Bologna – Parma stayed away from an overwhelming 3-0 deficit in the Italian Series on Thursday with a 6-0 win over Bologna to bring the series to 2-1. Roberto Corradini scattered 6 hits in a complete game shutout to give Parma its first victory in the series Gianni Falchi Stadium.

Bologna, seeking its second straight title, allowed 4 unearned run on a couple throwing errors. Parma scored 3 runs in both the 2nd and 8th innings, but Bologna never threatened.

Both teams combined for only 1 extra base hit the entire night, a double by Parma’s Leonardo Zileri.

So far the visiting team has won all 3 games.

Game 4 will be Friday night at Falchi Stadium.

Photo courtesy of Ferrini/FIBS

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Baseball Event for Women in Canada

OTTAWA-Nova Scotia has once again hosted a successful girl’s instructional clinic. For the third year in a row a clinic has been provided to teach baseball skills and also increase the profile of the sport amongst females in the province. This year the event was held in Bedford, a small community that is just outside of Halifax where over 150 girls participated.

“We had 151 girls registered and then we had walk-ups,” explained event organizer and Baseball Nova Scotia Treasurer, Holly Lapierre. “I’m still plugging all of the names into our registration database.”

With the amount of participants that registered for the event, the day had to be split into two sessions based on age. The morning group was for girls aged 4 to 9 and the afternoon group had 10 to 16 year olds. A great feature to the event is that it is open to any female interesting in participating regardless of their baseball experience.

“Anyone is welcome to attend,” said Lapierre. “It doesn’t matter if you have never played before or aren’t even registered, c’mon out!”

When the morning session got underway the young girl’s rotated through stations that were coordinated by Bantam girl’s provincial team coach, Stephen Benjamin. Benjamin had the help of player’s from his provincial team to provide instruction to the young ball players and give them a glimpse of what kind of opportunities are available for female baseball players in the province.

The top quality instruction didn’t stop there as Paul Prince, head coach of the Senior Women’s provincial team also provided instruction along with two of his assistant coaches and four members of the Senior Women’s team. The highlight for everyone involved was a guest coach appearance by former Toronto Blue Jay and Canadian National Team player, Rob Ducey.

“I had a wonderful time here in Halifax this weekend,” said Ducey. “The day was a great way to introduce baseball to girls and re-enforce baseball skills for those girls who have already been playing.

Ducey was able to rotate around the field and act as a ‘floating instructor’ and filled in with the various stations that were set up. The girls were also treated to a signing period where Ducey signed autographs and was able to interact with participants.

“Overall, it is a great way for grass roots programs to get started and continue to develop girl’s baseball in Canada,” noted Ducey.

Ducey’s presence and the event itself caused some well deserved media attention and it also gave a telling sign of what the participants thought of having a former pro like Ducey attend the event.

“One of the girls that were interviewed on TV was asked what it meant to have (Rob) Ducey at the event,” explained Lapierre. “She said I had instruction from a former major league baseball player, how awesome is that!”

Lapierre was also happy to report that she received numerous notes from parents of participants thanking her for organizing the clinic and relaying how much of a positive experience it was for their daughters.

“Parents have told me that it was great to see the girls get this much attention, guidance and encouragement,” said Lapierre. “They also told me how much their daughters are looking forward to playing baseball now and in the future for those who are new to the sport.

She also anticipates that because of the feedback she has received the event is headed for bigger and better times in the future. Some families travelled as far as two hours away to attend the event proving that the span the event and the sport has is felt throughout the province.

“The first year the girl’s were from only two associations (Hammond Plains and Fall River),” said Lapierre. Last year we (out of 145 participants) had about 30 girls from other associations and this year the number went up again to about 70 girls (from other associations).”

Lapierre also fielded phone calls and e-mails from parents who were upset that their daughter missed this year’s event, but couldn’t wait until next year.

“I guess I’ll have to keep running the clinics,” said Lapierre with a laugh.

Based on the success of the event, Holly Lapierre better get used to running them for many years to come.

Source: International Baseball Federation

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They won both the Spring and the Summer events of High School baseball in Japan

Konan of Okinawa Prefecture roughed up highly touted right-hander Shinta Hifumi and trounced Kanagawa’s Tokaidai Sagami 13-1 in the final of the national High School baseball championship in Japan.

Konan became only the sixth school in the long history of Japanese High School baseball to win both the Spring and Summer national meets and first since Daisuke Matsuzaka, now with the Boston Red Sox, helped Yokohama do so in 1998.
In front of 47,000 spectators at “Koshien” Stadium, Konan had two big innings—a seven-run fourth and a five-run sixth—while left-handed ace Yosuke Shimabukuro scattered nine hits and allowed just one unearned run in his fourth complete game of the tournament.

Source: International Baseball Federation

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Germany National Team member Kai Gronauer will compete in the Arizona Fall League. The catcher is having a great season that started with an invitation to spring training in February.

Since then he has spent time with two teams in the New York Mets organization. Starting off with Savannah in the South Atlantic League. Here Gronauer hit .267 with 2 home runs and 23 RBI. Even more impressive was Gronauer’s caught stealing percentage of 45%.

With that he earned a promotion to high A ball and the Port St. Lucie Mets of the Florida State League. In St. Lucie, Gronauer hit .313 with 2 home runs and 19 RBI in 35 games. He continued his impressive caught stealing percentage at 38%.

Gronauer will play for the Mesa Solar Sox in Arizona when the league starts up on October 12th.

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Sioux Falls 4, Lincoln 3 (11 innings)

Lincoln dropped an extra-inning heartbreaker on a bases-loaded eleventh inning sacrifice fly to drop game two of the best-of-five division series 4-3. After 1B Brandon Sing was moved to third on a sacrifice bunt following his double to start the inning, Lincoln walked the bases loaded only to succumb to C Eddy Rodriguez’s (pictured) sacrifice fly to right field. Pheasants’ leadoff man Joe Anthonsen enjoyed a 4-for-5 night, blasting a solo home run in the first after hitting none during the regular season, and later added an RBI single. Lincoln tied the game at three in the sixth with a two-run home run from 1B Phil Hawke, but Sioux Falls’ bullpen tossed four one-hit innings to put out the fire and earn the victory. Starting pitchers John James and Chris Salberg each threw seven innings, surrendering three runs in quality starts. Lincoln will try to avoid a three-game sweep Friday night at 7:05 PM CST. LHP Ryan Rodriguez is probable to take the hill for Sioux Falls while RHP Chris Cullen gets the nod for Lincoln.

Shreveport-Bossier 8, Pensacola 4

Late insurance sealed a 2-0 series lead for Shreveport-Bossier in their best-of-five division series with Pensacola. Entering the ninth up 5-4, the Captains strung together a pair of infield hits, walks, and a couple wild pitches to put together three insurance runs against the Pelicans’ bullpen. RHP Osvaldo Rodriguez picked up the win for Shreveport-Bossier, allowing one earned run over 5.1 innings of work. Palmer Karr, Jr., Andres Rodriguez, and Jorge Alvarez each contributed two RBI for the Captains. Pensacola put together a three-run seventh to pull within one of the lead, but ultimately game two slipped away. Pensacola will try to avoid a sweep on the road Friday. RHP Bryan Rembisz will take the hill for the Pelicans while Shreveport-Bossier will send southpaw Ryan DiPietro to the mound at 7:05 PM CST.

Source: AmericanAssociationBaseball.com

Arizona Fall League Rosters Revealed

Ackley, Sanchez, Wood, Vitters among players selected

The Arizona Fall League will feature 30 former first-round Draft picks this year, including 2009 No. 2 overall pick Dustin Ackley and No. 4 selection Tony Sanchez.

Nationals’ 2010 No. 1 overall pick Bryce Harper, rumored to debut in the AFL this fall, was not included among the league’s preliminary rosters.

The AFL is an annual winter league run by Major League Baseball that often showcases the top talent from all 30 organizations — Stephen Strasburg and Buster Posey were among the impact players to see time in Arizona last fall.

The league consists of six teams and is owned and operated by Major League Baseball. Each big league club is required to provide seven players to the league, which kicks off on Oct. 12 in the Phoenix area. The fifth annual “Rising Stars Game” will be played Nov. 6 at Surprise Stadium.

Ackley (Peoria Javelinas) and Sanchez (Mesa Solar Sox) are among the most notable names going to Arizona this autumn. Freddie Freeman, who was selected Tuesday as the International League’s Rookie of the Year, will join the Phoenix Desert Dogs following an expected promotion to Atlanta on Wednesday. He’s among the Braves’ top prospects after hitting .319 with 18 homers and 87 RBIs in 127 games at Triple-A Gwinnett.

Ackley will be joined in the infield by Jose Iglesias, a Cuban defector who debuted in the AFL last year, and Koby Clemens, the power-hitting son of Roger Clemens who has 24 homers and 80 RBIs as a Texas League All-Star with Corpus Christi this year.

Major League veteran Brandon Wood will join the Solar Sox along with Cubs prospect Josh Vitters, the No. 3 overall selection in the 2007 Draft.

The Twins send a solid group to Peoria, including top prospect Ben Revere and pitchers Dave Bromberg, Kyle Walberg and Tyler Robertson. Padres prospect Brad Brach, who leads the California League with 40 saves, will also join Peoria.

Other notable players heading West: 2007 sixth-round pick Matt Rizzotti, a two-time Eastern League All-Star with Philadelphia, will join Mesa along with former Pirates fourth-rounder Andrew Lambo. … Boston’s Ryan Lavarnway, with 21 homers and 93 RBIs at two levels, will catch for Peoria. … Switch-hitting Indians second baseman Cord Phelps will also join the Javelinas. … Padres right-hander Craig Italiano, a 2005 second-round pick, will join the Saguaros along with White Sox ‘09 first-rounder Josh Phegley, who will split time behind the plate with Reds ‘07 first-round pick Devin Mesoraco. … Dodgers coach Don Mattingly will manage the Desert Dogs, a team that includes Dodgers farmhands. … Kyle Skipworth, the No. 6 overall pick in 2008 by Florida, will split catching duties with former ‘07 second-round pick, Austin Romine, one of the Yankees’ prized backstops. … Ivan De Jesus, the Dodgers’ second-round pick in 2005 who broke his leg last year, will join Phoenix. … Grant Green, the A’s first-round pick in ‘09, was a Futures Game and California League All-Star in 2010; he’ll head to Phoenix. … A’s slugger Michael Taylor, traded in the Roy Halladay deal, joins Phoenix. He posted huge offensive years in 2008 and ‘09. … Rex Brothers, Colorado’s top pick last year, will pitch for Scottsdale alongside fellow Rockies prospect Bruce Billings. … Nationals catcher Derek Norris, voted MiLB.com’s top Class A hitter in 2009, will join the Scorpions. … Giants prospect Brandon Belt, one of only two Minor Leaguers with at least 20 homers, doubles and steals, will also head to Scottsdale. … Eric Hosmer, the No. 3 overall pick in 2008, will represent Kansas City with Surprise.

“As we approach our 19th season, the Arizona Fall League is proud of its continuing contributions to the development of the sport’s most outstanding young players,” said AFL director Steve Cobb. “Just nine months ago, players like Ike Davis, Jason Heyward, Chris Heisey, Mike Leake, Buster Posey, Mike Stanton, Drew Storen, Stephen Strasburg, Jose Tabata and many others were polishing their skills in Arizona for the six weeks prior to Thanksgiving and just months before they became household names to baseball fans across America.”

Source: www.minorleaguebaseball.com

From 26th to 29th august first ever Balcan Baseball Cup took place in the Serbia capital, Belgrade. With late cancelations from Romania and Turkey, and Croatia earlier, only three teams participated with Bulgaria winning the finals against Slovenia 6-5.

In the first game Bulgaria dominated Slovenia 7-1 with great pitching and some help from Slovenia defense that made some crucial errors in outfield that eventually cost them the game.

Second game was played between Serbia and Slovenia, and it was Slovenia who took early lead when Nikola Karacon, Serbia’s starting pitcher couldn’t find strike zone, and mostly on walks he gave up 4 runs while getting just 4 outs, he was later replaced by Milan Djordjevic who allowed just one more run, but the initial lead proved to be enough for Slovenia who were playing stellar defense. Serbia had their chances late in the game, but some baserunning blunders cost them couple of runs and eventually the game.

Even though they lost to Slovenia, Serbia still had the chance to play in the finals and for that they needed to win against Bulgaria by two runs or more. Bulgaria proven to be the better team and by playing some unbelievable defense (6 double plays) they shut down Serbian offence who came to life in 9th inning with 5 consecutive doubles but again Bulgarian right fielder gunned down Predrag Kukoleca who tried to score from first and that was the end for Serbian hopes to win in front of the home crowd.

Finals took place on Sunday and it was Bulgaria who got early lead in the first by playing small ball very well, couple of bunts and steals, and Bulgaria was up 2-0 in the first, Slovenia came back in 3rd with some timely hits and production from the bottom of the lineup. Jakob Trobec Slovenian shortstop was 3 for 3 with couple of walks and his hit made it 4-2 Slovenia after 3. Score remained intact until 7th inning but then Bulgaria bats came to life, after the first two walks from tired Slovenia pitcher Alesh Mravlje, who pitched 8 innings of one run ball two days earlier against Serbia, Bulgaria had 3 hits and scoreboard said it was 5-4 Bulgaria with runners on 2nd and 3rd and one out. Trobec came in to pitch and he struck out two but a wild pitch allowed one more run for Bulgaria and it was 6-4 before the seventh inning stretch. Slovenia had their chances in the ninth with first two hitters getting on base, but hey only scored one run on a sac fly from their catcher and best defensive player in the tournament Klemen Gajzer. Final score Bulgaria 6 Slovenia 5.

Event had very good organization and media coverage and first ceremonial pitch was thrown by American Ambassador in Serbia Miss Mary Warlick while the Cuban Ambassador miss Mercedes Valdes presented teams and players with the awards.

Source: www.baseballeurope.com

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National Team Identification Series

Details on USA Baseball’s 2010 NTIS

The 2010 USA Baseball National Team Identification Series (NTIS) will consist of three separate age groups and will feature a total of 648 players. The event will be held Sept. 10-Sept. 12, 2010, and will be held at the USA Baseball National Training Complex and adjoining Thomas Brooks Park in Cary, N.C.

The three age groups (17U, 15U, 13U) within the 2010 event will be divided based on 2011 National Team (18U, 16U, 14U) aspirations. As per international guidelines, players competing in the NTIS in the three age groups must conform to the following:

• 2010 17U NTIS: born on or after Jan. 1, 1993, for the 2011 18U NT
• 2010 15U NTIS: born on or after Jan. 1, 1995, for the 2011 16U NT
• 2010 13U NTIS: born on or after Jan. 1, 1997, for the 2011 14U NT

From these three separate age groups, USA Baseball will name a minimum of eight players to the 2011 18U National Team Trials (18U); a minimum of eight players to the 2011 16U National Team Trials (16U); and a minimum of 24 players to the 2011 14U National Team Trials. While the NTIS is designed to supplement the existing programming being done at the 18U and 16U age groups, it will constitute the primary identification opportunity for the 14U National Team.

Activities will start on Friday morning, Sept. 10, and will be scheduled to finish by mid-day on Sunday, Sept. 12. Each team within the 17U and 15U age groups will play a total of three 9-inning games, while the 13U age group will feature four 7-inning games; programming for all age groups will also include USA Baseball instruction and training. The NTIS will present all participating athletes not only with great national exposure but also with an opportunity to develop their skills through an unparalleled baseball experience.

Of the participating organizations in the event, eleven of the twelve teams within each age group will be organized on a “regionalized club-team” basis, similar to the USA Baseball 16U Championships (formerly known at the USA Junior Olympic Baseball Championships). Existing baseball programs which have previously entered teams into the 16U Championships and the 2009 NTIS have been selected to fill these slots with entry fees defraying some of the costs of the event and the 2011 USA Baseball 18U, 16U and 14U National Teams. As with the 16U Championships, these various baseball programs will be responsible for identifying and selecting 18-player teams which will participate in the event.

Similar to the USA Baseball Tournament of Stars, USA Baseball will select one of the twelve teams within each age group — as “at-large teams.” USA Baseball will rely on its National Member Organizations, existing events, and other entities, as well as its established athlete database to identify players for the two USA Baseball at-large teams in each age group (three total). As part of this initiative, USA Baseball will encourage the inclusion of all athletes when filling roster spots for the at-large teams.

NTIS Features:

• Identification opportunity for the 2011 USA Baseball 18U National Team Trials; all players must be born 1993 or later.
• Identification opportunity for the 2011 USA Baseball 16U National Team Trials; all players must be born 1995 or later.
• Primary identification opportunity for the 2011 USA Baseball 14U National Team Trials; all players must be born in 1997 or later.
• Individual skills testing and evaluation.
• 17U and 15U teams will play three nine-inning games.
• 13U teams will play four seven-inning games.
• To be announced guest speakers.
• Participants will receive a USA Baseball hat and gift bag.
• College and university coaches, and professional scouts will be in attendance.
• Event held at the USA Baseball National Training Complex — the home of Team USA.

NTIS Schedule*:

Thursday, Sept. 9, 2010
1-4 p.m.: Team Practices
7 p.m.: Guest Speakers

Friday, Sept. 10, 2010
8 a.m.-9:30 p.m.: Individual Skills Testing/Evaluation/Games

Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010
8 a.m.-8 p.m.: Games

Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010
8 a.m.-4 p.m.: Games
(*schedule is tentative and is subject to change)

Source: USA Baseball

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Heading into September, the playoff race is heating up in Taiwan.

The Sinon Bulls won the first half and are currently sitting in 2nd place for the 2nd half 1.5 games back. The Brother Elephants are currently leading the 2nd half, but the final two playoff spots are still up for grabs.

The winners of each half plus a wildcard team based on overall season winning percentage will make the playoffs. If a team wins both halves, a second wildcard team will be added based on overall season standings.

Stay tuned for updates as the final month of the season progresses.

CPBL 2nd Half STANDINGS:

The Baseball Journeyman is an ESL teacher in South Korea. He is on a journey to see baseball in as many countries as possible. Follow The Baseball Journeyman. Follow him on Facebook or Twitter.

The semi-finals of the A-League in Ireland are set to start on Saturday.

The first game of the day will take place at Corkagh Park with the Hurricanes facing off against the Mariners.

Game 2 will take place in Belfast with the Northstars squaring off against the Spartans.

Say tuned for up to date info on the playoffs here at Baseball de World.

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The semi-finals are set in Germany. Three of the four teams who started out leading their series 2-0 advanced with only the Mannheim Tornados falling.

Solingen Alligators vs Haar Disciples
Solingen finished off the Disciples on Saturday with a 9-5 win to win the series 3-0 and advance to the semi-finals. Game 3 did not look good for Solingen for the first few innings as they started out down 5-0. They would then bounce back and take control of the game with 2 runs in the 4th to push it to 5-2. The 5th would be the downfall for the Disciples as the Alligators scored 6 runs to go up 8-5, and they never looked back.

Heidenheim Heidekoepfe vs Bonn Capitals
Heidenheim came into game 3 with a 2-0 lead, and would earn their spot in the semi-finals on Saturday. Heidenheeim took down Bonn 8-5 for the victory. They will face off with Solingen in one semi-final to start next Saturday.

Buchbinder Legionaere Regensburg vs HSV Stealers
After a marathon game on Friday, Regensburg finished off the Stealers on Saturday with a 11-1 victory to move into the semi-finals winning the series 3-1. Regensburg went up early 4-0 after 2 innings and they put the hammer down from there finishing the game in 7 innings.

Paderborn Untouchables vs Mannheim Tornados
Mannheim started the quarter-final round with a bang going up 2-0, but they would end their season in that same round after falling 3 straight over the weekend to Paderborn. Paderborn took game 3 in a close one 4-3 with a walk-off hit to force a game 4 where they trounced the Untouchables 10-0 on Saturday. The final game 5 would be played on Sunday with the winner to advance to play Regensburg in the semi-finals. In the final game, Paderborn would go down early 4-2 and it would take a 8th inning comeback to win its third straight. Down 8-6, the Untouchables would put together a 5-run 8th inning to push ahead 11-8 and take the series 3-2. Paderborn will now face Regensburg in the semi-finals.

The semi-finals will start Saturday

A disciplined Japan team defeated Hawaii on Sunday 4-1 to take home its first title since 2003 and the first for an international team since 2004. Japan used pitching, defense, and timely hitting to take down the little leaguers from Waipahu, Hawaii at Howard J. Lamade Stadium in front of 29,812.

The game was close the entire way. Japan went up 1-0 with a run in the 2nd, but Hawaii would not go away. In the 4th inning down 2-0, Hawaii came back to make it 2-1 but would never get any closer. Japan would put the game away in the top of the 6th with a 2-run home run from first baseman Konan Tomori.

Japan got solid pitching performances out of starter Ryusuke Ikeda and reliever Ichiro Ogasawara. Both would go 3 innings and Ogasawara did not give up a hit or a walk the final 3 frames.

In the Consolation game, Chinese Taipei returned to their dominate ways defeating Texas 14-2. They jumped out to a 9-0 lead after 1 inning and never looked back ending the game early due to the run rule. Chinese Taipei pounded out 14 hits in route to the win.

For the fourth time in seven years, a team from Texas will play for the United States Championship at the Little League World Series. The team from Pearland, Texas overcame a 5-3 deficit in the 6th inning to win 7-5 sending home the Cinderella hopefuls from Auburn, Washington.

After a run-scoring single, Blake Toler advanced to third on 2 wild pitches. He would score on a groundout to tie the game at 5. Mason Van Noort then went to work at the plate. After fouling off 4 pitches with 2 strikes, Van Noort worked the count full before sending the 10th pitch of the at bat over the left-field fence giving Texas a 6-5 lead. Washington would commit two errors following the home run allowing an insurance run to score giving Texas a 7-5 victory and a spot in the U.S. Championship Game.

Texas’ opponent will be decided Friday afternoon. On Thursday, Hawaii stayed alive with a 7-4 victory over Georgia. Hawaii is attempting to become the first team from the losers’ bracket to make it to the Championship Game.

Softball again rejects joint Olympic approach with baseball
Despite a recent plea from International Baseball Federation President Riccardo Fraccari that a joint baseball-softball bid is the “only way back into the Olympic programme,” the International Softball Federation has decided to go its own way in seeking Olympic reinstatement for 2020.

In a letter to Riccardo Fraccari, ISF President Don Porter said, “The International Softball Federation has always acted as an independent sport, and presently plans to continue that internationally accepted practice.”

“Softball has been an independently governed sport for many years,” Don Porter continued. “Softball, on its own, meets all criteria for inclusion as an Olympic medal sport, a position it has enjoyed through the 2008 Games in Beijing.”

Unanimous Support

At a meeting in Venezuela last month following the Women’s World Championships, the ISF Board of Directors gave unanimous support to continue plans to re-present softball – both women’s and men’s fastpitch – for consideration for the 2020 Olympic Games.

A decision on the sports to be included in those Games will be made in 2013.

The ISF believes that softball only lost its Olympic place — on a tied vote in 2005 — because of issues that IOC members had with baseball, and a mistaken belief on the part of many members that baseball and softball were two formats of the same sport.

As a result, the ISF has tried to make it clear in its BackSoftball reinstatement campaign that softball is a separate and different sport, and the ISF has pressured many baseball/softball federations around the world to dissolve the relationship so each sport to function on its own.

Both baseball and softball applied to regain their position as Olympic medal sports for the 2016 Games but golf and rugby were the two sports recommended last August by the IOC Executive and confirmed by the IOC Congress last October.

Courtesy Britishbaseball.org

Lotte Giants slugger Lee Dae-ho is set to lead an unprecedented 7 offensive categories. Lee currently leads in home runs (41), RBIs (121), average (.366), hits (154), runs (89), on-base percentage (.439), and slugging (.684). Lee has already won the triple crown in 2006, but this would surpass even that great achievement.

In KBO history nobody has ever led 7 offensive categories. Former KBO stars Lee Seung-yeop (now a star with the Yomiuri Giants in Japan), Jang Jong-hoon (Hanwha Eagles), and Lee Jong-bum (Kia Tigers) all led the league in 5 offensive categories. In Major League Baseball, Ty Cobb led the league in 8 offensive categories in 1909. Three others in MLB history have topped the league in 7.

Lee also has an outside chance to possibly set new KBO records in home runs and RBIs. The all-time records stand at 56 home runs and 144 RBIs. This may be a stretch since the season is soon coming to a close but he is sure to give the records a run for their money. He already sits 4th all-time in RBIs for a season and is likely to increase that number by the end of the year as Lotte makes a run at the playoffs.

The Giants slugger has already set one very impressive record this year by blasting a home run in 10 consecutive games. The Major League Baseball record was 8 set by Dale Long, Don Mattingly, and Ken Griffey Jr. No matter where he finishes the year in the offensive standings, it is clear that Lee Dae-ho has had an impressive year.

I guess the only question that remains is when will Lee Dae-ho follow in the footsteps of Lee Bum-ho and Kim Tae-gyun and leave for a team overseas.

KBO STANDINGS:

The Baseball Journeyman is an ESL teacher in South Korea. He is on a journey to see baseball in as many countries as possible. Follow The Baseball Journeyman. Follow him on Facebook or Twitter.

Lotte Giants slugger Lee Dae-ho is set to lead an unprecedented 7 offensive categories. Lee currently leads in home runs (41), RBIs (121), average (.366), hits (154), runs (89), on-base percentage (.439), and slugging (.684). Lee has already won the triple crown in 2006, but this would surpass even that great achievement.

In KBO history nobody has ever led 7 offensive categories. Former KBO stars Lee Seung-yeop (now a star with the Yomiuri Giants in Japan), Jang Jong-hoon (Hanwha Eagles), and Lee Jong-bum (Kia Tigers) all led the league in 5 offensive categories. In Major League Baseball, Ty Cobb led the league in 8 offensive categories in 1909. Three others in MLB history have topped the league in 7.

Lee also has an outside chance to possibly set new KBO records in home runs and RBIs. The all-time records stand at 56 home runs and 144 RBIs. This may be a stretch since the season is soon coming to a close but he is sure to give the records a run for their money. He already sits 4th all-time in RBIs for a season and is likely to increase that number by the end of the year as Lotte makes a run at the playoffs.

The Giants slugger has already set one very impressive record this year by blasting a home run in 10 consecutive games. The Major League Baseball record was 8 set by Dale Long, Don Mattingly, and Ken Griffey Jr. No matter where he finishes the year in the offensive standings, it is clear that Lee Dae-ho has had an impressive year.

I guess the only question that remains is when will Lee Dae-ho follow in the footsteps of Lee Bum-ho and Kim Tae-gyun and leave for a team overseas.

KBO STANDINGS:

The Baseball Journeyman is an ESL teacher in South Korea. He is on a journey to see baseball in as many countries as possible. Follow The Baseball Journeyman.

GERMANY – American left-hander Josh Rickards threw a four-hit shutout and the Solingen Alligators finished off a sweep over the Haar Disciples with a 2-0 win in the first round of the German League playoffs. The North Division champion leads the best-of-five series three games to none.

Rickards (1-0), who caught three baserunners napping at first base, racked up 11 strikeouts en route to putting the fourth-seeded Disciples on the brink of elimination.

Paul Rutgers plated the only runs of the game in the sixth with a two-bagger off Haar starter Calvin Brutus (0-1).

Solingen used four scores in the third to break a knotted affair to take the front end of the doubleheader, 9-4. Rutgers and Evan Porter both went deep in the final frame to put the game out of reach.

Buchbinder Legionaere Derails HSV Stealers
Ludwig Glaser drilled a two-run homer and the Buchbinder Legionaere (Regensburg) rallied from an early three-run deficit to rout the HSV Stealers 23-5 and complete a twinbill sweep. The South Division champion collected 19 hits and capitalized on eight defensive miscues by Hamburg to seal the seven-inning contest. Klaus Hopfensperger drove in the go-ahead score in the seventh to break a 1-all deadlock and the Legionaere plated four insurance runs over the final two frames to claim a 6-3 win in the first game.

Heidenheim Heidekoepfe Turns Back Bonn Capitals
American slugger Matt Pali highlighted a four-run fifth with a double that plated two scores and the Heidenheim Heidekoepfe rallied from a three-run hole to beat the Bonn Capitals, 7-5. Former U.S. minor leaguer pitcher Dusty Bergman spun a stellar outing on the hill and national team backstop Simon Guehring homered as the reigning German champion rolled to a 13-2 triumph in the second encounter to finish off the doubleheader sweep.

Mannheim Tornados Sweep Paderborn Untouchables
Dominik Hoepfner singled home the game-winning score in the eighth and the Mannheim Tornados edged the Paderborn Untouchables 6-5 in a see-saw affair. The third-seeded Tornados, which lost to Heidenheim in last year’s championship series, also got a solo home run from Texas native Dennis Kelly. Marvin Appiah drove in a trio of scores with a 3-for-5 effort at the plate, and Lukas Egetmeyer went deep as Mannheim raced out to a quick five-run lead and coasted to a lopsided 16-6 win in the second game to complete the twinbill sweep.

Photo courtesy of Solingen Alligators

THE NETHERLANDS – Kevin Heijstek tossed seven scoreless innings and Danny Rombley went deep to pace a 14-hit attack to help DOOR Neptunus advance to the 2010 Holland Series with an 8-0 victory Sunday over the Konica Minolta Pioniers at Family Stadium in Rotterdam. The reigning Dutch Major League champion will now await the winner of the L&D Amsterdam Pirates-Corendon Kinheim semifinal matchup.

Heijstek (1-0) scattered two hits and three walks to earn his first win in this year’s postseason while extending Neptunus string of consecutive shutouts to a whopping seven games. Relievers Jorian van Acker and Berry van Driel both worked a 1-2-3 inning to eliminate the fourth-seeded Pioniers from the playoffs.

Rombley, a former U.S. minor leaguer who joined the Rotterdam club last winter after several successful seasons with Corendon Kinheim, singled home a pair of scores to finish off a three-run third. The former Dutch League batting champion, who went 3-for-4 with a trio of RBIs, ignited a two-out, two-run rally in the fifth with a double, and added a solo home run in the seventh to give the hometown squad a 6-0 cushion.

Neptunus sealed the win with two runs an inning later. Eldrion Regina scored on an error before Shaldimar Daantji raced home on Benjamin Dille’s groundout.

Daantiji tallied three hits for skipper Steve Janssen’s talent-laden bunch, while Regina and Eugene Kingsale finished with two hits apiece.

Konica Minolta leftfielder Jefferson Muzo collected both of the hits for the visitors.

SERIES-AT-A-GLANCE
Game 1 – DOOR Neptunus 1, Konica Minolta Pioniers 0 (11)
Game 2 – DOOR Neptunus 3, Konica Minolta Pioniers 0
Game 3 – DOOR Neptunus 8, Konica Minolta Pioniers 0
(Neptunus wins series 3-0)

AMSTERDAM 6, KINHEIM 4
Bas de Jong delivered a go-ahead double to cap a three-run ninth and the L&D Amsterdam Pirates moved to within one victory of advancing to the Holland Series with a come-from-behind road win against Corendon Kinheim Sunday at Pim Muiler Stadium in Haarlem.

Trailing 4-3 and down to their final two outs, Wesley Connor knotted the score with a triple off Kinheim closer Michiel van Kampen (0-1). Promising youngster Nick Urbanus reached on a fielder’s choice, moved into scoring position on a groundout, and followed Connor across the plate on de Jong’s clutch two-base hit.

Roeland Henrique paced the third-seeded Pirates with a 3-for-4 effort at the plate, while de Jong, Connor, Rashid Gerard and Kenny Berkenbosch tallied a pair of hits each.

Jason Halman and Rodney Michel combined for five hits and drove in four runs for the Haarlem club.

Al Morales (1-0) allowed three hits and a walk over two scoreless relief frames to earn the win.

SERIES-AT-A-GLANCE
Game 1 – L&D Amsterdam 4, Corendon Kinheim 1
Game 2 – Corendon Kinheim 8, L&D Amsterdam 7
Game 3 – L&D Amsterdam 6, Corendon Kinheim 4
Game 4 – Corendon Kinheim at L&D Amsterdam
Game 5 – L&D Amsterdam at Corendon Kinheim*
(Amsterdam leads series 2-1)

* If necessary

Visit the Dutch League website (English)

Photo courtesy of Eye of The Tiger Photoproductions BV

With the dog days of summer upon us, the division races are heating up in both the AL and NL. Can Atlanta hold onto 1st place over Philadelphia? Will San Diego hold off the west? Who will come out on top in the AL East? New York? Tampa Bay?

Be sure to get your tickets for August and September as the races heat up. Some key series:
New York Yankees –
vs. Tampa Bay September 20-23
vs. Boston Red Sox September 24-26
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Tampa Bay Rays -
vs. Boston Red Sox August 27-29
vs. New York Yankees September 13-15
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Atlanta Braves –
vs. New York Mets August 30 – September 2
vs St. Louis Cardinals – September 9-12
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Philadelphia Phillies –
vs. Atlanta Braves September 20-22
vs. New York Mets September 24-26
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THE NETHERLANDS – Dushan Ruzic hurled three scoreless relief innings and DOOR Neptunus slipped past Eddie Aucoin and the Konica Minolta Pioniers Thursday night to claim a 1-0 extra-innings victory in the opener of their best-of-five series in the first round of the Dutch League Playoffs.

Eugene Kingsale, who reached base three times and swiped a pair of bases, singled to right center with one out in the 11th. The speedy leadoff man motored to second on a passed ball, stole third base, and cruised home with the winning run on Benjamin Dille’s walkoff base hit.

Ruzic (1-0) walked one batter, and hit another one, over three hitless frames that included five strikeouts. Neptunus starter Diegomar Markwell was tagged with a no-decision after limiting the Pioniers to a lone hit in a dominating eight-inning stint .

Aucoin, an American who shined in the German League for several years before arriving in Hoofddorp this season, also turned in a stellar outing. The right-hander scattered two hits and seven strikeouts over nine shutout innings.

Reliever Arshwin Asjes (0-1) was charged with the loss after surrendering two singles and a run in the 11th.

2010 Dutch Semifinal Schedule/Results:

Thursday, August 19
Game 1 – DOOR Neptunus 1, Konica Minolta Pioniers 0 (11)

Saturday, August 21
Game 2 – DOOR Neptunus at Konica Minolta Pioniers

Sunday, August 22
Game 3 – Konica Minolta Pioniers at DOOR Neptunus

Saturday, August 28
Game 4 – DOOR Neptunus at Konica Minolta Pioniers*

Sunday, August 29
Game 5 – Konica Minolta Pioniers at DOOR Neptunus*

(DOOR Neptunus leads series 1-0)

*if necessary

Visit the Dutch League website (English)

Photo courtesy of Eye of The Tiger Photoproductions BV

VENEZUELA – The Medal Contention Round continued at Jose Perez C. Stadium in Maracay Venezuela today with three important games. Australia and Cuba, both in must win situations had the morning game, Japan, recovering from their first loss of the tournament the previous day had Canada in the afternoon game while Venezuela faced fellow COPABE member Team USA in the night cap.

VENEZUELA 7, USA 6
Venezuela put up 7 in the 5th to start an amazing comeback against Team USA in the final game of the day, remaining undefeated at 4-0 with the 7-6 victory. Team USA looked to be cruising, tempered by starter Martina Sementelli’s 4 scoreless innings while the offense put up 3 in the 2nd and 2 in the 4th. The damage came however in the 5th, with Venezuela capitalizing on erratic Team USA pitching and defense to take the lead. Venezuela’s Bullpen was able to restrict Team USA to only 1 run over the 5th, 6th and 7th for the save and win. Venezuela will play Japan tomorrow for the top seed, while Team USA, now 2-2 will face the tough Australian team in a must win situation.

JAPAN 6, CANADA 2
Japan recovered from their defeat last night to Australia with a 6-2 win against Team Canada moving to 3-1 record, and with the victory assuring a place in the weekend’s medal games. Offensively Japan could only manage 2 hits, (1 from the starting 9) due to strong pitching from the Canadian staff led by starter Vanessa Riopel, proving the Japanese bats can be kept silent. Key errors however opened the door for Japan, and their disciplined approach to the game produced the 6 runs. Canada was able to deliver 7 hits, 3 from 1st baseman Kate Posta, however were not able to convert into runs. Canada, now 1-3, will face Cuba in a must win game in order to qualify for the medal games over the weekend.

AUSTRALIA 6, CUBA 2
Australia kept their medal game hopes alive with a tough 6–2 victory over Cuba moving to a record of 2-2 for the MCR. Scoring 4 in the first, Australia would not relinquish the lead for the entire game, restricting Cuba to only 2 hits and 2 runs, with solid performances from starter Sinead Flanigan and reliever Katherine Welsh. Offensively Kreppold, Mcann and Hamilton were the force, delivering 6 hits and 5 RBI’S on the day. Australia will face Team USA tomorrow in a game that will decide if they compete for a medal in the weekend’s games, while Cuba, now 0-4 will face Canada in the morning game.

The 4th and final spot for the medal games will be contested between Canada and Australia, with both teams statistically able to move on, while Venezuela, Japan and Team USA are qualified for the medal round.

Visit the official Women’s Baseball World Cup website

Visit the “new” International Baseball Federation website

Photo courtesy of Avelino Rodrigues/Correo del Orinoco

Source: by International Baseball Federation (IBAF)

THE NETHERLANDS – European heavyweight DOOR Neptunus will crank up its title run tonight as the reigning Dutch League champion hosts the fourth-seeded Konica Minolta Pioniers in the series opener of a best-of-five semifinal matchup at Family Stadium in Rotterdam.

No. 2 seeded Corendon Kinheim will clash with the third-seeded L&D Amsterdam at Pim Muiler Stadium in Haarlem starting on Friday night in the other semifinal matchup.

The winners of the two semifinal series will advance to the 2010 Holland Series.

DOOR Neptunus (39-3)
Neptunus and its talent-laden roster which is stocked full of numerous former U.S. minor leaguers rolled to the regular season crown with a record-setting campaign that shattered the league record for wins (39) and winning streaks (23). Manager Steve Janssen’s squad assembled one of the deepest pitching units in Europe that recorded 13 shutouts while limiting opposing teams to a meager 78 runs in 42 games.

Offensively, veteran slugger Raily Legito led the team with a .340 batting mark followed by Jeffrey Arends (.323), Danny Rombley (.309), Shaldimar Daantji (.306), Martijn Meeuwis (.304), Benjamin Dille (.299), Dwayne Kemp (.296) and Jeroen Sluijter (.286).

Four starting pitchers – Leon Boyd (9-0, 0.39 ERA), Diegomar Markwell (9-1, 1.32 ERA), Dushan Ruzic (9-0, 1.56) and Kevin Heijstek (9-1, 2.24 ERA) – each tallied nine win seasons for the Rotterdam club. Relievers Berry van Driel (2-0, 4 Saves, 1.08 ERA) and Jorian van Acker (0-1, 0.71 ERA) anchor the bullpen.

Konica Minolta Pioniers (22-20)
The Pioniers dropped all six games to top-seeded Neptunus in the regular season, and will be hard-pressed to pull off the upset. However, the Hoofddorp club limited Legito & Co. to four or less runs in three of four home games.

American right-hander Eddie Aucoin (7-5, 1.72 ERA) anchors a pitchng staff that has held its own against the Dutch powerhouse in 2010. Arshwin Asjes (2-3, 2 Saves, 1.66 ERA), ZIJL van Jurjen van Zijl (9-4, 2.60 ERA), Dave Draijer (2-0, 3 Saves, 0.41 ERA), Jean-Paul Gulinck (1-1, 1.48 ERA), Maarten Mulder (0-2, 1 Save, 3.86 ERA) and Shane Gnade (0-2, 1 Save, 4.35 ERA) will try to stage one of the biggest upsets in Dutch postseason history.

Lennart Koster batted .344 to finish fourth in the batting race and is joined by Mervin Gario (.323) to form the nucleus of a lackluster offensive group. Czech slugger Jakub Malik (.248) and Mark Duursma (.242) both endured subpar seasons at the plate, but remain capable hitters with the talent to turn things around in the playoffs.

Corendon Kinheim (30-11)
Kinheim quietly put together an impressive season but will have to focus on a much-improved Amsterdam squad before eyeing a title clash with Neptunus in the Holland Series. Unlike previous years, hitting – not pitching – will determine the championship fate of this year’s Haarlem squad.

The human hitting-machine, Dirk van’t Klooster, won the batting titlle with a .400 average and is surrounded by a slew of dangerous hitters. Bryan Engelhardt enjoyed a monster season batting .373 with a league-high six home runs and 36 RBIs, while Rafael Jozefa (.320), Remco Draijer (.316), Rodney Michel (.286) and Jason Halman (.279) also put up solid numbers with the lumber.

Burly right-hander David Bergman (12-1) led the league in wins while sporting a 1.47 ERA, and is joined by Nick Veltkamp (5-3, 1.42 ERA), Patrick Beljaards (3-1, 1 Save, 3.48 ERA), Duko Jansen (5-3, 1 Save, 3.95), Michiel van Kampen (2-2, 11 Saves, 2.19) and Nick Stuifbergen (3-0, 1.93 ERA).

L&D Amsterdam Pirates (25-17)
The Pirates youth movement resulted in a slow start for the 2008 champion, but Amsterdam knocked off Kinheim twice to finish the season and enters the first round loaded with confidence. Now, can a mixture of veterans and seasoned rookies put together a championship run?

Veteran righty Rob Cordemans (7-2, 0.82 ERA) is the main man on the hill for skipper Charles Urbanus’ troops, and is joined by Ben Grover (5-1, 1.93 ERA), Frank van Heijst (5-4, 2.30 ERA), Jos de Jong (4-5, 4.61 ERA), Al Morales (2-1, 4 Saves, 1.88 ERA), Rik Geestman (1-1, 2 Saves, 3.16 ERA) and Pim Walsma (1-3, 1 Save, 7.40 ERA).

Sidney de Jong paced the Pirates at the plate with a .333 batting average followed by Bas de Jong (.324), Kenny Berkenbosch (.316), Vince Rooi (.286), Wesley Connor (.279) and Roeland Henrique (.276). Youngster Seb Visser batted .283 in limited action.

2010 Dutch Semifinal Playoff Schedule:

Thursday, August 19
Konica Minolta Pioniers at DOOR Neptunus

Friday, August 20
L&D Amsterdam Pirates at Corendon Kinheim

Saturday, August 21
DOOR Neptunus at Konica Minolta Pioniers
Corendon Kinheim at L&D Amsterdam Pirates

Sunday, August 22
Konica Minolta Pioniers at DOOR Neptunus
L&D Amsterdam Pirates at Corendon Kinheim

Saturday, August 28
DOOR Neptunus at Konica Minolta Pioniers*
Corendon Kinheim at L&D Amsterdam Pirates*

Sunday, August 29
Konica Minolta Pioniers at DOOR Neptunus*
L&D Amsterdam Pirates at Corendon Kinheim*

*if necessary

Visit the Dutch League website (English)

Photo courtesy of Eye of The Tiger Photoproductions BV

ITALY – Juan Angrisano connected for a clutch, go-ahead long ball and UGF Bologna advanced to the Italian Series for a second consecutive year with a 4-2 victory Wednesday over Telemarket Rimini. With the loss, the Pirates were eliminated from contention for the final round of the Italian Baseball League playoffs.

Angrisano drilled a full count pitch from former big leaguer Jim Brower (0-2) over the center field fence for a three-run homer in the fifth. The 30-year-old Buenos Aires, Argentina native, who entered the contest batting a woeful .211, also reached base twice on a pair of walks.

Rimini (1-6) tagged Bologna staff ace Jesus Matos (pictured) with a quick score in the first. Lorenzo Avagnina opened the game with a two-bagger to center field and scored one out later on a base hit off the bat of shortstop Danny Gonzalez, who went 3-for-4 with two RBIs for the Pirates.

Bologna pulled even in the bottom of the same frame on a run-scoring double by Jairo Ramos Gizzi before the Pirates made some more noise in the third. Mattia Campanini reached on a leadoff walk, moved up one base on a groundout, and sprinted home with the go-ahead score on another RBI base hit by Gonzalez.

Matos (1-0) allowed two runs on six hits and three walks in a 111-pitch outing spanning 6 2/3 innings. Victor Moreno collected the final seven outs to notch his first save in this year’s postseason.

PARMA 5, SAN MARINO 4 (12)
Marco Yepez snapped a tied ballgame with a two-out solo home run in the top of the 12th to lift Cariparma Parma past T&A San Marino. With the win, the IBL regular season champion needs one win in its final two games to clinch a spot in the Italian Series against UGF Bologna.

Both squads exchanged scores in the third before Parma plated three runs to grab a 4-1 lead. Stefano De Simoni and Davide Dallospedale added a run-scoring double and single, respectively, in the fifth, and Alex Sambucci singled home Manuel Gasparri an inning later.

San Marino (4-3), which has dropped three of its last four semifinal outings after sweeping Rimini in Round 1, came charging back in the eighth to make things interesting. A two-run throwing error by reliever Marco Grifantini (3-0) closed the gap to a lone run, and Carlos Duran knotted the score with a sacrifice fly.

2010 IBL Playoffs (Round 3):

Wednesday, August 18
Cariparma Parma 5, T&A San Marino 4 (12)
UGF Bologna 4, Telemarket Rimini 2

Friday, August 20
Cariparma Parma (4-3) at T&A San Marino (4-3)
UGF Bologna (5-2) at Telemarket Rimini (1-6)

Saturday, August 21
Cariparma Parma at T&A San Marino
UGF Bologna at Telemarket Rimini

Photo courtesy of Ferrini/FIBS

Visit the official Italian Baseball League website (English)

UNITED STATES – A four-run first inning and a three-run fifth frame set Warner Robins (Ga.) American Little League (WRALL) on its way to a Little League Softball World Series repeat, defeating Burbank (Calif.) Little League, 8-6, at Alpenrose Stadium on Portland, Ore.

Winning pitcher Haley Tierce struck out opposing pitcher Devina Del Castillo looking on a 3-2 pitch with the tying run at the plate in the bottom of the sixth inning to secure the title game victory.

Burbank Little League rallied from 4-0 and 8-4 deficits before Tierce was able to close the book on WRALL’s second championship season.

The bottom of Warner Robins’ order put the game away in the fifth inning, keying a three-run inning of off the West Region’s Del Castillo, who re-entered the circle to pitch after being removed in the first inning without recording an out.

To open the game, the first four players to bat for the Southeast Champions all scored. In the fifth inning, Melissa Cox and Ashley Killebrew, two of the five players who were members of the 2009 championship team, opening the inning with base hits. A throwing error allowed pinch-runner Amber Coy to score, and after a walk to Taylor Brown, Kayla Quakenbush singled in a run to highlight the inning.

Joining Cox and Killebrew as repeat champions are Sierra Stella, Avery Lamb and Chelsea Whaley.

Warner Robins American Little League is the first league to repeat as Little League Softball World Champion since Midway Little League from Waco, Texas, completed a three-peat in 2002-04. Midway Little League has won a total of 10 Little League Softball World Championships (1992-95, ‘97-99; 2002-04). Greater Naples Little League also has repeated, winning titles in 1988 and ’89 (4 total); and Tampa Bay Little League was a back-to-back winner in 1986 and ’87.

Burbank Little League completed the World Series tournament with a 4-2 record and scored the only runs against WRALL (5-0) in the World Series tournament. The 2010 World Champions outscored its World Series opposition, 28-6.

Source: Little League Online

VENEZUELA – Lelis Gomez doubled home a pair of scores in a three-run second inning and Venezuela beat Australia 8-1 Tuesday in front of an estimated 10,000 spectators at the 2010 IBAF Women’s Baseball World Cup.

Gomez, who went 3-for-3 at the plate, stroked singles in the first and fourth frames, and reached on a sacrifice bunt and crossed the plate in the sixth.

Australia got on the board in the third when Bronwyn Gell singled home Tahnee Lovering. However, the Aussies comeback attempt was foiled as reliever Yessica Meza worked out of a bases loaded jam with one down to limit the visitors to just a lone score.

The tournament host stretched the lead to 5-1 in the fourth on a two-run single by Leonel Reyes, and sealed the win with a three-run sixth highlighted by Nidia Pineda’s two-run base hit through the right side.

Meza (1-0) picked up the win with 2 1/3 scoreless innings while Diana Tovar tallied the final seven outs to earn the save.

JAPAN 10, PUERTO RICO 0
Ayamo Sato and Mika Miyahara combined on a two-hit shutout to lead the reigning champion to a lopsided win against Puerto Rico. Sato (1-0) scattered a pair of hits and six strikeouts over four innings to notch the win. Yukiko Kon paced Japan with a 2-for-3 effort at the plate, and Megumi Miyazaki drove in two runs as Puerto Rican pitchers issued a whopping 11 free passes. Miyahara allowed just a lone walk in two strong relief frames to earn the save.

VENEZUELA 3, CANADA 2 (8 INNINGS)
Nidia Pineda singled home Solmarys Brito with the winning run as Venezuela claim a tough win over Canada in a game that was suspended on Monday due to rain. Leonel Reyes drove in two scores with a pair of hits to make a winner out of reliever Kerlys Perez (1-0).

Wednesday, August 18
Pool C – USA vs. Canada
Pool C – Australia vs. Japan
Pool C – Cuba vs. Venezuela

Visit the official Women’s Baseball World Cup website

Visit the “new” International Baseball Federation website

Photo courtesy of Marcelo Reyes/IBAF

MEXICO – There wasn’t a whole lot of attention paid to Saltillo pitcher Hector Daniel Rodriguez during the regular season. The 25-year-old Culiacan native had a so-so summer for the Saraperos, with a 4-4 mark and a 3.97 ERA. Not bad, but not eye-raising, either. Then came the Mexican League playoffs.

Rodriguez (pictured) was nothing short of dominant in the postseason, turning in a perfect 5-0 record (including a July 25 no-hitter against Mexico City) while recording a 0.66 ERA. Now, according to the Vanguardia website, no less than four teams are lining up to talk to the six-foot lefty about a contract, including the Rockies, Mets, Dodgers and Yankees.

Vanguardia quotes Saltillo general manager Sergio Ley as saying the four teams have contacted the Saraperos about Rodriguez, but “nothing concrete” has come from the talks. Any MLB team seeking to sign Rodriguez will first have to acquire his rights from Saltillo before negotiating an individual contract…and after the past four weeks, he won’t come cheap.

VENADOS REPLACE GM VALDEZ WITH ANDRES CRUZ
The Mazatlan Venados have replaced general manager Jesus “Chino” Valdez with former pitcher Andres Cruz. The Venados are one of Mexico’s most successful baseball organizations, and Valdez received the Mexican Pacific League’s GM of the Year award a year ago. However, Valdez has been shifted to scouting duties by team president Jose Luis Martinez to make room for Cruz, who pitched for the Deer in the 1990’s.

“This is something we’d been thinking about for some time,” Martinez said. “We are looking for the best production from each person in their area so everyone has time to give more than 100 percent.”

The Venados also named journalist Jorge Lechuga as the team’s first media relations officer. Lechuga has been a beat writer covering both the Culiacan Tomateros and Saltillo Saraperos, and handled public relations for the Laguna Vaqueros in the past.

ENSENADA TOPS GUAYMAS FOR LIGA NORTE CROWN
The Ensenada Marineros defeated the Guaymas Ostioneros, 4-0, on August 9 to cop the Mexican Northern League championship series in five games over the defending champions. Dominican pitcher Alexis Candelario went seven shutout innings for Ensenada to win the LNM title clincher while Jose Alexis Galician took the loss after allowing three runs in 6.1 frames.

Ensenada finished with the second-best record in the LNM at 49-21, but the Marineros were third in points behind 40-26-2 Caborca in points, 6.5 to 7.0, because (for whatever reason) the league decided not to award points for the second half in which Caborca went 11-16-1 while Ensenada was 20-10.

Tijuana finished first both halves with an overall record of 54-14-2, but was bounced from the playoffs by Guaymas in the first round in seven games. Ensenada eliminated Caborca, 4 games to 1.

Bruce Baskin is the Editor/Producer at the BASEBALL MEXICO website

Photo courtesy of Saltillo Saraperos

UNITED STATES – All 16 teams are now at the Little League International complex, settling into their new temporary home at Dr. Creighton Hale International Grove, where they can escape from the whirlwind of activity over the next 12 days.

The time between arrival and the first games on Friday is filled with excitement. There’s uniform fittings, photo sessions, meeting with ESPN, video games, ping pong, and of course, baseball practice. Each team is given a half-hour to practice on the two stadium surfaces, but they can get all the workouts needed at Little League International’s six indoor batting cages and numerous practice fields.

Players also are encouraged to tour the Peter J. McGovern Little League Museum, which has two special exhibits on display this year. One is an extensive array of exhibits from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), featuring a 3-D view of Mars, space suits, a wheel from the Space Shuttle, a touchable moon rock and more. Another is an exhibit on loan from Major League Baseball’s Pittsburgh Pirates.

Teams also will meet and speak with Space Shuttle Pilot and Air Force Col. Terry Virts, who will deliver a Little League patch he took into space aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour last February. On Thursday night, they will be in the annual Little League Baseball World Series Grand Slam Parade through the streets of Williamsport, with more than 40,000 people expected along the route. Before that, however, they’ll have a picnic at the Pennsylvania College of Technology.

As always, admission to the games is free. Parking also is free. Tickets (given away before the Series) are required on the final weekend to be seated in the stadium, but seating on the famous terraced hills never requires a ticket. Seating in the stadium for all but the final weekend’s game is usually available on a first-come, first-served basis.

2010 LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES SCHEDULE:

Friday, August 20
G1 – New England vs. Northwest
G2 – Midwest vs. Southwest
G3 – Caribbean vs. Europe
G4 – Japan vs. Mexico

Saturday, August 21
G5 – Mid-Atlantic vs. Great Lakes
G6 – Latin America vs. Canada
G7 – Southeast vs. West
G8 – Asia-Pacific vs. Middle East & Africa
G9 – Loser of G1 vs. Loser of G2

Sunday, August 22
G10 – Loser of G3 vs. Loser of G4
G11 – Loser of G5 vs. Loser of G7
G12 – Loser of G6 vs. Loser of G8
G13 – Winner of G3 vs. Winner of G4
G14 – Winner of G1 vs. Winner of G2

Monday, August 23
Consolation – Loser of G9 vs. Loser of G10
G15 – Winner of G6 vs. Winner of G8
G16 – Loser of G13 vs. Winner of G10
G17 – Winner of G5 vs. Winner of G7
G18 – Loser of G14 vs. Winner of G9

Tuesday, August 24
Consolation – Loser of G11 vs. Loser of G12
G19 – Loser of G15 vs. Winner of G12
G20 – Loser of G17 vs. Winner of G11
G21 – Winner of G13 vs. Winner of G16
G22 – Winner of G14 vs. Winner of G18

Wednesday, August 25
G23 – Winner of G21 vs. Loser of G21
(if necessary)
G24 – Winner of G22 vs. Loser of G22
(if necessary)
G25 – Winner of G15 vs. Winner of G19
G26 – Winner of G17 vs. Winner of G20

Thursday, August 26
G27 – Winner of G25 vs. Loser of G25
(if necessary)
G28 – Winner of G26 vs. Loser of G26
(if necessary)

Friday, August 27
Open Date

Saturday, August 28
International Championship Game
United States Championship Game

Sunday, August 29
Consolation Game
Little League Baseball World Series Championship Game

Source: Little League Online

GREAT BRITAIN – The National Baseball League moves to a thrilling conclusion next weekend, with one round of games to be made up, and the play-off scenario still not resolved. The top five spots are now secure, but both Herts and Mildenhall could take the prized sixth spot, and both sides are set for a winner-take-all showdown this Sunday at RAF Feltwell.

All of this after a weekend of sweeps, splits and stunning performances on August 15.

BRACKNELL BLAZERS 9,6 – CROYDON PIRATES 6,5
The Blazers toughed it out in Croydon, earning a sweep with 9-6 and 6-5 wins.

The first game was more straightforward, Henry Collins easing to a win, but Bracknell needed ten innings to get the verdict in game two.

Bracknell’s Rob Rance said: “Game one was a lot closer than it should have been but we made far too many errors. In game two Croydon really hung in there and credit them for that. But these games did not really mean anything to us and it is nice to come away with two wins. We did not play well but we scrapped and battled and I am happy about that.”

LONDON METS 10,2 – RICHMOND FLAMES 2,5
The division-leading Mets were forced to accept a split at the battling Flames.

London took the first game 10-2, thanks to yet another dominant pitching display from Jason Roberts, but Richmond bounced back in game two with a 5-2 win, Cody Cain taking the mound honours.

Flames coach Grant Delzoppo said: “I am happy with that. It was great to see us come back in game two like we did. It was a really good team effort. It is really important for us to know we can beat teams like the Mets heading into the play-offs.”

MILDENHALL BULLDOGS 6,3 – SOUTHAMPTON MUSTANGS 0,2
Mildenhall kept things interesting in their battle to make the play-offs, thanks to a sweep of Southampton.

The Bulldogs earned 6-0 and 3-2 decisions, keeping them in touching distance ahead of their big clashes this weekend.

ESSEX ARROWS 7,4 – HERTS FALCONS 3,15
The Falcons maintained a slender advantage in the battle for sixth spot thanks to a split with the rock-bottom Arrows.

Essex claimed a 7-3 win in game one, but Herts bounced back with a 15-4 game two triumph.

Matt Gilbert out-dueled Pete Kikel in game one. Nic Goetz took the hill for the Falcons in game two, and helped Herts to bounce back in a game that also saw Brandon Deal club a monster three-run home run. Herts’ Aspi Dimitrov said: “It is going down to the wire. We had chances to take the first game as we led 3-2 going into the final inning, but credit to Essex – they came to win and they deserved it. It is very simple for us – we just have to go to Mildenhall and win and we will be in the play-offs.”

Source: BaseballSoftballUK

MEXICO – The Saltillo Saraperos strung together 17 runs between the third and fifth innings and went on to blast the Puebla Pericos, 21-2, Monday night to win the Mexican League Bicentennial Series, 4 games to 1, and clinch the LMB pennant for a second year in a row.

A crowd of 15,421 on hand for Game Five at Saltillo’s Parque Francisco I. Madero erupted when Puebla’s Alberto Carreon lined out to Christian Presichi in right field for the final out of the season in the top of the ninth.

Refugio “Cuco” Cervantes swung the biggest bat for the Saraperos, bashing a pair of homers, scoring four runs and driving in five with three hits in four trips to the plates. Cervantes’ two-homer night gave him a total of nine roundtrippers over 18 playoff contests. Shortstop Carlos Eduardo Gonzalez, Saltillo’s number nine batter, ended the night 4-for-5 with three doubles and three ribbies as the Saraperos rang up 20 hits to Puebla’s eleven.

Believe it or not, Puebla actually held a 1-0 lead after scoring in the top of the first when Ricardo Serrano led off the game with a double against Saltillo starter Jose Mercedes, then coming in to score two batter later on Luis Suarez’ fielder’s choice grounder to third base. After that, it was all Saltillo.

The Saraperos immediately took the lead with three counters in the bottom of the first, two of them on Cervantes’ first homer. After neither team scored in the second, Saltillo scored five runs in the third as both Cervantes and Jesus Cota went deep, four more in the fourth (including a two-run single by Presichi) and exploded for eight tallies in the fifth as twelve Saraperos came to the dish with Gabriel Martinez contributing a three-run shot to center field. By then the score was 20-1 and it became a matter of “when,” not “if,” the pennant celebration would begin Monday night in Saltillo.

Former Milwaukee and Baltimore pitcher Jose Mercedes was the recipient of all 21 Saltillo runs, but he only needed three of them. The 39-year-old Dominican righty went the distance in a masterful performance, throwing strikes on 90 of his 120 pitches and walking no Puebla batters.

LMB BICENTENNIAL SERIES SCHEDULE/RESULTS:

Game 1 Tuesday, Aug, 10
Saltillo Saraperos 6, Puebla Pericos 5

Game 2 Thursday, Aug. 12
Saltillo Saraperos 4 at Puebla Pericos 3

Game 3 Saturday, Aug. 14
Puebla Pericos 8, Saltillo Saraperos 5

Game 4 Sunday, Aug. 15
Saltillo Saraperos 5, Puebla Pericos 0

Game 5 Monday, Aug. 16
Saltillo Saraperos 21, Puebla Pericos 2

(Saltillo wins series, 4-1)

Bruce Baskin is the Editor/Producer at the BASEBALL MEXICO website

Photo courtesy of Saltillo Saraperos

UNITED STATES – Regular-season MVP Kolten Wong (Hawaii) and home run champion Jordan Ribera (Fresno State, pictured) lead the list of stars who were named to the 2010 Cape Cod Baseball League’s All-League team that was announced by commissioner Paul Galop.

A total of 24 players were selected to the elite team, with the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox and the Orleans Firebirds each placing four on the squad. The lone representative from the Cape League champion Cotuit Kettleers is starting pitcher Austin Wood (St. Petersburg), who went 3-0 with a 0.74 ERA this season.

Wong hit .341 with a .458 slugging average, three home runs and 22 stolen bases, earning the spot at second base. Ribera, a first baseman, tied for the league lead with seven homers and 26 RBI, and added three home runs and 13 RBI in the playoffs.

Batting champion and outfielder Johnny Ruettiger (Arizona State) was named from Hyannis after hitting .369, while Brewster’s Drew Martinez (Memphis) was also selected as an outfielder following a season in which he hit .359 with one home run, 28 RBI and 22 stolen bases.

Rounding out the infield is the Y-D combo of Joe Panik (St. John’s) at shortstop and Tyler Hanover (LSU) at third base. The utility infielder is Falmouth’s Kevin Medrano (Missouri State), with Falmouth’s Andrew Susac (Oregon State) and Harwich’s Pratt Maynard (N.C. State) named as catchers.

Joining Ruettiger and Martinez in the outfield are Y-D’s Caleb Ramsey (Houston), Wareham’s Zach Wilson (Arizona State) and Bourne’s Scott Woodward (Coastal Carolina).

The designated hitters are Orleans’ Steve Selsky (Arizona) and Chatham’s Aaron Westlake (Vanderbilt).

The utility players are Brewster’s Danny Oh (Cal-Berkeley) and the Manny Robello 10th Player Award winner, Harwich’s Clint Moore (West Point).

The pitching staff is led by Bourne closer Tony Zych (Louisville), who won both the Russ Ford Award as the league’s top relief pitcher and the Robert A. McNeece Award as the top pro prospect. Zych collected 12 saves, striking out 29 in 20.1 innings, with a 0.89 ERA.

In addition to Wood, the starters are Bourne’s Grayson Garvin (Vanderbilt), who was named the league’s outstanding pitcher, Brewster’s Andrew Gagnon (Long Beach State), Chatham’s Logan Verrett (Baylor), Wareham’s Max Perlman (Harvard) and Orleans’ Kyle Simon (Arizona).

Marcus Stroman (Duke) of Orleans is the second closer named to the team.

Photo courtesy of Weir/Fresno State Athletics

Source: Cape Cod Baseball League