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THE GUILDFORD BASEBALL JUNIORS
Youth National Baseball Championships - Farnham Park, 20th October 2025
On Saturday 20th October, the Guildford Junior Club took part in the National Championships at Farnham Park near Slough. We entered teams in both the U13 & U11 categories......below is a summary by Club Manager Mike Burdett....
All,
Many thanks to all those who were able to attend the YNBC’s at Farnham Park yesterday. For those who were not present, the results were as follows:
U11
Guildford 18-9 Cambridge
Guildford 7-10 LYBL
Guildford 14-3 Greenwich (elimination play-off)
Guildford 6-15 Sussex (semi-final)
U13
Guildford 5-6 Oxford
Guildford 0-10 London Mets
The U11 team did exceptionally well to reach the semi-finals, which we had only done once previously. Even more impressive was the fact we were playing most games with 8 players, and that only 4 of our team were 10 and one was 9. The rest were actually U-9’s, and I didn’t realise this until we came up again the combined Brighton/Chichester (Sussex) team in the semi’s, who were almost entirely 10 yr olds. It just shows that in this age groups, all clubs are on a much more even footing.
The U13 played their first competitive hardball games of the season and although up against a very good Oxford pitcher in the first game, still managed to keep the game close. The second game was a not as close, but all credit to all those who pitched, again for what was most the first time in a competitive game. London Mets baseball club are the biggest in the country, so no shame in the result with them. It was great to see all our players keep going until the end, and a great atmosphere on the bench in both games. If nothing else it also highlights how we can improve next season, and hopefully more regular games like this will help.
I must thank all those parents who helped me with packing up and lugging the playing equipment around. I must also thank Steve, Stefan and Callum who helped me with the coaching yesterday. Between them, they did all the base coaching, which we couldn’t have managed without. Of course biggest thanks must go to Reuben, who was with me for all 6 games in what was a long day, especially as they were all back to back. His enthusiasm was invaluable, as was the warming up drills he carried out for each team, whenever the opportunity arose. He also kept the benches in order (no small task! 😉) and managed the batting line ups so everyone knew what they were doing. As you know he has been at practically every Junior session this season, and this is in addition to playing every Sunday for our adult first team. It was also only 8 years ago when he was in the last U11 team to make the semi-finals (they went to the final that year). We are lucky to have him. So many thanks Reuben.
Some photos from the day courtesy of Fio.....
If parents would like to buy some photos from the day, you can do so at this link:
Edward Wins A prize !
As a club, we follow the Baseball Softball shop who recently held a competition for the best baseball themed photograph.....as we have one of the best snappers in the leagues, we submitted Eds brilliant action shot of the Juniors leaping into the air and it won first prize! Eds winnings have been spent with the Baseball Softball shop on 4 leftie gloves, as we were a bit short on those....thankyou Ed & thanks to Lynn from Baseball Softball......
Stepgates School at Guildford
On Saturday 28th June, our club played host to a group of visitors from Stepgates Community School in Chertsey. The boys from Stepgates had never played baseball before, having recently only just starting to play rounders at the school.
After a quick introduction to the diamond and basic rules, our experienced player Sebastian kindly took the reins to be a player/manager for the rookies.....it was a close game, Sebastian being responsible for getting Stepgates on to the scoreboard with a home run (which he later repeated!)....
The Stepgates boys who are from years 4 to 6 all had a fabulous time with us, so much so that they want to start an after school club....hopefully this will grow into a full squad and Guildford can take the trip to Chertsey for a return leg.
A massive thankyou to Sebastian and also Annmarie Blankert, from Stepgates, for her support for the pupils throughout the day (and for the photos!)
Sebastian helping Jacob with his swing
Ariana to Join U12's GB Squad for European Championship Bid in Hungary
Ariana Lanfermeijer, one of our talented female players, has been chosen to represent Team GB in the Under 12's category at the European Championships due to be held in Hungary in July.
We are so proud of her achievement, not just for her selection, but for her dedication and determination to succeed in a sport she loves. A very quiet and unassuming young lady, Ariana is a great ambassador for our sport and she is the first ever female player chosen to represent GB in this category and long may that continue.
Hopefully, Arianas success will inspire more girls to take up baseball as a sport... We are lucky at Guildford in that we have several young ladies now currently attending baseball sessions...and we would like many more!
This small photo montage is taken from a very recent practice session at Guildford...
Good Luck Ariana...."Hit Away"
Under 7's Activities for 2025
New for 2026 - FREE activity sessions for under 7's will be starting Easter 2026 at Kings College Field. We are trying to encourage youngsters aged 7 or below to come down and join us for a freeflow fun session loosely based around rounders and baseball. We are creating a new game that is aimed at very young players that we hope will be fun for them to play regardless of their ability or experience.
Using lightweight foam balls, bats and a tee we have created a hybrid game that uses Teeball as its base, played on a Rounders Diamond with a few baseball rules thrown in for good measure. The main aim will be to have fun in a very relaxed, non-intimidating environment aimed at youngsters who may not have played any sport before....with any luck, we may get a few Mums & Dads playing with us too!
If you'd like to know more or you have youngsters who would like to take part, please use this contact form and we will keep you up to date with the project.....
New Coach for Juniors
We are thrilled to announce a new addition to our Juniors coaching team; Reece Palmer....
Reece joined us this month and is a BBF Level 2 qualified coach. He has played most of the diamond positions in his day including pitcher and now brings his expertise to Guildford having previously coached at Horsham and Brighton....welcome to Guildford Reece!
Indoor Training March 2025
As a prelude to the start of the Junior baseball season, which begins on Saturday 26th April at Kings College, we invited existing and prospective new club members down to Broadwater for some indoor warm up sessions. Big thankyou to Mike Burdett for organising this free series of events.
It was well attended by many of our existing players as well as some new ones that are trying the sport for the first time - who, hopefully we will see with us throughout 2025!
Season End 2024
Saturday 28th September 2024 was our last Baseball session for this year - we would like to thank everyone who has supported us this year, all of the boys and girls, Mums and Dads and all our volunteer coaches who have made our 2024 Season so much fun and so successful.
The teams have enjoyed inter-club sessions at Kings as well as road trips playing against Croydon, Brighton, Chichester, Bournemouth and London as well as taking part in the National Youth Championship tournaments at Farnham Park.
We look forward to more fantastic Junior Baseball in 2025....
"Batter Up!" & "Play Ball"
