by www.britishbaseball.org
The inaugural GB All-Star Series got off to a solid start at Farnham Park on Saturday 19 April when GB’s strongest domestic-based players squared off against league All-Star teams. The series is designed to provide training for national teams as well as furthering umpire and coach development.
The competition has also been created to bring regular top-flight baseball to Farnham Park and to raise much-needed funds for GB programmes.
The GB Lions got off to a strong 2-0 start on the opening day of play, posting victories against both the Southern Stars and the Knights. The Southern Stars are a collection of the leading players from the NBL and other Southern Leagues, while the Knights are made up of top players from Northern and Midlands’ divisions.
Both All-Star teams posted 1-1 records, recording wins against a GB Juniors squad (0-2) that played respectably despite a depleted roster.
RESULTS
GB All-Star Series Week 1 results were as follows:
Southern Stars 6, GB Juniors 1
Winning pitcher: Tommy DuToit (Southern Nationals)
Knights 5, GB Juniors 2
Winning pitcher: Chris White (Milton Keynes Bucks)
GB Lions 5, Southern Stars 1
Winning pitcher: Jordan Edmonds (GB Lions & Bracknell Blazers)
GB Lions 6, Knights 1
Winning pitcher: Richard Chesterton (GB Lions & Essex Arrows)
While games scheduled for Sunday 20 April were cancelled due to heavy rain, a full slate of GB All-Star Series action will next be played on 3-4 May at Farnham Park. Other GB All-Star Series dates are 25 May and 5-6 July.
COMMENTS
Team GB General Manager Glen Robertson said, “This was an excellent start to what I believe is going to evolve into a cornerstone of the British baseball season. I am looking forward to Head Coach [Sam] Dempster witnessing the talent that is being developed when he arrives in May.”
BBF Secretary and Knights Manager Giovanni Ciotti said: “For umpires, coaches and players alike, this event felt very much like the right thing at the right time. Seeing players, umpires, and coaches from all over country have the opportunity to test their mettle in high-level competitive games will certainly bolster British baseball year-in, year out.”