South: Bundesliga anniversary in Mainz / local duel in Bavaria
In the 1000th Bundesliga appearance of the Mainz Athletics, there is once again a duel with permanent rival Mannheim Tornados (Photo: Tanja Szidat)
The Mainz Athletics are the last team to start the new season on Matchday 3. And for the Rheinhessen it’s not just any season opener. Rather, the two-time champion is going into his 1000th game in the 1st Bundesliga. So it’s only fitting that the Mannheim Tornados Am Hartmühlenweg will be making a guest appearance at the night game on Friday evening (7 p.m.). The record champions are the only club to have cracked the magic mark. Game two of the evergreen is on Saturday (1 p.m.). Also on Friday evening (7 p.m.) is the Bavarian derby between the Guggenberger Legionnaires and the Munich-Haar Disciples. The second leg takes place in Haar on Sunday (1 p.m.). The third pairing of the weekend is formed by Hünstetten Storm and the Stuttgart Reds (Sunday, double header from 12 noon).
Evergreen with a special touch
The Mainz Athletics and the Mannheim Tornados duel in the baseball upper house for many long years. Since the debut of the A’s in 1992, the paths of the longest-serving southern division teams have crossed every year. The two permanent rivals have faced each other more than 100 times. Both opponents are hoping for their first victory in the forthcoming edition. In order to have a successful season, Mainz recently secured the services of US pitcher Brady Tedesco. The “whirlwinds” take their fourth attempt on the first win. The year began with defeats against Heidenheim and most recently Stuttgart.
Hair struck before Bayern duel
The Munich-Haar Disciples are also still without a win. Upper Bavaria lost all four of their previous games. In the local duel with the Guggenberg legionnaires, the “disciples” have no easier task. At their home game, Regensburg celebrated a double win against the Hünstetten Storm, who gave the “Purple Yellows” two bitter pills at the start. The new legionnaires Daniel Patrice and David Dinski will see their ex-colleagues again. The latter returned to the Danube in winter.
Hünstetten wants to annoy the next opponent
Hünstetten, meanwhile, wants to pick up where they left off against Haar in their first two Bundesliga home games in the club’s history. In the previous week, the promoted team sniffed the sensation in Regensburg and only lost in the second game in extra innings. The Reds made a convincing start on the last day of the game. In Mannheim, the Swabians warmed up properly with 24 runs.
