June 2022 Newsletter
Welcome to the June Newsletter!
Shout Out To Our Volunteers
We are now two months into the 2022 season and unfortunately as a result of a number of on and off the field incidents, we need to take this opportunity to remind clubs, teams and participants of the codes of conduct which forms part of club and individual registration.
So far for the 2022 season, there have been a number of game-related incidents reported and being dealt with through the disciplinary process and disappointingly some of these incidents have been directed towards our volunteers, including umpires.
Umpires are a crucial backbone of our entire sport, as are officials in other sports, and form an essential part of any game. Our community is extremely grateful and supportive to those umpires who choose to participate in this way and willing player umpires who dedicate themselves to ensuring that a game of baseball is played across this country. Without umpires, it is just practice.
BBF Umpires in European Competitions
As the European baseball tournament season is about to begin for our club and national teams, we are proud to report that the following umpires have been selected by the European governing body (WBSC Europe) to officiate across Europe.
Federation Cup - Gabor Erdos
The London Mets have won their Federation Cup Qualifier group last year and gained a spot at the higher level competition. Gabor Erdos, has spent the last week in Braaschat (Belgium) umpiring some crucial games.
Federation Cup Qualifier - Thomas Haywood
London Capitals are going to Sofia (Bulgaria) to repeat the success of their club rivals and gain a spot in the higher tier. International veteran Thomas Haywood has been officiating at this tournament. Thomas is currently (by-far) the most travelled British baseball umpire with regular appearances in the Swiss National League.
U18 European Championship Qualifier - Petter Nordwall
U18 EC tournaments are considered to be among the highest quality baseball competitions apart from the Senior European Championship. One of our most senior umpires, Petter Nordwall will be travelling to Stockholm to officiate the games for the spot in the U18 European Championship.
Womens European Championship - John Baxendale
GB Women debut at the highest level of competition in Europe will also mean an international debut for John Baxendale. John has put incredible efforts in his own development over the past year and deservedly earned the spot to represent the BBF in Montpellier (France) in early August. It's fantastic to see our umpires recognised and invited to the highest possible competitions across Europe. Good luck to all!
WBSC Europe Federation Cup
The London Mets and the London Capitals have been competing in Europe in the Federations Cups.
The London Mets won their first game 7-6 versus the Brasschat Braves earlier this week. You can watch full highlights of the game here on the WBSC youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/WBSC...
Women’s National Team Fundraiser
Great Britain Baseball, for the 1st time ever this summer, will be fielding a women's national team at an international competition.
This historic occasion will occur in Montpellier, France, between August 3rd and 6th, 2022. A squad of 20 women will represent Great Britain at the tournament and face the Netherlands, Czech Republic and France, who all played at its launch in 2019.
Great Britain Baseball is the national team of the British Baseball Federation and receives limited government funding. As such, the players have to self-fund the cost of the tournament, which is a substantial commitment.
The women have been working extremely hard to reach this level and now seek donations to help fund the tournament so we can field our best team in the best conditions possible. https://www.gofundme.com/f/sup...
MLB’s Home Run Derby X July 9th
The British Baseball Federation, the British Softball Federation and BaseballSoftballUK are delighted to be partnering with Major League Baseball to recognise the role that the British baseball and softball communities play in developing the sport here in the UK.
It would be great to see British Baseball Clubs out at the event representing British Baseball!
Further details about the Home Run Derby X, and the British baseball and softball community's involvement, will be announced shortly!
Inspired by the success of MLB's Home Run Derby, four teams - the Red Sox, Yankees, Dodgers and Cubs - will compete in this tour throughout the year, with a modified field featuring a raised home plate, rules similar to popular MVP Baseball 2005 mini games, and players, celebrities, and special guests at each stop. Each team will be represented by four individuals – an MLB Legend, a Superstar, a content-creator Wild Card and a Rookie. Home Run Derby X will be a global baseball experience like nothing ever seen before!
British Baseball podcast Bat Flips & Nerds has written a primer all about HRDX - read it here: http://batflipsandnerds.com/20...
British Baseball Federation Census Report
We have just released the latest census report on the number of players, teams and clubs across the adult British Baseball Landscape!
Please read the latest census report on the current landscape within British Baseball:
This report combines and compares the information collected in the December 2020 report with the latest baseball club and team data collected in May 2022. The data was split into separate columns on an excel spreadsheet that segmented every British Baseball adult team by club, affiliation, level & region.
To access the historic report, please click here:
British Baseball Federation Committees
We have formed a selection of committees to help develop and grow our community and Federation.
These committees include:
• Senior Leagues – Chair Chris Carter
• Development Committee – Chair Lee Manning
• National Teams Committee – Chair Erik Gustafson
• Finance Committee – Chair Chris Deacon
• Governance Committee – Chair Tom Thornhill
• Communications and IT – Chair Tom Thornhill
• Safeguarding – Chair Earl Dix
• Officials Committee – Chair Chris Deacon
If you are interested in helping to develop British Baseball and want to become a member of one of these committees, please reach out to the relevant chair.
U14 London Archers Baseball win PONY Championship Final
Congratulations to the U14 London Archers Baseball who have won the Pony League Baseball U14 Championship final 6-5 against the Dutch NL Twins! The next stop for the London Archers youth side will be a trip to the PONY World Series in Washington, Pennsylvania, United States this August!
Carlos Casal Sr. appointed Manager & Head Coach of the Women's Senior National Baseball Team
In May, Great Britain Baseball and the BBF were pleased to announce that Carlos Casal Sr. was appointed to the role of Manager & Head Coach of the Women’s Senior National Baseball Team. Carlos has been an Assistant Coach for the GB Women’s programme since April last year, helping to lead the team with other staff members and to continue the development of players through our Winter Training programme.
Sport England Renews Long-term Investment into UK Baseball!
BaseballSoftballUK has just announced that Baseball and Softball have been awarded £2.3 million in Government and National Lottery Funding! £2.3 million of Sport England funding is another huge step forward for everyone interested in developing Baseball here in the UK. The award is set to cover a five-year period to provide systemic and governance services, incorporating delivery and talent development for three years, from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2027.
MLB Announce Strategic Partnership Aimed at Growing Baseball in the UK!
Major League Baseball have confirmed they are set to return to London in 2023, 2024 and 2026! The city of London has formed a long-term strategic partnership that includes MLB playing regular season games in London in ’23, ’24 & ’26. MLB Europe will also conduct fan events, expanded UK-focused content, baseball participation programs, and more. This announcement is an opportunity for all British Baseball Clubs and fans to help develop the sport in the UK.
BSUK Website Events
BaseballSoftballUK have invited all clubs and affiliations to list any and all baseball events on their new website. If you are interested in listing your event on their website, please email Chris Knoblock at chris.knoblock@bsuk.com.
Vacant Board Positions
The BBF are searching for volunteers to fill the following vacant positions on our Board:
Youth Affiliated Clubs League Commissioner - Oversees aspects of youth baseball, leagues and rules and acts as the primary point of contact for youth baseball queries. Also responsible for scheduling and format of Youth National Baseball Championships (YNBCs).
Coaches Commissioner - Oversees aspects of coaches development to enhance coaching for all levels. Should provide feedback on performance, skill and improvement techniques to improve the skills of our member coaches
Treasurer - Oversees all aspects of the financial management of the Federation. The Treasurer is the Chair of the Finance Committee and controls the bank accounts for the Federation. Should be a qualified accountant.
If you are interested in performing any of the roles listed above, please email info@britishbaseball.org.uk
Tom Thornhill
British Baseball Federation President
Board
Tom Thornhill – President – elected AGM November 2021
Chris Carter - Senior Affiliated Clubs Leagues Commissioner. – elected AGM November 2021
Chris Deacon - Officials Commissioner– co-opted November 2021
Earl Dix - Secretary – elected AGM November 2021
Erik Gustafson - National Teams Programme Official – elected AGM March 2021
Lee Manning – Development Officer – elected AGM November 2021
If you would like to have further information or wish to contact us, our addresses are as follows:
Web: www.britishbaseball.org.uk
Email: info@britishbaseball.org.uk
Twitter: @BritishBaseball
Instagram: british_baseball_federation
Facebook: BritishBaseball
