Former Major Leaguer Mike Hartley New Head Coach In Heidenheim

The Heidenheim Heidekoepfe welcome a new head coach for the 2008 season. Former Major League pitcher Mike HARTLEY will be at the top of the coaching staff of the German Baseball-Bundesliga team. The 46-year-old is also going to pitch for the squad.

HARTLEY was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals as an amateur free agent in 1981. In 1985 he was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Minor League draft. He appeared in 202 Major League games (six starts) from 1989 to 1995 for the Dodgers, Phillies, Twins and Red Sox. He had a 19-13 record with four saves and an ERA of 3.70. He also played in Japan (Chiba 1994) and Italy (Nettuno 1998).

The last three years he worked as an assistant and pitching coach for the independent league team Reno Silver Sox. Besides his job, he pitched for the semi pro club Reno Stars. He faced the Heidekoepfe offense this summer at the CEB-Cup and dominated them for seven innings.

He will lead a team, which reached the semi-finals in the German championship two years in a row. Heidenheim also expects two minor league proven position players for the 2008 roster.