GERMANY – The Buchbinder Legionaere of the German League have signed a pair of talented Czech players, Petr Cech and Boris Bokaj, for the upcoming Bundesliga season. Both Czech national team members played for the Ostrava Arrows (Czech Republic) in 2009.

Cech is a former Cincinnati Reds’ prospect who became the first non-pitcher from the Czech Republic to play in the U.S. minor leagues in 2007. The 22-year-old, who batted .320 in last year’s Czech League playoffs, will share time behind the dish with incumbent starter and German national team backstop Chris Howard.

The 23-year-old Bokaj sported a 9-9 record and a 2.63 ERA for Ostrava last season. The staff workhorse also tallied 102 strikeouts in 137 innings while posting a league-high 10 complete games.

The Regensburg-based club, a perennial championship contender, won the German crown in 2008 and is coached by multi-titled skipper Martin Helmig (pictured).

Photo courtesy of Buchbinder Legionaere

Tags: Germany