The German Baseball and Softball Federation (DBV) announced in a press release that they have parted ways with head coach Greg Frady. Following discussion about the new structure of the national team program both sides reached an agreement to end the bond. The DBV is looking for a head coach, who is more involved in the development of the program. As Frady is also the head coach of the baseball team at the Georgia State University this wouldn’t be possible with him.
Frady said in the press release: “It has been an honor to serve the German Senior National team for the last 11 years. I want to thank the DBV, the coaches, players and fans that helped make the mission a true success. I had a primary goal when I begin working in 2004 and it was to establish professionalism and respect within the team. Today German baseball is respect throughout the world. Seeing the team rise to a top 20 world ranking has been very rewarding for me. There have been many accomplishments with the team, but defeating Team Canada, the USA National Team, winning World Cup games and a very close call to make the Olympics in Taiwan make that list. German baseball has established itself as a top 4 team in Europe and winning the Bronze Medal on home turf was the true highlight. I have so many great memories and made so many lifetime friends. My family was treated so well and I say “thank you” to all the great people of Germany. I had a clear vision of what I wanted to do when I began and now I am leaving the job in a better place for the next person. All the best for the DBV and the team as they move in a new direction. I will remain Team Deutschland’s biggest fan.”
Frady worked with the German national team for 11 years. He took over in 2004, when Germany dropped down to the B-Pool. He led them right back into the A-Pool, won a bronze medal at the 2010 European Championship, guided them to three Baseball World Cup participations, barely missed qualification for the 2008 Bejing Olympics and lost to Canada in the final of the 2012 World Baseball Classic Qualifier. During his tenure Germany climbed into the top 20 of the WBSC Men’s Baseball World Rankings.
Photo by Walter Keller, www.catchthefever.de