Home British baseball Bonus Bank Holiday double-header at Dave Ward Field between the Pirates and Arrows

Bonus Bank Holiday double-header at Dave Ward Field between the Pirates and Arrows

by Joe Gray

With the sudden curtailing of the season, it comes as no surprise that National Baseball League (NBL) teams have been scrambling to arrange games on the final available weekend of the regular season. Of all the attempts I have heard, the classiest would appear to be that of the Croydon Pirates. They have a rainout to make up with Essex from earlier in the season, and an outstanding doubleheader against the same team, which they could rightfully have claimed as a forfeit (Essex were short of players that weekend) but sportingly offered to play the games if they could be fit into the calendar.

Once the Pirates’ protested win against the Mets from earlier in the season is added back into the system, they will have an 8-and-14 record. To reach the postseason, Croydon need to draw level with Bracknell in the standings (going on the “games back” column), as they have a superior record in contests with the Blazers this year, taking three of the four games.

Bracknell currently have a 9-and-13 record, and they are scheduled to entertain the Diamondbacks this Sunday. A sweep by them in that double-header would put them beyond the Pirates’ reach, but if they split, the Pirates need three wins against Essex to draw level (if the Pirates won two and lost one, this would not be good enough). If the Blazers get swept, then the Pirates need to win two of those three games.

So the Pirates could have claimed their two forfeit wins and agreed to play the rainout against Essex on Sunday. A win in this game would take them to the postseason unless the Blazers sweep Lakenheath. Instead, though, the Pirates have made a very sporting move in offering to claim only one win as a forfeit, and to play a double-header with Essex. If they split that, they’ll need to rely on Lakenheath taking two from Bracknell.

Phew! I hope that all makes sense.

If you lost me there — and I don’t blame you — there are two things you really need to know:

  1. Croydon and Essex will meet in a double-header on Sunday at Dave Ward Field (the enclosed diamond at Roundshaw Playing Field, South Croydon), with the first pitch scheduled for noon,  and the outcome could have a bearing on the make-up of the play-offs.
  2. The Pirates have shown true class in a week of desperate scrambling.

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3 comments

Matt Smith August 26, 2011 - 1:26 pm

That’s a very commendable decision by Croydon. It should basically come down to who wins the games on the field now, which is how it should be. Good luck to all involved.

Reply
Jonathon Cramman August 26, 2011 - 6:23 pm

Why would Croydon’s ‘win’ get added back?

Reply
Joe Gray August 26, 2011 - 11:15 pm

Hi Jonathon,

My understanding (going on the limited information that has filtered through to me) is that the Mets’ protest was not upheld?

I have not been informed otherwise, and I can only go on the information I do have.

Joe

Reply

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