The rain and the rising water masses have also played a central role in the plans of the Regensburg Guggenberger Legionnaires in recent days. The away games in the 1st Baseball Bundesliga South against the Stuttgart Reds on Friday and Saturday fell victim to the adverse weather conditions. However, the signs are currently pointing to a go for the upcoming home three-pack.
On Wednesday evening, the long-awaited comeback on the European stage is scheduled to take place in the Armin Wolf Arena. From 7 p.m., the Eagles Prague will be guests on the Danube. On Friday (7 p.m.) and Saturday (2 p.m.), the Upper Palatinate team will host Hünstetten Storm in the Bundesliga.
On Tuesday, the all-clear was given for the Legionnaires. The groundwater level in Schwabelweis is expected to slowly sink again in the coming days and the situation around the stadium will ease. For a short time, the baseball players had to worry about the first home game in the newly formed European Champions Cup. Sandbags were organized, protective covers for the manhole covers were ordered, and an emergency plan was drawn up. This worst-case scenario is unlikely to happen now. Instead, the Bundesliga table leader is looking forward to one of the highlights of the season.
Minor league professional arrives
Three weeks ago, Regensburg started their European competition against Czech record champions Draci Brno. In a high-class encounter, coach Martin Helmig’s team ultimately had to admit defeat with a score of 0:2. At the time, the throwers on both sides fought a duel at a high level. For the legionnaires, this was the trio Scott Harkin, Aljo Sujak and Patrick Mitchell.
At least Coach Helmig can no longer rely on the former. Harkin recently accepted a lucrative offer from Korea and is making another attempt as a professional baseball player. A replacement for the “Shark” is already ready. As has become almost a habit this season, the Regensburg team has acquired another new pitcher – their 16th of the season!
Kieran Lovegrove, a native of South Africa, is now strengthening the pitching team of the Guggenberger Legionnaires. The 1.93-meter giant could have been used as early as the weekend against Stuttgart. Now the right-hander will most likely make his debut against the “Eagles” from Prague. Regensburg is no unknown place for Lovegrove. At the World Baseball Classic Qualifier in September 2022, the former minor league professional was already on the pitcher’s mound in Schwabelweis and impressed with five strikeouts against the German selection, among other things.
First success is needed
In his US career, Lovegrove played 206 games from 2012 to 2021 at all levels of the farm system, from rookie level to Triple A. In 394 innings, the 29-year-old recorded an impressive 357 strikeouts compared to 237 walks. Lovegrove last played at the Double-A level in the Los Angeles Angels organization in 2021.
With the high-profile signing of Lovegrove, the first success in the new Europa League is now absolutely essential. Brno’s league rival from the Czech capital suffered a heavy 0:13 defeat against Heidenheim Heideköpfe on the first match day and is already under pressure, just like the Legionnaires. The clash between Draci and Heideköpfe will take place in Brno at the same time.
2024-06-04 15:06:43
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