Project COBB: Great Britain national team history

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1984



EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP B-POOL in GREAT BRITAIN


Great Britain had the honour of hosting the first recorded European Championship B-Pool (now referred to as the European Championship Qualifying Pool). The games, which took place between 16 and 18 August, were played at the Anlaby Road Cricket Circle in Hull. 'The spacious Cricket Circle enabled the games to be played under much better conditions than is usual in Great Britain,' according to a 1984 issue of 'Baseball Mercury'. 'The tropical weather throughout gave perfect conditions,' wrote 'The Daily Mail' of Hull. Still, there was some criticism about cricket wickets that remained on the field during games. It is unclear how that impacted the games and why the wickets were not removed, but 'The Daily Mail' of Hull said: 'It cannot be the groundsman at fault.'

Led by manager Ron Marshall, the Great Britain side finished behind San Marino in a three-way tie with the tournament's other two teams, West Germany and Finland (the tied squads all had 1-2 records). The British side got off to an excellent start with a 10-0 win against Finland that was called on the mercy rule after seven innings. DENNIS KING was named 'Man of the Match' in the opener. In the second game, against Germany, 'Britain perhaps made too many changes [?] and in the end were well beaten,' according to 'The Daily Mail' of Hull.

Results
FINLAND (W 10-0), WEST GERMANY (L 12-2), SAN MARINO (L 15-7)

Known roster members
Matthew ABBOTT; Martin ADAMSON; Alan BLOOMFIELD; Brian BRETHERTON; Julian DODWELL; Nicholas FIELD; Dan GODFREY; John HARRINGTON; Michael HARROLD; Dennis KING; Hugh KING; Barry MARSHALL; Frank PARKER Jr; Nigel PARKER; Wayne PARKER; Neil READ; Carl SOUTH; Ian VERNON; Vince WARNER; Ian WILLIAMS


The Great Britain side taking the field for a clash in the 1984 European Championship B-Pool event


SERIES VERSUS REGIONAL ALL-STAR TEAMS in GREAT BRITAIN


In preparation for the European Championship B-Pool, Great Britain played games against regional All-Star teams. On 10 June, Great Britain took on an All-Star team from the Midlands, named the 'Midland Mets', and won the contest 20-1. According to the July 1984 issue of 'Baseball Mercury', the team 'played baseball as it should be played,' with stand-outs including ALAN BLOOMFIELD at second base, shortstop NEIL READ, catcher CARL SOUTH, and BRIAN BRETHERTON.

Two weeks later, Great Britain won again, this time against the North West All-Stars in a game played at Burtonwood US Army base.

Results
MIDLAND METS (W 20-1), NORTH WEST ALL-STARS (W 11-0)

Known roster members
Alan BLOOMFIELD; Brian BRETHERTON; Neil READ; Carl SOUTH