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Diamond Devils Scott Spurlock and Andre Battah contributed to a successful foray across the Irish Sea for the Northern Knights all-star team as they won the Dublin Tournament against the very best of Irish baseball. Andre would contribute on the mound whilst Scott would be in his usual spot behind home plate. The Knights would go undefeated finishing with a convincing 12-4 win over the Spartans in the final.
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Edinburgh Diamond Devils feature in new baseball book - 'Diamond Days'
April 11, 2004 --
The Diamond Devils feature in a newly released baseball book written by Jeff Klein, titled 'Diamond Days'. The book marks four years of work by the author in compiling stories and anecdotes from around the baseball world on everything that is wonderful about the sport. Click the above image for more information, including an excerpt.
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Top US Baseball Coach provides support for Devils
July 27, 2004 --
Joe McFarland, head coach of James Madison University, has provided the Edinburgh Diamond Devils with a major boost ahead of the 2004 season's stretch run by sponsoring the ballclub with several thousand pounds worth of new equipment including bats, helmets and catchers gear.
Coach McFarland is in charge of one of the biggest and best college baseball programmes in the United States. The JMU Dukes play in the Colonial Athletic Association, finishing with a 28-26 record in 2004. He has written numerous popular books and coached many future major league ballplayers, including Kevin Brown, now with the New York Yankees.
The Edinburgh Diamond Devils extend their sincere thanks to Coach McFarland and the JMU programme for their gracious support.
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Diamond Devils host US College team ahead of 2007 series
May 30, 2006 --
The Diamond Devils were honoured to host Head Baseball Coach Stan Exeter and senior playing members of the Arcadia University baseball team over the last weekend of May, forging a baseball partnership across the Atlantic ahead of a series of games at the same time next year between the teams.
The 6-man party saw the sights of the country, enjoyed some Scottish hospitality, provided advice on improving club operations, took the Devils through some training and kindly helped on the recent improvements to Bobby Thomson Field offering advice and suggestions and leaving a lasting legacy in the 'Arcadia Bullpen Mound' constructed adjacent to the home team dugout. The honoured Arcadia guests also watched the doubleheader with the A's.
Arcadia University are one of the top NCAA Division III baseball programs in the USA, regularly challenging for the title so the Devils are delighted and honoured to be working with Arcadia and are excited by the challenge of playing the Knights and hosting the entire team in 2007. Visit Arcadia's website by clicking the logo above.
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Coach Exeter appointed Head Coach at Swarthmore College
December 4, 2006 --
The Edinburgh Diamond Devils would like to extend their best wishes and good luck to Coach Stan Exeter in his new role as Head Baseball Coach at Swarthmore College. Coach Exeter assumes the role having previous been head coach and associate athletic director at Arcadia University. The Diamond Devils look forward to continuing to develop their strong links with Stan and his new ballclub. Go Garnet!
For more details, click the Swarthmore logo above...
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Devils G.M. joins US College team
March 6, 2007 --
Nick Clark, the Devils' player/manager, will join the coaching staff of Swarthmore College’s baseball team from the 10th of March for a week of matches in Florida, USA. This will mark the first time that a baseball coach from Scotland will have had exposure at one of the sport’s highest levels.
Swarthmore College is located in Pennsylvania and participates at the Division III level of college baseball in the USA in the Centennial Conference. It has 1500 students and is one of the most famous small colleges in the country and hopes to make a run at the college post-season this year.
The offer came about from the Diamond Devils links with Stan Exeter, Swarthmore’s head coach. Stan was formerly head coach at Arcadia University and brought a squad of his senior players over to Edinburgh for a series of clinics and practice matches last summer. When Stan moved to Swarthmore in the winter, he offered Nick the chance to join the team as one of his coaches on it’s gruelling week of matches in Orlando. The 'Garnet' will play 6 matches in 7 days.
Nick says, "The opportunity to actually play a part on a college baseball team is the fulfilment of a lifelong dream and represents and incredible chance to learn first-hand what it takes to manage a top class baseball programme. Being involved in 6 matches in 7 days will be pretty hectic but I'm looking forward to playing my part for Swarthmore.".
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Edinburgh GM on being with US college team
March 28, 2007 --
Earlier this month I travelled to Fort Pierce in Florida to join the coaching staff of Swarthmore College, a relatively small university (1500 students) that plays in the Centennial Conference at the Division 3 level of NCAA Baseball. Swarthmore is more famous for its academics rather than its athletics but has recently recruited Stan Exeter as its new baseball coach.
Stan had previously coached at Arcadia University and had built that college’s baseball programme in to one of the most successful in the US at this level. Arcadia visited Edinburgh last summer to play my club, the Edinburgh Diamond Devils, and it was then that I was extended a kind invite to join the team during it’s spring trip. Stan’s offer still stood when he moved to Swarthmore, much to my delight.
As a long-time admirer of college baseball due to the passion and all-out style of play, the opportunity to coach on a team at this level was a dream come true. The team would play six games in seven days – quite unlike anything we are used to over here so I knew it was going to be tough especially as Coach Exeter is building his programme from the ground up and focusing on developing his younger players.
Sadly the team failed to win a game during the week but the talent on display, particularly from the freshmen on the team, was scary. The most striking thing for me was the preparation everyone put in and the intensity and drive of the players who always went at it hard, irrespective of the score. Young players, fresh out of high school and making their college debuts, were going out and pitching three shutout innings without any fear or obvious signs of emotion. At this level the game is so much about psychology as it is about physiology and technique. Every single player I saw had some serious game! I think I am still taking things in even now I am home!
As you can imagine, I had a tremendous time and want to extend my thanks to Coach Stan, his assistant Matt Midkif and the rest of the Garnet squad for making me feel so welcome. I have little doubt they will build a highly successful team in a short period of time and wish them every success! I only hope more coaches from the UK get to enjoy and learn from such an experience as I did.
Nick Clark
Head Coach
Edinburgh Diamond Devils
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Spencer competes at week long GB camp
April 26, 2007 --
The club's starting shortstop, Spencer Mackay enjoyed a week-long tryout this Easter with the Great Britain team as he competes for a spot on the International team roster in the run up to the 2007 European Championships and 2008 Olympic Qualifier.
The lone representative from north of the border, Spencer was put through his paces by GB coaches Tom Gillespie and Stefan Rapaglia, with particular emphasis on drills and batting, amongst a squad of about 20 trialists from across the country.
Spencer said he thoroughly enjoyed the competition and experience and hopes to attend future GB events as he attempts to secure a spot for the summer tournaments.
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May 26, 2007 --
5 members of the Edinburgh Diamond Devils baseball club participated on the Northern Knights, an international tournament team comprised of players from the North of England and Scotland baseball teams, to play in the XXIV Eifel Cup baseball tournament. The GB National Team, featuring Devils' David Donaldson also played in this event.
Scott Spurlock, Spencer Mackay, Thomas Ziokowski, Billy Sneddon and Michael Jablonski joined up with players from the Menwith Hill Patriots and Manchester Eagles. Thoe photo above features Scott Spurlock (catching) and David Donaldson at bat.
Report from BBFBaseball.com...
The Northern Knights have arrived back from their recent trip to Germany where they played against some good competition and had to put up with terrible weather.
The Knights started off the tournament with a convincing 5-0 win over the host club the Zulpich Eagles. 17 year old Richard Klijn showed the composure of a veteran pitcher and threw strikes and was very dominant throughout the game.
Game two against our National side saw the Knights brought to their knees by good pitching and hitting. The National team hitters can cover the plate and put the ball in play making the other team make the plays or make errors. The same for the pitching as Coddy Cain did a good days work on the Hill. Final score GB 23-0.
Game three saw the Knights drop another game that could have been won 6-3 to Zoetemer. The Knights learned lessons from this game and that is what this trip was for.
Game four of the tournament saw the Knights in a real good game eventually falling 2-1 to Volmarstein. The players were upset and know this was a game they could have won.
Game five saw the Knights take on the mighty AMVJ Amsterdam who have won this tournament a few times. This game saw the Knights start off with the lead and some good pitching, only to see two mental base running mistakes take it's toll, along with too many Walks and Hit Batters which resulted in a 10-2 defeat.
Coaches Dave Criss and Ray Brownlie wish to thank the players who participated on what will be the first of many trips for the Northern Knights baseball team.
Coach Criss and Brownlie spent hours around the tents talking baseball with all players and they know that the players learned some valuable lessons on and off the field and it will only make these players better the next time they pick up a bat or take the field.
Congratulations to Scott, Spencer, Billy, Michal and Thomas for their efforts....
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Radical shake-up of European Club Tournaments includes 'European Baseball League'
August 17, 2007 --
The European efforts of the Edinburgh Diamond Devils in recent years have helped Great Britain secure a B level ranking in the Confederation of European Baseball's recent radical realignment of it's club competitions. The biggest changes relate to the number of places up for grabs, the number of tournaments and a new European Baseball League.
The CEB Cup event has been dropped leaving only a European Cup and Cup-Winners Cup event on an annual basis.
Also, the member countries have been ranked by their participation in events in the last 10 years and Great Britain have secured a B level spot, equating to 1 European place per season (a reduction from the previous 3). The C tier includes 12 countries from which only 2 clubs will be selected to participate. The top tier A nations get two places each.
The European Baseball League will become the continent's premier club event and feature four teams. These teams will be the participants in the European Cup and Cup Winner's Cup finals. This marquee event will be played over a weekend and provide a fitting climax to the club season and no doubt prove to be a popular draw for the host nation.
For more information on this exciting development click the CEB logo above...
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