2 of my son's teammates from summer ball of 2006 are playing for the Great Britain National team in Barcelona Spain. They have just advanced to the final round and if they win will qualify for the Olympics in 08.
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Orlando's son Aeden is on the Great Britain team also. 
That really great. My son's teammates are Tim Colins and Brian Essery and they played for the St Catharines Metros. Brian just threw 5 shut out ins to get a win to get them to the finals.
BH, the UK team has already guarenteed them their best finish in The EC format. In the last Euros, they won the consolation round (how very British 
)
Like the Dutch, they now go into the medal round with a 2-0 record as their only loss was to Italy who was relegated (why does that make me smile every time?
)
I've been trying to get my son on the phone tonight...but, oddly enough, they seem to be out celebrating!
If you or your son is an early riser, there will be streamed video here (commentary available in English), although they have yet to show a UK game.....
Stadeo TV
Go UK!
)Like the Dutch, they now go into the medal round with a 2-0 record as their only loss was to Italy who was relegated (why does that make me smile every time?
)I've been trying to get my son on the phone tonight...but, oddly enough, they seem to be out celebrating!
If you or your son is an early riser, there will be streamed video here (commentary available in English), although they have yet to show a UK game.....
Stadeo TV
Go UK!
What a small world it is.
I just found out a couple days ago that these guys were on the UK team. My son's 2006 summer team keeps us posted with game box scores and recaps.
Essery is a good pitcher and a great guy. I don't know a lot about Colins as he played in Austria for a couple years and just joined the Metros last year. The metros is a senior team full of college and ex college players.
My son is at college and I know he keeps track via the Metros web site. I hope he is working his butt off and probably won't get up earlier than BB workouts. I will try to see a game if possible. Thanks for the link.
I just found out a couple days ago that these guys were on the UK team. My son's 2006 summer team keeps us posted with game box scores and recaps.
Essery is a good pitcher and a great guy. I don't know a lot about Colins as he played in Austria for a couple years and just joined the Metros last year. The metros is a senior team full of college and ex college players.
My son is at college and I know he keeps track via the Metros web site. I hope he is working his butt off and probably won't get up earlier than BB workouts. I will try to see a game if possible. Thanks for the link.
I am watching the Spain game right now. I sent this link to the Metros team manager.
Thyanks again
Thyanks again
Yes, they did celebrate...apparently, Barcelona does not close.
And the indication was that there are few, if any, people in Barcelona unaware that Great Britain won their pool.
Go GB, beat Sweden!
And the indication was that there are few, if any, people in Barcelona unaware that Great Britain won their pool.
Go GB, beat Sweden!
I think it is amazing that we have people we know on a team playing for a different country so far away.
If your son gets a chance have himsay hello to Brian Essery from TJ Green.
I can't believe how well they are doing. The ball looks like a greal level of play.
They seem to be replaying some of the games each day. France lost to Spain 6-2. I love the music in the back ground.
Barcelona is a great city but if you go to some areas the people come out in packs for lunh hou and then roll up the streets. I loved Spain and back when I was there the food was unbelieveable and cheap.
I studied law in England for a few years and travelled in spain witha guy who became the crown Attorney of Burmuda. It was great experience.
If your son gets a chance have himsay hello to Brian Essery from TJ Green.
I can't believe how well they are doing. The ball looks like a greal level of play.
They seem to be replaying some of the games each day. France lost to Spain 6-2. I love the music in the back ground.
Barcelona is a great city but if you go to some areas the people come out in packs for lunh hou and then roll up the streets. I loved Spain and back when I was there the food was unbelieveable and cheap.
I studied law in England for a few years and travelled in spain witha guy who became the crown Attorney of Burmuda. It was great experience.
The team is, alas, staying in a hotel that fits well with the surrounding industrial park....or looks like a correctional institution. And the food is unbelievable, but not in the way you meant! (Hence all the restaurant charges I saw on his bank card when I just checked to see if he could use a 'refill')
The last time I was in Barcelona, I was younger than my son is now. On many levels, we aren't seeing the same city!
More Small World: Aeden's college coach (Greg Frady, head coach at Georgia Stae) is there as well --- he coaches the German National Team. Aeden knew him from UCF in Orlando when Aeden was in hs. When Aeden was in JuCo, playing summers in Europe for league ball at the GB team, he ran into Coach at a tournament in Germany. Coach watched him play & made a very nice offer.
Yup, small old baseball world.
A lot of the teams in the Euros have MiLB or ex-MLB players; the last few years, MLB teams have been stepping up their presence in Europe and 5-10 guys are getting signed each year.
The last time I was in Barcelona, I was younger than my son is now. On many levels, we aren't seeing the same city!
More Small World: Aeden's college coach (Greg Frady, head coach at Georgia Stae) is there as well --- he coaches the German National Team. Aeden knew him from UCF in Orlando when Aeden was in hs. When Aeden was in JuCo, playing summers in Europe for league ball at the GB team, he ran into Coach at a tournament in Germany. Coach watched him play & made a very nice offer.
Yup, small old baseball world.
A lot of the teams in the Euros have MiLB or ex-MLB players; the last few years, MLB teams have been stepping up their presence in Europe and 5-10 guys are getting signed each year.
One coach my son played for is a HC in Austria. He was sent there by the Blue Jays to develop talent. Tim Colins on the UK team was ther playing in Austria. We have had afew Austrians come over to play in the summer but they have a way to go.
There was a poster from Austria last year and he played for my friend.
Spain was a great place but I loved London. Hpped a train to Lisbon and caught a Ferry across the chanel to Southampton. That was an experience I will never forget. Thos Ferries were not designed to cross thye rough waters of thye chanel.
A teammate of my son who played for the St Catharines Metros also went to Austria for a summer and loved it. He plays D1 in NY not far from here.
I think BB is amazing with a lot of opportunities. One local player was the travelling scout for thye Jays in Florida. I heard he was very high in the organization now.
Good luck to the UK.
There was a poster from Austria last year and he played for my friend.
Spain was a great place but I loved London. Hpped a train to Lisbon and caught a Ferry across the chanel to Southampton. That was an experience I will never forget. Thos Ferries were not designed to cross thye rough waters of thye chanel.
A teammate of my son who played for the St Catharines Metros also went to Austria for a summer and loved it. He plays D1 in NY not far from here.
I think BB is amazing with a lot of opportunities. One local player was the travelling scout for thye Jays in Florida. I heard he was very high in the organization now.
Good luck to the UK.
GB beats Sweden 10-7; good game and a little bit of luck for GB. I believe that means GB will be invited to the WBC in '09.
Holland beats France 18-0. France looked a whole lotta bad; that wasn't just the Dutch being strong.
Holland beats France 18-0. France looked a whole lotta bad; that wasn't just the Dutch being strong.
GB is doing great. Holland can be a tough team. The Canadian Nat Team has played them and it was a tough game.
GB's on Stadeo TV tomorrow morning, v. Germany. And they do seem to replay it until it's replaced by the 7pm (1pm ET) game....if getting up to watch live at 5am seems, well....unreasonable!
So Orlando,
Now that my mind is confused -- what time (pst) is the GB game on? I think I had it figured out last night, they were playing Sweden at 2:00am our time --- I think. I promise to try to watch this next one, against Germany. Go get 'em Brits!
Now that my mind is confused -- what time (pst) is the GB game on? I think I had it figured out last night, they were playing Sweden at 2:00am our time --- I think. I promise to try to watch this next one, against Germany. Go get 'em Brits!
My son's old coach posts writeups on The St Catharines Metros website. It sounds like GB is doing the best that they have ever done. I have been listening to some of the games while I work. Some of the games are a little lopsided but it appears to be good ball.
This morning's GB-Sweden game was a come-from-behind victory and was a good, competitive, well-played game. GB was down 7-2, and managed to come back to win 10 - 7.
They 'televised', however, the Holland-France game which was dreadful. The Dutch handled their dominance well, shutting down, playing station-to-station (though not patronizing) ball when they went 10 runs up and it was obvious that France was flat (OK, I can't resist...."was obvious that France had surrendered")
Germany didn't show up for the evening game; I was very surprised at how rattled they seemed to be. I imagine Frady was gritting his teeth.
Spain's young second baseman got pegged (with a curveball, for crying out loud) and walked down to first, looking at the pitcher (apparently it was his turn to manifest the Spanish machismo stereotype). The Spanish manager pulled him as soon as he (finally) got to first; lesson hopefully learned about showing up an opponent.
2AM PT, Em --- it's 11 am in Barcelona, and that's a 9 hour time difference, ahead. You know me, staying up is no problem....but getting up before 5? Ouch!
I took a look at the Metros' website --- thanks for the tip, BH.
They 'televised', however, the Holland-France game which was dreadful. The Dutch handled their dominance well, shutting down, playing station-to-station (though not patronizing) ball when they went 10 runs up and it was obvious that France was flat (OK, I can't resist...."was obvious that France had surrendered"
)Germany didn't show up for the evening game; I was very surprised at how rattled they seemed to be. I imagine Frady was gritting his teeth.
Spain's young second baseman got pegged (with a curveball, for crying out loud) and walked down to first, looking at the pitcher (apparently it was his turn to manifest the Spanish machismo stereotype). The Spanish manager pulled him as soon as he (finally) got to first; lesson hopefully learned about showing up an opponent.
2AM PT, Em --- it's 11 am in Barcelona, and that's a 9 hour time difference, ahead. You know me, staying up is no problem....but getting up before 5? Ouch!
I took a look at the Metros' website --- thanks for the tip, BH.
I saw that game and it was one sided. BB can be a funny game. You just never know who is showing up to play.
I saw the stats and your son is doing great. Brian Essery has had the most innings of the pitchers. He is a great guy. My son liked him alot. Very professional but he is one of the slowest working pitchers I have ever watched. He is the senior guy on the P staff.
I just heard the time announced. Have fun at 2:00 AM. They are televising that game.
I am off to watch a DH at a local university but I hope to see the replay before I go.
Our colleges have no rules. Just have to be accademically eligble. Many US college players return to play here and take a year or two of classes. The tuition is $4800. a year.
Son had to go D1. I really can't complain. He works on campus and gets a free meal plan plus a large scholarship package so my out of pocket is similar to if he went locally.
I saw the stats and your son is doing great. Brian Essery has had the most innings of the pitchers. He is a great guy. My son liked him alot. Very professional but he is one of the slowest working pitchers I have ever watched. He is the senior guy on the P staff.
I just heard the time announced. Have fun at 2:00 AM. They are televising that game.
I am off to watch a DH at a local university but I hope to see the replay before I go.
Our colleges have no rules. Just have to be accademically eligble. Many US college players return to play here and take a year or two of classes. The tuition is $4800. a year.
Son had to go D1. I really can't complain. He works on campus and gets a free meal plan plus a large scholarship package so my out of pocket is similar to if he went locally.
I see the guys lost 5-7.
Thats the problem when you have nothing to lose.
Thats the problem when you have nothing to lose.
Aggravating that the video feed failed today for both games! It read like a tough loss, but there you go.
The Dutch are currently leading the Spanish in the 5th, 2-0, so there's still a lot of game to play. I'm certainly not counting Spain out there, and GB's win over them in B Pool play could be huge.
But if I'm figuring this right, tomorrow's game will be for the gold either way. (Netherlands wins over Spain, the game would be the GB-Dutch head-to-head for the same record. -OR- Spain wins over Netherlands, Holland-GB (and Spain) go into the game with the same record, winner gives the loser 2 losses. Should GB win, they've also won over Spain. But in that case, Spain beat Holland, so if Holland wins (isn't that cute, I said 'if' as in If The Dutch Lose Two In A Row) the Spanish take the gold in head-to-head.
The Dutch are currently leading the Spanish in the 5th, 2-0, so there's still a lot of game to play. I'm certainly not counting Spain out there, and GB's win over them in B Pool play could be huge.
But if I'm figuring this right, tomorrow's game will be for the gold either way. (Netherlands wins over Spain, the game would be the GB-Dutch head-to-head for the same record. -OR- Spain wins over Netherlands, Holland-GB (and Spain) go into the game with the same record, winner gives the loser 2 losses. Should GB win, they've also won over Spain. But in that case, Spain beat Holland, so if Holland wins (isn't that cute, I said 'if' as in If The Dutch Lose Two In A Row) the Spanish take the gold in head-to-head.
I just got back from a college double header and it was cold. Got the shakes.
That was dissappointing that the feed was down.
The Metros write up:
Saturday, September 15, 2007
BRITS HAVE OFF GAME - LOSE TO GERMANY
The British National Baseball Team committed 4 errors, which led to 3 unearned runs, as Team Germany defeated Britain 7-5 in Barcelona. The loss for GB drops their record to 3-1 in Pool "C" round-robin play. They do remain in 2nd place in the pool, pending the outcome of the Netherlands - Spain game later today.
The 7th inning was a costly one for Team Britain as they made 3 errors on consecutive plays that led to the deciding runs for Germany. The Metros' Tim Collins went 1 for 2 in this one, but did commit one of the errors in the 7th inning. It was his first error of the tournament.
The Euopean Championships wrap up tomorrow, with the featured game of the tourney...Britain vs. The Netherlands, quite possibly for 1st place and a spot in the 2008 Summer Olympics. The Metros' Brian Essery, who last pitched on Wednesday, could get the start in that one.
Best of luck, guys...
Here is the link to Saturday's box score: http://www.fibs.it/cnc/ceb/2007/barcelona/games/38.htm
That was dissappointing that the feed was down.
The Metros write up:
Saturday, September 15, 2007
BRITS HAVE OFF GAME - LOSE TO GERMANY
The British National Baseball Team committed 4 errors, which led to 3 unearned runs, as Team Germany defeated Britain 7-5 in Barcelona. The loss for GB drops their record to 3-1 in Pool "C" round-robin play. They do remain in 2nd place in the pool, pending the outcome of the Netherlands - Spain game later today.
The 7th inning was a costly one for Team Britain as they made 3 errors on consecutive plays that led to the deciding runs for Germany. The Metros' Tim Collins went 1 for 2 in this one, but did commit one of the errors in the 7th inning. It was his first error of the tournament.
The Euopean Championships wrap up tomorrow, with the featured game of the tourney...Britain vs. The Netherlands, quite possibly for 1st place and a spot in the 2008 Summer Olympics. The Metros' Brian Essery, who last pitched on Wednesday, could get the start in that one.
Best of luck, guys...
Here is the link to Saturday's box score: http://www.fibs.it/cnc/ceb/2007/barcelona/games/38.htm
Brian pitched very well, but GB couldn't get their bats going until the 9th....and that's purdy durn late. 
Not a surprising outcome, but we would have liked to have seen them give the Dutch a better run, as Team Spain did yesterday. So it goes.
If France could have woken themselves up against Germany (and how many times has THAT been said in history?), medal places would have been easier to figure. But I believe (barring an upset in the Spain-Sweden game, which would make it easier), it's The Netherlands, Germany, and then the Bronze to GB.
Heck of a run for Great Britain, who finished much better than expected and have done a great deal for British Baseball this week.
Not a surprising outcome, but we would have liked to have seen them give the Dutch a better run, as Team Spain did yesterday. So it goes.
If France could have woken themselves up against Germany (and how many times has THAT been said in history?), medal places would have been easier to figure. But I believe (barring an upset in the Spain-Sweden game, which would make it easier), it's The Netherlands, Germany, and then the Bronze to GB.
Heck of a run for Great Britain, who finished much better than expected and have done a great deal for British Baseball this week.
Well.
As GB - Germany - Spain all had the same records, it went to runs allowed. GB beat Spain, but (because of a differnece in defensive innings played), GB allowed (get this) .5 fewer runs than Germany.
Gold - The Netherlands
Silver - Great Britain
Bronze - Spain
Yeah, team!
As GB - Germany - Spain all had the same records, it went to runs allowed. GB beat Spain, but (because of a differnece in defensive innings played), GB allowed (get this) .5 fewer runs than Germany.
Gold - The Netherlands
Silver - Great Britain
Bronze - Spain
Yeah, team!
Was that metric runs?
.
.
Way to go!
Woo Hoo GB!
Articles about the GB team's efforts at the Euros: www..baseballsoftballuk.com/baseballnews.php
I had no idea, until very recently, that they even played baseball in some of these places! What an ingnoramous I was!
Articles about the GB team's efforts at the Euros: www..baseballsoftballuk.com/baseballnews.php
I had no idea, until very recently, that they even played baseball in some of these places! What an ingnoramous I was!
Wow that is great. I lived there for 3+ years and I am sure they had no BB. They did have country signing though.
Brian is a good pitcher. I believe he turned 30 this year. He was thye senior pitcher on the team the summer of 06. My son just loved that team. A great bunch of guys.
Orlando your son played very well from what I heard. The Metros manager watched the games and I told him to watch for him.
This write up was just posted:
Monday, September 17, 2007
POST MORTEM ON THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
Well, the dust has settled, the tourney is over and the boys are on their way home. But we don't think it's going to sink in for a while...what the Great Britain National Baseball Team accomplished.
The 8-5 win for Spain over Sweden in last night's final game means that GB finishes in the runner-up position to 5-time champs, The Netherlands. The teams were all on hand, last night in Barcelona, to watch the British team claim their first ever silver medal at the Euro event...and even more importantly, they qualified for a couple of very important upcoming events in 2008 and 2009.
Britain will attend a tournament, next spring, along with a select group of other baseball powers, in an effort to qualify for the 2008 Beijing olympics. This is the first time in history that a team representing Britain has earned their way to such an event. It's also the first time that a GB team has qualified to attend the World Baseball Championships (also known as the World Cup of Baseball) in 2009. As well as keeping their Olympic and World Championship dreams alive, the team has the great satisfaction of knowing that they can play with any baseball country, and that they far and away outdid any previous finish in the modern format of the Euro Championships (their highest finish being a 5th place in 2005 in Prague).
And to the great credit of the 2 Metros players on the GB team, they were both integral parts of this great accomplishment. Third baseman, Tim Collins, had a solid, if not spectacular, tourney. He went 5 for 22 at the plate (.227), scored 2 runs and drove in 1. He was also on base 5 other times through walks or HBP and had a very good .370 OBP. Throw in a stolen base and you get a pretty solid offensive line. But it was his defence that really shone...as he had 7 putouts and a team-leading 26 assists, with just 2 errors for a .943 fielding percentage.
As for the other Metros representative, pitcher Brian Essery, well, he was one of the best pitchers in the entire tournament. He started 3 games and threw 16 1/3 innings, allowing 17 hits and 4 walks while striking out 3. Brian finished with a record of 1-1 and had a very good 3.31 ERA. He also allowed just 3 extra-base hits and a .279 batting average against...all very good numbers at this caliber of play.
Congratulations guys! You both proved that you belong with the elite players on the world stage and you bring credibility to our COBA Major Baseball League and to our team. The St. Catharines Metros are proud of you both!
10:20 am | link
Brian is a good pitcher. I believe he turned 30 this year. He was thye senior pitcher on the team the summer of 06. My son just loved that team. A great bunch of guys.
Orlando your son played very well from what I heard. The Metros manager watched the games and I told him to watch for him.
This write up was just posted:
Monday, September 17, 2007
POST MORTEM ON THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
Well, the dust has settled, the tourney is over and the boys are on their way home. But we don't think it's going to sink in for a while...what the Great Britain National Baseball Team accomplished.
The 8-5 win for Spain over Sweden in last night's final game means that GB finishes in the runner-up position to 5-time champs, The Netherlands. The teams were all on hand, last night in Barcelona, to watch the British team claim their first ever silver medal at the Euro event...and even more importantly, they qualified for a couple of very important upcoming events in 2008 and 2009.
Britain will attend a tournament, next spring, along with a select group of other baseball powers, in an effort to qualify for the 2008 Beijing olympics. This is the first time in history that a team representing Britain has earned their way to such an event. It's also the first time that a GB team has qualified to attend the World Baseball Championships (also known as the World Cup of Baseball) in 2009. As well as keeping their Olympic and World Championship dreams alive, the team has the great satisfaction of knowing that they can play with any baseball country, and that they far and away outdid any previous finish in the modern format of the Euro Championships (their highest finish being a 5th place in 2005 in Prague).
And to the great credit of the 2 Metros players on the GB team, they were both integral parts of this great accomplishment. Third baseman, Tim Collins, had a solid, if not spectacular, tourney. He went 5 for 22 at the plate (.227), scored 2 runs and drove in 1. He was also on base 5 other times through walks or HBP and had a very good .370 OBP. Throw in a stolen base and you get a pretty solid offensive line. But it was his defence that really shone...as he had 7 putouts and a team-leading 26 assists, with just 2 errors for a .943 fielding percentage.
As for the other Metros representative, pitcher Brian Essery, well, he was one of the best pitchers in the entire tournament. He started 3 games and threw 16 1/3 innings, allowing 17 hits and 4 walks while striking out 3. Brian finished with a record of 1-1 and had a very good 3.31 ERA. He also allowed just 3 extra-base hits and a .279 batting average against...all very good numbers at this caliber of play.
Congratulations guys! You both proved that you belong with the elite players on the world stage and you bring credibility to our COBA Major Baseball League and to our team. The St. Catharines Metros are proud of you both!
10:20 am | link
In Prague, 2005 (baseball in Prague -- isn't that a thought?!), GB came in 7th, IIRC. They were (as Italy was this year ), the Winners of the Losers' Bracket.
Here's an article on the historical winners of the Euros, although the format has changed a great deal the last ten years. Last tme GB medaled was '67...there were 4 teams in the tournament and Belgium won, for crying out loud!
European Championships
), the Winners of the Losers' Bracket.Here's an article on the historical winners of the Euros, although the format has changed a great deal the last ten years. Last tme GB medaled was '67...there were 4 teams in the tournament and Belgium won, for crying out loud!
European Championships