Preview Baseball-Bundesliga

The German Baseball-Bundesliga is starting the new season this weekend. In 2007 the MAINZ ATHLETICS surprised everyone by reaching the finals and winning the championship, defeating the LEGIONAERE REGENSBURG in five thrilling games. It was the first time since 1997 that a southern team received the trophy. After years of dominance by the northern clubs, the supremacy has shifted to the south. Only the SOLINGEN ALLIGATORS won a playoff series for the north last year.

And the trend is going to continue this year. Only the 2006 champion ALLIGATORS and the bottom half clubs of HAMBURG and HANOVER in addition to the promoted club DORTMUND WANDERERS made significant acquisitions. This is in contrast to the southern clubs, where several signings were made. For example the HEIDENHEIM HEIDEKOEPFE added the former Major League pitcher Mike Hartley to the roster as their new head coach and part time pitcher. In addition some of the best players joined southern teams. It is going to be difficult to stay at the same level for the northern teams.

The playing format in Germany is pretty much the same like the past few years. There is a double round robin with doubleheaders each weekend. The only difference is the switch of a nine-inning/seven-inning layout to a nine-nine-inning twin bill. The first four of every conference advance to the playoffs. The number one seed of the north faces the number four of the south in the quarterfinals and so on. The bottom four of the standings continue play in the Playdowns with the last being directly relegated and the next to last going into relegation games against the 2nd Bundesliga.

Past five champions:
2007 Mainz Athletics
2006 Solingen Alligators
2005 Paderborn Untouchables
2004 Paderborn Untouchables
2003 Paderborn Untouchables

Check the final standings site for a last look at 2007.

Complete Schedule

Players to look for:
Position Players:
C Kai Gronauer (Alligators)
IF Dominik Wulf (Alligators)
C Simon Guehring (Heidekoepfe)
IF Chris Sweeney (Hornets)
OF Sascha Lutz (Athletics)

Pitchers:
RHP Eddie Aucoin (Tornados)
LHP Enorbel Marquez-Ramirez (Alligators)
LHP Andre Hughes (Alligators)
RHP Tim Henkenjohann (Capitals)
RHP Manuel Moeller (Athletics)

Obviously several of the newcomers from the United States are going to have a major impact on the performance of the clubs. Nevertheless it is complicated to figure out, who is going to thrive and who not. Of course Mike Hartley of HEIDENHEIM would be high on the list. But we do not know at the moment, if he is going to pitch regularly for the club.

Check Part Two and Part Three of our Preview of the Baseball-Bundesliga for a closer look at the teams itself and their changes over the winter:
Preview Northern Conference
Preview Southern Conference