Post by stuartcapel on Jul 7, 2011 21:16:57 GMT 10
It’s not been the quietest week behind the scenes in the DBA, with the situation regards the umpires having caused some headlines on the forum, and being a discussed topic around the DBA traps.
I’m not going to go into the ins and outs of the situation, as this column attempts to focus more about what is happening on the field (most of the time), however as I understand things, there is plenty of politics being played at the moment.
Let us hope for the sake of the competition, and the game of baseball, that all is sorted in the near future – everyone involved loves the game of baseball – let’s get the focus back on the game sooner rather than later, gents!
My information however regards the umpiring roster for this week suggests that there will be no regular A Grade umpires plating or lining for Round 11, though I am sure someone with more knowledge on the situation can confirm over the next 24 or so hours.
It is my understanding that the umpiring ‘roster’ for A Grade this week features just three names, with one ‘umpire’ being sent to the three A1 venues. My understanding is that the A1 umpiring ‘panel’ for the round consists of one umpire who has been in B Grade most of the season, a member of the DBA executive and a club umpire. I’m more than happy for someone more in the know than I am to confirm or provide more accurate appointments/information.
Anyways, enough about what’s happening off the field, let’s get the focus back where it should be.
A1’s ‘Match of the Day’ is undoubtedly the Cheltenham-Dingley affair which will take place at Farm Road on Saturday. The winner will move a full game clear of the loser, while for the loser, they could fall as far as third and leave fifth within three competition points should results fall in a certain way.
Kudos to Dingley, who were able to rise to the occasion against Berwick last week, consigning the Dodgers to their first donut of the season however last time these two teams met, Cheltenham waltzed to a 13-0 victory.
Will the result be closer this time? I think that’s likely, but will Dingley reverse the result? That, I think is unlikely.
Two teams beaten by sides lower than them on the A1 table in their last respective start go head-to-head at Cyril Molineaux Reserve down in Berwick as the Dodgers take on a Frankston side who will slip out of the four should they lose on Saturday.
Berwick’s performances to date this season tend to suggest last week’s result against the Dingoes was an aberration, and they head into the game undefeated at home in 2011, and will be hoping that the home advantage works in their favour.
I didn’t see much of the Bonbeach-Frankston match a fortnight ago, however Frankston looked a step slower than the Blue Jays for much of what I saw, the Tomatoes essentially letting Micah Burch dictate terms on the hill. Frankston seemed keen to swing at anything Burch threw near the zone early in the account instead of taking him deep in the count and challenging him to throw his best pitch to get outs instead of just swinging at whatever he offered early in an at-bat.
The Dodgers will bring some good pitching to the plate (no pun intended), so the Tomatoes will have to make adjustments to their most recent effort if they are to have any chance of success. I’ll back the Dodgers to get the chocolates, however I have received word that a debut for a ‘high-profile’ Frankston player might not be far away. Could he prove a game changer as soon as this week?
With Dandenong enjoying the bye (and a potential leg-up into the top-four), the final game of the round sees Bonbeach host Mornington at Bicentennial Park, with the Blue Jays needing to win games such as this fixture to retain any chance of finals action.
Mornington is undoubtedly improving, however I do not for a moment doubt Coach Warren would rather stop hearing about how his team is continually showing the right signs and not getting at least one ‘W’ on the board.
To beat the Blue Jays, the Pirates will have to put in a full nine innings effort, something they haven’t been able to confidently demonstrate too many occasions this season. I do believe Mornington can provide nine solid innings, but will they provide enough to beat Bonbeach at their band box? Having seen the Blue Jays, I’m convinced enough to give them favouritism; however I do pick that this game will go the full nine innings and be within five runs at the finish.
Down in B1 country, I’m happy to go early and in a Round 11 preview confidently predict that the top four is set, and if they could agree on a finishing order, could begin the play-offs next week. Do it in best-of-three if need be, but I cannot see any changes to the top four teams in this division.
“But hold on” I hear you cry. Carrum Downs have regained Mason Gosstray and have a look at their recent results, surely you can’t write Cheltenham off just yet, and Dandenong’s just hit their straps. Why won’t they make it?
Glad you asked. Let me explain the method to the madness.
Carrum Downs have Dandenong this week, while Cheltenham takes on Chelsea. Since their opening day loss to Ormond-Glenhuntly, Chelsea has lost just once and been washed out twice, so they have still played some pretty good baseball. Add in their last result against Cheltenham (which finished 18-5 Chelsea), then I can’t see the Dolph-Dolph-Dolphins losing this one, which would leave Cheltenham a full four wins and some substantial percentage behind Chelsea for fourth position.
Yes, a Cheltenham win would have them two games behind the Dolphins for fourth, however I just can’t see where else the Rustlers will pick another two games up on Chelsea. For me, Cheltenham’s out of contention.
Regardless of whether they win or lose this week, Dandenong will be at best five points behind Chelsea (and up to nine points behind), and I can’t see them making up the ground required over the final seven matches.
That leaves Carrum Downs.
No doubt the Cardinals are big improvers over the past few weeks, however following their match against Dandenong, which is by no means a monty, they visit Chelsea, host Pakenham, visit Oakleigh, who now seem a better side at home, and host Moorabbin. That draw there includes three of the top four, plus a team who has begun to show signs of life. If they win two of those four they will have done well. Hard to see them winning three of those matches and near impossible to expect them to win all four. I just can’t see where they will pick up the points to overtake Chelsea.
So there you have it, B1 can be called a week after the half-way point of the season.
But what if I’m wrong? Has happened before (way back in the day)!
The Cardinals and Couch Burners clash at ‘The Basin’ in an important match for both teams who are undoubtedly on the improve. Carrum Downs’ recent home form ensures they get the nod from me, however the Angels loom as a team not to be taken for granted over the final two months of the season.
Chelsea can essentially knock Cheltenham out of finals contention with a win on Saturday, and their form line and most recent head-to-head result (as mentioned above) suggests a win for the Dolphins.
Dingley and Oakleigh? Should be an easy one to pick but somehow I think Oakleigh could be a wildcard over the remaining rounds. Dingley at home for mine but not with much confidence.
Having gone to lengths to justify why I’ve jumped into the deep end in regards naming the top four sides, I have overlooked the Moorabbin-Boneo clash, which is 1 v 2 in the division and is by far the B1 match of the round.
Moorabbin has taken the B1 grade by storm this year, and the home advantage alone should be enough for them to take out this game, though Boneo is never an opponent that can be taken lightly. If Moorabbin drops their guard for an innings or two, the Braves could easily take the points back down the freeway.
The Moorabbin-Boneo game is also an important one as far as the top four make up is concerned as the loser is likely to fall to third as Pakenham, who begin Round 11 just a point behind the top-two should have the month of the round against Ormond-Glenhuntly. A win here will move the Pumas to 17 points, meaning that regardless of the result at Moorabbin, the Pumas will sit in second position come the end of the day’s proceedings.
Feel like heading out Monash on Sunday for a baseball game? The women certainly do, with the double-header being hosted by the Farmers on one of just three occasions that the Clayton Campus will host DBA baseball this summer.
Winless Sandringham takes on hosts Monash in the early game, and having got the points in a close match last time, I will go with the students to scrape home over the Royals, while in the late game, the top two teams again do battle with Melbourne University out to cements a top-two position when they take on an undefeated Berwick Dodgers team. Apologies to Vic Brown and her team but Berwick’s form is too good to ignore, so I’m backing the Dodgers to take this one out.
Good luck to all players, coaches and umpires for the weekend.
I’m not going to go into the ins and outs of the situation, as this column attempts to focus more about what is happening on the field (most of the time), however as I understand things, there is plenty of politics being played at the moment.
Let us hope for the sake of the competition, and the game of baseball, that all is sorted in the near future – everyone involved loves the game of baseball – let’s get the focus back on the game sooner rather than later, gents!
My information however regards the umpiring roster for this week suggests that there will be no regular A Grade umpires plating or lining for Round 11, though I am sure someone with more knowledge on the situation can confirm over the next 24 or so hours.
It is my understanding that the umpiring ‘roster’ for A Grade this week features just three names, with one ‘umpire’ being sent to the three A1 venues. My understanding is that the A1 umpiring ‘panel’ for the round consists of one umpire who has been in B Grade most of the season, a member of the DBA executive and a club umpire. I’m more than happy for someone more in the know than I am to confirm or provide more accurate appointments/information.
Anyways, enough about what’s happening off the field, let’s get the focus back where it should be.
A1’s ‘Match of the Day’ is undoubtedly the Cheltenham-Dingley affair which will take place at Farm Road on Saturday. The winner will move a full game clear of the loser, while for the loser, they could fall as far as third and leave fifth within three competition points should results fall in a certain way.
Kudos to Dingley, who were able to rise to the occasion against Berwick last week, consigning the Dodgers to their first donut of the season however last time these two teams met, Cheltenham waltzed to a 13-0 victory.
Will the result be closer this time? I think that’s likely, but will Dingley reverse the result? That, I think is unlikely.
Two teams beaten by sides lower than them on the A1 table in their last respective start go head-to-head at Cyril Molineaux Reserve down in Berwick as the Dodgers take on a Frankston side who will slip out of the four should they lose on Saturday.
Berwick’s performances to date this season tend to suggest last week’s result against the Dingoes was an aberration, and they head into the game undefeated at home in 2011, and will be hoping that the home advantage works in their favour.
I didn’t see much of the Bonbeach-Frankston match a fortnight ago, however Frankston looked a step slower than the Blue Jays for much of what I saw, the Tomatoes essentially letting Micah Burch dictate terms on the hill. Frankston seemed keen to swing at anything Burch threw near the zone early in the account instead of taking him deep in the count and challenging him to throw his best pitch to get outs instead of just swinging at whatever he offered early in an at-bat.
The Dodgers will bring some good pitching to the plate (no pun intended), so the Tomatoes will have to make adjustments to their most recent effort if they are to have any chance of success. I’ll back the Dodgers to get the chocolates, however I have received word that a debut for a ‘high-profile’ Frankston player might not be far away. Could he prove a game changer as soon as this week?
With Dandenong enjoying the bye (and a potential leg-up into the top-four), the final game of the round sees Bonbeach host Mornington at Bicentennial Park, with the Blue Jays needing to win games such as this fixture to retain any chance of finals action.
Mornington is undoubtedly improving, however I do not for a moment doubt Coach Warren would rather stop hearing about how his team is continually showing the right signs and not getting at least one ‘W’ on the board.
To beat the Blue Jays, the Pirates will have to put in a full nine innings effort, something they haven’t been able to confidently demonstrate too many occasions this season. I do believe Mornington can provide nine solid innings, but will they provide enough to beat Bonbeach at their band box? Having seen the Blue Jays, I’m convinced enough to give them favouritism; however I do pick that this game will go the full nine innings and be within five runs at the finish.
Down in B1 country, I’m happy to go early and in a Round 11 preview confidently predict that the top four is set, and if they could agree on a finishing order, could begin the play-offs next week. Do it in best-of-three if need be, but I cannot see any changes to the top four teams in this division.
“But hold on” I hear you cry. Carrum Downs have regained Mason Gosstray and have a look at their recent results, surely you can’t write Cheltenham off just yet, and Dandenong’s just hit their straps. Why won’t they make it?
Glad you asked. Let me explain the method to the madness.
Carrum Downs have Dandenong this week, while Cheltenham takes on Chelsea. Since their opening day loss to Ormond-Glenhuntly, Chelsea has lost just once and been washed out twice, so they have still played some pretty good baseball. Add in their last result against Cheltenham (which finished 18-5 Chelsea), then I can’t see the Dolph-Dolph-Dolphins losing this one, which would leave Cheltenham a full four wins and some substantial percentage behind Chelsea for fourth position.
Yes, a Cheltenham win would have them two games behind the Dolphins for fourth, however I just can’t see where else the Rustlers will pick another two games up on Chelsea. For me, Cheltenham’s out of contention.
Regardless of whether they win or lose this week, Dandenong will be at best five points behind Chelsea (and up to nine points behind), and I can’t see them making up the ground required over the final seven matches.
That leaves Carrum Downs.
No doubt the Cardinals are big improvers over the past few weeks, however following their match against Dandenong, which is by no means a monty, they visit Chelsea, host Pakenham, visit Oakleigh, who now seem a better side at home, and host Moorabbin. That draw there includes three of the top four, plus a team who has begun to show signs of life. If they win two of those four they will have done well. Hard to see them winning three of those matches and near impossible to expect them to win all four. I just can’t see where they will pick up the points to overtake Chelsea.
So there you have it, B1 can be called a week after the half-way point of the season.
But what if I’m wrong? Has happened before (way back in the day)!
The Cardinals and Couch Burners clash at ‘The Basin’ in an important match for both teams who are undoubtedly on the improve. Carrum Downs’ recent home form ensures they get the nod from me, however the Angels loom as a team not to be taken for granted over the final two months of the season.
Chelsea can essentially knock Cheltenham out of finals contention with a win on Saturday, and their form line and most recent head-to-head result (as mentioned above) suggests a win for the Dolphins.
Dingley and Oakleigh? Should be an easy one to pick but somehow I think Oakleigh could be a wildcard over the remaining rounds. Dingley at home for mine but not with much confidence.
Having gone to lengths to justify why I’ve jumped into the deep end in regards naming the top four sides, I have overlooked the Moorabbin-Boneo clash, which is 1 v 2 in the division and is by far the B1 match of the round.
Moorabbin has taken the B1 grade by storm this year, and the home advantage alone should be enough for them to take out this game, though Boneo is never an opponent that can be taken lightly. If Moorabbin drops their guard for an innings or two, the Braves could easily take the points back down the freeway.
The Moorabbin-Boneo game is also an important one as far as the top four make up is concerned as the loser is likely to fall to third as Pakenham, who begin Round 11 just a point behind the top-two should have the month of the round against Ormond-Glenhuntly. A win here will move the Pumas to 17 points, meaning that regardless of the result at Moorabbin, the Pumas will sit in second position come the end of the day’s proceedings.
Feel like heading out Monash on Sunday for a baseball game? The women certainly do, with the double-header being hosted by the Farmers on one of just three occasions that the Clayton Campus will host DBA baseball this summer.
Winless Sandringham takes on hosts Monash in the early game, and having got the points in a close match last time, I will go with the students to scrape home over the Royals, while in the late game, the top two teams again do battle with Melbourne University out to cements a top-two position when they take on an undefeated Berwick Dodgers team. Apologies to Vic Brown and her team but Berwick’s form is too good to ignore, so I’m backing the Dodgers to take this one out.
Good luck to all players, coaches and umpires for the weekend.
