CROYDON FORFEITS TWO BRITISH GAMES, MAY FOLD

After being shocked by a pair of Opening Day losses to the Richmond Flames, the defending British National League champion London Mets have evened their record at 2-2, but they’d probably rather pick up wins in a more time-honored fashion than they did against the Croydon Pirates.

The Mets and Pirates were scheduled for a weekend doubleheader in London, but Croydon was forced for forfeit both games after being unable to field enough players for the road trip. With the forfeits, Croydon’s record fell to 0-4 while creating concern that the Pirates might not play again in 2009. Such a move would be a blow to the five-team BNL, which lost three teams after last season before an expansion franchise was granted to Hertfordshire over the winter.

There were two games played between Richmond and the Bracknell Blazers, with Bracknell coming away with 6-2 and 10-4 wins in Richmond. The set marked the return to National League baseball of Michael Stewart to the Bracknell lineup after a three-year absence. Stewart, who batted .324 between 2002 and 2005, drilled an RBI single in the first game before coming back to hit a two-run homer in the nightcap and pitching 3.1 innings in relief for the win. The Blazers are tied with Herts at the top of the league table with a 2-0 record, while the Flames fell to 2-2.