The HSV STEALERS, which are playing in the northern conference of the German Baseball-Bundesliga, bring in two American infielders/pitchers to strengthen the team of head coach Shawn Pynn for the upcoming season. Kody Hightower and Jon Adamec are supposed to help the club on offense and defense, replacing Thomas Haugh, Pete Frates and Andrew White, who returned back to North America.
According to the press release they have especially high hopes for Hightower, who is reported to throw up to 92 MPH. The shortstop of the Southern Wesleyan University, South Carolina was named All-American the past two years and batted .427 (OBP .533/SLG .417) with six homeruns, seven triples, 16 doubles, 61 runs scored and 64 RBI in 58 games in 2008. He also was successful in 23 of 24 stolen base attempts.
Hightower and Adamec were scheduled to arrive today in Hamburg and will accompany the STEALERS on their preseason trip this weekend to play four warm-up games. On Saturday they will take on the MANNHEIM TORNADOS and the BUCHBINDER LEGIONAERE REGENSBURG in Mannheim, on Saturday two matches versus the DARMSTADT WHIPPETS and the LADENBURG ROMANS in Ladenburg will follow. The HSV starts into the new Bundesliga season on April 5th on the road against the SOLINGEN ALLIGATORS.