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The Team |
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Here's your chance to read about our players. All text has been prepared by Damien Kilkenny, with additional help from Chris Hunton. |
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| Player | Description | Positions |
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Looks like: Eminem
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Barnsley's Ace pitcher has played since he
was a youngster, following his father to the team. K has developed a good
fastball which he is able to spot on the corners. Within the heart of
the order he is able to climb the ladder with accuracy, striking out power
hitters. This season K is able to spot a new backdoor slider which is
now his main strike out pitch. Add to this a curve ball and K has the
potential to win matches almost single handed. Against the best teams,
Kris does struggle when his fastball isn't hot, but hopefully those Sunday's
will be few and far between. However, being highly strung he is able to
battle on no matter what arm situation arises come match day. Kris hopes
that the very successful pitching history of the Allott family will continue
within the BBF for as long as possible. (See T Allott) This season Kris has been a home run demon, hitting three in three games, including a grand slam against the then league leading Shropshire Panthers. He has very good speed and isn't afraid to push for that extra base, contributing to the cycle he hit last week. Teams will start to pitch around him unless we can protect him better. |
Primary: Pitcher
Secondary: Catcher
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Position: 2nd base / Everywhere (except Catch… unless we
need him to)
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The oldest player on Barnsley's
Squad and now the longest serving player. (Perhaps even within the BBF).
Tony has retired twice from the Strikers but we just won't let him go.
Playing all defensive positions Tony is solid wherever he is needed. Being
the most adaptive Barnsley Striker Tony plays well week in, week out.
Tony was Barnsley's Premier Pitcher with a great curveball. He is able to change speeds to throw out hitters timing. The thinking pitcher, Tony watches all at bats keenly should we need to call on him "just one more time". Tony coaches his son well, now our starting pitcher, instilling confidence and knowledge within the young pitcher. Whilst Tony is the first to admit that, over the years, he has lost a little bat and running speed, his bat is still as clever as ever. He is able to still hit the fastball due to his in-depth knowledge of the game, and not many can sneak a cheeky curveball by him. Has to work hard to get on base, but does with remarkable proficiency. A great ball player. |
Primary: Fielder
Secondary: |
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Position: 2nd Base
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Plays 2nd base, and plays it well. Has great
glove proficiency which hasn't dropped many ground balls. Doesn't mind
getting his bulk behind the ball should he need to. A few seasons ago
Steve took a blow to God's Baseballs which shattered the box he was wearing.
Steve has three children. Strengthens the middle infield considerably despite an arm injury which has hindered him this season, likes to remind everyone he plays through the pain. Plays catcher when needed, has good defensive skills there also. The best bat in the Strikers Squad Steve picks out holes with ease, and strikes out so rarely we are allowed to laugh when he does (and do). Has the best Batting average almost each and every season. Steve likes to mention this fact almost as much as we like to mention his weight. Knows how to play the game. |
Primary: Fielder (2B)
Secondary: |
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Positions: Catcher / 3rd Base
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Last season Alan made the transition from third
to Catch, now being our first (only) choice. Al has one of the best arms
on the team and isn't afraid to use it should base runners stray too far
(and often when they don't). His defensive skills at this position have
improved impressively quickly. When paired with Kris Allott he makes half
a battery pairing which from rubber to plate to second is the fastest
Barnsley have ever had.
Alan has hit at or near the top of the order for years, able to use his speed to great affect often leading the team in stolen bases. Coupled with this Alan loves forcing opposition into mistakes by pushing his leads to the maximum. He makes outs on the base paths sparsely, whilst producing 'heroics' often. |
Primary: Catcher
Secondary: Fielder (3B)
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Position:
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Primary: Fielder
Secondary: |
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Position: Outfield / Infield
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In his rookie baseball season Richard has been
able to transfer the Softball skills he has to the superior game. In the
field Richard can play many positions and has done so, playing right field
3rd base and 2nd. At second Richard has turned a double play this season.
Once Richard adapts fully to the new throwing angle for a baseball his
throwing arm will improve.
At bat Richard is able to use his knowledge of the game to his advantage.
He can adapt to the count well due to his softball background and is
slowly turning that towards increasing his average. Has good plate coverage
and is able to fend off bad pitches. Recently Richard hit 1.000 in a
softball tournament (18/18) and we are all hopeful he can recreate this
form in the BBF |
Primary: Fielder
Secondary: |
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Position: 1st Base / Pitcher
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Chris was once the starting pitcher for the
Strikers, before K Allot made the Barnsley rubber his own (PITCHING rubber).
Chris is now the regular 1st baseman and is possibly the best defensive
player on the team. Chris takes short hops with ease and loves to make
diving catches. (Little too much for my liking! You know the type, dive
when the balls an inch from their glove, do 6 rolls and a cartwheel, stand
up like nothings happened…)
When pitching Chris is able to hit both corners well, something few lefties in the British Baseball Federation can do. Coupled with a side arm release teams often find it very difficult to get the ball in the air against him. Barnsley need him to be in good pitching form this season as double header's are scheduled for a third of the season. Hitting, Chris has found a new aggressive stance and personality, developing him into more of a power hitter. He'll hope to hit a few home runs this season with Barnsley's short right field. |
Primary: Fielder (1B)
Secondary: Pitcher
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Position: 3rd Base
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Chris was a regular in the team until three
years ago when he left to travel the world and then work in Bedfordshire.
Since his return he has been 'promoted' from the outfield to third base,
where he is holding his own. Learning to take tag plays is often difficult
but Chris is gaining more confidence with this each week. He will be a
solid infielder at the end of this season, already able to glove ground
balls on the difficult "Siberian" diamond. Recently Barnsley
have caught a few stealing 3rd proving Hunton is settling in well.
At bat Chris has struggled slightly this season, striking out semi-regularly. However he has shown good power at the plate, protecting the bottom of the order. More at bats will bring Chris's average up to pre-Bedfordshire levels. |
Primary: Fielder (3B)
Secondary: Catcher
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Position: Short Stop
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Damien has been the regular Short stop for
Barnsley since his arrival 4 years ago. He has missed only 3 matches in
this time. He has had many 2nd base partners in these years and is able
to command and teach an infield well. Has a good glove and a range which
helps others and Barnsley get out of trouble. Let down by wild throws
when throwing short… perhaps suffering from 'Chuck' disease!
Damien has moved to the top of the order this season and has good speed, helping him to reach on infield hits often within this season. He takes walks when offered to him, but also likes to swing at the first pitch. His power is improving hitting two homeruns last season. Often takes the count deep. |
Primary: Fielder (SS)
Secondary: Pitcher
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Position: Outfield
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In his Rookie season Mortimer is learning the ropes of the game. Since his first ever game Andy has played good defence and is now backing this up with a bat that is improving each week. Once this 6'2" 19 year old has a few more swings under his belt Barnsley hope he will be a power threat at the plate. |
Primary: Fielder
Secondary: |
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Position: Outfielder
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Primary: Fielder
Secondary: |
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Position: Outfielder
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Primary: Fielder
Secondary: |
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Position: Outfielder
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Primary: Fielder
Secondary: |
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Position: 2nd Base
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Primary: Fielder (2B)
Secondary: |
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Position: Outfielder
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Primary: Fielder
Secondary: |
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Position: Outfield
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In his rookie season Dan is the only qualified umpire in the squad, although he hasn't umpired a game yet, this means that he has a good knowledge of the rules and he can use this to help him while he develops his skills further. He has batted OK for his first season and his average is improving game by game. Dan is looking promising for the future and should now look to improve his confidence in the outfield. |
Primary: Fielder
Secondary: |
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Position: Outfield
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This is Andy's first Season in
Baseball, following his older brother Mike to the Strikers. Andy has practiced
more than any one over the winter developing a great throwing arm and
a solid outfield glove. His high confidence has come with this practice.
His arm will turn outs should anyone challenge it this season
Andy's batting is improving and hits are starting to come more regularly than at the beginning of the season. If Andy continues to improve as quickly as he is now, next season he will be a solid batter challenging his brother for the Trepczyk batting title. (Unless his dad decides to play, then who knows?) His knowledge about how to run the base paths will improve with more games. |
Primary: Fielder
Secondary: |
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Position: Outfield / 2nd Base
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Started with Barnsley last season and has improved
twice as quick than he can steal video tapes from Blockbuster. Plays Centre
Field for Barnsley when Nigel moves to 2nd proving he has an amazing glove
for someone who has played only a year. Everyone at Barnsley has confidence
in his outfield skills. Mike has also played 2nd base this season turning
a double play on the first play he ever had. With time Mike will become
one of the first names on the team sheet.
Mike's batting has improved from last season and he has a very respectable average. He shows flashes of power which will hopefully become more common as the seasons go on, now a solid Barnsley bat. |
Primary: Fielder
Secondary: |
| Position: Centre Field / 2nd Base / Pitcher
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Nigel has been the Manager of Barnsley since last season, taking us
to second place. He did this by taking credit for wins, and blaming
someone other than him (Damien Kilkenny) for losses. Nigel bats at the top of the order with a small strike zone and good
coverage of the plate. Gets many walks and isn't afraid to take one
for the team (helps him keep his injury tally up above one a game) has
uncharacteristically struggled with his average this season but no one
believes this will continue for long. Last season, like many others,
Nigel had the best OBP within the team. |
Primary: Fielder
Secondary: |
