Project COBB: Great Britain national team history

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1967



EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP A-POOL in BELGIUM


Making their debut in the European Championship A-Pool, Great Britain won the silver medal. Managed by Ted James, who played in Liverpool before World War II, the team had their share of nerve-wracking moments.

In the tournament opener, they fell behind 4-0 to Spain in the first inning but scored 5 runs in both the second and fourth innings to win 10-4. Great Britain scored in the top of the first inning of their second game, against Belgium, but by the time they scored their second and last run of the contest, in the sixth, their opponents had already amassed an 8-run lead.

Later, the British side beat Sweden 3-2 in dramatic fashion. Down 2-1, JOHN BRINING hit a 2-run home run in the top of the ninth inning to earn the victory. Finally, the squad almost let a third win get away against West Germany. Great Britain jumped out to an early 6-0 lead but watched the West Germans claw their way back into the game. In the bottom of the ninth, West Germany scored twice to pull within 2 runs. Fortunately, the scoring ended there, ensuring Great Britain's second-place finish.

While the team batting average was a meagre 194, stand-out play came on the mound from ROBBIE BAIRD, who earned two victories with a pair of complete-game performances, and TERRY WARNER, who went the distance to earn the win against Sweden. Although the overall performance was an accomplished one, it must be noted that Great Britain did benefit from the absence of the perennial European powerhouses Italy and The Netherlands, who pulled out of the continent's baseball federation before the tournament. Both nations returned in time
for the 1969 tournament.

Results
SPAIN (W 10-4), BELGIUM (L 10-2), SWEDEN (W 3-2), WEST GERMANY (W 11-9)

Known roster members
Alan ALEY; Peter ASH; Johnny BARRASS; John BRINING; John CAMPBELL; Keith DODSWORTH; Alan FROST; Stan HOLLAND; David JAMES; Terry JARVIS; Philip LAING; Don MacDONALD; Goff PHILLIPS; Pete PRICE; Ray REYNOLDS; David SPENDLEY; Peter STAPLES; Terry WARNER


Great Britain line up at the game versus Belgium


MATCH VERSUS 'THE REST OF THE LEAGUE' in GREAT BRITAIN


Before their successful tournament in Belgium, Great Britain took on a team that w?as composed of 'players who, through various reasons, had not been able to be considered for selection to the Great Britain Side,' according to the game programme. (It is not clear what those reasons were.)

Played at the Alderman Kneeshaw Centre in Hull, the game saw the national team strike quickly, scoring three runs in the top of the first inning, but 'The Rest of the League' battled well putting up single runs in the second, third, and seventh innings. However, it was Great Britain who ultimately prevailed, breaking the tie decisively with a run in the eighth.

Results
THE REST OF THE LEAGUE' (W 4-3)

Known roster members
Robbie BAIRD; John BRINING; Keith DODSWORTH; Alan FROST; Terry JARVIS; Brian LAMB; John MAHONEY; Ray REYNOLDS; Terry WARNER; A WILLIAMS


The programme cover from the game in 1967 against 'The Rest of the League'