This weekend the Sweden Baseball Softball Academy has scheduled an “Open House” in which coaches and players are welcome to see the training process of the players of the Academy. The purpose is to open the doors of the Academy and show coaches how the practices are set up and how the important winter practice sessions are carried out. Players who have applied to start the Adacemy this fall can also get a good start in their preparations for the Academy year 2012/2013.

On hand this weekend is Italian national team softball coach Paola Marfoglia, strength and conditioning coach Jared Elliott (Tampa Bay Rays), pitching coach Jerry Nyman (Kansas City Royals) as well as MLBI Academy Consultant Tom Gillespie. The Swedish Academy is run by Tony Klarberg, who oversees the day-to-day operations and practices.

During the five days of the “Open House” the players will have their normal weekday schedule (Thursday, Friday, Monday) and also have day-long clinics over the weekend. In wintertime, the Academy uses the indoor batting cage at the baseball field, tennis hall, and gym, for the practices. In a few weeks the players will also go outdoor and practice on the turf soccer field next to the baseball field.

The Swedish Academy differs somewhat from many other European Academies. It is integrated in the Swedish school system and is a three-year program at the Leksand Gymnasium in Leksand. The players all attend school in Leksand and practice between 8-10 times per week. The national program attracts student/athletes from all over Sweden since it’s accreditation (and funding) was approved by the Swedish Ministry of Education, starting with the 2011/12 school year. The accreditation assures the Federation that a prospective player – regardless of where he lives – has the right to get funding for his education from his home city when he is selected to attend the Academy in Leksand.

The Academy is a joint venture between the Swedish Confederation of Sports, the City of Leksand, and the Swedish Baseball and Softball Federation, with strong support from Major League Baseball International. It was started by the Swedish Baseball and Softball Federation in 2006 in co-operation with the City of Leksand.

Karlskoga Bats have had a busy offseason and are happy to introduce one returning player in Kenta Sato and two newcomers in Kyle Wooden and Spencer Kreisberg.

The Karlskoga Bats have received an early Christmas present from Japan as the best player from last season, Kenta Sato, has announced that he will play another season in Karlskoga. This is a very good news for the Bats as Kenta probalby is the best Karlskoga player ever. Kenta has an unique versatility in his game. He is not only a top class hitter but also a very talented pitcher. When Kenta’s not pitching, he is also a very good defensive player, not just in one position but in all positions on the baseball field, including catcher. As a batter Kenta posted a .396 batting average, with 11 doubles with a league leading 7 homeruns and 36 RBI’s. From the mound Kenta was 5-0 with a leagueleading 1.32 ERA. In the field Kenta had a .964 fielding average playing all 9 defensive positions, but mainly pitcher and middle infield.

The Australian player Scott Mullhearn won’t come back to the Bats and will be replaced with the American Kyle Wooden. Scott batted .247 with 3 homeruns and 21 RBI’s in 2011. The Bats hope that they will get more offensive production from Kyle and if you look at his trackrecord it seems like it is likely to happen.

Kyle played four seasons of college ball at Guilford College where he posted a career .436 average, with 45 doubles, 20 homeruns and 113 RBI’s.The season 2008-2009 Kyle had the insane batting average of .514, which was the highest of all college players in the United States. The season 2010-2011 was almost as good Kyle hit .467, which was third best in the United States. He also was ranked in eleventh place as the toughest player to strike out, and seventeenth place in the doubles / per game. Kyle has twice been selected to college All-American (D3).

Kyle is close to 2 metres tall and will play 1st base for the Bats.

Pitcher Spencer Kreisberg was born and raised in the U.S., but has a British father and has a double citizenship. Spencer played college baseball at San Francisco State University (Division II) and is on the Top Ten in the school’s 112-year history in innings pitched (5th), strikeouts (7th) and games (8th). This summer, Spencer made ​​his debut in the British national team in the European Championship Qualifier in Tel-Aviv. He got the win against Georgia and finished the tournament with 7 innings pitched and only 1 earned run.

Spencer will replace fellow UK National team pitcher Paul Waterman who was 9-2 with an 1.89 ERA for the Bats in 2011. However, the Bats are still hoping that Paul will return as well. For this to become reality the club needs to find a job to Paul who has a degree in economics. Paul is currently working in Canada, but liked it well in Karlskoga and is willing to move if an interesting job pops up.

Baseball Senior National Team

• Dennis Cook, Head Coach
• Stephen Labay, Bench Coach
• vacant, Pitching Coach
• Rickard Reimer, Assistant Coach
• Doug Skiles, Assistant Coach
• Ulf Steinvall
• Patric Blomqvist
• Julian Benitez

Softball Senior National Team

• Mattias Grimstoft, Head Coach
• Israel Nukunuku, Bench Coach
• vacant, Pitching Coach
• Karl Knutsson, Assistant Coach
• Peter Qvick

21U National Team Baseball

• Doug Skiles, Head Coach
• Rickard Reimer, Bench Coach
• Joakim Claesson, Pitching Coach
• Karl Knutsson

Junior National Team Baseball

• Håkan Börjes, Head Coach
• vacant, Pitching Coach
• Mattias Olsson, Assistant Coach
• vacant

Cadets National Team Baseball

• Stefan Nielsen, Head Coach
• Robert Claesson, Pitching Coach
• vacant, Assistant Coach
• Ante Carlstedt

For the sixth consecutive year, Skövde Saints claimed the Swedish Championships as the women’s fastpitch season ended last weekend.

In the finals, Skövde swept the three-game series against Leksand and completed the sweep before a big crowd at the home field Billingehov.

Last weekend, Skövde took a commanding 2-0 lead in the finals after beating Leksand away, 11-5 and 17-6. In the home game, Skövde continued to batter the Leksand pitching, ending the game in the fifth inning with the final score being 17-2. Former Leksand player Anna-Karin Solén Westling was one of the driving forces as Skövde beat her former club and was honored with the Most Valuable Player trophy.

The league finished its regular season with five participating teams:

Skövde 16-0
Enköping 10-6
Leksand 7-9
Sundsvall 5-11
—————–
Söder 2-14

Semifinals scores:

Skövde – Sundsvall 6-0, 13-3
Enköping – Leksand 2-1, 14-19, 7-9

The level of the Swedish softball league has unfortunately declined over the last few years and as the experienced Saints team mark their sixth consecutive title they could also look back on a season when no team in Sweden beat them over the 16 league games and five playoff games.

There are however some light at the horizon (as always during the Swedish summer) as Gothenburg seems prepared to return to the league next year after a 1,5 year hiatus, and also Gefle has a new fastpitch program and hopefully will be able to return to the league in 2012. The SBSF will also increase the number of clinics in order to facilitate more quality instruction in fastpitch softball in Sweden, in order to raise the level of players and also increase the recruitment of new players through funds generated from the Swedish Sports Confederation.

With the league title, Skövde Saints, who were relegated from the European Cup A-pool previously this year, will make another run for the return to the top tier in Europe next year even though some of the experienced players on the team might have played their last game. Leksand will hopefully be able to represent Sweden in the Cupwinners Cup B-pool in 2012.

Photo credits: Magnus Hallqvist

Press Release Swedish Baseball and Softball Federation

For the third time in the last four years, Stockholms BSK won the Swedish Championship after a three-game sweep of the Gothenburg Sharks in the finals.

After the two first games, played last weekend in Skövde since Göteborgs home field was unplayable due to flooding, Stockholm held a commanding 2-0 lead after winning two close games, 6-3 and 11-8.

In those games, however, the two top starters, brothers Joakim and Jacob Claesson went down with injuries. Joakim Claesson, one of Team Swedens top starters, broke his wrist after a hit by pitch, and Jacob Claesson experienced discomfort in his shoulder.

Therefore, in a surprise move, the Stockholm club relied on 17-year old southpaw Albin Sivard, a product of the club’s deep youth program, to take the hill in game three of the Swedish Finals.

Like the Claesson brothers, Albin Sivard has been bred trough the Stockholm youth program at the Skarpnäck field and now also practices year round as he studies at the Swedish Baseball and Softball Academy.

Albin Sivard had only pitched three innings in the Elite League this year, after an injury held him on the sidelines, but looked more like a seasoned veteran on the mound than a young rookie pitcher.

The young lefthander responded to the challenge by throwing seven shutout innings, only allowing one hit and two base on balls while striking out 12 batters en route to his first playoff win for Stockholm.

Offensively, Stockholm capitalized on six Gothenburg errors as they scored in every inning except the sixth, and by that time held a commanding 8-0 lead. The game was called in the bottom of the eight as Stockholm finished off Gothenburg, 10-0.

Curtis Dionne took the loss for Gothenburg, allowing seven runs (four earned) over three innings.

Magnus Pilegård earned MVP honors after hitting 5 for 12 in the finals with five rbi’s, four runs scored, and an important homerun in the second game.

Photo: © Peter Blomqvist

Schedule:
Saturday, September 24:
12:00 Stockholm – Goteborg Hajarna
15:00 Stockholm – Goteborg Hajarna*
Sunday, September 25:
12:00 Stockholm – Goteborg Hajarna*
*if necessary

STO 102 100 011  6 6 1
GOT 000 200 001  3 3 1

Box score

Stockholm won game one of the Swedish Elitserien finals 6-3 against Goteborg Hajarna on Saturday. The champion of 2009 took an early 3-0 lead after three innings and never looked back. Bjoern Johannessen drove in three. Peter Johannessen scored twice. On the mound Justin Trejo (W, 1-0) issued just two hits, two runs and two walks in six innings, striking out eight. Joakim Claesson (S 1) closed it out for the save. Andreas Wahlin picked up two RBI for Goteborg. Bryan Lee crossed the plate twice. Curtis Dionne (L, 0-1) went the distance to take the loss.

(0-2) Goteborg Hajarna – Stockholm 8-11

STO 005 023 100  11 12 2
GOT 103 000 130   8 13 1

Box score

Stockholm moved up 2-0 in the best-of-five finals with an 11-8 win in game two of the doubleheader. Five runs in the third and six between the fifth and seventh secured the victory. Goteborg was able to keep things close, but couldn’t complete the comeback. Magnus Pilegård and Justin Trejo combined for four hits, two homeruns, four runs and five RBI. Petter Diurlin went 3-for-4 with two runs for Stockholm. Brian Strawn-Johnson scored three times for the Hajarna. Evan Porter had three hits, two runs and a RBI. Magnus Pilegård (W, 1-0) also got the win with seven innings of solid relief of Jakob Claesson, who had issued four runs on nine hits in just two-plus innings. Evan Porter (L, 0-1) took the loss, surrendering seven runs on six hits in five frames.

Schedule:
Saturday, September 17:
12:00 Goteborg – Stockholm
15:00 Goteborg – Stockholm
Saturday, September 24:
12:00 Stockholm – Goteborg
15:00 Stockholm – Goteborg*
Sunday, September 25:
12:00 Stockholm – Goteborg*
(*if necessary)

Results:
Saturday, September 10:
Stockholm – Leksand Lumberjacks 1-3
Stockholm – Leksand Lumberjacks 13-0
Karlskoga Bats – Goteborg Hajarna 13-0
Karlskoga Bats – Goteborg Hajarna 7-16
Sunday, September 11:
Stockholm – Leksand Lumberjacks 5-4
Karlskoga Bats – Goteborg Hajarna 6-11

Schedule:
Saturday, September 10:
12:00 Stockholm – Leksand Lumberjacks
15:30 Stockholm – Leksand Lumberjacks
12:00 Karlskoga Bats – Goteborg Hajarna
15:30 Karlskoga Bats – Goteborg Hajarna
Sunday, September 11:
12:00 Stockholm – Leksand Lumberjacks*
12:00 Karlskoga Bats – Goteborg Hajarna*
(*if necessary)

Results:
Saturday, September 3:
16:00 Stockholm – Goteborg 8-3
Sunday, September 4:
13:00 Leksand – Gefle 10-0 (7)
16:00 Leksand – Gefle 17-0 (5)
13:00 Sundbyberg – Goteborg 3-9
16:00 Sundbyberg – Goteborg 22-16
13:00 Karlskoga – Stockholm 8-6
16:00 Karlskoga – Stockholm 1-7
Tuesday, September 6:
19:30 Gefle – Sundbyberg canceled

Standings:

1. Stockholm 18-6
2. Karlskoga 16-8
3. Goteborg 15-9
4. Leksand 15-9
5. Sundbyberg 11-12
6. Gefle 5-18

Box scores at Heatstat.se

Schedule:
Saturday, September 3:
16:00 Stockholm – Goteborg
Sunday, September 4:
13:00 Leksand – Gefle
16:00 Leksand – Gefle
13:00 Sundbyberg – Goteborg
16:00 Sundbyberg – Goteborg
13:00 Karlskoga – Stockholm
16:00 Karlskoga – Stockholm
Tuesday, September 6:
19:30 Gefle – Sundbyberg

Standings:

1. Stockholm 16-5
2. Karlskoga 15-7
3. Goteborg 14-7
4. Leksand 13-9
5. Sundbyberg 10-11
6. Gefle 5-16

Box scores at Heatstat.se

Results:
Sunday, August 28:
Stockholm – Leksand 1-9
Stockholm – Leksand 7-4
Goteborg – Gefle 11-1 (8)
Goteborg – Gefle 8-0

Standings:

1. Stockholm 16-5
2. Karlskoga 15-7
3. Goteborg 14-7
4. Leksand 13-9
5. Sundbyberg 10-11
6. Gefle 5-16

Box scores and complete results at Heatstat.se

Results:
Tuesday, August 23:
Stockholm – Sundbyberg 13-2 (7)
Thursday, August 25:
Gefle – Sundbyberg 2-14 (8)

Schedule:
Sunday, August 28:
12:00 Goteborg – Gefle
13:00 Stockholm – Leksand
15:00 Goteborg – Gefle
16:00 Stockholm – Leksand

Standings:

1. Stockholm 15-4
2. Karlskoga 15-7
3. Goteborg 12-7
4. Leksand 12-8
5. Sundbyberg 10-11
6. Gefle 5-14

Box scores at Heatstat.se

Results:
Leksand – Karlskoga 1-0
Leksand – Karlskoga 2-6 (10)
Gefle – Sundbyberg ppd
Gefle – Sundbyberg ppd
Stockholm – Goteborg 8-2
Stockholm – Goteborg ppd

Standings:

1. Stockholm 14-4
2. Karlskoga 15-7
3. Goteborg 12-7
4. Leksand 12-8
5. Sundbyberg 9-10
6. Gefle 5-13

Box scores on Heatstat.se

Schedule:
Saturday, August 20:
13:00 Leksand – Karlskoga
16:00 Leksand – Karlskoga
13:00 Gefle – Sundbyberg
16:00 Gefle – Sundbyberg
13:00 Stockholm – Goteborg
16:00 Stockholm – Goteborg

Standings:

1. Stockholm 13-4
2. Karlskoga 14-6
3. Goteborg 12-6
4. Leksand 11-7
5. Sundbyberg 9-10
6. Gefle 5-13

Results:
Saturday, August 13:
Leksand – Goteborg 13-8
Karlskoga – Gefle 4-3
Karlskoga – Gefle 15-0 (6)
Sunday, August 14:
Leksand – Goteborg 3-2
Leksand – Goteborg 10-11
Monday, August 15:
Stockholm – Sundbyberg 10-1 (5, suspended game)

Standings:

1. Stockholm 13-4
2. Karlskoga 14-6
3. Goteborg 12-6
4. Leksand 11-7
5. Sundbyberg 9-10
6. Gefle 5-13

Schedule:
Saturday, August 13:
13:00 Karlskoga – Gefle
15:00 Leksand – Goteborg
16:00 Karlskoga – Gefle
Sunday, August 14:
11:00 Leksand – Goteborg
14:00 Leksand – Goteborg
Monday, August 15:
18:30 Stockholm – Sundbyberg

Standings:

1. Stockholm 13-4
2. Goteborg 11-4
3. Karlskoga 12-6
4. Leksand 9-6
5. Sundbyberg 9-10
6. Gefle 5-11

Box scores and complete Results at Heatstat.se

Results:
Saturday, August 6:
Karlskoga Bats – Sundbyberg Heat 8-10
Karlskoga Bats – Sundbyberg Heat 16-1
Sunday, August 7:
Stockholm – Leksand Lumberjacks ppd
Stockholm – Leksand Lumberjacks ppd

Complete Schedule and Heatstat.se

Standings:

1. Stockholm 13-3
2. Goteborg 11-4
3. Karlskoga 12-6
4. Leksand 9-6
5. Sundbyberg 8-10
6. Gefle 5-11

Schedule:
Saturday, August 6:
13:00 Karlskoga Bats – Sundbyberg Heat
16:00 Karlskoga Bats – Sundbyberg Heat
Sunday, August 7:
13:00 Stockholm – Leksand Lumberjacks
16:00 Stockholm – Leksand Lumberjacks

Complete Schedule and Heatstat.se

Standings:

1. Stockholm 13-3
2. Goteborg 11-4
3. Karlskoga 11-5
4. Leksand 9-6
5. Sundbyberg 7-9
6. Gefle 5-11

Full List of Invitees:

Results:
Saturday, July 9:
Gefle – Stockholm 6-11, 0-15 (7)
Sundbyberg Heat – Leksand Lumberjacks 9-8, 6-11
Goteborg Hajarna – Karlskoga Bats 7-5, 8-7

Standings:

1. Stockholm 13-3
2. Goteborg 11-4
3. Karlskoga 11-5
4. Leksand 9-6
5. Sundbyberg 7-9
6. Gefle 5-11

Schedule:
Saturday, July 9
13:00 Gefle – Stockholm
16:00 Gefle – Stockholm
13:00 Sundbyberg – Leksand
16:00 Sundbyberg – Leksand
13:00 Göteborg – Karlskoga
16:00 Göteborg – Karlskoga

Complete Schedule at Heatstat.se

	Time	Home	Visitor	Result
Friday, July 01 2011
	18:00	Sundbyberg Heat	Leksand	01:09
Saturday, July 02 2011
	10:00	Sundbyberg Heat	Leksand	04:03
Sunday, July 03 2011
	11:00	Stockholm	Gefle	02:00
	13:00	Leksand	Göteborg	ppd
	14:00	Stockholm	Gefle	16:06

Standings

Time	Home	Visitor	Field
Dates and Times are subject to change! In case of doubt check with the responsible national federation!
Friday, July 01 2011
18:00	Sundbyberg Heat	Leksand	Sundbyberg
Saturday, July 02 2011
10:00	Sundbyberg Heat	Leksand	Sundbyberg
Sunday, July 03 2011
11:00	Stockholm	Gefle	Stockholm
13:00	Leksand	Göteborg	Leksand

Standings

In a rare Monday night game Stockholm prevailed 9-8 in ten innings over Sundbyberg Heat in the Swedish Elitserien. After both teams scored six times in the first nine innings, Stockholm won the tenth frame by a score of 3-2 to win the game. Justin Trejo and Bjoern Johannessen combined for five RBI. Sean Iverson scored thrice. Rickard Ljung crossed the plate three times for Sundbyberg. Trejo (W 2-0, BS 1) received the win in relief. Ljung (L 0-1) got charged with the loss. Joakim Claesson (STO) started and allowed seven hits, five runs (2 ER) and three bb in seven innings. Mikel Iraola (SUN) issued five hits, six runs (4 ER) and seven walks in six innings.

The Swedish Elitserien will be on break until July 1, when the first portion of the regular season ends.

	Time	Home	Visitor	Result
Monday, June 20 2011
	18:00	Sundbyberg Heat	Stockholm	08:09

Standings

Time	Home	Visitor	Field
Dates and Times are subject to change! In case of doubt check with the responsible national federation!
Friday, July 01 2011
18:00	Sundbyberg Heat	Leksand	Sundbyberg
Saturday, July 02 2011
10:00	Sundbyberg Heat	Leksand	Sundbyberg
Sunday, July 03 2011
11:00	Stockholm	Gefle	Stockholm
13:00	Leksand	Göteborg	Leksand

	Time	Home	Visitor	Result
Friday, June 17 2011
	18:00	Sundbyberg Heat	Stockholm	06:12
Saturday, June 18 2011
	10:00	Gefle	Alby	04:09
	11:00	Leksand	Göteborg	03:05
	13:00	Gefle	Alby	05:01

Standings

Time	Home	Visitor	Field
Dates and Times are subject to change! In case of doubt check with the responsible national federation!
Friday, June 17 2011
18:00	Sundbyberg Heat	Stockholm	Sundbyberg
Saturday, June 18 2011
10:00	Gefle	Alby	Gefle
11:00	Leksand	Göteborg	Leksand
Monday, June 20 2011
18:00	Sundbyberg Heat	Stockholm	Sundbyberg
Friday, July 01 2011
18:00	Sundbyberg Heat	Leksand	Sundbyberg
Saturday, July 02 2011
10:00	Sundbyberg Heat	Leksand	Sundbyberg
Sunday, July 03 2011
11:00	Stockholm	Gefle	Stockholm
13:00	Leksand	Göteborg	Leksand

Standings

	Time	Home	Visitor	Result
Monday, June 06 2011
	10:00	Leksand	Alby	14:03
	13:00	Leksand	Alby	19:02
Tuesday, June 07 2011
	16:30	Leksand	Akademin	12:03
Wednesday, June 08 2011
	17:00	Sundbyberg Heat	Akademin	07:00

Standings

Time	Home	Visitor	Field
Dates and Times are subject to change! In case of doubt check with the responsible national federation!
Saturday, June 11 2011
11:00	Stockholm	Leksand	Stockholm
11:00	Göteborg	Karlskoga Bats	Göteborg
11:00	Gefle	Sundbyberg Heat	Gefle
Friday, June 17 2011
18:00	Sundbyberg Heat	Stockholm	Sundbyberg
Saturday, June 18 2011
10:00	Gefle	Alby	Gefle
11:00	Leksand	Göteborg	Leksand
Monday, June 20 2011
18:00	Sundbyberg Heat	Stockholm	Sundbyberg

On Tuesday Gefle edged out the Swedish Baseball Academy 2-1. Morgan Dahlgren and Mikael Boström scored the two decisive runs in the fourth. The Academy only was able to avoid the shutout with a score in the sixth. Peter Jansson (W 1-3) struck out eight in eight innings for the win. The Academy used six pitchers in the game.

Goteborg Hajarna – Swedish Baseball Academy 14-4 (7), 14-3 (7)

Two days later Goteborg Hajarna celebrated a pair of lopsided wins over the Academy to move into sole possession of first place. In game one the Sharks scored six runs to blow things wide open in a 14-4 win. Erik Earnest went 3-for-4 with three runs and three RBI. Evan Porter also scored three times. Curtis Dionne (W 4-1) threw 5 2/3 scoreless six-hit innings for the win. Rikard Blomqvist (L 0-2) surrendered four hits, seven runs (4 ER) and seven bb in five innings.

In the second match Evan Porter homered and drove in five in a 14-3 rout. Ten different players crossed the plate for runs. Kerry Fitzgerald (W 1-0) gave up four hits, three runs (1 ER) and two bb in 5 2/3 innings. John Wright (L 0-4) got charged with nine runs on eleven hits in four-plus innings.

Karlskoga Bats – Alby Stars 6-14, 10-3

The Alby Stars stunned the defending Elitserien champion Karlskoga Bats with a split on Thursday. In game one the Stars scored 12 of the 14 runs in a 14-6 blowout between the second and the fifth. Timor Kombarov went 4-for-5 with three runs and three RBI. Manuel Contreras collected five hits for Alby. Stefan Fahlin drove in three for Karlskoga. Raul Lonzano (W 2-0) struck out nine in a complete game win. Kent Karlsson (L 1-1) took the loss after three innings, ten hits and nine runs (8 ER).

In the second match the Bats scored five runs in the second en route to a 10-3 victory and the split. Kenta Sato went deep and picked up three RBI. Each player in the starting lineup of the reigning title holder reached base at least once. Paul Waterman (W 4-0) struck out eight in nine innings for the win. He allowed seven hits, three runs (2 ER) and a walk. Sebastian Diaz (L 1-1) issued eight runs on twelve hits and five bb in seven innings.

Standings

Time	Home	Visitor	Field
Dates and Times are subject to change! In case of doubt check with the responsible national federation!
Monday, June 06 2011
10:00	Leksand	Alby	Leksand
Tuesday, June 07 2011
16:30	Leksand	Akademin	Leksand
Wednesday, June 08 2011
17:00	Sundbyberg Heat	Akademin	Sundbyberg
Saturday, June 11 2011
11:00	Stockholm	Leksand	Stockholm
11:00	Göteborg	Karlskoga Bats	Göteborg
11:00	Gefle	Sundbyberg Heat	Gefle

	Time	Home	Visitor	Result
Tuesday, May 31 2011
	16:30	Gefle	Akademin	02:01
Thursday, June 02 2011
	10:00	Göteborg	Akademin	14:04
	11:00	Karlskoga Bats	Alby	06:14
	13:00	Göteborg	Akademin	14:04
	14:00	Karlskoga Bats	Alby	10:03

Standings

Time	Home	Visitor	Field
Dates and Times are subject to change! In case of doubt check with the responsible national federation!
Monday, June 06 2011
10:00	Leksand	Alby	Leksand
Tuesday, June 07 2011
16:30	Leksand	Akademin	Leksand
Wednesday, June 08 2011
17:00	Sundbyberg Heat	Akademin	Sundbyberg
Saturday, June 11 2011
11:00	Stockholm	Leksand	Stockholm
11:00	Göteborg	Karlskoga Bats	Göteborg
11:00	Gefle	Sundbyberg Heat	Gefle

Stockholm had to settle for the split in their doubleheader with Goteborg Hajarna. In game one on Saturday Joakim Claesson (W 2-1) allowed just five hits in seven scoreless innings to lead Stockholm to a 3-0 shutout. He struck out ten. Curtis Dionne (L 3-1) issued seven hits, three runs and two walks in eight innings.

In the second match Andreas Wahlin scored four times and Sami Säkkinen drove in four to lead the Hajarna to a 14-4 rout in eight innings. Evan Porter hit a homerun for Goteborg. Brian Strawn-Johnson (W 2-0) struck out twelve in five innings of relief. Matt Merrifield (L 0-1) took the loss.

Leksand Lumberjacks – Karlskoga Bats 16-5 (7), 5-8

The Karlskoga Bats and the Leksand Lumberjacks also shared wins on Saturday in the Elitserien. In game one Leksand dispatched the defending champion 16-5 in seven innings. Afterwards the Bats prevailed 8-5.

Alby Stars – Sundbyberg Heat 8-20 (7), 4-12

The Sundbyberg Heat celebrated a sweep over the Alby Stars. In game one Josh Gregory and Per Lindgren collected four runs apiece in a 20-8 win in seven innings. Lindgren also drove in five. Philip Gajzler hit a homerun. Ricardo Montero scored three times for Alby. Nick Soubiea (W 1-2) got the win, Ramon Illa (L 0-2) the loss.

In the second portion of the twin bill Sundbyberg scored seven runs in the opening frame en route to a 12-4 win. Josh Gregory went 4-for-6. Victor Croneld drove in three. Johan Tisell (W 1-0) allowed seven hits and two runs in six innings. Yader Bello (L 0-1) managed just two outs in the first, getting charged with seven runs on four hits and three bb.

Box scores, Stats at Heatstat.se

Standings

Time	Home	Visitor	Field
Dates and Times are subject to change! In case of doubt check with the responsible national federation!
Tuesday, May 31 2011
16:30	Gefle	Akademin	Gefle
Thursday, June 02 2011
10:00	Göteborg	Akademin	Göteborg
11:00	Karlskoga Bats	Alby	Karlskoga

Short recaps on the six games will follow in the next couple of days.

	Time	Home	Visitor	Result
Saturday, May 28 2011
	10:00	Stockholm	Göteborg	03:00
	11:00	Alby	Sundbyberg Heat	08:20
	11:00	Leksand	Karlskoga Bats	16:05
	13:00	Stockholm	Göteborg	04:14
	14:00	Alby	Sundbyberg Heat	04:12
	14:00	Leksand	Karlskoga Bats	05:08

Standings

Time	Home	Visitor	Field
Dates and Times are subject to change! In case of doubt check with the responsible national federation!
Tuesday, May 31 2011
16:30	Gefle	Akademin	Gefle
Thursday, June 02 2011
10:00	Göteborg	Akademin	Göteborg
11:00	Karlskoga Bats	Alby	Karlskoga

	Time	Home	Visitor	Result
Tuesday, May 24 2011
	16:30	Leksand	Akademin	14:04
Wednesday, May 25 2011
	17:00	Sundbyberg Heat	Akademin	10:02

Standings

Time	Home	Visitor	Field
Dates and Times are subject to change! In case of doubt check with the responsible national federation!
Saturday, May 28 2011
10:00	Stockholm	Göteborg	Stockholm
11:00	Alby	Sundbyberg Heat	Seagull Park Alby
11:00	Leksand	Karlskoga Bats	Leksand
Tuesday, May 31 2011
16:30	Gefle	Akademin	Gefle

Alby and Goteborg split their doubleheader in the Swedish Elitserien on Saturday. In game one Hajarna built up a fast 5-0 lead after two en route to a 10-3 win over Alby. Johan Weidlof and Evan Porter scored four runs apiece. Brian Straw-Johnson drove in three. In the second match the Stars opened the game with an eight-run first, added seven more runs until the fourth and prevailed 15-9 in the end.

Gefle – Leksand Lumberjacks 3-13 (7), 5-1

In their season opener the Leksand Lumberjacks managed a split on the road against Gefle. In game one Leksand celebrated a lopsided 13-3 win in seven innings, which was highlighted by a nine-run sixth. Mats Jones and Simon Emanuelsson hit homeruns to lead the attack. Jones (W 1-0) also picked up the win in relief. In the second match Gefle avoided the sweep with a 5-1 win. Leksand is back on the field on Tuesday evening, facing the Academy.

Karlskoga Bats – Stockholm 4-9, 3-2

In a rematch of last year’s finals the Karlskoga Bats and Stockholm split a twin bill. In game one Stockholm scored six combined runs in the fifth and sixth en route to a 9-4 win. Bjoern Johannessen and Matt Merrifield had two RBI apiece. Each player in the lineup of Stockholm had at least a hit. Scott Mulhearn reached base four times for Karlskoga. He also hit a homerun and drove in three. He wasn’t that lucky on the mound, as he took the loss in relief of Kenta Sato, who had shut out Stockholm in the first four innings. Jakob Claesson (W 3-0) allowed six hits, four runs and seven walks in seven innings. He struck out eight.

In the second game Paul Waterman (W 3-0) went the distance to lead the Bats to a 3-2 win in a nail biter. His offense provided him with all three runs in the bottom of the sixth. Elias Sölveling had the big hit with a two-run single. Waterman issued just two unearned runs on five hits and two walks in nine innings. He struck out eight. Joakim Claesson (L 1-1) surrendered eight hits, three runs and six bb in seven innings to take the loss.

Box scores at Heatstat.se

Standings

Time	Home	Visitor	Field
Dates and Times are subject to change! In case of doubt check with the responsible national federation!
Tuesday, May 24 2011
16:30	Leksand	Akademin	Leksand
Wednesday, May 25 2011
17:00	Sundbyberg Heat	Akademin	Sundbyberg
Saturday, May 28 2011
10:00	Stockholm	Göteborg	Stockholm
11:00	Alby	Sundbyberg Heat	Seagull Park Alby
11:00	Leksand	Karlskoga Bats	Leksand

	Time	Home	Visitor	Result
Saturday, May 21 2011
	10:00	Alby	Göteborg	03:10
	11:00	Gefle	Leksand	03:13
	11:00	Karlskoga Bats	Stockholm	04:09
	13:00	Alby	Göteborg	15:09
	14:00	Gefle	Leksand	05:01
	14:00	Karlskoga Bats	Stockholm	03:02

Standings

	Time	Home	Visitor	Result
Tuesday, May 17 2011
	16:30	Karlskoga Bats	Akademin	10:01
Wednesday, May 18 2011
	17:00	Alby	Akademin	08:10

Standings

Time	Home	Visitor	Field
Dates and Times are subject to change! In case of doubt check with the responsible national federation!
Saturday, May 21 2011
10:00	Alby	Göteborg	Seagull Park Alby
11:00	Gefle	Leksand	Gefle
11:00	Karlskoga Bats	Stockholm	Karlskoga
Tuesday, May 24 2011
16:30	Leksand	Akademin	Leksand
Wednesday, May 25 2011
17:00	Sundbyberg Heat	Akademin	Sundbyberg

Defending champion Karlskoga Bats improved to 5-0 for the season, defeating Gefle twice in the Swedish Elitserien on Saturday. In game one Kenta Sato (W 3-0) went six scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and a walk, while striking out seven in a 4-2 win. Christoffer Johansson drove in two. Wilhelm Nordström had four hits for Gefle.

In the second game the Bats scored five runs in the fourth and five in the sixth en route to an easy 15-1 victory. Elias Sölveling and Jesper Joelsson combined for six RBI. Each Karlskoga player in the lineup scored at least once, Kent Karlsson three times. Paul Waterman (W 2-0) struck out nine in five no-hit innings, where he walked two.

Goteborg Hajarna – Sundbyberg Heat 11-1 (8), 12-8

Goteborg Hajarna picked up their wins three and four of the season, sweeping a doubleheader against Sundbyberg Heat. In game one the Sharks built up a fast 7-0 lead after four innings en route to an 11-1 win in eight innings. Curtis Dionne (W 2-0) went the distance, allowing one unearned run on six hits and four walks in eight innings. He also had four hits at the plate. Johan Weidlof scored three times.

In the second match Goteborg overcame an early 2-6 deficit and two homeruns by Philip Gajzler to beat the Heat 12-8. Four runs in the fourth and three in the fifth turned the game around. Evan Porter scored twice and drove in two for Hajarna. Karl Knutsson (W 1-0) got the win, Tomas Börjes (L 0-1) the loss. Brian Strawn-Johnson (S 1) struck out six in four scoreless innings of no-hit relief.

Alby – Stockholm 1-11 (8), 5-15

Also on Saturday Stockholm won twice in Alby. The first game ended 11-1 after eight innings. In the second the home team avoided the early ending due to mercy rule, but still lost 5-15. Stockholm is 4-0. Alby is 1-2.

Box scores and Stats at Heatstat.se

League play in the Swedish Elitserien continues on Tuesday and Wednesday with games between the Academy, Alby and Karlskoga. Leksand is entering the competition next Saturday.

Standings

Time	Home	Visitor	Field
Dates and Times are subject to change! In case of doubt check with the responsible national federation!
Tuesday, May 17 2011
16:30	Karlskoga Bats	Akademin	Karlskoga
Wednesday, May 18 2011
17:00	Alby	Akademin	Seagull Park Alby
Saturday, May 21 2011
10:00	Alby	Göteborg	Seagull Park Alby
11:00	Gefle	Leksand	Gefle
11:00	Karlskoga Bats	Stockholm	Karlskoga

More on the six games from Saturday in the coming days

	Time	Home	Visitor	Result
Saturday, May 14 2011
	10:00	Göteborg	Sundbyberg Heat	11:01
	11:00	Alby	Stockholm	01:11
	11:00	Karlskoga Bats	Gefle	04:02
	13:00	Göteborg	Sundbyberg Heat	12:08
	14:00	Alby	Stockholm	05:15
	14:00	Karlskoga Bats	Gefle	15:01

Standings

Time	Home	Visitor	Field
Dates and Times are subject to change! In case of doubt check with the responsible national federation!
Tuesday, May 17 2011
16:30	Karlskoga Bats	Akademin	Karlskoga
Wednesday, May 18 2011
17:00	Alby	Akademin	Seagull Park Alby
Saturday, May 21 2011
10:00	Alby	Göteborg	Seagull Park Alby
11:00	Gefle	Leksand	Gefle
11:00	Karlskoga Bats	Stockholm	Karlskoga

Box scores and Stats at Heatstat.se

	Time	Home	Visitor	Result
Tuesday, May 10 2011
	17:00	Stockholm	Akademin	05:00
Wednesday, May 11 2011
	16:30	Karlskoga Bats	Akademin	11:01
Thursday, May 12 2011
	16:30	Gefle	Akademin	13:06

Standings

Time	Home	Visitor	Field
Dates and Times are subject to change! In case of doubt check with the responsible national federation!
Saturday, May 14 2011
10:00	Göteborg	Sundbyberg Heat	Göteborg
11:00	Alby	Stockholm	Seagull Park Alby
11:00	Karlskoga Bats	Gefle	Karlskoga
Tuesday, May 17 2011
16:30	Karlskoga Bats	Akademin	Karlskoga
Wednesday, May 18 2011
17:00	Alby	Akademin	Seagull Park Alby

Defending champion Karlskoga Bats opened the 2011 season in the Swedish Elitserien with a pair of wins over Sundbyberg Heat. In game one the Bats scored five runs in the seventh to blow a close game wide open, prevailing 12-5. Scott Mulhearn went 2-for-4 with three runs and a RBI. Paul Waterman reached base four times. He doubled twice. Josh Gregory went 3-for-5 for the Heat. Kenta Sato picked up the win after six solid innings. Nick Soubiea took the loss.

In the second match Karlskoga used another five-run rally in the sixth to turn a 3-6 deficit into an 8-6 lead on their way to an 8-7 win. Sundbyberg had taken the lead through five runs in the fourth. Scott Mulhearn homered and drove in three. Paul Waterman went eight innings for the win. Philip Gajzler had three hits for Sundbyberg. Per Lindgren scored twice. Anders Nygren took the loss.

Goteborg Hajarna – Gefle 18-4 (7), 16-6 (8)

In the second doubleheader on Saturday the Goteborg Hajarna crushed Gefle 18-4 and 16-6. Game one was highlighted by a big twelve-run rally in the sixth. Evan Porter went 2-for-3 with a walk, four runs and three RBI. Erik Earnest and Curtis Dionne crossed the plate three times apiece. Dionne also went the distance on the mound to pick up the win. Peter Jansson walked twelve in 5 1/3 innings to get charged with the loss.

In the second game Goteborg opened the game with six runs in the first to set things towards a big victory. Curtis Dionne scored four runs in this game. Erik Earnest drove in four. Evan Porter reached base five times. Brian Strawn-Johnson struck out eight in five scoreless innings of one-hit relief. Mikael Bostroem surrendered twelve runs on 13 hits in five innings for the loss.

Box scores at Heatstat.se

The Elitserien continues from Tuesday to Thursday with games between the Swedish Baseball Academy and Stockholm, Karlskoga and Gefle. The next full game day is scheduled for Saturday.

Standings

Time	Home	Visitor	Field
Dates and Times are subject to change! In case of doubt check with the responsible national federation!
Tuesday, May 10 2011
17:00	Stockholm	Akademin	Stockholm
Wednesday, May 11 2011
16:30	Karlskoga Bats	Akademin	Karlskoga
Thursday, May 12 2011
16:30	Gefle	Akademin	Gefle
Saturday, May 14 2011
10:00	Göteborg	Sundbyberg Heat	Göteborg
11:00	Alby	Stockholm	Seagull Park Alby
11:00	Karlskoga Bats	Gefle	Karlskoga

More on the four games in the coming days.

	Time	Home	Visitor	Result
Tuesday, May 03 2011
	17:00	Alby	Akademin	07:02
Wednesday, May 04 2011
	17:00	Stockholm	Akademin	05:01
Saturday, May 07 2011
	10:00	Göteborg	Gefle	18:04
	11:00	Sundbyberg Heat	Karlskoga Bats	05:12
	13:00	Göteborg	Gefle	16:06
	14:00	Sundbyberg Heat	Karlskoga Bats	07:08

Standings

Time	Home	Visitor	Field
Dates and Times are subject to change! In case of doubt check with the responsible national federation!
Tuesday, May 10 2011
17:00	Stockholm	Akademin	Stockholm
Wednesday, May 11 2011
16:30	Karlskoga Bats	Akademin	Karlskoga
Thursday, May 12 2011
16:30	Gefle	Akademin	Gefle
Saturday, May 14 2011
10:00	Göteborg	Sundbyberg Heat	Göteborg
11:00	Alby	Stockholm	Seagull Park Alby
11:00	Karlskoga Bats	Gefle	Karlskoga

Box scores at Heatstat.se

	Time	Home	Visitor	Result
Tuesday, May 03 2011
	17:00	Alby	Akademin	07:02
Wednesday, May 04 2011
	17:00	Stockholm	Akademin	05:01

Standings

Time	Home	Visitor	Field
Dates and Times are subject to change! In case of doubt check with the responsible national federation!
Saturday, May 07 2011
10:00	Göteborg	Gefle	Göteborg
11:00	Sundbyberg Heat	Karlskoga Bats	Sundbyberg
Tuesday, May 10 2011
17:00	Stockholm	Akademin	Stockholm
Wednesday, May 11 2011
16:30	Karlskoga Bats	Akademin	Karlskoga
Thursday, May 12 2011
16:30	Gefle	Akademin	Gefle

Time	Home	Visitor	Field
Dates and Times are subject to change! In case of doubt check with the responsible national federation!
Tuesday, May 03 2011
17:00	Alby	Akademin	Seagull Park Alby
Wednesday, May 04 2011
17:00	Stockholm	Akademin	Stockholm
Saturday, May 07 2011
10:00	Göteborg	Gefle	Göteborg
11:00	Sundbyberg Heat	Karlskoga Bats	Sundbyberg
Tuesday, May 10 2011
17:00	Stockholm	Akademin	Stockholm
Wednesday, May 11 2011
16:30	Karlskoga Bats	Akademin	Karlskoga
Thursday, May 12 2011
16:30	Gefle	Akademin	Gefle

Press Release Swedish Baseball and Softball Federation

The Swedish Baseball and Softball Federation has announced that former Major Leaguer Dennis Cook will continue to serve as the head coach of the Swedish National Baseball Team over the 2012 European Championships. The 48-year old Cook pitched for 15 seasons in the big leagues, including the 1997 World Series with the Florida Marlins, where he picked up the win in Game 3 in relief.

The assistant coaches Stephen Labay, Rickard Reimer, and Doug Skiles also will continue over the 2012 European Championships.

The Swedish team finished in 5th place at the 2010 European Championships, ahead of powerhouses as Spain and Great Britain, teams who are loaded with players with professional experience.

“Our placement last year was a tremendous success given the tough group that we were assigned to. Much credit goes to the coaching staff, which was the strongest ever for a Swedish national team, and the staff made a huge impact on the development of the players,” says Ulf Steinvall, GM of the national teams.

Cook, who has Swedish roots, made his MLB debut for the San Francisco Giants in 1988 and stayed in the big leagues until 2002, pitching also for eight other teams. He received two World Series rings during his career, one with the Florida Marlins in 1997 and another one with the Anaheim Angels in 2002. The left-handed journeyman had an ERA of 3.91 in 665 appearances (71 starts) overall.

Photo: Peter Blomqvist

The defending Swedish champions have announced that they will replace the Canadian import player Lee Darracott with Australian infielder Scott Mulhearn. Lee Darracott changed his mind about Sweden after being offered a good job in Australia where he has spent the winters several years in a row.

The Karlskoga Bats think they have found a very good replacement in Scott Mulhearn. He has played in Japan for the Tokorozawa Green Baseball Club and three years of college ball in the US. He just finished his season in Australia where he batted .366 in Queensland Major League, which was second best in the league. His stats from the 2010 college season are also impressive with a .351 average to go with 4 homeruns 36 RBI’s. Japanese pitcher/infielder Kenta Sato, who also is a newcomer for the 2011 Bats played in the same Australian league as Scott this winter. Kenta performed well with a .330 average at the plate and good defensive stats. He was 4-3 with a 4.07 ERA, 85 K’s and 28 BB’s after 73 innings on the mound.

The Karlskoga Bats open the season May 7th with away games against the Sundbyberg Heat.

Press Release Swedish Baseball and Softball Federation

The Swedish Baseball and Softball Federation held their Annual Meeting last weekend (March 26th) in Stockholm.

During the Annual Meeting, the SBSF member clubs and districts approved last years Report, the proposed budget for 2011 as well as the Operational Plan for 2011-2014. 14 clubs and one district was present at the Annual Meeting, held at Quality Hotel Nacka in Stockholm.

The Operational Plan for 2011-2014 emphasizes development initiatives in order to
1. Strengthen the clubs and districts
2. Develop more coaches and leaders
3. Increase recruiting in clubs
4. Develop competitions and events
5. Raise the competitive level of Elite players and National Teams

In the elections, Mats Fransson was re-elected as President for the Swedish Baseball and Softball Federation for a period of one year.

In the other elections for the SBSF Board, there was three vacancies to fill after the resignations of board members Henrik Jörgensen (Helsingborg), Åsa Höglund (Sundsvall) and Johnny Stormats (Leksand). To fill the vacancies, Maria Jönsson (Göteborg), Jenny Wonisch (Norrköping) and Karl Knutsson (Sölvesborg) was elected to the SBSF Board, while Lars Sundin was re-elected as member to the board. Stormats will continue to preside over the Competitions Committee outside of the SBSF Boardroom.

The SBSF board for 2011 is as follows:

• Mats Fransson, President
• Karl Knutsson, Vice President
• Ulf Steinvall
• Ola Sund
• Maria Jönsson
• Jenny Wonisch
• Lars Sundin