About Us
The Story So Far
Cardiff baseball first began to take shape in late 2017 when a few like-minded baseball fans got together to play some friendly games against opponents from over the border.
Realising there may indeed be an appetite for the sport in South Wales things took shape in earnest in 2018 with the decision to use the year as a development phase. Further friendlies were played against teams from the south west, membership was grown to make sure we were sustainable and hard work was put in on the training field at out temporary home in Heath Park.
2019
The Merlins take to the field in the South West Baseball League and our home field moves to Pontcanna. After a tough first half of the season an impressive turnaround led to the team securing a playoff spot with a win over Bristol Bucs' in the last game of the regular season. Sadly the fairy tale first year wasn't to be as Cardiff lost to a far more experienced Exeter side in the final.
2020
Indoor training got off to an excellent start with a number of new faces and everyone keen to build on the first years strong foundations. Unfortunately the heavy rains and subsequent flooding took its toll as our mound was completely washed away, at that point we thought 2020 couldn't get any worse but before the season could get underway covid put an end to the year.
2021
Pandemic restrictions meant that no winter training could go ahead and we entered the season, like many of the other teams, a little unsure of what shape we were in. Off the field there were big changes as the league re-brands to the South West & Wales Baseball League (gets a great new logo) several old teams leave and new ones join. Most significantly the league also affiliates with the BBF, the governing body in the UK.
On the field, literally, hard work and some extra funding means a new mound to replace the one washed into the Atlantic in 2020, and dirt is added at the corners and home plate.
With strong hitting across the lineup and pitching from Pat and Taka that at times was unhittable, Cardiff race ahead in the division eventually going undefeated until the last few weekends of the season by which time a place in the final was already locked. The final itself took place in Taunton against the leagues other division winners, Cornish Claycutters. In a beautifully sunny afternoon in Somerset, led by the pitching of Pat Anthony #45 and catcher Rei #31, the Merlins shut out Conrwall 12-0 to take the title.
To the residents of Taunton, we are sorry about your roof tiles.