The Baseballs
Introduction '''The Baseballs''' are a German rock and roll band founded in Berlin in 2007.They became popular with 1950s and 1960s style rock cover versions of modern hits such as "Umbrella" by Rihanna, "Crazy in Love" by Beyoncé, "Hot n Cold" by Katy Perry and "Call Me Maybe" by Carly Rae Jepsen. The band members are only credited by their nicknames (Sam, Digger and Basti). Their version of "Umbrella" was a hit in Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Finland, Iceland, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden and Norway.
Musical career Their debut album, ''Strike! '', was produced by JMC Music and released in May 2009 in Germany, Switzerland and Austria, in October 2009 in Finland, in December 2009 in Sweden, in February in Norway and in March 2010 in The Netherlands. It reached No. 15 in Austria, No. 6 in Germany, No. 2 in Switzerland and the Netherlands, No. 1 in Finland, No. 1 in Sweden and No. 1 in the Norwegian album charts. In the UK it was released on Rhino Records UK on 17 May 2010.The band re-released the album in 2010 as ''Strike! Back!'' The lead single is a rockabilly version of Snow Patrol's "Chasing Cars." The video features the band rocking a 1950s prom.In the UK, The Baseballs have appeared on ITV1's ''The David Dickinson Show'', ''Magic Numbers'' and ''This Morning''. In Ireland, The Baseballs have appeared on RTÉ's ''The Late Late Show''. In Australia the group appeared on Channel 9's ''Hey Hey It's Saturday'' In New Zealand they appeared on TVNZ's ''Good Morning''In 2010 the band supported guitarist Jeff Beck on his "Emotion and Commotion" tour as his opening act.On 6 June 2011, the Baseballs released their second album titled Strings 'n' Stripes. It included new singles tracks such as "Candy Shop", "Hello" and "Paparazzi".On 1 August 2011, the Baseballs released together with General Mills – the producer of the ice cream Häagen-Dazs – within an advertising campaign with Cosma Shiva Hagen a free download of the song ''"Wha Wha"'' – which was written especially for the campaign. The track is freely available and can be downloaded from the German site of the brand ''Häagen-Dazs''.On 25 May 2012, The Baseballs released their first live CD/DVD, "Strings 'n' Stripes Live".On 17 July 2023, The Baseballs announced that Digger had left the band.
Discography ===Studio albums=== Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications GER AUT BEL (FL) DEN ESP FIN NL NOR SWE SWI UK ''Strike! ''* Released: 15 May 2009* Label: Warner* Formats: CD, digital download 6  5  1  5  29  1  2  1  1  2  4* BVMI: Platinum* BPI: Gold* GLF: Platinum* IFPI FIN: 3× Platinum* IFPI NOR: Platinum* IFPI SWI: Platinum* NVPI: Platinum ''Strings 'n' Stripes''* Released: 15 April 2011* Label: Warner* Formats: CD, LP, digital download 5  3  10  —  29  2  4  —  4  1  74 ''Good Ol' Christmas''* Released: 11 February 2012* Label: Warner* Formats: CD, digital download 25  22  —  —  —  36  —  —  —  10  — ''Game Day''* Released: 7 March 2014* Label: Warner* Formats: CD, digital download 22  17  —  —  —  —  88  —  —  5  — ''Hit Me Baby...''* Released: 9 September 2016* Label: Warner* Formats: CD, digital download 9  8  54  —  —  —  62  —  —  4  — ''The Sun Sessions''* Released: 20 October 2017* Label: Warner* Formats: CD, digital download 43  38  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  36  — ''Hot Shots''* Released: 28 May 2021* Label: Electrola* Formats: CD, digital download 13  —  151  —  —  —  —  —  —  7  — "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.===Singles=== Year Single Peak chart positions Certifications(sales thresholds) Album GER AUT ESP FIN ICE NL NOR SWE SWI UK 2009 "Umbrella" 43  58  38  1  22  3  6  19  9  124 FIN: Platinum ''Strike!'' "Hot n Cold" 68  65  —  7  —  99  —  —  52  — 2010 "Last in Line" —  —  —  13  —  —  —  —  —  — ''Strike! Back!'' "Chasing Cars" —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  — 2011 "Candy Shop" —  69  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  — ''Strings 'N' Stripes'' "Hello" 100  41  —  —  —  —  —  —  68  — "This is a Night (Het is een Nacht)" (feat. Guus Meeuwis) —  —  —  —  —  69  —  —  —  —;Various releases* 2011: "Wha Wha" (Promotional)* 2016: "...Baby One More Time"* 2019: ''Cadillac Maniac'' ft. Kissin Dynamite* 2020: "Don't Worry, Be Happy"* 2020: "Take On Me"* 2020: Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go* 2021: Rock Me Amadeus
Awards  Year Ceremony Award Result 2010 EMMA Awards Best selling Album  ECHO Awards Best National Newcomer 2011 EBBA Awards European Border Breakers Award  EBBA Awards Public Choice Award  ECHO Awards Most successful Act on foreign country, national
References
External links *  Official Website