Heidenheim Heideköpfe sign William Germaine for the 2023 season « 1. Baseball Bundesliga

On Thursday, November 24, 2022, the Heidenheim Heideköpfe announced the signing of William ‘Billy’ Germaine for the Bundesliga season 2023 via their website and social media channels. The all-rounder will support the six-time German champion next year as a catcher, infielder and DH.

The 28-year-old Canadian was on the roster for division rivals from Tübingen last season. At the end of October 2022, the Hawks announced on their website that they would compete in the 2nd Bundesliga in the coming 2023 season – despite winning the relegation series.

A top performer in the south for 5 years

Germaine came to Germany in 2018 and played in his first season in the 2nd Bundesliga for the Raiffeisen Wölfe Lauf. It quickly became apparent that the power hitter was already in the top German division, so Germaine switched to the IT sure Falcons in Ulm for the 2019 season in the 1st Baseball Bundesliga. In the next two seasons, 2020 and 2021, Germaine was on the pitch for the Stuttgart Reds and was awarded ‘Best Batter Süd 2020’ (Link) by the Bundesliga editorial team for his strong offensive performance. For the 2022 season, he switched to the Tübingen Hawks.

Used at the WBC Qualifier for Team ‘Germany’

Germaine was nominated for the German squad by national coach Steve Janssen for the World Baseball Classic Qualifier in September 2022 in Regensburg. Born in Canada, he was eligible to play for the German national team due to his marriage to a German woman and his five-year engagement in Germany.

Professional experience from the USA in the luggage

Germaine played in the NCAA Divison 2 for Southern Arkansas State University in 2015 and 2016. After graduating, he received a professional contract with the Southern Illinois Minors in the US Frontier League (Indy Pro Ball) in 2017. After a year with the Minors, the contract was not renewed and Germaine moved to Germany.

Editor: Marcel Eßers