Post by stuartcapel on Sept 9, 2011 9:38:26 GMT 10
As I look out the window, the rain is falling heavily, and the weekend’s weather does call for showers and strong winds on both days, with temperatures unlikely to exceed 15 degrees. Just in case you had forgotten, this IS winter baseball – you just gotta love it!
It’s Preliminary Final weekend in the A and B Grades. In all 14 teams go into the cauldron over the next two days, and just 7 will emerge victorious and live to fight for Grand Final glory next week. For the Women’s division, they’re already in Grand Final mode, and their battle for the flag commences at 1pm on Sunday.
Grade: A1
Who: Dingley vs. Berwick
Where: Dingley (Main Diamond)
When: 2pm, Sunday
On the back of two mercy rule beatings to close out the season, last weekend’s Second Semi Final had both its bad points and good points for coach Irving, who no doubt would have been looking for what positives he could out of his team’s third successive defeat.
Yes, the Dingoes lost a chance to qualify directly for the Grand Final, and yes they didn’t score (more on that in a moment), but the pitching and defence was better, and Irving will be hoping that the bats can now awake from their month long slumber.
Following a bye in Round 16, the Dingoes have scored 3 runs, 0 runs and 0 runs in their past three matches, and against a line-up that features a solid a***nal such as Berwick’s, it’s unlikely that one run (the Dingley average over the past three matches) will get it done on Sunday.
The Dodgers rolled past Frankston quite comfortably last weekend, controlling the game from the first innings, and on the back of a mercy rule win over Dingley a couple of weeks ago, will be extremely confident of making it to their third Grand Final in succession, especially since they won the two meetings between the two clubs where Sam Street, Dingley’s ace pitcher in 2011, was not available, and he isn’t available Sunday either.
The form line to me suggests Berwick, and I’ll back the Dodgers to make it Cheltenham-Berwick III next weekend.
Grade: A2
Who: Dandenong vs. Frankston
Where: Dingley (Main Diamond)
When: 11am, Sunday
Dandenong entered the A1 finals ranked number one, but like women’s number one tennis player Caroline Wozniacki often does, the Angels suffered an early set-back at a big event, and now face a cut-throat Preliminary Final against Frankston, who ride a five-match winning streak into Sunday’s Grand Final qualifier.
The Tomatoes squeaked home in a one-run game (as predicted last week) against the Dodgers last weekend, and if they regain John Hussey, who was absent last week, and he throws, then Dandenong will have a tough challenge ahead of them if Hussey can last a majority of the nine innings.
If Hussey doesn’t throw, then Dandenong, likely to have Nathan Cook back on the mound, will have the advantage, but like Dingley in the A1, the pressure is all on the Couch Burners on Sunday.
Grade: A3
Who: Bonbeach vs. Cheltenham
Where: Dingley (Back Diamond)
When: 1.45pm, Sunday
Bonbeach held home advantage headed into the finals, however Berwick comfortably defeated them last week, outclassing the Blue Jays for the most, though Bonbeach could claim they didn’t get the rub of the chrome from behind the dish.
Cheltenham had the best of a shoot-out against Dandenong, and will look to overcome an opponent who they did defeat during the regular season (the teams split the season series), and will be confident of defeating again given Bonbeach has won just one of five matches against the Berwick/Cheltenham combination this season.
Better the devil I know here – I’m backing the Bonbeach boys to atone for last week’s hiccup, but Cheltenham, who it must be remembered finished just a game behind top position, will be by no means an easy beat come Sunday.
Grade: A4
Who: Frankston vs. Berwick
Where: Dingley (Back Diamond)
When: 11am, Sunday
The Tomatoes were turned into past last weekend at the hands of the Dandenong juggernaut, and they will have to be on their guard as they attempt to bounce back against Preliminary Final opponents Berwick, who survived a tight game against Cheltenham, where a couple of missed pop-ups were apparently the difference between the two teams.
While de-pantsed by 25-runs last weekend, the Tomatoes will be hoping their form against Berwick (they have not lost to the Dodgers this season) holds true, however I have heard whispers that while he hasn’t been named, Mr Rob Hogan Esq. is qualified to play and may make a late appearance, and that the Tomatoes are afraid (very afraid) that he will play. Frankston for me but this one could get interesting.
Grade: B1
Who: Pakenham vs. Boneo
Where: Dingley (Main Diamond)
When: 2.15pm, Saturday
Pakenham versus Boneo at Dingley is about as good as it can get in regards a neutral venue and we can be sure a good game of baseball will be played and several 4c per litre dockets will be used on both sides just to get to the venue.
The Pumas will be hoping they can ride the fairy tale for at least another week in order to get another crack at Moorabbin in the Grand Final, however the Braves are a finals hardened side and will be hoping their experience can assist them over the line on Sunday.
The finals experience of Boneo does tempt me to jump off the Pakenham bandwagon, but with Stu Brunton and Riki Collins likely to handle a majority of the pitching duties, I think the Pumas will have enough in the a***nal to see off the Braves on Saturday.
Grade: B2
Who: Pakenham vs. Carrum Downs
Where: Dingley (Main Diamond)
When: 11.45am, Saturday
Do I dare put the proverbials on the line and call this one the ‘Lock of the Week’?
Carrum Downs have challenged the Pumas four times this season and have come up short each and every time, with the combined scores of the game reading Pakenham 50 – Carrum Downs 9!
Yes, finals are a different kettle of fish somewhat, however with Wayne ‘Mouse’ Porter on the bump, I can’t see anything but the Pumas controlling the game from start to finish.
Grade: B3
Who: Chelsea vs. Carrum Downs
Where: Dingley (Back Diamond)
When: 2pm, Saturday
A somewhat interesting fact about the Chelsea-Carrum Downs B3 Preliminary Final is that it’s the only final in the 2011 DBA season where the two teams did not play each other over the course of the regular season.
The teams were scheduled to play in Round 4, however Carrum Downs forfeited the game, also making Carrum Downs the only team that forfeited a match over the course of the season to make the finals in any grade.
Despite the lack of historical data, I’m backing Chelsea to win given their superior play over the course of the season to that of the Cardinals.
Grade: Womens (Grand Final)
Who: Berwick vs. Footscray
Where: Sandringham
When: 1pm, Sunday
While the A and B Grades enjoy a weekend of cut-throat Grand Final qualifiers, the Womens division has reached it’s Grand Final, with the Berwick Dodgers and Footscray Bulldogs doing battle at Sandringham for the 2011 Premiership.
Though the Grand Final appearance of the Berwick Dodgers surprises few, the presence of Footscray may surprise a few, given the Bulldogs have only reached Division Two in the Summer Leagues in recent years and were partaking in their first DBA season this year.
Under Kevin Parry, the Bulldogs have quietly grown their women’s program and their victory over Melbourne University in last week’s Preliminary Final demonstrates just how far the club’s womens program has come in recent seasons. In 2011/12, they will be stepping up into Summer League Division One, and if their winter form is anything to go by, then they will be a more than competitive unit over the course of the season. Clubs looking to establish a women’s program would be well served to look at the Footscray module at how to bring along a long-term program.
There’s no doubt that the Bulldogs will indeed be the ‘underdogs’ this weekend (no pun intended), however their balanced hitting line-up does feature the ‘Twin Towers’ in Abbey McClellan and Michelle Palmer, and Berwick will need to cool their bats fur the full seven innings to ensure success. Pitching wise, the Bulldogs have used an array of options on the hill this season, so they do have enough options to turn to should a pitcher get into trouble.
With names such as Hough, Lillywhite, Flanigan, Avent and Shelverton on the roster, it’s not hard to see why the Dodgers were the Minor Premiers in 2011, and why they are the favourites heading into the Grand Final.
The Dodgers won’t have Simone Wearne on the hill due to injury (she was to have been overseas anyway), however with Australian representatives Sinead Flanigan and Shae Lillywhite still available, pitching shouldn’t be a problem for the Dodgers. For Berwick, it will be a matter of getting on top of the Bulldog pitchers and keeping it tight defensively.
The Bulldogs will no doubt be the Cinderella tip, however I’m backing the experienced Dodgers to take the Pennant at the end of what has been a solid women’s season in the DBA.
Good luck to all players, coaches and officials on the weekend.
It’s Preliminary Final weekend in the A and B Grades. In all 14 teams go into the cauldron over the next two days, and just 7 will emerge victorious and live to fight for Grand Final glory next week. For the Women’s division, they’re already in Grand Final mode, and their battle for the flag commences at 1pm on Sunday.
Grade: A1
Who: Dingley vs. Berwick
Where: Dingley (Main Diamond)
When: 2pm, Sunday
On the back of two mercy rule beatings to close out the season, last weekend’s Second Semi Final had both its bad points and good points for coach Irving, who no doubt would have been looking for what positives he could out of his team’s third successive defeat.
Yes, the Dingoes lost a chance to qualify directly for the Grand Final, and yes they didn’t score (more on that in a moment), but the pitching and defence was better, and Irving will be hoping that the bats can now awake from their month long slumber.
Following a bye in Round 16, the Dingoes have scored 3 runs, 0 runs and 0 runs in their past three matches, and against a line-up that features a solid a***nal such as Berwick’s, it’s unlikely that one run (the Dingley average over the past three matches) will get it done on Sunday.
The Dodgers rolled past Frankston quite comfortably last weekend, controlling the game from the first innings, and on the back of a mercy rule win over Dingley a couple of weeks ago, will be extremely confident of making it to their third Grand Final in succession, especially since they won the two meetings between the two clubs where Sam Street, Dingley’s ace pitcher in 2011, was not available, and he isn’t available Sunday either.
The form line to me suggests Berwick, and I’ll back the Dodgers to make it Cheltenham-Berwick III next weekend.
Grade: A2
Who: Dandenong vs. Frankston
Where: Dingley (Main Diamond)
When: 11am, Sunday
Dandenong entered the A1 finals ranked number one, but like women’s number one tennis player Caroline Wozniacki often does, the Angels suffered an early set-back at a big event, and now face a cut-throat Preliminary Final against Frankston, who ride a five-match winning streak into Sunday’s Grand Final qualifier.
The Tomatoes squeaked home in a one-run game (as predicted last week) against the Dodgers last weekend, and if they regain John Hussey, who was absent last week, and he throws, then Dandenong will have a tough challenge ahead of them if Hussey can last a majority of the nine innings.
If Hussey doesn’t throw, then Dandenong, likely to have Nathan Cook back on the mound, will have the advantage, but like Dingley in the A1, the pressure is all on the Couch Burners on Sunday.
Grade: A3
Who: Bonbeach vs. Cheltenham
Where: Dingley (Back Diamond)
When: 1.45pm, Sunday
Bonbeach held home advantage headed into the finals, however Berwick comfortably defeated them last week, outclassing the Blue Jays for the most, though Bonbeach could claim they didn’t get the rub of the chrome from behind the dish.
Cheltenham had the best of a shoot-out against Dandenong, and will look to overcome an opponent who they did defeat during the regular season (the teams split the season series), and will be confident of defeating again given Bonbeach has won just one of five matches against the Berwick/Cheltenham combination this season.
Better the devil I know here – I’m backing the Bonbeach boys to atone for last week’s hiccup, but Cheltenham, who it must be remembered finished just a game behind top position, will be by no means an easy beat come Sunday.
Grade: A4
Who: Frankston vs. Berwick
Where: Dingley (Back Diamond)
When: 11am, Sunday
The Tomatoes were turned into past last weekend at the hands of the Dandenong juggernaut, and they will have to be on their guard as they attempt to bounce back against Preliminary Final opponents Berwick, who survived a tight game against Cheltenham, where a couple of missed pop-ups were apparently the difference between the two teams.
While de-pantsed by 25-runs last weekend, the Tomatoes will be hoping their form against Berwick (they have not lost to the Dodgers this season) holds true, however I have heard whispers that while he hasn’t been named, Mr Rob Hogan Esq. is qualified to play and may make a late appearance, and that the Tomatoes are afraid (very afraid) that he will play. Frankston for me but this one could get interesting.
Grade: B1
Who: Pakenham vs. Boneo
Where: Dingley (Main Diamond)
When: 2.15pm, Saturday
Pakenham versus Boneo at Dingley is about as good as it can get in regards a neutral venue and we can be sure a good game of baseball will be played and several 4c per litre dockets will be used on both sides just to get to the venue.
The Pumas will be hoping they can ride the fairy tale for at least another week in order to get another crack at Moorabbin in the Grand Final, however the Braves are a finals hardened side and will be hoping their experience can assist them over the line on Sunday.
The finals experience of Boneo does tempt me to jump off the Pakenham bandwagon, but with Stu Brunton and Riki Collins likely to handle a majority of the pitching duties, I think the Pumas will have enough in the a***nal to see off the Braves on Saturday.
Grade: B2
Who: Pakenham vs. Carrum Downs
Where: Dingley (Main Diamond)
When: 11.45am, Saturday
Do I dare put the proverbials on the line and call this one the ‘Lock of the Week’?
Carrum Downs have challenged the Pumas four times this season and have come up short each and every time, with the combined scores of the game reading Pakenham 50 – Carrum Downs 9!
Yes, finals are a different kettle of fish somewhat, however with Wayne ‘Mouse’ Porter on the bump, I can’t see anything but the Pumas controlling the game from start to finish.
Grade: B3
Who: Chelsea vs. Carrum Downs
Where: Dingley (Back Diamond)
When: 2pm, Saturday
A somewhat interesting fact about the Chelsea-Carrum Downs B3 Preliminary Final is that it’s the only final in the 2011 DBA season where the two teams did not play each other over the course of the regular season.
The teams were scheduled to play in Round 4, however Carrum Downs forfeited the game, also making Carrum Downs the only team that forfeited a match over the course of the season to make the finals in any grade.
Despite the lack of historical data, I’m backing Chelsea to win given their superior play over the course of the season to that of the Cardinals.
Grade: Womens (Grand Final)
Who: Berwick vs. Footscray
Where: Sandringham
When: 1pm, Sunday
While the A and B Grades enjoy a weekend of cut-throat Grand Final qualifiers, the Womens division has reached it’s Grand Final, with the Berwick Dodgers and Footscray Bulldogs doing battle at Sandringham for the 2011 Premiership.
Though the Grand Final appearance of the Berwick Dodgers surprises few, the presence of Footscray may surprise a few, given the Bulldogs have only reached Division Two in the Summer Leagues in recent years and were partaking in their first DBA season this year.
Under Kevin Parry, the Bulldogs have quietly grown their women’s program and their victory over Melbourne University in last week’s Preliminary Final demonstrates just how far the club’s womens program has come in recent seasons. In 2011/12, they will be stepping up into Summer League Division One, and if their winter form is anything to go by, then they will be a more than competitive unit over the course of the season. Clubs looking to establish a women’s program would be well served to look at the Footscray module at how to bring along a long-term program.
There’s no doubt that the Bulldogs will indeed be the ‘underdogs’ this weekend (no pun intended), however their balanced hitting line-up does feature the ‘Twin Towers’ in Abbey McClellan and Michelle Palmer, and Berwick will need to cool their bats fur the full seven innings to ensure success. Pitching wise, the Bulldogs have used an array of options on the hill this season, so they do have enough options to turn to should a pitcher get into trouble.
With names such as Hough, Lillywhite, Flanigan, Avent and Shelverton on the roster, it’s not hard to see why the Dodgers were the Minor Premiers in 2011, and why they are the favourites heading into the Grand Final.
The Dodgers won’t have Simone Wearne on the hill due to injury (she was to have been overseas anyway), however with Australian representatives Sinead Flanigan and Shae Lillywhite still available, pitching shouldn’t be a problem for the Dodgers. For Berwick, it will be a matter of getting on top of the Bulldog pitchers and keeping it tight defensively.
The Bulldogs will no doubt be the Cinderella tip, however I’m backing the experienced Dodgers to take the Pennant at the end of what has been a solid women’s season in the DBA.
Good luck to all players, coaches and officials on the weekend.
