Category: Uncategorized

9 July 20139 July 2013 by Matt Bell

Raptors bats ablaze to clinch playoffs on hottest day

Will Zucker hits another grounder as the Raptors drove through their nearest opposition in 30 degree heat

by Ken Pike

The Raptors hosted Southern Single A Pool A rivals Milton Keynes knowing that a win would clinch a guaranteed playoff position and set them up to win the pool outright and earn a first round bye at Farnham Park. They were facing a team that had beaten them by the narrowest of margins earlier in the year, and while the self assured pronouncements that the Raptors had been missing key players were not without basis, there was still room for doubt and question over what the result would be.

In 32 degree heat the Raptors had taken a very easy warmup to conserve energy and hydration levels while Milton Keynes took the opposite approach. After watching their sister team, the Eagles’ playoff hopes sadly fail at the hands of the Pool C leaders, London Marauders the delayed Pool A titans clash could commence. Young Brodie Caress’ reassured mound performance only saw a couple of Coyotes get on base, but the first inning was ultimately cleaned out without any damage being done. The Raptors’ bats had been vicious all year and if anything the sun had set them on fire as they made mincemeat of the opening Coyotes pitcher going around the order and drawing a replacement pitcher to the mound before three outs were recorded opening up an 11 run lead right from the word go.

Back in the dugout a touch of overconfidence asserted itsself with players lamenting that the Raptors could have been looking at a perfect season were it not for a couple of weak performances, but Milton Keynes came back to the field with more intent. They notched up two scores as some defensive errors started to creep into the Herts team. T he sun played a serious part with several balls lost in the blazing sky and the heat causing some more lapses of concentration. The starters for the home side have an average on base percentage of well over .500 and more than 170 stolen bases (17 per game) before going in to this game so two runs was hardly a concern. The Raptors promptly brought around another 8 runners to pump the lead to 17.

The third inning played out somewhat differently though. Whether the heat had finally got to the Raptors as well, or whether Brodie Caress’ young arm was getting tired is uncertain but a series of errors and missed chances allowed 8 Milton Keynes Players to cross home plate. The final out came courtesy of short stop Will Zucker who ignored the fact that he could not see the ball which had again disappeared in the sun, and he guessed at its location… correctly. Certainly a wobble for the home defense, but quickly mitigated with 4 reply runs leaving a reduced lead of 13.

The Raptors blip was shortlived however as they came back refocused. Brodie struck out two Coyotes before the final out at first retired the side in order and the Raptors bats came back out to knock in another 3 and the lead looked healthy again at 16. The young pitcher’s arm and concentration had been shot by the fifth inning where five players crossed the plate. Never the less it was far too little as the Raptors brought in another 10 going around the order one and a half times in the bottom of the inning and putting the game beyond any reasonable doubt with a lead of over 20 runs.

In an effort to shut down the game and get out of the sun, coach Arnie Longboy brought out sidearm closer Will Zucker. Will made a slightly shakey start, thanks in part to accidentally hitting a Coyote very squarely on the knee with a wild pitch. While it took him an inning to get his composure fully back he allowed only 2 runs in the sixth and seventh while the Raptors responded with 2 of their own. The lead remained at 20 at the top of the last inning, but this was too much of an ask for a now dehydrated and exhausted Coyotes team who valiantly got 2 runners around before Will Zucker struck out the final batter to bring the Raptors team to ecstatic jubilation knowing they had just secured the first playoff in Raptors history.

As the players cheered and embraced it was plain to see what this result meant to them, and it is certain they will be bringing their determination and love of the game to Farnham park for the off season. Having beaten every team they faced over the past 7 games, including the heavyweight Marauders, Blackjacks, Arrow and now Coyotes they carry a serious momentum with them. Another win and they top their pool, while topping the single A league can be guaranteed with three straight wins inthe remaining games or a mixture of wins and Marauders losses.

Raptors coach Arnie Longboy said: : “I am so proud of the team and what we’ve done to get this far. A few people have asked me how we’ve managed to score so many runs this season. First of all we have had production throughout the entire line up. The fact that our number nine hitter leads the team in RBI’s should tell you something. Secondly I think the guys have come to realize that just some basic fundamentals of base running and situational hitting can make a big difference. Yes, we continue to have the occasional fielding errors and that’s to be expected. But more importantly we have managed to eliminate almost all mental errors on the base paths that cost us outs. And with our mix of young talent, sophomore players, and veterans really starting to gel it should make for an exciting rest of the season and of course Farnham park!”

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R
MK Coyotes	0	2	8	0	5	2	2	19
Herts Raptors	11	8	4	3	10	2	0	38

15 June 201315 June 2013 by Rob Jones

Greetings from Wilderness Park

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

There have been many moments to remember:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2 June 20135 June 2013 by Rob Jones

Eagles brought down to earth by Richmond

Herts Eagles 9-37 Richmond Dukes, Grovehill Ballpark

The Eagles’ impressive winning streak was brought to a sharp halt on Sunday (June 2nd) by the power of the Richmond bats, and a dominant performance on the mound by Dan Collett.

The game started with the teams seeming evenly matched. Andrew Slater was pitching for the home side and was once again staying in the strike zone and fearlessly challenging hitters. The top half of the Dukes line-up showed its capabilities and brought home some early runs, 2 in the first and 4 more in the second.

Andy Cornish powered the Eagles offense for the day, with 2 hits and 4 RBIs

But the Herts fielders were able to keep it under control. The Eagles manager, Duncan Hoyle, made a strong throw on a difficult dribbler to third to get one batter out. Shortstop Rob Jones and first baseman Michael Cresswell made their contribution to the highlight reel, with Jones diving to backhand a ground ball before unleashing a desperate throw which bounced several times before Cresswell grabbed it to beat the runner by half a step.

The Eagles also put up runs of their own, Hoyle bringing in two runners with an imperious line drive. Adam Landau-Smithers continued his season of walks and stolen bases to score one of three runs the home side put on the board in the opening frames.

But Herts also hurt their own cause with some mistakes on the basepaths. Twice, they committed the cardinal sin of making the final out of an inning at third base, attempting ill-advised steals.

At that point it looked as if it could go either way. Then Collett really found his rhythm and Herts started to fall behind. The Richmond hitters consistently found gaps in both infield and outfield, and it seemed clear that this day was not going to fall in Herts’ favour. Mike Archibald and David d’Urbano were a constant threat along with Collett, each hitting multiple RBI’s.

Slater was relieved after throwing more than a hundred pitches, and Michael Cresswell began well on the mound. But he then lost his zone and had to be substituted after suffering an injury. Rob Jones was the next to take the ball, getting out of the inning with the help of two infield fly balls but then issuing two walks and hitting a batter in the seventh.

With the Dukes now comfortably ahead there was little doubt that the game would end after seven innings on the mercy rule. But there were high still points for Herts. Catcher Andy Cornish hit a booming three-run triple in the sixth inning, the cherry on the top of a day which saw him go 2-for-2 with 4 RBI’s.

New players also enjoyed success. Rookie Chetan Shah made a good catch in the outfield and made better and better contact with the bat as the day went on. Daniela Phillips was substituted in to the demanding position of third base, and made the final defensive out with an impressive throw across the diamond on a ground ball.

All in all, manager Duncan Hoyle was disappointed but resolute. “There’s no shame in being beaten by the better team on the day”, he said, “and Richmond were very strong. We still made some good plays. We are at .500 on the year which is excellent, and the league is still wide open if we keep up the form we have been showing.”

13 May 201315 May 2013 by Rob Jones

Derby day ends with upset win for Eagles

Herts Eagles 31-30 Herts Raptors, Grovehill, Sunday 12th May

How many runs do you need to lead by if you are to feel secure in a baseball game? Yesterday’s Herts derby didn’t give us a definitive answer, but we do know that it’s more than 17. Because that is the cushion which the Eagles had built up over their Single-A rivals by the end of the fifth inning. But it was not enough to prevent a nail-biting finale.

Herts debutant Antony McDowell pitched a complete game

The game started badly for the home side, Duncan Hoyle’s Eagles, as missed chances and poor throws allowed the Raptors to rack up runs. Hoyle had to call in his fielders for a pep talk before a single out had been recorded, an illustration of how crucial this game was.

Raptors scored six in the first frame, but the Eagles quickly answered back with 5 against starting pitcher Jeff Witter. Mike Cresswell led off with a single, and after stealing bases he came home to score the first run. We will hear more of Cresswell later. By the end of the second inning, Eagles led by 15-6.

The Eagles had a Dominican debutante on the pitchers mound, Antony McDowell. He was making his first start for the club, though he clearly was no new boy to baseball. He kept the powerful Raptors bats in check and the defence tightened up behind him, so that for four consecutive innings the Raptors did not score a single run.

Rain had fallen a couple of times by the end of the fifth, when the score had reached 23-6, and heavy downpours had been forecast for late afternoon. It’s possible that minds on the Eagles bench were starting to turn towards a mercy rule victory, or even a convenient rainout now the game was official. Several of the starters had been subbed out to give playing time for the large squad.

Arnie Longboy’s Raptors, though, were far from giving up. As McDowell perhaps showed some signs of tiredness, the hits and the runs started to come. Theo Scheepers was a constant threat, and Longboy himself hit a long drive to the outfield. The highlight was a bases clearing triple by Brodie Caress — and he crowned his hit by coming home to score on an overthrow.

The Raptors' Brodie Caress pitched, hit and fielded like a winner, but ended up on the losing side.

The Raptors scored an improbable 13 runs in the top of the sixth, and were down by just four. And the Eagles run rate had slowed dramatically since the early outburst. Caress had come in to pitch, and looked as if he could be in line for a remarkable win. Catcher Ken Pike helped cut down base-stealer with a laser throw to end an inning, and keep his team in the game.

The momentum was clearly with the Raptors. But now, with the rain falling steadily, the Eagles stood firm when they could have crumbled. Rory Hutchinson, new to the game of baseball, had been introduced at shortstop as part of the sixth-inning changes. He made back-to-back excellent stops to secure outs and save runs. In the wilds of right field, Adam Landau-Smithers made two heart-stopping snow-cone catches on fly balls drifting back towards the fence.

McDowell had got a second wind, and was perhaps determined not to see his remarkable effort go to waste. In all, he threw close to 250 pitches on the day. His efforts helped limit any further big onslaught from the Raptors, although they did take the lead. They were in front, 30-28, as the Eagles went in to bat in the bottom of the ninth. The stage was set.

The first man got on, stole second. And up stepped pinch hitter Adrian Smithers, last year’s home run champion. He’d not played since the first game of the season, but he came through with a drive down the third base line to bring in a run. He scored the tying run himself after Will Belbin continued his excellent form at the plate and got aboard.

And when lead-off man Mike Cresswell stepped in, Belbin was there on third base as the winning run waiting to score. Cresswell was calm, as if nothing was at stake. The crack of the bat was a clean sound and the ball sailed decisively out to the outfield. Arms aloft, Will Belbin crossed the plate. He was mobbed by a team which had its first win of the season in the most dramatic fashion.