2, he fought two back, staying alive to work a walk – the least his and his club’s efforts deserved having saved the ground from drowning following the torrential rain that threatened to prevent the match being played. But Andrew Slater went down on strikes to hand the Nottingham ace another win in his outstanding season.
Click to view box scores and play-by-play
Hawks co-manager, Andy Cornish, was gracious in defeat: “The loss ends a good season for our team after several years of pain. It was not the best way to go out of the race and it hurts, but we lost to a good Nottingham team who very much deserved the win today.” Cornish added: “We wish the Rebels and the MK Bucks all the best in the final”.
Click to view a report of the second AA semi-final between Poole Piranhas and MK Bucks
Falcons win first game to set up Sunday’s big clash with Nationals
(This article was written by Oliver Mintz-Lowe and first appeared on britishbaseball.org)
National Baseball Championships, Saturday, 25 Sep 2012 (NBL)
Herts Falcons 8 Southampton Mustangs 6
A strong pitching performance from Michael Osborn helped Herts Falcons to an opening day win, as the number two seeds came from behind to beat the Southampton Mustangs.
In torrid weather conditions both teams did well to play out a largely error-free encounter, but it was ultimately a six-run Herts inning that changed the course of the game.
Falcons pitcher Mike Osborne started exceptionally, retiring the first six batters of the game with three strikeouts, while his offense scored two runs, from an error and sacrifice fly, to give the number two seeds an early lead.
But Mustangs pitcher Lee Ralph managed to spark a rally, picking up the first Southampton hit of the game with an infield single. This was followed by a Ben Davis RBI single, a throwing error and RBI groundout reverse the scores and give Southampton a surprise lead.
In torrential rain and circling thunderstorms, both sides initially managed to keep errors out of the game as the offenses struggled for runs.
But after a rain delay it was Herts the took control, putting up six to blow the game open. With one swing of the bat Chris Hiche managed to reverse the lead with a two run homer. Another run, courtesy of a sacrifice fly, followed by a walk, chased Mustangs starter Lee Ralph from the game. But his replacement Frosina struggled, walking in three consecutive runs, as the game got away from Southampton.
The number three seeds showed plenty of fight as they attempted to claw their way back into it, with Gary Davison hit a two-out three-run-homer in the top of the seventh, making it a two-run game. But Osborn picked up the final out of the game, sealing a winners bracket clash with Harlow.
The win for the Falcons and the earlier edge-of-the-seat 13-12 win for the Nationals sets up a mouth-watering encounter on Sunday between the Herts Falcons and the Harlow Nationals. Here is the schedule for Sunday, 26 September:
NBL Schedule
Sunday, August 26
10:00, Game 3: Harlow Nationals vs Herts Falcons
13:30, Game 4: London Mets vs Southampton Mustangs (loser will be eliminated)
17:00, Game 5: Loser Game3 vs Winner Game4 (loser will be eliminated)
AAA Schedule
Sunday, August 26
10:00, (Semi-Final) Liverpool Trojans vs Cambridge Royals
17:00, (Semi-Final) Essex Redbacks vs Oxford Kings
AA Schedule
Sunday, August 26
13:30, (Final) MK Bucks vs Nottingham Rebels
Click to view report of the other NBL game on Saturday, Harlow Nationals vs London Mets
Hawks Co-Managers on the eve of AA Semi-Final vs Nottingham
With just hours remaining before the 2012 National Baseball Championships begin at Grovehill Ballpark in Hemel Hempstead, we had a chat with Herts Hawks co-managers, Andy Cornish (AC) and Greg Bochan (GB) from New York via satellite, as the team prepares for their massive semi-final clash with the Nottingham Rebels.
hertsbaseball.com You have played in several NBCs in your career. This is the first time that your team will play at home. Will that have a positive effect on the team or will that add unnecessary pressure?
AC: Of course it will be positive; to have the fans, the other teams, and most importantly to have actually played on the field before the weekend is a huge boost
GB: I think it will have a positive effect on the team. We’ve always had good support from our fans even at away games but the familiarity of Grovehill will be a bonus.
hertsbaseball.com How much higher is the pressure on you for the finals, bearing in mind that your co-manager will have to listen to the game on the radio?
AC: I think that the pressure will be on Greg, who we are going to miss. I will have to remind the players that this is the same game as every other game we have played throughout the year, and we need to play 100% for 27 outs. If that happens I will be very happy.
GB: Since I’ll be listening on the radio I won’t feel much pressure :). it’s very tough not being there for these post season games. I’m thrilled that the Hawks are playing great and at the same time I am gutted that I couldn’t be a part of the last playoff game and the upcoming finals. I’d love to be able to feel the thrills those guys must be experiencing.
hertsbaseball.com Is the National Baseball Championship the place to try some small-ball?
AC: We have played small ball throughout the year at situational points, and it has worked well. If the situation does come up, I have the faith that we will be able to execute with the accuracy and energy that we have done all year.
GB: I don’t think this should be answered as I don’t want opponents reading about our strategies. But it’s always a good time to play small ball.
hertsbaseball.com We all know that the Hawks are building their success on solid defence and good pitching. What is the element that would need to be added if they are to give a good show against the highly rated Nottingham Rebels on Saturday?
AC: Our pitching has been excellent all year, but there is a whole new game to play. The Rebels look like they have good hitting, we still need to keep them off balance, and I know that our pitchers can do it. I think to be successful this weekend; our pitching and defence have to be on top of their game. With our strongest team out on Saturday and Sunday, I have no worries about the hitting, I am very happy 1 through 9 of the line-up, we have speed, power, and in a few cases both as we have shown over the last few weekends.
GB: I think at this point its confidence. We’ve put up the numbers and now we have to believe we can continue doing so. Confidence goes a long way on the diamond.
hertsbaseball.com In view of the plethora of pitching talent that the Hawks currently enjoy, have you made up your mind about your starting pitcher for the semi-final game on Saturday?
AC: I have a plan on who is going to pitch which day. Both of our elite pitchers are going to get a look in over the weekend
GB: No comment.
hertsbaseball.com What is your standing order to the players for their fitness and dietary regime in the next few days left before the finals?
AC: I think that we need to do what we have been doing. I will be having my usual Friday night of fajitas and relax in front of a film. We need to be hydrated.
GB: Keep doing what you’ve been doing, it’s worked so far. Maybe don’t get too drunk this Friday and Saturday nights.
hertsbaseball.com Many of the fans are dying to know what is the meaning of “Boom”?
AC: Well. To be honest, I have no idea. I like to think that it is that explosion of energy from the players when something magical happens. I am hoping to keep it rolling this weekend.
GB: Booya!
SATURDAY’S GAMES INVOLVING HERTS TEAMS
The Herts Hawks semi-final game with the Nottingham Rebels is at 4pm on Saturday, 25 August, at the old diamond. The Herts Falcons start at 3pm in their opening game versus the Southampton Mustangs at the new diamond. This means that Herts fans will have to choose one or the other, or position themselves strategically so they can see both games, or move from one diamond to another, and back again, depending on which team needs the support the most.
In search of the 1969 Champions – Watford Sun Rockets
In yesterday’s fantastic article Joe Gray gave us a historical context of the upcoming National Baseball Championships and specifically with regard to the top-tier level that is the National Baseball League (click to view full article).
As the article mentioned, if the Falcons manage to win the NBL Championship, it would be only the second time that Hertfordshire would boast a national champion team. The first was back in 1969, when the Watford Sun-Rockets upset the Liverpool Trojans in an 11-inning final played at Harvey Haddon Stadium in Nottingham.
Herts Baseball Club is now in a mad rush to try to find members or descendants of the Watford Sun-Rockets from the 1969 season and it is asking all its supporters or any British baseball fans to help them in this search.
If you know anyone who may be connected with the Watford Sun-Rockets or anyone who may have any leads which may help this effort please contact Herts Baseball Club.
Project COBB’s Joe Gray has published an article about the 1969 Watford vs Liverpool final and this may help us get the search started. Click this link to open a separate PDF file (1969 National Final details are on page 2)
MICHAEL OSBORN
The article also listed several players who are going into this weekend’s NBCs looking to make ther mark in British baseball history. herts Falcons’ Michael Osborn is one of them. If the Falcons emerge victorious from the weekend then Michael Osborn (formerly of the London Warriors and Richmond Flames) would become only the 12th player in British baseball history with at least four national titles. This would certainly be great reward for his dedicated career, which spans back to the late 1990s.
2012 national champions to be decided this weekend in Herts
(the start times of the NBL and A League games shown in red in this article were updated on 23 August 2012 to reflect the changes announced by the BBF)
British baseball fans are on the edge of their seats in anticipation of the National Baseball Championships (NBC) this weekend. Year-after-year the NBC never seems to disappoint. By the end of the Bank Holiday Weekend we will know the identity of the champions in the four British baseball leagues. But before that we will be going through the emotions and excitement of at least 13 baseball games with enormous implications riding on every single one of them.
After Sunday’s playoff games, we now know the names of the 14 teams which will be heading to Grovehill Ballpark in Hemel Hempstead in the hope of making history.
NATIONAL BASEBALL LEAGUE (NBL)
The reigning champions, Harlow Nationals, booked their place in the NBC several weeks ago and they did it in style by finishing top of the NBL standings after winning one of the games in the doubleheader against the Herts Falcons on Sunday, which was enough to stay top. The Falcons stayed in second place as a result and go into the NBC as the second seed team. Southampton also secured an automatic entry finishing third and they going into the weekend with the wind in their sails after an impressive sweep away at the champions two weeks ago.
The final NBC place was taken by the London Mets who won the wild card battle with the Lakenheath Diamondbacks at Finsbury Park on Sunday.
NBL Schedule
Saturday, August 25
12:00, Game 1: Harlow Nationals vs London Mets
15:00, Game 2: Herts Falcons vs Southampton Mustangs
Sunday, August 26
10:00, Game 3: Winner Game1 vs Winner Game2
13:30, Game 4: Loser Game1 vs Loser Game2 (loser will be eliminated)
17:00, Game 5: Loser Game3 vs Winner Game4 (loser will be eliminated)
Monday, August 27
11:00 Game 6: Winner Game3 vs Winner Game5
14:30 Game 7: same as above (will be played if Winner of Game3 loses Game6)
AAA LEAGUE
The Liverpool Trojans return to Grovehill Ballpark for a third year in a row aiming to defend their AAA crown. They have had an almost perfect season so far with a record of 26-2 in the regular season and they secured their place in the Semi-Finals last weekend with a win against the Menwith Patriots. Joining them in the Semi-Finals are the three best AAA teams from the South. Last year’s losing finalists Oxford Kings will be looking for revenge. The ever-growing Redbacks organisation will be represented this weekend by their first team who finished first in their AAA division. Completing the AAA semi-final lineup are the Cambridge Royals who entered the AAA League for the first time this year.
AAA Schedule
Sunday, August 26
10:00, (Semi-Final) Liverpool Trojans vs Cambridge Royals
17:00, (Semi-Final) Essex Redbacks vs Oxford Kings
Monday, August 27
14:00, (Final) Winner SF1 vs Winner SF2
AA LEAGUE
The AA League is the third-tier of the British Baseball Leagues but it is the largest and perhaps the most unpredictable. We started with 25 AA teams, divided into the North, Midlands and South divisions, and after a regular season and two weeks of playoffs we are down to 4. The Nottingham Rebels and the Milton Keynes Bucks are both from the Midlands division and they overcame the two best AA teams from the North to book their Semi-Final places. Joining them are the two best AA teams from the Southern Division. Last year the Poole Piranhas lost in the semi-finals against the eventual winners, the Latin Boys. They are back again this year and they will face the MK Bucks. The last team to book their place in the AA semi-finals is the Herts Hawks. They ended the Guildford Mavericks’ 17-game unbeaten run on Sunday to eliminate them and this meant that for the first time in history two teams representing Herts Baseball Club will appear in the NBC.
AA Schedule
Saturday, August 25
12:00, (Semi-Final) MK Bucks vs Poole Piranhas
16:00, (Semi-Final) Nottingham Rebels vs Herts Hawks
Sunday, August 26
13:30, (Final) Winner SF1 vs Winner SF2
A-LEAGUE
The only team still unbeaten this year is Hove Tuesday. They entered the British Leagues for the first time this year and they have steam-rolled everything that comes their way. They will face the Leicester Blue Sox in the Final, a team representing a club which has made tremendous strides over the last few years developing both their adult and youth baseball programmes at apace which very other baseball organisations can match. Both teams will be eager for silverware.
A Schedule
Monday, August 27
11:00, (Final) Hove Tuesday vs Leicester Blue Sox
A CELEBRATION OF BRITISH BASEBALL
The NBC is a unique opportunity for fans of baseball and those who are new to the sport to get close to the action and witness the crowning of the 2012 Champions. Of course it would not be a true baseball celebration without good food. A variety of traditional baseball food and drinks will be on offer.
Venue: Grovehill Ballpark, Hemel Hempstead (click here for venue address and other details)
Car Park: available at the venue free of charge