British Baseball Hall of Fame (BBHoF): Honouring our history - Inspiring the future

British Baseball Hall of Fame

About the BBHoF

Overview • Induction categories and criteria • Details of regional experts • Instructions on how to get involved • List of previous electors • Credits

Current electors

G Bedingfield • D Bloyce • P Carroll (SABR UK) • J Chetwynd (Secretary) • J Gray (Chair) • W Morgan • H Sahker • I Smyth • M Tobin • P Vernon (BBF)

Class of 2009 – Ross Kendrick • Sir John Moores • Norman Wells, Sr

Class of 2010 – Alan Bloomfield • Margaret Borley MBE • Fred Lewis • Sir Francis Ley • Gavin Marshall

Class of 2011 – Ted Gerard-Thesingh • Roland Gladu • Brian Thurston

	Alan Bloomfield Back to top	Category: Baseball players Alan Bloomfield set a record for Great Britain caps and was a dominant offensive force in the country's domestic league for some two decades. As The Daily Mail of Hull wrote in 1984: "Alan Bloomfield must be regarded as the best British player ever." Bloomfield played association football as a junior for Arsenal, before committing completely to baseball. He represented Great Britain at eight European Championships, with much distinction. He was named the Most Valuable Player at the 1988 European Championship B-Pool after batting .625. He hit over .400 in at least two other Euros (1991 and 1996) and better than .300 in another two (1997 and 1999). Bloomfield was a member of the first two Great Britain squads to win gold medals in European Championship competition (B-Pool: 1988 and 1996). Domestically, his 180 walks, 292 runs scored, and 97 stolen bases were the most by any top-tier player between 1995 and 2009, according to available records. While he played in a number of different leagues (primarily for one of three teams: the Sutton Braves, the Southern Tigers, and the London Warriors), he was regularly among the circuit's top hitters. In 1997, for example, he won the "triple crown" by leading the Premier Division South with a .486 batting average, 13 home runs, and 46 runs batted in. He captured at least one other batting title (.579 average), in the very competitive Scottish Amicable League of 1987. In all, if the Scottish Amicable League of the late 1980s and the independent National League Baseball (UK) of the early 1990s are included in his total, Bloomfield played for six teams that won national titles.

	Category: Coaches, managers, umpires, and other officials Margaret Borley MBE was the first member of the British baseball community to receive Queen's honours for work in the sport, being named an MBE in 2007. Borley founded one of the country's most successful youth organizations, the Tonbridge Bobcats Youth Baseball Club in Kent. In over 30 years of service to British baseball, Borley has led the Bobcats to numerous youth championships and helped develop a number of future Great Britain internationals, including Alex Malihoudis, Nick Carter, and Will Lintern. In 2009, she was named a life member of the British Baseball Federation. Her work was also recognised by Major League Baseball when she was asked to sign the "Baseball Around the World" ball, which included the signatures of prominent members of the baseball community from around the globe. The ball was presented at the 2001 All-Star Game and was then added to the Baseball Hall of Fame collection in Cooperstown, New York. "More than any other coach in the [British] game, Margaret has managed to find the balance between offering a fun and safe sporting environment where anyone from the streets of Tonbridge to the surrounding villages of Kent can come to play baseball, and yet still allowing the best players to pursue their dreams of playing baseball at the highest international level and beyond," wrote Malihoudis and Lintern in their petition for Borley's life membership.	Margaret Borley MBE Back to top

	Ted Gerard-Thesingh Back to top	Category: Coaches, managers, umpires, and other officials For more than two decades, Ted Gerard-Thesingh was Great Britain's top umpire, working 13 national championship contests and more than 100 international matches. Beyond his role on the field, Gerard-Thesingh also trained countless other umpires and was a dedicated administrative official at various levels of British baseball. Gerard-Thesingh moved to the United Kingdom from South Africa in 1979. Upon learning there was a dearth of umpires in British baseball he set to work recruiting and then teaching new officials. Quickly garnering respect for his work behind the plate and on the bases, Gerard-Thesingh earned assignments in all but one national title games between 1982 and 1995. Internationally, he was also an umpiring fixture. He officiated in the 1984 and 1988 European Championship B-Pool and the 1989 European Championship A-Pool in Paris, France. A serious injury in the mid-1990s cut his umpiring career short, but Gerard-Thesingh continued to contribute to British baseball. He served as technical commissioner at a number of national finals and at the 1996 European Championship B-Pool in Hull, England. In recognition of his many years of service, Gerard-Thesingh was made an honorary life member of both the British Baseball Federation and the Amateur Baseball Umpires Association–Great Britain (ABUA-GB). In addition, the ABUA-GB began bestowing the "Ted Gerard-Thesingh Trophy" in 2003 as an annual award to acknowledge outstanding effort by a particular umpire each year. Gerard-Thesingh also received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2006 national finals.

	Category: Baseball players Described in the 1939 book Baseball for British Youth as "[p]erhaps the finest batter who has ever played for an English team," Roland Gladu was the only 20th Century positional player known have to competed in a domestic Great Britain circuit and then risen all the way to the Major Leagues in the United States. Dubbed "the Babe Ruth of Canada" by the British press during his 2 years in the United Kingdom (1936–37), the French-Canadian Gladu played primarily for West Ham in the effectively professional London Major Baseball League. As the club's player–manager, he led the team to top-two finishes in both of his seasons as well as to one remarkable upset: a 5–3 triumph over the 1936 United States Olympic baseball team. In that contest, Gladu connected for two hits, including West Ham's only extra-base hit (a double). While statistics are incomplete from this era, it is known that he led the London circuit in batting with a .565 average in 1937. Seven years on from his time in Great Britain, Gladu ascended to the Majors, hitting .242 with one home run in 21 games for the 1944 Boston Braves of the National League.	Roland Gladu Back to top

	Ross Kendrick Back to top	Category: Baseball players In Great Britain baseball's first major triumph – victory in the 1938 World Championships – pitcher Ross Kendrick was the team's stand-out player. Kendrick won both the opening contest and the event-clinching fourth game on the mound as part of a four-games-to-one series victory against the United States. The Americans had a formidable line-up that included two future Major Leaguers, but in the first game Kendrick twirled a two-hit complete-game shut-out, striking out 16 batters. Then, in front of 10,000 spectators in game four, he threw a second shut-out. In going the distance, Kendrick fanned 12 batters and allowed just three singles. The pitcher's success in Great Britain was not limited to this series. He played for numerous teams throughout a long career, pitching and playing outfield into his sixties, mainly in the Birmingham area. Kendrick appeared in at least one national final, as a member of the Oldham Greyhounds in 1938, coming up on the losing end of a 1–0 thriller, in which he struck out 20 in a 15-inning complete game. He was also known for his stellar sportsmanship. "He was always a gentleman," said Jon Prescott, who umpired in many of Kendrick's games during his later years. "He never complained about my calls. He might not have agreed with some of them, but he took the call as it came."

	Category: Game builders One of British baseball's most dedicated baseball men, Fred Lewis established the sport in the town of Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, in 1909 and taught and administered baseball until his death in 1960. For at least 48 years – from 1912 until 1960 – baseball was played continuously in Chipping Norton thanks to Lewis. He developed such a remarkable baseball presence that Chipping Norton has a plaque in the town dedicated to Lewis, in large part to honour his baseball exploits. Lewis, who was a local Scout master, found out about baseball in 1909 when he obtained a year-old baseball guide. He immediately became an ambassador for the sport, fashioning much of his baseball equipment by hand or through local artisans. Through his disciplined work ethic, Lewis developed excellent ballplayers. In 1926, a Chipping Norton team led by Lewis travelled to London to play a team of expatriates, called the London Americans, at Chelsea Football Club's Stamford Bridge. Lewis's all-British team prevailed in the match-up, which earned attention from the national press for his club's performance. His teams showed so much acumen that during the professional period of baseball in the 1930s at least one of his players was wooed to play for pay in the Yorkshire League, according to historian William Morgan. Outspoken throughout his baseball career, Lewis was an advocate of hard work and dedication to the sport. Years after British baseball's brief foray into professionalism, Lewis said: "The formation of [Sir John Moores' National Baseball Association] gave some help, but on the whole it did more harm than good; free uniforms and poor equipment, easy come – easy go. When a player has to pay for his kit he takes pretty good care of it." These words are unsurprising from a man who made his own kit.	Fred Lewis Back to top

	Sir Francis Ley Back to top	Category: Game builders Sir Francis Ley was Britain's original baseball magnate. He was the first domestic businessman to make a committed effort to develop the sport, by establishing the country's first dynasty team – Derby – and erecting its first authentic baseball ground. In 1890, the American AG Spalding launched a professional baseball league in England. Sir Francis, who was a successful industrialist and had spent time in America studying casting techniques, stepped up to become a franchise owner in the circuit. Determined to win, Sir Francis secured the services of three players with a baseball background in the United States, including one exceptional pitcher. Derby made a strong start to the campaign, and a resolution was brought in to prevent the team from using its imported ace against the bottom two teams. Derby stuck to the resolution for several weeks but eventually broke it, and – under pressure from the league council – pulled out of the competition. Undeterred, Sir Francis's teams continued to thrive, winning national championships in 1895, 1897, and 1899. This total was the most of any team in baseball's first decade in Great Britain. The 1899 triumph came after a year of relative inactivity in 1898. It was Sir Francis's drive and financial backing that saw a circuit reform in his locality (teams were granted money for equipment and for completion of their schedule). It seems that Sir Francis's intent was not purely to secure further success for his own club, though, as he shared out his players among the other teams to aid with coaching the sides and drafting junior players. More evidence for his wider benevolence comes from the fact that, following his departure from the professional circuit, Sir Francis had organized a committee for "managing the [amateur] baseball contests" for a "50 guinea challenge cup", which he provided for a local knock-out competition. This and other efforts helped to encourage several clubs in the Derby and Nottingham area to compete in a regional league. In the winter of 1896–1897, Sir Francis donated a fine trophy as a replacement when the Spalding Cup, which was given to the national champions, was stolen. Sir Francis also proved that baseball had the potential to be a commercial venture in the United Kingdom, attracting upwards of 5,000 spectators on a regular basis. Finally, his devotion to baseball has broad cultural significance: his Baseball Ground was the home of Derby County Football Club from 1895 to 1997.

	Category: Baseball players Gavin Marshall was the first born-and-bred British baseball player to earn a professional contract in the United States. He was also a successful member of the British national team and a national champion. Marshall, whose father Barry and grandfather Ron were stand-out players and coaches both in domestic baseball and for Great Britain, showed his considerable baseball talents at a young age. The Hull native made his first appearance with the Great Britain senior side as a 16 year old in 1993. A year later, Marshall led the National Premier League with a 2.53 earned-run average. Marshall's tenure with Great Britain (1993–1999) was punctuated by much distinction. At the 1996 European Championship B-Pool, Marshall helped lead Great Britain to a gold medal, earning a win in the semi-finals against Lithuania. Overall, he posted a 2.84 earned-run average with 22 strike-outs in 19.0 innings. After helping Great Britain to earn promotion to the top flight of European baseball, he was instrumental in keeping them there in 1997 with a win and a save in two games, which ensured that Great Britain would not be relegated. Then, in his final Euros in 1999, he dominated the competition, going 2–0 with a 1.20 earned-run average and 20 strike-outs in 15.0 innings. He also enjoyed success on the other side of the Atlantic. Marshall earned a college baseball scholarship to Centenary College in Louisiana and then to the University of the Pacific. After his collegiate career, he signed a professional contract in the independent Frontier League with the Dubois County Dragons. He played for 2 years in American professional baseball, posting a 4–2 record in 57 appearances. He continued his baseball career in style upon his return to Great Britain, pitching the Brighton Buccaneers to a 5–1 victory at the 2002 national championships, a game in which he tied the post-World War II national final record by registering 13 strike-outs.	Gavin Marshall Back to top

	Sir John Moores Back to top	Category: Game builders Though best known in British sporting circles for his chairmanship of Everton Football Club and his Littlewoods Football Pools, Sir John was instrumental in creating baseball's golden era in England, during the 1930s. In 1933, he began his efforts on behalf of baseball by convincing 18 teams in the Liverpool area playing under English baseball's code to take on American rules. John Heydler, who was the president of Major League Baseball's National League at the time, was so impressed by Sir John's work that he donated a championship trophy. Later, through Sir John's considerable financial backing and enthusiasm, baseball in England enjoyed its main period of professional and semi-professional status. Between 1935 and 1939, Sir John's National Baseball Association sponsored such professional circuits as the London Major Baseball League, the North of England League, and the Yorkshire Baseball League. His investment was sizeable: in 1938 alone, according to historian William Morgan, Sir John spent £15,000 (equivalent to over £750,000 in 2009, the year of his induction into the British Baseball Hall of Fame). He was also central to driving international play – a commitment that led to Great Britain's greatest triumph on the world stage. In 1938, Moores backed a series of matches between a team representing the United States and one representing Great Britain. The British side won the series four games to one and earned the "John Moores Trophy", which was donated by Sir John. Today, the International Baseball Federation heralds Great Britain as the first amateur World Champions as a result of that triumph. Beyond his financial wherewithal, he also drew in numerous great athletes to baseball including famed association football player William "Dixie" Dean. The legacy of Sir John's efforts can still be seen today in such locales as Hull and Liverpool, where the foundations of his efforts are still remembered.

	Category: Baseball players Brian Thurston, who retired as Great Britain's most capped international pitcher, was a dominating force both domestically and abroad. Thurston appeared in seven European Championships, throwing 83.0 innings and posting a 5–4 record with a 2.82 earned-run average. He also pitched his club side to multiple national honours. The left-handed Thurston led Great Britain to promotion into the top tier of European baseball in 1988, earning the Most Valuable Player award at the European Championship B-Pool on home soil. He won two games at the event, including the final against Czechoslovakia, in which he threw a 7.0-inning shutout, striking out 12 batters. The publication First Base described the outing as "a stirring display of power pitching." Other stand-out performances were to come. In 1989, he struck out 25 batters in 23.2 innings at the European Championship A-Pool in France and 2 years later he posted a 3.18 earned-run average, fanning 20 hitters in 17.0 innings at the 1991 championships in Italy. Despite suffering an arm injury later in his career, he also contributed to Britain's international success with the bat. At the 1996 European Championship B-Pool in England, his run-scoring 10th-inning hit against Lithuania in the semi-finals secured Great Britain's promotion back into European baseball's elite group after relegation 5 years earlier. Equally impressive in British league play, Thurston was a long-time member of his local side, the Hull (Humberside) Mets. During his club career he led the Mets to three national titles, a silver medal at the 1992 European Cup Winners Cup qualification tournament, and three national Knock-out Cup trophies (in the 1992 triumph, he threw a 7.0-inning no-hitter).	Brian Thurston Back to top

	Norman Wells, Sr Back to top	Category: Coaches, managers, umpires, and other officials The commitment of Norman Wells to baseball in Liverpool and Britain extends approximately seven decades. Wells was a key founder of one of England's most enduring teams, the Liverpool Trojans. Established in 1946, the Trojans earned three national championships and were runners-up twice during Wells' involvement. Other accolades for Wells' clubs include winning the North-West league in nine consecutive seasons (1976–1984). Little of this success would have occurred without Wells, who played catcher and shortstop for the team from 1946 until 1958. When interest waned in the club in the early 1960s, Wells was the pivotal person who reformed the squad in 1964, serving as the Trojans' manager until 1974. Wells' involvement in British baseball extends beyond his club. He also served as the secretary of the Merseyside league and the North-West league for 15 straight years as well as playing roles in various national governing bodies. Additionally, Wells is one of a handful of British scorers to receive international status and is also a past winner of the National Scorers Award. He was made a Life Member of the British Baseball Federation in 2008. Postscript: In 2011, Norman was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Sefton Sports Awards (covering the Sefton borough of Merseyside) for his services to his club and to baseball. Later that year, he went on to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Merseyside Sports Awards.