As the Bern Cardinals move closer to claiming their fourth straight Swiss Championship, comparisons to the only club in Switzerland to win five straight title – the Therwil Flyers – are inevitable. But analyzing a team that played in the aluminum bat era with a squad using wooden bats is next to impossible.

Although it is much easier for pitchers to go against hitters with wooden bats, the Cardinals possess a stronger pitching lineup than the Flyers’ teams I guided in the mid-90s. However, when it comes to bashing the baseball, the Therwil lineups of 1994-95 were in a league of their own.

One of the impressive things we accomplished in Therwil back in those days was allowing our second team players to gain valuable postseason experience in every NLA playoff game. Once, in a league finals matchup against the Zurich Challengers, I replaced my entire NLA lineup with NLB players to start the seventh and actually stretched the lead over the final three innings.

Here’s a look at one of the most productive lineups in Swiss baseball history:

1. Christian “Hammi” Froesch (SS)
National team shortstop and an above-average tennis player whose father played on the Swiss Davis Cup tennis squads in the 70s. Left-handed slap hitter with long strides was an excellent bunter who often beat out slow rollers to the left side of the infield. A solid .340+ hitter.

2. Mark Decker (2B)
National Team infielder who thrived in the spotlight and was an excellent bunter until he developed into a solid .400+ hitter. Excelled at int’l tournaments, played hurt, and rarely struck out. The best all-around (hitting, fielding , baserunning) player I coached in Switzerland.

3. Andreas Mathis (3B)
National Team infielder who possessed the fastest bat in Switzerland a decade ago. Hit more frozen ropes than anyone in the league and many of his ground rule doubles in Therwil, Zurich and Sissach were of the .350 feet variety. A solid .360+ hitter.

4. Roy Allenspach (DH-P)
National Team pitcher who had cement blocks for feet but was a consistent .380+ hitter at the plate with above-average power. Was one of those rare veteran players who was always “tweaking” his swing in a never-ending quest to get better.

5. Fernando Abril (1B)
Guatemala native who starred in softball in his younger days was the best “pure” hitter on the team. A solid .380+ hitter who rarely had time to practice due to his job but was a gold glove performer whose extensive baseball knowledge and experience made him similar to a playing coach.

6. Martin “Goggi” Bartschi (LF)
National team outfielder who was a bonafide .350+ hitter and had power to all fields. Veteran leader of the team who had a swagger about him and relished the one-on-one competition with the pitcher.

7. Stefan Suter (C)
National team catcher with an average arm but had the quickest release in the league. Another former tennis player with excellent bat control who sprayed the ball to all fields. Was also an above-average bunter who was not afraid to lay one down with two strikes.

8. Reto Seigel (RF)
Junior National team performer who would have had a starring role on every other Swiss league team but was a supporting cast member for the Big Blue Wrecking Crew. Was one of the brightest prospects in the league who was an inexperienced .280+ hitter.

9. Serge Guex (CF)
Gifted defensive centerfielder who roamed alot of territory and had some pop in his bat. Talented baserunner who joined Froesch, Decker and Abril as adept home base stealers.

Marvin Moore coached the Therwil Flyers from 1993-96

Tags: Switzerland