The Heidenheim Heidekoepfe are hopeful to retain the services of left-hander/outfielder Luke Sommer throughout the 2014 season. The 28-year-old Oregon native, who has been a German national teamer since the 2012 European Championship, arrived in Germany mid-season after an unsuccessful stint with the Detroit Tigers in Spring Training.
The former Triple-A Minor Leaguer dominated after his arrival, finishing the season with the best ERA and earning MVP honors in the southern division. He went 7-1 with an ERA of 1.36 and batted .394/.432/.803 with seven home runs and 25 RBI at the plate. Playing for the Heidekoepfe in 2014 would set him up for another Euros appearance with the German national team in September of next year.
Sommer’s teammate Simon Guehring was named best batter in the south. Mike Bolsenbroek of the Buchbinder Legionaere Regensburg picked up best pitcher honors. In the north Nick Renault (Solingen Alligators/best pitcher), BJ Roper-Hubbert (Bonn Capitals/best batter) and Brent Buffa (HSV Stealers, MVP) received the season awards in the Baseball-Bundesliga.