"I would love to coach the German National Baseball Team forever..."
Atlanta baseball coach Greg Frady has turned German baseball into a success story. In his 5 years as the head coach of the German National Baseball Team, he has taken the squad from the B-Pool to placing 4th in the last European Championship and now to their best placement ever in the World Cup.
In front of a crowd of 5,300 international baseball fans, Germany started strong at the 2009 World Cup in Regensburg. They won 14 – 1 in a one-sided game against China. After a successful game against Taiwan two years ago, this was only Germany's second victory in World Cup history.
Frady's squad lost the next two games against the United States (the defending World Champion) and Venezuela. Still, the team placed third in its group and the German fans thanked them with enthusiasm.
We caught up with "Bundestrainer" Greg Frady after his return from Germany...
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- Coach Frady (left) with Consul General Görgens at the "Day of German Unity " Celebration
- (© German Consulate General)
Q: Coach Frady, how did the German team experience the World Cup?
It was a fantastic time for everyone involved in German baseball. Going into the World Cup, we knew that we would play in the toughest group. But the team had a positive outlook and competed really well, finishing with its best placement ever.
The China game was our best chance, although we were still the underdog because China is ranked ahead of us in the world. And when the German team pulled out all the stops winning the game 14-1, the fans in the stadium went wild.
Q: How did you prepare your players?
I took the team for one week to Stuttgart and Heidenheim. We worked on defense, putting our pitchers in the proper positions, and hitting. The squad played three exhibition games against Great Britain, a team of equal strength, and won them all. Definitely a great confidence booster!
Q: What are the strengths of the German squad?
They are excellent team players with great chemistry and comradery. If you give them a job, they get it right. And despite the fact that they are stars in their local clubs, they all come together stronger as a team.
Q: How would you describe the team's experience playing against the United States?
It was a tremendous occasion for several reasons. Entering a stadium with 10,000 spectators was almost overwhelming. Our team has played in front of large crowds before but this was the first time that there were so many pro-German fans.
The US game was also broadcast to 53 million homes on MLB and Eurosport – a great opportunity for the team. For many of my older players, it was as close to being in the big leagues as they will ever get. Of course, that also created a lot of pressure to perform well and to make everyone involved in German baseball proud.
After the game, Eddy Rodriguez, the US team manager, said that the Germans had truly turned into a formidable opponent and that the team deserved a lot of respect. A wonderful compliment for us!
Q: Did you personally approach the US game with mixed emotions?
I never enjoy playing against the US because I have great loyalty to seeing the American people do well. Naturally, as the German coach, I root for my team. But despite this underlying internal conflict, it works out fine. I am great friends with US baseball. They have supported us a lot over the past years.
Q: Were there any surprises in the German team? Who stood out?
There are so many interesting stories about my players - stories of strength, endurance, and enthusiasm...
My pitcher Enobel Marquez got injured during the World Cup and even was scheduled for surgery. He still pitched almost flawlessly against China. Simon Gühring, the team's captain, broke his leg at the World Baseball Tournament in Canada. He went back to Germany and only five weeks later joined the team at the World Cup.
These are just two of the guys about whom I can rightfully say, „I am proud to know this person.“ They give, and give, and give.
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- The German National Baseball Team
- (© DBV)
Q: How did the players respond to the loss against Venezuela?
After it was clear that the team would not advance, there was some disappointment. But there was also pride that we played well against two of the traditional baseball nations even if we could not beat them at this time. Our final placement was just a dream four years ago and the fact, that it came true, is definitely worth a celebration.
Q: Looking back over the past five years as head coach, how would you sum up your experience?
I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity not only to coach such fine players but to establish relationships with them and consider them my family now.
Q: Where does the team go from here?
The year is over for baseball. We are looking forward to the European Championship in July 2010 in Stuttgart and Heidenheim. Since we placed 4th at the last European Championship, we are automatically qualified.
Q: Will you continue as "Bundestrainer" next year?
It if was up to me, I would be the coach of the German team forever. Of course, there are logistical and contractual limitations. Baseball takes a lot of energy and skilled planning. But my heart is in it and I know this team has a great future.
Q: Anything you would like to add looking ahead...?
I would love to get in touch with high school kids who are great baseball players and also have a German passport. Even if they live here, they can still play for the German National Team.
In the US, the national team has 10,000 qualified kids it can choose from for the 24 player squad. In Germany my choices are so much more limited - I have only 35 players at that level.
So if I can find some great German players here in the US, I would definitely like to recruit them!
Thank you, Coach Frady.
Also see our previous stories about Coach Frady and the 2009 World Cup
