Category: Youth Leagues

by AspiDimitrov

HERTS RED SOX WIN THE TITLE. DRAMATIC END IN THE BRONZE MEDAL GAME

Herts Baseball Little League correspondent, Tracey Manning, reports on a dramatic final day of the 2010 Herts Little League season.

 

HERTS CUBS 4 HERTS YANKEES 5

The day started off with a few clouds in the sky. Starting pitcher for the Yankees Richard Ganster started strong. Power hitter Nick Martinez hit a triple and followed through to get Cubs first run in the first innings, as Yankees took their turn at the plate, Kieran Manning borrowed from the Cardinals and got the first run. Another Yankee, Charlie Mayhew, followed that up with a double. Cubs pitcher Lewis Green also made a great start. Top of the 2nd Yankees kept the Cubs from getting any further than 1st base. In the bottom of the 2nd inning Brodie Caress (Cubs) caught Kieran Manning (Yankee) fly ball. Another triple hit from Michael James (Yankee) in the 4th. As the game entered the 6th inning McKenna Martinez (Cubs) delivered a game-changing hit and evaded been tagged to get on base. She went on to do some very effective base running. Ultimately it was Aaron Witter who got the winning run and clinch the bronze medal for the Yankees with a final score of 4-5.


There was a vote for player of the game this was voted by all the soggy parents and families and the winner was McKenna Martinez. Well done to her!

CARDINALS 2 RED SOX 13

A few more showers and some lunch later the mighty Red Sox and the awesome Cardinals went head to head to play for the top spot. Cardinals batting first,Zack Longboy(Red Sox) took the mound with a super cool attitude and he did his job well as Cardinals never scored a run in the 1st inning. Kieran Manning tagged out Theo Longboy to stop her making the first run, Cardinals struggled in the 1st innings their usual team who was missing a few key players, this was also true for the rest of the other teams, just didn’t gel too well and let home too many runs.


Slugger Carlos Casal jr came in with the first run for the Cardinals and Drew Mayhew got the other one Cardinals swapped around players to try and find a game play that worked but to no end. They kept on putting players on bases but unable to bring them home. Charlie Mayhew scored the first run for the Redsox and they never looked back . Mikito Ariga, catching for the Red Sox tagged out Carlos Casal jr (Cardinals) with an assist from Red Sox first baseman, Charlie Mayhew. The game ended 13-2 to the Red Sox.


Zack Longboy was named player of the game, but I have to say all the Red Sox players made a huge effort in this final game. Cardinals did their best on the day, but the better team came home to win.

 

More images from the 2010 Herts Little League Finals

 

 


BRONZE MEDAL GAME – BOX SCORES


Herts Cubs at Herts Yankees
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 R H E
Herts Cubs 1 0 0 0 0 3 4 8 1
Herts Yankees 2 2 0 0 0 1 5 5 1
Herts Yankees 5, Herts Cubs 4
Herts Yankees Herts Cubs
ab r h bi ab r h bi
Aaron Witter 2b 4 0 1 1 Alexander Deacon 2b-3b 3 0 0 0
Kieran Manning c 2 1 0 1 Brodie Caress 1b 3 0 1 0
Richard Ganster p 2 1 0 0 Nick Martinez ss-p 2 1 1 0
Cameron Ross lf 2 0 2 1 Christian Lynch rf 3 0 1 1
Adam White 1b 3 0 0 0 Lewis Green p-ss 2 1 1 0
Charlie Mayhew ss 2 0 1 1 McKenna Martinez cf 3 1 2 0
Drew Mayhew 3b 3 0 0 0 Robert Binns c 3 1 0 0
Ben Day cf 2 1 0 0 Ben Jones 3b-2b 2 0 1 2
Michael James rf 1 2 1 0 Jamie Griffin sf 1 0 1 0
Aki Matsuo sf 2 0 0 0 Lewis Auchterlounie lf 3 0 0 0
George Owens rf-dh 2 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 23 5 5 4 TEAM TOTALS 27 4 8 3
E: Adam White, Nick Martinez. LOB: Herts Yankees 9, Herts Cubs 10. 2B: Charlie
Mayhew. 3B: Michael James, Nick Martinez.
Herts Yankees IP H R ER BB SO
Richard Ganster W 6.00 8 4 1 3 13
Herts Cubs
Nick Martinez L 3.67 3 1 1 2 9
Lewis Green 2.00 2 4 2 6 4
HBP: by Richard Ganster (Ben Jones). . , by Richard Ganster (Lewis Green). T: 1:45.
A: 67.

 


CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – BOX SCORES


Herts Cardinals at Herts Red Sox
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 R H E
Herts Cardinals 0 1 0 0 1 0 2 2 4
Herts Red Sox 5 4 0 4 0 0 13 3 1

Herts Red Sox 13, Herts Cardinals 2
Herts Red Sox Herts Cardinals
ab r h bi ab r h bi
Theo Longboy rf 2 0 0 1 Carlos Casal Jr p-ss 1 1 0 0
Charlie Mayhew 1b 2 2 0 0 Brodie Caress 1b-p 1 0 0 0
Mikito Ariga c 3 2 1 0 Kieran Manning c 3 0 1 1
Jake Caress 3b 4 3 1 0 Lewis Green 3b 3 0 0 0
Ben Day ss-cf 2 1 0 0 Aki Matsuo 2b-p-1b 3 0 0 0
Zack Longboy p 3 1 1 2 Aaron Witter lf 3 0 1 0
Yuki Ariga lf 1 2 0 2 James Day ss-2b 3 0 0 0
Charlie Owens 2b 2 1 0 1 Drew Mayhew rf 0 1 0 0
Robert Binns cf 2 0 0 2 Ben Day cf 2 0 0 0
Adam White sf 0 0 0 0 Alexander Deacon sf 2 0 0 0
Lewis Auchterlounie dh 0 1 0 1
TEAM TOTALS 21 13 3 9 TEAM TOTALS 21 2 2 1
E: Mikito Ariga, James Day(2), Brodie Caress, Aki Matsuo. LOB: Herts Cardinals 7,
Herts Red Sox 14.
Herts Red Sox IP H R ER BB SO
Zack Longboy W 6.00 2 2 1 6 7
Herts Cardinals
Carlos Casal Jr L 1.67 1 9 5 11 1
Aki Matsuo 1.67 1 4 1 6 2
Brodie Caress 1.33 1 0 0 1 1
HBP: by Carlos Casal Jr (Lewis Auchterlounie). , by Aki Matsuo (Lewis Auchterlounie).
. . . T: 2:12. A: 67.

by AspiDimitrov

HERTS DRAWN AGAINST HORSHAM IN THE PLAYOFFS

The British Baseball Federation has confirmed the seedings and the format of the 2010 National Under-14 (Bronco) Playoffs the winners of which will progress to the National Baseball Championships.

The Herts fans played a key role on the road to the National Final last year.

Can their support help the All-Stars go one better this time around.

 

Herts will be represented by the Herts All-Stars team which is selected from among all of the players who are members of the Herts Little League. To determine the Playoff seedings the Herts All-Stars took part in six games against teams from other regions. They won all six of these games and are the only team in the Under-14 League with an unbeaten record so far this season. However, the fact that several of the other teams have played more games has been taken into account by the British Baseball Federation and as a result Herts has been seeded as the third team in the Southern Conference. The team seeded in first place is the London Mets, followed by the Forest Glade RedBacks (affiliated to the Essex RedBacks), Herts are third, Horsham fourth and Bracknell are seeded fifth.

Herts know the top seeded London Mets very well after last year’s dramatic National Final which the team from Hertfordshire narrowly lost and had to settle for a runner-up spot. 12 months have passed since then and the Herts All-Stars will be looking for revenge.

 

 

There were tears after the Herts All-Stars narrowly missed out on becoming National Champions

last year in that unforgettable Final against London which ended with a score 0-1

 

But before that they have to once again do it the hard way through the playoffs. As the third seed they have been drawn to play against Horsham. The two teams met at the same stage of last year’s playoffs when Herts came out on top winning 9-6. Horsham proved to be one of the most difficult opponents which Herts faced in 2009 and they needed a 4-run rally in the final inning to win the game. The draw has not been kind to either Herts or Horsham and the “do-or-die” nature of the playoffs means that the loser will be out of the competition, so there will be a lot of pressure on the players to perform on the day.

If Herts win against Horsham, they will face the loser from the game between London and the Forest Glade RedBacks.

The games will be held at the home of the London Mets in Finsbury Park on Saturday, 11 September 2010 (See full Playoff Schedule below)

2010 National Under-14 (Bronco) League Playoffs (Southern Conference)

Saturday 11th September, Finsbury Park, London

10:00 – Field 1 – Game 1 – #2 Forest Glade @ #1 London

10:00 – Field 2 – Game 2 – #4 Horsham @ #3 Herts All-Stars

13:00 – Field 1 – Game 3 – #5 Bracknell @ winners game 1; winners qualify for NBC

13:00 – Field 2 – Game 4 – Losers Game 1 @ Winners Game 2; winners qualify for NBC

16:00 – Field 1 – Game 5 – Losers Game 4 @ Losers Game 3; consolation game

 

 

 

by AspiDimitrov

RED SOX AND CARDINALS TO PLAY FOR THE 2010 LEAGUE TITLE. CUBS AND YANKEES TO FIGHT FOR BRONZE

Report from Herts Little League Correspondent, Tracey Manning

YANKEES VS CARDINALS
A great start to the first game, new pitcher Richard Ganster for the Yankees did a wonderful job in the opening innings, however Carlos Casal Jr (Cardinals) matched it and went one better, fellow team mate Drew Mayhew hit a double. Big hitters in this game were Marty Cullen Jr and Jose Morillo from the Yankees a big effort but Cardinals stopped them from making any head way. It ended 4-1 to the Cardinals.


RED SOX VS CUBSRed Sox played a calm and very precise game keeping the Cubs at bay. Cubs didn’t stand around and with some good hits and fielding, the older team members from both sides helped and encouraged the younger ones who did really well and they got on base this was a massive boost to them. The game ended with a score of 8-5 to the Red Sox.

After lunch some off the Little Leaguers joined in with their coaches for a mid-game training session then on with the second games of the day.


CARDINALS VS RED SOX
On the mound for the Cardinals Kyle Lloyd-Jones struck out many of his opponents. Cardinals held out in front up to second half of the game. Michael Davis caught many fly balls for the Red Sox and Theo Longboy came home to score the first run for the Redsox in the 3rd inning and they never looked back. Cardinals slugger Joshua Jones made a brave attempt to get to first base but was beaten to it by a strong throw. Red Sox won 5-4.

YANKEES VS CUBS
Young pitcher Alex Deacon opened for the Cubs and did a great job, The rest of the Cubs backed him up well. Big hits from Nick Martinez and Lewis Green both from the Cubs.
Slugger Jose Morillo yet again made some big hits and managed a inside the park home run. The Yankees pulled away and this left the score at 11-8 to the Yankees.

These results mean that the Red Sox and Cardinals finish in first and second place respectively so they will battle in the Herts Little League Championship game on Saturday 7 August. On the same day, the Yankees and Cubs will play in the Bronze medal game.

Herts Little League Standings (as at 24 July 2010)

Majors

Team

W

L

%

F

A

Run +/-

GB

Streak

Herts Red Sox

8.5

3.5

0.708

54

39

15

–

W2

Herts Cardinals

7

5

0.583

47

32

15

1.5

L1

Herts Yankees

5.5

6.5

0.458

51

54

-3

3

W1

Herts Cubs

3

9

0.250

39

66

-27

5.5

L2

 

 

by AspiDimitrov

NEW HERTS BASEBALL CAP AT THE HERTS SHOP FROM TOMORROW

 

 

 

The new Herts Baseball Caps have finally arrived. They will be available to buy at the ballpark starting from Sunday, 25 July, during the adult league games and in the following weekends at most Little League and Adult events.

The new Herts cap is a premium model fitted cap available in three different sizes. It features a 3D raised stitch logo as well as “hertsbaseball.com” on the back. The manufacturer’s brand name is embroidered on the left side of the cap.

This is a higher grade cap and its price is slightly higher than the previous model. The price is £12. Registered Little League players receive a discount so the price for them is £10.

 

 

by AspiDimitrov

CUBS AND CARDINALS GAIN GROUND. HERTS ALL-STARS EXTEWND UNBEATEN RUN

Report from Herts Little League Correspondent, Tracey Manning

 

There was an early start for the Herts Little Leaguers on a fine Saturday morning of week 6 of the Herts Baseball Little League.

Cardinals Vs YankeesYankees batting first, many big hitters Cameron Ross, Jose Morillo and Marty Cullen Jr, but with the Cardinals on top form stopped the Yankees from making much head way as they only managed 2 runs in this fast game. Cardinals Kieran Manning hit a triple sending home fellow team mates left the end score 8-4 to the Cardinals.

 

Redsox Vs Cubs
Both teams put members in different positions for a new feel this giving Cubs Alexander Deacon his debut as pitcher. On the mound for the Red Sox was Michael Davis who kept the score at a close 7-6 to the Cubs.

The teams played only one league game each, and this was followed by the Herts All-Stars double header against the Essex Redbacks in the afternoon.

 

HERTS LITTLE LEAGUE STANDINGS (as at 17 July 2010)


 

Majors
Team W L % F A Run +/- GB Streak
Herts Red Sox 6.5 3.5 0.650 41 30 11 – L1
Herts Cardinals 6 4 0.600 39 26 13 0.5 W1
Herts Yankees 4.5 5.5 0.450 39 42 -3 2 L1
Herts Cubs 3 7 0.300 26 47 -21 3.5 W1
Minors
Team W L % F A Run +/- GB Streak
Herts Tornados 1 1 0.500 18 19 -1 – L1
Herts Crocs 1 1 0.500 19 18 1 – W1

 

 

Herts All-Stars vs Essex RedBacks

 

Herts All-Stars welcomed the Essex Redbacks and got down to business.


In the first innings no-one from the Redbacks got on base Nick Martinez made sure of that and the balls which were put in play were swiftly passed to 1st base. Kyle Lloyd-Jones hit his first home run for the Herts All-Stars this year. May many more follow for this power hitter. Another big hit came from Jonny Compton-Weight. Herts kept the game going at a fast pace to get 5 runs each of the first 3 innnings. Zack Longboy was the closing pitcher in this game leaving the score at 20-0 to Herts.

On the mound in the second game of the day was Marty Cullen Jr. Redbacks got a second wind and scored 5 runs in the 1st innings. Not to be outdone, Herts also drove 5 runs in. Carlos Casel hit a triple, Nick Martinez, Jose Morillo and Marty Cullen Jr all got ground rule doubles. Charlie Mayhew seems to be king of the inside the park home runs and achieved his second one in as many weeks. Redbacks fought back and also hit a home run but alas this wasn’t enough to win. Herts scoring 20 runs to their 11.

photos supplied by Ward Davis (click here to see more image from week 6 action or for images from the Herts All-Stars vs Essex RedBacks game click here)


by AspiDimitrov

HERTS ALL-STARS TOO HOT FOR THE BRACKNELL BLAZERS

 

Report by Herts Little League Correspondent, Tracey Manning

 

The Herts All Stars welcomed the Bracknell Blazers to sunny Grovehill Ballpark for a double header in the next round of games which count towards the seeding for the 2010 National Championships.

Game One

Blazers batting first, Herts kept the opposition from any runs in the first innings. Herts on the other hand took the lead and stayed there. Power hitter Marty Cullen Jr didn’t disappoint. Starting pitcher Zack Longboy did his share to keep the Blazers from getting any runs early on. Carlos Casal Jr cam through with a big hit for an inside the park home run in the 2nd inning. Herts worked well as a team with some precise fielding picking up a win with a final score of 10-2.

 

 

Game Two

With the heat rising on the hottest day of the year so far, both teams had a quick soaking from the hose from coach Carlos Casal Senior and everyone was ready to play ball again. On the mound Kyle Lloyd-Jones recorded several strikeouts. Lewis Green got an assist after a throw all the way from right field. He stopped a ground ball and threw home where catcher Kieran Manning was ready to receive the ball and apply the tag on the incoming runner. Herts took the lead from the start and this is where they stayed. Michael Davis and Gus Beedell were consistently getting on base while Charlie Mayhew hit an inside the park home run. Every team member from Herts had a part to play in another 10-2 win for Herts.

 

More photos by Ward Davis from the Herts vs Bracknell game

 

by AspiDimitrov

YANKEES AND RED SOX WIN PITCHING DUELS ON INDEPENDENCE DAY

 

Report by Herts Little League correspondent, Tracey Manning

Herts Little League had a change of day this week by playing on Sunday coinciding with American Independence (4th of July) so a slight change of events. Many people helped with setting up fields and general things to get the day ready. After performing the American National Anthem it was time to play baseball.

HERTS RED SOX vs HERTS CUBS

Red Sox starting pitcher Zack Longboy kept the pace fast and accurate with many strike outs and a very impressive catch to get Cubs slugger, Nick Martinez, out. The rest of the Red Sox team did some very effective base-running. On the mound for the Cubs, Nick Martinez also matched Zack Longboy’s pitching with a string of strikeouts Cubs kept things interesting but lost 2-1.

HERTS CARDINALS vs HERTS YANKEES

Over on the other field Cardinals met the Yankees. First up to pitch for the Cardinals Aki Matsuo kept his cool in what was to be another battle. Kieran Manning catcher for the Cardinals throws to first base it gets back to home and the ball then passes to 3rd base (Kyle Lloyd-Jones) who proceeded to tag out two players from the Yankees making that an amazing triple play. Opening pitcher for the Yankees, Marty Cullen Jr, happily made some well timed strikeouts for his team only one run in the game and this was scored by Aaron Witter from the Yankees so the final score stayed at 1-0 to the Yankees.

After the league games Little Leaguers, families, friends enjoyed barbeques and many other yummy dishes donated by Little League families, while supporting the Herts adult team, the Hawks in their league game against the Richmond Knights.

With lunch settled a family game of softball took place this was a great fun, who cared what the end score was….I do!! because I happened to be on the winning side 9 to the Minute Men and 4 for The Herts Smiles.

 

Majors
Team W L % F A Run +/- GB Streak
Herts Red Sox 6.5 2.5 0.722 41 30 11 – W1
Herts Cardinals 5 4 0.556 39 26 13 1.5 L1
Herts Yankees 4.5 4.5 0.500 39 42 -3 2 W1
Herts Cubs 2 7 0.222 26 47 -21 4.5 L1
Minors
Team W L % F A Run +/- GB Streak
Herts Tornados 1 1 0.500 18 19 -1 – L1
Herts Crocs 1 1 0.500 19 18 1 – W1

 

by AspiDimitrov

PRINCE HARRY THROWS OUT FIRST PITCH AT NEW YORK METS GAME

This article first appeared on www.telegraph.co.uk

 

The prince was given the honour usually reserved for presidents, politician and pop stars but did not disgrace himself despite his initial fears.

When asked how he felt before making his way to the pitcher’s mound the 25-year-old royal replied “don’t ask”, then joked “can I have a practice first?”.

 

Pointing towards his private secretary Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton he said: “He wants to bat against me.”

The prince appeared a little apprehensive when he finally walked out in front of the crowds and prepared to throw the ball to the catcher at the New York Mets’ Citi Field stadium in the suburb of Queens.

But he received a rapturous welcome from the near capacity audience of around 40,000 people who applauded and cheered as the prince was introduced.

He pointed at the Mets catcher Rod Barajas as if to warn him about the thunderbolt about to come his way.

Harry was wearing the local team’s blue baseball cap and a T-shirt supporting the Walking with the Wounded expedition.

The fundraising trek, which has Harry as its patron, will take a group of injured British servicemen on a gruelling trek to the North Pole next year.

The 25-year-old royal wound up his right hand to deliver the ball to Barajas, who was standing just behind home plate, and as he let go the pitch slammed into the sportsman’s glove and the crowd cheered wildly.

The prince took his cap off and wiped his brow in relief before running down the mound to shake hands with the catcher.

VIDEO: Click here to watch the Prince in action…Nice pitch! Atta boy Harry!

 

by AspiDimitrov

CARDINALS GAIN GROUND ON RED SOX. CUBS END 5-GAME LOSING STREAK

Report from Herts Baseball Little League Correpondent, Tracey Manning

As the sun beats down on the 4th week the Herts Little League gets going to a keen start after a week off. On Field One Cubs versus Cardinals the game started fast. Big hits of the day came from Nick Martinez and Brodie Caress to give the Herts Cubs the lead. Cardinals starting pitcher, Kyle Lloyd-Jones, helped himself out catching a fly ball and was always close to the action. Cubs third baseman, Oliver Durer, made a nice catch and throw to 2nd base, but at the end it wasn’t enough for theCubs, as they continued their losing streak with a final score of 8-3 to the Herts Cardinals.

Over on Field Two the Yankees and Redsox got down to business with the usual zest to take a win from their rivals. It proved to be a pitching duel.  The Yankees took a one-run lead into the bottom of the last inning but the Red Sox had plans of their own and delivered with clutch hits when it really mattered to earn a walk-off win 2-1.

 

In the second games of the day the Herts Cubs faced the Yankees. The struggling Cubs went into the game trying to end a 5-game losing streak.  With new found energy after lunch, they showed a lot of determination and desire to give the Yankees a tough time. Nick Martinez provided the much needed starting pitching for them to shut down the Yankees offence.  Ben Jones came in to close the game in the final inning.  Despite mounting a come back in the final inning to load the bases, the Yankees ended without a run after some amazing fielding by Nick Martinez first throwing out the batter at first base all the way from centerfield and then reaching over the outfield fence for the final out after a big hit from Marty Cullen Jr..  Final score 9-0 to the Cubs.


The finala gam,e of the day was a top of the table clash between the Cardinals and the league leading Redsox. Ozan Martin of the Cardinals hit a couple of big hits whichhe followed with some aggressive base-running. Despite great defensive work by the Red Sox, which included a double-play, the Cardinals came out on top winning 5-0.

After 8 games the Red Sox lead the way, but the chasing pack has closed the gap and the race for the title is hotting up.

Majors
Team W L % F A Run +/- GB Streak
Herts Red Sox 5.5 2.5 0.688 39 29 10               – L1
Herts Cardinals 5 3 0.625 39 25 14            0.5 W2
Herts Yankees 3.5 4.5 0.438 38 42 -4               2 L1
Herts Cubs 2 6 0.250 25 45 -20            3.5 W1
Minors
Team W L % F A Run +/- GB Streak
Herts Tornados 1 1 0.500 18 19 -1              –  L1
Herts Crocs 1 1 0.500 19 18 1              –  W1