The Solingen Alligators announced this past weekend that Norman Eberhardt is no longer their head coach. Both sides parted ways after a meeting between the board and the 39-year-old. He had taken over as head coach in 2012 and led the Alligators to their second German championship in 2014. They won the first in 2006, when Eberhardt was still a player.
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A tremendous loss for Solingen — and for German baseball if he goes elsewhere.
Watching the team last year — and in the regular season this year — one could not help admiring the Alligators’ play. Their outfielders ran intelligent routs and hit cutoff men. Their infielders kept the ball under control. They consistently played situation offense (hitting to right field, advancing runners, making productive outs). Regensberg has the talent advantage, and also plays the game well. But I thought Solingen was as composed, purposeful and efficient as any team I saw in European broadcasts.
That can only be attributable to the head coach — and to his very hard work because this calibre of competition requires much practice and planning.
It will appear to be tough for Solingen now. Not only do they lose the heart of their squad (after significant roster loss this year), but they lose their field leadership. Both the components and the glue.
The North, of course, is always a weaker division. Paderborn has been sliding for at least two years and there is little indication their leadership knows how to turn things around (proving that money, indeed, doesn’t solve everything).
It must be a happy time in Bonn!