(Story by Marco Stoovelaar)
 HCAW nips Twins
Nederlands
 BUSSUM (Neth.) -
After the interruption for the Baseball Week Haarlem, the regular season resumed again on Thursday-evening (April 28).
In the remainder of the second half of the season, two 3-game series are scheduled for each of the eight teams.
Thereafter, the top-4 will continue in the Play-Offs, while the bottom-4 continues in the Play-Downs.
HCAW opened its series against De Glaskoning Twins with a 3-2 victory.
HCAW and Twins are both almost eliminated for reaching the Play-Offs.
In theory, HCAW can end up in a tie for fourth place with Vaessen Pioniers, while Twins can end up in a tie for fourth place with Kinheim.
In case of a tie, one ruling states that the head-to-head result between the teams concerned decides the ranking.
Pioniers has won two of its three games against HCAW in the second half, which means that it has clinched the Play-Offs based on this result, while HCAW then still has a possibility to finish in fourth place, but then needs help from either Kinheim or L&D Amsterdam Pirates.
In case of a Kinheim-Twins tie, it means that in this scenario, Twins would have swept Kinheim in the last series of the second half.
Another ruling states that when two (or more) teams are tied in a ranking that is decisive for a relegation spot, a play-off game needs to be played.
As one of the teams will play in the Play-Offs and the other in the Play-Downs, one can state that this last series in decisive for relegation, as the team that will finish in last place of the Play-Downs has to play a Promotion/Relegation Series, which of course could end in relegation.
However, it probably will not come to a tie, as it is expected that both Pioniers and Kinheim will secure their spot in the Play-Offs in one of the upcoming games.
HCAW trailed 2-0 after the top of the first inning, as Berry van Donselaar had hit a 2-run homerun for Twins.
HCAW then came alongside and broke the 2-2 tie in the seventh inning.
In that at bat, Rossini Frolijk delivered a runscoring single, but the Bussum-squad also stranded three runners.
But two relievers then hold onto the minimal lead.
(complete recap will be added later)
(July 28)
Standings 2nd half
Standings Overall
Schedule & Starting Pitchers
Team Rosters
|
