Mister Baseball

INTRODUCING THE TEAMS OF THE NLA…WEEK 1 LAUSANNE INDIANS.

by Nicolas Jaquemet (Lausanne Indians)

There is probably one team different than the others in the Swiss Baseball and Softball Federation, the LAUSANNE INDIANS! We tell you why!

This club created in 1990 has been playing in the top league for the last two seasons and they are still fighting in it. In 1995, after having played few seasons in the first league, group west, the LAUSANNE INDIANS decided to join the “new born” FRB Federation in 1996. The FRB, (Federation Romande de Baseball), is an association regrouping clubs from the same linguistic area, (there are four in Switzerland). In this area like in Lausanne or Geneva for example, we speak French like about 30% of the Swiss population.

The LAUSANNE INDIANS were brilliantly and officially named the first FRB’s Champion in 1996, in both Elite and Cadet categories. There were eight teams playing in this association. At this time, the Indians counted on former players like Ken Ripplinger, Ody Breijo, Ian Agerty, Carl Thomas, Cyrill Genoud, Stéphane Jaquemet and others… such a great team managed by coach Mike Schekter and assistant Jack Pogany !

A few years later, the INDIANS decided to move back to the official Federation, actually known as Swiss Baseball and Softball Federation. The decision was made late 2003. In 2004, the INDIANS took part of the first league, (third division), with the intention of reaching the top league in five years. After 16 games that first year, all wins, (perfect year), coaches Cyrill Genoud and José Colon had the honor to promote their team to the second division, (NLB), for the first time in the club’s history. In 2005, the INDIANS surprised everybody in Switzerland by being qualifying for the Swiss Cup Final! They defeated the THERWIL FLYERS in a very interesting game in the semi-final. The BERN CARDINALS were too sharp for the INDIANS losing 17-7 in the Swiss Cup Final. But the INDIANS were promoted to the top LNA league! So they reached it in three years! Like everybody could imagine it, the 2006 season was very hard for LAUSANNE. Top league of course, equals to top teams and tougher games for the INDIANS. They finished in sixth place, out of eight teams, avoiding relegation by one game! Back to the reality for the INDIANS!

The 2007 season was also a hard one for LAUSANNE. After another 7-13 season, the INDIANS narrowly avoided relegation. The team once again made the Swiss Cup semi-final. The ZURICH CHALLENGERS were better and easily defeated them. After having eliminated the INDIANS, the CHALLENGERS won the Cup by defeating the BERN CARDINALS in a strong and very intense game.

The 2008 season brings a lot of new energy to the INDIANS. José Colon and his team are fighting to get a place in the playoffs. With INDIANS Dominican players like Jay Casimiro, Alexis Ramirez, Mario Bonilla. The comeback of Francisco Martinez, Rafael Jimenez, Rafael de Freites and the also talented Wilki Diaz, or Venezuelan José Castill. José Colon can count on a very strong offense and very good defense.

The INDIANS fragility is probably the Swiss pitching staff. They have to count on Nicolas Jaquemet as a starter, but he’s getting old and he has never been a dominant pitcher. But the experience can show him the way. Very talented Damien Baumann can also bring a lot to his teammates and Michel Pasche’s coming back will help the INDIANS reaching the top four positions. After a small break Julien Schekter could also be an interesting key for the Indians pitching staff. Foreign pitching shouldn’t be a big problem for Colon and his team. With guys like Matthew White, Alexis Ramirez, Francisco Martinez, or Rafael De Freites on the mound, the INDIANS probably have solid arguments.

The challenge is to maintain the pressure, and remain as positive as they can, which coach José Colon knows. With a 62% Latin roster the INDIANS surely have the highest percentage of Latin players in the league. But also the lowest (0%) in providing players for the national team! Can the situation change in Lausanne?

“At this time it difficult to say…”, said former Swiss Baseball and Softball Federation President, Nicolas Jaquemet. “But it is important to know that we have the opportunity, in the French speaking part of Switzerland to have this free and organized FRB federation, allowing us developing a team that can bring good talented Swiss players in the next years. Of course, Lausanne wants to contribute more for the national team but this need a good program that need some time to get result.”

In Lausanne, the choice has been made to build a strong NLA team that can be interesting for the medias and the Sponsors and can be recognizable from the political authorities. In the same time, the INDIANS develop, in parallel, a young and talented team that is also welcoming new players, or former cadet players. “This team is perfect for allowing the integration of brand new players in the structure.” Jaquemet said. “We are very active here in Lausanne in promotion activities that we will soon need a third team for everybody to play. Don’t forget Lausanne is the Olympic Capital and the City welcomes the Headquarter of the IBAF, (International Baseball Federation). This of course motivates the INDIANS Committee to promote and offer good Baseball facilities in the area.”

As example, the INDIANS take part of the Olympic week organized by the Olympic Museum that will be held in October just in front of the Museum. One week of sport with the sports organizations of the area, (Lausanne and suburb). They will also participate at the Lausanne-sur-Mer activities, allowing all the young to try Baseball during their holidays just in front of the lake on a beautiful field.

Each year, the INDIANS are using their batting cage, two full weeks, (Olympic week, company’s events, school activities, etc…).

As you’ve seen, the INDIANS are moving and bringing good things to promote Swiss Baseball…

More info on www.indians.ch

by John Baum

This will be the first in a series letting people get to know us outside of the country….and inside. As everyone is aware, each league has it’s own issues regarding any number of things. This is only common, as not everyone is going to see eye to eye. But we are all playing baseball for the same reason, WE LOVE THE GAME!!! I have been here now 4 years in Switzerland, and can honestly say that’s the most I’ve learned about the history of any club here, maybe even mine!!! But I look forward to hearing everyone’s story.

On our side of things here in Bern, business as usual… two more wins this past weekend versus the SISSACH FROGS. We have now won 30 of our last 31, and 18 straight. It was the best we played so far this season…I had been a bit disappointed with our start. When you get to a certain point, which we’re at, its not just about winning games anymore, it’s about how you win them. We have several goals this season, including defending our three straight Swiss titles, but we want to be the first club to represent Switzerland in the European “A” pool. We took a small step forward to preparing for Brno, Czech Republic, but have many more steps to take if we want to achieve this goal.