Category: Headlines

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Black Sox snatch Michels from Falcons

Jake Michels was wearing the Herts jersey last Sunday. This weekend he will be wearing the pinstripes of the New York Black Sox (photo of Michels with Herts jersey by British Baseball Magazine, click on image for more)

The New York Black Sox have acquired Herts Falcons right handed pitcher and third baseman, Jake Michels. He was one of the big additions to the Herts roster this winter adding power to the batting lineup as well as a very solid glove at third base and a reliable arm as part of the Falcons pitching rotation.

No one knows how far the Falcons will go this season, but Michels has certainly played a vital role in the season so far contributing in the team’s very successful start . He leaves with the Falcons sitting on top of the NBL standings with 8 wins and 2 losses.

Michels joins the New York Black Sox who play in the Hudson Valley National Adult Baseball Association (HVNABA) which is the same league he played in prior to his move to Herts this winter. He previously played for the Athletics but now he will be wearing the Black Sox jersey.

Fans of Herts and British baseball will be following Jake Michels’ progress in his efforts to be selected by the Great Britain National Team in what is expected to be one of the most exciting years for GB Baseball in recent history.

 

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Herts unveil upgraded BSUK-funded baseball facilities

photo by hp2photographic.com

Earlier this year Herts Baseball Club completed the latest stage of development of Grovehill Ballpark in Hemel Hempstead. The wettest April on record halted the British baseball leagues but finally on Saturday the rain stopped and youth baseball teams and fans from across the country came down to the ballpark to officially unveil the upgraded facilities.

Teams from Horsham and Leicester made the long trip to Hertfordshire to join teams from Herts for a day of baseball in the Under-17, Under-14 and Under-11 British baseball leagues.

During the opening ceremony the teams had the opportunity to recognise the fantastic support from BaseballSoftballUK (BSUK) who awarded a £10,000 grant for the Grovehill Ballpark project in line with their 2009-2013 Whole Sport Plan and Sport England’s strategic aims for the sport. This grant, together with nearly £7,000 raised separately by Herts through various fund-raising activities, was invested in the installation of perimeter fencing along the first and third base dead-ball lines of both diamonds, making each diamond a fully-enclosed baseball venue. Further fencing was installed to create four fully-enclosed team dugouts for home and visiting teams on both diamonds.

Teams from Herts, Horsham and Leicester observe the national anthem

Herts Baseball Club President, Aspi Dimitrov, said: “This is just one of so many Herts projects which BSUK has supported. Apart from the ballpark development, BSUK was instrumental in starting our club’s youth programme in 2007 and it is very fitting that the upgraded facilities are being unveiled by the members of the youth programme”. Dimitrov added: “In addition to BSUK’s £10,000 grant there have been so many members and parents involved in raising the additional £7,000. Without them this would not have been possible. It was also very appropriate that Horsham and Leicester were present as they have also contributed over the years by taking part in events such as the Herts Futures Tournament and the Herts Spring League which have generated additional funds for the ballpark development. Everyone has played a part in building these baseball facilities and teams from around Great Britain will be able to enjoy them for many years to come”.

After the opening ceremony fans enjoyed four baseball games.  For full reports, box scores, gamecast, photos and more from these games follow the links below:

U17 League: Horsham Hornets @ Herts All Stars U17

U14 League: Leicester Blue Sox @ Herts All Stars U14

U11 League: Leicester Blue Sox @ Herts All Stars U11

U11 League: NEW GAMECAST Leicester Blue Sox @ Herts All Stars U11

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Clark 2-run blast takes Falcons back to the top of the NBL

Phil Clark launches a home run in the sixth inning to give Herts the lead (photo by British Baseball Magazine more available on their website. Click image to view more)

The Herts Falcons are back on top of the NBL after sweeping the Croydon Pirates. Game one was a blow out win but game two required some outstanding pitching and late-inning heroics form Herts to secure the win.

The team returned home to their ballpark in Hertfordshire after spending the previous 6 weeks on the road. They jumped on top of the Pirates quickly taking a 16-0 lead after just 3 innings. Two-time League MVP, Ryan Bird, was on fire going 3-4 with two doubles and a triple (2 RBI). Robbie Unsell, Jake Michels and Kevin Niedringhaus also had a multiple-hit game. New signing Jeff House made his debut on the mound pitching a complete game allowing only 2 runs on 3 hits, striking out 8 in the process.

Click to view Game 1 box scores and play-by-play

After such convincing victory for the home team it was hard to imagine what Croydon could do to avoid defeat in the second game, but the Pirates once again proved that they are a very stubborn opponent.

They took a 2-0 lead in the first inning. All of the runs were unearned after Herts uncharacteristically committed 3 errors. Jose Sosa took the mound for the Pirates. Despite tying the game at 2-2 the Herts bats were kept very quite. Sosa has always been a fighter and he enhanced his reputation further with today’s performance. Thankfully for the Falcons, starter Louis Hare was pitching a gem. He went the distance pitching a complete game allowing only 5 hits, 1 walk and no earned runs.

Dave Tretheway representing the go-ahead run is greated at home plate (photo by British Baseball Magazine more available on their website. Click image to view more)

Another 3 errors allowed the Pirates to regain the lead. It was 3-2 now and the Falcons needed a spark to get back in the game as time was starting to run out. Jake Michels provided that spark driving in Robbie Unsell with a double to tie the game 3-3 in the bottom of the fifth. It came down to the bottom of the sixth. With Tretheway reaching base on four balls, up stepped left-handed batter Phil Clark to launch a 2-run bomb over the right field fence and put the Falcons in the lead for the first time. Another 3 runs scored in the inning after a 1-run single by Unsell and a second double by Jake Michels driving in 2 more runs. Louis Hare completed the game with three-up-three-down final inning. He allowed only one Croydon player to get on base in the critical last three innings of the game.

Click to view Game2 box scores and play-by-play

After the final pitch Herts Falcons Manager, Lee Manning, commented on the games: “Dominant hitting won us the first game with a strong outing from Jeff House. Game 2 was challenging as Croydon played very good baseball. We were chasing the game from the start and if it wasn’t for Phil’s bat we could have ended up on the losing end like we did against Lakenheath last week” He added that “Louis also pitched great not allowing any earned runs”.

The two wins put the Falcons half a game ahead of the chasing pack in the NBL race which is proving to be the most exciting for years. In their 4 seasons as an NBL team the Falcons have been top of the table only once. That was back in 2009 and lasted for 1 week only. Will the team manage to sustain the current impressive run all the way to the end? One thing is certain – the rest of the league is starting to notice that something is happening at Herts.

Next game for the Falcons is a home encounter versus the surging Essex Arrows next Saturday, 27 May.  First pitch 12:00pm.

CORRECTION: The report from last week’s NBL game between the Herts Falcons and the Lakenhetah Diamondbacks incorrectly stated that the losing pitcher was Mike Osborn.  Osborn started the game but was later relieved with a “no decision” situation and the game going to extra innings.

 

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Hawks prevail in a Mammoth clash at the top of the table

Jon Lewys's power could be critical as we get closer to the postseason. He went 3-4 RBI

The Herts Hawks came up against the unbeaten AA League leaders the London Mammoths with a chance to overtake them. To do this they needed to win both games of this doubleheader.

Nic Goetz started game one on the back of his complete game shutout against Kent seven days ago. He started in similar fashion allowing only 1 run in the first 3 innings. The Herts offence was also on form and they quickly put up 5 runs on the scoreboard. The Mammoths closed the gap temporarily but the Hawks kept responding with runs of their own.

In the sixth inning the visitors tied the game 8-8 after 4 hits and 3 errors, but the Hawks responded once again in the bottom of the inning when Tim Elkins drove in Seth Lipstock and Andy Cornish with a vital 2-out single. There were no more complications in the final inning as Nic Goetz completed the game with a three-up-three-down-inning.

Nick Russell was unhittable against the London Mammoths

Click to view Game1 box scores and play-by-play

Nick Russell started on the mound in game 2 and produced one of the most dominant pitching performances of the season. He shut out the Mammoths over 6 and 2/3 innings allowing only 2 hits. He needed just one more out for a complete game shutout but a single for London scored 2 runs to confirm a final score of 7-2.

Jonathan Lewys had a good day with the bat. He went 3-4 with an RBI. Ilya Dimitrov submitted his candidacy for Play of the Year with a spectacular diving catch in centerfield.

Click to view Game2 box scores and play-by-play

Hawks Co-Manager, Andy Cornish was pleased with the results, but was keen to keep his team’s feet firmly on the ground. He said: “today we have shown what qualities we have, and what we don’t have. Our pitching once again proved that we can win close games with the correct pitch choice and location and the battery was again a huge positive. At the moment, we are top of the league, and the squad should be very proud, but I, and the squad, should appreciate we have a very long way to go yet.” He added: “In our league any team can beat any team, and we need to work on our communication to improve our chances. We cannot win a title by making mistakes. I expect the squad to work hard to remove those. I am very happy with how we played today, but we are under no illusions as there is still a lot of work to be done”.

 

by Rob Jones

Scheepers stars as Eagles beat Redbacks

Herts Eagles 18-16 Essex Redbacks III

So far this year, whoever wins the first inning of an Eagles game has gone on to claim the victory. The early exchanges have decisively set the tone. But, in a windswept field in Essex, that was about to change.

Theo Scheepers was on the mound as the Eagles visited Essex Redbacks III looking to bounce back from a defeat by the Old Timers, and to even their record for the season.  Senna Ashida had driven in the only run in the top of the first, but when Essex came in to bat, the normally solid Scheepers had trouble finding the zone. Without the home side ever recording a big hit, they ran up a clear lead. After one inning, it was 4-1, then 7-2 after three.

But the Redbacks had not been allowed  to pull away. The Eagles struck back in the fourth inning, scoring 6 to swing the game back their way and take the lead. There were runs for Oz Kemal and Craig Le Roux, and the second of three hits for Theo Scheepers, who had also found his rhythm on the mound.

Adrian Smithers comes home after his home run

The biggest hit of the day came from catcher, Adrian Smithers, who opened up the fifth inning with a booming home run over the left field fence. After trotting round the bases, he was met with applause and high fives from a jubilant team. As well as being solid behind the plate all day, his bat was a threat every time he came up.

The measure of the match was perhaps shown in the fact that the Redbacks hit a home run of their own immediately afterwards, with the lead off man clouting a pitch over the same stretch of fence. The lead seemed to change hands constantly as the two sides traded blows. There were some miscues but some good plays too.

And it was Duncan Hoyle’s Eagles who stepped up their defence to cling on to the lead decisively. The manager helped his own cause, turning a neat double play from his post at second base. Hoyle took a grounder and stepped on the bag before lobbing a throw to retire the batter at first. Joseph Osborne added to his three runs scored by saving runs, with a running outfield catch on a line drive which could have been dangerous. And Oz Kemal — who started the game out of position at first base to cover for missing starters — recovered from tough throws to get runners out at vital times.

Leading 15-14 going into the eighth, Herts desperately wanted to pad their lead. But although runners got aboard, some bad luck on the base paths meant that Smithers was the only man to cross home plate. 16-14 now, and then Essex nibbled one back. 16-15. Then in the ninth the Eagles were able to produce more goods. Hoyle was driven in by Tak Ashida, who finally secured a deserved hit with a double, before he too came in to score a run.

Herts were left with a 3-run lead to protect in the bottom of the ninth to secure the win. Tak Ashida — after what had been, for him, a quiet game — was suddenly the centre of the action. First a pop-up came his way. Then a sharp grounder, which he hauled in to get the second out. One run had come in on a ground-rule double, but would it be enough for the Redbacks?

At this point, the story returns fittingly to Theo Scheepers. He struck out the final man with his bat on his shoulders, and completed a tremendous win for the Herts team. He had pitched all nine innings, fielded his position flawlessly, scored 3 runs, and clubbed three hits. It was a great win for the Eagles, and one which takes them back to 2-2 for the season. Manager Duncan Hoyle said: “I think that was the most enjoyable game I have ever played in. Theo definitely earned a beer. And it was a great team effort.”

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Leicester win the Under-11 battle in Hemel

photos by hp2photographic.com

Written by hertsbaseball.com correspondent, Chris Jones

On Saturday 19th May Herts U11 faced the Leicester Blue Sox in a friendly on the freshly-mown second diamond at Grovehill.

The Blue Sox established their Junior section earlier this year, and this was their first ever road trip. As it is early days, the club lacks the numbers to field U11 and U14 teams simultaneously, and so their U11 team contained a mix of younger and older players. They turned out to be more than a match for Herts.

Nevertheless, it was a very enjoyable, fast-paced game with hits galore and some moments of high quality fielding. The final score of 19-3 perhaps flattered the Blue Sox; the hit count was 28-13 and it was only in the last inning that the game finally ran away from Herts.

Coaches were pitching. The Sox made a strong start, scoring five at the top of the first inning. Herts batters Blake Edwards, Theo Longboy and Thomas Garton then hit successive singles, with Oliver Durer hitting another to bring Blake home for Herts’ first run.

photos by hp2photographic.com

Herts shut out the Blue Sox in the second, thanks in part to a fine catch by Blake Edwards at third base. At the bottom of the second, Herts were unlucky to have both Lewis Auchterlounie and Cameron Manning tagged out running for home.

Leicester chalked up three more runs in the third, with no reply from Herts, moving the score to 8-1 to the Blue Sox. In the next, Herts restricted Leicester to two runs, with some smart defense, Alex Trautman and Joshua Jones combining for a 1-3 ground-out which would not have looked out of place at Fenway. Frustration again for Herts, though, as once again they left runners on base at the end of their inning.

To the fifth and last inning, this time with no five-run limit. Blake Edwards took another fine catch, but some good hitting allowed the Sox to pile on the runs – a fly ball double to the centre field fence produced three runs; another line drive brought home another two runners, and four more runs were scored before the innings closed. Playing largely for pride by this point, Herts picked up two runs: Oliver Durer and Lewis Auchterlounie made base hits, and Alex Trautman ran them in with a line drive single. But with bases loaded once again, Herts struck out to leave the final score 19-3 to the Blue Sox. Four Herts batters emerged with two hits from two plate appearances: Blake Edwards, Oliver Durer, Lewis Auchterlounie and Alex Trautman.

Coach Mike Wakelam commented “Full marks to the Blue Sox – they batted and fielded well and thoroughly deserved the win. We wish them all the best as they develop the club. But I was encouraged at the progress our U11s are making – we are a young team, but we’re working hard, improving our skills and having a lot of fun.”

GAMECAST – IN CASE YOU MISSED THE GAME OR WANT TO SEE IT AGAIN

To relive the full game with full statistical analysis fans can view a new facility which Herts Baseball Club is testing at the moment. CLICK TO OPEN THE GAMECAST AND PRESS REPLAY IN TOP RIGHT CORNER

 

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Dramatic win for Herts versus Leicester. Herts U17 lose to Horsham

HORSHAM SWEEP HERTS

photo by www.hp2photographic.com

The Herts U17 All Stars clashed with the league leaders from Horsham knowing that winning both games of this doubleheader would bring them level with the Hornets in the U17 League standings. From the start it was clear that this would be a very difficult task.

Horsham jumped to an early lead in game 1 and never looked back. Herts managed to keep within reach in the first 3 innings but never seemed to match the Hornets. There wasn’t much disparity in terms of hits (Horsham-11 Herts-7) but 4 errors and 5 walks put too much pressure on the home team’s defence. Carlos Casal Jr went 2-2 with a double and scored 2 runs. RBIs for Kyle Lloyd-Jones (2), Marty Cullen Jr (2) and Brodie Caress (1) helped Herts put 5 runs on the scoreboard, but it wasn’t enough. The Hornets won it 12-5.

Click to view Game 1 box scores and play-by-play

The visitors continued the relentless pressure in the second game. Starting pitcher, Dean, didn’t give Herts any breathing space allowing only 3 hits by Carlos Casal Jr, Liam Green and Brodie Caress. 7 walks allowed and 4 errors by Herts made it a very difficult afternoon. Final score 16-2

Click to view Game 2 box scores and play-by-play

Herts travel to RAF Daws Hill next Saturday, 26 May, for a doubleheader against the Cobham Cougars.

HERTS U14 SECURE WIN IN LATE INNINGS

The Herts U14 team picked up their second win of the season. It turned out to be a very dramatic game against the visiting Leicester Blue Sox.

Callum Vangundy was the hero of the day for Herts both defensively and offensively. He started on the mound and proved to be very effective. Late in the game he blasted the ball over the centerfield wall for his first home run of the season. Leicester tried to rally the late in the game scoring two runs in the sixth and seventh inning, but the Herts defence closed the door to secure a 10-8 win. An exciting game and a wonderful opportunity for Herts to meet Leicester for the first time. It is good to see Leicester starting their youth programme this year and developing it so quickly. Members of Herts Baseball Club are already looking forward to seeing them again soon.

 

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Brother House joins the Falcons ahead of clash with Pirates

photo by British Baseball Magazine more available on their website. Click image to view

The Herts Falcons continue to strengthen their NBL roster with the addition of right-handed pitcher Jeff House.

Jeff House is the brother of Dave House who joined the Falcons in March. Most of Jeff House’s baseball experience has been attained in baseball leagues in America. He has played one season in British baseball making 16 plate appearances for the Flames in 2011. His NBL career batting average stands at .273.

He is expected to make his Herts Falcons debut as the probable starter in game one of this Sunday’s double-header against the Croydon Pirates at Grovehill Ballpark. First pitch 12:00.

 

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Setback for Raptors as they lose to Hove

Hove Tuesday are playing in the British baseball league for the first time this year but teams who consider them as rookies would be making a big mistake. Apart from a very shaky first inning they shut down the Herts Raptors offence very effectively allowing only 2 runs and 2 hits in the subsequent 6 innings to claim a deserved 21-10 win.

The game started with 6 Raptors and 6 Tuesday batters reaching base on balls or on a hit-by-pitch, and that was just in the first inning. Herts starter Ken Pike reached a heavy pitch count and was relieved after two-thirds of that opening inning as 7 batters came in to score. Zack Longboy came in and stabilised the situation for the home team. The Raptors bounced back in the bottom of that inning with 8 runs of their own. They were back in the game, but Hove regained their composure and produced an impressive defensive display. Amit Odedra (1-3 RBI) and Gilberto Medina (1-3 2B) tried to get a Herts rally going with hits in the later innings but that just wasn’t enough to keep up with the visitors who were adding runs to their tally inning-after-inning.

A hidden-ball tag out by the Raptors at third base cleared the benches as both teams spilled out onto the field, but there were no physical scuffles, just a few verbal exchanges. Both sides quickly calmed down and focused on baseball again.

Click to view box scores and play-by-play

The Raptors are looking to improve on the team’s record over the last two seasons and see if they can get in the race for the postseason. Raptors Manager, Arnie Longboy, will be looking for ways to get the team back on track. “We had a hard fought battle, but the rain from the last several weeks not only muddied our playing fields but also seems to have softened our hard hitting bats” said Longboy. “Nevetheless hats off the Hove pitchers who had a rocky start but immediately settled in after the first inning. Some of the bright spots continue to be the contribution of our younger players both at the plate as well as pitching. Brodie Caress managed a scoreless inning against Hove whilst Zack Longboy got one of the 4 hits on the Raptors side. But we’re all working hard to get our timing back and look to a more positive result for our next game against the Marauders.”

 

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Falcons no longer top of the NBL after extra innings loss at the D-Backs

Kimiyoshi Saionji was one of many Falcons players whose bats were on fire for the trip to Lakenheath (photo by British Baseball Magazine more available on their website. Click image to view.)

The Herts Falcons picked up a very good win in game 1 of the series versus the Lakenheath Diamondbacks, but lost a tense second game in extra innings.

Robbie Unsell was one the Falcons’ big signings in the winter and he made his debut in these series. He played at short stop and was placed at the top of the Falcons batting lineup going 1-for-4 with a RBI double and 2 runs.

This was probably the Falcons’ best offensive performance of the season so far against a Lakenhetah team which is always one of the most difficult teams to play against. Kevin Niedringhaus (3-4 2B 5RBI), Cris Hiche (2-2 RBI) , Jake Michels (2-4 2RBI), Dave Tretheway (2-4 RBI) all had multiple hits. On the mound Jordan Farkas was not shaken by a Max Scholten home run on the first pitch of the first inning. The Herts starter went on to pick up his third win of 2012 with another solid performance. He was supported by a very good performance from the defence behind him which committed only 1 error.

Click to view game 1 box scores and play-by-play

In the second game the Falcons had to battle against a DBacks team eager to bounce back as well as a very small strike zone resulting in a number of walks. Herts allowed 7 runs in the first inning and although they did tie the game up to take it into extra innings it always felt like they were on the back foot. The bottom of the 7th almost ended in fireworks as Lakenheath was in position to win the game when Leo Perez hit a rocket over the left field wall that would have been the game winning homerun only to be reversed by the home plate umpire. The Dbacks eventually won it 14-13 despite a brave effort by the visitors from Hertfordshire who managed to retire Lakenheath twice in extra innings despite allowing two runners on base with no outs. Ryan Riniker picked up the win for Lakenheath and Chase Richey got the save. Mike Osborn was saddled with the loss for Herts.

POST-GAME REACTION

After the games we managed to get the views of both managers, Lee Manning (Herts) and Ken Reber (Lakenheath) who made his return to the team after missing most of spring training, marking it with a 2-run home run in game 1.

Ken Reber: “”Herts simply came out more prepared than us as it felt like we didn’t have our heads in the game for most of the game. Credit Herts starting pitcher for keeping us off the bases”. For game two Reber felt that “”this was a game that probably lasted longer than it should have but we were just glad to have survive with the win.”

Lee Manning: “Lakenheath won game 2 because they adjusted to the umpire before we did. Game 2 was more about keeping the bat on the shoulder and letting the umpire walk the hitters. Lakenheath scored 7 runs in the first inning and we were always playing catch up.” Manning added: “I’m proud of the way the team kept on fighting to take the game into extra innings but our fitness played a big part late in the game. No baseball in the last 28 days did take its toll in the end.”

FALCONS MAKE THEIR RETURN HOME AFTER 6 WEEKS ON THE ROAD

The split at Lakenheath meant that Herts have lost top spot in the NBL after the Nationals and Southampton swept their opponents. They will be hoping to regain top spot next Sunday when they welcome the Croydon Pirates to Grovehill Ballpark. This is the first home game for the Falcons since their Opening Day win against the Bracknell Blazers. Game 1 starts at 12pm.