Category: Youth Leagues

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Herts Falcons and Herts Harriers need two wins this weekend to make history and clinch the biggest prize in British baseball

When the dust settles, who will emerge as the 2013 NBL champion? (photo by Richard Lee richardleephotography.org)
Herts Baseball Club’s 17-year history has included some big games, but none can compare to this weekend’s climax of the 2013 British baseball season. The Herts Falcons will be aiming to win the National Baseball League championship trophy for the first time since the club was founded in 1996. If they succeed, the trophy will be coming back to Hertfordshire for the first time since the Watford Sun-Rockets won it back in 1969.
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The Falcons will face the reigning champions, Harlow Nationals, in the semi-final this Saturday, 14 September. This is a chance for revenge after the Nationals broke Falcons’ hearts 12 months ago beating them 6-3 in the final to clinch the NBL championship.
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The game will be played at Farnham Park in Slough (postcode SL2 3BP), which opened just a few weeks ago. The unveiling of this new venue has added to the excitement in the same way as the new Wembley Stadium and Olympic venues when they were opened. A record number of Herts baseball fans from around the region are expected to be in attendance. The game will start at 14h30.
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If the Falcons overcome Harlow, they will be through to the Final on Sunday at 15h00 where they will meet the winner of the other semi-final between the London Mets and the Southampton Mustangs.
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Also on Saturday and at the same venue, the Herts Harriers will be looking to carry the flag for the club in the Under-17 national championships. In the semi-final they will come up against the London Mets, who have been the dominant force in the U17 league in this country over the last 3 years. The game starts at 10h30. The timing is ideal for Herts fans who can cheer on the Herts youngsters in the morning and then walk over to main diamond to support the Falcons. Herts has one national title in the Under-14 league, which they won in 2010, but this is the first time that the club has a team which has reached the semi-final stage of the Under-17 league.
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If the Herts Harriers win their semi-final, they will play in the final 24 hours later (on Sunday, 15 September) against the winner of the Cobham Cougars vs Halton Polecats semi-final.
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To receive a Herts Fan Pack for this weekend’s national championships, contact Herts Baseball Club.
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by Herts Baseball News Editor

Herts Harriers reach U17 league semi-final for the first time in club history

photo by Richard Lee richardleephotography.org

The Herts Harriers overcame the Leicester Blue Sox in the quarter-finals of the British Under-17 League Playoffs. This is the first time in the club’s history that a Herts team reaches the semi-final stage at U17 league level.

The Herts Harriers finished in first place during the U17 regular season and this meant that they had to face the sixth-seed team from Leicester. The odds were in favour of the team from Herts, but the team needed to stay focused and deliver a professional performance on the day to progress through to the semi-finals.

Tom Everex-Armstrong was the starting pitcher for Herts and he picked up his fourth win of the U17 league season with 4 innings of work allowing 1 hit and 1 earned run and 11 of the 12 outs came by way of a strikeout. Callum Vangundy, Jose Morillo, Tom Everex-Armstrong, Warwick Byrne and Zack Longboy had a multi-hit game. One of Jose Morillo’s 3 hits in the game was a 2-run inside-the-park-homerun. Morillo then came in as a reliever to pitch the final inning of the game. He did well allowing no hits and no runs continuing his impressive pitching performances from the previous weekend in the AA-League playoffs with the club’s senior league team, the Herts Hawks.

Click to view box scores

Herts won the game convincingly but credit must be given to Leicester whose youth baseball programme was started this year and they have done very well in their first season in a very competitive U17 league.

The Herts Harriers will now be preparing for a Semi-Final at the newly unveiled Farnham Park baseball venue in Slough on 14 September. The other three semi-finalists are the Cobham Cougars, Halton Polecats and London Mets. The League will shortly be announcing the seedings which will determine which of these 3 teams will be facing the Harriers.

photo by Richard Lee richardleephotography.org

HERTS CARDINALS ELIMINATED IN THE QUARTER-FINALS

The club’s Under-14 league team, the Herts Cardinals, couldn’t progress to the next stage after losing first to the Forest Glade Redbacks and later to the London Mets. The team will be looking to regroup and strengthen over the winter and return stronger in 2014.

The three teams which progressed through to the semi-finals are London Mets, LYBL Bulldogs and Forest Glade Redbacks, the latter winning an exciting quarter-final against LondonSports 13-11.

HERTS DODGERS ARE THE HERTS UNDER-11 CHAMPIONS

The 2013 season of the Herts Under-11 Championship came down to the final game of the season. The Herts Dodgers and Herts Giants have been trading blows all year long and before this final game of the championship series they were tied. In another close encounter, the Dodgers came out on top with a 7-3 win to claim the title for a second consecutive season.

NEXT EVENTS

Herts fans will now turn their attention to the U17 national championships on 14-15 September after which all three age groups (U17, U14 and U11) will be entering the Herts Futures Tournament on 21 September, which is the largest youth baseball tournament in Britain. As always, it will be held at Grovehill Ballpark in Hemel Hempstead. Teams are still entering (click for entry details).  Also any players are welcome to take part in this event. For details how to join the Herts youth teams, please contact us.

 

by Herts Baseball News Editor

VIDEO: Herts Harriers Manager Cristobal Hiche interview previewing Youth Playoffs

We are just 24 hours away form the start of the 2013 Youth League Playoffs and last night Ken Pike hosted a Playoffs Preview Show on Herts Baseball TV. One of the guests was Herts Harriers Manager, Cristobal Hiche, and he talked about his team as they prepare for their Quarter-Final game versus Leicester Blue Sox which will be played this Saturday at Grovehill Ballpark (1pm start). Watch the interview again below.

 

by Herts Baseball News Editor

VIDEO: Youth Playoffs Preview Show with League Commissioner Matt Crawshaw

Herts Baseball TV’s Ken Pike and special guest, BBF Southern Youth League Commissioner and Leicester Blue Sox Chairman, Matthew Crawshaw, previewed this Saturday’s Youth Playoff Quarter-Finals on Herts Baseball TV last night. They also covered other topics including Farnham Park, the Senior and Youth League NBCs, Leicester Blue Sox, BBF and more. Play video below.

by Herts Baseball News Editor

British Baseball’s 2013 Youth Playoffs coming to Hemel Hempstead this Saturday

Britain’s youth baseball teams are about to enter the most exciting part of the season as they battle for the national title. The action begins with the playoffs for both the Under-17 and Under-14 leagues. The British Baseball Federation announced that this event will be held on Saturday, 31 August 2013. It will be hosted by Herts Baseball Club at their ballpark in Hemel Hempstead (click for venue details).

6 teams from the Southern conference of the U17 League and 5 teams from the U14 League will go into Saturday’s Playoff Quarter-Finals. They have been seeded based on their regular season league record and the format and games schedule is as follows (seeding shown in brackets).

U17 Playoffs (‘home team’ shown second)

10.30am, Bracknell Tornadoes (5th) @ London Mets (2nd) (winner progress to YNBCs)

1.00pm, Leicester Blue Sox (6th) @ Herts Harriers (1st) (winner progress to YNBCs)

3.30pm, Horsham Hornets (4th) @ Cobham Cougars (3rd) (winner progress to YNBCs)

U14 Playoff (‘home team’ shown second)

10.30am, (Game1) Herts Cardinals (5th) @ Forest Glade Redbacks (4th) (winner goes to game 4, loser goes to game 3)

10.30am, (Game2) London Sports (3rd) @ LYBL Bulldogs (2nd) (winner progress to YNBCs, loser goes to game 4)

1.00pm, (Game3) Loser of game 1 @ London Mets (1st) (winner progress to YNBCs)

1.00pm, (Game4) Winner of game 1 @ Loser of game 2 (winner progresses to YNBCs)

Herts U11 Championship Series

The event will also include the Final of the Under-11 Series between the Herts Dodgers and the Herts Giants. The series are perfectly poised with the teams tied 4.5 wins to 4.5 wins. This will be a do-or-die 7-inning decider with the winner declared Herts U11 Champion. The game will start at 11am.

Food, drinks and more

Admission is free and fans and families can enjoy the baseball action along with traditional baseball snacks which will be on offer including hot dogs, Krispy Kreme donuts, Big League Chew and other snacks and drinks. Baseball gloves, bats, bags, and other merchandise including baseball memorabilia will also be on offer at the retail outlets around the ballpark.

 

by Herts Baseball News Editor

2013 Herts Futures Tournament details announced

Herts Baseball Club has announced that the 2013 Herts Futures Tournament will take place on Saturday, 21 September 2013.

The Herts Futures Tournament (HFT) has been held every year since 2008 and is now a permanent fixture in the British baseball calendar. Last year was a record year for the HFT with 15 teams entering the competition, which makes it the largest youth baseball event in the United Kingdom. Herts Baseball Club Board Member, Aspi Dimitrov, said: “It will be interesting to see how many teams will enter this year. If the number continues to increase we will have to consider ways of expanding the venue as last year we were close to reaching the venue’s capacity.”

The event 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 UK. Grovehill Ballpark is the home of Herts Baseball Club. It is the only baseball facility in the country which features two purpose-built full-size baseball diamonds, both with permanent outfield walls. Over the last few years the venue has been selected to host some of the biggest events in the British baseball calendar including the National Baseball Championships. During the Herts Futures Tournament additional diamonds are added for the Under-14 and Under-11 age groups.

For more information about the event or if you require details about how teams can enter the Tournament or how players can join the Herts teams in time for the HFT, visit the Herts Futures Tournament homepage or contact Herts Baseball Club.

 

by Herts Baseball News Editor

BBF Southern Youth Playoffs to be held in Herts

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The various British baseball leagues are preparing for the most exciting part of the season – the postseason playoffs – and this includes the BBF youth leagues.
The Under-17 and Under-14 league teams from the Southern conference will start their postseason with the playoff quarter-finals on Saturday, 31 August.
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The British Baseball Federation Southern Youth League Commissioner, Matt Crawshaw, announced that “after reviewing and consulting with a short-list of venues, we are delighted to announce that the 2013 Southern Youth League Playoff Quarter Finals on 31 August will be held at Grovehill Park, Hemel Hempstead.”
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Grovehill Ballpark is the home of Herts Baseball Club and over the last few years has hosted the senior and youth league national championships. It is expected to be another festive event with large crowds and traditional baseball food and drinks.
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The format of the Under-17 and Under-14 Playoff Quarter Finals is expected to be as follows:
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BBF U17 playoffs (home team shown second)
10.30am: 5th seed v 2nd seed (winner progresses to Semi-Finals)
1.00pm: 6th seed v 1st seed (winner progresses to Semi-Finals)
3.30pm: 4th seed v 3rd seed (winner progresses to Semi-Finals)
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BBF U14 playoffs (home team shown second)
10.30am (Game 1) 5th seed v 4th seed (winner goes through to game 4, loser goes through to game 3)
10.30am (Game 2) 3rd seed v 2nd seed (winner progresses to Semi-Finals, loser goes through to game 4)
1.00pm (Game 3) Loser of game 1 v 1st seed (winner progresses to Semi-Finals)
1.00pm (Game 4) Winner of game 1 v loser of game 2 (winner progresses to Semi-Finals)
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The seeding is expected to be announced by the BBF later this month. The teams which are in the running are:
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UNDER-17 LEAGUE (SOUTH)

 UNDER-14 LEAGUE (SOUTH)
Bracknell Tornadoes

Cobham Cougars
FG Redbacks
Herts Harriers
Horsham Hornets
Leicester Blue Sox
London Mets
 FG Redbacks

Herts Cardinals
London Mets
London Sports
LYBL Bulldogs
by Herts Baseball News Editor

Harriers end regular season on a high

The Herts Harriers got their revenge with a win against the London Mets. The two teams met in April in the opening game of the Under-17 league season and agonisingly for Herts the Londoners won it in extra innings. This time Herts came out on top with a 14-7 victory.

Tom Everex-Armstrong was the winning pitcher allowing only 3 earned runs over 4.1 innings and striking out 7 Mets batters. Callum Vangundy came in relief and was very effective pitching the remaining 2.2 innings allowing only 1 hit and no runs to pick up the save.

Vangundy also stood out with the bat with 2 hits, 2 RBIs and 3 runs. This was a game with very few hits and Herts took full advantage of the walks issued by the Mets pitchers.

U17 League: London Mets 7 Herts Harriers 14 (click to view box scores)

Both teams were missing some of their players, which is expected at this time of year, but this does not affect the value of this win for Herts as they moved into first place overtaking both the London Mets and the Cobham Cougars.

 

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Herts Home Run Derby with a difference

(Note: Event schedule updated to fit in rained out U17 games from earlier in the season, as London Mets U17 confirmed availability)

The superstars of Major League Baseball gathered in front of a packed Citi Field in New York last week for the annual Home Run Derby as part of the MLB All Star week. This week it is the turn of the Herts Home Run Derby.

Herts Baseball Club has members who play in the five senior baseball leagues, but the club also has the youth team players aged from 6 to 16 as well as softball players and all of them will be competing for the Herts Home Run Champion title. Different outfield fences will be set up for the different teams and age groups reflecting the field distances they play on during their league games. This will mean that, for example, 5-year-old William Morillo will be able to compete against his 15-year old brother Jose Morillo, his father Jose Antonio, and also against Herts Falcons and NBL All Star centerfielder, Cris Hiche.

There will be the added angle of buckets filled with water scattered around the diamond. If a hit ball drops into the bucket the batter will be awarded a free drink from the Herts concessions bar.

EXHIBITION GAMES

The day will begin with an exhibition game between the Herts Harriers and a Herts All Star team featuring players from the club’s five senior league teams. There will be baseball activities for all other age groups before the Home Run Derby as the club welcomes newcomers to the game as part of the Olympics Legacy Festival of Sport in Dacorum Borough.

The day will end with an exhibition softball game involving baseball and softball players as well as parents of the Herts youth team players.

FOOD AND DRINKS

Throughout the event, the concessions stand will be running at full capacity offering hot and cold drinks and various traditional baseball snacks from hot dogs to Big League Chew.

EVENT SCHEDULE

10:00am, Updated: Herts Harriers vs London Mets (New Diamond) U17 League Game

11:00am, Baseball drills and exercises for all age groups, youth and adult (Old Diamond)

12:00pm, Lunch

12:15pm, Home Run Derby (New Diamond)

1:00pm, Updated: London Mets vs Horsham Hornets (Old Diamond) U17 League Game

2:00pm, Exhibition Softball Game

3:00pm, Event ends

VENUE

The event will take place at Grovehill Ballpark, the home of Herts Baseball Club (click for venue address and details)

CONTACT US

If you are not already on the club’s mailing lists contact us for details how to take part in this event. Everyone is welcome – male and female players of all ages.

 

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Herts Giants end Dodgers’ winning streak

The U11 series between the Herts Giants and the Herts Dodgers is now tied after the Giants secured a convincing 15-6 win on Saturday. Before the game the Herts Dodgers were on a 3-game winning streak threatening to take the series beyond the Giants but this win has blown the contest wide open.

Nicholas Durer (4-5), Josh Jones (4-5), James Dullea (3-4) and Lewis Auchterlounie (2-3) stood out with a multi-hit game, but in fact the Giants performed with the bat from the top to the bottom of the batting lineup outhitting the Dodgers 17-10.

Halfwway through the game the Haines family gave both teams a treat with ice-cream for everyone and that seemed to give the Dodgers the boost they needed, but it wasn’t enough to get back into the game.

U11 Series: Herts Giants 15 Herts Dodgers 6 (click to view box scores)

With the start of the school holidays the U11 series will be taking a break over the next few weeks, but it is perfectly poised for a climactic U11 championship decider when the players return from the holidays.