Rafael Eigenmann, President of the Therwil Flyers, on the World of Baseball

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Rafael Eigenmann has been President of the Therwil Flyers since 2021, a well-known baseball club in Switzerland that recently celebrated its 40th anniversary and has now won the Swiss championship around 16 times. Baseball remains a niche sport in most European countries, in stark contrast to the United States, Japan, Mexico and Venezuela, to name just a few countries where the sport is a mass phenomenon supported by millions of fans. The best baseball players in the world earn salaries comparable to football stars, and the sport has developed into a true industry in these countries. Rafael Eigenmann has played baseball himself since childhood and furthered his baseball education in the United States. From 2009 to 2017, he attended OCS High School and Augustana University, where he studied Business Administration with a focus on Finance, alongside playing baseball. In this interview, the trained business professional speaks about his passion for baseball and places the sport in the context of Switzerland and Europe. He explains what makes baseball particularly interesting and how the sport can influence everyday life as well as the life of a manager. He also comments on statements made by other figures in baseball who have shared their perspectives here.

Xecutives.net: Mr Eigenmann, you are a well-known figure in Therwil, not least because you are at the head of a well-known baseball club, the Therwil Flyers, which recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. The club has grown significantly over the past decades. Currently, more than 150 children and adults are playing and training in various leagues. How did you personally get into baseball?

Rafael Eigenmann: I am not entirely sure whether I am truly a well-known figure in Therwil. What I do appreciate very much, however, is the family-like atmosphere in the village and the strong sense of community within the club. In a place with such an active club culture, as is also the case with our sister clubs LC and FC Therwil, people know each other. That means a lot to me.

It actually took some time until I found my way to Therwil. I have Venezuelan roots; both of my parents are from Venezuela. However, I was born in Switzerland. During the summer holidays, I often spent time in Venezuela, where I played baseball with my father, my cousins and friends. At around the age of 12 or 13, I came across the Therwil Flyers on the internet. I then ended my rather unspectacular football career and have been training and playing in Therwil several times a week ever since.

Xecutives.net: Baseball, as also stated by the former head coach of the Therwil Flyers, John Baum – who led the club to three championships – is a niche sport. However, when one takes a closer look, it quickly becomes clear that it is extremely interesting and demanding. It involves tactics, speed and ball control. Anyone who has followed a baseball game in the United States, for example, is quickly fascinated by this peaceful sport. Why is baseball still a niche sport here?

Rafael Eigenmann: I think many people in Switzerland perceive baseball as very complicated, as a game and sport with many rules. This raises the barrier to entry and creates doubts about whether the sport is even attractive for children. The perception is therefore often not ideal, which is why many people do not give baseball a chance at all. In addition, there is a strong lack of infrastructure and professionalisation in Switzerland. It is difficult to find enough well-trained coaches. Therefore, one must honestly say that the clubs’ offerings are sometimes not yet good enough. This is something we need to work on.

However, I am convinced that baseball and softball are fantastic sports. The key is to create better training conditions and more high-quality facilities. At the Flyers, we have invested specifically in the training of our coaches in recent years. As a result, the quality of training has improved and the children enjoy the sport more. This is the only way we can grow as a club and as a sport.

Xecutives.net: You yourself decided at an early stage, also because of baseball, to go to the United States to study. One year turned into eight. How did this decision come about, and what did you do in the US? What experiences were you able to gain there, both for your professional life and in terms of baseball?

Rafael Eigenmann: As a teenager, it was clear to me: I wanted to become a professional baseball player. Realistically speaking, that is almost only possible in the United States. However, after the first few years, it became increasingly clear to me that it would probably not be enough for a major professional career. Therefore, I focused more on my studies. I continued to be a solid player at university, but my teammates were simply better and often had much more experience. So I had to find other ways: train more, be ambitious and always have the determination to improve.

Even though it did not lead to a professional career, I took away an incredible amount that helps me today in my professional life. It was particularly important for me to learn how to function within a team and to understand the importance of genuine friendships. A combination of ambition and team thinking – always acting in the interest of the team – is, for me, the key to success, both in sport and in professional life.

Xecutives.net: You yourself have Venezuelan parents and you often travel to Venezuela to visit your family. Venezuela has just won the Baseball World Championship. The country, which is currently also caught in the sphere of influence of major political powers, looks back on decades of baseball history. Recently, I met a Venezuelan baseball team in Italy and was impressed by the joy the players showed when I told them that I am part of the Therwil Flyers family…

Rafael Eigenmann: That makes me very happy to hear! In Venezuela, baseball is much more than just a sport. It is part of the Venezuelan culture. People love baseball and go to the stadium with great enthusiasm. The atmosphere is unique: a mix of music, joy and sport – almost like a big party. Anyone who grows up in such an environment develops a tremendous passion for the game. The players are emotionally deeply involved and play with full dedication. In addition, many young people see baseball as an opportunity to escape poverty. Accordingly, they are highly determined and willing to train much more intensively. In comparison, many of us – including myself – grow up in more privileged circumstances and have multiple options in life. This naturally influences motivation.

Xecutives.net: In baseball, there are no fights, no heckling, and people tend to be relaxed and tolerant towards others – even towards the winning team. You describe it in Venezuela as a party that is enjoyed together. I have personally attended baseball games in the United States and have never heard a negative remark or any sign of disrespect. How can this be explained?

Rafael Eigenmann: That is an interesting observation. I think it is strongly linked to the atmosphere and the people involved. Overall, baseball is more relaxed than many other sports. Ambition is, of course, important, but the atmosphere in the stadium – whether in the United States, Venezuela or Japan – is often very laid-back. Many fans go to the game to spend time with friends, have something to eat and casually watch baseball. It is less about getting emotionally carried away. It is completely normal to get up during the game, grab something or walk around the stadium. The stadiums themselves are often architecturally impressive. Recently, I was at the Tokyo Dome – there was a fantastic and very relaxed atmosphere.

Xecutives.net: Back in Switzerland, you decided some time ago to take on the role of President of the Therwil Flyers. Professionally, you work as Associate Director Product Management at Zurich Invest AG. What motivated you to take on this role, and where do you see the challenges?

Rafael Eigenmann: I primarily see my role as President as a way of giving back to the club and to the sport. Thanks to the great commitment of former presidents, board members and coaches, I was able to follow my own path in baseball. I am very grateful for that.

My goal is to give something back to the club and to ensure that every young person in the Basel region has the opportunity to play baseball or softball. At the same time, I see myself as a motivator within the club, and I value working together with people who are important to me.

The challenges are diverse. One issue that concerns me greatly is a cultural shift: there is a core group of highly committed individuals who contribute an incredible amount. At the same time, I observe increasing individualisation among some members. Tasks often remain with the same people, and when help is requested, the response is lacking. This is very difficult to understand. I cannot relate to this kind of self-centred behaviour.

In addition, infrastructure represents a major challenge. Our field is shared by several clubs and is not ideal for any of them. Planned renovations could even result in us no longer having a suitable field. We urgently need our own regulation-compliant baseball field, but this requires suitable land, which is very difficult to find.

Xecutives.net: Sebastian “Seppi” Zwyer, also a baseball player with the Therwil Flyers who has been committed to the club for decades, made some very interesting remarks in an interview. When asked about the influence of baseball on life in general, he said that it is about learning to deal with one’s own failure. A baseball player is constantly confronted with failure, somewhat like in golf. He explained that this ability to deal with failure helps one to get back on one’s feet quickly after a setback in life and to keep going. Do you see it the same way?

Rafael Eigenmann: Absolutely. Seppi is completely right. A baseball player needs a short memory. I know hardly any other sport in which failure is as present. In Major League Baseball, a hitter is already considered world-class if he succeeds in three out of ten attempts. That means that even the best players fail seven out of ten times. That is why it is crucial to be able to deal with setbacks and to maintain a positive mindset. You always have to tell yourself: the next attempt will work.

Xecutives.net: Baseball is, as one only realises when engaging more deeply with the sport, an extremely complex and complicated game. It is not just about strength and speed. That alone is far from sufficient to become a good baseball player. Above all, one must understand the game. In many situations, out of 20 possible options a player has on the field, only one is the right solution. In order to choose the correct strategy within fractions of a second, one must also master the game strategically. What defines this complexity in baseball?

Rafael Eigenmann: I think it is precisely this versatility that makes baseball so special. You need skills from many different sports. Like in golf, you must swing the bat with technical precision and speed. Similar to tennis, the ball has spin and movement. Like in basketball, you have to run while throwing or catching a ball that is flying high through the air. And like in football, you need a combination of endurance and explosiveness.
Baseball challenges the entire body as well as the mind. You have to combine technique, athleticism and game intelligence, and constantly be prepared for different game situations.

Xecutives.net: You yourself played baseball in the United States. What did you notice there that distinguishes baseball in Europe from baseball in the US?

Rafael Eigenmann: There are many differences. In the United States, baseball is on a completely different scale. The infrastructure is significantly better and more professional. In addition, the players are often more athletic and train more intensively. Baseball has a similar significance there as football has in Europe. In Europe, we are seeing positive developments, particularly in countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic and Italy. In Switzerland, however, we are still lagging behind.

Interestingly, I personally enjoy playing more in Switzerland. Here, people play out of pure passion. In the United States – especially at university or professional level – the performance pressure is significantly higher.

Xecutives.net: There are currently several players from Switzerland who are playing baseball in the United States and are able to look back on interesting careers. What distinguishes these players, who are also able to succeed in the US?

Rafael Eigenmann: I do not have exact figures at hand, but when I was playing in the United States, I was one of very few Europeans who had made it onto a university team. Today, there are dozens, if not hundreds, of European players in the US, and overall they are significantly better than I was at the time.

From Switzerland alone, we currently have four to six players who grew up here and are now either playing at university level or have even made the step into professional baseball. This is a very encouraging development.

What distinguishes these players above all is their ambition and genuine passion for the sport. When I think of Devin, Fabio, Dominic and Nick, for example, I see consistently strong personalities with an enormous drive to improve continuously. They are hungry for development and success – and that is exactly what makes the difference.

Xecutives.net: What should these young talents keep in mind if they want to go to the United States, for example, to study and play baseball?

Rafael Eigenmann: Above all: self-confidence! Even though we play less baseball in Europe, that should not prevent anyone from pursuing their dreams. If you do not believe in yourself, it will be difficult for others to believe in you. Therefore, my advice is: think big and be courageous.

The path in the United States is demanding and requires a great deal of commitment, but it is possible. Many Europeans have already succeeded.

Xecutives.net: In this context, baseball strikes me as an extremely interesting sport because it serves as a kind of network that can open many doors around the world. Many club members are expats. They come from Canada, the U.S., or even Central and South America. These people work in Switzerland and want to continue being involved in baseball. That’s also the case with the Therwil Flyers. As president and a baseball player, what have you observed in this regard?

Rafael Eigenmann: The sense of community within the club is truly unique. So many cultures come together – it’s a huge asset for everyone!

For many expats, the club is a piece of home. Precisely because integration in Switzerland isn’t always easy, it’s valuable to have a place where you feel at home and can make connections. I’m very proud of that.

Xecutives.net: When you look at the baseball scene in Switzerland today, what stands out to you? What are the main concerns of clubs, and what does the future hold for baseball players?

Rafael Eigenmann: I think many clubs have realised that they need to improve their offerings and invest more in coaching. There is a transformation underway, but it takes time.

The National League is currently in a difficult phase, as many teams are ageing. At the same time, a new generation is emerging with great enthusiasm for baseball. The key will be to manage this generational transition successfully.
Infrastructure also remains a central issue. Switzerland urgently needs more suitable playing fields. Something must be done so that we do not end up with only one proper baseball field in the country (the one used by the Zurich clubs).

Xecutives.net: What are your next goals – personally, but also in relation to baseball and the Therwil Flyers?

Rafael Eigenmann: My most important personal goal at the moment is to become a good father. I will become a dad in July, and I am very much looking forward to it. Everything else is secondary at the moment, even though I am, of course, continuing to pursue many professional goals.

In baseball, I would like to make progress on the project of a new playing field in the Basel region.
From a sporting perspective, my goal is to participate once again as captain of the Swiss national team in the 2027 European Championship and to be successful together with a strong team.

Xecutives.net: Mr Eigenmann, thank you very much for this interview. I wish you all the best personally, athletically and professionally!

© 2026 by Christian Dueblin. All rights reserved. Other publications are only allowed with the explicit permission of the author.

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• John Baum about baseball and good baseball coaching
• Mike Sundman about the history, young players and the strategy of baseball
• John Baum about baseball and good baseball coaching
• Sebastian Zwyer über den “Randsport” Baseball, die Schweizer Baseball-Gemeinde und seinen Heimclub, die Therwil Flyers
• Björn Jensen Derendinger über die Parallelen zwischen Baseballfeld und Opernbühne
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• Bernhard Russi über Spitzensport, Siege und Niederlagen sowie den Umgang mit Medien und Öffentlichkeit