Two weeks ago the news that the Buchbinder Legionaere Regensburg won’t play in the 2011 European Cup created quite some waves in the European Baseball community. Last week Martin Brunner, pitching coach of the Baseball-Bundesliga team and head coach of the academy in Regensburg, explained the non-participation to a local newspaper. The main reason behind the decision would be the fact that you can only use three foreign players, no matter if they have a European passport. He was so kind to answer also a few questions for Mister-Baseball.
Mister-Baseball: The Buchbinder Legionaere choose not to play in the 2011 European Cup. What is the reason behind this decision?
Martin Brunner: There are no revenue opportunities for the participating teams, just costs and participation fees. There is not much PR work by the CEB and there is only, if at all, TV coverage at the Final Four. There are no people in the stands and the quality of the playing surface often is not up to the usual standards. And obviously the mentioned foreign player rules, which are unfair against EU players, led to the decision of the Buchbinder Legionaere not to participate in the 2011 tournament. I personally don’t want to tell an EU player: “Thanks for helping us all these years, but you cannot play in the European Cup.” I know it from personal experience, as I was born in Germany and having played here my entire career. But in this case I am a foreigner.
MRBB: Did you receive any feedback from other European teams regarding the non-participation in the European Cup? What is the German federation saying about it?
MB: We did receive some feedback. They can relate to our reasons and would hope that the format of the tournaments would change in the future. It was clear for us from the beginning that others would take our spot, but still hope that a discussion is going to be initiated. Germany still will be good represented by Heidenheim.
MRBB: Is Regensburg instead playing in a different tournament this year or are you going to focus solely on the Baseball-Bundesliga? Will there be a Buchbinder Cup?
MB: The Buchbinder Legionaere again will host the Buchbinder Cup, which celebrated his inauguration last year. Defending champion Paderborn Untouchables, the Solingen Alligators and the Bonn Capitals already have confirmed their participation. Our main goal will be defending the national championship. But alike every year we’re trying to arrange several additional and attractive games.
MRBB: If you’re reaching the German finals again, would you consider returning to the European Cup for 2012 or does the CEB would need to change the format to do it?
MB: I think we don’t have disparate opinions like the CEB, as the European federation obviously doesn’t want to discriminate European players. If we qualify for a European competition in 2012, we’re going to evaluate the situation again and might decide differently.
MRBB: How is the roster look like for the 2011 season? Any major transfers planned? Who is taking the foreign player spots?
MB: With a few exceptions our roster will be the same as in 2011. Only Rene Herlitzius has left the club. Enzo Muschik of the Mainz Athletics, who is attending the University in Regensburg, has joined the Buchbinder Legionaere. Additionally we’re going to continue bringing our Academy players slowly to the Bundesliga level. Changes for the foreign player spots are planned and will be announced at an appropriated time in the future.
Photo: © Walter Keller, www.catchthefever.de