The MAINZ ATHLETICS have found a replacement for their retired catchers Janusz Radicke and Flavio Rinaldi. They signed Shu Sasaki for 2008. The Japanese player began his career on the St Mary’s International School (High School) in Tokyo. He went to the United States and joined amateur baseball clubs of the Boston Park League (BPL) and the Boston Baseball League (BBL), where he played until last summer.
In 2007 he hit .425 (OBP .471/SLG .650) with 17 runs scored and 23 RBI in 24 games for CANNON of the BPL. In addition he also played for the ASTROS of the BBL, batting .294 (.388/.353) with ten runs and eleven RBI in 23 games. Sasaki is going to be the regular catcher for the reigning German champion, but is also capable to play third base.
Unfortunately he will miss the first two weeks of the season due to an eye injury. Raef Hobbs Brown, Daniel Hayes and Kevin Kotowski will split time behind the plate during the first few games. The ATHLETICS are open the new season on Sunday April 6th on the road against the MANNHEIM TORNADOS.