After hailing the appearance of ‘baseball weather’ in last week’s British Baseball Beat, I should probably take part of the blame for the conditions that scuppered some of the games on Sunday.

It was already a reduced schedule with plenty of teams having a rest week, so that only leaves us with a small selection of games to look back on.  However, what they lacked in number they more than made up for in action and entertainment.

What’s more, this coming weekend is set to be a baseball extravaganza, led by a new marquee event on Saturday: the NBL Summer Classic  Continue reading →

‘Baseball weather’ arrived properly throughout much of the UK last Sunday.  Some would say baseball weather here means howling winds and driving rain, but don’t let the MET Office fool you.  The equation of baseball + sun + hot dogs and beer equals a good time in any country.

The hot dogs and beer normally have to wait until after the games if you’re playing (normally, but not necessarily) and the final score (or scores) determine whether they toast a win or two or if they offer a tasty end to a disappointing day.

What role did the post-game spread play for which teams last Sunday? Read on to find out.  Continue reading →

There was much to look forward to heading into last Sunday’s British baseball league games. 

How would Milldenhall Bulldogs respond from their first losses of the season the previous weekend? Who would get the better of the top of the table clash in AAA-North?  Would Poole Piranhas and Richmond Dragons keep their unbeaten starts to the season going in AA-South and A-South respectively?

Those questions, and many more, were answered during the usual round of intriguing and entertaining games throughout the British Isles.  Continue reading →

What would have been week three of the British baseball season on 1 May was widely rained out. 

Teams were therefore keen to get back out on the diamond last Sunday and that showed with good performances and important results being seen throughout the British baseball league structure. 

Blazers beat the Bulldogs in the NBL, but the Mets keep ahead

The Mildenhall Bulldogs made an eye-opening entry to the National Baseball League (NBL) in weeks one and two, brushing aside Essex Arrows and Croydon Pirates to top the league with a 4-0 record.  After their double-header with Herts Falcons was rained out, last Sunday’s encounter with the reigning champions, Bracknell Blazers, was billed as a real test of Mildenhall’s title ambitions. 

The Blazers took up the challenge and dealt the Bulldogs their first two losses of the season; however, the close nature of the second game in particular (tied 7-7 after the regulation seven innings and eventually won in the tenth by a score of 9-7) shows that the Bulldogs’ early form was not merely a case of ‘flat track bullies’ beating two teams unlikely to challenge for the top spot in 2010.  The Bulldogs look set to be in the running this season, but the same can surely be said for the Blazers, whose 5-1 record is a very solid start to their title defence.  Continue reading →

Never underestimate the importance of getting that first win of the season.  It might just count for 1 in the season standings, but getting a ‘W’ early on takes the pressure off a bit and allows a team to look forward rather than back.  As the Croydon Pirates found last year, the longer you go without a win, the harder it is to get one.

That applies to every team, but especially so to newly-formed clubs and teams that are making a step up to a new league level.  You want to prove to yourself, and your competitors, that you belong.

Two teams entered last Sunday’s round of National Baseball League (NBL) games without a win and both are newcomers to the top tier in 2010.  The Southampton Mustangs lost twice to the Herts Falcons on Opening Day, but they bounced back on Sunday and celebrated hosting the first ever NBL games in Southampton by earning two wins against the Croydon Pirates.  The impact of those wins was reinforced in Simon Fitzjohn’s NBL review on BritishBaseball.org, when the Mustangs’ Ben Davis was quoted as saying that the team was “absolutely thrilled” to get them, adding that “we have some momentum now”.  Continue reading →

The 2010 British baseball season is almost here. 

Teams are putting the final touches to their pre-season preparation with the Herts Spring League coming to a climax and various other Spring Training games being played across the country. The National Baseball League (NBL) gets underway on Sunday with four double-headers in the south of the country, as does the AAA North with some games also being played in AA South, AA Midlands and A South.  The AAA South and AA North Leagues swing into action the following weekend. 

If you’re looking for a diversion from the 24/7 General Election newsathon, and I’m sure that’s the case for most people, then the British baseball season is about to provide you with one.  Continue reading →