Results tagged ‘ Alan Schoenberger ’
New Zealand roster has distinct Bandits flavour
Three members of the Brisbane roster are playing in the WBC qualifier
Bandits Alan Schoenberger and Andrew Marck in New Zealand preparing for the WBC qualifier
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Now, the Australian-based Brisbane Bandits Andrew Marck, Alan Schoenberger and Daniel Lamb-Hunt have returned to their native Auckland to prepare for New Zealand’s chance to compete in the World Baseball Classic.
Speaking from the Diamondblack development camp at Howick Pankurgana Baseball Club in Auckland, the three young players explain the challenge ahead and how they got there.
“Mum’s a Kiwi and pretty much all of mum’s side are all from New Zealand,” Schoenberger said. “Half are based in Australia and the rest are spread out. I kept coming over here pretty quiet because I wanted to concentrate on baseball but I guess the majority of [my family] now knows.”
Schoenberger, like most Kiwi players, spreads himself between the two continents every year to receive as much coaching and field time as possible. The 25-year-old infielder has played in the Philadelphia Phillies farm system but contends the WBC qualifying round in Taiwan is probably one of the largest challenges he has faced in his career.
“You could say it means more, what I am doing right now,” Schoenberger said, describing the difference between playing for the Bandits and his Diamondblacks experience. “I guess when you compare representing a country with state versus state. They are both a privilege to be a part of. Back home [in Australia] it’s different because you play with guys you know day in and day out. Over here, you’re in a team with guys you’ve just met.
“I’ve been pretty lucky this year”.
Schoenberger has played year-round this year joining Robina, the Windsor Royals, the Diamondblacks and the Brisbane Bandits.
“Honestly, it wasn’t my goal to play for my country,” he said. “In baseball, I always had my eyes on the big leagues. Although any chance you get to represent a country along the way, you’ll always say yes to that; it’s an honour as well.”
Right-handed pitcher and second-time Bandit Andrew Marck believes his Australian Baseball League experience helped him secure a spot on the Diamondblacks roster.
“I think the level is level here is pretty similar,” Marck said. “[The Diamondblacks] put on a show like they do at the Bandits.”
Marck relocated to Brisbane earlier this month to begin the club ball season, in hopes of making the Brisbane Bandits roster again.
“I think all the coaching I received at the Bandits helped me with my technique,” the pitcher said. “Our pitching coach, Gary Nilsson, helped out a lot; so did Simon Morriss and Bobby Erasmus. They’ve all been working with me a lot and shown me some things that have really helped out.”
Justin ‘Bobby’ Erasmus, Morriss and Marck are teammates with the Brisbane Bandits and the local club Carina RedSox and work together every week to improve their game.
“I’ve always played for New Zealand at some level in baseball from Under-16 to U18 and so on but this is the first time we’ve assembled all of our top players from around the world,” Marck said. “I thought we’d eventually have a team, but I never thought we’d be this strong. The Diamondblacks are really going to surprise some people.”
Daniel Lamb-Hunt, a three-season standout star in Germany’s Northern League is cognisant of the fact that the qualifying round in Taiwan will be one of the biggest games of his career.
“Doing this, we have the whole country looking at us to perform,” he said. “There is a lot of New Zealand pride in our team and pressure to work as one unit instead of players working toward individual goals within different state teams.”
Lamb-Hunt grew up in Auckland and moved to Australia at 17 where he played his first game of baseball.
“I never had a baseball experience growing up in New Zealand, so coming back here to do this it’s special,” he said. “Baseball was never something I’d even thought of as a kid. I’d always played softball and never had access to satellite TV to see any MLB games so I hadn’t even watched any baseball, so this whole transition was pretty new.”
Lamb-Hunt was signed to the Atlanta Braves organisation in 2006 and has been working every day to improve himself since his release from the franchise.
“It’s a great privilege and I feel like I’m being rewarded to be playing at this level,” Lamb-Hunt said. “It’s telling me that what I’ve put in over the last seven years has paid off. It’s not the ultimate level, but it’s been a goal of mine.”
What is a typical New Zealand player?
“Hard-nosed,” Lamb-Hunt said.
The Diamondblacks will travel to Australia to play an exhibition series against the Sydney Blue Sox and then the Canberra Cavalry before they leave for Taiwan.
Down On The Farm – Phillies release Alan Schoenberger, Hayden Beard pitches AAA
Infielder Alan Schoenberger has been released by the Phillies. He was signed by then Phillies scout Kevin Hooker after his performances in the Australian U18 National Championships in 2007 as an 18yr old.
In 5 years with the Phillies he got to High A last season having struggled each year with the bat. His best offensive year was in 2010 at A ball when he hit .253 and a career high 5 home runs. However, his career average was .217.
In the ABL he struggled again with the bat and in 15 games for the Bandits he finished the 2011/12 season hitting .130.
Hayden Beard went W4-3 last year for the Padres in High A. In what we hope is a sign of things to come he was sent in to start the AAA game against the Royals today and went 3 innings for 1 hit, 0BB, 0R getting 1 strike out.
Originally signed by the Mets in July 2005 after a stint at the MLBAAP on the Gold Coast he missed the 2007 season following right elbow surgery. He was selected by the San Diego Padres in the Minor League phase of the 2009 Rule 5 Draft.
He had a good 2011/12 season with the Canberra Cavalry with a 5-3 record and a 2.82ERA and looks set for a promotion with the Padres this year.
A – James Beresford, Alan Schoenberger, Stefan Welch
James Beresford was 0-3 in the FT Myers 1-0 win over Jupiter today. What was special about that game was that the Ft Myers starter Alex Wimmers threw a 7 inning perfect game, facing the minimum 21 hitters. As James tweeted “Was just part of a no hitter thrown by Alex Whimmers! What an awesome thing to be apart of! Congrats mate.” We agree with you James.
Alan Schoenberger was 0-3 for the Clearwater Threshers. He is hitting .180.
Stefan Welch was 0-1 and had 2 walks for the St. Lucie Mets for a season AVG of .272.
A – James Beresford, Alan Schoenberger, Stefan Welch
James Beresford
James Beresford had quite a day for the Fort Myers Miracle in their 10-4 victory over Jupiter today. James hit 3-4, scored 1 run and had 3RBIs so making a significant contribution to the result. James is hitting .270 for the season.
Stefan Welch went 0-3 for the St. Lucie Mets in their 0-2 loss to Palm Beach.
Alan Schoenberger was 0-1, and scored 1 run in the Clearwater Threshers 1-4 loss to Dunedin.
A – James Beresford, Alan Schoenberger, Stefan Welch
Stefan Welch
Stefan Welch went 1-5 for the St. Lucie Mets who lost to the Fort Myers Miracle 7-11 whilst James Beresford for the Miracle was 0-2 and scored 2 runs and 1RBI.
Alan Schoenberger for the Clearwater Threshers was 0-3, scoring 1 run.
A – Hayden Beard, Alan Schoenberger, Stefan Welch
Stefan Welch
Stefan Welch was 3-4 and scored 1 run today for the St. Lucie Mets in their 2-1 win over Ft Myers. It was Stefan’s best outing since the 29th July against Toronto. He is hitting .276 for the season.
Hayden Beard suffered his 3rd loss today for Lake Elsinore Storm when the Inland Empire hitters tagged him for 5 hits including a home run and 3 runs in his 2 innings of work. Final score was 12-8 in favour of the Empire.
Alan Schoenberger was 0-2 for the Clearwater Threshers.
A – James Beresford, Alan Schoenberger
Alan Schoenberger was 1-3 for the Clearwater Threshers and he is now hitting .281 over his last 10 games. As his season average is .209 clearly he is finishing stronger.
James Beresford went 0-4 for the Fort Myers Miracle in their 2-5 loss to Charlotte.
A – James Beresford, Justin Erasmus, Alan Schoenberger, Stefan Welch
Stefan Welch - he sizzled.
Stefan Welch crunched his 16th home run and a double in his 2-5 day for the St. Lucie Mets. Stefan started things off for the Mets with a RBI triple in the 1st inning and then followed that up with a 2RBI bomb in his next at bat. The Mets beat Bradenton 11-5. Stefan is hitting .271 for the season.
Justin Erasmus came on in the 5th with 1 out and 1 on and proceeded to end the inning with no further runs scoring and then proceeded to throw 2 more scoreless innings in the Greenville Drive 0-7 loss to Augusta. His line was 2.2INN, 3H, 0R, 1BB, 0K and a 1.16ERA.
James Beresford was 0-3 for the Fort Myers Miracle.
Alan Schoenberger was unable to repeat his good outing yesterday against the Lakeland Flying Tigers and today went 0-4.
A – Hayden Beard, James Beresford, Alan Schoenberger, Stefan Welch
Alan Schoenberger - sizzling form today
Alan Schoenberger was at his sizzling best today when he went 3-4, including a double and scoring 1 run for the Clearwater Threshers in their 14-5 win over Lakeland.
Hayden Beard made a return to A ball today after an extended period on the DL with a stress facture in his ankle. Hayden hasn’t pitched for the Lake Elsinore Storm since July 13th.
He came back a winner today – throwing 2 scoreless innings [4th & 5th] in relief in the Storms 1-0 victory over Lancaster. Welcome back Hayden.
James Beresford went 2-4, scoring 1 run in the Fort Myers Miracle 6-1 win over Charlotte in the 2nd of a double header, both won by the Miracle. In the first James was 0-4. He is now hitting .270 for the season.
Stefan Welch broke his mini slump today going 1-4 for the St. Lucie Mets. He had gone 1-19 in his last 7 games.
A – James Beresford, Alan Schoenberger, Stefan Welch
Stefan Welch has 50 RBIs for the season so far
Stefan Welch had his second ‘ofer’ game in a row when he was 0-3 for the St. Lucie Mets but despite that he had 1RBI – bringing his season total to an impressive 50.
James Beresford was 1-4 for the Fort Myers Miracle today. His AVG is .273, SLG.305.
Alan Schoenberger went 1-3 for the Clearwater Threshers with 1RBI and 1 walk bringing his overall AVG to .194. Its good to see that Alan is getting a little more game time of late.
