Wednesday 29 February:

15.00-17.00  Youth Clinic (age 9-12) for players and coaches
17.30-17.45  Opening Ceremony
17.45-18.30  Long Term Athlete Development in Dutch Baseball by Brian Farley
18.30-19.30  Hitting Mechanics by Robert Eenhoorn
19.30-20.00  Break
20.00-20.45  Perception & Eye Tracking by Michelle Kinburn
20.45-21.45  The Athletic Pitcher by Steve Janssen

Thursday 1 March:

15.00-17.00  Youth Clinic (age 15-18) for players and coaches
18.00-18.45  How to Build a Successful Team by Brian Farley
18.45-19.30  From Long Toss to Bullpen by Steve Janssen
19.30-20.00  Break
20.00-20.45  Communicating Effectively to Today's Players by Robert Coffie
20.45-21.30  An Infielders's Toolbox by Robert Eenhoorn
21.30-22.00  Break
22.00-22.30  Panel Discussion with all Speakers

The submitted plan for MLB games has the year 2014 in sight, which would bring a three-game series between two, most likely east coast based, MLB teams to the Netherlands. The only news organizers so far have received is the fact that their bid is the only serious plan for Europe. A decision by MLB is expected for March, when the team owners will talk about international games in the coming five years. This spring the Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics will travel to Tokyo for a two-game Japan Opening Series (March 28&29, 2012).

Remmerswaal signed with the Boston Red Sox in 1974. He moved through the various minor league levels and made his MLB debut on August 3, 1979. He would pitch in 22 games, all as a reliever, in 1979 and 1980 with an ERA of 5.50. He later also pitched in Italy and Puerto Rico until a shoulder injury ended his active career.

Picture Gallery of the Ceremony

On Monday evening Rotterdam Topsport hosted its 25th yearly awards gala for best sports man, sport woman, sport team and sport talent of 2011. Nominated and eventually winner for sport man of the year was pitcher Diegomar Markwell, born in Willemstad 8/8/80. He debuted in Hoofdklasse on 29 May 2004 for Sparta/Feyenoord in Rotterdam and has played all other national seasons for his present club DOOR Neptunus, also in Rotterdam. Markwell played a remarkable 2011 season with Neptunus and with the Netherlands national team. He belonged to the national team roster which won IBAF Baseball World Cup in October 2011.

Neptunus finished first in the regular season of the Hoofdklasse and third in semi finales of national playoffs. Left-hander Markwell reached his best pitcher’s statistics with his own club both in regular season and in post season. He finished as third best pitcher of Hoofdklasse regular season with an ERA of 1.71 in 13 starts and 79 innings. Second best was his Australian teammate Craig Anderson with 1.09 in 5 starts and 58 innings and first was L&D Amsterdam pitcher Rob Cordemans: 0.31 in 13 starts and 88 innings. Markwell struck out 50, walked 26 and conceded 56 hits and 15 runs in his 79 innings.

When his club Neptunus went to the European Cup in Parma, Markwell started his international season with a stunning 7-3 win over T&A San Marino, but a few months later this opponent won the Final Four Champions Cup in Brno. Back in the Netherlands Markwell opened the Dutch playoffs with another strong performance during 7 innings versus Vaessen Pioniers: 8-1. Later he shut out Amsterdam with a 7-0 complete game victory, but the Pioniers finished first in the round robin semifinals and Amsterdam won the 2011 Holland Series.

With the Netherlands national team Markwell participated in the World Port Tournament in Rotterdam. Based on ERA stats, Markwell finished as ninth pitcher in his team ranking. He was involved first with a 4-8 defeat versus Taiwan and later with a 6-inning start for a 4-2 win over same Taiwan, which in the tournament’s finale beat Cuba for the overall victory. Markwell was also picked as lefty by national team manager Brian Farley for the trip to the IBAF Baseball World Cup in Panama. He appeared in 3 games: as middle-reliever in the 5-2 win over Japan, as winning pitcher with a 6 plus innings start versus USA (7-5) and again as middle-reliever in the 2-1 win over Australia. Markwell collected the highest ERA of his own team ranking, but the Netherlands beat Cuba in the tournament’s finale for the world championship.

Markwell and his national teammates and coaches back home became Dutch super stars who were crowned as best sports team of the year and best coach in Europe or best sports man of their city or region. Readers of main newspaper De Telegraaf voted for their national baseball team, when they had to elect the best sport momentum of the year. Majority considered the twenty-seventh out in the hot corner in the Baseball World Cup finale versus Cuba as their ‘moment supreme’ of the year. On Monday also Rotterdam has chosen for baseball and the best pitcher of this city of sports.

The 19-year-old Schmitz pitched for the German national team this summer and went 3-1 with two saves and an ERA of 1.85 in nine games for the Bonn Capitals in the Baseball-Bundesliga. Seltenrijch, who is from Rotterdam, had joined Corendon Kinheim in the Dutch Hoofdklasse in 2011. He batted .243/.328/.308 with a triple, five doubles, 19 runs and 14 RBI in 36 games for the Haarlem based club.

The new season for the GSU Panthers will start on February 17 at home. It is going to be a great opportunity for both players to improve their skill level by simply working out and playing baseball everday in a challenging environment of a Division I team.

Porter, a former teammate of Mike Bolsenbroek in the Philadelphia Phillies farmsystem already played the past two seasons in Europe. Following his release in Spring Training 2010 he signed with the Solingen Alligators. One year later he moved on to the Swedish club Goteborg Hajarna, winning the vice championship. He currently is playing in West Australia, becoming a worldwide journeyman of baseball.

SPRING BASEBALL TRAINING SCHEDULE FEATURES MLB TEAMS VS. NETHERLANDS, CANADA AND USA

ST. PETERSBURG, FL (December 2, 2011) –The 2012 schedule has been announced for the second annual International Spring Baseball Training series at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg. The ten game series, which runs from March 6 to March 18, features the 2011 World Cup Championship team from the Netherlands, Team Canada and St. Petersburg College playing MLB squads from the Tampa Bay Rays, the Detroit Tigers, the Philadelphia Phillies, the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Toronto Blue Jays and the Atlanta Braves.

Reservations for season box tickets will be taken beginning December 9. Season tickets will be offered for a limited time for only $80 — a 36 percent discount off the single game price of $12.50 per game. For group discounts for ten or more tickets, call 727-827-2078.

2012 St. Petersburg International Spring Baseball Series

Tuesday, March 6 7:05 p.m. Canada vs. Netherlands

Wednesday, March 7 7:05 p.m. Netherlands vs. Team USA

Thursday, March 8 1:05 p.m. Netherlands vs. Detroit Tigers

Friday, March 9 7:05 p.m. Canada vs. Team USA

Saturday, March 10 5:05 p.m. Netherlands vs. Canada

Sunday, March 11 1:05 p.m. Canada vs. Philadelphia Phillies

Monday, March 12 1:05 p.m. Netherlands vs. Pittsburgh Pirates

Tuesday, March 13 1:05 p.m. Canada vs. Toronto Blue Jays

Friday, March 16 1:05 p.m. Netherlands vs. Atlanta Braves

Sunday, March 18 1:05 p.m. Netherlands vs. Tampa Bay Rays

St. Petersburg International Baseball is an international baseball program created by Mayor Bill Foster to bring spring baseball back to the historic Al Lang Stadium, originally built in 1977 to replace Al Lang Field built in 1947.

by Pim van Nes

They came from the United States West Coast and crossed the Atlantic Ocean to Europe in order to pay their respects to their teammate Gregory Halman, outfielder on the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers roster and Major League team Seattle Mariners. Departed from Los Angeles on Saturday morning they arrived on Sunday morning in Amsterdam, capital of the Netherlands. Pitcher Dan Cortes (24 years of age), catcher Adam Moore (27), infielder Matt Mangini (25) and first baseman/outfielder Mike Carp (25) joined Seattle’s Club Vice President Bob Engle and Coordinator European Scouting Wayne Norton in Haarlem, the native town of Halman.

According to ceremony master Frits Mulder, close to 2000 people old and young came to present their condolences to Greg’s parents Eddy Halman, Hanny Suidgeest and to his sisters Naomi and Eva Halman during the wake on Sunday. After the ceremony also Minor League roommate Alex Liddi arrived from Pisa, Italy on Amsterdam airport. The first ever Italian player to have made it to Major League Baseball reached the family and his Mariners mates still at Pim Mulier stadium. Together they traveled to Hoofddorp, where Alex (23), third baseman often in Greg’s Minor League teams, saw the Dutch Mariner for the first time since the latter died on early Monday morning, November 21.

On Tuesday November 29, even more people (estimate 3000) attended the final farewell ceremony in Driehuis, a village just north of Haarlem. Several hundreds of them had to stay outside the aula, where the crowd listened to speeches by all kind of family and friends. Surrounded by Mariners players Liddi, Mangini, Moore and Cortes the microphone went to Mike Carp reviewing the years with Greg Halman in Minors and Majors. Dutch federation president Bob Bergkamp referred to Halman as a Netherlands club and national team player and mother Hanny Suidgeest unveiled what happened with her son Jason since he participated in MLB camp 2006. Greg’s best baseball friend in Rotterdam Jeffrey Arends (first base with Neptunus) inspired everybody to help Jason, alike Greg used to ask him every year. Greg’s brother Jason is still in custody in Rotterdam as suspect liable for the death of the Seattle Mariners outfielder.

The white coffin holding Greg Halman went on the strong shoulders of baseball players Carp and Cortes, Moore and Mangini, Liddi and Arends for his last walk. Up and down the dunes between Westerveld aula and his definite resting place. Mister-Baseball.com noticed among the thousands starting pitcher Rob Cordemans and catcher Sidney de Jong of Netherlands national team that clinched recently the Baseball World Championship, Washington Nationals outfielder Roger Bernadina who had accompanied Greg in the second European Big League Tour, Mariners scout in the Netherlands Peter van Daalen and former KNBSB president Theo Reitsma, accompanied by his former colleagues with national TV and radio system NOS, Mart Smeets and Andy Houtkamp. Despite of their age and/or prestige in the country, they waited outside more than two hours on a late November day till the coffin left the aula.

The first to appear with a reaction on internet was MLB.com writer Greg Johns, who quoted Mrs. Louise Molendijk telling about Greg Halman as an instructor for her son during recent European Big League Tour, attended by her son in Utrecht on November 12. The article is illustrated with a photo showing Mariner Halman fine-tuning the skills of his succeeding generation.

Gregory Halman was born on August 26, 1987 in Haarlem, Netherlands. After making his debut in the Dutch Hoofdklasse at the age of 16 he was signed as a non-drafted amateur free agent in 2004 by the Seattle Mariners. He quickly moved up through the Mariners farm system and reached the big leagues in 2010. He appeared in 44 MLB games for Seattle since then. He also was part of the European Big League Tour of Rick van den Hurk together with Prince Fielder and other Major Leaguers, which toured through Amsterdam, Utrecht, Prague and Parma ten days ago, bringing MLB baseball to the kids.

Baseball worldwide mourns the death of Gregory Halman. Rest in Peace.

Riccardo Fraccari, president IBAF and FIBS: “This is terrible news for the whole baseball community. It’s really sad and it’s really terrible the way it happened. We mourn for him and respect his family’s sorrow”

Massimo Fochi, Vice President Italian Baseball and Softball Federation (FIBS): “I cannot believe it. I met personally Greg on Saturday November 12th in Parma, where he was with the European Big League Tour. He was a great guy and the most appreciated by the kids. His passing away is really painful”.

Robert Eenhoorn, Technical Director Royal Dutch Baseball and Softball Association (KNBSB): “It’s a tremendous tragedy for everybody, but our thoughts go especially to his family and the way they need to cope with this”.

“The loss of a talented 24-year-old young man like Greg, amid such tragic circumstances, is painful for all of us throughout the game,” said MLB Commissioner Bud Selig in a statement. “On behalf of Major League Baseball, I send my deepest condolences to the entire Mariners organization and to all those whose lives were touched by Greg.”

Michael Weiner , Executive Director Major League Baseball Players Association in a report by MLB.com: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of Greg Halman. Greg was passionate about the game of baseball and generously gave of himself to share his passion with others in an attempt to help grow the sport’s popularity across Europe. He will be sorely missed. … Our thoughts and prayers go out to Greg’s family, his teammates, the Mariners organization and his many friends and fans throughout Europe and America.”

“The Mariners family is deeply saddened by the tragic death of Greg Halman,” said Mariners chairman Howard Lincoln, President Chuck Armstrong and General Manager Jack Zduriencik in a statement issued by the club. “Greg was a part of our organization since he was 16, and we saw him grow into a passionate young man and talented baseball player. He had an infectious smile that would greet you in the clubhouse, and he was a tremendous teammate. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Greg’s family.”

The KNBSB has published a condolance register at http://www.condoleanceregister.nl/Condoleance-Gregory-Anthony-Halman.html

The Dutch National Team will return to St. Petersburg, Florida in February and March 2012 to hold Spring Training. They will again take part in the St. Petersburg International at Al Lang Stadium. The team of manager Brian Farley will meet the Canadian Junior National Team three times (March 5, 6, 10) and will face a couple of MLB teams as well, including probably the Tampa Bay Rays and the Philadelphia Phillies.

Baseball
Best Batter: Dirk van ’t Klooster (Corendon Kinheim)
Best Pitcher: Rob Cordemans (L&D Amsterdam)
Most Homeruns: Bryan Engelhardt (Corendon Kinheim)
Most Stolen Bases: Dwayne Kemp (DOOR Neptunus)
Holland Series MVP: Wesley Connor (L&D Amsterdam Pirates)
All Star Game MVP: Bryan Engelhardt (Corendon Kinheim)
Guus van der Heijden Memorial Award: Dwayne Kemp
Roel de Mon Award: Jerremyh Angela (Amsterdam Pirates)
Ron Fraser Award: Stijn van der Meer (PSV)

Softball
Best Batter: Areke Spel (Oolders Omaco Sparks Haarlem)
Best Pitcher: Kirsten Scheele (Oolders Omaco Sparks Haarlem)
Most Homeruns: Debby Connor (Sparks Haarlem)
Most Stolen Bases: Chantal Versluis (Sparks Haarlem)
Holland Series MVP: Debby Connor (Sparks Haarlem)
Egbert van der Sluis Memorial Trophy: Nathalie Timmermans
Bep van Beijmerwerdt Trophy: Dinet Oosting (Olympia Haarlem)
Riet Vermaat Trofee: Marjolein Merkx (Gryphons)

It was November 11, two months exactly after the decisive play-off game in Hoofdklasse, but Haarlem became the Dutch city of baseball again. Because one month ago Honkbal became Baseball World Champion and put the baseball world upside down. “Revolution” according to Stefano Arcobelli, since decades baseball expert for Italian pink daily Gazzetta dello Sport. Dutch federation KNBSB decided quickly that “Panama” deserved a parade for the surprise champions and picked 11/11/11 in Haarlem for this baseball champion’s parade. Minor League players were flown into Schiphol international airport in order to join their National Team mates from Hoofdklasse.

Yesterday the first twenty-four players were hosted by the city of Haarlem, during the century of KNBSB (founded in 1912) pioneering and progressing in national baseball and reputed in global amateur baseball world for 50 years Honkbal Week tournaments and Pim Mulier stadium. Champions parade day in Haarlem started with a lunch in tournaments hotel Van der Valk and a visit to Pim Mulier stadium, where baseball kids were learning first abilities indoor. Honkbal Week logistics partner Jan de Wit drove the national team in a white touring car to Spaarne riverside, where players and coaches embarked for a voyage on a tourism boat through the crowded city center.

By five o’clock p.m. the champions were received in down town Teyler’s Museum, where national Sports Minister Edith Schippers told that H.M. Queen Beatrix was pleased to have royal decorations presented to team captain Sidney de Jong, team manager Brian Farley and technical director Robert Eenhoorn at this occasion. All other players and coaches will receive their royal decorations in their home towns. Question remaining refers to Belgian pitchers coach Steve Janssen, who lives abroad in Antwerp. He told Mister-Baseball.com, that he was happy that his IBAF Baseball World Cup medal had attracted attention even from Belgian media, usually not too eager for baseball news.

Haarlem Mayor Berndt Schneider hosted a small reception for the Dutch national team in his almost 400 years old town hall at the city’s main square Grote Markt. A small reception because town hall was occupied all day by too many wedding ceremonies for couples in love with this triple eleven date. In front of Haarlem town hall, thousands of baseball fans from city and country were waiting desperately to see their baseball heroes, who appeared at seven o’clock in the beams from a central podium on main square. Announced by Andy Houtkamp (son of softball coach Nol Houtkamp) each player and coach walked over a red carpet to the central champagne shower.

Concert hall Philharmonie was the honoring day final destination for a dinner party, for Hoofdklasse Star Awards Gala and an intimate after party for players, coaches and their invitees. Mister-Baseball.com dined at one table with knighted coach Brian Farley, his wife Gonny Farley from Haarlem and his father Barney Farley from Boston. The 80 years young grand-father had just arrived from USA for a week visit to his son and grandson in the Netherlands and wondered: “How can I explain to my people in the States that my son went to Europe to play baseball and then to coach baseball and then to become world champion in baseball and now to be knighted for baseball?”

MVP 2011: Rob Cordemans (L&D Amsterdam)
Best Left-Handed Pitcher: Diegomar Markwell (DOOR Neptunus)
Best Right-Handed Pitcher: Rob Cordemans (L&D Amsterdam)
Catcher: Sidney de Jong (L&D Amsterdam)
First Baseman: Percy Isenia (L&D Amsterdam)
Second Baseman: Roeland Henrique Jr. (L&D Amsterdam)
Third Baseman: Raily Legito (DOOR Neptunus)
Shortstop: Vince Rooi (L&D Amsterdam)
Leftfielder: Eugene Kingsale (DOOR Neptunus)
Centerfielder: Danny Rombley (UVV)
Rightfielder: Dirk van’t Klooster (Corendon Kinheim)
Designated Hitter: Bryan Engelhardt (Corendon Kinheim)

The program at a stage will start around 16h00. The Dutch national team will arrive by boat via one of the canals, passing the “Verfroller” at around 15h45 and “Melkbrug” at 16h00. From 17h45 to about 18h30 the team will greet the audience on the stage. Prior to the party on the grand plaza the team will be officially welcomed and honored by politicians.

In the evening starting at 20h00 he KNBSB will hold its annually KNBSB Stars Awards at the Philharmonie in Haarlem, where the players and coaches receive special gifts. The festivities marathon concludes (about 22h00) with a big after show party. The last two events however won’t be open to the general public, so make sure to attend the program in the afternoon.

The greater part of the Dutch national team, new world champions, was cheered in a crowded soccer stadium in Eindhoven, where PSV played European League versus Hapoel Tel Aviv. At half time baseball players and coaches were applauded by 21.000 sport fans in Philips stadium. The local baseball club PSV has produced several good players, who were signed by US professional organizations, such as Rick van den Hurk (Florida Marlins, Baltimore Orioles) and Alexander Smit (Minnesota Twins, Cincinnati Reds).

Mister-Baseball: At which point did you think, you could win the Baseball World Cup? Was there a game, a situation, where you said, well, we could go all the way?

Brian Farley: The first thoughts occurred early once I saw how well we played in our four pre tournament games versus Venezuela (2X), Ch. Taipei and Panama. We won all four and did it in different ways.  However, a couple of things were in place that you look for as a coach.  Our defense and pitching were very solid and we were making the most of our opportunities to score. I was also very pleased with our perseverance and refusal to quit, which are crucial in this game.  We twice came back from being behind by 6 runs in our last game versus Venezuela.   There were a number of other moments which added to my and our team’s belief in our ability to go all the way.  The most important being when we beat Australia in a hard fought game which took place over two days.  We resumed the game tied 1 to 1 in the top of the seventh, with runners on 1st and 3rd for the Aussies and two outs and we got out of the jam on one pitch to a very dangerous hitter.  Then proceeded to win the game in the bottom of the seventh and hold on for a 2-1 win.  Three hours later we began a game versus Cuba and went on to win 4-1 in a tremendously well played game.  That’s when I think we all felt that we deserved to win it all!

Mister-Baseball: What were the keys to win the tournament?

Brian Farley: Well as mentioned above the key elements of pitching, defense and timely hitting.  Perhaps more important than this was our ability to stay in the moment throughout the tournament.  Not getting distracted by what just happened or what might happen but just playing and executing to the best of our ability at that moment.  Top sport people refer to this as the flow. It is easier in theory than it is in practice but we made this one of our key initiatives and the guys responded to it tremendously.  Last but not least was our preparation for each game which gave us a tremendous amount of confidence.  This was possible due to some great work from our staff members, in particular Dave Drayer our advance scout and Tjerk Smeets who assembled and organized all the information.  There is a great motto which goes “Fail to prepare then prepare to fail”.

Mister-Baseball: How important is the title for Dutch Baseball and European Baseball in general?

Brian Farley: Hard to say how the future will play out but given the amount of publicity we have received but I am hopeful that it will be extremely important.  I believe that Europe has an opportunity to show that they can no longer be overlooked when it comes to international baseball and I am hopeful that we will be able to capitalize on our recent success in the form of increased participation from young boys in our sport throughout Europe. I would also like to see a positive effect on those IOC members who have voted against baseball in the past.  Europe has enormous potential and hopefully this championship will act as a catalyst for both growth and recognition.

Mister-Baseball: How did you handle the long rain delay in the finals?

Brian Farley: At the beginning of the tournament I spoke to the team and told them that “whatever happens is exactly what we expect”.  We also reinforced the need for us to stay in control of ourselves and not allow things outside of our control to distract us from our mission.  We had an enormous amount of distractions during the tournament that will go unknown for the most part. The guys handled all these distractions in an incredibly professional manner. The rain delay was no different other than the fact that it was magnified due to it being a world championship game.  Each player has their own way of coping with these types of things.  Some are introvert and prefer to play games on their Ipads or phones.  Others release steam by being  with their fellow teammates and telling stories, jokes or playing games.  This is an individual thing and my advice is to allow them that time to do their thing.  We would have been ready whenever they said “Play Ball”.

Mister-Baseball: You won the Baseball World Cup in your first year as head coach. What is next?

Brian Farley: Great question…I’m going to ask that exact question of my players when I meet with them next week.  Keeping the hunger to perform at the top after such an extraordinary success is a big challenge for all of us.  However there are a number of big tournaments on the horizon and this will be where we will turn our attention.  We have the European championships next year here in The Netherlands and we will be very determined to recapture the title we lost to Italy in 2010.  Also the WBC is coming in 2013 and this will of course be a great challenge for us.

ADO was in the headlines for a couple of days last week, as they temporarily announced that Rob Cordemans would join the team from the bottom half of the standings. But in the end the best pitcher in the league decided to stay with L&D Amsterdam after all. However ADO still was able to add two former professional players from the United States.

The 25-year-olds TJ Macy (drafted by Milwaukee Brewers in 2006) and Phil Ortez (2006 Detroit Tigers, didn’t sign) will bolster the offense. They are still looking to add an infielder and a catcher. Also hopes are on their youth program to produce players for the Hoofdklasse.

Otherwise there are quite some interesting transfers. ADO missed out on Cordemans, but still was able to acquire Thomas Macy from the USA and Phil Ortez from Solingen. Amsterdam picked up Nick Stuifbergen and Mets Minor Leaguers Bjorn Hato and Kevin Weijgertse from Kinheim.

Corendon on the other hand bolsters its pitching staff with Arshwin Asjes and brings in prospect Rachid Engelhardt, who impressed at the 16U Baseball World Championship in Mexico. After missing out on another title DOOR Neptunus was very active, signing Jason Halman, Adrian Anthony, Bobby Carrington, Rafael Jozefa and Lennart Koster from other Hoofdklasse clubs. additionally they are bringing back Dushan Ruzic.

Among the transfers of the other clubs, a few more are interesting. Eddie Aucoin of the Vaessen Pioniers is retiring, starting his new career as caring father in the US. Also Cuban slugger Fausto Alvarez is leaving UVV with unknown destination.

ADO

Arrivals: Thomas James Macy (Southern Illinois Miners), Ludwin Obispo (Sparta/Feyenoord), Philip Ortez (Solingen Alligators), Martijn Riphagen (UVV), Dave Daniëls (head coach).

Departure: Jan Baldee (DOOR Tridents), Jurandy Girigory (Sparta/Feyenoord), Gyenuar Lopez (Vaessen Pioniers).

L&D Amsterdam

Arrivals: Nick Stuifbergen (Corendon Kinheim), Björn Hato (Corendon Kinheim), Kevin Weijgertse (Corendon Kinheim).

Departure: Seb Visser (Mr.Cocker HCAW)

Mr.Cocker HCAW

Arrivals: Linoy Croes (Vaessen Pioniers), Randy Reiph (Vaessen Pioniers), Glenn Romney (UVV), Seb Visser (L&D Amsterdam), Rudy Dirksen (head coach).

Departure: Rodney Daal (UVV), Mitchell Koot (UVV), Kevin Miner (Vaessen Pioniers), Michael Pluijmers (Vaessen Pioniers), Kyle Ward (UVV), Rachid Engelhardt (Corendon Kinheim), Ronald Jaarsma (head coach, retired).

Corendon Kinheim

Arrivals: Arshwin Asjes (DOOR Neptunus), Ramiro Balentina (Sparta/Feyenoord), Quintin de Cuba (Sparta/Feyenoord), Rachid Engelhardt (Mr.Cocker HCAW), Marvin Evangelista (Kinheim Rookies), Jorn van Ingen (Kinheim Rookies), Mervin Gario (Vaessen Pioniers), Dion Steyl (Kinheim Rookies), Stanley Engelhardt (assistent-coach).

Departure: Jason Halman (DOOR Neptunus), Björn Hato (L&D Amsterdam), Duko Jansen (UVV), Rafael Jozefa (DOOR Neptunus), Rodney Michel (unknown), Patrick Beljaards (retired), Nick Stuifbergen (L&D Amsterdam), Kevin Weijgertse (L&D Amsterdam).

DOOR Neptunus

Arrivals: Adrian Anthony (Mr.Cocker HCAW), Bobby Carrington (Sparta/Feyenoord), Jason Halman (Corendon Kinheim), Rafael Jozefa (Corendon Kinheim), Lennart Koster (Mr.Cocker HCAW), Dushan Ruzic (Telemarket Rimini, Australia).

Departure: Craig Anderson (Australia), Arshwin Asjes (Corendon Kinheim), Eldiron Regina (retired).

Vaessen Pioniers

Arrivals: Jourick Blanco (Sparta/Feyenoord), Byron Cornelissen (RCH/Pinguïns), Gyenuar Lopez (ADO), Kevin Miner (Mr.Cocker HCAW), Michael Pluijmers (Mr.Cocker HCAW).

Departure: Eddie Aucoin (retired), Linoy Croes (Mr.Cocker HCAW), Tino van Erk (RCH/Pinguïns), Mervin Gario (Corendon Kinheim), Randy Reiph (Mr.Cocker HCAW).

Sparta/Feyenoord

Arrivals: Edison Bito (Orioles), Churandy La Cruz (Cromtigers), Siegert Flaneur (Robur 58), Jurandy Girigory (ADO), Elton Koeiman (PSV), Jochem Pronk (Euro Stars), Brian Raap (St. Maria Pirates, Curaçao), Michel Ruiter (PSV), Reynaldo Samiento de Claro (PSV), Pim Swinkels (DOOR Tridents).

Departure: Ramiro Balentina (Corendon Kinheim), Brian Biezen (UVV), Max Bijster (Euro Stars), Jourick Blanco (Vaessen Pioniers), Bobby Carrington (DOOR Neptunus), Quintin de Cuba (Corendon Kinheim), Rensver Jansen (unknown), Rubinet Koko (Euro Stars), Emeron Lourens (Blue Devils), Ludwin Obispo (ADO), Rudy Seebus (Euro Stars), Leo Voogd (assistent-coach, Euro Stars).

UVV

Arrivals: Brian Biezen (Sparta/Feyenoord), Rodney Daal (Mr.Cocker HCAW), Lindell Finsy (UVV Rookies), Jeroen de Haas (Seattle Mariners), Duko Jansen (Corendon Kinheim), Mitchell Koot (Mr.Cocker HCAW), Stijn van der Meer (PSV), Andy Raaff (UVV Rookies), Brendan Schoemaker (Euro Stars), Kyle Ward (Mr.Cocker HCAW), Frank Koene (head coach), Marlon Frolijk (assistent-coach), Eric de Vries (pitching-coach).

Departure: Fausto Alvarez (unknown), Juri van Leeuwen (Domstad Dogers), Glenn Romney (Australië/Mr.Cocker HCAW), Jurien Overman (retired), Martijn Riphagen (ADO), Rutger Veugelers (Euro Stars 3), Jeroen Hermans (Euro Stars 3), Royce Holder (head coach), Patt Romney (assistent-coach), Cliff Foster (assistent-coach).

More about all the transfers later this afternoon.

PUC. You played for PUC in 1990. How were you recruited and what was it like when you arrived ?

Brian Farley. I played for Puc in a tournament versus Villadecan in Barcelona. The head coach was a Japanese legend named Yoshida. We beat Villedecan in a great game that I pitched and it was a wonderful time of which I still have fond memories. I was recruited by Gene Gremaldi who is a friend of mine to this day.

PUC. Given your vast experience in university baseball, the minor leagues and in the Dutch league, how would you compare all that with baseball in France when you joined PUC ? In other words, the level of play, the quality of coaches and players, and how the sport is organized in France.

BF. French baseball has come a long way since I played in 1990. The coaching and development of players is much higher and they are producing quality athletes who know how to play the game. I have had the pleasure of working with some of these players during our European Showcase tours of the US in 2009 and 2010. France is no longer a team to take lightly at all and we have a great deal of respect for their coaches and players. I am less familiar with the current club environment in France as it has been a long time since I have visited the country for baseball purposes.

PUC. At PUC, you were coached by the great Japanese star, Yoshio Yoshida. What stood out to you about his coaching ? How was his approach to coaching different from that in the U.S., particularly in the minor leagues ?

BF. I wasn’t with Coach Yoshida for very long and the language barrier was a bit difficult. However he was a very impressive man who impressed me by his calmness and discipline. It was clear that we were in the presence of a great baseball player. The Japanese way is different to ours in the level of discipline and the attention to detail that the Japanese enforce. They are very strong at pitching, defense and in situational play. They rarely beat themselves and never quit. All in all their results in the last two World Baseball Classic speak of perhaps the best style of baseball on the planet.

PUC. PUC was the French national champion when you were here. What stands out most in your memory of that time ? The players ? Their team spirit ? How they played ?

BF. PUC was indeed a very good team when I was there. Again, I wasn’t with them for very long but I have fond memories of the time and still run into some of the players I played against who are now coaching from time to time.

PUC. Have you followed the evolution of French baseball since that time? What do you think ? What’s your evaluation of those teams that have taken part in international competitions?

BF. As I mentioned above, I and the Dutch take the French program very seriously. They have done a tremendous job at the academies and we are seeing many more French players who are able to play at the highest international levels.

PUC. Your Dutch team won the World Cup of Baseball, an historic achievement. What was that like ? How did the Dutch react ?

BF. The response to our winning the world title has been overwhelming. It started out slow with very little media interest at the beginning. Once we made the finals and beat Cuba for the first time, the media took a new look and all of a sudden we were everywhere in the Dutch media. Since arriving home to a tremendous reception we have been on many of the nation’s top television and radio shows and have been in all the major papers. It has been just tremendous.

PUC. Ten of your players on your championship team were professionals. How did you deal with the chemistry between those players and those who were amateurs ? Was it difficult ? Were there any problems ?

BF. Our success did not come overnight. We have had this system in place for a number of years so the majority of the players know and genuinely like each other. The atmosphere and chemistry was one of the main reasons for our success.

PUC. What are your plans or goals for Holland’s national team ?

BF. Our result goal will now change towards winning back the European title which we lost to the Italians in 2010. Our process goals will remain the same. Stay in control of those things you have within your control and let the rest go, stay in the moment, develop yourself to the best of your ability and compete, compete, compete !

PUC. And finally, how do you see baseball evolving in Europe ?

BF. Hopefully this will have a very positive impact on both Dutch as well as European baseball. In order for us to grow as a nation we need to grow as a continent. I dream of the day when every kid in Europe signs up to play Little League baseball. I know that this is unlikely to ever happen but we can certainly look to double the number of boys choosing baseball as thier primary sport. In any case I believe that if you stop dreaming you might as well stop living!

Mister-Baseball thanks Paris UC for giving us the opportunity to re-publish their interview with Dutch National Team head coach Brian Farley.

L&D Amsterdam

2011 Record: 30-11-1
2011 Ranking: 1st. L&D Amsterdam won the championship in the Dutch Hoofdklasse thanks to winning the best-of-seven Holland Series 4-1 against the Vaessen Pioniers. The Pirates already battled for first place during the regular season, missing the top spot by a mere half game. During the playoffs they won six of the nine games to qualify for the championship series.
Runs Scored: 257 (3rd)
Runs Allowed: 151 (2nd)

Best Batter: Vince Rooi. The former Minor Leaguer batted .381 (OBP .452/SLG .604) with four homeruns, two triples, 15 doubles, 35 runs and 37 RBI in 38 games this past season.
Best OPS: Vince Rooi 1.056
Most Homeruns: Percy Isenia 8
Most RBI: Vince Rooi 37
Most Runs Scored: Sidney de Jong 44
Most Stolen Bases: Roeland Henrique Jr. 19

Best Pitcher: Rob Cordemans. The veteran right-hander pulled off another stellar season the mound, going 9-1 with an ERA of 0.31 in 13 starts. He struck out 127 batters in 88 innings, while walking just ten and issuing only 40 hits.
Best ERA Starter: Rob Cordemans 0.31
Best ERA Reliever: Al Morales 2.40
Most Strikeouts: Rob Cordemans 127
Most Walks: Ben Grover 26
Most Innings Pitched: Rob Cordemans 88.0

Previous:
ADO
Sparta/Feyenoord Rotterdam
Mr. Cocker HCAW
UVV
Corendon Kinheim
DOOR Neptunus
Vaessen Pioniers

Vaessen Pioniers

2011 Record: 25-16 (one tie)
2011 Ranking: 2nd. Despite several player departures, a new sponsor and new coaching staff, the Vaessen Pioniers nearly went all the way in the Dutch Hoofdklasse in 2011. Making the playoffs as the number four team with a 25-16-1 record, the Pioniers dominated in the round robin semi-finals with six wins in nine games to reach the Holland Series. In the best-of-seven championship series L&D Amsterdam turned out to be too strong in five games.
Runs Scored: 250 (4th)
Runs Allowed: 167 (3rd)

Best Batter: Nik Gumeson. The American import batted .315 (OBP .378/SLG .467) with four homeruns, 13 doubles, 31 runs and 40 RBI in 42 games.
Best OPS: Mervin Gario .884
Most Homeruns: Nik Gumeson 4
Most RBI: Nik Gumeson 40
Most Runs Scored: Michael Duursma 33
Most Stolen Bases: Norbert Lokhorst, Jefferson Muzo 11

Best Pitcher: Eddie Aucoin. The right-hander went 11-1 with an ERA of 1.98 in 14 starts. He struck out 84 batters in 100 innings, while walking just 12.
Best ERA Starter: Eddie Aucoin 1.98
Best ERA Reliever: Jan Rehacek 1.40
Most Strikeouts: Eddie Aucoin 84
Most Walks: Conrad Orman 42
Most Innings Pitched: Eddie Aucoin 100.0

Previous:
ADO
Sparta/Feyenoord Rotterdam
Mr. Cocker HCAW
UVV
Corendon Kinheim
DOOR Neptunus

DOOR Neptunus

2011 Record: 31-11
2011 Ranking: 3rd. Following their record-breaking 2010 season, DOOR Neptunus wasn’t able to dominate the Dutch Hoofdklasse in the same way, but still ended up with a first-place finish in the regular season. However in the playoffs they won just four of the nine games and had to watch the Holland Series from the sidelines.
Runs Scored: 277 (1st)
Runs Allowed: 109 (1st)

Best Batter: Dwayne Kemp. The former minor leaguer batted .363/.432/.538 with two homeruns, five triples, 14 doubles, 47 runs and 28 RBI in 42 games. He also stole 22 bases.
Best OPS: Dwayne Kemp .970
Most Homeruns: Dwayne Kemp 2
Most RBI: Rien Vernooij 36
Most Runs Scored: Dwayne Kemp 47
Most Stolen Bases: Dwayne Kemp 22

Best Pitcher: Craig Anderson. The successor of Dushan Ruzic on the pitching staff went 5-1 with one save and an ERA of 1.09 in 16 appearances (five starts). He struck out 34 in 58 innings, while walking 13.
Best ERA Starter: Diegomar Markwell 1.71
Best ERA Reliever: Craig Anderson 1.09
Most Strikeouts: Kevin Heijstek 57
Most Walks: Diegomar Markwell 26
Most Innings Pitched: Diegomar Markwell 79.0

Previous:
ADO
Sparta/Feyenoord Rotterdam
Mr. Cocker HCAW
UVV
Corendon Kinheim

KNBSB, the royal federation for Dutch baseball and softball, published late last night that the city of Haarlem is entitled to organize the national parade and celebration of the first ever World Championship, conquered in the 100th year of federal “Honkbal”.

Date was fixed at Friday 11/11/11 and Haarlem had delivered a better bid than the other cities: Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam and The Hague. All 24 players with their gold medals will join the festivities, which will take place in Pim Mulier stadium and in the streets and on main square of Haarlem.

Friday Oct 21 the city of Utrecht hosted a gathering on UVV playground honoring the two local players Danny Rombley and Orlando Yntema and on Wednesday Oct 26 Rotterdam presented recognitions to Neptunus players Shaldimar Daantji, Diegomar Markwell, Dwayne Kemp, Arshwin Asjes, Berry van Driel and Kalian Sams. Also coaches Brian Farley, Wim Martinus and Tjerk Smeets were cheered by municipality officials and their guests in Rotterdam town hall.

Brian Farley, Sidney de Jong, Bryan Engelhardt and Vince Rooi also opened the official trading time at the Amsterdam stock exchange at 9am on October 21.

Corendon Kinheim

2011 Record: 30-12
2011 Ranking: 4th. Corendon Kinheim reached the play-offs as the number three team with a 30-12 record, trailing regular season winner DOOR Neptunus by a single game. But in the semi-final round robin the team from Haarlem only celebrated in two of the nine games to miss out on the Holland Series.
Runs Scored: 261 (2nd)
Runs Allowed: 180 (4th)

Best Batter: Dirk van’t Klooster. He batted .400 (OBP .444/SLG .500) with ten doubles, 30 runs and 27 RBI in 42 games, winning the batting title by 19 points over Vince Rooi.
Best OPS: Bryan Engelhardt 1.121
Most Homeruns: Bryan Engelhardt 10
Most RBI: Bryan Engelhardt 38
Most Runs Scored: Rene Cremer 36
Most Stolen Bases: Remco Draijer 15

Best Pitcher: Nick Stuifbergen. Together with Pim Walsma and Patrick Beljaards the trio dominated the bullpen battles against opposing teams. Stuifbergen went 3-2 with seven saves and an ERA of 1.05 in 22 appearances. He struck out 20 batters in 25 2/3 innings, walking seven.
Best ERA Starter: David Bergman 2.11
Best ERA Reliever: Nick Stuifbergen 1.05
Most Strikeouts: David Bergman 101
Most Walks: Nick Veltkamp, Duko Jansen 29
Most Innings Pitched: David Bergman 94.0

Previous:
ADO
Sparta/Feyenoord Rotterdam
Mr. Cocker HCAW
UVV

Arguably the best pitcher in the Netherlands at the moment, the 37-year-old went 9-1 with an ERA of 0.31 in 13 starts last season. He struck out 127 batters in 88 innings, while issuing just 40 hits and 10 walks. Every baseball fan in Europe probably remembers his most recent start, when he held Cuba to two hits in seven-plus innings en route to the Gold Medal at the 2011 IBAF Baseball World Cup in Panama.

Besides this stunning transfer ADO also announced that Dave Daniels is taking over as head coach, while Aldrick Dunlop remains on the coaching staff. Daniels briefly coached the Solingen Alligators in the German Baseball-Bundesliga during the 2010 season.

UVV

2011 Record: 17-25
2011 Ranking: 5th. Being the promoted team in the Hoofdklasse, UVV didn’t disappoint and was able to play at the same level like the top four teams with only inconsistency stopping them from a playoff qualification. During the playdowns the club from Utrecht won seven of the nine games to easily secure its spot in the 2012 campaign.
Runs Scored: 196 (5th)
Runs Allowed: 257 (7th)

Best Batter: Fausto Alvarez. The Cuban veteran batted .336/.392/.469 with four homeruns, 17 runs and 22 RBI in just 30 games this season.
Best OPS: Fausto Alvarez .861
Most Homeruns: Fausto Alvarez 4
Most RBI: Fausto Alvarez 22
Most Runs Scored: Danny Rombley, Rutger Veugelers 30
Most Stolen Bases: Jeff Delfina 11

Best Pitcher: Orlando Yntema. The Dutch national teamer had an even 7-7 record with an ERA of 2.38 in 15 starts. He struck out 82 in 102 innings, walking 31.
Best ERA Starter: Orlando Yntema 2.38
Best ERA Reliever: Derek Tarapacki 2.70
Most Strikeouts: Orlando Yntema 82
Most Walks: Orlando Yntema 31
Most Innings Pitched: Orlando Yntema 102

Previous:
ADO
Sparta/Feyenoord Rotterdam
Mr. Cocker HCAW

Mr. Cocker HCAW

2011 Record: 13-29
2011 Ranking: 6th. Mr. Cocker HCAW needed several weeks to get things going in the 2011 season, finishing the regular season with a 13-29 record in seventh place. During the playdowns they had no troubles to hold down Sparta/Feyenoord and ADO, trailing only UVV with six wins in nine games.
Runs Scored: 188 (6th)
Runs Allowed: 247 (tied 5th)

Best Batter: Dirimo Chavez. The Venezuelan infielder batted .363 (OBP .435/SLG .478) with two homeruns, 12 doubles, 28 runs and 27 RBI in 42 games.
Best OPS: Dirimo Chavez .913
Most Homeruns: Dirimo Chavez, Juan Gonzalez 2
Most RBI: Juan Gonzalez 30
Most Runs Scored: Dirimo Chavez 28
Most Stolen Bases: Lennart Koster 6

Best Pitcher: Maarten Mulder. The closer went 3-3 with two saves and an ERA of 2.11 in 17 appearances. He struck out 18 batters in 21 1/3 innings, while walking eight.
Best ERA Starter: Kevin Roovers 3.33
Best ERA Reliever: Maarten Mulder 2.11
Most Strikeouts: Moises Melendez 72
Most Walks: Moises Melendez 33
Most Innings Pitched: Kevin Miner 86.2

Previous:
ADO
Sparta/Feyenoord Rotterdam

Sparta/Feyenoord Rotterdam

2011 Record: 16-26
2011 Ranking: 7th place. After capturing sixth place in the regular season of the Hoofdklasse, Sparta/Feyenoord dropped to seventh during the playdowns due to winning just four of the nine games.
Runs Scored: 180 (7th)
Runs Allowed: 247 (tied for 5th)

Best Batter: Jourick Blanco – He batted .309 (OBP .402/SLG .474) with two homeruns, ten doubles, 13 runs scored and 18 RBI in 28 games.
Best OPS: Jourick Blanco .876
Most Homeruns: Quintin De Cuba 3
Most RBI: Jourick Blanco 18
Most Runs Scored: Anthony Vrolijk 24
Most Stolen Bases: Jesus Castillo 13

Best Pitcher: Jose Ventura – The closer had a 1-2 record with three saves and an ERA of 1.98 in nine appearances on the mound. He struck out 31 batters in 27 1/3 innings, walking 11. Opponents batted just .218 against him.
Best ERA Starter: Bobby Carrington 2.93
Best ERA Reliever: Jose Ventura 1.98
Most Strikeouts: Bobby Carrington 70
Most Walks: Bobby Carrington 37
Most Innings Pitched: Bobby Carrington 95.1

Previous:
ADO

ADO

2011 Record: 5-37
2011 Ranking: 8th place in the Dutch Hoofdklasse. But after finishing in fourth place in the playdowns, ADO was able to win the promotion/relegation series in four games against the Euro Stars to maintain its spot in the Hoofdklasse.
Runs Scored: 116 (8th)
Runs Allowed: 367 (8th)

Best Batter: Gyenuar Lopez – He batted .347 (OBP .416/SLG .463) with 11 extra base hits, 13 runs and 11 RBI in 35 games for the club from The Hague.
Best OPS: Gyenuar Lopez .879
Most Homeruns: Enrique Tromp 4
Most RBI: Jair Roseburg 18
Most Runs Scored: Jair Roseburg, Jareau Martina 15
Most Stolen Bases: Gyenuar Lopez, Jair Roseburg 8

Best Pitcher: Nick Martin – He had a 1-12 record with an ERA of 4.91 in 14 games (12 starts), striking out 59 batters in 77 innings, while walking 50.
Best ERA Starter: Nick Martin 4.91
Best ERA Reliever: Carlos Tavares 4.75
Most Strikeouts: Nick Martin 59
Most Walks: Carlos Tavares 83
Most Innings Pitched: Jurandy Girigori 84.2

Sparks Haarlem has won the 2011 championship in the Dutch Hoofdklasse Softball. They swept the best-of-five Holland Series 3-0 against Iber Lengua Terrasvogels to clinch the title. Sparks had reached the finals with a three-game sweep over local rivals Olympia Haarlem. Terrasvogels defeated Alcmaria Victrix in the semis.

Results:
Semi-Finals:
Sparks Haarlem – Olympia Haarlem 4-0, 8-0, 3-1
Iber Lengua Terrasvogels – Alcmaria Victrix 4-0, 8-9, 7-5, 6-3
Holland Series:
Sparks Haarlem – Iber Lengua Terrasvogels 8-5, 7-6, 11-3

by Pim van Nes

This morning at 08.30 hours Brian Farley, his coaches and players arrived at Schiphol, international airport of Amsterdam. Camera crews from national broadcasting system NOS, commercial stations (RTL, SBS) and regional stations ran into the orange capped team, when customs opened the doors to a mass of fans dressed in the same national color.

Eager journalists put their microphone under Rob Cordemans‘ moustache to get his first reactions, but they had to compete with the player’s fans, his wife and his parents. All the other players were being hugged by love ones and baseball fans till KNBSB office manager Hans Meijer invited Farley and three players to attend the press conference.

In that press conference board secretary general Ruurd Koopmans announced that the mass celebration of the latest World Baseball title will take place when all the 24 players will be able to attend: 11 November. Several Dutch national team players traveled from Panama to Curacao and other had to join their pro organisation in USA for fall season competition.

Koopmans reckons to get all of them around and to extend the usual baseball awards for Hoofdklasse players to a mass celebration for the new world champions. He has a pleasant problem in chosing which city may host the biggest baseball party the country ever had. Municipalities in Haarlem, Amsterdam, Utrecht, The Hague and Rotterdam, they have offered their best occasions to organize a spectacular event for the national pride of baseball. Refering to Ty Eriksen’s article: yes, the country is ready for such a parade, even from city to city!

In the press conference questions came from all media: websites, newspapers, radio and television stations. Behind the table from left to right Rob Cordemans, David Bergman, Sidney de Jong, Brian Farley and PR manager Tjerk Smeets. The latter had to pick up his hotel telephone in the middle of the Panama night, because the Netherlands prime minister Mark Rutte could not wait till the Panama morning with his congrats call across the Atlantic. Also Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands had sent a wire with words of appreciation for the national baseball team.

She may remember that her three sons and her late husband played baseball in the palace garden some decades ago. The first cabinet minister to react Sunday morning was sports minister Edith Schippers. All general news programs on Dutch television screens that very same Sunday started with the fresh baseball champions and Monday morning newspapers had the national baseball team photo on front page.

After the game we had only an hour or so to party with all the players together, because several players had to catch their flight to Curacao on Sunday morning, Rob Cordemans explained. Still we have not spoiled the occasion, Sidney de Jong added. He had been televised by NOS camera in Panama with a huge cigar between his lips. Yes, a Cuban one, he confirmed. For me the four hours rain delay before our finale game was not too much a problem, being relief pitcher in the national team, David Bergman answered a question.

In Dutch major league, called Hoofdklasse, he is a regular starting pitcher for his club Kinheim in Haarlem. Can you explain what is so nice in baseball, a lady journalist asked. Yes, becoming world champion! exclaimed Cordemans. Brian Farley told his audience that he had been complimented by most of his opponent coaches for his talented team.

Especially in the press conference after the win over home team Panama, also journalists predicted a medal for the Netherlands. He could not answer yet a question how the foreign press had reacted on the first IBAF title for the Netherlands, but someone in the press room refered to Italian Gazzetta dello Sport having stated that the baseball world is experiencing a revolution.

Photo: © Rob Jelsma

How did your Team qualify for the 2011 Baseball World Cup?

Brian Farley: Qualification was achieved during the 2010 European Championships in Germany.

What selection process did you went through to complete the roster for the BWC? Any problems recruiting professional players?

Brian Farley: The selection process is very detailed and requires a number of steps.  All teams must submit a provisional roster to MLB which indicates which players you wish to approach.  MLB then contacts the organizations to get their permission to approach these players.  Once that is in place, we are allowed to contact the players.  No current major league player or any player on the 40 man roster is eligible for the BWC.

What are your expectations for the BWC? Which teams are favored in your group and to win it all?

Brian Farley: My expectations are high as I feel we have a very talented team.  A place in the quarter finals should be the absolute minimum goal.  We have the ability to beat any team that we play however we need to be at our very best to do it.  I think that you have to look again at the US and Cuba as the outright favorites to play in the finals.  The Canadian team roster is also impressive.  A number of teams have yet to submit their rosters so it’s difficult to say how talented they will be.

How important is the BWC in your country?

Brian Farley: Very important in terms of having an international tournament where we can benchmark ourselves against the rest of the world.  Now that the Olympics are, for the near future, no longer on the agenda, the World Cup becomes even more vital for us as one of the few remaining worldwide tournaments.  Of course the World Baseball Classic remains the granddaddy of all baseball tournaments, however  I feel that we need to have a worldwide event at least every two years and the BWC fills that role nicely.

Will you hold a training camp in preparation of the BWC? Will you play exhibition games and if yes, against which teams?

Brian Farley: We currently have three exhibition games scheduled and we are looking at this moment for a fourth.  We will play them in Panama and they will be against Panama, Chinese Taipai and Australia.

Competition in the Netherlands ended several weeks before the Baseball World Cup. Except for the players of L&D Amsterdam, how will you try to make up for the lack of playing time?

Brian Farley: This is a challenge as you can imagine.  We want to keep our hitters and pitchers sharp during this non competitive period.   We do this by running simulated games with our pitchers going live versus our hitters.  It’s not ideal but it’s as close as we can get until we play our exhibitions.

Any players missing due to injury or other obligations?

Brian Farley: We miss a number of players who are either in the Major Leagues or who are on 40 man rosters.  As well as a couple of players with late season injuries.

Can you introduce to us your coaching staff?

Brian Farley: Steve Jansen is our pitching coach, he is very well respected in his area and has done a great deal to invest in his own development.  He was the Head Coach of Neptunus in 2010 and they broke all records in going on to become national champions.
Tjerk Smeets is in his second year as coach. Tjerk is very bright and hard working which is a very desired combination for a head coach.  He has taken over the job of hitting coach and done a great job for us thus far.
Wim Martinus has been with the staff for a number of years and is our trusted 3B coach and throws the best BP on the continent.
Last but by no means least is Ben Thijssen who is based in Curacao and is our main contact on the island.  He has been with the National Team for many years and served extremely well.

Netherlands national team manager Brian Farley arrived with his coaches and 26 players in Panama yesterday. Meanwhile he has completed his four days schedule for warming up games in preparation for Baseball World Cup tournament, which will take off on Saturday 1 October. During his last Monday’s press conference in Rotterdam, Farley still mentioned a vacancy in the national team’s pre-tournament schedule (http://www.mister-baseball.com/brian-farley-10-pro-16-amateur-players-world-cup-panama/), but now he has a full program. Following games will be used for Farley’s decision which 24 players appear on his definite Baseball World Cup roster:

Monday 26 September 17.00 h CET versus Venezuela,
Tuesday 27 September 17.00 h CET versus Panama,
Wednesday 28 September 21.00 h CET versus Chinese Taipei,
Thursday 29 September 21.00 h CET versus Venezuela.

Above national teams and those of Cuba and Nicaragua play their next week friendlies in the 2000 seats Justino Salinas Stadium in La Chorrera, 30 km from of Panama City. First official Baseball World Cup game for the Netherlands is versus Chinese Taipei on Sunday 2 October.

Dutch national team manager Brian Farley today in Rotterdam announced the roster of 26 players selected to participate in the Baseball World Cup next month in Panama.

From American Minor Leagues Farley called up 10 professional players. Twin delegations originate from Minnesota Twins: pitcher Tom Stuifbergen and outfielder Kalian Sams and also from Cincinnati Reds pitcher Juan Carlos Sulbaran and infielder Mariekson Gregorius.

Other US pro organizations send one player each: pitcher Shairon Martis from Washington Nationals, catcher Shawn Zarraga from Milwaukee Brewers, infielders Sharlon Schoop from San Francisco Giants and his brother Jonathan Schoop from Baltimore Orioles, infielder Xander Bogaerts from Boston Red Sox. The tenth pro player is infielder Curt Smith from Lincoln Salts Dogs in Independent League.

Triple A player is Stuifbergen, Double A players are Martis, Gregorius and Sharlon Schoop. All other Dutch pro players played for Single A clubs. Other candidates viewed and followed by Farley and his staff are committed by Major League conditions and thus not available for IBAF World Cup games, such as pitchers Rick van den Hurk and Pedro Stroop (Baltimore Orioles), Kenley Jansen (Los Angeles Dodgers), Jair Jurrjens (Atlanta Braves) Loek van Mil (Los Angeles Angels) and outfielders Roger Bernadina (Washington Nationals), Gregory Halman (Seattle Mariners) and Andruw Jones (New York Yankees). Farley in the Rotterdam press conference refered to Australian national team, which lost even 8 potential players being promoted from US Minor Leagues to Major League 40-man rosters in September.

The 16 amateur players from Dutch major league, named Hoofdklasse, played for five different clubs this year: DOOR Neptunus 6 (Boyd, Markwell, Van Driel, Asjes, Daantji, Kemp), L&D Amsterdam Pirates 4 (Cordemans, Sidney de Jong, Nooij, Rooi), Corendon Kinheim 3 (Bergman, Nick Stuifbergen, Engelhardt), UVV Utrecht 2 (Yntema, Rombley) and Vaessen Pioniers 1 (Michael Duursma).

Brian Farley will depart from Schiphol international airport to Panama on Saturday 24 September and has planned 3 warming up games versus hosting Panama and versus Chinese Taipei and Australia. His schedule has still a vacancy for a fourth warming up game, before the official IBAF Baseball World Cup tournament will start on 1 October.

Complete roster of Netherlands national team announced this afternoon 14.00 h:

After splitting the first two games of the best-of-five series, ADO was leading 10-2 in the eighth inning, when Umpires stopped play in game three as Euro Stars head coach Peter van den Akker didn’t leave the dugout area following an ejection. KNBSB ruled the game a 2-0 win for ADO, which converted the first match ball on Saturday.

Results:
Thursday, September 1:
ADO – Euro Stars 9-4
Saturday, September 3:
Euro Stars – ADO 7-6
Sunday, September 4:
ADO – Euro Stars 2-0 (KNBSB decision)
Saturday, September 10:
Euro Stars – ADO 3-4
(ADO wins Series 3-1)