The Heidenheim Heidekoepfe announced on Thursday that they have added the 22-year-old German right-handed pitcher Benedikt Antwi. They already tried to sign him in 2005, but the then 16-year-old decided to go to Regensburg. With the Buchbinder Legionaere he went 9-1 with an ERA of 2.60 in 20 games in the Baseball-Bundesliga between 2005 and 2009. He struck out 53 batters in 93 1/3 innings, walking 46.
The former Junior National Teamer Antwi also was part of the German National Team at the 2008 Olympic Qualification Tournament in Taiwan. He didn’t play in 2010 due to his time in the German army. With the Heidekoepfe he will start with the second-division team, trying to build up his arm. They hope to have him back at full strength right in time for the European Cup in Amsterdam in June. Heidenheim will open the 2011 season in the Baseball-Bundesliga on April 17 against the Gauting Indians.