Author: Johannes Godler

Team Introduction – Austrian Baseball National Team

One of our regulars at Finkstonball is comming back in 2018! We would like to welcome: The Austrian Baseball National Team. We got Head Coach Hiroyuki Sakanashi for an interview:

Great to have you back at FB XXI. What was Team Austria’s motivation to sign up for FB XXI:

First of all, its great to be back. The Finkstonball Tournament is a great baseball legacy in Austria and we are not only happy to be a part of it, but also see it as our burden to support this great event.

What will your team’s goals be for FB XXI?

Team Austria fougth its way into the final of Finkstonball many times, but yet we could  not take the legendary Finkstonball Trophy home. So of course, winning is our big goal.

Beside that, the Baseball National Team is preparing for a historic tournament in June, when Team Austria will play at the Baseball Euro Playoff Series in Wiener Neustadt for the promotion to the A-pool. Our coaching staff still needs to decide on the 24 players who will form the final roster. So we also see Finkstonball XXI as try-out for our players.

(c) Joe Yun

Finkstonball Tournament has many traditions and special features. What is your favorite thing?

Having a place like the Athletics Ballpark, where people from all arround the world gather to follow and  carry out the love of the game is simply unique.

Is there anything in particular you look forward to in Attnang-Puchheim?

For our national team program, the Pfingsten Weekend is very special. All the potential national players come together to perform as a team and work on the team spirit for our future challenges. Beeing surrounded by baseball  purists is the perfect fit for such a mission.

Team Introduction – The North Baseball

Today we are thrilled to announce a new team at Finkstonball XXI. Traveling all the way from Canada, we are happy to welcome a new team: The North Baseball

Great to have you as one of our new guests at FB XXI. As a team from overseas, it takes quite an effort to come all the way to Attnang-Puchheim. What was your motivation to sign up for FB XXI:

Why not sign up for Europe’s biggest baseball festival? The baseball, the music, the culture!
Our coaches participated in Finsktonball in 2011 and 2012 and had the times of their lives. We wanted to offer the same opportunity to our players in 2018.
We made including the Finkstonball tournament a priority on our trip. It is a unique way to
compete on the field and take in European culture in a fun environment.

(c) Paul Hermann

What will your team’s goals be for FB XXI?

This will be the first trip to Europe for many of our players. Baseball is what gives the the Finkstonball purpose, but there is much more to it than that. This will be a baseball and cultural opportunity of a lifetime for us. We want to take full of what Finkstonball and Attnang-Puchheim has to offer.

 

Finkstonball Tournament has many traditions and special features. What do you want your players to experience here in Attnang-Puchheim? 

The atmosphere over the weekend is incredible! We’re excited to see how Finkstonball has
grown and evolved over the years.

Is there anything in particular you look forward to in Attnang-Puchheim?

We will be the first Canadian-based team to compete and participate at Finkstonball, pretty cool stuff!
Getting to see and catching up with old friends and creating new friendships that will last a lifetime. The facilities, players for all over the world, fans, and everyone at the Athletics organization will make this experience memorable for everyone!