There were several transactions in the Softball Hoofdklasse this winter. The transfer period for Dutch players has already ended and the changes were confirmed through the federation. However the teams can still sign foreign-born players. Every club is allowed to have two non-Europeans on their roster.
The defending champion is Terrasvogels. They won the Holland Series against Sparks Haarlem last September. The Amsterdam Pirates were relegated and replaced by the promoted Gryphons. The DSC’74 changed their name into Olympia Haarlem after a fusion with another organization. The new season starts on April 12th.
We will give you a short overview over the known moves made until today.
Transactions:
Terrasvogels:
New: Kirsten SCHEELE (Sparks), Blake HOORELBEKE (Sparks), Crissy AUTRY (Sparks), Iris KOLMAN (Pirates), Shannah VAN DER KAAY (Pirates)
Gone: Judith VAN KAMPEN (Terrasvogels), Sandra GOUVERNEUR (Gryphons)
Haarlem Sparks:
New: Judith VAN KAMPEN (Terrasvogels), Saskia KOSTERINK (Tigers), Nathalie TIMMERMANS (Tigers), Kristi DE VRIES (USA)
Gone: Kirsten SCHEELE (Terrasvogels), Blake HOORELBEKE (Terrasvogels), Crissy AUTRY (Terrasvogels), Lyanne HOREMAN (Olympia)
Twins:
New: Debby CONNOR (Euro Stars), Daisy DE PEINDER (Macerta, Italy), Julie DUPRIEZ (Brasschaat, Belgium), extended contract with Andrea LINDGREN (USA)
Tex Town Tigers:
New: Karin TUK (Euro Stars), Areke SPEL (Euro Stars), extended contract with Lindsey MEADOWS (USA), Lisa JANSEN (Mannheim Tornados, Germany)
Gone: Saskia KOSTERINK (Sparks), Nathalie TIMMERMANS (Sparks), Kelly PLATVOET (Centrals)
Olympia Haarlem:
New: Lyanne HOREMAN (Sparks), Cindy BARETTA (Pirates), extended contract with Christie HILL (USA)
Gone: Maike VAN AARLE (Centrals), Lindy PRINS (Centrals), Lisanne VAN DEN BERG (Centrals)
Euro Stars:
New: Linden JONES (College Mobile, South Alabama, USA)
Gone: Karin TUK (Tigers), Areke SPEL (Tigers), Debby CONNOR (Twins), Daisy VERSTAPPEN (Centrals), Merel MEERSHOEK (Centrals)
Centrals:
New: Maaike VAN AARLE (Olympia), Lindy PRINS (Olympia), Lisanne VAN DEN BERG (Olympia), Daisy VERSTAPPEN (Euro Stars), Merel MEERSHOEK (Euro Stars), Kelly PLATVOET (Tigers), Maaike BLAAUWGEERS (Almere’90), Ginger DE WEERT (Almere’90), extended contract with Candice FREEL (former Florida Atlantic, Stratford Brakettes, USA)
Gryphons:
New: Sandra GOUVERNEUR (Terrasvogels), Anouk MELS (no team in 2007), Innes GOOSSENS (Royal Greys, Belgium), Jessica SALLINGER (Forli, Italy and Chicago Bandits, USA), DeDe JUSTICE (Rockford Thunder, USA), SALLINGR and JUSTICE return to the United States in June to play in a professional league (NPF).