Dohren. Small village, big sport: Wild Farmers have been playing first-class almost non-stop since 2009. Why this baseball chapter is now closed.
It all started with the baseball comedy “The Cleveland Indians.” A couple of guys from one Dorf bei Tostedt were so fascinated that they themselves Baseball wanted to play. This legend accompanies the founding of the Dohren Wild Farmers in 1990. Over the past 34 years, the wild farmers from the south of Hamburg have made a name for themselves nationwide. In 2009 they achieved promotion to the for the first time 1. Baseball-Bundesliga.
Dohren Wild Farmers: Voluntary withdrawal from the 1st Bundesliga in baseball
Since being promoted again for the 2017 season – in between there were two years in the 2nd Bundesliga – the Wild Farmers have been an integral part of the Baseball Bundesliga. However, this chapter now comes to an end – at least for now. The sports club from near Tostedt recently announced that it was for the Saison 2025 I will not register a team for the 1st Bundesliga. A voluntary withdrawal.
The Wild Farmers started the new Baseball Bundesliga season with this team in April 2024.
© Andreas Hannig / Lobeca.de | Andreas Hannig
The main reason for the decision is the thin staffing level of players in the immediate area. “The base of our own players has become too thin over the years for a variety of reasons. On the one hand, we don’t have the financial resources to keep filling this gap with imported players, and on the other hand, that was never our aim,” says press spokeswoman Kirsten Dallmann. Rather, the aim is to win games with as many homegrown players as possible in the team.
Main reason for withdrawal: Too few players in the immediate area
In addition, the requirements of the German Baseball and Softball Association (DBV) are causing problems for the club, which has been dubbed the smallest Bundesliga team in Germany. The DBV has been striving to professionalize the baseball Bundesliga for years. This includes moving away from double game days, so-called doubleheaders, towards splitting up the game days with single games on both Saturdays and Sundays.
Memorable photo: At the start of the 2024 season, the Wild Farmers (green-white) lost against the Hamburg Stealers. In 2025 there will be no northern derby in the first league.
© Dohren Wild Farmers | Georg Hoff
This causes, among other things, accommodation costs for three referees at home games. The volunteers also have to keep two days free. For away games, the Dohren Wild Farmers require at least one overnight stay, where previously it was often possible to arrive and depart on the same day.
European champions 2024 with the German U12 national team: The talents Matthes Schwarcke (left) and Keylen Fernandez Ruiz.
© HA | Markus Steinbrück
Not to mention the national association’s desire to equip all sports facilities with floodlights. A topic that has occupied SV Dohren for years. “All factors that don’t suit our club,” said Dallmann. Dohren is not alone in withdrawing: in recent years, more and more clubs have decided against the 1st Bundesliga. The North tier only includes five clubs instead of the possible eight.
What’s next? First and second men form new second division team!
Dohren’s head coach Pedro Fernandez Ruiz (right) with the 2024 import players (from left): Carlos Parra, Ivan Andueza and Yefferson Ianuzzi.
© HA | Markus Steinbrück
In Dohren, those responsible have decided with a heavy heart to draw a line under the chapter of the 1st Bundesliga. The plan is to merge the previous first and second men’s teams and compete with the newly formed team in the 2nd Bundesliga. The Wild Farmers second team has so far been active in their northern relay. The third team should continue to play in the national league.
More baseball from Dohren:
The baseball department in Dohren, which was founded more than 30 years ago, is increasingly focusing on promoting young talent. “With the aim of bringing a team back into the 1st Bundesliga in the medium term – mainly consisting of our own young players,” it says. A look at the U12 area, for example, confirms that the Wild Farmers have very talented young talent.
Dohren Wild Farmers: Increased focus on promoting your own talents
Matthes Schwarcke and Keylen Fernandez Ruiz won the 2024 European Championship title with the German national team. “With special support, they will hopefully quickly make the leap into top sport,” says Kirsten Dallmann. As a talent from Dohren you can even make it to the motherland of baseball, the USA. Paul Hoff’s development proves this.
In January 2024, the then 17-year-old Paul Hoff signed a professional contract with the MLB club Milwaukee Brewers.
© HA | Markus Steinbrück
The 18-year-old signed a professional contract with in January 2024 MLB-Team the Milwaukee Brewers. Even without a team in the Baseball Bundesliga So the Dohren Wild Farmers and their fans don’t have to worry about a successful future.
