The German Softball-Bundesliga opened the 2011 season last weekend. In the north the Ratingen Goose Necks have replaced the Holm Westend 69ers to join the Hamburg Knights, defending German champion Wesseling Vermins, Neunkirchen Nightmares and the Brauweiler Raging Abbots. On the first game day Ratingen had to learn the new level the hard way, getting swept by the Vermins and getting out-scored 13-44 in two games. Also the Knights beat Brauweiler twice in five innings.
In the south the Gruenwald Jesters and the Gauting Indians are the new teams in the league, taking the spots of the Herrenberg Wanderers, Laufer Woelfe and Augsburg Dirty Slugs. Together with the Mannheim Tornados, Karlsruhe Cougars, Haar Disciples and Darmstadt Rockets seven teams fight for the four playoff spots this season. On the first weekend Mannheim and Karlsruhe celebrated sweeps, while the Jesters and Heidelberg split wins.
For all German readers a new website about German Softball was created. Check out www.softball-deutschland.de for the latest news on the sport in Germany.
Results Week 1:
Saturday, April 16:
North:
Ratingen – Wesseling 0-14, 13-30
Hamburg – Brauweiler 8-1 (5), 13-5 (5)
South:
Gruenwald – Heidelberg 11-8, 1-4
Sunday, April 17:
South:
Mannheim – Gauting 14-2, 9-1
Karlsruhe – Darmstadt 2-1 (8), 10-3 (5)