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| British Baseball League Standings as of 20th July |
With six weeks of games still to be played, the 14 teams bound for the National Baseball Championships are shaping up.
As announced earlier in July, this year’s championships will take place on 6 & 7 September at Croydon. 14 teams will make the finals, competing for the title of National Baseball Champions, as well as the champions of the AAA, AA and A Divisions.
Only a couple of teams are out of the running in each division. While there are leaders in each bracket, only a couple of teams have sewn-up their spot at the championships and there is still much to play for for those teams lying mid-table.
National Baseball League
Two teams are already locked in for the championships. London Mets, the defending champions, are an unbeaten 16-0 while Manchester Eagles are an impressive 13-2. Neither can be caught. Of the remaining five NBL teams, all are still in with a shout, some more than others. Richmond 12-4 sure of the second southern berth if it doesn’t trip up, needs only 3 wins from its remaining 10 games. Bracknell Blazers and Croydon Pirates (2007 losing finalists) are still mathematically in the running, but would need to win all remaining games, with both clubs still facing a DH against unbeaten London. In the north Menwith Hill Patriots are sitting on a less than ample 6-6 record, with four games still to come against the team behind them Liverpool Trojans on 2-11.
Current Finalists : London Mets, Manchester Eagles, Richmond Flames, Menwith Hill Patriots
Contenders : Liverpool Trojans, Bracknell Blazers, Croydon Pirates
AAA Division
Still too close to call, although the leading teams in all groups have it within their control to keep winning and take the four spots in Croydon. In the north Humber Pilots 11-7 is in prime position (promoted from the equivalent of AA-Div in 2007 where they were champions), but is going to be pushed by the hard charging Halton Jaguars 9-9 a team that was languishing 2-7 earlier in the season. Even Sheffield Blades 7-9, with two more games in hand than its rivals, should not be counted out.
In the south, with only the top team in each group going through automatically, it’s going to be a tough run-in to September. Oxford Kings 13-5 and Herts Falcons 15-3 lead the pack, but with the likes of London Metros 12-6, Southampton Mustangs 11-7, Burgess Hill 8-7, Essex Arrows 9-9 (2007 losing finalist), and Richmond Knights 8-8 (2007 champions) snapping at their heals. Only Windsor 5-13 and Bristol 4-13 seem out for the count, only mathematically clinging on.
The fourth slot goes to the second placed team with best record. This is currently London Metros on 0.667 (12-6). Halton currently 0.500 (9-9) cannot get above 0.625 even winning all remaining games, so need London to trip-up. The other teams noted above are all chasing London.
Current Finalists : Humber Pilots, Oxford Kings, Herts Falcons, London Metros
Contenders : Halton Jaguars, Sheffield Blades, Southampton Mustangs, Burgess Hill, Richmond Knights, Bristol Badgers, Essex Arrows, Windsor Bears
AA Division
Manchester A’s at 11-3 have the northern division in their grasp, needing just four more wins to leave Bolton Robots of Doom 4-8 in their dust. Newcomers Oldham North Stars have struggled in their first league season, currently in the basement with 0-14.
In the south, both Enfield’s Sidewinders 8-1 and Bournemouth Sharks 6-1 are in the two championship spaces available, but with a chasing group of Medway Mariners 6-4 (promoted from the equivalent of A-Div in 2007), Richmond Dragons 5-6, hurting from a recent string of one-run loses, Herts Hawks 4-5 and Brentwood Stags 3-6.
The final space goes to the Midlands Division winner, currently the runaway Birmingham Maple Leafs 12-2. Northampton Bucks 7-6 can still catch the Leafs on paper but perhaps not in the field. Leicester Blue Sox 1-13 are out for the count and perhaps looking forward for better things in 2009.
Current Finalists : Manchester As, Sidewinders, Bournemouth Sharks, Birmingham Maple Leafs
Contenders : Bolton Robots of Doom, Medway Mariners, Richmond Dragons, Herts Hawks, Brentwood Stags, Northampton Bucks
Eliminated : Oldham North Stars, Leicester Blue Sox
A Division
A relatively simple top of the tables will play each other for the championship game at Croydon on 6 September. At present this will be Southampton Colts 6-1 vs the Old Timers 7-1, but any of six other teams could make the cut, depending upon the outcome of the next few weeks. Essex Arrows 2 (2-7) are too far off the pace to unseat the Old Timers and are the only team currently eliminated.
Current Finalists : Southampton Colts, Old Timers
Contenders : Croydon Pirates III, Bracknell Blazers 2, Guildford Mavericks, Thames Valley Bisons, Braintree, Herts Raptors
Eliminated : Essex Arrows 2
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