European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 13, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 36 the stars and stripes sports Friday May 13.1994. A amps Ken George Claus. Helmig driving Force behind baseball in Civ Many for Over 40 years is manager or the German american Amigos team in Mannheim. Shortstop Tim Law Ellen a military policeman in Mannheim practices with the Amigos on wednesday. A amps Ken George in on upswing by . Allbright staff writer Mannheim Germany a baseball fever has a grip on Germany. With More than 13,000 players on All Levels German baseball grows each year. Since 1984, the number of teams in Germany has increased from nine to Over 300. V a a baseball is becoming More popular and Young people Are More interested in playing a said Claus Helmig general manager of the Mannheim Amigos and one of the founders of German Ameri can baseball. Helmig 58, started playing baseball with the . Forces who occupied Mannheim a stadium in the Early 1950s, and has become one of the sports greatest promoters in Europe. A it was love when i saw that White Pearl and smelled the leather a Helmig said cupping his hands As if holding a baseball. A when i hit my first Ball i caught the fever. It was a disease that catches you and does no to let  at age 18, Helmig played for Germany in the first european championships in Antwerp in 1954. Helmig a baseball background also includes a 1956 stint with the Paris Texas orioles a Baltimore farm club and a few months with the Baltimore elite giants of the negro league. A. A a he explained that even though he was White the dying league needed players because the Best Black players were being scooped up by the rapidly integrating major league organizations. Returning to Germany with baseball infused in his blood Helmig spent the next 30 years promoting the sport among his countrymen. As a manager he a taken German Nar tonal teams around the Globe. Along with Many titles and championships he has won the respect of those involved International baseball. Earlier this Spring he was invited to visit the Atlanta braved training Camp. How to Contact a team near you american baseball players looking for a place to play this summer have until july 1 to join one of the German leagues. Sixteen teams make up the first German league and 32 make up the second German league. Many teams Are near . Installations. For information on a team near you Call Claus Helmig at 0621412529. In 1979, Helmig founded the German american league. Independent teams made up of mostly servicemen competed on . Military Fields. At least two germans had to be playing on the Field during the game. A a in a glad that the americans introduced baseball to germans. It gives soldiers who like baseball a Chance to play a said Moses Glare a Mannheim Soldier playing with the Amigos of the first German league. A americans who grew up with baseball tend to play better. Right now germans done to have that a said Clark. A germans tend to give up too Early americans know that even in the Bottom of the ninth things can happen Quot Clark said Helmig compared the growth of baseball Here to the development of soccer in the United states. Quot in the states big companies put a lot of Money into soccer. Here nobody put any Money into baseball. It could really grow faster Here if companies would invest in the sport a Helmig said. Affected by the draw Down and the persian Gulf War the German american league died in 1991. German communities absorbed the teams and the rosters filled with germans who have become increasingly skilled at the sport. Now the tables have turned and no More than three non germans May play on the Field at any time. Player coach Bobby Lambert who is stationed at Darmstadt works out with aiisigost98 Bobby Lambert an Amigo player coach started playing in Germany with the Darmstadt rockets in 1986. The difference in skill Levels Between German and american players has decreased since he started playing he said a a now the German Talent is a Little better. Germans understand the fundamentals they know How to Back up the Ball and play in the Outfield a said Lambert who has played baseball in Little league through College. Lambert has noticed How baseball has taken hold in Many communities. A everywhere we play there Are 5001,000 fans at the games a Lambert said. A they know when to cheer and when to  the German leagues continue to look for competitive players As the sport grows within Germany americans have until july 1 to try out for the teams. Quot As germans become More knowledgeable. They find More excitement for the game a Clark said