Nottingham Sheriffs Lift Championship Trophy
Tuesday, September 12th, 1950
Baseball fanatics across Britain could not have dreamed of a more exciting inaugural championship series.
Game 1 was a tight affair, a dual between the two pitching aces, Evans of Sheffield and Bayman of Nottingham. The Steelmen showed real grit to see out the win and defend the Sheriffs' spirited comeback attempt.
Sheffield Steelmen defeat Nottingham Sheriffs, 4 to 3.
Sheffield Steelmen
BATTING
Doubles: J. West (1, 6th Inning off J. Bayman, 0 on, 1 out)
Total Bases: J. West 2 , L. Miller 2 , D. Ainley , T. Crookes 2 , D. Mitchell
2-out RBI: T. Crookes
Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: , D. Mitchell 2 , S. Bartlett
GIDP: C. Thompson
Sac Fly: C. Harrington
Team LOB: 5
FIELDING
Errors: D. Ainley , S. Bartlett 2
PITCHING
M. Evans W (1-0) 7 IP, 6H, 2R, 1ER, 3BB, 2K, 117PI, 1.29 ERA
W. Craig SV (1) 2 IP, 1H, 1R, 0ER, 1BB, 3K, 31PI, 0 ERA
Nottingham Sheriffs
BATTING
Doubles: C. Gibson (1, 1st Inning off M. Evans, 1 on, 2 outs)
Total Bases: B. Capell , C. Eales , C. Gibson 2 , D. Leeming 2 , B. van Noort , J. Bayman
2-out RBI: C. Gibson
Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: B. Capell , C. Gibson , A. Wolstencroft 2
Sac Bunt: C. Eales , K. Hamilton
Sac Fly: A. Welsh
Team LOB: 9
BASERUNNING
CS: B. Capell 2 (2)
FIELDING
Errors: S. Taylor
Double Plays: 1 (Taylor-Hamilton-Eales)
OF assists: 1 (Wolstencroft(Ainley at home))
PITCHING
J. Bayman L (0-1) 9IP, 7H, 4R, 3ER, 3BB, 5K, 131PI, 3.00 ERA
Player of the Game: Mark Evans, P, SHF
Game 2 Another tight game, the Sheriffs tied the game up in the bottom of the 9th. In the top of the 10th E. Holdsworth came in to pinch hit, 0 on base, 2 outs, Holdsworth hit a solo home run to give the Steelmen the lead back, and they were able to hold on to win game 2.
Sheffield Steelmen defeat Nottingham Sheriffs, 5 to 4.
Sheffield Steelmen
BATTING
Doubles: S. Bartlett (1, 5th Inning off C. Jones, 0 on, 0 outs) , J. West (2, 9th Inning off J. Werner, 0 on, 1 out)
Triples: D. Mitchell (1, 8th Inning off C. Jones, 1 on, 0 outs)
Home Runs: E. Holdsworth (1, 10th Inning off B. Drewe, 0 on, 2 outs)
Total Bases: J. West 2 , R. Green 2 , L. Miller , D. Ainley , D. Mitchell 3 , C. Harrington 2 , S. Bartlett 2 , E. Holdsworth 4
2-out RBI: L. Miller , C. Harrington , E. Holdsworth
Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: R. Green , D. Mitchell , C. Harrington , S. Bartlett
GIDP: E. Holdsworth
Sac Bunt: O. George
Team LOB: 9
BASERUNNING
CS: C. Thompson (1)
PITCHING
O. George 8IP, 7H, 3R, 3ER, 4BB, 3K, 1HR, 112PI, 3.38 ERA
W. Craig W (1-0) Blow Save (1) 2IP, 2H 1R, 1ER, 0BB, 0K, 24PI, 2.25ERA
Nottingham Sheriffs
BATTING
Doubles: B. Capell (1, 9th Inning off W. Craig, 0 on, 1 out)
Home Runs: C. Gibson (1, 3rd Inning off O. George, 0 on, 0 outs)
Total Bases: B. Capell 2 , S. Taylor , C. Gibson 6 , C. Eales , A. Wolstencroft , D. Leeming , K. Hamilton
2-out RBI: C. Gibson , C. Eales , K. Hamilton
Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: C. Eales , B. van Noort 3
Sac Bunt: D. Leeming
Team LOB: 9
FIELDING
Errors: B. Capell
Double Plays: 1 (Jones-Taylor-Eales)
PITCHING
C. Jones 8.1IP, 6H, 3R, 2ER, 6BB, 3K, 128PI, 2.16 ERA
J. Warner 0.2IP, 3H, 1R, 1ER, 0BB, 1K, 21PI, 13.50 ERA
B. Drewe L (0-1) 1IP, 1H, 1R, 1ER, 0BB, 0K, 1HR, 12PI, 9.00 ERA
Player of the Game: Oscar George, P, SHF
Game 3: The series now went to Sheffield, where player and fan walked with a confident spring in their step. The Steelmen bat around the entire order in the bottom of the first, lead-off man Jacob West stepped up again for his second AB with 2 outs and the bases loaded. The left fielder hit a grand slam, the 7,000 strong crowd erupted into pandemonium, a spirited effort from the Sheriffs would do nothing to calm the crowd as the Steelmen went 3-0 in the series.
Sheffield Steelmen defeat Nottingham Sheriffs, 9 to 6.
Nottingham Sheriffs
BATTING
Triples: B. Capell (1, 5th Inning off W. Nicholls, 0 on, 0 outs)
Total Bases: B. Capell 3 , C. Eales 3 , S. Taylor 2 , C. Gibson 2 , A. Wolstencroft 2 , D. Leeming , B. van Noort
2-out RBI: C. Eales , C. Gibson
Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: C. Eales , D. Leeming , B. van Noort , S. Johnson
GIDP: B. van Noort
Sac Bunt: S. Johnson
Sac Fly: A. Wolstencroft , D. Leeming
Hit by Pitch: T. Walker
Team LOB: 11
BASERUNNING
CS: B. Capell (3)
FIELDING
Errors: S. Taylor , S. Johnson
Double Plays: 1 (Taylor-Hamilton-Eales)
PITCHING
A. Williams L (0-1) 0.2 IP, 5H, 8R, 3ER, 2BB, 0K, 1HR, 33PI, 40.50 ERA
S. Johnson 5 IP, 2H, 1R, 1ER, 2BB, 3K, 82 PI, 1.69 ERA
B. Drewe 2 IP, 0H, 0R, 0ER, 0BB, 2K, 15PI, 3.00 ERA
Sheffield Steelmen
BATTING
Doubles: J. West (3, 3rd Inning off S. Johnson, 1 on, 2 outs)
Home Runs: J. West (1, 1st Inning off A. Williams, 3 on, 2 outs)
Total Bases: J. West 7 , L. Miller , T. Crookes , C. Harrington 2
2-out RBI: , J. West 2
Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: C. Thompson , L. Miller 2
GIDP: D. Ainley
Sac Bunt: W. Nicholls
Team LOB: 3
BASERUNNING
SB: J. West (1)
FIELDING
Errors: T. Crookes 2 , D. Mitchell
Double Plays: 1 (Bartlett-Ainley-Crookes)
PITCHING
W. Nicholls W (1-0) 5.1 IP, 8H, 4R, 4ER, 3BB, 0K, 118PI, 6.75 ERA
G. Bainbridge SV (1) 3.2 IP, 4H, 2R, 2ER, 1BB, 4K, 68PI, 4.91 ERA
Player of the Game: Jacob West, LF, SHF, 3AB, 2R, 3H, 5RBI, 1BB
Game 4 the Steelmen were now 1 win away from winning the first Championship Series, but the Sheriffs came out swinging, determined not to be remembered forever as the first team no not only lose a championship series, but to be swept in the process. A defensive collapse came close to allow Sheffield back into it, but Bayman held firm and showed why he is in the running for Pitcher of the Year.
Nottingham Sheriffs defeat Sheffield Steelmen, 7 to 3.
Nottingham Sheriffs
BATTING
Doubles: T. Walker (1, 8th Inning off C. Graham, 2 on, 1 out) , L. Rogers (1, 8th Inning off C. Graham, 0 on, 1 out)
Total Bases: B. Capell , T. Walker 2 , S. Taylor , C. Gibson 3 , A. Wolstencroft , D. Leeming , J. Bayman , L. Rogers 2
2-out RBI: B. Capell , C. Eales , J. Bayman
Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: S. Taylor , H. Caldwell , A. Wolstencroft , D. Leeming , K. Hamilton , B. van Noort
Sac Bunt: D. Leeming
Sac Fly: S. Taylor , A. Wolstencroft
Hit by Pitch: C. Eales
Team LOB: 12
BASERUNNING
SB: B. Capell 2 (2)
FIELDING
Errors: T. Walker , K. Hamilton 2
Double Plays: 2 (Taylor-Hamilton-Eales, Caldwell-Hamilton-Walker)
PITCHING
J. Bayman W (1-1) 7IP, 5H, 3R, 0ER, 0BB, 2K, 86PI, 1.69 ERA
J Werner SV (1) 2IP, 3H, 0R, 0ER, 0BB, 0K, 19PI, 3.38 ERA
Sheffield Steelmen
BATTING
Doubles: E. Holdsworth (1, 8th Inning off J. Werner, 1 on, 2 outs)
Triples: J. West (1, 6th Inning off J. Bayman, 2 on, 0 outs)
Total Bases: J. West 3 , L. Miller , D. Ainley , T. Crookes 2 , E. Holdsworth 2 , D. Mitchell , C. Harrington
2-out RBI: D. Ainley
Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: , D. Mitchell 2
GIDP: C. Harrington , S. Bartlett
Team LOB: 6
FIELDING
Errors: L. Miller , D. Ainley , S. Bartlett
OF assists: 1 (Mitchell(Howie at 3rd base))
PITCHING
M. Evans 6IP, 4H, 3R, 3ER, 4BB, 3K, 116PI, 2.77 ERA
W. Craig L (1-1) 3H, 1R, 1ER, 0BB, 1K, 19PI, 3.60 ERA
C. Graham 2IP, 3H, 3R, 2ER, 2BB, 1K, 31PI, 9 ERA
Player of the Game: James Bayman, P, NOT
Game 5 Another extra innings game, another extra innings hero is born and the stakes could not get higher. A bottom of the 8th comeback saw Sheffield keep their hopes of ending the series that night stay alive. It was a Daniel Leeming, 2 out, solo home run that was enough for the Sheriffs to win their second game and take the series to 3-2.
Nottingham Sheriffs defeat Sheffield Steelmen, 3 to 2.
Nottingham Sheriffs
BATTING
Doubles: B. Capell (2, 1st Inning off O. George, 0 on, 0 outs) , A. Wolstencroft (1, 9th Inning off O. George, 0 on, 0 outs)
Home Runs: K. Hamilton (1, 2nd Inning off O. George, 0 on, 2 outs) , D. Leeming (1, 11th Inning off G. Bainbridge, 0 on, 2 outs)
Total Bases: B. Capell 3 , C. Eales , A. Wolstencroft 2 , D. Leeming 4 , K. Hamilton 4 , B. Howie
2-out RBI: D. Leeming , K. Hamilton
Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: B. van Noort , B. Howie 2
Sac Fly: C. Eales
Hit by Pitch: S. Taylor
Team LOB: 7
BASERUNNING
SB: B. Capell (3)
CS: B. Capell (4)
FIELDING
Errors: S. Taylor , C. Eales
Double Plays: 2 (Leeming-Hamilton-Eales, Hamilton-Howie-Eales)
OF assists: 1 (Wolstencroft(Miller at home))
PITCHING
C. Jones 8.1IP, 10H, 2R, 2ER, 3BB, 1K, 127PI, 2.16 ERA
J. Werner 0.2IP, 0H, 0R, 0ER, 0BB, 1K, 10PI, 2.70 ERA
B. Drewe W (1-1) 2IP, 2H, 0R, 0ER, 0BB, 0K, 23PI, 1.80 ERA
Sheffield Steelmen
BATTING
Doubles: L. Miller (1, 1st Inning off C. Jones, 0 on, 2 outs) , D. Ainley (1, 8th Inning off C. Jones, 1 on, 0 outs) , C. Harrington (1, 8th Inning off C. Jones, 0 on, 2 outs)
Triples: D. Mitchell (2, 8th Inning off C. Jones, 1 on, 1 out)
Total Bases: J. West , R. Green , L. Miller 4 , D. Ainley 3 , D. Mitchell 3 , C. Thompson , E. Holdsworth , C. Harrington 2 , E. Hunt
Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: L. Miller , D. Ainley , D. Mitchell 2 , S. Bartlett , O. George
GIDP: S. Bartlett 2
Sac Fly: J. Williamson
Team LOB: 12
FIELDING
Errors: L. Miller
PITCHING
O. George 8.2 IP, 6H, 2R, 2ER, 2BB, 0K 1HR, 117PI, 2.70 ERA
W. Craig 0.1 IP, 0H, 0R, 0ER, 0BB, 1K, PI3, 3.38 ERA
G. Bainbridge L 2.0 IP 1H, 1R, 1ER, 0BB, 2K, 1HR, 36PI, 4.76 ERA
Player of the Game: Oscar George, P, SHF
Game 6 with what felt like the shifting moment the series returned to Nottingham. It was an explosive game for the batters, Nottingham took the lead with 2 in the bottom of the 1st and kept it the entire game. Adding another 2 in the 3rd, and facing a possible Sheffield comeback Nottingham put up another 5 runs in the 4th. It was starting to look like anything you threw at Nottingham's third baseman Colm Gibson he would hit, he was now batting .524 for the series.
Nottingham Sheriffs defeat Sheffield Steelmen, 9 to 7.
Sheffield Steelmen
BATTING
Total Bases: D. Ainley , T. Crookes 2 , D. Mitchell , C. Harrington 2 , S. Bartlett , E. Hunt
2-out RBI: J. West , A. Gordon , C. Harrington , E. Hunt
Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: J. Williamson , L. Miller
Team LOB: 9
FIELDING
Errors: L. Miller , S. Bartlett
Double Plays: 4 (Mitchell-Harrington, Bartlett-Ainley-Crookes, Bartlett-Ainley-Crookes, Hunt-Crookes)
OF assists: 1 (Mitchell(Gibson at home))
PITCHING
W. Nicholls L (1-1) 3.1IP, 9H, 9R, 8ER, 6BB, 0K, 1HR, 12.46 ERA
G. Bainbridge 3.2IP, 3H, 0R, 0ER, 3BB, 0K, 0HR, 2.89 ERA
W.Craig 1IP, 1H, 0R, 0ER, 0BB, 0K, 2.84 ERA
Nottingham Sheriffs
BATTING
Doubles: C. Gibson (2, 1st Inning off W. Nicholls, 2 on, 1 out)
Home Runs: S. Taylor (1, 3rd Inning off W. Nicholls, 0 on, 0 outs)
Total Bases: B. Capell 3 , S. Taylor 5 , C. Gibson 3 , A. Wolstencroft , J. Werner , B. Drewe , D. Leeming , K. Hamilton , J. Mann
2-out RBI: K. Hamilton , J. Mann
Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: B. Capell , D. Leeming , B. van Noort
GIDP: C. Eales , D. Leeming
Sac Bunt: A. Williams
Team LOB: 10
BASERUNNING
SB: B. Capell (4)
CS: B. Capell (5)
FIELDING
Errors: C. Eales , S. Taylor , K. Hamilton
PITCHING
A. Williams 3.2IP, 5H, 4R, 2ER, 2BB, 3K, 10.38 ERA
J. Werner 4IP, 2H, 3R, 0ER, 3BB, 2K, 1.23 ERA
B. Drewe SV 1.1IP, 1H, 0R, 0ER, 0BB, 0K, 1.42 ERA
Player of the Game: Colm Gibson, 3B, NOT, 3AB, 2R, 2H, 4RBI, 2BB
Game 7 in a series that was at one stage Sheffield's to lose it had come down to a do or die game 7. The Steelmen's pitching crumbled in the face of Colm Gibson and his band of merry men, in 41 batters faced they could muster on 1 strikeout, as the Sheriffs quickly notched up the runs. Tied going into the bottom of the 4th Nottingham would score 3 to take the lead, another 2 in the 5th to cement the lead, then a further 5 in the 7th, and just to assure the win, 1 for good measure in the bottom of the 8th was scored. In the inaugural British Baseball Championship Series fans had witnessed a series comeback for the ages.
Nottingham Sheriffs defeat Sheffield Steelmen, 12-5.
Sheffield Steelmen
BATTING
Doubles: J. West (4, 1st Inning off J. Bayman, 0 on, 0 outs) , C. Harrington (2, 5th Inning off J. Bayman, 0 on, 0 outs) , E. Holdsworth (2, 9th Inning off J. Crowley, 3 on, 2 outs)
Total Bases: J. West 3 , R. Green , E. Hunt , D. Ainley , D. Mitchell , E. Holdsworth 2 , C. Thompson , C. Harrington 2 , S. Bartlett , I. Harlot , J. Williamson
2-out RBI: D. Ainley , E. Holdsworth
Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: , L. Miller 2 , C. Thompson
Sac Bunt: M. Evans
Team LOB: 10
FIELDING
Errors: R. Green , D. Ainley
Double Plays: 1 (Bartlett-Ainley-Thompson)
PB: C. Harrington
PITCHING
M. Evans L (1-1) 4.1 IP, 6H, 6R, 5ER, 4BB, 1K, 4.87 ERA
B. Cameron 1.2 IP, 0H, 0R, 0ER, 0BB, 0K 0.00 ERA
G. Bainbridge 0.0 IP, 2H, 5R, 5ER, 3BB, 0K, 7.71 ERA
O. George 2IP, 3H, 1R, 1ER, 0BB, 0K, 2.89 ERA
Nottingham Sheriffs
BATTING
Doubles: S. Taylor (1, 5th Inning off M. Evans, 1 on, 1 out) , C. Gibson 2 (4, 7th Inning off G. Bainbridge, 3 on, 0 outs; 8th Inning off O. George, 1 on, 2 outs)
Total Bases: B. Capell 2 , C. Eales 2 , S. Taylor 2 , C. Gibson 5 , A. Wolstencroft 2 , K. Hamilton
2-out RBI: C. Gibson
Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: A. Wolstencroft , J. Bayman
GIDP: D. Leeming
Sac Fly: S. Taylor
Team LOB: 5
BASERUNNING
SB: B. Capell (5)
CS: B. Capell (6)
PITCHING
J.Bayman 8.1IP 11H, 5R, 5ER, 3BB, 5K, 2.96 ERA
J. Crowley 0.2IP 1H, 0R, 0ER, 0BB, 1K, 0.00 ERA
Player of the Game: Colm Gibson, 3B, NOT, 5AB, 2R, 3H, 6RBI
Nottingham Sheriffs Win British Baseball Championship Series
Player of the Series: Colm Gibson, 26AB, 14H, 1HR, 15RBI, AVG .538