On April 17th the 2011 British baseball season got underway, one month on we have the chance to reflect on what has been a mixed start for the adult teams at Richmond Baseball Club.
The 2011 season was always going to be one of high expectations for Richmond, having won both the NBL and AA divisions a year previous. Those expectations were shattered on day 1 however as the club only managed a sole win (Flames over Essex) in five opening day match-ups. The Flames have definitely had the most positive start to the year; their 5 - 1 record speaks volumes of the hard work that Head Coach Freddy Vibert has put in to make his young team competitive again. The Flames have not yet faced the real big guns in the NBL however, so we shall have wait and see whether their claim for a third Championship is a viable one.
By contrast the Richmond Knights, following their promotion to AAA, have already seen last year's champion Oxford Knights and 2011 favourites Bristol Badgers in the opening two weeks. It was not surprising to see the Knights' 20 game winning streak halted on Opening Day, and things did not get better until last weekend where the Knights picked up their first win against a struggling Bracknell Bears. The Knights have showed competitive spirit throughout and will no doubt be aiming for a mid table finish come season's end.
The Dragons have also found life in their new league tough going. Their promotion to AA has seen them face tough opposition in a re-juvinated Guildford side and AA veteran Thames Valley. Consistent pitching has been at the heart of the Dragons early season woes, but as more and more rookie players find their feet on the mound they will be hoping to right the ship. The Dragons one consolation so far has come against perennial strugglers Herts.
