The Baseball and Softball Department of TSG Benrath mourns the loss of our First Chairman, Werner Krause, who passed away suddenly on November 12 after a short and severe illness.

Werner Krause was far more than just our club chairman. He was a reliable partner, a sincere friend, and someone who always showed genuine interest and deep appreciation for the needs of our department. With his helpful, calm, and thoughtful manner, he solved many problems, set important directions, and continuously encouraged us to move forward together.

With his passing, we lose an extraordinary person and an important voice within our club. His support, his advice, and his open ear will be greatly missed.

Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to his family and to all who were close to him.

The second edition of the Senators & Friends Baseball5 Tournament brought together players, friends, and fans for a day filled with energy, laughter, and community. Once again, it became clear that Baseball5 is much more than just a game; it is an expression of togetherness and the joy of being part of a community.

Teams made up of Senators players, family members, and new faces brought excitement to the gym from the very first minute. Quick reactions, creative plays, and countless smiles made every game a highlight. While fun was at the forefront, every run was played for with passion and fought for with fairness.

In an exciting final, the ALLSTARS narrowly defeated the BENGELS 8–7 after extra innings. It was a true nail-biter that kept everyone on the edge of their seats until the final play and filled the hall with emotion.

In the end, there were only winners, because the real success lay in the special atmosphere that makes this tournament so unique. The entire day was marked by fairness, joy, and a strong sense of community.

Just as it is tradition with Senators & Friends.

One game, four bases, endless smiles. See you at the 3rd edition!

“More than just games – a journey that changed us.”

There are seasons in which wins are counted. And there are seasons in which you grow – as a team, as a person, as a community.

2025 was the latter.

A journey full of emotion, hard work, laughter, doubt, and small miracles between the bases.

When we began our preseason together in the spring, there was this feeling:
We wanted to build something. Not just a team, but trust.
Every practice was more than technique and progress – it was connection.

Connection with ourselves, with others, with the game that unites us.

Over the course of the season, we learned that success isn’t only found on the scoreboard.
It shows itself in the moments when someone smiles after a strikeout and keeps going.
When someone who once hesitated to raise their voice suddenly calls the out that ends the inning.
When the bench erupts in cheers as if it were the final of the German Championship.

We won games no one expected us to win, and we lost games that hurt.
But there was strength in both. Because every game brought us closer together.

Whether in Düsseldorf, Neunkirchen, or under the summer heat in Aachen – we didn’t just play softball.
We lived softball together.

A true highlight of the season was our “Pink Against Racism” event.

Pink jerseys, smiling faces, a field full of energy.

A day that showed that softball is more than a sport – it’s a language of peace, respect, and unity.

That was bigger than a game.

But even beyond the big moments, there were countless small stories.

Players celebrating their first hits. Pitchers showing nerves of steel.

Moments when we carried one another – on days when life felt heavier than the ball itself.

And again and again, that quiet feeling: We’ve got this. Together.

What remains is more than a record.

It’s the awareness that every person matters.
That growth takes time.
That joy is contagious.
And that a team grows when it shows up for one another.

When you look out onto the field at the end of the season, after the final game, the sun slowly setting behind the backstop, and you hear the voices, the laughter, the fatigue – you know:

This was real.
This was our year.

Thank you to everyone who made this season possible:

Players, coaches, parents, friends, and supporters.

You turned this season into more than just a series of games.
You made it a story full of heart.

The season for the second men’s team has been over for six weeks now, and looking back, it was a great one. With a view to their second-place finish, the team can be very proud.
“I’m very excited about the team’s development: we’ve significantly improved offensively, scoring 137 runs in 10 games. Throughout the season, we had great team spirit and a friendly atmosphere – that’s what matters most to me in sports. My sincere thanks go to Andi for the excellent coaching,” Head Coach Holger summarized.

The second team is open to players of all ages who enjoy playing baseball. “I’m especially proud that our U18 player Till is establishing himself more and more in the first team, and that our U18 player Max had his first appearances with the first team,” Holger added.

In 2026, the second team will once again compete in the Bezirksliga, integrating new players along the way.

Passion instead of runs

We had set ourselves big goals for the last two games in Neunkirchen – and we knew how demanding they would be. With only ten players, not all of them fully fit, we faced a young, strong, and highly motivated team.

All the more impressive was the fight our girls put up, which has left me deeply moved and proud: If anyone wants to understand the meaning of team sport, they shouldn’t ask the internet — they should simply come to one of our games. This team, that holds together so strongly and grows beyond itself especially when trailing, is incomparable. As much as the defeats hurt — what this group showed is priceless.

Perhaps it is also a sign of the respect we have now earned that opponents do not hesitate to bring in Bundesliga experience when they face us. For us, that is not a disappointment, but rather an honor: we are taken seriously.

With the new game format, we played around twelve more innings than in the previous season — a gain for our development, but also a personal challenge for each individual. Everyone has learned to push beyond their limits, endure setbacks, and still function as a team. With a record of 13 wins to 11 losses, we now head into the offseason. Considering everything we experimented with during the season, that is more than remarkable.

But the record and the standings only tell half the story: This year we played the best softball we’ve ever played. Games at the highest level, showing how much heart, passion, and quality are in this team. Every single player has developed — in the field, at bat, or in her role on the team. Many took on responsibilities they never would have imagined at the start of the season, laying the foundation for us to be broader and stronger as a squad.

Nine wins in a row also showed what this team is capable of when focused and united. Softball in Düsseldorf now has a clear perspective. We are especially proud of our six players under the age of 15, whom we can now carefully develop step by step. For us, this means responsibility not only in sport but also as people: to be role models, to give support, and to create spaces where young players can grow.

We look ahead with great anticipation to the winter season and the challenges to come — with a team that has my heart. Special thanks go to the entire Senators Ladies team, who worked tirelessly both on and off the field. Without your dedication, your support, and your belief in this team, much would not have been possible.

And of course, we warmly congratulate Neunkirchen on winning the Landesliga championship — a strong opponent and a well-deserved titleholder.

Different Roots. One Field.

Music and Dance at the Heart of the Festival

A colorful musical program created a lively atmosphere throughout the day. DJ Andreas kept the crowd moving, while 23rd Staircase and Mariano Gardella filled the stage with vibrant live music. The dance performances were another true highlight: the ensemble Herencia Latina transported guests into the world of Latin American rhythms with passionate choreography, while Zumbini with BLOOMVALLEY thrilled the audience with an energetic show. Music and dance turned the festival into a celebration for all the senses and made cultural diversity shine even more vividly.

Thanks to All Supporters

Under the patronage of TSG Benrath, the festival was organized in collaboration with Jenna Davis from Life in Düsseldorf, VierNull Media, and the Düsseldorf Senators. Above all, the many children brought smiles to the faces of the organizers, who can look back proudly at what was achieved. A special thanks goes to the main sponsor, Stadtsparkasse Düsseldorf, whose support was vital in making this day possible. Equally important were the numerous volunteers behind the scenes, who ensured a smooth event with great dedication and commitment.

A Strong Signal for Community

At the end of the day, the festival left behind the memory of something much more than just a sporting event. It was living proof of how diversity brings people together, how integration can succeed, and how community is experienced. Where walls often rise elsewhere, here bridges were built – with sport, music, food, and above all, with openness and warmth.

The International Festival in Benrath thus set a powerful signal of solidarity, confidence, and joy – one that will surely remain in the memories of all participants for a long time to come.

Two Defeats and Many Small Victories

“Today we were basically running on reserve and somehow dragged ourselves across the finish line. The girls still gave everything, as always, and fought against the losses until the very end. You could feel very clearly that the strength was fading – not only among the players, but throughout the entire staff as well. It’s been an incredibly exhausting season so far, one in which we’ve demanded everything from the team, physically and mentally. On top of that, the sheer number of games has taken its toll. But one thing I want to emphasize clearly: I’m very grateful to the federation that the game days are played as doubleheaders. That’s the only way we can continue to develop our sport in Germany, make it more visible, and give our talents valuable playing time to carefully build them up step by step.

Looking back on today, I see two defeats – but above all, I feel pride. Because even though we lost both games, every single player showed today how much she burns for this team. Each one had to push herself to the limit, each one had to leave her comfort zone. And that is what defines us.

The first game was extremely tough. We had to completely reshuffle positions, and it was clear from the start that not everything would run smoothly. We quickly fell behind, and it looked as if we wouldn’t be able to turn the game around. But that’s exactly when the character of a team shows. Instead of giving up, the team kept fighting. After being down 3–8, we made it really exciting again. Losing 8–13 in the end is bitter – but it also shows that we gave everything until the last pitch. Nobody let their heads drop. On the contrary: you can feel the joy with which softball is being played here, no matter what the scoreboard says at the end.

After a short break of just thirty minutes, there was hardly any time to adjust for the second game. We had actually prepared scenarios, but then an injury threw all our plans overboard. That challenged us even more, because there weren’t many options left in the field. Still, we communicated the goals clearly. For me, there was no question: we would go into the game with Nina and Olivia as pitchers.

About Nina, I want to say this: today she had some trouble finding her landing zone and struggled to fully execute her motion.

That happens – especially when the strain has been so high for weeks on end. We had to take her out already in the first inning, but I’m still satisfied with her performance. Because every single pitch helps us. Every pitch makes us stronger, teaches us how to deal with nerves, and ultimately gives us confidence. That’s development, and I’ll gladly take that with us.

And then there’s our youngest player, and we couldn’t be prouder of her. Today Olivia showed impressively what we can look forward to in the future. With three hard-hit balls at the plate, she not only proved her increasingly consistent offensive qualities. Since we had traveled without a shortstop, Olivia spontaneously took over that role in defense – and did it flawlessly. For me, that was a real highlight. And when we needed her in the circle as well, she pitched three really strong innings.

What moved me the most was that in the postgame talk she emphasized again how important the entire team is to her. She thanked everyone for their constant encouragement and motivating words. That shows her character, and it also shows that such success wouldn’t even be possible without every single player.

At the end of the day, the record shows two defeats. But if you look closer, there are also many small victories: the fighting spirit, the joy of the game, the growth of young players, the support for one another. These are all things we can be proud of.

Of course, we would have loved to win the games. But we’re not too disappointed. We knew that playing against Jülich wouldn’t be easy. Jülich earned these victories – that has to be acknowledged without envy. For us, it’s now about regenerating, gathering strength, and looking ahead. This team has heart, it has courage, and it has the ability to keep getting back up. And that’s exactly why I am convinced that we will come out of this season even stronger than we went into it.

On the final game day against Neunkirchen, we will throw in everything we’ve got once more and reward ourselves with two selfless, wholehearted games for what has already been an outstanding season.”