Category: Opinion

by AspiDimitrov

THAT TINGLING FEELING

It's that time of week when you really start to feel the presence of the weekend's game, just around the corner. I work shifts, so the “Friday feeling” is a bit of a mystery to me — but the imminence of a baseball game gives life a whole new sheen. You check the weather forecast; you start planning your route to an away game; and you catch yourself practising your batting swing while waiting in line at the canteen. There is the tantalising possibility that the last week's disappointments can be replaced with slick plays in the field, and majestic hits at the plate. Every week, it's a fresh, green canvas. Maybe that's what keeps us coming back.

 

by AspiDimitrov

UP AND RUNNING

This was my first game of the season so there were lots of firsts – the first satisfying out; the first frustrating error; the first hit; the first walk. And I was on first base, too. It's almost poetic isn't it?

The first out came quickly, in the top of the first inning, a ground ball slower than I originally judged, so it didn't have the momentum it needed to jump into my glove. Therefore I juggled it before running to first and stepping on the bag. Not smooth, but an out nonetheless. The key mistake came late in the game. First is an unforgiving position — great to be involved so often, but the out is considered routine, the easy play, and you have to make it. When it would have really helped us to beat the runner, I let a low throw from the shortstop slip out of my glove, when I might've done better to have scooped it up. You learn. Well, let's hope.

Overall there were bright spots for the team. Our inexperience showed but there were few howlers, if any, and there is heart in abundance. We lost by what the Americans would call “a football score” but it could all have been so different. I am up and running, with a mix of good and bad on the report card.

 

by AspiDimitrov

Welcome to the Blog

Hello there,

I am Rob Jones, of the Herts Raptors. I have been with the club for six years, playing pretty much exclusively as an outfielder. Having finally won a Gold Glove last year, I am now trying out life as an infielder. That is the “Change” that this blog will be about. Of course, it'll also be about the team's ups and downs, the joys and frustrations of life as a small-time British baseball player, and probably a bit about the weather.  

by AspiDimitrov

WHERE EAGLES DARE [Newswire Op-Ed]

NEWSWIRE OPINION EDITORIAL

2007 Falcons Manager Bruce Dullea – now with the Sidewindersorganisation – has been following closely the on and off-fielddevelopments at Herts Baseball with the unique interest of anoutsider/alumni.  He offers his wise and candid perspective into theFalcons chances for success in the National League, some skepticismabout the future of the Herts franchise, and some praise for the club's”meteoric rise” of late.  Does this renewed interest in his formerfamily foreshadow Dullea's return to the fold… the prodigal son comehome again?  Or is it, simply, a message in the proverbial bottlewashed up from distant shores?

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

WHERE EAGLES DARE
by Bruce Dullea

Forthose of us who didn’t sleep through our Greek mythology class, weshould remember the story of Icarus.  Deciding not to heed the adviceof his Father, he chose to fly too close to the sun, thinking that thehigher he flew, the more God-like he would become. Tragically, hisfeathers, which were made of wax, melted, and he fell into the sea.

Someof the more erudite members of the Herts Falcons may be aware of thelegend of Icarus.  Analogies do exist.  Their recent history is trulyfascinating, and is a lesson in perseverance, tenacity, and overcomingadversities.  After examining what they have endured, and where theyhave come from, it is apparent that the club has made a remarkableascent through the ranks of the British Baseball Federation.  (Givenwhat they’ve gone through, perhaps they should rename themselves thePhoenix).  After languishing for two years in the bottom of the premierleague, and then being subsequently relegated, they have made ameteoric rise.  Initially promoted to the then premier league in 2005,they found the competition very arduous.   In 2005 and 2006 theyfinished near the bottom of the league, and in September of 06 wound uplosing an epic extra inning relegation playoff game to the Burgess HillColts.   This meant that in just two mere years after gainingpromotion, they were then forced to take a major step back by beingrelegated to the division that they formerly had conquered.  At thetime, they more resembled the legend of Sisyphus than Icarus.  Ratherthan wallow in self-pity, the club made it their personal mission toretool, improve, and once again attain promotion. 

Since thatepic defeat, the club has experienced nothing but success.  In 2007they finished with an 18-3 record, won the Division I Southern pennant,and were the National runner-up in the Final 4.  They were thenrewarded with a promotion back to the Premiere (now called AAA)division.  Their performance in the 2008 campaign surpassed everyone’sexpectations.  The club finished with a 21-3 campaign, clinched aplayoff spot, won their division, and ultimately brought home thehardware by winning the AAA National Championship.  Perhaps what iseven more astonishing is that their accomplishments off the field haveexceeded their success on the diamond.  While baseball clubs have beenfolding all over the country, they have been a model for consistency aswell as how to develop the sport in the UK.  In 2007 they founded theirown Little League, which has prospered and proven to be verysuccessful.  They have the most impressive website and the most mediasavvy club in the UK.  They have grown to three teams with over 50members, can boast of a multitude of corporate sponsors, and haverecently received permission to build a second field at Grovehill Park,which has been their home since their inception in 1996.

Thecoup de grace came last Monday, when the BBF announced that the Falconshave accepted a promotion to the National League, the top tier leaguein the country.  To those of us who have followed British Baseball andin particular the trials and travails of the Herts Baseball Club, thisis a truly unbelievable accomplishment, and they must be commended.

Whatdoes the future hold for the HBC?  Since accepting the invitation tojoin the National League, they have announced that they are forming afourth team (the Eagles) which will take the place of the Falcons andcompete in the AAA division in 2009.  Are they growing too soon, toofast?  How much of a risk are they taking?  It is readily obvious thatalthough the club is capitalizing on their recent successes, they havemany challenges and questions in front of them.

Sources havesaid that the Falcons benefited from a “watered” down 2008 AAAdivision.  They no longer had to compete against the CambridgeMonarchs, the perennial power that had folded once their Americanmilitary base closed.  They didn’t have to play against any of theNational League clubs.  One club (Milton Keynes) disbanded during theseason and another (Bristol) was an expansion club.  The last time theteam was in the premier league they regularly faced pitchers who threwin the 90’s, including Glen Goodrich, Bob Runyon, and Derek Kelly, twoof whom pitched professionally in the US.  Long time observers feltthat the team benefitted from facing weaker pitching in 2008.  Evenagainst the diluted pitching, the team suffered a prolonged battingslump during the course of the season.    Their team batting average of.308 was more than 100 points lower than their previous (AA) season,and their home run total dropped from 14 to 4, even though GrovehillPark is very accommodating to right handed power hitters.

How will the Falcons hitters fare against the London Mets, who were 23-1 and gave up an average of 2.2 runs per game?

Will the club be able to hit against Richmond’s Cody Cain, a hard throwing right hander?

Theclub’s 21-3 record was impressive, but on closer inspection, 3 of thewins were by forfeit and 6 others were decided by one run.  Two otherclubs scored more runs and matched their run differential.  Are theyreally a legitimate NBL team, or do they need more time to grow andprove themselves?

The Falcons pitching was very strong in 08,and carried the team when they weren’t hitting.  Their top two pitchersare master craftsmen who rely on control rather than power.  It remainsto be seen how they will fare against National League batters.

In2006, the last time the club faced National League teams, they went 0-4and were outscored 66-9. Granted, the team struggled throughout theseason, and it was a totally different environment, but many of theteam’s nucleus were a part of that club.

The biggest questionmark is how the club will fill the roster for the newly formed Eagles. They will need a massive recruiting effort to ensure that the club iscompetitive and the talent from the three existing clubs aren’tdiluted.   Their two other clubs (Hawks & Raptors) will need tokeep the core of their rosters intact to remain competitive.  TheFalcons will need everyone to help them compete in the NBL.  In thelast three seasons, clubs have folded in Shropshire, Brighton,Liverpool, London, Windsor, and Cambridge.  There is also a rumour thatthe Northern National Baseball League will disband.  Baseball in the UKis dying, not growing.  Where will they find the extra players?

Ithas been reported that the HBC Executive Committee voted unanimously toaccept the promotion invitation.  However, a published report fromtheir website indicated that there was some internal trepidation aboutthe move.  What was the mood in the boardroom, and how much internaldissent was there?  Are there expansion plans overly optimistic, ordoes the club truly feel that they can field 4 competitive teams oneyear removed from AA ball?  Did they feel overly compelled to go forbroke, or should prudence have won out?

Another question to askis the BBF’s rationale in extending the invitation.  It is obvious thatthe sport is declining in the UK.  In 2004, there were 6 clubs in theNL south.  Three of those clubs (Windsor Bears, London Warriors, andthe Brighton Buccaneers) no longer exist.   With the recent disbandmentof the Liverpool Trojans, there are now only two remaining NL northclubs, and in all likelihood there will not be a Northern Division in09.  Given the current state of the NBL, something had to be done, butit remains to be seen as to whether the Falcons will be competitive,and what impact their promotion will have on the HBC.

In anyevent, the Falcons have made their decision.  It is risky, but you haveto give them credit.  They are ambitious and are one of the trulypositive stories about baseball in Britain.  Everyone is pulling forthem.  They are also now in the same position as Icarus.  Their wingswill take them up, up, and away to the NBL.  There will be no goingback.

Was Daedalus around to warn them of the perils of flying too high, too soon?

Are their wings made of wax?

Next year, we will find out.

I wish them all the best on their journey.

by AspiDimitrov

(VIDEO) BASEBALL IS TALK OF THE TOWN

 

 

This Saturday the town centre in Hemel Hempstead had an added baseball flavour.  Members of the adult and Little League teams of Herts Baseball Club alongside Little League parents invaded the Riverside Shopping Centre.  This was billed as a fundraising event for the club’s Grovehill Ballpark Project, but it was about a lot more than just raising funds.  This was an opportunity for the club to spread news of the great work it does for the local community and the fantastic opportunities it offers for youngsters and adults to play baseball by joining one of the best and coolest sports clubs in the UK.

 

 

It was impressive to see so many members of the public who were already aware of Herts Baseball Club and the game of baseball.  Those who did not know that baseball is being played right on their doorstep, took the club’s recruitment flyer and the club is very happy to report that within hours of the event, the club’s website started to receive enquiries about joining the Herts Baseball Little League and the Herts adult teams.  Herts Little League Vice President, Marty Cullen, said: “This was a very successful event and we intend to do more promotional events in the future.  We certainly hope that we will have the opportunity to say hello again to the many people who we met today, but this time in our home at Grovehill Ballpark.”

 

Many shoppers had the opportunity to take part in the Baseball Quiz to test their baseball knowledge and they certainly did well despite some hesitation earlier in the day. 

 

Amazingly, one of the Quiz contestants turned out to be a relative of New York Mets third baseman, David Wright.  It is beyond belief that one of the superstars of baseball who can be regularly seen on the front covers of the world’s major sports magazines, has a relative right here in Hemel Hempstead.  But then again, Hemel Hempstead is becoming something of a central point for baseball in the UK, so it makes sense that UK-based relatives of baseball stars would be living in Hemel Hempstead.

 

The undoubted stars of the day were the Little League boys and girls who were buzzing around from start to finish with their collection buckets.  In total they single-handedly raised £177.96 from the very generous residents of Hemel and other parts of Hertfordshire – an amazing achievement by the Little Leaguers.

 

Many members of the public also left their good luck video messages to the Herts Falcons ahead of their games in the AAA British National Championships Final 4 on 6-7 September. 

 

Herts Baseball Club wants to thank the Riverside Shopping Centre in Hemel for allowing this fundraising event to take place on their premises.

 

 

Can you believe it?  New York Mets third baseman, David Wright,

has relatives right here in Hemel Hempstead.

by AspiDimitrov

HERTS RAPTORS SUFFER A DAY FULL OF LOSSES.

Report by Herts Baseball Newswire reporter, HUNTER DEVINE

The Herts Raptors suffered their second walk off loss of the season on Sunday, falling 18-17 to the Braintree Rays. In both cases the Raptors had sizable leads only to watch them slip away through poor defence.

Leading 10-2 through the first half of the game, Jake Kikel had thrown a gem of a game and the Raptors bench were talking of slaughter rule victories a bit too soon as the Rays struck back reducing the once sizeable lead to a mere few tallies.

The Raptors refused to surrender however, never actually giving up their lead, and adding extra runs on heading into the bottom of the 9th with a three run lead and Mark Hoffman on the mound. With two outs, bases empty and the game tied, the Rays relief pitcher smacked a ball, splitting the outfielders whom could not retrieve it in time due to their lack of speed and the lack of a fence, allowing the runner to come home and win the game.

It should be noted that the Raptors played with exactly 9 players all day, where as the Rays had 15 and made numerous substitutes. However, that is still no consolation.

There were positive aspects in the game, though. Andrew Slater, in his first game back after a two week break, hit the ball exceedingly well getting a double, as well as being robbed of a second.

Not only was the game lost, but two of the team's favourite bats; the red 33″, much to Slater's despair, and the standard 32″ were too.

Herts Raptors at Braintree Rays
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 R H E
Herts Raptors 1 0 1 0 8 1 0 3 0 3 17 26 3
Braintree Rays 1 0 0 1 1 7 1 3 0 4 18 21 1

Braintree Rays 18, Herts Raptors 17
Braintree Rays Herts Raptors
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Player 1 p 4 5 2 1 Hunter Devine 2b 5 3 3 1
Player 2 c 6 3 4 2 Jake Kikel p-1b 6 2 4 4
Player 3 1b 4 1 1 2 Mark Hoffman 1b-p 6 2 4 0
Player 4 2b 6 0 2 1 Jonathon Lewys c 6 3 4 2
Player 5 3b 6 2 3 0 Paul Hawes cf 5 2 3 3
Player 6 ss 3 2 1 1 Steve Nippress lf 5 1 2 1
Player 7 lf 6 2 5 2 Andrew Slater 3b 6 2 2 3
Player 8 cf 5 2 3 1 Ilya Dimitrov ss 6 1 3 1
Player 9 rf 5 1 0 1 Robert Crouch rf 5 1 1 1
TEAM TOTALS 45 18 21 11 TEAM TOTALS 50 17 26 16

E: Player 5, Andrew Slater(2), Ilya Dimitrov. LOB: Herts Raptors 9, Braintree Rays
12. 2B: Player 2, Andrew Slater(2), Mark Hoffman, Jake Kikel, Paul Hawes. HR: Player
2. SB: Player 1(8), Player 2(3), Player 7(3), Player 8(3), Player 9(3), Player 6(2),
Player 3, Jonathon Lewys(4), Mark Hoffman(3), Jake Kikel(2), Paul Hawes(2), Hunter
Devine(2), Ilya Dimitrov(2), Andrew Slater, Steve Nippress.

Braintree Rays IP H R ER BB SO
Player 1 W 9.00 26 17 16 2 6
Herts Raptors            
Jake Kikel 6.00 13 10 8 6 10
Mark Hoffman L 3.00 8 8 7 3 2

HBP: by Player 1 (Steve Nippress). , by Jake Kikel (Player 1). . , by Mark Hoffman
(Player 1). . . WP: Mark Hoffman(3). T: 4:00. A: 30.

by AspiDimitrov

AN UPDATE AFTER OUR FIRST WIN!

Last Sunday’s win, the first in Raptor history, was thebest I’d seen us play as a team. Everything was rolling along really. Pitching,Jake was awesome, defence, was awesome despite the rough infield which caused anumber of bad hops and the offence, which has put up 19 runs or more in thelast two games.

On a personal level it was another successful game,probably my best of the young season. It was the first time I’d really beentested in regards to working the count- before all I was looking for were hitsregardless of the count- but on Sunday I was forced to work really hard for twoof my walks. Both times I fell behind in the count 0-2 and managed to draw awalk, by fouling pitches off and taking some borderline calls. That wasprobably the part of my game on Sunday I was happiest about, or felt thebiggest improvement in, since it is very easy to just give up in anunfavourable count.

Defensively, despite being errorless in the season sincebecoming a second baseman, I have to improve. It seems at training everybodyhas their opinion on what needs fixing mechanically, which is fine since I wantto be the best I can be, but a lot of information I get can be conflicting soit’s hard to sort it all out mentally. Luckily last Wednesday I was fortunate enoughto observe Kimi as he trained with me at second- so hopefully some of hisfielding, well general baseball, magic rubbed off on me.

Also, since the scoring machine has been broken for thelast two games I kept track of what I’ve done this season in case anybody isinterested.

GP    AB    H    AVG    R    2B    3B    HR    RBI    BB    SB    K    OBP    SLG
3       15      9  .600   7     2       1     0       5       3       7      2     .667     .867

by AspiDimitrov

OP-EXTRA: OLD TIMERS’ RESPOND (Letter to the Editor)

LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

Herts Baseball legend and current Old Timers' ace, PAUL RAYBOULD, gives his vews on umpiring, field standards and other topics raised in the “Welcome to the Show” Column in the wake of the clash with the Raptors on '08 Opening Day.

With reference to “Newswire Game 1 Recap”, although I understand the criticism made of the umpire and the field conditions at Enfield for the Raptors game against the Old Timers, unfortunately these limitations have to be accepted as a part of the British game.

 

During my 23 years playing for a variety of BBF teams, I’ve been to some quite scary baseball fields around the country. The field in Tonbridge in Kent backed onto an archery range so you took your life in your hands when retrieving a foul ball. Meanwhile, the Tonbridge outfield had deep tractor treads gouged across it so attempting to gather a ground ball was something of a lottery. At the home field of the Leeds City Royals, I remember having to take great care when trying to catch a fly ball to deep right field. The flimsy plastic fence was little protection from the steep ravine on the other side. The Sutton Braves field in south London had a nice level infield. However, once past second base, the ground sloped downhill. From home plate, all you could see on the horizon was the caps of the outfielders!

 

Many members of the Herts Baseball Club know of my feelings in respect of the Grovehill field. Although Kal, Aspi, and others go to great efforts to keep it in shape, when the cut-out area gets dry, every footprint leaves a giant crater in the soft sand. I’m surprised that nobody has been seriously injured by a hard hit ground ball bouncing up out of one of those divots.

 

The Enfield diamond that the Old Timers share with the Sidewinders was once one of the best in the land. This was back in the days of the almighty Enfield Spartans. The majority of Spartan players lived locally and regularly maintained the field. None of the Old Timers live anywhere near Enfield. We come from all over the country. I don’t think the Sidewinders live local either. So, we have to rely on the uneducated and disinterested Enfield Council ground keepers to look after the field. They cut the grass and that’s about it.

 

There are several rolls of that orange plastic fencing in the changing rooms behind the Enfield diamond. The Old Timers should have erected it as a home run fence before the game and I will have a word with the old gits before the next home game. That doesn’t mean that I will be able to get them off their lazy asses.

 

Very, very Old Timer John Thomas umpired the game on the day. John is a lovely character with a great Liverpudlian sense of humour and in terrific shape for his age. He tells some wonderful stories including playing ball with Abner Doubleday in Cooperstown. I know he didn’t but he’s nearly old enough for it to be true.

 

In the top of the first inning of that game, I was playing second base. Being left-handed, it’s not a position I’ve played very often but as we say in the Old Timers, we are all utility players which means we’re not very good at any position. I was looking over our pitchers shoulder towards home plate (as you do) and noticed that the umpire was calling some very low strikes. When we came in to bat in the middle of the inning, I mentioned the low strike zone to Mike Harold, our shortstop. He agreed and called to our other players to watch out for the low zone.

 

I was batting sixth in the order and came to bat in the bottom of the first with the bases loaded and nobody out. Jacob’s first pitch to me was on the inside corner and I fouled it behind. I then took a couple of balls before swinging like an idiot at a pitch that was high and inside. With a 2-2 count, Jake threw a fastball over the plate but at my ankles so I left it. “Strike 3!” shouted the ump. Sometimes I should listen to my own advice.

 

The point I am trying to make is that John Thomas may not be the greatest umpire around but at least he is consistent and that’s what really matters. He may be a member of the Old Timers club but I didn’t notice any bias on the day. He got many calls wrong for both teams.

 

When the Old Timers requested to join the BBF league, we also asked for some special conditions. We asked for a reduced Membership Fee as many of the players are pensioners. We also asked if we could continue to use metal bats and a “runner” if any of our less-able players got on base. The BBF kindly agreed to all of our requests.

 

Although our games count as far as the standings are concerned, the Old Timers cannot get promoted. We will try to win but don’t want the stress of playing in a higher division. And when teams play us, we don’t mind if they want to use their metal bats or break any other stupid BBF rule. We just want to play baseball and poke fun at each other.

 

I started this contribution by saying that British baseball has to accept the limitations of sub-standard umpiring and field conditions. I don’t actually agree with that statement but over the last 23 years, I have not seen any great effort by the governing body to make things better. Don’t criticise the teams. Ask BSUK why they don’t spend some time and money on umpiring, coaching, player, and field development. Rumour has it that they’ve got loads of money.

by AspiDimitrov

GAME 1 RECAP

Well it’s been a while since I updated this,and for good reason. The HSL did not end well for me. Snowed out games andhorrific stomach bugs led to some serious frustration at the lack of baseball Iwas playing.

 

However, opening day finally arrived andwith it the chance to, not only play baseball for the first time in almostthree weeks, but help start a new team, in it’s first season, off on the rightnote, as well as prove myself as a player.

 

Nothing really went the Raptor’s way on theday though…

 

After arriving at the field and meeting upwith our skipper, I was warned straight away that the infield was not in thebest condition. Erm… a huge under statement.  When the infield gravel has more weeds and flowersgrowing on it than the outfield… you have to wonder exactly how old these ‘OldTimers’ are. But, as I later learned, youth is no substitute for experience(and metal bats).

 

Down by four in the second inning, the gamewas still in the balance, as I stepped up for my first at bat in the season.When I was batting last year I just couldn’t connect with the ball for somereason, it’s not like I don’t have an eye for a ball so I guess it was a mentalissue. Maybe I was thinking about it too much. At spring training I tried a fewthings out and was connecting with the ball but hitting them right at fielders,so I had decided before the game to just go up and not try to do too much. Iled of the inning off with an infield single which was a huge relief to kickthe season off in the right way.

 

However, in my mind, I wasn’t done yet. Iwanted to get us a run ASAP, so I proceeded to steal second and then third, butwasn’t greeted by Jake with the praise I was hoping for, and rightly so. It’svery important to remember this on the base paths, do not steal unless you’retold do so. I hadn’t really thought about it at the time, I’d just wanted toget us a run and get back in the game, but if you steal when the batter doesn’tknow you are going to then there is a very good chance they could get a pop upand then you’re both out. I could’ve actually hurt the team more, but luckilyit worked out and we sent on to score two in the inning. I won’t be doing thatagain though.

 

The game progressed and we had kept the scorecloser than in any game we’d played so far at 5-3. However, it was the fourthinning where we collapsed. I refuse to accept that it was Jake’s pitching thatlet us down. I respect umpires; their call is the final one. But, I’m sorry,when you are being so obviously biased and it results in 12 runs then I kind ofput my respect for you on the shelf. For starters the Old Timers had been usingmetal bats all game and Jake had done well to keep them in check, but then hisstrike zone seemed to get smaller and smaller until he was basically forced tothrow down the middle of the plate and of course metal bats turn little hits inbig ones. The defence messed up completely as well with bad throws to first,but that was the single most frustrating inning I have ever played in my life.

 

I went up to my next at bat (I’d been 2-2 onthe day so far with a wooden bat) and was determined to use a metal bat, notcaring what the other team or anybody thought. I was convinced that since I hadtwo singles with a wooden bat, I’d smoke the ball with a metal one. I popped upin the infield. And after that I just wasn’t angry anymore. We had played welland the official had let us down, though I’m not saying that is the only reasonwe lost- though  I think I remember him calling a ball that bounced before the plate a strike…

 

So much more happened in this game that I could talk about.  My first doubles, an awesome hit by Paul that could have been a home run if they'd bothered to set a fence up, another dozen  bad calls… but there would be too much to write about to keep you interested, if you're even  still reading that is.

 

Despite the scoreline, I felt there were lots of positives to takeaway from the game such as our sudden ability to score runs (something we'd struggled to consistently through a game in the past). So, hopefullytomorrow if we’re able to stop the other team scoring as many runs as last week(can it happen two weeks in a row? Surely not…) we can walk away with the firstwin in Raptor’s history.