In another sign of spring arriving in the Alps, the Austrian Baseball League is picking up steam with in its third weekend of play with the third series of the year. The defending champions Shellac Athletics of Attnang will host their upper Austrian counterparts, the RiCo Highlanders of Gramastetten, in the lone matchup of the weekend. The RiCo Highlanders, promoted in the offseason after winning the 2nd league BBL, will have their work cut out for them, as the Shellac Athletics have already shaken off the rust of the offseason by splitting with the Wanderers in Vienna last weekend. Beyond that, the A’s will join the Wanderers in representing Austria in the European Cup Qualifier this year, being selected to host a group of the top teams looking to earn an automatic qualifying spot for their national league.
Pitchers Thomas Schrittwieser and Walter Strasser, having a head start in the season and demonstrating success against more experienced hitters in Vienna, are likely to make quick work of the Highlander lineup. As long as Attnang brings their bats, they will jump to the top of the standings in advance of the remaining teams starting their season the week after Easter.
Upcoming Schedule
| Time | Home | Visitor | Field | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dates and Times are subject to change! In case of doubt check with the responsible national federation! | ||||||
| Saturday, April 23 2011 | ||||||
| 13:00 | Athletics Attnang-Puchheim | Rico Highlanders | Athletics Ballp... |  |
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| Saturday, April 30 2011 | ||||||
| 12:00 | Rico Highlanders | Schwaz Tigers | Martin-Schütz-... | |
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| 13:00 | Athletics Attnang-Puchheim | Schwechat Blue Bats | Athletics Ballp... | |
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| 14:00 | Vienna Wanderers | Stock City Cubs | Spenadlwiese Pr... | |
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Standings
| # | Team | W | L | R+ | R- | .pct | GB | Streak |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Athletics Attnang-Puchheim | 24 | 4 | 224 | 87 | .857 | 0 | W9 |
| 2 | Vienna Wanderers | 22 | 6 | 227 | 82 | .785 | 2 | L1 |
| 3 | Vienna Metrostars | 18 | 10 | 243 | 117 | .642 | 6 | L1 |
| 4 | Schwaz Tigers | 14 | 14 | 204 | 190 | .500 | 10 | L2 |
| 5 | Schwechat Blue Bats | 10 | 18 | 147 | 247 | .357 | 14 | L6 |
| 6 | Stock City Cubs | 10 | 18 | 119 | 165 | .357 | 14 | W1 |
| 7 | Rico Highlanders | 7 | 21 | 149 | 260 | .250 | 17 | L3 |
| 8 | SU Kufstein Vikings | 7 | 21 | 116 | 281 | .250 | 17 | W1 |
