I'll hand over to the original man behind the StrikeUK plan, Russell Dyas, in what we hope is the first of a number of articles.

I wasn’t sure what I was going to write my first column about…

I could have gone with various MLB subjects but in the end I decided to move away from that.  Away from the glare of multi million dollar contracts and the glare of ESPN and the MLB there are many players and teams doing battle day in and day out in sport of baseball.  So I am going to focus on where you can see some the lesser known baseball on internet.

I suppose we have to start off with the Minor Leagues, the training ground of MLB. It’s here where you see the next Barry Bonds or the next Sosa before they make it to the big leagues.  One advantage with this level of baseball is that there are no extortionate costs for watching the games online. Ok there not be many broadcast, but the ones that are are free or of minimal cost.  First stop is the official site http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com in which you can get the low down on Minor Leagues - who is affiliated to whom and teams’ official websites.  Then check out http://www.theminorsfirst.com/liveb/livebroadcasts.htm which lists teams that have online streams to listen to.

Next up is college baseball in US. NCAA Baseball isn’t as popular as NCAA Football but there is still a strong following. Check out http://www.ncaa-baseball.com/ which has the low down on college baseball in UK.  Then check out http://www.collegesports.com/sports/m-basebl/cs-m-basebl-body.html for College Sports TV baseball section.

Usually when I’m on the lookout for MLB players to write a detailed article on, I tend to go for those who have had a pretty long and certainly distinguished career. But this is only because those young players who have been around for just a few years, or older ones who have failed to make an impression on the big stage, are generally not very interesting. However, with Ichiro I can make a big exception. He is barely 30, has played in the Majors for only four full seasons and has only once got into the post-season. Fortunately, he is intriguing in almost every other way.

I’ll start it where so many great stories have begun – in rural Japan. Born in Honshu, an Island about 150 miles southwest of Tokyo, to parents who were both baseball fanatics, he was taught the game passionately by his father who spent all his spare time studying the game and watching the local pro team, the Chunichi Dragons. Nobuyuki, his dad, proved to be more than the average fatherly trainer to little Ichiro – he coached in ‘Little League’ and so sneaked in his son in when he was six, two years younger than the official age. He then went about modelling his son into a ball player that nobody could match, giving him special diets, heavy fitness sessions and even turning him into an un-natural lefty so he could best use his speed. His batting and fielding wasn’t everything in his game though – he could pitch, and pitch well. His fastballs were over 80MPH by the time he was 14 and he could change pitch speed beautifully as well as hit any spot the catcher gave him.

His talents were obvious to all that saw him and in his senior year at high school, where he was the team’s best pitcher and hitter, it was only his size – he’s 5’9 and weighed less than 160 pounds – that stopped him becoming one of the highest ranked players in the following year’s draft pick. Orix Blue Wave were the team to eventually take the gamble in the forth round, a move which would prove inspired in the future but which annoyed the manager, Shozo Doi. He brandished Ichiro too small to pitch and made him an outfielder, then told him his batting style was too unorthodox and sent him straight to the minors. But his talents shone through and he was given his chance before long, though the step-up was a big one and he failed to make an early impression. Doi continued to press Ichiro about his style, but he was convinced it would work if only he was given the time. After an excellent off-season tournament, Ichiro came into the 1994 season with confidence, if fearful of another encounter with Doi.

Just before pre-season training was to begin, Ichiro hit gold with the news that Doi had been replaced by Akira Ogi, who immediately said he was to be the team’s starting right fielder. From there Orix never looked back. Ichiro collected a record 210 hits, captured the batting crown with a .385 average, earned a Gold Glove for his defence, and was named the Pacific League MVP in that first season. He became an overnight superstar. In a country that was beginning to get rid of its traditional image of rigid conformity, this young man was a standard bearer for the new generation – a guy who hit, ran, threw, walked, talked, and warmed up in his own way. This was just the start, as Ichiro topped the league in BA for a record seven consecutive seasons, won three MVP awards and claimed countless other records for hitting streaks.

Fame, though, is a twisted beast. He became the most popular person in Japan, bar none, helped by his awesome performances against visiting American all-star teams where he was often the best player on the pitch. But the press in Japan were unstoppable, literally everywhere he went he was followed and pestered; his lack of personal freedom made any other celebrity’s pale in comparison. His marriage to TV newswoman Yumiko Fukushima had to take place secretly in L.A. for fear that it would be overran if performed anywhere in Japan. None of this helped his concentration on the field as his performances slipped, and these two factors helped him decide that he would leave when his contract expired at the end of the 2000 season.

He discussed this with Orix, and the team decided that while they could not persuade him to stay, they would do the next best thing and get a country-load of money in return for him. In March 1999 he went over to train with the Seattle Mariners so he could be advertised around the Majors, and he loved it over there. Safe in the knowledge a great future lay ahead, Ichiro hit form again for his last two years in Japan, increasing his reputation and value in the States. After hitting .387 in 2000 the bidding war was ready to begin, though Ichiro’s demands of wanting a city with a Japanese community and a team with a shot at winning the World Series took the number of bidders down to just four; Seattle Mariners, New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Anaheim Angels. It was a blind bid where they each put down a figure and the highest won. Ichiro was delighted when Seattle won with a cool $13m heading to Orix, while a contract of more than $14m went to Ichiro.

And so the first MLB career by a Japanese position-player began, in a wave of Ichiro-mania both in Japanand now the States as well. He, of course, didn’t disappoint, putting together early-season hitting streaks of 15 and 23 games; he was on pace to challenge the all-time mark of 257 hits. The Mariners too were pounding out wins everywhere, for which Ichiro took a lot of the credit after previous stars Ken Griffey Jnr and Alex Rodriguez had left the squad without any other really big names coming in. He won his place in the All-star game with ease and got a hit off Randy Johnson, whose shirt number he wears for the Mariners with pride and respect. Everything was going great for Ichiro, but soon the old problems began to appear.

His popularity in Japan had risen with his big move east, and journalists were becoming more and more of a problem. This time Ichiro fought – he and Japanese team-mate Kaz Suzuki boycotted the reporters, who backed down when they realised they wouldn’t be getting quotes from their two biggest headline makers. He became even happier and his great form continued, Seattlefinishing 116-46 and Ichiro was undoubtedly its heart. He won his eighth batting championship in eight years, led the majors with 75 multi-hit games and 56 steals, and had the highest average in baseball both with runners in scoring position (.445) and the bases loaded (.545). He obliterated the all-time record for hits by a rookie (242), and broke the AL mark for singles (192). Once the Mariners lost to the Yankees in the American League Championship Series, all that was left of his first season was the awards: A Gold Glove, Rookie of the Year, and the AL MVP.

Now comes the debate. If you were to just look at all his awards and records, that 2001 season was the best ever by a rookie, no doubt. But he was starting a new life, in a new country, a new culture with a new language. He was dealing with the biggest media spotlight in the world, getting discussed and dissected in everyway by newspapers and TV shows. Yet this man, from a quiet village in Japan, with a funny style and an overbearing dad became the best player in the best league in a sport that is followed more religiously by its fans than any other, in half a year. Now tell me, how do you beat that?

Six go to Five

As most Baseball fans in the UK gained entry to the Baseball Nuts Club through red eyed late nights watching MLB on FIVE, the show has developed its own individual cult following - many of us wouldn’t miss the show even with a real dog of a game on - and to any of us who only gained our knowledge and enthusiasm of Baseball through the show it is the only home of Baseball for UK fans. To me it was always my direct line to the Big Leagues, hosted by Jonny Gould, whose enthusiasm for all things Baseball are legendary, the show made me feel a part of the proceedings. The game was near and for us to enjoy and not a minority sport whose home was across an Ocean, the show is where Baseball came to life for me.

In the USA the players call the Major Leagues “The Show” and getting there is a dream for many. Over here “The Show” means only one thing for Baseball fans; Jonny Gould, assisted by David, Josh or Mike who have moved in as Todd and others moved on, and live Baseball on Sunday and Wednesday nights.

Well it came to pass that this ordinary, everyday Baseball fan made it to “The Show”.

I went there with questions on my mind and left with new ones there. It was fun, entertaining, informative and much more.

I might have been there only for a fleeting moment but I did get to “The Show” and I am not likely to forget it.

So how do you gather together a group of complete strangers in a City foreign to them all? Well when those strangers are Baseball fans a sports bar is the obvious choice and it was there that the gathering began; 6 Baseball fans bearing allegiance to the RedSox, Braves, DevilRays (yes, there really is one of them here, we considered having him stuffed and mounted for posterity), WhiteSox, Expos (only because they were rumoured to be the new Washington team at the time) & Mets, otherwise known as Iain, Steve, Wayne, Mark, Andy & Ronnie. Introductions completed, and Baseball debates begun, we then made our first contact with one of the fabled members of the FIVE team. Paul, who normally handles VT duties, was given the thankless task of finding this crowd who were going to spend the rest of the evening getting in the way and get us organised. He took the task in hand, along with a large very heavy looking camera as well, and set out the plans for the night.

First stop, Trafalgar Square where we were to be filmed for a segment to be aired during the show. Alas there were no make-up ladies around to improve our appearance so we were to appear as God made us, presumably on one of his bad days, which did nothing to instil confidence. Once in the Square we were joined by Mr Gould himself who supervised the filming and between Jonny & Paul enough film was shot to be able to find sufficient suitable for broadcasting. None of us have as yet heard from any Hollywood producers but we wait by the phone in anticipation.

Relieved to have the filming over with - it really is impossible to walk naturally when asked to do so - we adjourned to the sports bar for food and the early RedSox-Rangers game. Suitably filled and now in the mood for more Baseball, the lone RedSox fan was more than content with a nervous 6-5 win and we were all impressed at the autograph requests Jonny got, it was time to go to the studio. We entered the studio wide eyed and open mouthed, for here was the place that was the birthplace of the show we all watched twice a week without fail, and were introduced to the team. Now Jonny has made many a quip about this team but to see them in action is quite a sight, live broadcasting leaves no room for error, make a mistake and everyone sees it, so I was expecting a very high octane, high blood pressure, chaotic madness. What I found was a calm, composed group making ready for another show, some even have time to check the computers to keep up to date with other games, taking everything in their stride, even the arrival of a bunch of fans that they would have to nursemaid all night.

Seeing all that goes on and how quickly they have to respond to constantly changing demands and situations I was very taken with their commitment to Baseball and the show, we all watch the show and comment on Jonny & David without ever giving much consideration to all the other people without whose contributions there would be no show, unsung heroes all and it would be tough to find a more committed and organised crew anywhere, we are very fortunate that they are working on our show. I sat in awe as the show was brought to life before my eyes, pre game build up pieces were created, games reviewed, running orders set and all of it coming together as if by magic. David & Jonny walking around the studio relaxed and chatting one moment and presenting a live show the next, Erik Jansen taking time out to talk to all of us without a care in the world just a few minutes before the show was due to air, directors, VT operators, VT editors, production assistants, floor managers, cameramen, everyone on the crew with their own jobs to do but still taking the time to check on us and doing all they could to make our visit a good one.

We positioned ourselves out of the way trying our best not to mess anything up and settled down to watch the featured Angels-Indians game, I confess my mind wandered and a good game was wasted on me. I found myself constantly checking out the work of those unseen people behind the cameras, working a dizzying array of switches and buttons that brought familiar graphics, titles or replays onto the screen. I watched, disbelieving, as Jonny & David talked to camera while at the same time listening to the urgent words from the booth through their earpieces without giving any hint that there was anything going on except their usual chat. Urgent shouts would go out for something which immediately appeared, a few seconds of frantic activity would be rewarded with a perfect set-up of a special item or a key play from the previous Inning. Eyes would be on the monitors waiting for the instant, unannounced it has to be said, that ESPN would bring back game pictures so that we could rejoin the game. At one point I ventured into the fabled booth where the TV gods hold court and make the decisions that shape the show, I had intended to go in and watch what went on but the frenetic pace and unending activity had me spooked very quickly and I beat a hasty retreat, fearful of causing an almighty calamity and being chastised for my mistake on live national TV. I slipped back to the safety of my seat and settled down to watch the game and settle my overactive nerves - and me just a visitor without having to actually do anything!

We also had to endure the finished product of our first attempts in front of a camera, the edited piece looked much better than it really should given what there was to work with. The piece went out early in the game and we all took our bows and waved to the cameras, we didn’t do the poor guys who worked on this justice as their work deserved better than a few self conscious embarrassed waves from a now very tired and red faced group. Our own feelings of inadequacy hardly helped by Jonny’s opinion that our, intended to be, cool and casual walk through Trafalgar Square to camera had a “Reservoir Dogs” look to it! I am aware that the unexpected sight of us at that time in the morning could have damaging effects upon the minds of our fellow viewers, fortunately it was broadcast at a time when the kids were in bed but if you were dozing off and woke to the scary sight of us on your screen then I apologise for any lost sleep or nightmares you may have experienced, if it is any consolation I too now have nightmares involving that sight.

At least after that we could relax a bit and try and watch the game a bit more closely, after all is was a very good game, and it was here that I got another insight into the show. Watching the game there were a few important plays both good and bad, each was greeted with loud howls and shouts. Near the end of this very close, tight game there was a game saving defensive play, it was a play of great beauty, athleticism and imagination, there really is much more to Baseball than home runs.

A back flip of the ball from the catcher to the pitcher who was covering home plate and blocked the plate resolutely before tagging out the runner to preserve the lead, this play was greeted by a great roar of appreciation from all around the studio, you could have been at the game from the reactions of everyone. I then realised that despite being in the midst of what I thought would be a nerve racking live show these folks were really into the game.

The truth was that we were, as we suspect from watching, in the company of real Baseball fans who just happened to be presenting a live Baseball show, and that moment struck like some kind of Baseball epiphany. These were the people really in touch with MLB, they conduct interviews with MLB teams Managers (albeit brief ones), they are on our screens twice a week, they are asked for autographs (witnessed first hand) but at heart they are Baseball fans and this is what makes the show special to me. Before going down I worried that my view of the show might change, that having an insight into what goes on behind the scenes might burst the bubble of belief, that maybe I would see the show in a different light after being there, or perhaps I would find a slick production made to deliberately look casual and relaxed. I was concerned that finding the truth might change how I thought about the show and how I felt about it. It did, but in a good way. I went there believing that it was “our” show, that it was a cosy all fans together type thing and that it was the Baseball that mattered, not nice sets or glib lines or fancy gimmicks, that was what I believed before and now after being there and seeing it I know it is true.

I watched the show and enjoyed its fan friendly approach, liked the appeal of a laid back presentation and felt at home with fellow Baseball fans. I have now been in a position that I never thought I would be in, and seen the work and commitment that goes into bringing us the show: hard, tiring, stressful work with long, anti social hours. Even after being there I don’t know how they do it twice a week for 6 Months but I’m very glad they do. What you see is exactly what you get; there are no phoney, image conscious motives involved. I enjoy the show and will continue to do so, only now I will do so with a newfound respect for everyone who put so much into it. I enjoyed my visit immensely and am grateful for the opportunity to get a privileged view of how it is done, but more than that I am grateful to everyone there for making it such an enjoyable visit and pleased that I got the chance to meet a friendly, professional group of people who share the love of Baseball.

Thanks guys.

Once again a new season is almost upon us with the slate wiped clean ready for a whole new batch of players looking to make a name for themselves in the wonderfully storied history of baseball.

For some it will be a chance to begin again and put previous disappointments behind them and others to lay the foundations of what they hope will be a long and gloried career.

Here are ten players in alphabetical order who could have something to prove:

RICK ANKIEL

St Louis Cardinals

Left Handed Pitcher

Does anyone remember when this was the golden armed phenom that couldn’t miss?

Does anyone even remember that as a 21 year old Rick Ankiel dominated Major League pitching in his rookie season with a lively mid-90’s fastball and a wicked curve ball?

Of course everyone remembers the 2000 playoffs when the wheels came off (along with some panelling and a whole bunch of other stuff) against The Braves and the subsequent problems in his first comeback in 2002. Everyone remembers that.

Some might not remember how in 2003 he had to undergo Tommy John surgery and many seem to have ignored how he has been dominant since returning from that surgery and the fact that when he came up to the bigs last September he walked one whilst almost notching a strikeout per inning.

Newsflash people. Ankiel has taken his time, got his head in gear and re-enters the league the same age as most rookie pitchers (25) but with a wealth of experience under his belt and one of the nastiest curves you will ever see.

La Russa will likely look to handle him with great care (understandably) and start him in the bullpen but don’t be surprised to see Ankiel in the Cardinal rotation before too long.

PRINCE FIELDER

Milwaukee Brewers

First Baseman

Prince is a lot like his dad Cecil. That is to say that they are a similar size and shape and able to hit baseballs out of any park at any time.

Fielder has impressed a lot of people with his patience and an ability to rack up pitch counts and these are the attributes that could eventually make him an even better player than his dad ever was (and Cecil hit 319 career homers including 51 in one season).

The Brewers might feel he is too young to start the season in the majors but they will be eager to give him a shot as soon as he is ready. If he’s not up by the All Star Game then he should be given a cup of coffee in September.

GAVIN FLOYD

Philadelphia Phillies

Right Handed Pitcher

Floyd looked very good on his late call up last year, as he has at every level he has played since being drafted 4^{th overall in 2001.}

Everywhere you look he is at the top or near the top of lists of the best pitching prospects and, after last seasons disappointments, The Phillies will be expecting him to realise some of his potential this year.

Sporting a moving mid-90’s fastball, a great curve, a fast improving change-up and with the ability and willingness to throw all of them for strikes he has the stuff to compete now.

JEFF FRANCIS

Colorado Rockies

Left Handed Pitcher

You could say Francis has been dominant in the minors with ERA’s of 1.80, 3.47 and 2.66 and his walks to strikeout ratio was never short of silly on his way to his September call up but if he can do that at Coors then he will be the greatest pitcher who ever lived!

Lefties always have an advantage when pitching and when you give a lefty a decent fastball, a nice hook and a solid change it’s a good base to build from. One huge advantage Francis has is poise beyond his years and the ability to work both sides of the plate which he will need to do in Denver.

ZACK GREINKE

Kansas City Royals

Right Handed Pitcher

Its not easy being a Royals pitching prospect. Sometimes not even a 3.97 ERA and almost four times as many strikeouts as walks gets you any real attention.

The real problem for Greinke (apart from being a Royal) is that he has such a relaxed and instinctive approach to pitching that it almost looks too easy for him. He has a Greg Maddux-like fastball that he can throw any number of ways to exactly where he wants it and complements it with a slider, a change-up and two curves.

With a repeatable motion and good athleticism off the mound the only thing left to do for Greinke to be an elite pitcher is to make the adjustments needed to get major league hitters out and, judging by his progress, there is little reason to doubt that he will.

SCOTT KAZMIR

Tampa Bay Devil Rays

Left Handed Pitcher

Kazmir was acquired in the Zambrano deal and left baseball fans everywhere scratching their heads in total confusion as to why The Mets would let him go?

Hard throwing lefties are hard to come by and when you get one with decent control you’d better watch out (Randy Johnson and Billy Wagner anyone?).

Kazmir has an easy mid-90’s fastball and a mid-80’s slider that he could throw harder when his body fully develops.

Already you might think that this guy is unfair but he’s also got a change-up that is above average if a little inconsistent. The only thing stopping him from being untouchable at the big league level right now (although his 40 k’s in 33.1 innings last year wasn’t bad) is his inconsistent control but you can expect that of a pitcher who is still only 21. He also has a tendency to want to go out of the zone to try and strike guys out which leads to more walks and higher pitch counts.

With some experience under his belt and a little seasoning the sky is the limit and the only question about his game will be why did The Mets let him go?

JOE MAUER

Minnesota Twins

Catcher

Its almost like déjà vu all over again. It’s the beginning of a new season and we are talking about what Joe Mauer will do this year? His rookie year was blighted by an injury in his second although he did look very good in the 35 games he did play(.308, 6, 17).

Mauer is truly the complete package as a catcher with a disciplined approach to hitting and good power potential, above average speed for his position and good instincts on the base paths. On top of all that he has a strong arm and a quick release while getting better every day behind the dish.

So, I guess it’s second time lucky for Mauer and The Twins and there is no telling how far Mauer can go. He will start as many games as his rehabbed knees allow and will certainly get a fair bit of time at DH to start with.

DALLAS MCPHERSON

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (or whatever they want to call themselves)

Third Baseman

Long regarded as one of the best prospects in baseball McPherson will be given every opportunity to shine on a strong Angels team this year.

McPherson has impressed a lot of people with his ability to keep improving and make adjustments. He worked hard to limit his vulnerability to off speed and breaking pitches so that he could keep his average up while remaining selective enough to get a pitch to crush.

Early on in his development McPherson was criticised for his defence but has put a lot of work into improving his range and mechanics, although don’t be surprised to see a shift to first or the outfield.

Few doubt that McPherson will stick around for Anaheim but who knows how good he’ll end up being once he‘s ironed out all his creases? He even knows how to steal a bag when he needs to.

KEVIN YOUKILIS

Boston Red Sox

Third Baseman

The infamous ‘Greek God of Walks’ should be given a shot to earn playing time both at first and third this season.

Youkilis is probably never going to be a serious home run threat but has been coveted by a number of GM’s around the league, most notably Billy Beane, for his ability to draw walks and in his first year with The Red Sox he complemented his .260 average with a .367 OBP which isn’t bad for a part-time player in his rookie season and with regular playing time both those numbers should improve markedly which will certainly help the big boppers in Boston’s line-up (as if Ramirez and Ortiz need help).

DELMON YOUNG

Tampa Bay Devil Rays

Right Field

Anyone who knows me knows how highly I rate Delmon Young and although it is unlikely he will be with Tampa on opening day, The D-Rays should have an outfield of Baldelli, Crawford and Young by the end of it and that should be more than enough for the fans in Tampa to start feeling optimistic about their teams future.

Young is a good base runner even though he’s not particularly fast and has a strong arm and makes good reads in the outfield and generally just knows what he’s doing wherever he is on a baseball field and that extends to his hitting. His plate discipline is fast developing although inconsistent but he uses the whole field and the ball explodes off his bat. This guy should contend for honours in all the triple crown categories for many years.

The big advantage Young has is that, even though he is still young, he has a solid understanding of what to expect as a professional ball player with his brother Dmitri a long serving big leaguer.

Tampa have done an under-rated job of developing some tremendous young talent and Delmon Young should be the final piece in the puzzle that sees the D-Rays as a contender, even in the AL East.