The goal is the same thing that the opponent is different: for the Guggenberger legionaries, the playoffs around the German championship begin at the weekend. In changed mode in the German Baseball League (DBL), there is not much space for reparation in 2025. The quarter -finals were canceled for the time being, with the semi -finals it goes straight away.
The Regensburger starts a new attempt to finish the first league final since 2016. As a sovereign South Master, the team of coach Matt Vance will receive the north second Hamburg Stealers in the Armin-Wolf-Arena. On Saturday and Sunday (2 p.m. each), the first two games of the “Best-of-Five” series are on the plan in Schwabelweis. The decision is made on the Alster a week later.
“It is definitely tingling. Playoffs are always something special because you work on it all season. Now we are there and a new chapter begins. Everything is possible,” says Legionary Service Gender Simon Bäumer. The newcomer from Hamburg did not need much expiry time this year to get used to the new environment. The large, grown offensive specialist dominated the southern season of the DBL right from the start. 49 Runs hit Bäumer this season (RBI), more than anyone else in Germany.
Just continue
With a striking average of .420, the First Baseman and Designated Hitter also belonged to the top three. Therefore, Bäumer demands that to continue as before. “Ultimately, we have to play the same as in the regular season, because it is still the same game. That says easier than it is. Of course you will notice that it is more important for both teams. But in the end it is nothing else.”
The 23-year-old still makes it special for the 23-year-old that his first playoff game with the legionnaires is against his home club. “For me it is exciting to meet my old club again in the semi -finals. I see a very good opponent in Hamburg. I have nothing to say badly. I respect the club and look forward to seeing a few familiar faces,” explains the international. “But,” Bäumer holds the ball flat, “I just want to play baseball and win the games.”
Rest or similar from his former colleagues or friends “didn’t come there.” If there were any rumors, “Bäumer assures.
If we do our basics, we are the better team.
Simon Bäumer
For the Regensburg, the semi-final series against Hamburg is also something of a fight with itself. In the past five years, the Upper Palatinate failed every time in the preliminary round. The outcome was partly not to be beaten in terms of drama. In 2016, the Schwabelweiser recently took this hurdle. Bäumers are not too interested in such stories from the past. Just as little as the background noises that existed at the last playoff on each other of the two opponents in the quarter-finals 2023. “What happened two years ago has remained at this time,” says Bäumer and adds: “We concentrate on playing better baseball. As we assess, we – if we do our basics correctly – are the better team. We have to show that in the field.”
The prerequisites this year are better for the second earlier Hamburg team in the legionnaires team. “This year the team feeling is very different. With Matt Vance, we have someone who played for 16 years for the Legionaire and knows very well what it feels as a player. He presses the right buttons. We train harder than the past few years and still have more fun,” explains Outfield Eric Harms. The ex-stealer has been wearing the Regensburg jersey since 2012. Meanwhile, Coach Vance demands: “We have to build up as much pressure as possible on their defensive. This is always a possible weak point. We trust in our strength.”
Last 2000 in the semi -finals
What would be the long-awaited final participation for Regensburg, however, already means that the stealers move into the semi-finals. Most recently, the Hamburgers-at that time as Lokstedt Stealers-reached the penultimate playoff round in 2000. At that time, the Hanseatic Country also celebrated their only championship. Therefore, Bäumer knows: “It is the first semi -finals in a very long time. Of course, this means a lot to the people in Hamburg. They will be very motivated and – as far as I have heard – some fans also come along.”
