Every end is also a new beginning: There is no more fitting description these days for the <a href="https://www.archysport.com/2023/04/bundesliga-anniversary-in-mainz-local-duel-in-bavaria-1st-baseball-bundesliga/" title="Bundesliga anniversary in Mainz / local duel in Bavaria « 1st Baseball Bundesliga”>Guggenberg Legionnaires and club icon <a href="https://www.archysport.com/2022/03/play-ball-with-the-regensburg-legionnaires/" title="Play Ball with the Regensburg Legionnaires”>Matt Vance. Just two weeks after Regensburg’s Bundesliga record player hung up his glove, the American is returning to the sidelines as coach of the first team.
The club bosses hope that the decision will give them more support from their supporters. “During the analysis, we identified things that we didn’t like. In particular, how we appear to the outside world, what our connection to the fans is, how the fans can identify with the team,” explained Legionnaires CEO Armin Zimmermann when introducing Vance as the new head coach on Friday.
Helped shape an era
After what was said in the Beach House, the choice in favor of the 38-year-old seems only logical. The Havard University graduate moved to the Danube 15 years ago and, as a player, helped shape the Schwabelweiser’s most successful era. The California native wore the Legionnaires’ jersey in 516 Bundesliga games. More often than anyone else. Vance has played almost half of the 1,057 games played so far in the Regensburg German baseball upper house. He had a career that was rarely seen in this country. “I knew pretty quickly during my first season that I would like to come back. So I concentrated on playing well and inspiring the Legionnaires,” remembers the Regensburg resident.
“During the second season, it was actually clear to me that I think Regensburg is really nice and would like to stay in Germany. Then I started really learning German and looking for work outside of baseball. “I wanted to continue playing for the Legionnaires and was never really interested in going anywhere else,” he continues. Vance put this plan into practice impressively during his 16 seasons in the Bundesliga.
What followed were the championship years during coach Martin Helmig’s first term in office. An era that dates back eleven years. Which is why with Vance – as you notice quite quickly in conversation – the current disappointment is even more present. “I have to keep reminding myself that I have accomplished and achieved a lot. Four championships is more than many other players. I can’t be too disappointed, I know,” Vance appeals to himself. “But,” he adds, “those four championships were a long time ago, and I’ve been trying to win our last league game with the Legionnaires for over ten years to become master. We didn’t make it.”
Doomed to watch
The sting still runs deep in the Legionnaires’ legend. “That’s also a reason why I want to continue as a coach,” admits Vance. Vance’s last appearance as a player was significant. In the playoff semi-finals, the captain was one of the best on his team. In game five in Paderborn, the father of three kept his hopes alive until the end, before he had to watch the Untouchables celebrate as a runner at second base. “Yes, that was very difficult. For me, that’s baseball too. The sport can get you down to earth pretty quickly. It’s a pretty difficult sport in which you fail much more often than the other way around. I had to swallow that in my last season too,” says Vance, who also thought about the reasons. “We didn’t do enough offensively again to win a game like that. We’ve actually had this problem for five years. I’m starting to feel numb about it,” explains Vance, adding: “In the end, we didn’t stick together as a team as much as I would have liked. We have to change that.”
A lot has changed since Vance arrived in Regensburg in the spring of 2009. “I lost some hair, but my beard has grown. Three children. A German woman. A house. “Basically everything you could want,” he summarizes. Regarding his first years with the Legionnaires, Vance says with a smile: “Back then – without smartphones – road trips were a little different.” In 16 seasons, the right-hander held every position except catcher. “At least I caught my son’s first pitch in my last game. In that sense, I’ve already caught,” jokes Vance. Another one will soon be added.
