The Boots are back in town: Original article dated January 25th, 2010

Das Watton, Dermany: It was a shock to victims of the Play-off Riots over 2 years ago and fans alike when the High Court of Hammerburg granted time served to convicted Das Boots Adolf Blitzer, Franz Von Pimpin, Oskar Swindler and Ernst Redrohm earlier this morning. In a statement to the press late last night, Judge Reinhold had this to say:

"It is our conclusion that Herr Blitzer, Herr Pimpin, Herr Swindler and Herr Redrohm no longer pose any threat to the TBL or Das Boots management. They have been model prisoners throughout, they have been reabilitated, and we feel that any additional incarceration would be an injustice, not only for themselves but to the fans that supported them. I might add that it is our further conclusion that given the events at the Challenger Series 2 weeks ago, these gentlemen have a higher likelihood of being killed on the pitch then in Das Watton prison."

Fan pressure for the release of the Boots had been strong throughout their imprisonment, but had reached a frenzy in the last 4 weeks leading up to TB22 when word came out that TB had opened up the Challenger Circuit, and that the Boots would be granted a day pass to participate in the TB Challenger Circuit. For a month almost 3 thousand Boots fans have camped outside the High Court of Hammerburg, marching throughout the day with placards and sandwich boards, and sleeping in a labyrinth of tents that have completely blocked off the downtown core streets of Perceval and Lohengrin. Efforts by Elder Police to clear the area have been largely unsuccessful due to the large number of children in the tent city, where rubber bullets and tear gas would be normally employed.

Speaking to fans for the first time in over 26 months outside of the steps of the High Court of Hammerburg immediately upon release, Adolf Blitzer shadowed by his fellow Boots inmates had this to say:

"It has been a long time since we last spoke back in the summer of TB18. Much time has been wasted while we languish for 4 Thunderbowl seasons, but unlike all the other untermenschen, we are Dark Elves, and the passage of time to us is as harmless as wrestle. Our victory over the Lucky Charms a fortnight ago and the completion of my book, Mein Block, during my incarceration in Drakenborg and Das Watton stands as testament that the Boots have not been idle whatsoever during our absence in Thunderbowl. The goal of Thunderbowl glory is still the same. It is simply our destiny."

"And throughout our imprisonment we could always count on our little Booties to back us up and the movement. Das Boots have suffered enormously throughout our initial campaign in TB16 through to our last season in TB18, but we are now taking a new direction outlined in Mein Block to crush the mortals. See you all on the sidelines in 2 weeks and we thank you for your continued support. Love live sacred Dermany."

General Jason attended the release of the players and exchanged hugs and hand shakes with the 4. Although he declined to go to the podium after Blitzer to speak to the fans, he did say this to the media after Adolf Blitzer's insinuation that the Boots would be returning in TB23 and what was the fate of the Steel Dragons that he had coached for the last 3 seasons:

"The annoucement for the Boots return was one that senior management at Hammerburg TBL was planning on making later this afternoon. Adolf Blitzer kind of let the cat out of the bag but we'll forgive him - after all he's thought of nothing else for the last 2 years. It is the feeling of our General Manager that Hammerburg TBL is better served with 2 strong franchises operating in the B Division. Steel Dragons is practically everything we wanted the franchise to be. Other then bringing a couple more rookies up to speed and solving some new problems with our Deathroller Truckapiller - seems he's only getting the plays half the time, the club in solid."

"Das Boots on the other hand has been reduced to a Challenger Circuit only team and this is something the Hammerburg TBL wants to salvage and rectify. They have a lot of great talent in Adolf Blitzer, Franz von Pimpin, Erwin Rumble, Ernst Redrohm and others, and they want to further build on this core and bring the rest of the team up to speed over the next season or two. Steel Dragons will for now play in the TBL minors, along with the Graveside Gorys, until Hammerburg TBL wishes to bring them up to the show in future. It has always been a pleasure coaching those boys."

Mick Jogger - star Runner of the Steel Dragons was reached for comment immediately following the announcement:

"Why Hammerburg TBL is resurrecting a bunch of arrogant, pointy-eared hasbeens is beyond me. Management - who can understand them? Despite our 23 wins this team is still lacking a breakout post-season which we hope to achieve once these haughty-headed tea-sippers get drummed out again. The guys in our locker room deserve it. I met Adolf Blitzer at the TBL Awards after-party once, back when he was still dating Hanna Rock, and man is that guy an asshole."

"In the meantime we will play in the Challenger Circuit until we return to the show. Good luck to General Jason on behalf of all the players of the Steel Dragons and we look forward to the day when we return with him to TBL B-League and onto the Thunderbowl final."

Sports analysts and coaches alike in the weeks leading up to the High Courts decision were skeptical that the Boots can return to prominance in a bash heavy B-League. Only time will tell.