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With kind permission from the BBF Board BRIT BALL The Official Voice of the British Baseball Federation Issue 51 95p August 1997 IEUROPEAN JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS I The Great Britain Under Great Britain were drawn 18 team against Romania, Sweden and assembled in Poland in the round robin part of the schedule. ___ ~ Hull on Saturday Game 1 19th July to prepare Great Britain 11 V Romania for the 10 Championship which was A win was vital, and Great due to start on Tuesday Britain eventually won this in 22nd. Our thoughts were on the 9th. Andy Gilbert, Kevin doing well in the tournament Stidham and Henry Collins with the aim of reaching the combined for the win, with Collins getting the win. Gilbert final and winning promotion to had a good day with the bat the A Pool. going 3 for 5 with two triples and 3 RBI. With Gilbert only **************~ ~ going four innings, giving up 8 Keep in touch with runs on 7 hits, Great Britain * what's happening in * * British Baseball, call * (Continued on page 2) * the British Baseball * * Federation Hotline. * ** ** ** SUPPORTED BY **~ 0891 ~ Foundation for sport ~SPORTS : 884533 : and"th.e arts Il.JCOUnclL **************** Page 2 Brit-Ball Brit-Ball Page 3 had to use the bullpen early on. ENQUIRIES LY!)cA~~e71J~c21C) Game 2 ~j6J ~ Editorial Enquiries: British Baseball Federation, Great Britain 14~ - The following items are objectives of the coaching white with the BBF logo on PO Box 45 Sweden 13 available from the BBF to association and details on how the left breast in sizes S, M, Hessle, HU13 OVQ help develop your club. to attain level A, AA and AAA L or XL). An excellent price Tel: 01482643551 Chris Pearson was the starting qualifications. of £13. pitcher for this game giving Diamond Development - The Sporting News Official European Championship Fax: 01482640224 contains details of who you Baseball Rules -1996 Edition Caps - An excellent high http://www.bbf.org Great Britain seven innings, can apply to for funding. - only £1 per copy. quality souvenir from this giving up 10 runs on only 5 hits. Diamond Construction - Inflatable Baseball Bats - year's event. Available in However he got the win, Liam Full details on how to You've seen Atlanta Braves royal blue, red or black with Editor: Kevin Macadam Bath and Henry Collins construct a baseball chop, now here's your chance the baseball, stars and Deputy Editor: Wendy diamond. to start a new trend and do the Union Jack logo at a cost combined for the save. 13 walks Macadam Introduction to the Game BBF Bash! These inflatables of£10. were the problem in this game, - briefly explains the rules are the same length as a European Championship and what eqUipment is normal baseball bat - 32" and Polo Shirts - Again an BBF Executive as the offence held up with Alex Malihoudis and Ed Jeffrey reqUired. are approximately twice as excellent souvenir from the President: Steve Herbert History of the Game - a thick. They are printed with a championships, available in Technical: Gary Mortimer working well at the plate. Jeffrey brief history of baseball in union jack design. £1 each red, royal blue, or white with Conferences: Sharron Bonfield hit the first home run of the the UK. Practice Organisation - get the baseball, stars and Sponsorshlp& Publications: tournament How to set up a Baseball your team in order, make them Union Jack logo on the left Kevin Macadam Team - How do you go train like the professionals. breast in sizes S, M, Lor British Baseball League: Frank about starting your own This step by step guide takes XL. An excellent price of Scherer Game 3 team - ideas for fund- you through a full training £13. Media & Players Council: James raising, recruiting players, session, including stretching BBF Line-up Pads - Each Pearce Great Britain 15 details of fees, where the exercises, thrOWing and pad contains twenty BBF Technical Committee BBF spend the money etc. running drills, infield and quadruple sets which will Youth & Player Development: Poland 10 Teeball - an instructional outfield drills. Invaluable at a last you the season. At Ian Smyth leaflet on the game of cost of only £1 . £4.25 a pad can you afford Coaching & Game Development: This win put Great Britain at the teeball. BBF Caps - Let people know to be without? Ralph Rago top of the group with a 3-0 Baseball information that you belong to the British BBF Pin Badges - Conference Commissioners: Sheet - ideal for people Baseball Federation. These Identifies you with the BBF Premier, North & South: record. This was a real team new to the game, it explains caps are of an exceptional - excellent as end of Sharron Bonfield effort in the pitching stakes with what the BBF is and what quality, embroidered with the season gifts for players - Scotland: Brian Edwards Stidham, Bath, Walter, Taylor we can provide. BBF logo. Available in either these iron based three North & South Umpires and Malihoudis combining to get Parent information - a white with a blue peak or red colour badges are a snip at . Commissioner and National leaflet designed for you to with a royal blue peak at a cost £1 each. Umpiring Coordinator: Ted Gerard the win for Great Britain. Ed hand out to your junior of £10. Scorebooks - For the CEB Thesingh Jeffrey hit another two dingers, players parents. BBF Polo Shirts - Again an scoring system £4.50 per Scorers Cor,nmlssioners: having another great day at the Baseball Qualification!> - excellent way to promote the book and the Scoremaster South: Brian Holland plate. gives the aims and British Baseball Federation. system £4.00 per book. North: Clive Maude Available in red, royal blue, or Scotland: Liz Graham Youth Commissioners: North: Alan Wilson If you require more information on any of the above please contact: South: Paul Vernon British Baseball Federation, POBox 45, Hessle, HU13 (Continued on page 5) ova Schools: Kevin McCallion Tel: 01482643551 Fax: 01482640224 Brit-Ball Page 4 Brit-Ball PageS Game 4 semi~ gave up more than any other team in the competition. However we also led the tournament in Great Britain 15 Israel 19 runs scored, with Ed Jeffrey winning three individual awards This was a disappointing loss, and for Home runs, Runs Scored and was essentially down to giving up RBI. 8 runs in the second inning, and another 8 in the ninth. Andy I would like to thank all of the Gilbert started for Great Britain players and the coaching staff for against Goldberg who pitched for their efforts in the tournament. I Israel. Israel were a good ball would also like to thank Wendy club, but due to courage and Macadam for the ridiculous commitment we still managed to amount of hours she put in during get the tying run to the plate in the the tournament. I know she is bottom of the ninth. However at looking forward to the next one. It this stage our luck ran out, and was a great experience for all Israel went through to meet concerned, and hopefUlly we can Ukraine in the final. go one better next time. Game 5 'JanS~ Great Britain 11 Poland 15 Great Britain Junior Squad Team Manager. This was a game too far for the Great Britain squad. Injuries and lack of pitching depth combined to hamper the squad's quest for the bronze medal. The busiest man before the game was Ray Birch the physio, who worked wonders to get the players onto the field. Poland were worthy victors, in • what was again a close game

Overall we were disappointed in where we finished, however we were very proud of the efforts and courage shown by the players. Walks and errors let us down, we Brit-Ball Page 6 Brit-Ball Page 7 DIVISION ONE Essex Arrows 2 Hounslow Blues 8 SOUTHERN CONFERENCE RESULTS Edinburgh Reivers 9 Glasgow DIVISION THREE Essex Arrows 0 Hounslow Blues Comets 0 9 Tiptree Rays 13 Bushey Falcons 6th July 1997 Livingston Wildcats 0 Dundee 6 London Warriors 3 Enfield Dragons 9 SENIOR LEAGUES Spartans 2 London Warriors 3 Enfield Southend Peers Bracknell Spartans 2 Dynamite pp COORS EXTRA GOLD SOUTHERN CONFERENCE BASEBALL LEAGUE DIVISION ONE London Exiles 12 Guildford NORTHERN CONFERENCE Mudcats 10 Kingston Cobras 17 Leeds Croyden Pirates 8 Cambridge DIVISION ONE Luddites 2 Monarchs 1 Thames Valley Maulers Kingston Cobras 14 Leeds o Bamsley Strikers 10 Newark Chiltern Blue Jays 9 Luddites 3 Arun Panthers 4 Bournemouth Yankees 7 B's 8 Lancashire Tigercats 5 13 July 1997 West Midland Razorbacks 41 Birmingham Bandits 2 Milton Keynes Truckers 10 City Stretford A's 19 Lancashire Tigercats 2 Slick Sidewinders 21 SENIOR LEAGUES Birmingham Bandits 12 Cartmel Valley Lions 3 Preston Bracknell Blazers Bobcats 27 Gillingham COORS EXTRA GOLD Nottingham Stealers Liverpool Dodgers PP BASEBALL LEAGUE Trojans ] pp Cartmel Valley Lions 4 Preston Nottingham Stealers Liverpool Bobcats 28 Birmingham Bandits 8 Menwith Trojans ] pp SOUTHERN CONFERENCE Hill 1 DIVISION TWO SCOTTISH CONFERENCE Birmingham Bandits 3 Menwith Hill 4 Windsor Bears 26 Brentwood Stags 3 Brighton Buccaneers 11 ,Boothferrv Trophies limited Hounslow Blues 8 Stevenage Knights 9 Bracknell winning pitcher John Foster Inferno 0 losing pitcher Don Knight Suppliers to the home runs: Miles October, Tom • Cambridge Monarchs B 11 Burns [Hounslow] British Baseball Federation Brighton Buccaneers B 10 Brighton Buccaneers 10 Cambridge Monarchs B 3 Hounslow Blues 15 For all your baseball trophy Brighton Buccaneeers B 6 winning pitcher Don Knight requirements call 01482 ~26459 losing pitcher Mick Carter Guildford Mavericks 16 home runs: Miles October (2) Caterham A's 7 94 Spring Bank, Hull, HU3 1QH Brit-Ball Page 8 Brit-Ball Page 9 Essex Arrows 0 London SOUTHERN CONFERENCE Warriors 12 DIVISION ONE Essex Arrows 0 London Warriors 24 Bournemouth B's 12 Milton Keynes 11 Hessle Warriors 4 Nottingham Bournemouth B's 35 Milton Stealers 10 Keynes 4 Hessle Warriors 3 Nottingham Stealers 13 Croyden Pirates 8 Arun • The Athletic SportSource SM Panthers 6 Liverpool Trojans 0 Kingston Winning pitcher: Ceasar Lozano Cobras 17 adidas@ TIfr' rDEASTCN Liverpool Trojans 0 Kingston Gillingham Dodgers 15 Cobras 27 Tunbridge Wells Royals 22 ~ .m!~!!I.!, ~ Winning pitcher: J Carter 1m Leeds Luddites 12 Lancashire Losing pitcher: J Jacobs Tigercats 11 Winning pitcher: C Pearson City Slick Sidewinders 3 ForAllYour Losing Pitcher: M King Bracknell Blazers 4 Winning pitcher: Paul Raybould Leeds Luddites 9 Lancashire 4 batters got 3 from 4:- Jason Tigercats 11 Allsop; Rob Rance; Phil Herbert; Baseball Needs Nigel Moss home run - massive Paul RayboUld. bomb! City Slick Sidewinders 7 •Shoes: Cleated, Molded, Rubber, &Turf Winning pitcher: Mark King Bracknell Blazers 13 Losing pitcher: Philip cox Winning pitcher: Jason Allsop •Apparel: Pants, Jerseys, Hats, Belts, Stirrups, &Socks Home runs for Jarvis and D Cox Phill Herbert got 3 from 4 Paul Vernon got 5 from 5 •Accessories: Bats, Gloves, Batting Gloves, &Sunglasses NORTHERN CONFERENCE DIVISION ONE SOUTHERN CONFERENCE •Plus Soccer! Track &Field! and Basketball! DIVISION TWO Newark Yankees 13 Sheffield Shoes Apparel, &Accessories Bladerunners 4 Brentwood Stags 9 Stevenage Knights 0 SOurct Code: BBF97 Interntt http://www.eastbay.com Preston Bobcats 12 Barnsley Strikers 21 Caterham A's 9 Burgess Hill Red Hats 0 Call For AFree Catalog West Midland Razorbacks Cartmel Valley Lions pp Guildford Mavericks 9 Essex 0800·89·4598 Arrows II 0 Page 10 Brit-Ball Brit-Ball Page 11 London Warriors 12 Brighton Cambridge Monarchs B 9 Buccaneers 2 Bracknell Inferno 0 London Warriors 4 Brighton Buccaneers 3

SOUTHERN CONFERENCE Hessle Warriors 4 Birmingham DIVISION THREE Bandits 19

Bushey Falcons 15 Southend Menwith Hill Patriots 0 Kingston Peers 16 Cobras 11 Excellent close game all the way Winning pitcher: Gavin Marshall LOUISVILLE through with 12 strike-outs Losing pitcher: LaPointe Chiltern Blue Jays 40 Home runs for Prior and Parker SLUGGER Maidstone Lasers 27 Nottingham Stealers Leeds Guildford Mudcats 9 Thames Luddites pp 1997 Valley Maulers 0 Liverpool Trojans 2 Lancashire Tigercats 19 Bracknell Dynamite 3 London winning pitcher: B Alger Available Exclusively from Exiles 28 Losing pitcher: S Perez Winning pitcher: J Butler home run: M King [Tigercats] Losing pitcher: P Wiles SPARTAN SPORTS Bracknell Dynamite 5 London NORTHERN CONFERENCE Exiles 11 DIVISION ONE Our comprehensive range of Baseball equipment is Winning pitcher: S Burn Losing pitcher: J Cooney Cartmel Valley Lions 9 Newark designed to meet the requirements of every team and Yankees 58 player. Bats, gloves, balls, uniforms and accessories are Winning pitcher: D Greaves always in stock, and we offer a fast, efficient mail order 20 July 1997 Losing pitcher: G Callow service. 8 home runs:- 3 each for D SENIOR LEAGUES Greaves and J Grainger; 1 for C Spartan Sports, the people that know the game! Mortimore and P Palmer. COORS EXTRA GOLD PHONE FOR PRICE LIST AND DETAILS OF OUR COMPLETE RANGE BASEBALL LEAGUE Sheffield Bladerunners 25 Barnsley Strikers 29 Enfield Spartans 12 Essex Arrows 2 SOUTHERN CONFERENCE 0181-343 1549 Enfield Spartans 18 Essex DIVISION ONE Arrows 2 SPARTAN SPORTS Cambridge Monarchs 11 Arun Cornwall Works Cornwall Avenue London N3 1LD TEL: 01813431549/01813492622 FAX: 01813432123 Page 12 Brit-Ball Brit-Ball Page 13 Panthers 4 Cambridge Monarchs 12 Arun SOUTHERN CONFERENCE Panthers 10 DIViSiON THREE Winning pitcher: C Shinaberry; M Gilbert Southend Peers 13 Tiptree Rays 29 Wes Seymour struck out 5 in a Milton Keynes Truckers 4 row in the 5th and 6th innings. Croyden Pirates 11 London Exiles 14 Bushey Bracknell Blazers 9 Falcons 13 Bournemouth B's 4 Paul Raybould pitched 6 innings Thames Valley Maulers 0 of shutout, giving up a home run Bracknell Dynamite 9 in the seventh. 4 hits,S strike-outs and 1 walk. Maidstone Lasers 1 Guildford MattDunning went 2 for 3; Phil Mudcats 35 Herbert 3 for 5. Rob Rance hit a home run. YOUTH LEAGUES

Tunbridge Wells Royals 12 City The Bracknell Scorchers won the Slick Sidewinders.13 South London Tournament on Winning pitcher: Wilson Saturday. With several players

Losing pitcher: A Corby making their debuts they beat '. South London, Chiltern and \ Bournemouth in group games, \ '/ ;,..- ~-----. "' SOUTHERN CONFERENCE and won a cliffhanger final 6-5 -~t\1.;.". DIVISION TWO against Leyton Cardinals after ,//"T./ \'./ ./ .. .., ~ "'.~-.~- ---\/// ,/ being 4-1 behind after the first ;;ii ~~]1", \ ~./' Stevenage Knights 0 Windsor inning of three. Luke Russell r~~l(!i ,UU~ 0 0 ':, 0 0 Bears 9 pitched nine innings for all four \ '(':i~ ~J'fiIJ.JnI\i~I~~ " , wins. \'~ vu'=LJ>:Ul'~J---U~,l--;~ r-:~ Brentwood Stags 9 Cambridge , ,""' Monarchs B 0 '~,-~--_./ ~ ~ --.

Brighton Buccaneers B 5 [M\W~~©D~~~rn~~@ill~~IT©8JJ Guildford Mavericks 16 Unifocm. Pitchin9 Machines. Mitts. Bats. For mo~ information or tb~l,a.,..c.• e. an\~.. rder. Balls. Bases. Caps. Catchers Kit" Helmets. ~I(CALL 01243 867~ . Essex Arrows II 0 Burgess Hill Holdalls. Tees, Tote Ba9s, Shades, Sox. I /.Ask for Keith/>(. RedHats 9 Shin (iuacds. Jackets. and much much \ d-li (th t /\ .' ./ an ~, e rest 0 U~!,// ; L moce. -::(.,!~J;;_'( _~ Page 14 Brit-Ball Brit-Ball Page 15 Midland Razorbacks 12 BRITISH BASEBALL LEAGUE STANDINGS At 31 July 1997 SENIOR LEAGUES Sheffield Bladerunners 9 COORS EXTRA GOLD Preston Bobcats 0 PREMIER DIVISION - NORTH GAMES SOUTH - DIVISION ONE GAMES BASEBALL LEAGUE WINs OSSE BACK WINs ossE~ BACK Cartmel Valley Lions 18 Birminaham Bandits 16 3 Kitsons Cambridae Mona 10 1 Liverpool Trojans 0 Birmingham Stretford A's 23 Kinaston Cobras 15 3 0.5 Croydon Pirates 9 3 1.5 Bandits 18 Winning pitcher: M Leach Menwith Hill Patriots 14 3 1 Bracknell Blazers 8 3 2 Liverpool Trojans 1 Birmingham Losing pitcher: J Spodifora Nottinaham Stealers 10 8 5.5 City Slick Sidewinders 7 5 3.5 Bandits 18 Hessle Warriors 7 12 9 IArun Panthers 6 5 4 Winning pitcher: M Godsall - no Leeds Luddites 5 13 10.5 Bournemouth B's 5 6 5 hitter SOUTHERN CONFERENCE Lancashire Tiaercats 7 16 11 Tunbridae Wells Rovals 3 8 7 DIVISION ONE liverpool Trojans 1 17 14.5 Gillingham Dodgers 1 9 8.5 Leeds Luddites 5 Hessle Millon Kevnes Truckers 2 10 8.5 Croydon Pirates 7 Bracknell Warriors 4 PREMIER DIVISION - SOUTH

Caterham A's 11 Guildford A17EIVTIONBASEBALL PLAYERS! Mavericks 16 SPARTAN SPORTS END OF SEASON SOUTHERN CONFERENCE DIVISION THREE SALE

Bushey Falcons 9 Thames ALUMINIUM BATS L.IEI ~ Valley Maulers 0 BB8 Adult 2 5/8" Barrel - 7046 Alloy £38.00 £32.00 YBI0 Youth 2 1/4" Barrel - 7046 Alloy £20.00 £15.00 TB2 T-Ball Bat - 7046 Alloy Tiptree Rays 0 London Exiles 9 £20.00 £15.00 WOOD BATS MAJOR LEAGUE L.IEI ~ 9AS Adult Bat - Black Barrel £16.00 £13 .00 Guildford Mudcats 14 Chiltern 325 youth Bat - Black Barrel £12.00 £9.00 Blue Jays 2 BASEBALL TBWB T-Ball Bat - Coloured Barrel £10.00 £7.50 winning pitcher: G Artega FIELDER'S GLOYES

Losing pitcher: S Andrews GTPSll 13" Black Fielder's Glove Does your team have . GTPS125 £76.00 £65.00 P Zuly - 3 base hit 12.5" Tan Fielder's Glove £76.00 LPS26F £65.00 12.75" Tan Fielder's Glove - RH only £60.00 £50.00 any players with LPS24BB 12.75" Tan Fielder's Glove - RH only £60.00 HBG9BT £50.00 Bracknell Dynamite 50 13.5" Black/Tan Fielder's Glove £48.00 £40.00 HBG25F 12.5" Tan Fielder's Glove £45.00 aspirations of playing HBG27V £38.00 Maidstone Lasers 31 12" Black Fielder's Glove £42.00 £35.00 LPSI0l Black First Base Mitt £70.00 LPS203 £60.00 Bracknell Dynamite 11 Major League Tan Catcher's Mitt £70.00 £60.00 Maidstone Lasers 20 Baseball? If you think BATTING GLOYES you have the necessary TPS Cabretta Leather with Palm Pad £13.00 £11.00 LPS Kidskin Leather £9.50 £8.00 potential contact: Gerry LSBG Kidskin Leather £7.50 £6.50 Gallagher, free of ACCESSORIES BEB72 0 Player Equipment Bag £21.00 £17. 50 PL75 Adult Batting Helmet (Red and Blue XL only) £18.00 £10.00 CSC charge, on 0500 Adult Catcher's Skull Cap £18.00 £10.00 CLEATS Meta~ Cleats - Leather Uppers £60.00 £40.00 531000. Managers and CLEATS Moulded Cleats - Synthetic Uppers £44.00 £35.00

Coaches are also asked Please add £6.00 for next-day delivery to keep Gerry informed (Royal Mail delivery available at cost) on any potential 1~{4,I~ players, and to update him on their subsequent SPARTAN SPORTS

development. CORNWALL WORKS - CORNWALL AVE - FINCHLEY CENTRAL- LONDON -N3 ILD TELEPHONE: 0181-349-2622 or 0181-343-1549 FAX: 0181 3432123 DISTRlBUTORS FOR LOUISVILLE SLUGGER Page 18 Brit-Ball Brit-Ball Page 19 I f::lYING Tf-f~ f::lAG IN ~UROP~ Our latest technology As reported in an earlier BARRACUDAS 18 didn't improve just the edition of Brit-Ball, two of HOUNSLOW BLUES 1 Franklin line-up this off- our clubs, Hounslow BARRACUDAS 11 Blues and Birmingham The Blues played well in both Bandits, have competed games but the Barracudas proved in European tournaments too strong for them. They are a very good, well organised team this summer. Below are and a credit to their coach Mr details of how they fared. Greg Hamilton. The Blues did England proud, giving it their all. CUP WINNERS CUP (8 GROUP) EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS MONTPELLJER FRANCE (8 GROUP) HOUNSLOW BLUES 15 SWISS EAGLES 7 STRAUSBERG,GERMANY

Blues took an early lead but The Birmingham Bandits lost to never managed to pull away Berlin 15-11 in the European sufficiently to ensure victory. The Championships at Strausberg, Eagles kept it close until the eight Germany. innings when Lee Mayfield with a base hit, stolen base and a pass Sean Shears pitched seven ball got to third. Pete Edwards innings as the losing pitcher, with then drove in a run with a triple, Joe Yarnold and Jonathon Downs James Marshall drove in another on in relief. run with a base hit 'up the middle' securing Blues second victory. Jim Moran capped a four run Pete Edwards gets the win fourth inning with a two run home supported by James Marshall and run to put the Bandits on top with Alan Bloomfield. a 5-4 lead. 16 year old James Moran came off the bench with

HOUNSLOW BLUES 2 >age 21) Page 20 Brit-Ball Brit-Ball Page 21

199Z two key singles in two at bats. Stockholm scored the winning run BRITISH BASEBALL BRIT-BALL in the bottom of the ninth inning. Manager Mike Harrold said, "We FEDERATION The Official Voice of had the bases loaded in three Many spectators and tournament innings and failed to capitalise officials believed this was the HANDBOOK the with timely hitting." game of the tournament. The British Baseball Bandits scored two runs in the Contains all the contact details Birmingham now face Stockholm first inning and six runs in the and fixtures for the 1998 season. 1...------_ (Sweden) in the semi-finals with second to take an 8-0 lead. But An excellent buy for any intrepid Martin Godsall scheduled to solid hitting by the Swedes baseball fan. return to the mound after his 5-1 brought the score back to 8-8. Why not have your own win against Oslo (Norway) on To purchase a copy (to be copy mailed directly to you Tuesday. It was then a see-saw battle the published March 1998) please each month, to keep up to rest of the way. Jonathon Downs return the form below along with date with all the news and BASEBALL UPDATE - 21 June hit a towering three run homer to a cheque for £5.00 made payable (1) left to bring the Bandits back at to the British Baseball views on British Baseball. 12-12. Federation. The Birmingham Bandits were defeated by Stockholm (Sweden) Joe Yarnold had 5 hits on the 15-14 as Fred Speck of (Continued on page 22) Please ensure I receive a copy ofthe 1007 Please ensure I receive a copy of Brit-Ball British Baseball Federation Handbook. I each month. I enclose my cheque for £11 enclose my cheque for £5 (cheques made UK annual SUbscription, £18 overseas payable to the British Baseball (cheques made payable to the British Federation). Baseball Federation). FOR SALE

Name: _ Name: _ BASEBALLS Address: _ From the 1998 season onwards the Franklin 1570D will Address: ------become the official baseball of the British Baseball Federation. Cost to teams will be £36 per dozen including postage and packing. However, these balls are available for purchase this season. Send your cheque (payable to the British Baseball Federation) for Postcode: your required quantity to: Postcode: _ ------PO Box 45 Hessle Return this form to Return this form to BBF, POBox 45, Hessle BBF, POBox 45, Hessle East Yorkshire East Yorkshire, HU13 OYO East Yorkshire, HU13 OYO HU130YQ Page 22 Brit-Ball Brit-Ball Page 23 night as pitcher Martin Godsall slumped to the Zurich went the distance but Grasshoppers 16-6 in the semi UK BASEBALL TEAM IN FLORIDA unfortunately took the loss. finals. TOURNAMENT Despite home runs by Jonathan by Gary Bedingfield The Birmingham Bandits Downs and Martin Dutton, the continued their march on Europe Bandits felt the strain of 5 games The Senior League World operates 25 teams at four age as they trounced Copenhagen in 5 days. (Denmark) 9 -3to clinch a place Series in Kissimmee, Florida, groups with players from five to fifteen, and more than 100 in the semi-finals in the European With a travelling squad of just 11 a prestigious baseball Championships in Strausberg, players, the Bandits were missing tournament for 13 to 15 year are British. "The opportunities Germany. many key members due to injury olds, will feature a British team for baseball in this country are and unavailability. for the first time since 1984. fantastic," says Halley. "Kids The Bandits exploded for four are crying out for a summer runs in the first innings on four The Bandits Jonathon Downs won The nine team event being team game and we expect to consecutive hits by Martin the tournaments best batter held August 11-16, attracts have close to 200 British Dutton, Jonathon Downs, Jim award while Stockholm won the teams from not only the players in the programme next Moran, and David Donaldson. tournament with a 7-2 win over Berlin. Stockholm defeated United States, but Canada, year." Dutton then went the distance as Birmingham in the semi-final 15 South America and the Far the winning pitcher striking out 14. East, and coach, George Although the 14-player all-star eight Copenhagen batters and Halley, originally from Port squad bound for Florida walking only one. In fact, he took The Bandits return to Premier Arthur, Texas, admits the consists mostly of Americans, a no-hitter into the seventh League action next Sunday, 29 two players are British; inning! going will be tough for the June at Castle Vale against the British team for more than one Jonathan and Ben Willis who Cobras from Hull. Birmingham now face hosts reason: "We're going to be up are making their first trip to the Berlin to decide which team gets against the best players in the United States. which semi-final berth. Both world as well as exceptionally teams are 2-0. In the other hot and humid weather". The all-star team was formed grQup, Alby (Sweden) take on at the close of the regular Zurich (Switzerland) to decide the The British, who are the sole season and represented other semi-final places that take European representatives, Britain in the European Senior place on Friday. The final is scheduled for Saturday. are an all-star squad from the League tournament at Brzeg, Alconbury Youth League. Poland, July 13-18. Originally formed to serve BASEBALL UPDATE - 21 JUNE American families in the " W e IN...... (2) Peterborough area, the we r en' t league has grown rapidly in its favourites Florida The Birmingham Bandits three year existence. It now to win that Page 24 Brit-Ball Brit-Ball Page 25

tournament", says Halley. the trip to Florida." The boom period for British baseball teams all over Great Britain under "We were up against tough came in the 1930's when Sir John the British Baseball Federation. teams from Russia, Lithuania So what does the British team Moore of Littlewoods Pools and Poland, but the kids just hope to achieve in Florida? established the National Baseball Baseball at youth level is now firmly Association. Many leagues were established in Great Britain with amazed me. They were able "We just want to show that we formed throughout the country with some 84,000 children taking part in to keep their heads in every can play the game in Britain professional leagues in the North of a pitch Hit and Run program, game and showed a mental and make sure the kids have a England and the London areas. sponsored by Major League Baseball strength beyond. their years. good time," Halley explains. "I Crowds of 30,000 were not International and organised by the Combined with good defence know everyone will give it their uncommon. The highlight of this BBF. Pony Youth Leagues have period was the victory by England in been set up throughout the country, and pitching we made it to the best shot and, with a little luck, 1938 over the United States in a five with National Championships taking finals without losing a game we might just surprise some match series, England winning 4-1. place at the end of the league and beat Poland 13-8 to earn people." This victory was acknowledged by season. The first winners were the International Baseball Dundee Dragons from Scotland. Association as the first World Amateur Championship. The onset Why did we call ourselves the THE SAINTS ARE of the second World War restricted 'Trafford Saints'? Well, Trafford is the growth of baseball at a the district in Manchester where we MARCHING ABROAD professional level, however, the play, the 'Saints' part is more game is still played today by amateur interesting. Back in 1947 a group of Whilst on holiday in the Yearbook, which follows: States last year, Arthur Kendal of Trafford Saints BASEBALL IN BRITAIN was flicking through a local JPC magazine, when he came Baseball in Britain goes back a lot SPORTS across an article about a farther than some people think, in Youth Baseball Team called fact, it was first played over here in 1874 when a tour of American We carry an extensive range of Gloves, Balls, Bags, Bases the St Pauls Saints. Never professionals took part in eXhibition and Accessories and are the exclusive supplier of the h~ving heard of another games. The Baseball Association of Kenko safety baseballs that are the official ball of team called the Saints he Great Britain was founded in 1890. It Pitch, Hit and Run. decided to contact them, appears that former Boston Cincinnati player AG Spalding was and following several the driving force behind this Early season offer: AIIStar Batter Gloves - only £5 each conversations the Trafford development. Spalding offered to Saints have become the finance baseball teams that were Please call JPC for our complete equipment list. adopted club of the St Paul associated with professional soccer teams, however, only four clubs JPC Sports Saints. Arthur was Derby, Stoke, Preston and Aston Villa 8 Netherhampton Business Centre requested to write an article took up the offer, with Aston Villa the Netherhampton, Salisbury, Wilts for the St Paul Saints first champions. Tel: \01722744869 Fax: 01722743232 Page 27 Page 26 Brit-Ball Brit-Ball men in Stretford [now in the Borough convincing style. of Trafford] decided to form a SUPER OFFER baseball team and they were called Trafford Saints this season have 'Stretford Sioux'. The team were not some 50 children registered as -I'or the best leather, the best structure, very successful until they played one players and as more children are You are I00kin g I' ? day in North Manchester. When the exposed to baseball this number will 'ghly comfortable and resistent glove. albh ettlt FL glove! team arrived they thought there was only rise. The Saints were asked by __ > You are looking for a arn ." another team in Stretford called the BBC TV to do a promotional film to and you will benefit from a 2-year-guarantee .. 'Saints' until the groundsman said he be shown on Nationwide TV last July, didn't know how to spell Sioux so the the film only lasted 5 minutes, but ~\.~\l'les nearest he could think of beginning took all day to record. As a result of ~Gfc .:\\\e £ 65 the Fl-02 glove! with an'S' was Saints! The team got this film the BBF received hundreds O~ ~W'\\\fc~ their first victory that day and ",V \\\fc the Fl-03 glove! of 'phone calls and letters from \V \ G~\~ £ 66 decided to keep the name Saints for children enquiring about baseball. ~\\\.\. good luck. This proved to be the Trafford Saints are extremely proud ~~g:~~gNAL LEATHER GLOVE Full grain leather. 3 folds. palm stengthenlng case in 1963, '64 and '65 when the that they were chosen and of the ultra resistant. ills the professIOnal Saints were British Champions. The outcome.. ~I~;-;,,;:pcn back BROWN Saints name disappeared for a few FL-02. uT pocket.. , size12.S" years when the team stopped playing This season and for many more to REF.I070313 in the early 70's..1was the last player come, I hope, Trafford Saints have FL-OS. closed pocket. size 13" from the championship team still been adopted by the St Paul Saints REF.I070314 playing baseball. in Stretford and and are very proud to be allowed to when a decision was made to start a play in St Paul Saints shirts. children's team, only one name came to my mind, 'Saints'. Trafford All our children and coaching staff Saints Baseball club started in 1993, would like to thank all the staff and playing 'friendly'games against players at St Paul Saints, and we will teams from all over the North of be rooting for you in the coming England and sometimes we could season. only just manage nine players. In 1994 an organised league in the Good Luck! FIRSTBASE GLOVE North West was started with 5 Arthur Kendal CATCHER GLOVE teams. The Saints won the league FL-04 EATHER GLOVE and also the North West Trophy. Head Coach ~~~sir~~~li;er.3 folds. palmrr~ng~~nlng FL-05 AL CATCH LEATHER GLOVE ultra resistant. the glove for pro ess on ~~l?~~~~~~her.3 folds. palm rengl~cning closed pocket and open back ultra resistant. the glove for pro esslOoa 5 Trafford Saints Junior closed pocket and open back Ih 1995 the Saints retained the colour: brown Baseball Club .Ize: 13" _ -/ colour: dark brown league championship. In 1996 the REF. 1070315 ~ .Ize : 33" " a(( BBF teamed up with PONY and REF.I070316 T~ introduced leagues all over Great Britain. The Saints won the North CREDIBLE PRICES VALl West Pony League and entered the TIL THE 31.07.97 !!! Shipment: Gil in price: Jl 8 National play-offs, but were beaten by a very strong team from Scotland, BP32173103AixlesBains Dundee Dragons, by 15-14. Dundee tel: (33).4.79.34.07.51 Fax: (33).4.79.34.07.49 went on to win the National title in Page 28 Brit-Ball Brit-Ball Page 29 I checked to ensure that Monitoring Visits TRACKING LOlTERY grant conditions have been met and objectives realised. During 1997, our monitoring MONEY officers expect to visit all Setting Targets 342 projects completed by the middle of last year. All Edward Proctor, projects we fund should newly To track projects from projects which received a appointed bring about a direct increase application through to grant of £250,000 or more Lottery Monitoring in participation in sport. construction and post and a selection of smaller Officer, explains the completion we are asking schemes will receive a need. The whole point of new applicants to be quite comprehensive evaluation monitoring and evaluating specific about the aims, visit covering the design, projects is to provide a sharp It is a legal requirement that objectives and targets of management, finance and focus on results. No matter all projects funded by the their project. We will be sports development National Lottery are how good an application to using these as criteria features of the new the Lottery Sports Fund our monitored and evaluated to against which to evaluate facilities. Small projects success can only be judged ensure that public money is the success of completed with an award of less than on the building of high being spent as intended facilities. A tennis club, for £100,000 will receive a quality sports facilities which and that projects are example, which applies for a basic monitoring visit. A make a direct impact on successfully achieved. At grant to build extra courts written report wi II be sporting participation and the English Sports Council will be asked to provided following the visit improve access to we also need to. be satisfied state how many which may contain professional coaching. that we are funding the and what kind of recommendations for projects that.best meet our players will be using all action, which, in turn will be broader aims. Receiving a grant is just the facilities, both old and new, inspected by our officers. beginning of the process. after one and three years. Monitoring visits are For some larger schemes Lottery projects need to Completed schemes will intended to be positive we appoint expert advisors cater for the widest then have to submit actual events, ensuring that we to monitor and possible cross-section of usage figures to compare work with our many people, facilities must be evaluate design & against targets provided by partners to provide the well designed and ~onstr~ctio~~ ~) a questionnaire or a visit highest quality sporting constructed, and must be ( from a monitoring officer. facilities. Completed ;;:, durable. Above all, the projects are.... '± Page 30 Brit-Ball Brit-Ball Page 31 Projects completed since July 1996 will receive a post It will take time to refine our completion monitoring visit monitoring and evaluation PONY WORLD SERIES in the latter part of 1997 at system, but a well targeted VIEW FROM AN UMPIRE the earliest. New projects and focussed system will can expect routine positively influence the "I'm 'phoning you (President of Pony) monitoring visits whilst the whole application process. with some good can. only be likened scheme is progressing We need to demonstrate news, Jacob." It was to Christmas seven although we may appoint how lottery money is being Kevin Macadam. days a week. The "You've been World Series was a officers with specialist spent and the benefits technical knowledge to selected to umpire at tremendous success gained, but more the Pony League to all who oversee some particularly importantly we need to use World Series in participated, and large schemes. the information gathered to Washington, you could really see Pennsylvania; it's in the kids' faces constantly review our rT~h about 20 miles south that this was eiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiil poIicies. It is this of Pittsburgh." No, I so met h i n g G £ R information that enables did not believe it. extremely special for them - an experience of a N POLYBALL the English Sports 5 L 1· In fact, the feeling of utter lifetime. The games were of PITCHING MACHINE Council, through our disbelief and scepticism exceptional quality for their age 1~~~ "IIIIII!!.I..Illottery grants, to continued until the day my group - I would like to see some The .Slin~er polyball pitching 0" continually improve and tickets arrived. But the event of our Premier League teams machine will throw up to 70rnph ...... \ d atthe recommended 25-30 feet. 0£265.000 a apt the sports facilities exceeded all my expectations, take on these 13-14 year olds, even if the 2-month long some of whom were over 6ft tall NO electricity needed. @~:~~ we provide in line with Pennsylvanian drought ended and threw at 80mph plus! The Slinger will throw 8 olit of 10 0 a changing demands. the moment Ian Smyth and I pitches in a twelve inch diamater. stepped off the aeroplane - the From an umpirE;l's point of view it The Slinger is slJrinp activated Elnd will continue torrential downpours pushed the was an honour not only to umpire to work after 1,OOO,O'JO pitches. tournament back by two days the Series, buUo work with some Fpur speed adjustment. and even then it was only thanks exceptional officials who clearly Designed for all age groups. to two helicopters being used to had hundreds of games under The Slinger is light weight, portable, can be used dry off the field that some games their belts, and two of whom had Indoors and outdoors. took place at all. attended the famous Joe Brinkman Umpire School in But despite the obvious jokes Florida. They taught me a lot,

ENGLAND about Brits bringing their weather from the rotations of the 4-man £Jt.d.1808 with them, everyone we met system to f()lding your cap Unit 2 Wolfe Close. Pa'rkgate Industrial Estate Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8XJ from Pony Baseball was properly and bringing your shoes Tel: 01565755400. Fax: 01565651446 incredibly friendly. The and belt up to a military shine. hospitality of our host Abe Key (Continued on page 32) Page 32 Brit-Ball Thanks, guys. Brit-Ball Page 33 another invited umpire - Yu Chi Shu from Taiwan. Although the Although I could not stay to only words of English he knew umpire the championship game were "par", "birdie", "safe" and (won by Danville, California in an "out", he was a quality umpire all-American final), I did get to and we got along great. work behind the plate for one of the big games of the week when Let's hope Ian Succeeds in his 3,000 hometown fans came out to mission to enable a European see their Washington heroes take team to enter the tournament on rivals Garland, Texas. Oh, within the next few years. how I loved hearing them boo! Much-fancied Asia-Pacific champions Korea. did not come up to expectations, but the international flavour was FOR THE heightened by the presence of BEST EQUIPMENT ON THE MOVE.... 18 Lostock Meadow, Clayton-Le Woods,Choney, Lanes, PR6 AT THE 7UU Please note the following BEST Tel: 01772321794 PRICES changes to your 1997 BBF 1st contact, Peter Howarth, Handbook: becomes the 2nd contact. CALL PHA LEISURE Kingston Cobras Preston Panthers 1st contact is now Terence 1st contact is now 01908 615632 O'Brien Kevin Cavanaugh 41 Sullivan Road, Sibelius Road, 1 Fairways, St Annes, Lanes, 3 YEATS CLOSE, NEWPORT PAGNELL, HI,JII, HU4 7NT FY83NB BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. MK16 8RD Tel: 01482500974 Tel: 01253723019. 2nd contact is now 1st contact, Peter Howarth Karen Maltby becomes the 2nd contact. 1 Nornabell Street, Holderness Road, HUll, HU8 7SH Liverpool Trojans Tel: 01482210345 2nd contact is now Bob Tune Preton Bobcats 93 Foxfold, Skelmersdale, 1st cQntact is now Lancs, WN8 6UE Damian Mullen Tel: 01695237793 Page 34 Brit-Ball Brit-Ball Page 35 BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION

Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 September 1997 Baseball Books and Resources from Human Kinetics 11.00am

Human Kinetics publish a range of baseball boo~s to ~uit the need of all players _ beginners, Intermediate and advanced. 1997 BBF rPONY All-Star Game

NEW IJ Playing Better Baseball NEW IJ Complete Conditioning for Baseball 12 noon • • Coaching Youth Baseball Maximizing Baseball Practice Science of Coaching Baseball Coaching Baseball Successfully 1997 National Pitch, Hit Offensive Baseball Drills Coaching Pitchers and Run Finals Coaching Baseball Skills and Drills ."mntt\ttlttItUlllllutllltl"ttf"tlll High Percentage Baserunning ~TRATEG5J Breaking Into the Big Leagues Hit and Run Baseball 2.00pm

~' =5 ~ ~q;~__ COORS BASEBALL LEAGUE ~KILL~ FINAL

For a FREE catalogue of all our Baseball resources, an9 much more contact All of the above events will take place at Human Kinetics Europe Ltd Telephone: 0113 278 1708 Fax: 0113 278 1709 E-mail:[email protected] Townmead Playing Fields, ,or check out our web site http://www.humankinetics.com/ Waltham Abbey, Essex Page 36 Brit-Ball

INTERNATIONAL NATIONAL FORELLE B.V. Roermond FORELLE B.V. Weesp Lief Vrouweveld 3 Verlengd Buitenveer 13-15 6045 AM ROERMOND 1381 NB WEESP (The Netherlands) (The Netherlands) Tel: +31 (0)475-334560 Tel: +31 (0)294-432005 Fax: +31 (0) 475-33 44 90 Fax: +31 (0)294-41 8557