In the Untouchables camp, they are nevertheless satisfied with the course of the short corona season and what they have achieved. The qualification for the DM semifinals was Jendrick Speer’s minimum goal and could also be fixed as a certain “runner-up” of the northern season. Speer kindly sent congratulations to Heidenheim’s pitcher Lou Helmig. The 17-year-old, Filius of the former Paderborn master maker Martin Helmig, is his godchild.
The transformation
The U’s head coach, who was supported by Octavio Medina (fielding) and Matthew Kemp (pitching), looks back happily on the round of points. “Despite Corona we got a lot of games in. The team has made a leap over the course of the season, has grown together better and has improved. That was a real change from the beginning to the end of the season. We belong to the Top 4 in Germany. It’s an award, ”says Speer.
In the regular group phase, the Untouchables only had to leave their own field as a loser once, in the unnecessary 4: 6 against the Solingen Alligators. Both the team spirit and the development of the individual players have made visible progress, says Speer. He named Florian Seidel one of the season’s winners. The left-hander was often used as a starting pitcher. But also a Nadir Ljatifi performed as an ex-minor leaguer and fulfilled his role as a role model.
Withstood pressure
Jendrick Speer found the two home wins (5: 0, 3: 1) against the Dohren Wild Farmers, with which the play-off participation was tied, as a season highlight. “There was a certain pressure there, especially in front of our own audience. We withstood it. ”The head coach also enjoyed the evening floodlights for the flair.
“The last game against Bonn was a classic. So many home runs are not common, ”he enthuses. “We fought well in the 8: 9 and presented ourselves as opponents at eye level.” However, this was already the third and therefore decisive match of the play-off round against the Caps. The mortgage of 0:15 and 0: 6 from the disappointing first two appearances in the Rheinaue stadium was irreparable. “We played the worst games of the season, but it should have been the best for us. But small mistakes against good teams are punished. Small things make the difference at this level, ”Speer still shudders when looking back at the games in Bonn’s Rheinaue.
“Experience prevails”
The head coach sees great potential in his team, which is still young but more experienced from year to year. “Talent is not enough. Experience makes the difference and prevails, ”he lectures. “And that’s what we’re working towards.” Heidenheim and Bonn, who have faced each other for the fourth time in a row in the DM final, have grown teams over the years. “If our boys stick with it and are between 25 and 30 years old, we are dangerous. Then the others can dress warmly, ”smiles Speer. He’s waiting for the big breakthrough. “We have been learning for years, and this season has brought us further.”
Continue to promote the next generation
Speer wants to stick to the strategy, which has been driven forward since 2013, of primarily making its own youngsters suitable for the Bundesliga. “If we then notice that there is not enough in one position,” we can always react. “An initial survey of the players has shown that continuity is to be expected this time after the change in personnel before the last season. Accordingly, Marco Cardoso also buried his Boston Red Sox dream in the Dominican Republic for the first time. Speer: “Marco wants to build something up professionally here. I assume that it will stay with us. ”
At the moment it is still offseason. In mid-November, athletic preparation for the new season begins under athletic trainer Thomas Prange.
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