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With kind permission from the BBF Board Brit/air Bas'bI/1 F9derltfon The Official Voice Issue No 13 of the British Baseball April 1994 Federation 75p

the last year and I only ask that you do the same this year. Don't forget from next month onwards match reports will appear so get your players to subscribe HAPPY immediately or else they might miss out. Since our last issue a number of exciting things have happened on the UK front which will hopefully benefit BIRTHDAY us all in the near Mure. Inside this issue you can read about the hot news from around the country. The BBF's latest acquistion - another BBF Roadshow is on the horizon thanks to a BRIT-BALL! link up with a computer company. Binningham Braves pitching ace, Martyn Dutton, featured on Channel 4's Yes, here we are one year old and still going "The Big Breakfast" gaining himself and the Braves strong! some major coverage as well as featuring in the national press. This was of course linked to his trip to Subscriptions are rising, the season is under way and the Atlanta Braves spring training camp in Florida and once again baseball fever is on the increase. I would in our next issue I hope we will have more details of like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has his trip. contrib~ted articles or helped publicise Brit-ball over Baseball 2000, the BBPs latest idea for promoting the game to the youth is also unveiled. For those of you Keep in touch with what's happenina that have the desire to play teams from other leagues in British Baseball. call the then our guide to who's free during the year will be invaluable. The regular features are there as well British Baseball federation Hotline. including the fourth part of Alan Chell's Development plan and the competitions section, so read on!

SUPPORTED BY SPORTS Calls charged at 36p per minute off-peak, 48p per minute peak time. counCIL winning pitcher, home runs, any exceptional plays etc etc. This 1994 RESULTS commentary will then be used on the BBF Hotline and in Britball. National ~ pres£dente Premier League results are also included -----,.., in the National Press. SERVICE 2. Your score sheet, correctly completed, should be sent to the relevant Well the start of the season is upon us. This is ensure it's safety. However several shouts of "Ballista ....." statistician as soon as possible. where we find out if all the hard work gone into from a guard with a machine gun did nothing for my nerves. As a reminder, don't forget the procedure preparation is going to work or not. I'm looking He insisted I put it in one of my two cases. I politely gave for reporting your results after each Statisticians are as follows: him my case keys and the crossbow and suggested in my forward to seeing a few games this year, for a game: change! Hopefully I'll manage to get along to a best '1ust one cornetto voice" that he tried. Twenty minutes later he gave up and my prize was securely wrapped and 1. National Premier League variety of games in various places in both the given to the captain of my flight; what nice people they have a.National Premier League team results Gerry Walmsley southern and northern conferences. at British Airways. should be telephoned through to Head

What have we been doing in the close season? The World news has it that in Lusanne in Switzerland, at the office by 7. OOpm on the Southern Conference administration engine has been very busy publicising the special meeting called for June, the IBA will vote to include day of the game. Brian Holland Federation internally and externally. Various teams have the professional players into the Olympics. Hopefully with supplied us with players for radio and film, which on top of the inclusion of the best from the world, baseball will enjoy b.AII other teams results very successful coaching and umpiring clinics makes me a higher profile and will pave the way for more teams to be should be phoned through Northern Conference feel this will be another great milestone for your sport. included in the summer games. to Head Office 24 hours Clive Maude Many thanks to all who contribute to Brit-Ball with both their Back to local events, get those envoy programmes working after the end of the game. praise and their much needed input ofconstructive criticism. hard again this summer. I'm sure Mike Harrold has made With the result you should We aim to get it right first time but your help is much an excellent decision to utilise MLB coaches with the GB welcomed as several board members are running flat out squads, in what will be very tough opposition this year. also include a short on a large number ofdiffering tasks. As editor Kevin seems commentary to include to have struck a good balance on fun and serious business For myself, I've spent every Friday with a bunch of real nice and with the ambitions of Alan Chell to tum this into an kids preparing for a junior team. I'm pleased to say eventual news-stand edition, I think you will agree that our Laser Herringthorpe have affiliated and after registering main communication vehicle is getting even better. Oh, and looking forward to some friendlies and a league setting up Brit-Ball is now one years old, so get those subscriptions for next year. It has been very refreshing to coach these made out again. youngsters and I'm sure that at least some star players will emerge from the programmes I've seen in Yorkshire and Eastersaw my first non-baseball weekend since Christmas, Humberside. I cannot stress to you enough the importance but I had to work - you just cannot win. 9-10 ApriJ sees me of getting these kids playing at an early age. If you haven't once more in London for talks on the franchising of got a junior team yet, make this year the year that you start Baseball 2000 in the London area and visiting an exhibition one. It is lots of fun and very rewarding for you budding at which there will be the launch of what is going to be a coaches to see jUst what you can inspire and achieve in jUst great baseball game on the $ega - my fingers are twitching a very short number of weeks. If you've started one already! Keith Peskett is working hard at getting us involved already, then recruit and have cadets and juniors. Get in such diverse projects and with two roadshows now those schools approached and get a summer league circulating the country, interest in our sport is at an all time started. high. On a final note, I see that the not well publicised fact, is we CEBA met in February in San Marino and the International now have a University League set up this year. This was and Club tournaments were finalised. More on that from yet another untapped area which we must expand upon. the GB management. Good luck to Crawley on Hopefully a lot ofteams may benefit with returning students representing us in Europe; remember to treasure the wanting to play for their local home town team, or as more experience and have fun. I've no doubt you will be fine and more students are staying in areas all year round you ambassadors for your club and our Federation. I was very might find some otherwise unknown talent surfacing. impressed with the token of thanks the San Marino organisers gave to the delegates - a fully working crossbow! Ever tried carrying a Have a good start to the season an crossbow in an airport watch out for a guy carrying a crossbow! because it won't fit in any of your bags, or better still how about getting on a plane. I explained the situation, said I'd packed the bolt away and could 7&L~&: 049'3 427673 ?~: 049'3427651 they do anything to June 12th contacts and relationships to be formed through both the BBF 1994 UMPIRES and the Little League organisations. It was another example of HAVE BALL Essex Arrows - Glasgow Comets - Liverpool Tigers _ how well these two organisations are working together to lay Gloster Meteors - Burgess Hill Red Hats - Cambridge concrete foundations for baseball in the UK. WILL TRAVEL..... Fellows - Preston Bobcats - Newark Giants COACHING June 19th CLINIC Peter ROyer If you have ever wondered what it would be like to play Menwith Hill Pirates - Clyde Valley Knights - Tunbridge Kirkby Braves Junior Basball Team that team from the division above you or even how you Wells Royals - Milton Keynes Truckers - Norwich would fare against teams from other parts of the country Wanderers Bushey International University well now's your chance to find out. ' Watford Below is a list of free dates for all the teams in the June 26th country so get your 1994 BBF Handbook, a pen and a 19-20 March Menwith Hill Pirates - Edinburgh Reivers telephone and if you've got a free weekend then get on the blower and organise a friendly. Don't forget to let us July 3th know at Head Office if you arrange anything so we can f\/hat a weekend - it all started just like ~ report your result on the Hotline and in Britball. Stretford A's - Gloster Meteors B- Norwich Wanderers Publications worth Don't forget there's five university teams for you to playas !"lis . getting hold of: well and these can be found in the Handbook. There are July 10th .j30am: Arose from one's cot thinking I am going ~Iso several new teams preparing to join the BBF leagues Hull Giants - Edinburgh Reivers - Newark Giants ­ :) kill that alarm clock. Is this joumey to Bushey In the 1995 season who would appreciate some friendly Waltham Abbey Cardinals - Brighton Buccaneers B games. Give them a call as well. Contact names are ~ally going to be worth it? Little League Baseball (European Regional Umpire Clinic Peter Rigley for a team in the Nottingham area on 0602 1:00am: After a hectic taxi ride, boarded the July 17th Handbook: 294892; Tom Keegan for a team in the Basildon area on jtercity to Euston thinking is this expense going European HO, Szezecin, Poland 0277 216945; Andrew Wilson for a team in the Bamsley Strikers - Dalriada Demons - Guildford Mudcats ::> prove worthwhile? Well, heck, its too late now - Fulham Flames Manchester area on 061 643 1657. Ihyway. It's going to be a long weekend. The Right Call - Casebook of Little League Baseball: Please note that some teams may have to play rained out p.OOam: Arrive at Bushey via Euston and ,US Little League games. League and cup games must take priority over July 24th 'Yatford. First visit to the elegant gothic styled friendlies. HUll. M~ts - Arun Panthers - Tunbridge Wells Royals _ valls of the International University, first Basics for the Volunteer Umpire in Little League: DroitwlCh Spa-Tans - Newark Giants rnpressions - it's at least flYe degrees warmer in ./;'Jatford (Editor. outside maybe, not when you UPS April 24th Ictually get inside the university) than Liverpool. Hounslow Hawks - Hounslow Falcons - Gloster Meteors B July 31st ?ne staggered (I'm looking for sympathy hereQ - Brighton Buccaneers B Tamworth Strykers - Tayside Cobras - Arun Panthers ­ ght into the classroom, dropping ones Reading Royals - Cambridge Fellows - Burgess Hill Red age lightly onto somebody's foot. May 1st Hats ;rom this point onwards the weekend took a Humberside Mets • Fulham Flames - Bamsley Strikers ­ lefinite tum for the better. Guildford Mudcats August 7th ~ one had any doubts about the course, tlJey Hull Royals - Dundee DOdgers - Hounslow Hawks _ yere qUickly dispelled. The delivery by the Little May 8th Droitwich Spa-Tans - Reading Royals - Totteridge seague Chief Umpire, Andy Konyer and his :purse partner Dennis Graham, was of a quality Hull ~ets - Men:",ith Hill Pirates - Waltham Abbey Trailblazers - Milton Keynes Truckers - Eastboume Aces ~at would have satisfied both the very Cardinals - Dalnada Demons - Brighton Buccaneers B August 14th ~xperienced baseball umpires and the idiots like reo Over the two days there was a well thought Nottingham Pirates - West Lothian Wildcats - Hounslow May 15th ~!ut sequence of seminars, visual aids, questions, Hawks - City Slick Sidewinders - Bracknell Blazers _ Hull Mets - Tayside Cobras - Cambridge Fellows­ !ym sessions (nothing too exhausting) and field Chichester Kyotes Burgess Hill Red Hats jrills. (went to Bushey in my position as a coach for the DESIGNS TM May 22nd August 21st ~irkby Braves, not specially as an umpire. The Tamworth Strykers - Dundee Liverpool Tigers - Glasgow Cornets - Hounslow -rsult of the course made me aware that coaches Dodgers - Milton Keynes Hawks - Droitwich Spa-Tans - Lashings ~hould participate in umpires clinics, as it makes EMBROIDERED Truckers - Eastboume Aces ­ Sluggers - Bracknell Blazers 2ne aware of the game from a different angle. Sheffield Bladerunners - Newark fhe material and information which Andy and PERSONALISED Giants August 28th :pennis got through in those two sessions, was ~ubstantial to say the least. It was delivered in Clyde Valley Knights - Boumernouth B's ­ CLOTHING ~uch an informative and entertaining way, that the Hemel Red Sox - Tiptree Hotsports Rays ­ May 29th ~heer volume did not prove too much of a burden. Chichester Kyotes - Preston Bobcats - Leeds Hull Royals - Norwich mportant quotes from the weekend included: Wanderers - Gloster Meteors B­ City Royals II - Sheffield Bladerunners ­ Birmingham Dodgers . troversial umpire decisions should be made Hessle Astros - Birmingham our car phone with adequate clearance Dodgers ahead of your vehicle for a quick getaway" September 4th 'umpires should always check their equipment. SPECIALIST LIONHEART SHOPS June 5th Tiptree Hotsports Rays- Hounslow Hawks ~ever leave your box hanging over the radiator SOLIHULL STOKE ON TRENT 95 High Street for drying" 6 Piccadilly Nottingham Pirates - Gloster Meteors - Droitwich Solihull Hanley Spa-Tans - Hessle Astros - Leeds City Royals II Good Luck and Happy Hunting! 'If, as an umpire, you sustain injury, try to last out 021 711 3155 0782 207575 the inning before calling for the ambulance" The Bushev event also heloed Dave way for new (a page is about 150 words in double spacing). State BBF HANDBOOK clearly at the top who the press release is from and MARTYN LOCAL include a contact telephone number so they can reach you for further information. ALTERATIONS If you have a very special story then contact the reporters DEVELOPMENT ­ personally to be sure they take a look at all the angles ­ when the BBF Handbook was published DUTTON they will often help you find a topical angle. A special were a couple of errors in it and the corrections are PART IV story will be one about a special event, an important follows: venue, an important person and so on. Be careful not to RETURNS be too subjective and see the general publics point of HOW TO GET PUBLICITY view. LEEDS CITY ROYALS II To get a mention of TV or Radio ask for one! Ask for a Davidson As you may have seen on Channel 4's 'The Big THROUGH YOUR LOCAL MEDIA specifIC time and they will answer - although very often it Barker Place, Bramley Breakfast', Martyn Dutton has recently been out is a case of the editor deciding what is transmitted. Send West Yorkshire to the States to try out for the Atlanta Braves. the information in plenty of time and be contactable. Birmingham Braves manager, Gary Roberts, has told us Reporters in local newspapers and radio have 34BU Tel: 0532563952 Write your announcement in compelling, exciting sound that pitcher Martyn Dutton has retumed to the UK bites of about 25 words (10 seconds) or 50 words (20 an insatiable appetite for news, in fact their impressed but without a million ~olla.r ~ntract". seconds). Create word pictures and go for an emotional livelihoods depend on it, and often if there isn't When Gary and Martyn arrived In Miami they headed for response from the audience - elation, surprise, BURGESS HILL RED HATS any they create some! So why is it often so the baseball spring training grounds in West Palm .Beach compassion, sorrow or whatever. VjSE~COr,a contact should be Mike Purchase and difficult to get your story publicised? and contacted Don Mitchell - the Director of Scouting for Stay alert to programme opportunities - where would your Mike Turquand the address is as before. the Atlanta Braves. Don arranged for Martyn to try-out The reporters have to be convinced that the story they story fit, Saturday Sport, children's television, young are producing will be of interest to their audience. So the with the Atlanta team. people's success stories, inner-city deprivation, sports He warmed up with the players and after 30 minutes did first question is who is their audience, and what interests discussions - spot the opportunities. NOTTINGHAM PIRATES his stuff. He pitched at just over 80mph but regrettably them? On the radio ask to get on to talk shows, use big brother­ Ben Stanley's telephone number should be this was just not enough to be considered for the team ­ How often do you feel that the public think baseball is a Major League Coaches, BBF President etc to open the ''try again next year" they said "now we know about you minority sport, few people are interested, door. 0602 470696. nobody understands the game, it's only we'll be keeping an eye". There are of course many other points to Scout Don asked Gary to keep his eyes and ears open played by a few Americans on holiday? Of ..): bear in mind to maximise your publicity. BRISTOL BLACK SOX for anybody else who may have the skill and ~mmit~ent course, you know better than that, but if * Establish what you want from the media. to get into the major leagues and of course thiS offer IS you sometimes feel that way how do you Recruitment, recognition, local funding, Emil Taylor open to anyone - so IF YOU KNOW SOMEBODY who think the reporter feels. Put yourself in his acknowledgement as community project? 20 Daisy Road, Eastville a has a powerful throwing arm or is deadly accurat~ at shoes when you want publicity, write (or * Respect publishers deadlines BS56XJ Tel: 0272575543 hitting a ball, contact the British Baseball Federa~lon and chat on the phone) in such a way that the * Never send irrelevant material we will put you in touch with the tight people - thiS could reporter becomes convinced this is a * Define your audience and use your scoop his audience will be interested in. be your chance to become a player agent! . imagination and always have an exciting SHEFFIELD BLADERUNNERS Don Mitchell said "he was very impressed with the way So here's my most important piece of angle for the defined audience Will Greenwood's telephone number is 0742 baseball was developing in the UK, but it still needed to advice - take a GENUINE interest in your Show appreciation, a letter ora phone call 507679 catch up with Holland and Australia in the quality of local media. Read the papers, listen to the * Plan ahead - link today's news to next players". radio, watch the television. Note the good weeks publication stories, why they were good, and who presented them. * Keep it short and simple - KISS Major League Make a list of the people to contact, and keep a record * Look for an advertising angle, newspapers love ways to Ondex cards and so on), get to know the kind of stories sell advertising Baseball each reporter writes. Then, when you phone him, forget * Unk to local issues - Channel Tunnel, Shipping on the about your story - comment on his story! Be honest, tell Mersey eep in touch with all the news - without having to spend a BIRMINGHAM him you enjoyed the story, or that you didn't agree with * Ask for a feature article - ask the reporter to write the all fortune! Baseball Briefing taps mto the Amencan his point.of view, but be interested in his stories. Do this article with your help and offer them photo opportunities ire services to bring you all the off-season news - major wards, trade activity etc. Then in March we give across the board and you will have set the scene to get * Share stories with other organisations - football, rugby, 'valled coverage of Spring Training - before movmg mto BRAVES your stories published. cricket, schools and so on ur regular season schedule (box scores and game reports on The next point to remember is know the importance of * A picture tells a thousand words - a picture ofa batter very game, plus news and statistics). your story. Don't be a nuisance. If you send match shows a game took place, a story depends on the Back home Gary Roberts is busy promoting his cheque/PO for £3 .60 made payable to Baseball Briefing ­ reports, be consistent and reliable and you will get your readers interest. ets you our three off-season issues. as they come off ,the local team in Birmingham. Birmingham is the couple of column inches each week - if it is something Finally, look for other media exposure in your area. Visit resses (the first carries comprehenSive StatiStICS for every first city to be displaying 6 x 4 illuminated signs special - a knockout cup match or a local player selected the big companies and get an article in their in-house layer who appeared in the majors in 1993), plus details 0 for the ALL-STAR team, call your media contacts, tell with the Atlanta Braves Tomahawk em blem magazine. Do a promotion at your local shopping centre. ow to subscribe for the 1994 season. We also offer them you have a good story, they can have pictures and Get into local council pUblications, local sports OOKS, CARDS AND CLOTHING ITEMS promoting the Birmingham Braves. .. a full biography of Charlie Brown of the YOURTOWN publications. Never stop looking for opportunities. lease send for our pricelist. For example... If you have any unusual or brilliant pu~ItClty ALL-STARS. Remember a company director or sports development "What I Taught Mom About Baseball" - expected ideas that you use in your area, let Bnt-Ball When you send a press release the first paragraph is officer could be reading, listening or watching on the very o be available in January, the perfect book for answenng know. If we all start to promote the sport like crucial. It must be punchy, have an angle, be to the point day that he receives your letter asking for his support! our questions about the game of baseball ." great for the Birmingham soon everyone will know about and convey the full story in a few words. The reporter Stranger things have happened. ginner, yet with plenty for the more expenenced fan . must be able to decide as qUickly as possible if your story Next month we'll look at other promotional opportunities to lear explanation of the rules and traditions of the game. baseball. is of use to him so get all your points of interest in a brief raise the public awareness of British baseball. ow to score a game and work out statistics - plus an first paragraph. Plenty of time to expand in the following Best of luck xtensive glossary-of tenns. Order your copy now for Just paragraphs. 4.50 including postage and packing. The layout should be double spacing, 150-300 words long Alan Chell ASEBALL BRIEFING, 2 Drury Close, altham. GRIMSBY DN37 OXP Dear President ~ My name is Brad Dyson, I'm 20 The present is to put fOlWard my years old and writing to you to candidature for the position of express genuine interest in your baseball player and / or coach for 'J,~\ baseball federation. PONY SPORTS UK LTD one of the teams within the With the limited knowledge I have of deration you represent. \ your baseball federation, I have a h an ample amount of genuine playing interest, and /! rtinent experience in Canada, it possible coaching and

is with great expectations that I \ ~/./I \ \ ! administration. The Baseball Times offer my services with your '" ! ... \ / Magazine, newspaper clippings, federation. historical documents and close ARE DELIGHTED TO BE THE OFFICIAL Having completed in September correspondence with Mr Norman 1993, a career of thirteen (13) Wells; this information coupled with SPORTS FOOTWEAR SUPPLIERS TO season (eight to twenty one years r. the love for England, and being of age), four of which were at the English, I have built a great highest Canadian level as a enthusiasm to play in England. THE BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION pitcher (Junior Major Elite of I know of your structural changes to Quebec), I am looking to broaden streamline the Federation and it my horizons. I have also sounds extremely positive and participated in select teams as interesting. My playing interests lay both pitcher and first baseman with your National Premier League. This league sounds (All-Star, provincial, Pan-American exhibitions), attended very exciting and I would be grateful if you would put me several baseball camps (1990: Fred Feriera, Major in contact with a team that would be willing to take me on League Scout, Cincinnati Reds; 1991: Ex-Expo, Ron as a player. Hunt), as well as playing for Kansas-City Scout, Randy I would really like to come over to England for the 1994 IN AM£R1CA l£NNY DYKSTRA'S GlOV£ INFLICTS Napier, during this past season. season, and would leave Australia as soon as my major Having concentrated on coaching for the past two league commitments are over, which will be at the eartiest DA~G£ seasons at the calibre MOR£ THAN M1K£ TYSON'S of Junior Big League (sixteen to mid March and the latest early April. This is the play-offs twenty years old), I have had some success. The team and the grand final time. My team are in the playoffs this has had a birth in the provincial championships the past season, othelWise I would leave today. two seasons after finishing with only three victories the I currently play third base, but have also played 1st base, Ul1l1\f Dt.,l(Stra: ~st catches 111 Pro Baseball '93: jeason before. Four of the players belonging to last 2nd base, shortstop and left field. ears team were chosen to attend the Canadian Ol1l\f POl1\f I know what I need to do at my end to come over, with VVcars championships. immigration etc. At this point I need to know what the It is also of interest to note that I was recruited to prepare BBF and a National Premier League can do for me at parts of the daily program for pitchers aJ THE ELITE their end. What I really need most is some financial BASEBALL CLiNIQUE. This included the teaching of support to be able to come over, possibly accommodation technical, physical and psychological aspects of the and worK. game. I look fOlWard to hearing from you. I am presently studying Exercise Science and Physical Education at the University of Montreal. I believe the Brad Dyson knowledge of the functioning body and mind in 97 Leumeah Road preparation for, during and after sport has greatly Leumeah improved my knowledge of baseball, both as player and New South Wales 2560 coach. Australia Baseball aside, I am fluently bilingual in both English and French and I really desire the chance of discovering another culture! If the opportunity arises, the possibility of Dear Ian establishing myself and finishing my studies would be I am writing to thank you for bringing the Great Britain quite welcome. Squad to our Open Day last Saturday. Please be assured that it is with the highest of interest The fact that they were simply present boosted the that I post my candidature for this position (for this season attendance enormously. or the following one). Any additional enquiries can easily The professionalism and the organisation of the players be accessible at your request. whilst they coached the local kids was outstanding. The I also have a friend who would like to play in England, his players were a credit to the British Baseball Federation, name is Michel and is listed next to my address. the Management and to themselves. you for your consideration. I hope the occasion again arises whereby you can bring the squad back to the Sports Centre for another special Martin Langlois Michel Couillard event. 2750 Mousseau 7209 De Lorimier Street I wish you well in the forthcoming season and in the Montreal, Quebec, Montreal, Quebec European Championships in Slovenia. The Pentland Centre, Lakeside, Squiares Lane, Finchley, London N3 2QL Canada H1 L-4V9 Canada H2E 2NO Yours sincerely Telephone 081 346 2600 Fax 081 343 2529 Telex 91'9434 Tel: 0101 5143520582 Tel: 0101 5147257066 Stuart Clarke Manager, John Smeaton Sports Centre, Leeds. BBF Factsheets at Head Office daughters on their great loss. Frank started out his baseball career at the age of twenty which are excellent for handing out OBITUARY four, with the Briggs Tigers. This was followed by spells to kids. It tells them a bit of history , with the Ford Brigands and Romford Rockets. Next came Specialists in Baseball Awards of Distinction about the game in the UK, who to the Southend Aces which, after amalgamation became contact if they want to know their Southend Red Sox. It was with the Red Sox that Frank Offer the widest possible choice with unrivalled quality local team, and also explains a few became finn baseball friends with Basildon Raiders and FRANK BRADY finally Basildon Mariners. Frank finally ended his metal figures, good value, fast service, expert engraving of the basics about the game. I competitive baseball career with the Mariners in 1992. you would like a few to hand out During his career he played first base and outfield and whilst doing your promotion, give us was well known around the various leagues for his home It is with great sorrow that I have to report the death of a call and we'll send some down to run hitting ability. Frank joined the Old Timers in May Frank Brady, on Wednesday 6 April 1994, just short of his 1988 and was one of its ear1iest players. His spot was in you. 62nd birthday. Frank died of a heart attack, ironically on CUPS -' ": t - PLAQUES- right field, where he made some real shoestring catches his way home from a training session with Basildon for the team and frequently pulled some good hits out of Mariners. On behalf of all members of the Old Timers I S~llH~t:AE~ the barrel when most needed. Frank was a quiet, keen wish to pass on heartfelt sympathy to Babs and her two baseball enthusiast and was always a regular attendee . ~ ) and since 1956 has not missed a single cat:aIO~.J1g baseball season. The Old Timers right For iree 081-908-:l477, or call fiek:1 will never be the same again for Frank " '>...! MOMENTS, " tit / &f_~ ~. will be a hard act to follow. His unifonn No ~~~;;Ir~~,>... ~ 17, will be retired and on Saturday 16th April at the Old Timers home ground, there MEMORIES, will be a minutes silence hek:1 in right field, in memory of Frank - perhaps our own DENVER ATHLETICS LTD. 'Field of Dreams'. j MIRACLES incorporating ALL AMERICAN IMPORTS Barry Mayfield 76 SlUice Rood Denver Downham Markel Norlolk PE38 ODZ England Old Timers Baseball Club Telephone 0366 384603 Fox 0366 384009 Moments, Memories, Miracles is one man's history ofthe first 25 years ofthe Kansas City Royals, Baseball Softball from the highlights of the 'come from behind' wins in the 1985 ALCS and World Series against the Jays and WATCH OUT Cardinals, to the' low point of the vain struggle by Di Howser, the successful manager then, against a brain tumour in 1987. FOR "ROOKIE The book does not list the club's fortunes in straight SCOTLAND chronological order but as the author, Steve Cameron states, he "tried to think like a Royals fan and arrange things OF THE YEAR" more or less the way people might recount them when they V start talking baseball". It starts with 1985 (which was the 6--[ Now's the time for you to plan a bit of local first year I started listening to baseball Game 5 ofthe ALCS I pUblicity. Due to be released soon at cinemas Danny Jackson 2-0 Vs my Jays) detailing the post season ! ENGLAND heroics, with a series victory against a fanner manager around the country is John Candy's "Rookie ofthe Whitey Herzog. Year". The film revolves around the story of a There is an entire chapter devoted to No 5 George Brett, A date for your diaries is the young poy who is the only man to win batting titles in 3 different Scotland v England game on decades, and is headed for Cooperstown. Another chapter V\Jhy not speak with the manager of your local Sunday 29 May 1994. This cinema and ask if you can do a promotion in the talks about the ear1y days of the franchise, following the departure of the Athletics up to the opening of the year the event is to be hosted foyer of the cinema. It's an ideal opportunity to let magnificentRoyals stadium, where Cookie Rojas celebrated people know that baseball is played in their local the Royals first division title by jumping into the water by Dalriada Demons Baseball area. fountains, fortunately the electricity had been turned off, and Club at their ground All you need to do is produce a flyer, include on it where Nolan Ryan pitched his first no-hitter. Bothwellhaugh Pavilion, This is an essential book if you are a Royals fan, as it will the name of your team, where you play, details of stir a lot of memories, of various shades, through both the Strathclyde Country Park. If your next few games, and a number to contact text and a lot of photographs, some of them stunning. you're interested in attending you if they are interested in This A4 hardback book, Moments, Memories, then give Liam Bell a call and playing. Along with a few Miracles is available at a cost of £31.99 fro he'll send you some directions. of your players, take it in Gazelle Book Services Limited, Falcon House, turns for a couple of you SEND FOR A FULL COLOUR CATALOGUE OF BASEBALL Queen Square, Lancaster, LA1 1RN, Tel: 0524 EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING. ALL ITEMS IMPORTED FROM each night to stand in the 68765. A must for all die-hard Kansas City THE USA. STOCK ITEMS AVAILABLE FROM OUR SHOWROOM. foyer handing out the Royals fans. TEAM VISITS BY APPOINTMENT. leaflets. Mark Tinker We also have a supply of Toronto Blue Jays Fan Foundations maintain direct links with the BBF through membership, administrative support, sponsorship and "WIT AND WISDOM" BASEBALL 2000 coaching assistance. For Baseball 2000 Foundations to succeed it is the local RBI A little gem to drop through the door of BBF Head Office In 'EI Presidente' this month you will read a membership, above any other consideration that will last week was the "Baseball Book of Wit and Wisdom". It reference to Baseball 2000. Below is an make them work. Although only two people are required, is a very small book (3" x 3.5j but contains some explanation of what the BBF hope to achieve the aim is to have as wide a base as possible, building absolute treasures in terms of quotes. To quote the book around teachers, coaches and businessmen from the - 'Like life itself, the game of baseball offers us triumphs, through the scheme. community. BASEBALL The objective is to promote the game of baseball to the humour wisdom and its share of errors. In this winning One person in each foundation must have good practical collecti~n of insights, lovers of the game - from pitchers to youth of Great Britain particularly, though not exclusively, knowledge of the sport and is required to be in charge of presidents, to scribes and second basemen - describe the through the school system. Our efforts go towards coaching. One other individual should be an involved establishing baseball coaches, for PE classes where mystique of the national pastime'. fund-raiser; he/she must have a business background. 94 A couple to wet your appetite: possible, and creating youth clubs after school in order These two will ideally lead a team of teachers which that those youngsters interested in continuing the sport, "How hard is hitting? You ever walk into a include a representative from every school in the area. pitch-black room full offurniture thatyou've never have proper channels to develop their game. Together they form a committee which amalgamates their If 1993 saw baseball coming into a league of its Out task is to bring schools of an area together to form been in before and try to walk through it without varied backgrounds into the nucleus of an organisation own with the British Baseball Federation bumping info anything? Well, it's harder than that" Foundations while seeking the support of local councils, which will not only provide baseball for youngsters, but reporting record membership increases, in 1994 communities and industry. This BBF initiative follows Ted Kluszewski - Reds First Baseman (1947-57) give them the motivation to think for themselves and to the organisation is set for even bigger things. "Baseball is a game where a curve is an optical closely on the heels of our Sports Council sponsored help finance their ambitions through the vehicle of Schools Development Programme, which has already It's a fact recognised by the latest company to team up illusion a screwball can be a pitch or a person, Overseas Tours. with the BBF - TENGEN - one of the UK's leading video stealing is legal and you can spit anywhere you like introduced baseball to seventy schools in the UK. So, who benefits from Baseball2000? Operating in communities already "seeded" by this SOP games publishers. eKcept in the umpire's eye or on the balll" The schools will receive baseball training gear and a new spon~r t~e BB~'s ground work we create leagues with All Star Teams which They have recently announced plans to Jim Murray - Los Angeles Times (1962) sports facility - a baseball diamond(O, the teachers If YOU'd like to read more then look out in your local tour internationally. By initiating these combined school second Roadshow (to be based in Leeds) to comclde WIth receive nationally recognised coaching training through bookshops for a copy of Wit and Wisdom'. It's published teams and enabling them to host Intemational SChools' the launch of the new video game. RBI Baseball 1994 is the BBF and the NCF, sponsors benefit through the by Running Press, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. If you Festivals, Baseball 2000 increases the motivation to play the latest in a series which has sold over a quarter of a unique opportunity to identify with the teenage market of can't find a copy then give them a call on 071 3234770 the game at the grass roots level. Then by hamessing million units in the US each year for the last five years ­ today, their present and future customers. and they will let you know who your local stockist is. this enthusiasm to local business and funnelling the and is the biggest selling baseball title in video game The student athlete will gain the most. The training and history. ..-- -, results through the press we will achieve results otherwise the selection process will improve athletic skills. It's positive news for the BBF - the link up 'unirnaginable through current sports programmes. The potential list of achievements is long and the result Each Foundation formed is an independent organisation, with the video games publisher, with its should be more mature, capable and productive indomitable far reaching influence on raising funds, operating overseas tours, obtaining publicity individuals in our schools and society. and providing facilities and equipment under its own ung people across the UK and Europe If you have any more questions around Baseball 2000 will aid the BBF's recruitment drive. steam. The responsibility is therefore decentralised away then give Greg Welch, Youth Director, a call. from the BBF into the hands of the community. To set the ball rolling, the officallaunch of the sponsorship will took place at. the THE SPECIALIST SPORTS BOOKSHOP European Computer Trade Show" ­ Islington Business Design Centre - London Britain's best sports bookshop on 10 April - the offical start day of the with branches in London and Manchester British baseball season. NEW At l1am the Brighton Baseball team 'gate DON'T MISS OUT crashed' the ECTS show used to launch the The Pitching Edge new games titles to European retailers, and checked out the graphics and animation Stockists of the largest range of baseball Tom House sequences of the RBI game. Heads ~ed books in Europe Foreword by Nolan Ryan to watch Brighton alight from therr 53 seater coach in full uniform, and they KEEP IN TOUCH BrinKing science and experience to the pitchinK mOl/lld created quite a stir from press and public alike as they wandered around the show. WITH MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL This is a practical guide full of cutting-edge information for pitchers and coaches al Keith Peskett, Marketing and Sponsorship e\'ery le\'el. Tom House puts his experience and research into the follomng three ke\ s to Director of the BBF utilised the event as an Suppliers of USA Today Baseball Weekly pitching success: opportunity to officially announce the start The Sporting News and Sports Illustrated Technique: applying state-of-the-art 3D motion analysis to pitching mechanICS of the season as the Brighton team got (subscription service available) ready for their intial game. Training: the latest methods for conditioning the pitcher's total body and thro\\ ing arm Look out for a report on the event, as well Thinking: focusing on the mental aspects of pitching. including pre\'enting game as a review of the game itself in a future anxiety and handling postgame anxiety. and more issue of Brit-Ball. SPORTSPAGES

Barton Square "The material Tom presents between these covers will help you as a coach and as an athlete, because it Caxton Walk works. It worked for me, and it's helped my sons . .. compete on the high school and college levels." Nolan Ryan 94-96 Charing Cross Road St Ann's Square London WC2H OJG Manchester M2 7HA 0-87322-503-1 152pp 153 illus Paperback February 1994 £14.95 Tel: 071 240 9604 Tel: 061 8328530 HUMAN KINETICS PO Box IW14 Leeds LS166TR Tel: 0532781708 (24hr) Fax ())~2 7X 171)') To order: please send a cheque made payable to HKP (Europe) Ltd or contact the above office. Retail or Mail Order P&P: Please add £2.50 for one book (50p for each additional book). 0079 - COMPETITION CORNER THE BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION Well, this month we've got another competition for you to try your hand 1994 HANDBOOK at, this time produced by Anthony Weakner of Caterham Athletics. It's quite simple, all you have to do Contains all the 1994 fixtures and team contacts for British Baseball is rearrange the words below to form the nickname of teams within Please send me a copy of the British Baseball Federation 1994 Handbook the BBF. Example Slack Box = Black Sox. 1. STAR PIE 2. REDS DOG I enclose a cheque I postal order for £3.50 3. SIRE REV Sports 4. SOD MEN 5. SKIVING Name: 6. STAB COB Specialties® 7. THIS A CELT Address: 8. SET HARD 9. SAP STAN THE LEADER IN 10. CRAVES KIM 11. SET MORE SPORTS HEADWEAR 12. SCORN HAM 13. CADS WILT Postcode: 14. SOS RAT 15. STEM CO For U.K. Stockists Return to: 66 Belvedere Road, Hessle, North Humberside, HU13 9JJ 16. NAG ERRS Tel: 0734401200 17. THEN RAPS 18. SAID INN Fax: 0734401592 19. SNOT JAR 20. OR WARS 21. A STING 22. DRAW SNEER 23. AS VERB 24. CALF SON 25. RARE ZIT BALLS 26. SELF LOW SUBSCRIBE TO BRIT-BALL 27. LADS IN CAR 28. MA SELF FLA'WED LOGIC 29. TO KEYS 20. SAM DUCT The Official Voice of the British Baseball Federation And, a prize for the correct answers, well this Anyone with a head for heights should easily be able to solve this poser. At noon (GMT) a man Please find enclosed a cheque / postal order for £9.00 for 12 issues /75p for the next issue* month we're generously giVing away another of goes into a hotel in London's Park Lane, takes (* Delete as applicable) those much sought after Bushey Clinic T-shirts. the lift to the 13th floor and drops a cricket ball out of the window. At exactly the same time, Name: his friend enters a hotel on New York's 5th Avenue, takes the elevator to the 13th floor and Address: drops a baseball out of the window. The hotels belong to the same chain and are constructed in the same manner. The cricket ball and baseball are the same weight and the weather conditions are identical in both countries. The American baseball hits the sidewalk before the Postcode: London cricket ball hits the pavement. Why? Clue: Try vertical not lateral thinking! Return to: 66 Belvedere Road, Hessle, North Humberside, HU13 9JJ

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