Category: Headlines

4 March 20124 March 2012 by JoeSelfe

Season set by BBF for Hawks, Raptors and Eagles

by Joe Selfe, hertsbaseball.com

With the BBF’s recent release of the league schedule for the AA and A Leagues, Herts Baseball Club is now very pleased to be able to set the season for the Herts Hawks, Raptors and the newly reformed Herts Eagles teams.

Opening Up

The Hawks, retaining their place in the AA league will open up on the 15th April at home against the Richmond Dragons. The fixture last year saw the Hawks triumph as part of their strong finish to the 2011 season. The Eagles, newly reformed in the BBF’s A league, will also entertain a Richmond side, the Dukes, on what should be a fantastic opening day at Grovehill Ballpark. The Herts Raptors, also competing in the A league this season will have to wait until the following week to get their season underway, entertaining the Essex Redbacks which will also take place at Grovehill Ballpark.

The Leagues

The largest tier of British Baseball, the AA league, will this year see a total of 24 teams competing to become national champions. With such a fantastic intake, the league has adopted a geographical split into four sub divisions of North, Midlands, South Pool A and South Pool B. Situated in the southern section of the league, the Hawks season will concern the final two pools where notable changes and additions include the Southampton Mustangs 2 who have moved up from the A league while the Essex Archers drop down. The Latin Tigers are also replacing their affiliated Latin Boys who have stepped up to AAA and there are two new teams in the shape of the London Mammoths and Daws Hill Spitfires. Placed in South Pool B will see the Hawks compete in a 7 innings double header against each of their pool opponents who include the: Essex Redbacks (H); Kent Mariners (A); London Mammoths (H); Brentwood Stags (H); Sidewinders (A) and Daws Hill Spitfires (A). A single 9 innings match will then be played against each member of South Pool A which includes the: Richmond Dragons (H);Croydon Pirates III (A); Latin Tigers (A); Guildford Mavericks AA (H); Thames Valley Bisons (A); Southampton Mustangs 2 (A) and completing their 23 match season at home to the Poole Pirates on 5th August. It is assumed, that as with previous seasons, the most successful of the North and Midlands Pools, comprising of six and five teams respectively, will join those top of the southern pools in the postseason to decide the overall national champion.

With the recent addition of the Herts Eagles, the A League will this season comprise of 11 teams and operate as a straight 11 team league. As well as the Eagles and Archers, the A league welcomes Hove Tuesday to the BBF and the newly formed Richmond Dukes. With no league divide, the Raptors and Eagles will compete against each of their opponents once in a single 9 innings match resulting in a ten match regular season. In addition to the teams stated above, this will include games against the: Guildford Mavericks A; Old Timers; Tonbridge Bobcats; Braintree Rays and the London Marauders. The big A League season date for all Herts fans and both the Raptor and Eagle teams however will be their face off taking place on 17th July, where a strong crowd and competitive spirit will be expected!

Pushing for Success

The BBF calendar also has a London Tournament scheduled for the 15th of July for all the teams to look forward to as well as the chance for further games in the postseason. For now though, Herts will be keen to ensure that both the Hawks and Raptors can build on their strong end to last season and that the Eagles can join them in getting off to a flying start in their return to the BBF. With preparation well underway for the fast approaching new season, we hope to see all three teams soaring high in their respective leagues before long.

This article was written by Joe Selfe, who is the newest addition to the hertsbaseball.com media team. Over the course of the season he and the rest of the team will be bringing you all the latest news from Herts and from around the British baseball leagues. hertsbaseball.com is constantly looking to add to its media roster. If you are interested to join the team, in any role please contact us. Some of the roles include: reporter embedded with one of the Herts teams; blogger for our “Opinion” section; event correspondent; Herts TV and radio host or member of the TV/Radio production staff, MLB correspondent, British Leagues correspondent etc.

3 March 20124 March 2012 by Herts Baseball News Editor

20 teams line up for 2012 Herts Spring League

Herts Baseball Club has confirmed that 20 teams have entered this year’s Herts Spring League (HSL). This equals the record set last year. The teams come from all British baseball leagues including the National Baseball League, AAA league, AA League and A League. For a second year in a row the HSL lineup also includes an international team, and for the first time the competition will feature a team from the Under-17 League.

To match the teams more equally and create much closer contests, for the first time the HSL teams will be divided into three separate leagues based on their league ranking going into the 2012 season.

HSL – MAJORS

The HSL Majors includes teams form the NBL. The reigning NBL Champions, the Harlow Nationals (formerly the Southern Nationals), go into the competition as the top seed. They are joined by the NBL runner-up, the Lakenheath Diamondbacks, as the second seed. Entering the HSL for the first time are the London Mets led by their newly appointed manager, Fredi Vibert, who last managed the Richmond Flames ending up as the team with the best record in the regular season (19-5). The Essex Arrows and the Herts Falcons are the fourth and fifth seeded teams in the HSL Majors, respectively.

HSL – AAA

The Essex RedBacks’ impressive performance in the AAA last year makes them the favourite to win the HSL AAA section. Joining them are the always competitive Milton Keynes Bucks from the AA Midlands League, the Sidewinders, the Herts Hawks and the Cambridge Royals who were confirmed to be making the jump from the A League last year to the AAA League in 2012. For the first time ever the HSL will feature an Under-17 League team. The London Mets U17 team are the reigning U17 National Champions and it will be fascinating to see how they will fare against teams from the AAA adult leagues. The London Mets U17 team is using the HSL as a final test before the team flies to the Czech Republic for the qualifying stage on the way to the PONY Baseball Colt World Series in Lafayette, Indiana in early August.

HSL – AA

The Guildford Mavericks are the top seed in the HSL-AA section. They are joined by the Essex RedBacks II, Kent Mariners, London Marauders, Guildford Mavericks II, the two host teams, the Herts Raptors and the Herts Eagles.

Completing the lineup are two teams who enter the HSL for the first time – the Torbay Barons, a newly formed independent team, and finally the Great Britain Under-15 National Team who will utilise the HSL as part of their preparations for their international schedule this season. The GB U15 team includes players from many of the other teams in the HSL so those players will be facing their club team mates.

To view the full HSL lineup, click here.

SCHEDULE AND FORMAT

The HSL will be played over four weeks commencing on the weekend of 17 and 18 March and ending on 7 and 8 April. The HSL format, games schedule and venues are expected to be announced on or around 6 March 2012 and hertsbaseball.com will bring this and all other HSL news as they happen.

1 March 20121 March 2012 by Herts Baseball News Editor

Herts add a Venezuelan, a Swiss-Bulgarian and a Brit

Herts have brought an added international flavour with three more acquisitions ahead of the 2012 season.

MIKE CATTERMOLE

Mike Cattermole joins Herts with nearly 20 years experience in the National Baseball League (NBL). His first appearance in the NBL was with the Hounslow Rangers with whom he played until 1996. He then moved on to the Windsor Bears where he spent 4 seasons between 2001 and 2004. This was a very successful period for the Bears winning the NBL title in 2003 and finishing as runner-up in the other three seasons (2001, 2002 and 2004). This was followed by 5 years with the Bracknell Blazers with whom he won the NBL in 2009 in that memorable comeback wining the last three games of the NBCs to clinch the title. Cattermole has been used predominantly in the outfield but has also appeared at third base, second base and on the mound. His batting average between 1995 and now stands at .246.

VASSIL BOTEV

Vassil Botev joins Herts from the Imperial Falcons, a team representing Imperial College in the British University Baseball Association. Fans of Herts Baseball will remember him from the 2010 University Fall Cup which was held at Grovehill Ballpark. Botev was the winning pitcher in the final between the Imperial Falcons and Nottingham University. On a very wet day he managed to knock out the high-profile Nottingham pitchers George Lintern (Southern Nationals and Great Britain Senior Team) and Gordon Sheppard (Bracknell Blazers and Great Britain U19 Team) both with extensive NBL and international experience.

Vassil Botev started his career in Switzerland playing little league ball and later moving on to the Swiss National League B with the Geneva Dragons finishing in the top 4 in 2005 and reaching the Swiss playoffs in 2006. In the same year the Swiss-Bulgarian also received a call-up to the Swiss Under-18 National Team. The 23-year-old has been used primarily as a pitcher but also has extensive experience at third base and as a catcher. Botev’s arrival means that all three players known to have a Bulgarian origin in the British adult baseball leagues are now rostered with Herts.

GILBERTO MEDINA

If there was a contest for the most muscular baseball player in Great Britain, Gilberto Medina is likely to be right up there with the Edwin Alcantaras of this world. The imposing figure of the Venezuelan is going to be a scary sight for opponents of Herts this season.

Medina’s education and career in chemical engineering meant that he had to end his baseball career when he graduated from high school in his hometown of Coro in Venezuela. However his professional career brought him to Hatfield in Hertfordshire which has opened up the opportunity for him to resume his baseball career. “When I found out that there was another chance for me to fill the baseball void with Herts, I got a very satisfying feeling in the knowledge that playing is possible again” said Medina. “Some of the players from my school in Venezuela went on to have tryouts and some of them got chosen by scouts for national and international teams. I always wonder – what if I had carried on playing? What or where could I be today?”. Well, Gilberto Medina is now with Herts and he can look forward to a very intriguing season of baseball. “It’s a really exciting experience for me and is an honour to join Herts. The people I have met so far just make me want to give my best. I am having a good time” said Medina.

WILL YOU BE WEARING THE HERTS JERSEY IN 2012?

Herts’ recruitment efforts ahead of the new season continue and in fact new players can join at any point during the year. The club welcomes players from complete beginners to accomplished players. 6 to 16-year-olds play for the Herts youth teams while adults (over the age of 14) play for the club’s major and minor league teams. For more details contact Herts Baseball Club.

NBL statistics courtesy of www.projectcobb.org.uk

25 February 201225 February 2012 by Herts Baseball News Editor

Two-time MVP Bird joins Herts flock

Ryan Bird is one of the biggest stars of the National Baseball League and he will be wearing the Herts jersey this season. In the last four years the 29-year-old has been one of the most dominant baseball players in Great Britain. His name appears prominently across the majority of the defensive and offensive stats of the NBL.

BACK-TO-BACK

He received immediate recognition, voted as the NBL’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 2008. This was his first season in the League and this achievement is even more significant given that this was a time of total league domination by the amazing London Mets. In the following year Bird was once again voted as the League’s MVP, making him the first player to receive two MVP awards since the days of Simon Pole during the London Warriors era. In 2009 he was also the league’s home run champion with 5 dingers.

He has performed consistently throughout and he is the NBL leader in career batting average (.477), career on-base average (.560) and career slugging average (.804). His primary position is catcher, but he has also had a real impact as a pitcher. His career ERA is 3.49 with a record of 10 wins and 4 losses and, very notably, one of the highest strikeouts per nine innings ratios (16.29).

REVIVAL

Close play at first base for Ryan Bird in the 2009 NBL Final

In his four seasons with the Flames, Bird has reached the postseason on each occasion lifting the National Championship trophy in 2010 and finishing as Runner-up twice (2008, 2009). His is now making the move to a team which has struggled in the last two years, but he feels that 2012 could be a turning point for Herts. “I am excited ahead of the new season and look forward to being a part of the team. I believe the Falcons will be more competitive this year as a result of the winter recruitment, dedicated team and solid framework already in place.” he said.

Bird feels that “A playoff place is well within our reach this year” adding that “From there anything can happen”.

The addition of Ryan Bird is the latest in a list of some very significant player acquisitions for Herts. The news of these has travelled fast not only in and around Hertfordshire and North West London, but also nationally and has even featured in European publications.

WILL YOU BE WEARING THE HERTS JERSEY IN 2012?

NBL statistics courtesy of www.projectcobb.org.uk

24 February 201225 February 2012 by Herts Baseball News Editor

Herts beef up roster with three more players

Matt Spaulding facing Bracknell in the 2009 NBL Championship Final

Herts Baseball Club has confirmed the acquisition of three more players for the coming season. Kevin Niedringhaus, Matt Spaulding and Seth Lipstock all played for the Richmond Flames last year winning the pennant with the best record in the NBL regular season (19-5). They will be wearing the Herts jersey in 2012.

KEVIN NIEDRINGHAUS

25-year-old right-handed pitcher and utility player, Kevin Niedringhaus, spent the last two seasons in the NBL with the Flames. He was one of the most versatile players for Richmond over that period playing every position in the field apart from first base. Impressively, he has committed only two errors in the NBL. But it is his performance at the plate which stands out. With an NBL career batting average of .397 and a .512 on-base average he is expected to bring much needed boost to the Falcons offensive lineup.

Prior to 2010 Niedringhaus played in America. He captained his high school team, the Northwestern Trojans. He then progressed on to the American Legion Baseball in (Post 34) Rock Hill, South Carolina where he played between 2000 and 2005. British baseball fans may not be familiar with the American Legion Baseball, but its alumni base includes some of the sport’s most recognizable names. Yogi Berra, Ted Williams, Frank Robinson, current Yankees slugger Mark Texeira, played in the league’s 1997 World Series. Babe Ruth was too old to join when Legion Baseball started, but he spent the final years of his life promoting the program as its director of operations. Other prominent players include Ryne Sandberg, Roy Campanella, Dusty Baker, Albert Pujols, Greg Maddux, Chipper Jones and many others.

MATT SPAULDING

Herts baseball fans remember Matt Spaulding best from a deciding AA-League clash between the Herts Falcons and the Richmond Knights 9 years ago. 10 August 2003 was the hottest day in Great Britain since records began, but more importantly it was the day of the game to decide who will remain in the race for the AA postseason. Spaulding pitched a complete game leading Richmond to a 9-5 victory breaking Falcons’ hearts on the way.

In the following season Spaulding was promoted to the Richmond NBL team and has been a regular for the last four seasons including the national championship-winning Richmond team of 2010. Left-handed pitcher Spaulding has been predominantly used as a reliever. He has a NBL win-loss career record of 7-7 on the mound. He has also been used by Richmond in left and right field.

SETH LIPSTOCK

33-year-old Seth Lipstock made his NBL debut with the Richmond Flames in 2011. He joined the team arriving from America in the latter part of the season so he remains an unknown quantity for British baseball teams. Herts will hope that Lipstock will bring an element of surprise in 2012 catching opponents unprepared without scouting reports on him.

Herts Baseball Club has indicated that a further roster announcement will be made imminently. We are following developments closely and will bring the news to you as they happen.

WILL YOU BE WEARING THE HERTS JERSEY IN 2012?

23 February 201223 February 2012 by AspiDimitrov

The return of the Eagles

The last game played by the Herts Eagles was the 2010 Semi-Final in the AAA National Championships.

Herts Baseball Club officially confirmed that there will be four Herts teams entering the senior leagues of the British Baseball Federation. This means that the Herts Eagles will return to the league after missing the 2011 season. The big question for the executive board of the club was which BBF leagues should these four teams be entered in.

The club’s first team, the Herts Falcons, will be hoping for big improvement in the National Baseball League (NBL) after two difficult seasons. In 2010 the team ended the season with 9 wins 19 losses, and the win-loss record went down further in 2011 to 4-20. Judging by recently announced player acquisitions, the Falcons appear to be determined to turn their fortunes around in 2012.

The Herts Hawks will once again be entering the AA League, which is Britain’s third league tier. The Hawks roster is also expected to be in much better shape compared to last year.

The Herts Raptors will remain in the Single-A League. Last year they ended the season on a high with three wins in the last four games and they will be looking to continue that run. If they do that, theoretically they should secure a place in the postseason.

The club has experienced a substantial increase in new players joining the organisation during the close season. The size of the club’s rosters mushroomed further thanks to a large number of the club’s Under-17 players showing interest in being considered for the Herts adult teams. This meant that the club was ready to enter an additional team, signalling the return of the Herts Eagles. The Eagles first entered the league in 2009 playing in the AAA-League. The following season the team reached the AAA National Championship losing to the Oxford Kings in the Semi-Final. The Eagles did not enter the League last year reflecting the lower number of players in the Herts rosters.

But which league should the Herts Eagles go into in 2012? To decide this, the Board needed to carry out a careful analysis of the team rosters. The club has always been very successful at attracting players who have never played the game before and this trend has continued this winter. The majority of the Board agreed that two of the club’s four teams are not equipped to play higher than the Single-A League. Some of the Board members were of the opinion that the Eagles should enter the AAA League and move the Hawks down to the Single-A League, but ultimately, taking all factors into account, it was decided that the Eagles should enter the Single-A League. This means that in 2012 Herts will have a team in the NBL (first league tier), no teams in the AAA (second league tier), one in the AA (third league tier) and two teams in the Single-A (fourth league tier).

The entry of a fourth Herts team also means that the club will now be inviting candidates for the role of Manager of the fourth team.

20 February 201222 February 2012 by AspiDimitrov

Herts bring in two from across the Atlantic

Jake Michels was one of the leading batters for the Athletics last year

The Herts Falcons have strengthened their NBL roster further by adding Cristobal Hiche and Jake Michels, both arriving from America. Just days after announcing the arrival of Robbie Unsell, Herts have made another strong statement about their intentions for the upcoming baseball season which opens on 1 April.

CRISTOBAL HICHE

Cris Hiche (right) and former LA Dodgers pitcher Omar Daal (left) after a league game in the Arizona heat

Cristobal Hiche’s illustrious baseball career has seen him play at the high school, college and semi-professional league level in the USA as well as at international level representing Chile at Under-12, Under-16 and now at senior level with the National Team. In 2002 he joined the International Baseball Academy in Brazil where he played alongside the legendary Cuban player, Lazaro Vargas, who won the Olympic gold medal with the Cuba National Team twice, in 1992 and 1996. Hiche then went on to play for Glendale Community College in Arizona, followed by two seasons (2005-2007) with the Athletics in Liga Valle del Sol. Between 2008 and 2010 he played for the Sahuaripas in the Mesa Semi-Pro League alongside former or injured Minor League players trying to work their way back into the pros, as well as former MLB players such as pitcher Omar Daal, who played for the LA Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, Arizona Diamondbacks and ended his career with the Baltimore Olioles in 2003.

Last year Hiche returned to Liga Valle del Sol playing for the Tiburones and was voted the League’s Most Valuable Player. In his career he has been used primarily as a first baseman and in the outfield. He has not pitched since high school, but we understand that the Falcons may add him to the bullpen to give the team an additional left-handed pitcher option. Hiche was upbeat about the upcoming season despite the team having two difficult seasons in the NBL. “I am new to NBL but looking at our team and new players like Robbie, we should be fighting for the championship for sure.” He added: “The key in these leagues is being healthy and having a deep pitching rotation.”

JAKE MICHELS

24-year-old Jake Michels comes from New York and in the last four seasons has played for the Athletics in the Hudson Valley National Adult Baseball Association (HVNABA). During his time in the HVNABA his primary positions have been pitcher and third base. His career batting average with the Athletics is an impressive .391 with a slugging average of .500. He has two home runs and that stat is likely to be much higher this year in the friendly confines of Grovehill Ballpark. Crucially his batting stats have been rising steadily over the last 4 years and he had his best offensive season last year, so it seems that the Falcons are welcoming a player whose value is rising. Last season Michels was ranked amongst the top five in Hits (2^nd), Doubles (2^nd), RBIs (4^th).

A statement by the Athletics on their official website confirmed the departure of Jake Michels and emphasised the pivotal role played by him adding that: “The loss of Jake Michels will be difficult to overcome.” Michels has already arrived in the United Kingdom and has started spring training with Herts in preparation for the new season. Despite spending the last four years in New York, Michels is no stranger to British baseball. He represented GB as a member of the GB U-19 National Team in 2006 and is currently being considered for the GB Under-23 squad which will be travelling to Boston later this year.

It is clear that Michels is looking forward to the new season and looking to compete. “I believe with the additions Herts has made the team will be, not only a playoff contender, but a contender to be there until the end. With the addition of myself, Cris, Robbie and several more players who I understand will be announced shortly, we will score a lot of runs and bring a depth of pitching to each game.” “From what I have seen so far, pitchers should not be looking forward to pitching against the top half of Herts batting lineup in 2012” said Michels.

Herts Falcons Manager, Lee Manning, is very pleased with these additions to the roster. “Both Cris and Jake have settled in already and it feels like they have been part of the team for a long time” said Manning. He added: “Both have played baseball at a very high level and their experience will help our team enormously”.

WILL YOU BE WEARING THE HERTS JERSEY IN 2012?

19 February 201220 February 2012 by AspiDimitrov

Herts baseball teams return to Grovehill Ballpark

Report by Will Baxter, hertsbaseball.com

This weekend the Herts teams returned to Grovehill Ballpark for the first time in 2012. The last baseball game played at Grovehill Ballpark was on 9 October 2011 in the Hunlock Series. That seems a long time ago now. Although there are still 42 days left before the start of the new league season, Spring Training is well underway with a series of indoor sessions in the last few weeks.

However, there is no better feeling than going back to the ballpark. The ground conditions may not be ideal after months in the harsh winter conditions and without cutting the grass as the heavy maintenance vehicles cannot enter the field, but the sun was out and it is starting to feel like the new baseball season is just around the corner.

Herts baseball fans will be very pleased to learn that catcher, Dave Westfallen, returned to training after a long period on the DL with a shoulder problem. It will take some time before he returns to full fitness but the progress is very positive.

The Herts coaches put the players through the riggers of a hard training session and finished with a scrimmage game giving the players the opportunity to go through some game situations.

17 February 201217 February 2012 by AspiDimitrov

ESPN selects Herts first baseman Glen Downer for MLB European camp

This evening ESPN announced that Herts first baseman, Glen Downer, is one of 10 players selected form around Europe to attend MLB’s European Academy in Italy as part of ESPN’s competition.

Downer joined Herts in 2011 and made an immediate impact bringing a lot of power to the batting lineup and reliability at first base.

MLB’s European Academy is located in the city of Pisa. Downer will depart for Italy on 2 March 2012 and will be returning on 4 March to resume Spring Training with Herts. Among the others who were selected are players from Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Denmark, Hungary as well as two more British-based players. The winners were announced officially on ESPN’s SportsCenter.

10 February 201210 February 2012 by AspiDimitrov

Big season ahead for little leaguers

In 2012 the Herts U17 and U14 teams will be wearing the same baseball jerseys as the senior Herts teams

by Rob Jones, hertsbaseball.com

Herts baseball club has had a busy off-season, but one of the most important elements of the club gets going again this Sunday – the youth leagues. In the past couple of years, the Herts All-Stars have been showing the way for the adult members.

Players in the Under-17, Under-14 and Under-11 categories all get their first chance to pull on a baseball glove this Sunday. Spring training takes place at the indoor facility at Berkhamsted Sportspace.

Some of those taking part in the session will already be veterans of two runs deep into British baseball’s post-season. Brodie Caress and Jose Morillo were part of the team which won the 2010 Under-14 National Championship, and also finished runners-up in 2011. The Herts All-Stars have made a huge impact on the national scene, and many of the players saw their first ever baseball action on Grovehill’s diamonds in Hemel Hempstead.

Graduates of the Herts Little League also made a big splash in the adult leagues in 2011. At the top level, Liam Green made his debut for the Falcons in the National League. In two games on the pitcher’s mound, he did not give up a single earned run. He is an exciting and maturing prospect, who only took up the sport when Herts began its programme for kids in 2008. When he began, he admits he thought the sport was “rubbish”, but he soon changed his views!

For the Raptors, Zack Longboy claimed the Best Pitcher Award in his first adult season, which was a just reward for his calm and technically superb work on the mound. This year he will be helping his Dad manage the team. Jose Morillo was also a regular in the Raptors team and made great progress during the year, so much so that he won the coach’s award.

But the impact and importance of the youngest Herts players went beyond mere results and awards. It was about setting an example. When Zack Longboy caught a fly-ball deep in left field at Cambridge, his excellent technique was noted loudly by the home bench. One of their veterans stood up and shouted to his team-mates to watch and learn how you should catch a fly ball. His was not just any old voice — Cambridge went on the win the national Single-A title.

Opposing managers were frequently “gobsmacked”, in coach Ken Pike’s evocative words, to find out how young the Raptors’ young stars really were. They felt that once power was added to their formidable skills, these would be dangerous players. In training, the Little Leaguers could often teach their adult counterparts a thing or two, passing on tips and techniques.

Liam Green is just one of the young Herts players who has already had a call-up for the GB team. He went with the Cadets squad to Sweden in 2010. Late last year Morillo, Caress and Callum Vangundy were successful in trials for the Under-16 British squad, while Jake caress, Jonny Compton-Weight and Kyle Lloyd-Jones – who are all jumping up an age group – are in the mix for the Under-19 programme. The ever growing list of Herts youngsters playing baseball for their country shows how far young talent can progress.

And, of course, all of this is perhaps ignoring the true heart of the programme. Which is that on summer weekends, scores of boys and girls between 6 and 16 can come along to Grovehill and play baseball just for the love of it. There are cheering crowds of parents, superb donuts, and great baseball played at the Herts Little League. Anyone can try it. And everyone should. Any kids interested in playing should get in touch with the Herts baseball club, where they can expect a warm welcome – and maybe one day a call-up to the British team.