First Time Playing on Artificial Turf

The Düsseldorf Senators were guests of the Paderborn Untouchables last weekend—and even though they lost both games by a narrow margin, the day was a big step forward for the Senators.

Even the trip there was special. With perfect baseball weather, the team headed to Paderborn, where they faced not only a strong youth team but also an impressive facility. For many Senators players, it was their first time playing on the Untouchables’ new turf field. The modern field, the entire baseball complex, and the atmosphere on site left a strong impression on everyone. It was immediately apparent how much is being invested in baseball in Paderborn—for that, the hosts deserve nothing but great respect.

There was plenty going on around the two games as well: While the second-division games were taking place on the main field, a large youth tournament featuring teams from various regions and even international guests was held on the side fields. This created a special baseball atmosphere throughout the day, which further enhanced the game day.

On the field, the Senators played what were likely their best games of the season so far. The level of play was high; both games were fast-paced and featured solid baseball from both sides. Particularly encouraging was the significant improvement in Düsseldorf’s offense. After the past few weeks, it was clear that the team was approaching the plate more aggressively and making much better contact with the ball.

In the first game, Anton De Angelis took the mound again and delivered a strong performance. He kept the Paderborn offense in check throughout the entire game with numerous strikeouts and solid pitching. A tight pitcher’s duel developed early on, remaining completely open until the fifth inning with the score tied at 2-2.

On offense, the Senators delivered an early highlight: Nori Ogata hit an impressive home run well over the fence, putting Düsseldorf in the game early on. But in the fifth inning, a series of unfortunate plays allowed Paderborn to score several runs. Despite promising moments and strong offensive plays, the Senators ultimately fell short, losing 2-5.

It was particularly encouraging to see that several players from the second team stepped up to fill the many gaps in the roster and performed exceptionally well. Offensively, in particular, the team showed strong overall development and significantly more confidence at the plate.

Narrow Loss

The second game also remained exciting right up to the end. Tom Kremer started on the mound for the Senators and delivered a very solid performance over three innings. Düsseldorf’s defense once again looked significantly more stable than it had at the start of the season, with plenty of great plays and strong fielding.

Offensively, Düsseldorf remained dangerous and even managed to build a 5-4 lead at one point. After Tom, Robin took over on the mound, before Nori Ogata took over the game later on. The game remained completely open until the final innings and turned into a real nail-biter.

In the end, it was the little things that made the difference. Paderborn scored the decisive run in the sixth inning, while the Senators, despite having runners on base in their final at-bat, were unable to bring home the tying run. Thus, the second game was also lost by a narrow margin, 5-6.

Despite the two losses, the positive feeling prevailed after the day’s games. The team showed clear improvement, playing with more courage, aggression, and overall much greater stability than in the weeks prior. The improvement was particularly evident on offense.

The day was rounded out by a very successful livestream from the Paderborn team, as well as an overall very pleasant and sportsmanlike atmosphere both on and off the field. The cooperation with the umpires was also viewed very positively by all sides.

All in all, it was a game day that, while it didn’t result in any wins, clearly showed the Senators that they’re on the right track.