by John Baum

This weekend in Switzerland the regular season schedule is suspended for the continuation of the Swiss Cup tournament. All the NLA teams are still remaining at this point, but two are sure to fall as teams from the highest division go to battle in the 2nd round. Three NL1 teams are still around and dream of advancing further in this mixed level tournament.

BARRACUDAS AND CHALLENGERS PLAY ONE LAST TIME AT THE HEERENSCHURLI
The big matchups of the weekend start with the Challengers NLA, facing off against intown rivals the NLA Barracudas. This game being played of course in Zurich, will be the last game at the old Heerenschurli. The Challengers are riding a five-game win streak in the season, and look primed to continue their run. A sore arm limited Jeff Mottle, the 'Cudas #1 pitcher to less than two innings work last game out. Nderim Coma may be the key factor in this matchup as I give the Barracudas the edge in this game.

INDIANS SEEK REVENGE AGAINST FROGS
The Sissach Frogs welcome the Lausanne Indians to the Tannenbrunn Sunday in the other matchup of NLA teams. The Frogs won their only game this season against the Indians, so maybe they will find that energy again to extend their run in this year?s Cup. The Indians come off being swept easily by the Flyers NLA last weekend, and at times looked in disarray. The Frogs could pull off another upset, but it doesn't look likely, as my moneys on the Indians to win this one.

FLYERS HOST 1ST LIGA SUBMARINES
The Therwil Flyers NLA are up against the Romanshorn Submarines Saturday. This looks to be a lopsided affair after the Flyers handed another NL1 team a 33-0 drubbing. The Subs' won't be disappointed with playing well, and keeping it within 15 runs in this game. But that may be difficult as the Flyers seem to be hitting their stride, and will want to prepare for the double header the following weekend against the first place Cardinals. Flyers take care of business and mercy-rule the Submarines.

CARDINALS NLA UP AGAINST FLYERS NLB IN THERWIL
In the second game of the day in Therwil, the Cards' NLA open their Swiss Cup campaign against a young and hungry Flyers NLB team. The teams have met recently, with the Cardinals winning, but not by a huge margin. The Flyers will stick around for a while in this game before the Cardinals bats wake up and end this one in a mercy-rule.

BARRACUDAS 2ND TEAM FACES NL1 SISSACH FROGS
I don't know too much about some of these teams, but I did see the Frogs NL1 play this year when they handed my NL1 team a good butt kicking! But the jump from NL1 to NLB will be too much for the Frogs to handle as the 'Cudas will place their second team into the third round.

NLA WIL DEVILS GO TO GENEVA TO PLAY NL1 DRAGONS
Haven't seen the Devils play either, but they have been the giant killers in the NLA. Looks like they raise their game against the better teams. But do they play down to the weaker ones? I don?t see this happening as the Devils advance easily via mercy-rule.

'CUDAS NL1 TRY TO MAKE IT THREE TEAMS IN THE 3RD ROUND FOR THE ZURICH CLUB
The Barracudas NL1 are playing the NLB Unicorns from Hunenburg. I believe this to be the upset of the week, sending all three Zurich Barracudas teams forward in the tournament.

Photo: © John Baum