Bonn Capitals
After Nick Shay and Timor Kombarov skipped out of agreements with the Bonn Capitals due to personal and injury reasons shortly before the start of the 2011 season, the northern division club signed two replacements which celebrated their debut last weekend against the Solingen Alligators. Bradley Roper-Hubbert is a catcher and former New York Mets signee (2006). He attended Alcorn State University. Brett van Hooser played the outfield versus the Alligators. The 28-year-old batted .370/.500/.470 in nine games for the Neunkirchen Nightmares in the Baseball-Bundesliga in 2008.
Pulheim Gophers
Since Markus Solbach is attending extended spring training with the Minnesota Twins organization and later will return to Australia for his first professional experience, the Pulheim Gophers signed Tim Karkatselos. The 26-year-old American with Greek passport is a left-handed pitcher. He attended Eckerd College and Queensborough Community College and made his debut against the Berlin Sluggers last weekend. During last year’s European championship he made three appearances for Greece, including starts versus Italy and France.
Berlin Sluggers
Czech starting pitcher Ales Keprta, who came from the Saarlouis Hornets to the Berlin Sluggers this offseason, suffered a fractured finger getting hit by a comebacker on Saturday. While he is being sidelined the Sluggers will use Kellen Kmiecik in game two each week. The 25-year-old American arrived in Germany on Monday and is also going to strengthen the infield for the team of head coach Sean Sullivan. The Illinois native played in the Frontier League last year and spent the winter in Australia.