At some point near the end of last week, I’m willing to bet that somebody decided to give you their opinion on groundwater levels and soil dryness. 

They might not have specifically regaled you with a speech about the hydrological impact of droughts or gone into a detailed explanation of how crop yields will be affected, but unprompted they would have boldly claimed one thing to be true.

“We could do with some rain”.

Looking at all the available evidence you would have to say they were right; after all, a brown-tinged baseball outfield doesn’t have quite the splendour of a rich, sun-drenched green cathedral. 

However, the problem is that few, if any, of those who made that claim added an important caveat.  What they should have said was “we could do with some rain, but not during the day on Sunday when people are trying to enjoy some baseball”.

Consequently there are thousands of people up and down the length of the British Isles responsible for consigning much of last Sunday’s baseball schedule to a rain-splattered dustbin. I hope they feel suitably guilty.

Thankfully, the British baseball community is experienced at battling through barriers for the sport we love and some games were played through the wind and the rain. 

NBL unbowed by the weather

The National Baseball League was the least affected of the lot.  All eight scheduled games were played to a completion and Simon Fitzjohn has rounded-up all of the action on the BBF website. 

The Southampton Mustangs (10-3) and Richmond Flames (10-3) stayed locked together at the top of Pool A with both settling for double-header splits, against Mildenhall Bulldogs (4-7) and Southern Nationals (6-5) respectively.  In Pool B the Lakenheath Diamondbacks (9-2) continued their impressive form in their debut season with two victories over the Herts Falcons (2-9).  The Diamondbacks have played four games more than their nearest challenger in the standings: the London Mets (5-2). 

Weather permitting, the Mets will tick two of those games off against the Croydon Pirates (2-10) this Sunday and two victories will put them in a strong position before hosting the Southampton Mustangs on 26 June.

Trojans take one win in the rain

After two dormant weekends, the AAA-North leading Liverpool Trojans were not going to let the threat of rain extend their baseball-less run.  The Manchester A’s were similarly keen to play, looking to avenge the four losses that the Trojans have inflicted on them so far this season.

Unfortunately for the A’s (5-6), the Trojans (9-0) made it five wins from five over their rivals with a 13-9 victory in worsening weather that caused the postponement of the second part of the scheduled double-header.  The photo gallery of the game on the Trojans’ website showed what both sets of players, and the hardy spectators, had to contend with and it showed true British baseball spirit to get at least one game in.

Such spirit wasn’t able to overcome the downpours that put paid to the schedule in the AAA South.

This coming Sunday, the division-leading Bristol Badgers have two home games against the Richmond Knights, while the Essex Redbacks put their four-game winning streak on the line in two games away to the Windsor and Brackenll Bears.  The Oxford Kings travel to Finsbury Park to play two games against the London Metros.

Sidewinders and Mavericks stay ahead 

Some games were played in the AA South. The Pool B-leading Sidewinders improved to 8-1 with a 25-6 victory over Kent Mariners (1-7).  Guildford Mavericks (8-2) kept up the pressure on the Sidewinders as they remain just half a game back in the standings after a 13-3 win at home against Herts Hawks (1-7).

Poole Piranhas (5-4) are now in third place in Pool B following two wins on the road against the still win-less Essex Redbacks II (0-8). 

Bolton Robots of Doom have been kicking their bionic heels since May 22, but they should get back out on the field this Sunday with two home games against the win-less Oldham North Stars.  In the Midlands, both Leicester teams are in action with the Blue Sox hosting the Nottingham Rebels and the Blue Sox II facing a tough trip to face the division-leading MK Bucks .  The ten games scheduled in the South include the second placed team in Pool A,  Brentwood Stags, hosting the Sidewinders.

Royals-Mustangs II rained out

Unfortunately, the much anticipated clash from the A-South between the Cambridge Royals and Southampton Mustangs II was postponed due to the weather, as was the scheduled game between Herts Raptors and the Old Timers.  In the two games that were played, London Marauders improved to 4-4 with a 24-3 win over the Guildford Mavericks II, while Braintree Rays are now at 3-4 following a 9-0 win over Tonbridge.

This Sunday, Enfield Playing Fields plays host to two games.  The Old Timers will take on Tonbridge, while Cambridge Royals face the Mavericks II looking to improve to 7-0 on the season.