The preseason in Europe is under way, although the chilly weather doesn’t make things easy. However the forecast shows signs of better times. One of the highlights probably is going to be the exhibition series between Germany’s northern champion Solingen Alligators and a Swiss All Star Team this weekend.
A seven-inning doubleheader is planned for Saturday with first pitch expected around 12.30pm CET, followed by a single seven-inning game on Sunday at 12pm CET. A squad from Swiss NLA already played in Solingen last spring. Alligators head coach Andy Fleischacker is quite familiar with most of the opposing players due to having coached and played in Switzerland in the past.
The Swiss team is led by Reto Siegel, Daniel Eichenberger and Thomas Landis, who are three of the four all-time batting leaders in the NLA. Also aboard will be the Americans Chris Blackbee and JB Tucker of the Therwil Flyers and the Dominicans Johnny Perigo (NLA batting champion 2007) and Sammy Paulino of the Bern Cardinals.
Complete Roster Swiss All Stars:
Thomas Landis, Thomas Blank, Thomas Burger (Zurich Challengers), Manuel Hirtz, Andreas Rüesch (Zurich Barracudas), JB Tucker, Chris Blackbee, Reto Siegel, Daniel Eichenberger, Sebastian Zwyer, Emanuel Raouzeos, Lukas Croton, Stefan Koller, Matthias Jung (Therwil Flyers), Jerome Müller (Lucerne Eagles), Johnny Perigo, Sammy Paulino, Angelo Rodriguez, Alex Wächli (Bern Cardinals), Christian Klarer and Stefan Wick (Sissach Frogs)
Schedule (Ballpark Weyersberg in Solingen):
Saturday, March 20:
12.30 Solingen Alligators – Swiss All Stars
15.00 Solingen Alligators – Swiss All Stars
Sunday, March 21:
12.00 Solingen Alligators – Swiss All Stars
(all games seven innings)
Photo: © Gregor Eisenhuth www.eisenhuth-photographie.de