The Neuenburg Atomics have been playing in the second baseball division for almost two decades. The club has established itself as a successful enclave in the south of the republic. How did he do it?.
Ralf Widmann did not expect that one day he would become an enthusiastic baseball player. The now 52-year-old IT professional was actually more of a soccer player, but in his free time he also tried his hand at ice hockey from time to time. “But then in 1994 a couple of colleagues dragged me along to baseball in Mllheim,” said the father of two on Wednesday afternoon.
When Widmann talks about his sport, he conveys enthusiasm. You can hear that he lives for his sport. “The situation didn’t suit us so well after that, so a year later we started to set up our own baseball department at FC Neuchâtel.”
Two years later, the baseball players went into business for themselves and founded the Atomics. By chance, a former US player ran up to them, who from then on drove the then district league team to perform better.
“In 2002 we were promoted to the second division for the first time,” says Widmann, who is now chairman and assistant coach of the second division. Even if they could hardly have known it back then in the late 1990s, a success story began in Markgrflerland in those years. Because to this day, the Neuenburg Atomics play in the second Bundesliga. In 2008 and 2010, the club even got a taste of first division air for two seasons.
The excellent infrastructure also dates back to these times. While they used to throw and bat on an old hard soccer field, the Atomics have since practiced and played on two real baseball fields. And afterwards they can relax in their own clubhouse. That often doesn’t exist in baseball Germany.
That’s why the association chose Neuchâtel in 2010 as one of three locations (alongside Stuttgart and Heidenheim) to host the European Championships. “That was a highlight in the club’s history and helped us expand the infrastructure,” says Widmann.
But anyone who thinks that the successful baseball enclave has been relying on imported players and professionals since then is wrong. In contrast to a large part of the competition, Neuenburg only relies on homegrown talent in the second Bundesliga Southwest. “My real highlight of the past 20 years is perhaps the game against Saarlouis this season,” says the chairman. Because when the top team was defeated, there were nine players on the field, all of whom had learned the game of baseball in Neuchâtel.
Also involved: a 16-year-old and an 18-year-old – David and Joshua – Widmann’s sons. “It fills you with pride that youth actually plays such a big role here.”
The success of the Atomics, who will finish third or fourth this season in the inaugural playoff round, is closely linked to Rob Piscatelli (48). The American once played successfully in college and came to Markgrflerland by chance, where he still lives today. From then on, he took the Atomics to new heights as a coach. “He is without question a piece of the jigsaw puzzle of our success,” says the chairman.
Another reason the Atomics soar is their ingenuity. Because while the Corona years in many places led to sports clubs lying idle, the Neuchâtel really got going and created their own league within the club – the Atomics Intra League. “Because baseball is about playing, not training,” explains Widmann. In the USA, the professional teams in MLB play 162 games per season. Baseball by baseball. The Atomics also rely on this.
A highlight is imminent. From July 28th to 30th, the Neuchâtel baseball pioneers are organizing their nationally known tournament – the Atomics Baseball Classics. From Friday to Sunday, the US Ambassadors, a team from overseas, a selection from Alsace, the U-23 national team from Switzerland and the Atomics will compete in Neuchâtel. Anyone who wants to marvel at what a successful baseball biotope they have created there in Markgrflerland should not miss it.
2023-07-22 20:05:06
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