The Russell Crowe Invitational

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April 30, 2002



The Aces move to 92-74 with their 6-0 win over the Giants.



Thunderbolt left fielder Domenic Vanrenen went 6 for 6 in this 13 innings epic but couldn't convert any of those hits into runs meaning Otago had to look elsewhere for runs in this 2-1 win over the River Bandits. Otago keep up with Auckland and go to 92-74.



Canterbury were looking like they were going to hold on but 2 runs in the 8th innings was enough for Bay of Plenty to sneak the win. Canterbury go to 93-73, barely holding off Auckland and Otago.





The Firebirds and Hawks remained on level pegging as they both lost their respective games to go to 80-86.

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May 1, 2002

April Award Winners

Kiwi Batter of the Month: Zachariah Atteridge (Taranaki, 3B) had a great month with the bat while the Taranaki Bulls fell short of qualifying for the playoffs. He batted .326 with 5 home runs, 20 RBIs, and 16 runs scored.
Kiwi Pitcher of the Month: Yen Ouwerkerk (Otago) gets recognised for the first time this season. The closer has been dominating the Saves stat this season. He's 12 saves clear of his next competition. During April, he threw 16.2 innings, collected 11 saves, got 22 strikeouts, and a 0.54 ERA.
Kiwi Rookie of the Month: Callum Macdonald (Wellington, SS) -- the 30 year old rookie picks up his second Rookie of the Month award. He hit 5 home runs, picked up 19 RBIs, and scored 22 runs. His 32 hits and 17 walks got him a .389 on-base percentage.

Kangaroo Batter of the Month: Jai Bansfield (Bendigo, RF), with the Gold Rush out of the playoff hunt, Bansfield has started to put in his best. During April he averaged .461, drove in 15 runs, scored 21 times, and compiled a .496 on-base percentage.
Kangaroo Pitcher of the Month: Seb Lapthorne (Melbourne), another player suddenly putting in his best work while at the bottom of the table. The Sting Closer, nicknamed "Mongoose", collected 5 saves and 18 strikeouts over 20.1 innings. He held the opposition to a .219 average and collected a 0.00 ERA.
Kangaroo Rookie of the Month: Tye Lapthorne (Tasmania, RF) -- that's his fifth Rookie of the Month folks. During April, he picked up a .333 average, with 32 hits, 6 home runs and 23 RBIs. His most memorable moment came early in the month when he hit a grand slam against Adelaide.







A repeat of yesterday's games sees Auckland, Canterbury, and Otago all go to 93-74 with one game to go.





The Hawks and Firebirds pick up one run wins to keep the mad race for the final playoff spot alive. They are both 81-86 and only one of them can go to the playoffs. 1 game to go.

Finally, Wellington's MVP candidate Senri van Oosten got himself suspended for 3 games -- his second suspension of the year.

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2 May, 2002

The final day of the regular season. Auckland, Otago, and Canterbury are fighting to see which playoff spot they'll get. Meanwhile, in Australia, Queensland and Illawarra are fighting to see if they'll make the playoffs at all. An exciting day of baseball!



The River Bandits go all in for their final game of the season as they take the Thunderbolts to 12 innings. Waikato Catcher Tye Gaynon was the player that proved the difference as the hit to get the River Bandits that game winning run. Otago lose, they'll need to see what else happens to see what that means for them.



The Steamrollers continue their dominance of the Red Knights with this win. Sweeping this individual series 3-0 and going 10-2 for the season. The Red Knights are not going to relish the chance of having to face the Steamrollers in the first round. They are looking good.



There was some nerves at Eden Park as the Giants started to pick up some runs late in the game but Auckland picked up the win! With their Southern rivals going down, the Auckland Aces jump into second spot.

Otago is judged to win the tiebreaker against Canterbury so the Thunderbolts will go to 3rd and Canterbury will be 4th.



The Hawks eek out a narrow 5-4 victory over the Zips. The Firebirds will go through on tiebreakers if they win so the Zips can only hope that the Newcastle Ducks can come through for them.



Well, this game was nuts. The Ducks went into the 8th innings with a 5-0 lead, they thought they had it. The Illawarra Hawks were already making playoff plans but the Firebirds weren't done yet, a combination of hits and walks saw the Firebirds accumulate some runs until the game is tied. We've got 2 outs on the board, bases loaded, and RF Randolph Fewings steps up to the plate for a 412ft grandslam home run.



The Ducks are quickly bundled out in the top of the 9th and the Firebirds will be in the playoffs!

So final standings for the 2001-02 season. The New Zealand teams win their interleague series 323-277.





And the playoff picture.



A representative from the league head office confirms that the owners will discuss tiebreaker games in the winter meetings

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2001-02 Regular season stat leaders.

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Bay of Plenty Steamrollers vs Canterbury Red Knights

BAY OF PLENTY STEAMROLLERS


CANTERBURY RED KNIGHTS


Bay of Plenty have been the team to beat all season. The pundits picked them as the best team in the country, they grabbed the top spot early in the season and never gave it up. Posting a 106-62 record, a full 12 games ahead of their nearest competition, they've been very impressive.

Canterbury on the other hand were only expected to to get a 81-87 record but proved themselves the biggest surprise of the season when they went 93-75 to establish them as a playoff worthy team.

It's going to be a tall order for Canterbury here. Bay of Plenty have a 10-2 record against them this season. Onto the first game!

GAME ONE


The crowd in Tauranga were left in shock in game 1 as the Canterbury Red Knights took the first game to lead the series 1-0. Bay of Plenty pitcher Randolph Vankrimpen was awarded player of the game despite the loss (not something he appreciated), but it's true that he conceded less hits and walks than his Canterbury counterparts.

It was Canterbury CF Zachariah Knapp's 2 run HR in the 7th that provided the difference.

A wake-up call for Bay of Plenty. How will they respond?

GAME TWO


A monster 5th innings from Bay of Plenty lets them tie the series up. Star player 3B Ciaran Mackay, who led the NZ conference in Home Runs, RBIs, and WAR hit a 3-run home run to the delight of the home fans.

Player of the game is awarded to Steamroller Pitcher Masamoto van der Meijden for a tight 7 innings pitched.

Series is tied as they head to Christchurch for the next three games.

GAME THREE


Canterbury Centre Fielder Zachariah Knapp is given the player of the game but it's Right Fielder Rhys Macleod that truly owns the home fan's hearts after he hits the walk-off hit that let Canterbury take the win and grab a surprising 2-1 lead in the series.

The Red Knights started off hot, grabbing a quick 5-0 lead after the first 2 innings but the Steamrollers showed their class and got themselves back in the match. A single by the Steamrollers at the top of the ninth let them tie it up by the 9th innings.

Canterbury took their chance to win the match though as Macleod's groundball enabled Zachariah Knapp to grab the winning run.

GAME FOUR


Canterbury are one game away from a huge upset! After a thrilling victory on Wednesday, the Red Knights go on a rampage in the second innings to grab 8 runs. The Steamrollers never looked like getting themselves back in the game.

Canterbury's Rhys Macleod gets the player of the game award after he goes 2-4 with a home run, a double, and a walk, while scoring 2 times, and driving in 3.

Canterbury can end it right here in front of their home fans in Christchurch in the next game.

GAME FIVE


Bay of Plenty Ace Randolph Vankrimpen takes up pitching duties again and throws a stunner, no earned runs over 7 innings, earning him the player of the game award. Vankrimpen contributed with the bat as well, going 2-3 and hitting in a run in the 7th innings that gave the Steamrollers the lead.

He's definitely not ready to give Canterbury this series.

The action moves back to Tauranga for the the final two games.

GAME SIX

Bay of Plenty force a game 7! Canterbury grabbed the early 3-0 lead thanks to the heroics of Left Fielder Calum Macdonald who got a home run in the first innings, and a double in the second to pick all 3 of Canterbury's RBIs.

Their fortunes turned around when Macdonald went off injured. Bay of Plenty got themselves back in the match and took the lead in the 6th thanks to a Midori van Leeuwen 2-run single.

Bay of Plenty Left Fielder Domenic Sheelah hits a home run in the 7th to cap their performance. Canterbury have no answer. Time for game 7.

GAME SEVEN

And that's it! Bay of Plenty turn around the 3-1 series deficit to take the series and move on to the New Zealand final.

They rampage from the opening innings with Domenic Sheelah getting the Cycle under his belt by the end of the sixth innings, enabling the Steamrollers to take a massive 9-1 lead. Two home runs let the Red Knights rally slightly but it's too little, too late. The Steamrollers win. Canterbury put in a brave performance this series, but they'll go home disappointed.

Series MVP is Domenic Sheelah. He hit .406 with a .424 on-base percentage. He got 3 home runs, drove in 9 RBIs and scored 10 runs. Plus picked up the Cycle on that last game there. The fourth player to do so in the Russell Crowe Invitational and the first time in the playoffs.

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Auckland Aces vs Otago Thunderbolts

AUCKLAND ACES


OTAGO THUNDERBOLTS


We're in for an exciting series here! Over the 12 games these teams played, they tied it up 6-6.

GAME ONE


Otago's Randolph D'antonio is the best pitcher in the game and he proved it in the first 7 innings without conceding any earned runs but Auckland took full opportunity once he was relived as they scored 5 runs in quick succession in the 8th innings to take the lead in the game 5-3.

Otago had no answer in the 9th and Auckland took the first game in the series.

GAME TWO


Otago strike back! After the disappointment of game one, the Thunderbolts get runs on the board early and two home runs in the fifth innings by Otago's Rex Wellby and Willem Limeburner takes the game beyond Auckland.

The series now moves to Dunedin all tied up.

GAME THREE


The initiative moves back to the Aces in Game Three as Kouyuu Heijnen, a injury replacement for the Aces proves his worth as he goes 3 for 4 with a triple and a double. He scored 2 runs and drove in 2 for Auckland. He's only started 21 games for Auckland this season but the 25 year old may have just gotten himself some more playing time with these heroics.

Auckland goes 2-1.

GAME FOUR


The Thunderbolts strike back with an offensive display for their home crowd to tie the series back up. Otago Right Fielder Rex Wellby was awarded player of the game for his two home runs in the 9-2 win.

All tied up before the last game in Dunedin.

GAME FIVE


After a bunch of home runs in Game Four. Game Five was a quiet affair as both teams struggle to convert hits into runs. A single by Auckland's CF Randolph Akhurst proves in the 7th proves to be the winning run as Auckland Pitcher Rex Uridge grabs the player of the game award, giving him a little victory over Randolph D'antonio.

Auckland are in the lead 3-2, and Otago must win the last two games in Auckland if they want to stay in the competition.

GAME SIX


Otago force the 7th game! Rex Wellby is the again the star of the game for Otago, the highlight a 3-run home run in the first innings to set the mood for the game.

It's all on for game 7. Who can take the win and move on to the next round?

GAME SEVEN


Times were tense in Dunedin as Otago fans watched the game on TV, after taking a 4-0 lead early, they had to watch as Auckland tried everything they could to get themselves back in the game. A home run by CF Randolph Akhurst in the 4th got them on the board and two hits by 1B Baden Hutchence gave Auckland a shot but Otago closer Yen Ouwerkerk, only allowed a single hit in the ninth for Otago to take the win.

Otago win the series 4-3 and move on to the New Zealand Championship against Bay of Plenty.

Rex Wellby is named the series MVP. He had 10 hits for a .400 average, 4 home runs, 9 RBIs, and scored 8 runs.

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Adelaide Zips vs Queensland Firebirds

ADELAIDE ZIPS


QUEENSLAND FIREBIRDS


We should expect lots of home runs in this series as Adelaide and Queensland are the top two home run hitting teams in Australia.

Adelaide have had their grips on the top spot in Australia since December but they've shown some weakness lately, going 13-14 in April & May. Queensland have a massive March that took them from 9th to 3rd in the Australian conference but since have gone 12-15. Just enough to get them that 4th spot.

Queensland had the edge over the season, going 8-4. We'll see if that helps get over the line.

GAME ONE


Queensland were looking good for the win until Adelaide 1B Vaughan Mclaren came up to the base at the bottom of the 8th. His team was down 6-5, bases were loaded, and he sent the first pitch into the stands for the grandslam.

The Firebirds tried to come back from that with a home run from Jai Dulihanty but too little, too late. Adelaide goes up 1-0.

GAME TWO


Adelaide SS Baden Delzoppo lets the playoff pressure get to him as he gets ejected from the game in the 6th inning after arguing a strike call with the umpire.



The Zips also make a number of fielding errors throughout the game as they show a number of cracks. Despite the messy game, Queensland still can't do enough to punish them for it and let Adelaide take a 2-0 lead in the series. Action now shifts to Brisbane for the next three games. Can Queensland fight back?

GAME THREE


They had to win this game and Queensland finally live up to their promise in their home stadium, the Gabba.

Firebird Right Fielder Jai Dulihanty takes out the player of the game award. He went 2-3 with a home run and 2 walks, adding 4 RBIs and scoring once.

Adelaide fought back in the third but Queensland were able to close the game out after that. The Firebirds close the gap to 2-1 and keep their hopes alive.

GAME FOUR


Vaughan Mclaren was the star of game one for the Adelaide Zips when he hit a grandslam, and while he was less dramatic here. He was the star again, he went 4-5 with a home run and 3 singles, added 3 RBIs and scored once. His efforts were enough for Adelaide to get a 3-1 lead in the series.

There's one game left in Brisbane, it's do or die time for the Firebirds.

GAME FIVE


That's it folks! No need for the series to go back to Adelaide as the Zips wrap it all up in five games.The Firebird pitchers restrict the Zips to 5 hits but when one of those hits is a 3-run home run then that doesn't really matter. The game was a tense affair, as Adelaide had to fight hard to keep their one run lead.

Vaughan Mclaren wins the player of the game for the third time this season. The 3-run home run was one of his. He also takes home the Series MVP. He averaged .545 with a .545 on-base percentage, he got 3 home runs, 10 RBIs, and scored 6 runs.

Adelaide Zips move on to the Australian Final. The Firebirds are left to plot out what they're going to do next year.

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Canberra Power vs Newcastle Ducks

CANBERRA POWER


NEWCASTLE DUCKS


The Ducks have had a great run lately, going 19-8 over April & May -- despite their rather extensive list of injuries. The Power have 12-15 in the same timeframe but should never be counted out.

Eyes should be on Canberra LF Domenic Redelius -- Australia's best hitter at the moment. His .337/.456/.609 statline over the season has certainly be a key part of Canberra's campaign this season. His WAR of 9.3 is nearly double that of anyone else in the team.

The Ducks have an edge over the season, going 7-5.

GAME ONE


The Power start the campaign strong with a 6-3 win over the Ducks. Newcastle put up some resistance early on but couldn't even record a hit after the fourth innings.

Player of the game was Canberra's 3B Zachariah Wanhalla., he went 2-3 with a home run and a walk, while scoring 2 runs and scored once.

GAME TWO


3B Zachariah Wanhalla again makes the highlight move in the bottom of the 8th with a 2-run home run that turns out to be the winning run in the game.

Player of the game honours goes to pitcher Zacharich Delzoppo. The series moves to Newcastle with the Canberra Power up 2-0.

GAME THREE


The Newcastle Ducks are in danger here as the Canberra Power go up 3-0 in the series. Domenic Redelius wins player of the game honours, going 2-2 with a home run, a double, and 2 walks. He scored 3 runs and drove in 2.

The key moment of the game came from Seb Tsou in the 8th with an early 2-run home run to take the lead. It wasn't an easy victory for the Power but hey make it look inevitable.

Newcastle have one last shot.

GAME FOUR


SWEEP. The Newcastle Ducks had no answer for the Power in this series as the they wrap things up early with a 3-1 win in Newcastle.

Seb Tsou takes home the Series MVP honours. He hit .444 with 2 home runs, he drove in 3 RBIs and scored 4 runs.

This sets up a showdown between Canberra and Adelaide for the Australian final!

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New Zealand Final: Bay of Plenty Steamrollers vs Otago Thunderbolts

On their way to a 106-62 season, the Bay of Plenty Steamrollers had a winning or tied record against every single team in the competition, that is, apart from the Otago Thunderbolts. Over their 12 encounters, the Thunderbolts notched up the win 8 times. What was it about the Southern lads that the presumptive champion couldn't handle? Would Otago's record against the Bay in the regular season translate to the playoffs?

GAME ONE


Well, Otago went into this as underdogs but they certainly weren't going to go down wondering what could have been. Otago lead-off batter Zachariah Macdonald established Otago's intentions early on when he hit the opening pitch for a single. Shortstop Willem Limeburner would eventually hit a double to get Macdonald home and put Otago 1-0 up.

Disaster struck early for Bay of Plenty when they lost their star pitcher to injury. By the end of the first innings, team management had confirmed that he'll be out for the rest of the series with shoulder problems. Not what they needed.

Once Bay of Plenty went up to bat, they were meet with the pitching efforts of Randolph D'antonio. He was on fire, only conceding one hit throughout his innings and by the time he was relieved after 8, Otago were up 4-0.

Bay of Plenty star Ciaran Mackay got a solo home run in the 9th but the day belonged to the Thunderbolts. Otago 1-0

GAME TWO


The Steamrollers struck back hard after Game 1 but it wasn't until the 8th innings that they put the game away with a grandslam home run from pinch hitter Jalasa Paramartha. A big moment for the 23 year old who has spent most of this season in the minors. We should expect some more moments like that from him.

Bay of Plenty tie the series and the action moves to Dunedin.

GAME THREE


Otago pitcher Kazuhito van der Looij was unstoppable in game three as the Steamrollers simply couldn't get any runs on the board. To make matters worse, Bay of Plenty lost another starting pitcher to injury.

The Thunderbolts were happy hitting singles and doubles in the early stages to take the win. Otago 2-1

GAME FOUR


It took a while for either team to rack up a run in this game -- finally, Bay of Plenty LF Baden Macleod broke the deadlock with a 2-run home run in the 6th. It was looking like that may just be enough but then Otago catcher Kian Macdonald happened by driving in 2 runs to tie the game up.

Bay of Plenty were quickly dispatched in the top of the 9th and Otago quickly got a batter onto third. Finally, RF Rex Wellby had the magic touch -- a walk-off ground ball to get Zachariah Macdonald home. The scarfies in the crowd at University Oval went crazy. Something special might just happen here. Otago 3-1


That final moment, a little funny looking though.

GAME FIVE


The Steamrollers found themselves ravaged by injury going into this match and sent out a starting pitcher with only 6 previous starts to his name. Meanwhile, Otago sent out the best pitcher in all of baseball: Randolph D'antonio. D'antonio went for 7 innings before being relieved, conceding only one hit.

The Steamrollers were putting up a brave performance but were leaking runs. Otago took the game 5-0 and won the series 4-1.

The Otago Thunderbolts are New Zealand champions!

For his dominant efforts in game one and five, Otago Pitcher was awarded Series MVP.

Only one more step remains for Otago: the Trans Tasman Classic between either the Adelaide Zips or the Canberra Power.

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Australia Final: Adelaide Zips vs Canberra Power

These two teams are fresh off some pretty dominant first rounds. Adelaide had the upper hand in the regular season 9-3 but Canberra are looking good.

GAME ONE


The first game in Adelaide was finally balanced until the 7th innings when the Canberra Power suddenly took over with 4 runs that'll ultimately turn out to be the winners.

Canberra RF Seb Tsou was named player of the game, he went 2-5 with a home run and a double. He scored 2 runs, and drove in 3. It was his home run that tied the game up and his double that got the Power in the lead.

The Power get an important away win.

GAME TWO


The Power blow away the Zips on their home ground again as the Zips never looked like getting back into the game. Canberra 3B picks up the player of the match award, he went 2-4 with a home run. He drove in 4 runs and scored once.

The Canberra Power now have a 2-0 lead and the series moves to Canberra for the next three games. Will we even need all three? Can Canberra sweep again?

GAME THREE


The Zips fight back and take it to the 13th innings but it's Canberra that takes the win.

The game-winning run was hit by relief pitcher Seb Vantassell, the single was enough to bring in the win. It was Vantassell's first RBI of the season. Good timing.



Canberra are now up 3-0. A second straight sweep by Canberra is looking likely.

GAME FOUR


Breakthrough! Adelaide finally crack Canberra and hand them their first defeat of the playoffs! Pitcher Rex Tautor is player of the game after throwing 6 innings of 5-hit ball.

The 5-2 win keeps the series alive but can Adelaide overcome a 3-1 deficit?

GAME FIVE


Adelaide tried but couldn't get another win over the Power. They put up an early lead but when Canberra 1B Randolph Dethridge put up a 2-run home run in the 5th innings you could feel the shift. The Power finally locking the game up in the 9th with a walk-off run-scoring single by Seb Tsou.

The Canberra Power win the Australian Championship!

Canberra's 3B Zachariah Wanhalla picked up his second Series MVP of this playoffs. He put up a .474 batting average, .524 on-base percentage, 1 home run, 5 RBIs and 2 runs scored.

Now for the main event, the Trans Tasman Classic.

From New Zealand: the Otago Thunderbolts.
From Australia: the Canberra Power.

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The Trans Tasman Classic 2001-02: Otago Thunderbolts vs Canberra Power

Well here we are. The very first Trans Tasman Classic. The Otago Thunderbolts from New Zealand, and the Canberra Power from Australia.

Who will emerge the victor? Which country will be able to claim credit for the existence of Russell Crowe for an entire year?

The series has its opening games in Dunedin.


GAME ONE


The Thunderbolts draw first blood!

The highlight is a 3-run home run from Otago RF Rex Wellby, a player that can often be counted on for a clutch hit when you need it. Otago were down 5-4 at that point at the bottom of the 7th but that 356ft hit proved to be the winning run.

Wellby was named player of the game. He went 3 for 4 with a home run, 2 singles. He scored 2 times and drove in 5.

Otago up 1-0

GAME TWO


The Thunderbolts managed twice as many hits as the Power but couldn't convert those opportunities into runs as well as the Power. A Zachariah Wanhalla solo home run in the 9th was the run that broke the deadlock in the end. Otago with no answer in the bottom of the 9th.

The series is tied as it heads to Canberra.


GAME THREE


The Canberra Power simply don't let up on Otago throughout to take the match. Aside from a solitary run in the 2nd innings, Otago simply cannot get on the scoreboard. Meanwhile not even the power of Randolph D'antonio can keep the Power from scoring runs. They take the lead in the series 2-1.

GAME FOUR


The Canberra Power take a 3-1 lead in the series with another dominating performance. The tone was set early as Domenic Redelius sent a 2-run home run into the stands in the 1st, and some good batting in the 2nd saw the Power score 4 runs to take a very early 6-0 lead. Otago fight back but the difference is too much.

The Canberra Power are now one win away from the Russell Crowe Invitational Championship.

GAME FIVE


Canberra nearly blew it here. Up 5-3 going into the 9th, reliever Seb Vantassell starting walk everyone -- allowing Otago to pick up 3 runs to take the lead 6-5.

But Canberra wasn't interested in having another game. After their first hitter was walked, pinch hitter Randolph Robilliard sent a 431ft walk-off home run into the crowd.



What a way to end it all! The Canberra Power are in the inaugural winners of the Russell Crowe Invitational, and they did it in style!

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2001-02 Award Winners

New Zealand Conference


Runner-ups: Senri van Oosten (Wellington), Kian Maclean (Taranaki)


Runner-ups: Randolph Vankrimpen (Bay of Plenty), Randolph Alport (Waikato)

Randolphs only please.


Runner-ups: Kazuhito van der Looij (Otago), Callum Macdonald (Wellington)

Reliever of the Year: Fdart Lambregts (Hawke's Bay)
Runner-ups: Yen Ouwerkerk (Otago), Baden Sambandan (Tasman)

Fan Favourite: Tye Jeffes (Taranaki)
Runner-ups: Ciaran Mackay (Bay of Plenty), Jai Fewings (Tasman)

Great Glove Award
P Willem Clemmet (Otago)
C Kian Macdonald (Otago)
1B Seb Caporn (Wellington)
2B Nariakira Scheepers (Wellington)
3B Zachariah Atteridge (Taranaki)
SS Po-sin Goei (Waikato)
LF Randolph Crossingham (Northland)
CF Adamu Ganilau (Bay of Plenty)
RF Tye Backhouse (Waikato)

Platinum Stick Award
P Seb Larnach (Tasman)
C Rangi Goolagong (Taranaki)
1B Baden Hutchence (Auckland)
2B Tye Jeffes (Taranaki)
3B Ciaran Mackay (Bay of Plenty)
SS Callum Macdonald (Wellington)
LF Senri van Oosten (Wellington)
CF Zachariah Knapp (Canterbury)
RF Rex Wellby (Otago)

Australia Conference


Runner-ups: Domenic Redelius (Canberra), Willem Robilliard (Bendigo)


Runner-ups: Domenic Heathershaw (Queensland), Baden Blackadder (Canberra)


Runner-ups: Zachariah Caporn (Newcastle), Tye Geaner (Queensland)

Reliever of the Year: Jai D'antonio (Canberra)
Runner-ups: Randolph Van buizen (Tasmania), Vaughan Mcquade (Geelong)

Fan Favourite: Domenic Redelius (Canberra)
Runner-ups: Vaughan Throsby (Geelong), Willem Robiliard (Bendigo)

Great Glove Award
P Domenic Heathershaw (Queensland)
C Seb Pratly (Illawarra)
1B Seb Butterell (Bendigo)
2B Rex Mcquade (Geelong)
3B Jai Taintey (Newcastle)
SS Jai Collingridge (Canberra)
LF Domenic Roneberg (Adelaide)
CF Baden Ziersch (Illawarra)
RF Randolph Gillorn (Newcastle)

Platinum Stick Award
P Rex Alldred (Melbourne)
C Zachariah Caporn (Newcastle)
1B Vaughan Mclaren (Adelaide)
2B Zachariah Roneberg (Adelaide)
3B Willem Robiliard (Bendigo)
SS Vaughan Throsby (Geelong)
LF Domenic Redelius (Canberra)
CF Rex Dulihanty (Adelaide)
RF Tye Lapthorne (Tasmania)

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Offseason 2002

The first season of the Russell Crowe Invitational was considered a wild success and fans were clambering for more. The 20 owners met in July to discuss possible changes but the changes were rather minor: The length of the DL increased to 14 days, the active roster size reduced to 24, and the introduction of tiebreaker games to sort out playoffs.

Russell Crowe wasn't supposed to attend but showed up anyway. He managed to get in a fight with the owner of the Melbourne Sting over the TV show Kath & Kim. Owners were relieved that he was about to head off to film Master & Commander on the other side of the world.

The success of the competition prompted some talented Australian and New Zealand players to return home and some players opted of their contracts to give free agency a try. Some big contracts were handed out. Auckland pitcher Rex Uridge jumping ship to Northland for $80m over 6 years was the biggest one. It was shaping up to be an exciting season!

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2002-03 Kiwi Conference Preview



A surge of new players into the Kiwi Conference hasn't changed the playoff picture too much as the media projects the same playoff teams as last season: Bay of Plenty, Otago, Auckland, and Canterbury with Taranaki and Waikato clipping their heels -- again, just like last season.

Bay of Plenty were having the dream season until Otago wrecked their plans in the New Zealand final. They've upgraded their hitting lineup and kept their excellent team of pitchers together so they can go down as favourites again.

THE MACKAY BROTHERS
Ciaran Mackay was the MVP last season, so why not double down on those genes and bring in his younger brother? Finlay Mackay has elected to return from overseas, and Bay of Plenty snapped him up to an 8 year contract. The media are expecting him to be even better than his brother. Talks of a home run battle between the two has fans excited.

THE NEW KING OF THE STRIKES
Auckland lost their star pitcher to Northland but they've gone and picked up a new recruit: Tye Boxsell, that the media is simply drooling about. Boxsell is set to dominate the strikes category by 50 over the season. Should be a great battle between him and Otago's Randolph D'antonio for the pitcher of the year award.

OTAGO BRING IN A TRUE SLUGGER
New Zealand champion Otago didn't get there with home runs. In fact, only the Tasman Sunbirds sent less into the crowds last season. The Thunderbolts were determined to improve their record there, and with the flood of new talent in the league they bought in 34 year old Domenic Brusnahan on a 5 year deal. Brusnahan is projected to send 58 home runs into the crowd and get a .707 slugging rate. That slugging stat is miles ahead of anyone else, only two other players are projected to get over .600 let alone .700!

WELLINGTON RUE SPRING TRAINING INJURY
The Lions made a number of changes to their 80-88 team but their planning was undone in spring training when their star closer got injured, diagnosed with a ruptured disc and out for the season. This has left them very exposed, their replacement closer picked up negative WAR in AAA ball last season so he's going to need to dig deep.

LOOK OUT FOR THIS GUY
Our early pick for rookie of the year is Auckland's Callum Macdonald. The Aces are looking to play him at Shortstop but he can fill in at 2B or 3B as well. Expect some good defense out of him and lots of solid line drives.

[mrbucket]

2002-03 Kangaroo Conference Preview



The Geelong Green Sox are making a big play this season. After going 77-91 last season, they're looking to take the Australian title. They will have big competition from the defending champion, the Canberra Power though.

The Illawarra Hawks and Newcastle Ducks look set to repeat their strong seasons while the pennant winner Adelaide Zips are slumping way down to 7th with a 80-88 record.

ALL ABOUT THAT PITCH
The Green Sox are looking to take the Australian title via the strength of their pitching lineup this season. They are currently projected to get the second lowest batting average and the lowest amount of home runs in the Australian league this season but we guess that doesn't matter when you have a pitching lineup like this. Three of them were all-stars last season, and four are currently projected to be in the top ten. They've upgraded their bullpen as well so there is high expectations out of Geelong.

DOMENIC REDELIUS: "MVP SHOULD HAVE BEEN MINE"
Many expected Canberra's Redelius to take home the MVP prize last season but he finished second in the voting behind Adelaide's Rex Dulihanty. The 32 year old said he was going to make it's his mission to correct the record this season, while leading the Power to a second straight title. He'll have some stiff competition, especially from newcomer Baden Stennings of the Illawarra Hawks.

DON'T COUNT OUT THE ZIPS
The media are predicting that last season's pennant winner Adelaide will slump down to 7th this season but they shouldn't be counted out just yet. They're boasting a similar squad from last season , an aging squad, but one that still has some tricks up their sleeve.

WHAT'S GOING ON IN MELBOURNE?
That 57-111 projection is abysmal. The Sting boast of the worst pitchers in the competition. They managed to snag All-Star SS Jai Collingridge from Canberra but maybe they should have focused on pitchers instead. A disappointing team for baseball's biggest market.

[mrbucket]

2002-03 Top Players

[mrbucket]

The Shield

A new addition to the 2002-03 season is The Shield. Known officially as the FBI Agent Zack Grant Shield of Crowexcellence, it is named after what Russell Crowe deemed to be his best ever role: FBI Agent Zack Grant in the 1995 film No Way Back.



That is a dumb name of course, so everyone just calls it The Shield.

As the winner of last season, the Canberra Power will hold it initially. To win it off them, a team needs to beat them in a regular season series at the holder's stadium.

It's modeled on the Ranfurly Shield that New Zealand rugby teams compete for. Definitely not expecting any teams here to hold it for the 8 years that Auckland did from 1985 to 1993 but are interested to see if any teams can manage any impressive streaks.

[Izz]

Originally Posted by mrbucket

The Shield

A new addition to the 2002-03 season is The Shield. Known officially as the FBI Agent Zack Grant Shield of Crowexcellence, it is named after what Russell Crowe deemed to be his best ever role: FBI Agent Zack Grant in the 1995 film No Way Back.



That is a dumb name of course, so everyone just calls it The Shield.

As the winner of last season, the Canberra Power will hold it initially. To win it off them, a team needs to beat them in a regular season series at the holder's stadium.

It's modeled on the Ranfurly Shield that New Zealand rugby teams compete for. Definitely not expecting any teams here to hold it for the 8 years that Auckland did from 1985 to 1993 but are interested to see if any teams can manage any impressive streaks.

Noice!

[mrbucket]

October 2002

4 October, 2002
Bendigo Gold Rush Right Fielder Jai Bansfield finished last season on a 31 hit streak. He continued that streak on opening day to take himself to 32. He's already got the record. How high can he go?

5 October, 2002
It's done. Bansfield failed to get a hit against the Queensland Firebirds. He holds the record though.

15 October, 2002
Canterbury were dealt a blow when they lost their star Right Fielder Rhys Macleod to injury for the next month. He'd been tremendous in his first 10 starts, with a slash line of .436/.542/.744, hopefully he can keep up his form when he returns.

17 October, 2002
Taranaki lose their biggest star for a month, Tye Jeffes won the fan favourite award last season and was struck down with a intercostal strain.

Northland close a $4m deal with All-Star closer Apekaloma Vaka for the season. Vaka had a lot of balls waiting out for a deal that he wanted. The gamble paid off, this represents a $3m payrise from last season.

27 October, 2002
Auckland pitcher Tye Boxsell has started the season with a bang, picking up 50 strikeouts throughout October. A full 13 clear of the next pitcher on the list. He picked up 15 of those in just one game against Wellington.

The Shield
Canberra had to defend the Shield 5 times in October, against Sydney City, Wellington, Auckland, Tasmania, and Geelong. Canberra won each series 2-1, so the Shield stays in Canberra. The next challenge comes from the Bendigo Gold Rush in the middle of November.

October Awards

Kiwi Batter of the Month: Finlay Mackay (Bay of Plenty, RF) -- the newcomer did not disappoint for the Steamroller fans. He posted a .372 batting average with 7 home runs, 18 RBIs and scored 21 times. He also attracted 25 walks for a .518 on-base percentage.
Kiwi Pitcher of the Month: Fdart Lambregts (Hawke's Bay) -- last season's reliever of the year wins his first pitcher of the month award. He made 13 relief appearances, with 7 saves and 26 strikeouts in 16 innings. He has a 2-0 record and a 0.00 ERA
Kiwi Rookie of the Month: Callum Macdonald (Auckland, SS) -- the Auckland Shortstop got off to a decent start to his career with a .241 batting average and 7 RBIs.

Kangaroo Batter of the Month: Tye Custello (Illawarra, 1B) -- Custello hit 13 home runs last season and is set to crush that. He's already sent 10 balls deep, and looks to be a fantastic contributor to the Hawks this season. He hit .337 with 28 RBIs and 19 runs scored during October.
Kangaroo Pitcher of the Month: Vaughan Trevelyan (Queensland) -- Trevelyan could barely get a look in when he was part of the Canberra Power but now that's he moved over to the Queensland side he's crushing it for the Firebirds, going 4-0 over October. He struck out 20 in 34 innings, logged an ERA of 1.32 and restricted his opponents to a .196 batting average.
Kangaroo Rookie of the Month: Willem Robiliard (Adelaide, 2B) -- Scuttlebutt has taken advantage of his chances this season. During October, he hit .286 with 4 doubles, he scored 5 times and drove in 2 runs.





Geelong Green Sox were projected to win the Australian League but currently sit at the bottom of Australia. Their hyped-up pitching staff has so far failed to deliver. Early days though.

Bay of Plenty is the expected leader of New Zealand and Queensland is the unexpected leader of Australia.