The Milton Keynes Baseball Club has secured a place in the BBF Division 3 Championship final. This marks their second consecutive appearance in the final, placing them just one series away from potentially defending their 2025 title.
Journey to the Final
The club, nicknamed ‘The Bucks’, finished the regular season strongly. They advanced to the semi-finals after a decisive 13-5 victory over Oxford in their playoff quarter-final match. Their scheduled semi-final opponent, the Newcastle Nighthawks, was unable to field a team for the journey south.
This withdrawal automatically advanced the MK Bucks to the championship final. The final is scheduled for this coming weekend at Farnham Park, a significant venue for baseball in the region.
Championship Rematch
In the final, the MK Bucks will face the Cardiff Merlins. This is a repeat of the 2025 championship series, where the Bucks emerged victorious in a best-of-three series, winning two games to nil.
The Cardiff Merlins are expected to be seeking retribution for their loss last year. Reports suggest the Merlins have strengthened their squad for the current season, indicating a challenging contest for the Bucks.
The Bucks will rely on key players to secure the necessary two wins. This includes their leading pitchers Toshihiro Kondo from Japan, Heury Galves-Ramos from the Dominican Republic, and Nick Russell from Canada. Their offensive power will be bolstered by Josh Badenhorst, who led the league in hits, RBIs, and runs scored in 2026.
This pursuit of back-to-back championships coincides with the club’s 40th anniversary season, adding extra significance to their campaign.
Club Ambitions
MK Bucks President Ernie Ayala expressed pride in the team’s achievement of reaching the final for a second year running. The club aims to repeat their 2025 success at Farnham Royal.
A victory would serve as a significant springboard for the 2027 season, with aspirations for promotion to Division 2 of the British Baseball Federation. This would bring them one step closer to the highest level of national baseball.
The club also highlighted the importance of community recognition. Efforts by their committee and members are focused on gaining support from the Milton Keynes community. This recognition is seen as vital for securing funding and enabling the development of a youth program, fostering future growth for the club.
The immediate focus, however, remains on the championship final against the Cardiff Merlins.
This story is based on reporting by MKFM. Read the original coverage: MKFM