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Venray Tournament    Sept 29-30

 

Flames disappoint in Venray The season ended on a disappointing note as the Richmond Flames finished in last place at the annual end-of-season tournament in Venray. Right from the beginning, things looked poor when the Flames lost badly to the Belgian Sharks 11-2. Pitcher Greg Blair struggled with the wet conditions and his defense let him down as the Sharks poked and scratched 11 runs against the Flames. The two teams were closer than the reflected score but the Flames really threw this game away. Canadian Josh Scuby struggled to get going on the mound and was eventually replaced in the second inning by Greg Blair. But the damage had been done and the Flames lost 12-2 to the host team and eventual winners, Venray Red Caps, in another whitewash. The only bright star was the quick thinking of Dean Manicom who scored their first run in the final inning. Knowing they could only finish a best fifth place, the Flames still continued to struggle in their third game. They came up against another Belgian team, Gent. With the Belgians resting their better players, the Flames struggled behind the pitching of stand-in manager Nigel Stephens whose little experience on the mound cost the Flames. The Flames ended up losing 6-3 and eventually finished last by forfeiting their final game of the competition. It was the worst placing in a tournament for the organization and a bitter end to a sour season. Stephens commented on the weekend and the 2001 season: 'I think we have to put this tournament behind us and look forward to the league next season. With a new manager and some new players I think we can really give these tournaments a shake as well as consolidate our place in the Premiership.' The Flames finish their 2001 campaign having not winning a single game regular season game. After many years of success, the team will need to rebuild their organization again in the hopes of excitement in the upcoming seasons. The Flames preseason training will start in late January and the new season will commence early April 2002.

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