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.

RICHMOND SWEEPS LONDON IN BRITISH LEAGUE OPENERS

The London Mets apparently won’t have it nearly so easy this season. After sweeping through the British National League last year with only one loss during the regular season and playoffs, the Mets lost two games to the Richmond Flames last weekend to surpass their 2008 loss total on the opening weekend of British League action.

Michael Osborn pitched well enough in Richmond’s opening 5-4 win over London on April 19, and Cody Cain’s three-run homer highlighted the Flames’ 11-3 win in the nightcap.

In the other British League doubleheader, the expansion Hertfordshire Falcons won twice against the Croydon Pirates in Croydon. Herts won the opening game, 11-5, and reached double digits on the scoreboard again with a 10-3 win in the second game.

TWO SECOND BASEMEN HIT FOR CYCLE IN SAME WEEK

Hitting for the cycle is one of baseball’s rarest feats. Yet, two Major League players turned that trick within two days of each other…and both are second basemen.

On Monday, April 13, second sacker Orlando Hudson became the first Los Angeles player ever to hit for the cycle at Dodger Stadium, and the first Dodger to do it at all since Wes Parker did it at Shea Stadium in New York in 1970. Hudson finished the game 4-for-5 with three runs scored and two driven in as the Dodgers beat Randy Johnson and the San Francisco Giants, 11-1.

Two nights later, Texas second baseman Ian Kinsler did Hudson one better, hitting for the cycle en route to a 6-for-6 performance at the plate as the Rangers trashed the Baltimore Orioles, 19-8. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Kinsler is the first player since 1890 to hit for the cycle during a 6-for-6 day at the plate in a nine-inning game.

BRITISH NATIONAL LEAGUE RELEASES 2009 SCHEDULE

The British National League will be leaner and (hopefully) meaner in 2009. The league has lopped its entire North Division from the schedule, leaving five teams for the April 19 openers.

The London Mets and Richmond Flames will meet in a doubleheader in a rematch of last season’s title game, which was won by the Mets, 11-4. The Mets dominated the 2008 campaign by winning 23 of 24 games by an average score of 10-2. In the other twinbill, the Croydon Pirates will take on the Hertfordshire Falcons. Herts won Britain’s AAA level championship last year before being invited to move up to the National League this year. The Bracknell Blazers will open play April 26.

This season, the British playoffs will use a double-elimination format among the top four teams in the regular season standings. The playoffs will be held the last weekend of August.