For the first time in many years Tim Henkenjohann was not the only player on the German national team wearing the Bonn Capitals Jersey during the regular Season. With Max Schmitz and Lennart Weller the Capitals of Headcoach and former national team captain, Mirco Heid, sent three players to the last Baseball World Cup in Panama.
Even though the German team did not manage to secure a win, the three players are glad they could make the trip and help represent their country. We caught up with them shortly after their return to Bonn:
Are you satisfied with the tournament or is the disappointment over the win-less run overwhelming?
Lennart Weller: Of course we war disappointed about not being able to win a game, but we still played a good tournament. It was a great experience to be able to represent Germany and play against such high-class opponents.
Max Schmitz: We saw that Teams like Cuba still play on another level, but we played hard and professional baseball and got better every day. So personally I see the tournement positively, even though the results were not satisfying.
Tim Henkenjohann: We delivered really close games on a high level, but of course I‘d rather leave the field victorious, especially in the games against Italy and South Korea. We are not that far away from the world class teams.
Max, you played a great tournament in your first World Cup. You had the best ERA of all German Pitchers and finished the tournament with three perfect innings against Australia. How would you rate your rookie performance?
Max Schmitz: I am very proud of my performance as a pitcher for the German team. The feeling you get on the mound is unbelievable and Kai Gronauer and Chris Howard behing the plate really helped me with my game. I hope this was only my first of many tournaments.
It was Germany‘s third World Cup Qualification in a row and next year the European Championship is around the corner. What can we expect from Capitals‘ Players on the German team?
Lennart Weller: We can expect a lot, hopefully. But to be able to play in the Euro 2012, we all need to work hard over the winter and next season.
Max Schmitz: It‘s really hard to predict the future, but we all want to come back for the German team next year.
Tim Henkenjohann: I‘m pretty sure the Capitals‘ Players will be in the focus next year, concerning new talent on the national team. Our coach, Mirko Heid, has installed a very good program here in Bonn and it‘s only a matter of time, that new talent will make its way to the national team.
Even though winter is just around the corner, we want to know what the Capitals have planned for next season, after making it to the semi-finals of the German championship this year?
Tim Henkenjohann: The last couple of years have shown where we want to go. OUr perforrmance has been getting better every year and our goal is to compete for the championship.
Lennart Weller: After reaching the semi-finals for the first time in eleven years, we at least want to achieve that again next year and if possible make it to the finals.
Max Schmitz: I‘m pretty sure the Capitals will be a contender next year. We want to establish ourselves as one of the top-4-teams in Germany.
Coach Mirko Heid can only agree with his players: „I‘m very proud of my Players. Tim has been a regular on the national team for years and I‘m very happy that Lennart and Max get the chance to show their talent for Germany after growing up in our organization and starting in our youth program. Time will tell, if we can get more Capitals‘ players on the national team.“