Category: Youth Leagues

by Herts Baseball News Editor

First road trip for Herts U13 and U11 teams

report by Mike Wakelam

With Brighton setting up a new youth baseball programme in 2016, Herts U13 and U11 teams headed south for their first road trip of the season. With great weather and a warm welcome, a great day was had by all. The U11 teams had a couple of very competitive coach pitch games, with the first tied at 10, and Herts mixed team prevailing 10-8 in the second game.

Herts U13 team kicked off the first game by scoring 3 in the first inning with Mizuki Hosoi doubling before James Dullea drove in one and Joshua Jones drove in two. Rikuto Maruse, new to the baseball in September 2015, pitched the first 3 innings, giving up only two runs. The game was a tight one run affair until the top of the 6th, when Herts scored six more runs to break it open, the final score 11-4. Mizuki Hosoi and Cal McCreavy pitched effectively in relief.

In the second game James Dullea took the mound and threw 4 innings of two run ball, striking out the first 7 batters he faced, and 10 overall in a stellar performance. Alex Trautmen came on and pitched 2 strong innings in relief. Herts bats once again came alive scoring in all but one inning. The final score in this one was 11-3.

There were several defensive highlights during the day, with Joshua Jones firing a bullet across from 3rd to 1st to nail a runner and Oliver Sparks making a diving stop at 2nd base. Offensively, Mizuki Hosoi went 6 for 8, with 4 doubles and 4 RBI, Rikuto Maruse continued to hit the ball hard going 4 for 5 with 3 RBI, James Dullea showed poise at the plate in clutch situations, going 5/6 with 4 RBI and Joshua Jones went 5 for 7 with 6 RBI on the day.

“This team is really looking great not only on the field but as a team, “ manager Mike Wakelam said, “we have two players out injured at the moment, including one of our main catchers, and to see players step into that role temporarily for the team is great. The numbers looked great today, but the way they’re working together is their biggest strength at this stage of the season. The hospitality in Brighton was first class, and we look forward to hosting them in a couple of weeks at Grovehill, hopefully we can provide the same sun we saw down here!”

Herts U13 and U11 teams host LYBL at Grovehill next week, Saturday the 8th of May.

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Fulford appointed as Herts Under-17 Manager

Herts Baseball Club has confirmed that Andrew Fulford has been appointed as the club’s Under-17 Team Manager.

In an interview Fulford expressed his excitement at being appointed and provided more details about how he plans to approach this project. He said: “The most important thing for a baseball program for children and young adults is having an absolute blast and nurturing the maturity developing within youth players. To achieve this goal, I believe acquiring strong fundamental baseball skills is key. And it’s my aim to impart my baseball knowledge in a fun, creative, and effective way.”

A few weeks ago the club announced that they plan to invest in a new business model. This will involve investing in high quality coaches for the club’s youth programme. The aim of the experiment is to see if the investment would bring sufficient growth over the next 10 months. If the experiment is successful, the next step would be to adopt this new business model across most of its teams in time for the expected arrival of MLB to London in 2017.

“It was good to receive so many applications from coaches” said club board member, Aspi Dimitrov. He added that “the club is delighted to appoint Andrew. He already has so many fans at the club after joining as a player in 2012 and in just a few weeks he has become an integral part of the coaching staff in our youth programme. We very much hope that this new approach will succeed and Andrew’s appointment gives us a really good chance to do so”.

Fulford comes from Tampa, Florida, and he moved to Hemel Hempstead in 2012. He started playing when he was 4. After spending his early years in the Citrus Park Little League, Fulford went on to play for the varsity team at Sickles High School and later with Cambridge High School finishing as Florida Sate runners-up in 2009. During his career he has played under former MLB players Jody Reed, who played as second basemen for the Boston Red Sox, and Sam Marsonek who was a pitcher with the New York Yankees. He is 25-years-old and he will have the opportunity to pass on his many years of playing experience to the Herts boys and girls. As a player his primary position is catcher and he has also played in second base and pretty much in all other positions on the field.

“Growing up in Baseball, nothing was more empowering to my self-esteem than coaches who affirmed the abilities I possessed and encouraged me in my weaknesses” said Fulford. “At the same time nothing was more detrimental to my self-esteem than coaches who did the opposite. So it’s with great enthusiasm and a heart full of empowerment that I take on the role of Herts U17 team manager”

The club confirmed that they are continuing discussions with some of the other applicants with a view to considering them for other coaching projects which may come up this season or future seasons.

 

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Herts alumni to play US college baseball this year

Herts fans love to follow the progress of former Herts players.

Today we learned that Herts’ winning pitcher in the final of the 2010 U14 National Baseball Championship is now playing college baseball. Yes, that’s right Jesse Reinebold is the starting second baseman for the United States merchant Marine Academy.

They just completed their Florida trip and are now getting ready for their conference play. Given his lights-out performance on the mound in the 2010 National Final Herts fans will be surpirsed to learn that Jesse will be playing second base for his college team. You can keep track of Jesse’s progress on the official USMMA website.

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Hiche signs contract to play in Austrian top league. Expected to return to Herts at the end of the season.

The Herts Falcons will go into the 2016 NBL season without one of its most valuable players over the last four seasons. Centerfielder Cris Hiche has signed a contract with the Dornbirn Indians in the Austrian top league. The contract is for one season only and Hiche is expected to rejoin the Falcons after the end of the Austrian baseball season.

Cris Hiche joined the Falcons for the start of the 2012 season and it is not a coincidence that his four seasons with Herts proved to be among the best in the club’s history and included reaching the NBL playoffs in three out of these four seasons. That included finishing as NBL runner-up in 2012 and reaching the NBL Playoff semi-finals in 2013 and 2015.

His outstanding performances were recognised with the award of the NBL Outfield Gold Glove in 2012 and 2013 when he did not commit a single error. In 2013 he was also the team’s home run leader.

The Chilean has also been instrumental off the field for Herts. He joined the club’s executive board as the head of the Under-17 and Under-19 programmes. In 2013 he led the Herts Under-17 team to the National Final finishing as runners-up which is the club’s best position in that age group.

The club has already started the search for a new head of the Under-19 and Under-17 programmes, but as club president, Aspi Dimitrov, pointed out “Cris has played a massive role at the club on and off the field and it will be difficult to replace him, but it is great news for the club that he plans to be back with Herts after the end of the Austrian season”.

Hiche joined Herts in 2012 after arriving from the USA where he played at the high school, college and semi-professional league level 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 Orioles in 2003.

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Herts Baseball Club experimenting new business model

Herts Baseball Club has made an announcement which may not hit the headlines, but is something which will be followed with interest by the front offices of other British Baseball Clubs over the next 10 months.

In 2015 Herts Baseball Club grew by 21% and had over 150 members, which is more than at any point in its 19-year history. The club’s board has been considering ways to grow the club further and has identified the need for more coaches who can bring value to the youth teams, inspire a new generation of players and give them a great experience which the families would be happy to recommend to others.

As an experiment, the club has decided to invest in improved financial terms for youth team managers of the club’s Under-15 and Under-19 teams this season. The aim of the experiment is to see if the investment would bring sufficient growth over the next 10 months. If the experiment is successful, the next step would be to adopt this new business model across most of its teams in time for the expected arrival of MLB to London in 2017.

Below are links to the advertisements to appoint U15 and U19 team managers, where interested candidates will find details of these roles including financial terms.  The majority of coaches in British baseball are not paid for the work which they do, so it will be interesting to see if the financial reward offered by Herts will attract a good number of candidates.

If you are interested in any of these coaching roles, follow the links below for details how to apply.

U15 Team Manager

U19 Team Manager

For more information, contact us.

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Herts Baseball AGM details announced

Herts Baseball Club has confirmed that its 19th Annual General Meeting will take place on Sunday, 6 December 2015.

In 2015 the club continued its growth and success on and off the field. The AGM will provide a deeper understanding of the club’s present position, and will set out the plans for 2016 and beyond. Members will receive the AGM Information Pack in due course and that will give a better idea of what to expect at the meeting.

In accordance with the Constitution, a number of Board positions will be up for election at the upcoming AGM either as part of the annual retirement of a third of the Board positions or because they are vacant.

In addition, club president, Aspi Dimitrov, said: “I am mindful that my availability may continue to be affected going into the 2016 baseball season. I am determined to cover as many roles as I can, but it is prudent at this stage to invite as many members as possible to join the board so that my fluctuating availability does not disrupt the club’s ambitious plans. 

On the basis of this, at the AGM I will step down from all board positions which I am holding at present. I hope that members will see this as an opportunity to play a key role in shaping the future of one of the leading clubs in British baseball. The club is bigger and better than at any time in its history with enormous infrastructure, financial and other resources. This puts the club in a fantastic position to continue its amazing growth and development as it celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2016. 

Therefore, please consider putting yourself forward for any of these board positions, including Club President. Let’s make sure that the club’s board is fully staffed. 

If we are not able to fill all of the board positions which I am freeing up at the AGM, I will do my best to fill as many of the remaining vacant positions as possible. I want to stay as involved as possible with the club which means so much to me and my family.”

The club is now inviting nominations for the following Board positions:

• President
• Treasurer
• Secretary
• Manager Second Team –Herts Eagles
• Manager Fourth Team – Herts Raptors
• Youth League Commissioner
• Head of U15 Baseball
• Head of U13 Baseball
• Head of U11 Baseball
• Head of U8 Baseball
• Communications Director i.e. Media
• Club Shop Manager

Those who are interested to put their name forward or second a nomination can contact the club for more details.

Although only 2015 club members have the right to vote at the AGM, the meeting is very much open to former members and those who are considering joining the club in 2016 as players, members of staff, volunteers and fans. This is a good opportunity for newcomers to learn more about the club and meet its members. The meeting is also open to observers who are not members of the Club. Non-members who plan to attend would need to advise the club in advance as spaces are limited. If you are not a current member and wish to attend the AGM please contact the club.

The AGM will be held just a few minutes away from Grovehill Ballpark. The venue is the Gadebridge Community Centre.

DATE: Sunday, 6 December 2015

TIME: Registration starts at 2:10pm, the AGM will commence at 2:20pm (expected to end at around 5:45pm)

VENUE: Galley Hall, Gadebridge Community Centre, The Nokes, Rossgate, Gadebridge, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 3LF (Directions and Map)

by Greg Bochan

8th annual Hert Futures Tournament – Great Weather – Great Baseball – Great Britain

With teams attending from all over the country; from as far as Halton in the North, Essex in the East, Brighton in the South and High Wycome in the West; Herts Baseball Club hosted its eighth annual futures tournament at their home ground, Grovehill Ballpark, on Saturday 26th September.

With 20 teams between the 4 age groups (U19’s, U14’s, U12’s and U10’s), a record for the futures tournament, a full day of baseball was on the agenda. To compliment this mammoth day the weather was wonderful with clear skies and warm temperatures, ideal for playing baseball.

In the U19’s Herts fought off a resilient Halton team to win its first ever Futures tournament crown, with a walk off win 3-2.

In the U14’s LYBL retain their crown winning both their games in the final series.

The U12’s again had LYBL take the top prize after dominating in the final series taking both games decisively.

London Sports won the U10’s after narrowly beating the Mets in the championship game.

The day was fantastic and massively enjoyed by all, the Herts concession stand recording its busiest ever day and nearly running out of its famous Chilli Dogs. The raffle proved very popular with players and parents alike trying to win some unique autographed baseball memorabilia kindly donated by BSUK.

Herts would like to thank all the teams who participated for making it such a special day, along with the umpires and all the Herts volunteers who worked tirelessly on the day to make it the great success that it was.
Can’t wait for next year!

The Herts Futures Tournament (HFT) has been held every year since 2008 and is now a permanent fixture in the British baseball calendar. It brings together youth teams of all age groups from across the country for a day of baseball at one of the best baseball venues in the United Kingdom.

by Greg Bochan

The New Era Herts Beenies have arrived

Get em while they’re hot!

The New Era Herts Beenies have arrived.

The Herts shop will start selling the beanies (£10) from tomorrow, Saturday, September 12, at the youth training session at Grovehill. The Herts shop will also be at Grovehill on Sunday afternoon for the BBF Cup Semi-finals.

Also, youth players/parents, be aware that this weekend is the last chance to get kit before the playoffs.

by Greg Bochan

Herts U12 team victorious in their YNBC qualifiers

Herts U12 team were victorious in their YNBC qualifiers on Saturday during an exciting day of baseball.

The day started with a tough match up against Horsham, who had already won their first game of the day. As the visiting team, Herts hitters came out swinging with Nicholas Durer leading off with a double. Josh Jones then reached on an error before James Dullea doubled them both in. Although Herts continued to hit the ball throughout the game, with singles from Jonathan Wakelam, Cal McCreavy and Durer, solid defence from Horsham prevented any more runs. James Dullea started the game for Herts and was in masterful form. Dullea pitched 4 and 2/3 no-hit innings before reaching his pitch count for the day, and left having struck out 13! He also made a fine play on a weak ground ball to first base. Durer fielded it cleaning and fed to Dullea who was covering from the mound and bare handed the ball before stepping on the bag. With two outs in the fifth Horsham scored their first run with a based loaded walk and the score was 2-1. In the bottom of the sixth, Durer stepped to the mound and got two quick outs. Horsham then had runners on first and second with their best hitter at the plate. He promptly scorched a line drive to left field, but Josh Jones was there to make the catch and Herts erupted as they took the victory.

With Horsham having beaten Brentwood in the first game, Herts still had to win against Brentwood in their second game to go through. Having thrown only one inning in the first game, Nicholas Durer started the second. Durer was pitching well, but a finger injury meant he had to leave after 2 and a third. Brentwood scored in the first before Herts answered in the bottom of the inning with five runs. Durer again led off the game with extra bases, this time a triple and then scored on Joe Gipple’s single to centre. Josh Jones then walked before singles by James Dullea and Cal McCreavy. Brentwood’s aggressive young team answered with a run in the second before blanking Herts, and then scored two in the third, but that would be all they would get as Alex Trautman stepped to the mound and shut them down for the final two and two thirds innings in a fine relief appearance. Herts then scored five in each of the third and fourth innings to come away with a solid 15-4 victory and advance to the National Championships.

Notable performances

Nicholas Durer went 4 for 5 with a double, a triple and walk.
James Dullea went 3 for 4 with 2 doubles and a walk.
Joe Gipple hit the ball hard all day going 3 for 6 and putting the ball in play every time at bat.

by Greg Bochan

2015 Herts Futures Tournament

It’s time to sign up for one of the biggest youth tournaments in British baseball, the Herts Futures Tournament.

This year’s event will take place on Saturday, 26th September.

Click here to visit the 2015 Herts Futures Tournament webpage.

This competition has been held every year since 2008 and is now a permanent fixture in the sporting calendar. It brings together youth teams of all age groups from across the country for a day of baseball at Grovehill Ballpark, one of the best baseball venues in the United Kingdom.

Last year was a record for the HFT with 15 teams entering the competition, and we hope to build on that in 2015. In previous years teams from Horsham, Bracknell, the LYBL Bulldogs and the Northstar Polecats are among those which have come to Hemel Hempstead for the event.

This year, in addition to inviting Under-19, Under-14 and Under-12 teams, Herts is exploring the option of adding an Under-10 division, which would be coach-pitch. There may also be exciting changes to the format of several games in a group stage, followed by finals.

It all depends how many teams sign up, so please register now and final details will be sent to competing teams.

All games will be played at Grovehill. The home of Herts Baseball Club in Hemel Hempstead, it has two purpose-built diamonds with pitching mounds, permanent outfield fences, and dugouts.

Grovehill has frequently hosted BBF postseason and GB Team games. During the Herts Futures Tournament additional diamonds are added to accommodate all the age groups.

The organisers provide game balls and umpires. All you have to bring is your enthusiasm! A concessions stand will sell hot and cold drinks, donuts and hot dogs.

Those who wish to enter a team are kindly requested to email the organisers by 6 September 2015.

The entry fee has been set at £40. Your entry fee must be received no later than 13 September 2015.

More details can be found on the 2015 Herts Futures Tournament webpage.

The 2015 Herts Futures Tournament info pack is available for download by CLICKING HERE.

Please contact Mark Caress at Herts Baseball Club for any further details. He can be reached at mark.caress@hertsbaseball.com