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Mariners with Cork Druids, Cavan Comets, and Garristown Gruffalos at Mariners Field, June 19 Welcome to the home of the Greystones Mariners Baseball Club. Founded in 1991, the Mariners are the oldest and largest baseball club in Ireland. The club is based in Greystones, Co. Wicklow, and can be contacted at mariners@greystonesbaseball.org

Greystones Mariners player and Little League coach Steve Coronella has collected his thoughts about baseball in Ireland (and more!) in a new book. This Thought's On Me - subtitled "A Boston Guy Reflects on Leaving the Hub, Becoming a Dub & Other Topics" - is developing a growing readership. The essays and humorous pieces included in the book have appeared previously in the Boston Globe, Christian Science Monitor and Cape Cod Times, as well as in the Irish Times on this side of the water.



If you're interested in getting a copy, please contact Steve at sbcoro@eircom.net. Anyone with relations in the US who might enjoy the book can order it through the following link:
http://www.iuniverse.com/Bookstore/BookSearchResults.aspx?Search=9781440169007

The Annual North-South Derby game will be held on Saturday, 17th October at 11am at Mariners Field. The most hotly contested game of the year pits Greystones northsiders v southsiders in an epic quest for the Murray Cup prize.

Old timers and rookies alike play in this battle for the best of Greystones. All members are encouraged to come out and watch -- including a Home Run Derby competition scheduled before the game.

Whilst the respective captains' rosters have yet to be revealed, starting pitchers could very well be Dennis Donnelly for the defending champion south side and Jack Fairbairn for the north. See you on Saturday!

Corkagh Park, Clondalkin was the venue this week for round 2 of the 2009 season playoffs. The black clouds blown over the field by a strong westerly wind, threatened rain. And while some rain did arrive for a short period of time, it was only enough to spoil the scorekeeper's paperwork, and not the great game that ensued between two committed teams.
The Donnelly battery started again for the Mariners as they took on the Hurricanes in a goodbye game for the loser. And it was the Hurricanes who scored first, putting 2 quick runs on the board in the bottom half of the 1st inning.
The Mariners responded instantly, getting 1 run back as Jason Goldrick scored on Ross Graham's single in the top of the 2nd.
Keeping the Hurricanes from scoring is always tough, but the Mariners achieved this over the next few innings, due in part to some fine defense, particularly from shortstop Chuck Adams and catcher Gareth Donnelly, and some resolute pitching from Dennis Donnelly who pitched his way out of a bases-loaded jam in the 3rd.
In fact, it was the Mariners who scored next, in the 5th, and perhaps could have scored more with a bit of luck. Rob McGarry got the inning off to a great start by getting on base with a walk. Gareth then bunted his way on, and a Hurricane throwing error allowed Rob move to 3rd. Steve Stone was up next, with a sacrifice-fly enough to tie the game. While the wind my have stunted some of the power hitters, it also wrecked havoc with the fielding and so it was with Steve's RBI bloop fly-ball, that landed between 2nd base and the right-fielder. Rob scored, as did Gareth on Chuck's base hit, and the Mariners now had a 3-2 lead. Dennis got on base with an infield hit to load the bases and there were still no outs. But this healthy scenario ended up as a real opportunity lost as 2 fly-outs and a runner thrown out at home ended the Mariners offensive 5th.
Despite the Hurricanes getting 2 runners on in their half of the 5th, Dennis finished with a strike-out to preserve the lead. In fact, the Mariners added to it in the 6th when Leo Farrell scored on an error following another bunt single from Gareth, his 3rd of the day.
Now it was a matter of the team holding it's nerve. The Hurricanes deserve their reputation as a difficult team to beat and so the ball was given to Jack Fairbairn to shut them down in the 6th inning. And this he would have achieved, until an error allowed the inning continue. A couple of batters later, and the Hurricanes scored 2 unearned runs to tie the game on another fly ball that proved to difficult to catch in the wind.
And that was effectively the end of the game for the Mariners. Although the score was tied going into the 7th inning, the Mariners failed to score and despite the best efforts of new pitcher Jim Gorman, he could not prevent the Hurricanes getting the 1 run they needed to end the Mariner's season.
As disappointed as the team was at coming so close to causing an upset, and that it will be of little compensation that this was a great game to watch, there is much to cheer for with this Mariner team. The line-up is now strong 1 to 9, the defense is more than solid, and the young pitchers are starting to keep the team in every game it plays. There are plenty of available players to push the starting 9 and it was great to see the whole squad out supporting for both playoff games.
Of course there is room for improvement, there always will be, but this team is definitely moving in the right direction.

The future looks bright!

Final Score:
Greystones Mariners 4 Hurricanes 5

On Tuesday next, the 6th of October, the youth section of the club will hold it's AGM. It will take place at THE HAPPY PEAR (upper room) from 7.30-9.30pm. All are welcome to attend & we will be planning out the 2010 Season and signing up new club officers - WE NEED NEW VOLUNTEERS WITH IDEAS & ENERGY PLEASE!!

A big thanks to the Happy Pear for providing the venue on short notice and without charge!

This was the kind of game that could give ulcers to the players and supporters of both teams, but makes watching baseball so much fun. It was nine innings of swings and roundabouts in Shankill, with each at-bat in the last three innings being a potential game winner.
From a Mariner viewpoint it started calmly enough. 3 runs were on the board after their half of the opening inning, followed by another run in the 2nd, before leaving the bases loaded in the 3rd. The hits and walks came up and down the order and a really good offensive day looked imminent. All of this was backed up by strikes from pitcher Dennis Donnelly and some stellar fielding by the defense behind him.
But then the wheels came off, temporarily. A throwing error lead off the bottom of the 3rd inning, allowing a Black Sox runner aboard 2nd base. There then followed a series of walks, and those, combined with a sac fly, allowed the Black Sox claw back three runs. Donnelly did manage to pitch out of the inning, and amazingly, hadn't allowed a hit in the game yet.
Clinging to their lead, the Mariners added another run in the 4th inning and now led 5-3. But then both teams changed their pitcher, with Cian O'Riordan taking the mound for Greystones, and a whole new ball game ensued. Despite neither line-up adding to the score through the 5th and 6th innings, the Black Sox were posing more of a threat. The Mariners tried for that insurance run they felt might be necessary but none was forthcoming. This was only to set up a tense and exciting 7th inning.
The Mariner offensive half of the 7th inning followed the pattern of the previous 2 innings as they went scoreless, and they were now down to needing just 3 outs to defend their 2 run lead. But the resilient Black Sox got the reward that failed them in innings 5 and 6. They started to see the pitched ball like a beach ball and hit several shots deep into the Mariner outfield. The 2 runs the Black Sox needed to tie the game scored. But only two runs; the Mariners were still in this game as it entered extra innings.
The 8th was scoreless, but the tension was rising. Each at-bat meant something now. A double or a triple might lead to the winning run, and with the Black Sox playing at home a run for them meant the end of the Mariner's season. But it was Greystones who scored, in the top of the 9th, twice, to return that 2 run lead they had going into the 7th. It was now a question of nerves and character and this team held both. Cian pitched his way through the heart of the Black Sox order to record a magnificent win.
While the relief was palpable, it was a deserved victory against a very game and tough to beat Black Sox team. Everyone who wore a Mariner shirt today, played their part, with the team showing some excellent offensive and defensive skills throughout the game.

WELL DONE MARINERS!!

Final Score:
Greystones Mariners 7 Black Sox 5

Next up for the Mariners in the playoffs are the Hurricanes. This game will be next Saturday, October 3rd, at O'Malley Field in Corkagh Park, Clondalkin. First pitch 11am.

The annual youth BBQ held at the baseball field in Charlesland today was a great success. The field looked impressive as the grass was cut nice and short. While we had little sun, there was no wind and the rain held off for most of the day. Subsequently, there was a very good turnout of players, parents and siblings. Three games were played to entertain all those who were there with enough food on offer to satisfy the largest of appetites.

The first game of the day was a three inning exhibition game played by our Under 10's who put on a fantastic show. Not only were all these young players hitting the ball well, but most of the outs were recorded on the field. A very close game ensued, won in the end by a single run.
The next two games had an even more competitive edge. The Cavan Comets came down for the day to play games against our Under 13's and Cadets (ahem) team. Both games were very close. Despite, going 5 runs down in the early innings, the Mariner Under 13's fought back to win in the end 9-5. The cadet game was even closer, with strong pitching from both sides. This one finished 3-2 in the Mariners favour after 5 innings. Thanks to the Cavan Comets for coming out and making it a very competitive day.

Events like this don't happen by chance. A BIG THANKS is due to all those parents who contributed to the day! Thanks to those who brought and bought food and drink for the masses, and to our chefs who cooked and served with a smile on their face! Thanks also to all who coached, umped and supported for the games! And of course a HUGE THANKS to the players for entertaining everyone and enjoying themselves!
Today was a fine example of our club coming together and putting on a very enjoyable family day. On this showing, the future looks very bright for Greystones baseball.

The club's annual youth BBQ will take place next Saturday, the 19th of September, on the field at the Charlesland Sports Centre. All players should wear their club hat and shirt, as well as tracksuit bottoms and soccer/baseball shoes.

Volunteers required to help with the food. Please contact Michael (087 618 8757).
We would especially welcome any homemade snacks/popcorn/desserts etc. that you would like to bring along to share. There will be a small charge for BBQ burgers, hot dogs and drinks.

Here is the schedule for the day.

11am-12noon Under 10's game.

12-2.30pm Under 13's game.

2.30-4.30pm Cadet/coaches/parents game.

5pm End.

Hopefully the sun will shine for us. Parents, family members and friends all welcome to attend. Looking forward to seeing you all there!



Other items for your attention:

Little League Under 13's final day, Sunday October 4th (Start time TBC) at Corkagh Park, Clondalkin.

Little League Under 13's - We need a copy of players birth certificates please. This is a new requirement from Baseball Ireland. Please give this to the coaches next training session.

The youth section of the club will be re-starting it's training sessions this week and next for the Autumn.
The U13's and the U10's will re-start this Friday the 28th at the usual time of 4.30 until 6pm at the baseball field in Charlesland Sports Centre.
T-Ball will recommence next Wednesday the 2nd of September at its usual time of 4.30 to 5.30pm in the same location.
All sessions will run through the end of September.
Even at this time of year, new players are welcome in all age categories. We look forward to seeing you all there.
Michael, Steve, Rick and Paul.

MLBI Envoy Coach Alper Bozkurt from the Turkish Baseball Academy returns to Greystones this weekend to provide advanced training to youth players.

Youth players and interested newscomers aged 7 to 13 can come down to Mariners Field on Friday, July 3 from 4.30 to 6pm, and/or Saturday, July 4 from 11am to 2pm. Contact Michael Quilty or Paul Murray for additional details.

The Mariners will play host to several teams visiting from across Ireland on Saturday, 20 June, with both youth and adult league games on three different diamonds.

Mariners Field at Charlesland will be divided into two youth diamonds for U13 league games (starting at 10.30 am) between the Mariners, Cavan Comets, Kerry Green Sox, Cork Druids, Clondalkin Cardinals and Portstewart Eagles.

Up above the Charlesland Sport and Recreation Park on the top soccer pitch, the Mariners adult team will take on the Dublin Hurricanes in an A-B double header, also starting at 10.30.

With sunshine in the forecast and 8 baseball teams converging on Greystones, there is no better time to soak up some good Irish baseball.