2004 in review

In 2004 we started the season with lots of enthusiasm but very little experience. That showed on the pitch were we lost 5 of our first 6 league games largely due to a very porous defence. As people began to learn how to play we turned things round. 6 wins from our last 8 games gave us a .500 record and we beat every other team in the second division at least once.

If it hadn't been for the unprecedented run of injuries that blighted our season we'd have done even better. Kim, Charlie, Michelle and Fred all lost playing time at one time or another and Gill deserved a medal for soldiering on after taking a ball in the face. I've played for 10 years and never known anything like it ! On the plus side the injuries did create opportunities for even more players to get some experience and we would reap the benefits of that in the next season.

League fixtures, 2004

Apr 28 Bats - Lions (4) L. 15-14 (5, Light)
May 5 Lions - Gamblers (2) W. 13-6 (6&1/2)
May 12 Piranhas - Lions (9) L. 11-10
May 19 Lions - Speeders (1) L. 3-25 (4 Mercy, mercy)
May 26 Cubs - Lions (5) L. 11-10
June 2 Rest
June 9 Lions - mutants (3) L. 9-29 (4 mercy)
June 16 Lions-Gamblers (4) W. 17-13 (6&1/2)
June 23 Piranhas-Lions (2) W. 8-5
June 30 Lions-Bats (4) W. 21-18 (6&1/2)
July 7 Rest
July 14 Cubs-Lions (3) L. 9-16 (6&1/2)
July 21 Friendly v's Bats
July 28 Gamblers-Lions (1) W.20-18
August 4 Lions-Piranhas (5) W.7-0 (forfeit)
August 11 Bats-Lions (7) L.15-10
August 18 Rest
August 25 Lions-Cubs (1) W.14-8 (6&1/2)

First named team is the home team.

Male awards

Batting title: Ramon
Cy Young: Brian
MVP: Brian
Rookie of the year: Ben

Female awards

Batting title: Michelle
MVP: Michelle
Rookie of the year: Gill

As well as the league season we ran our own pre-season invitational tournament, won the plate at Leeds and had a successful run at the Manchester tournament.

League batting Stats, 2004

Name	Average	Home Runs
Ramon	0.801	6
Felix	0.757	3
Fred	0.75	2
Brian	0.738	4
Dave	0.736
Michelle	0.697
Ben	0.643	1
Derek	0.571	1
Clare	0.556
Gill	0.541
Hilary	0.533
Charlie	0.5
Thida	0.471
Kelly	0.409

NB: Minimum of 10 at bats required to be included.

Hits (not including 28/07, includes walks)

Name	Hits
Brian	31
Dave	28
Felix	28
Ben	27
Michelle	23
Gill	20
Ramon	17
Hilary	16
Thida	16
Clare	15
Fred	12
Charlie	10
Kelly	09
Derek	08
Caroline	03
Deborah	02
Jon	01

Games played / Plate appearances (including 28/07)

Name	Games	Plate appearances
Brian	13	47
Dave	13	39
Ben	12	45
Felix	12	42
Gill	12	42
Thida	11	38
Hilary	11	34
Michelle	10	33
Clare	07	27
Ramon	07	25
Charlie	07	20
Kelly	06	22
Derek	06	14
Fred	05	21
Caroline	02	08
Ian	01	04
Jon	01	03
Deborah	01	03

Apr 28	Bats - Lions (4)	L. 15-14 (5, Light)
May 5	Lions - Gamblers (2)	W. 13-6 (6&1/2)
May 12	Piranhas - Lions (9)	L. 11-10
May 19	Lions - Speeders (1)	L. 3-25 (4 Mercy, mercy)
May 26	Cubs - Lions (5)	L. 11-10
June 2	Rest
June 9	Lions - mutants (3)	L. 9-29 (4 mercy)
June 16	Lions-Gamblers (4)	W. 17-13 (6&1/2)
June 23	Piranhas-Lions (2)	W. 8-5
June 30	Lions-Bats (4)	W. 21-18 (6&1/2)
July 7	Rest
July 14	Cubs-Lions (3)	L. 9-16 (6&1/2)
July 21	Friendly v's Bats
July 28	Gamblers-Lions (1)	W.20-18
August 4	Lions-Piranhas (5)	W.7-0 (forfeit)
August 11	Bats-Lions (7)	L.15-10
August 18	Rest
August 25	Lions-Cubs (1)	W.14-8 (6&1/2)