Mister Baseball

by Pim Van Nes

The Netherlands Baseball and Softball Federation (KNBSB) announced on Tuesday in a press release a roster of 42 players for the Dutch national baseball team in preparation for Olympic Games 2008 in Beijing. All players have had Netherlands passports as from their childhood except for Boyd, who applied for it, referring to his mother’s NL nationality. Active in Netherlands: 25, in USA: 14, in Mexico: 1, in Taiwan: 1, in NL Antilles: 1.

Pitchers:
Simon Pantphlet (Tigers St Maarten, NL Antilles), David Bergman (Kinheim NL), Kenny Berkenbosch (Pirates NL), Leon Boyd (Neptunus NL), Rob Cordemans (Sparta/Feyenoord NL), Dave Draijer (Pioniers NL), Berry van Driel (Neptunus NL), Rick van den Hurk (Florida Marlins USA), Duko Jansen (Kinheim NL), Jair Jurrjens (Atlanta Braves USA), Michiel van Kampen (Kinheim NL), Diegomar Markwell (Neptunus NL), Shairon Martis (Washington Nationals USA), Loek van Mil (Minnesota Twins USA), Alexander Smit (Cincinnati Reds USA), Nick Stuifbergen (Pirates NL), Tom Stuifbergen (Minnesota Twins USA).

Catchers:
Johnny Balentina (Neptunus NL), Mark Duursma (Pioniers NL), Kenley Jansen (Los Angeles Dodgers USA), Sidney de Jong (Pirates NL), Tjerk Smeets (Kinheim NL).

Infielders:
Sharnol Adriana (Petroleros de Minatitlan, Mexico), Ivanon Coffie (Dmedia T-rex, Taiwan), Yurendell de Caster (Washington Nationals USA), Michael Duursma (Pioniers NL), Percey Isenia (Sparta/Feyenoord NL), Roel Koolen (Kinheim NL), Raily Legito (Neptunus NL), Sharlon Schoop (San Francisco Giants USA), Hainley Statia (Los Angeles Angels USA), Vince Rooi (Kinheim NL)

Outfielders:
Wladimir Balentien (Seattle Mariners USA), Rogearvin Bernadina (Washington Nationals USA), Wesley Connor (Pirates NL), Bryan Engelhardt (Kinheim NL), Gregory Halman (Seattle Mariners USA), Eugene Kingsale (Neptunus NL), Dirk van ‘t Klooster (Kinheim NL), Martijn Meeuwis (Neptunus NL), Danny Rombley (Kinheim NL), Kalian Sams (Seattle Mariners USA).

An Olympic ticket depends on each player’s availability due to their employers pro organisations and the final selection by federation manager Eenhoorn.

by Pim van Nes
Baseball writer for
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