The Solingen Alligators have announced their first foreign acquisition for the 2012 season in the northern division of the German Baseball-Bundesliga. On Friday the champion from 2006 announced the signing of first baseman/outfielder Branden Roper-Hubbert. The name of the 24-year-old Florida native is well known in German baseball, as his brother Bradley Roper-Hubbert is playing for the Bonn Capitals since last year.
To add some spice the Capitals and Alligators will square off on the first game day of the new season. Branden Roper-Hubbert played for the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona, Beach (NAIA), where he graduated in Meteorology and worked as an assistant coach. He is scheduled to arrive at the beginning of March. Solingen is going to play three preseason doubleheaders in March against the Capitals (in Bonn, March 11), Mainz Athletics (in Mainz, March 18) and Untouchables Paderborn (March 25).