The Namur Angels celebrated ten victories in 28 games and finished the season in fifth place. They have revamped the roster for 2008. Six players are gone seven will be new. After a format change in the Belgian Baseball Leagues they will face a tougher schedule with a raise to 39 matches during the regular season.
Niels ROMBOUTS, Derek LYONS, Tim DUNPHY, J.-C. WILLEM (will coach Wanze Cardinals), Philippe DI GIOSUE and Michel LEGRAND (both sign with third division club) leave the club into different directions. The biggest loss is DUPHNY, who started and completed 14 games on the mound. He had a 7-7 record despite an ERA of 1.68. He struck out 109 (16 walks) in 118 innings pitched. He also helped offensive-wise with a batting average of .363.
Manager Christopher DASSY could sign four players from the second division runner-upĀ Louvain-la-Neuve Phoenix. Florian LEKEU and Cedric NAUTS, who was with Namur in 2004 and 2005, will compete for spots in the outfield. Xavier PIERREUX and Nicolas MIGEOT should help the pitching staff this season. However they are also capable to appear in the field and at the plate.
They have signed another player from Belgium. Philip VAN WOENSEL returns to baseball after missing a few years due to his work. He was a center fielder, but could switch to the infield (where he began his career) to avoid the crowded outfield.
As everywhere in Europe the most important acquisitions come from the other side of the Atlantic. Caleb CALARCO was the player and pitcher of the year in the Middle-Atlantic Conference last season. He played for the King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. He is multi-talented athletic player, who can manage several positions. He came up from High School as a catcher. He barely played there, because his coach wanted to capitalize from his strong arm. He is capable to man all nine positions and will definitely help the club. He hit .377 (OBP .437/SLG .479) with two homeruns, nine doubles, 35 runs scored and 27 RBI in 40 games. He had a 7-3 record on the mound with an ERA of 2.05 in ten appearances (nine starts). He struck out 55 (23 BB) in 61.1 innings pitched.
The second foreign player who will be welcomed with the Angels is Morgan BROWN. The 23-year-old shortstop is from Alstead, New Hampshire. Between 2003 and 2006 he played for the Harvard University and was a captain there. He hit a career high .298 (.340/.369) with 29 runs scored and 18 RBI in 2005. After his four years in the IVY League he signed with the North Shore Spirit of the Canadian American League. He hit a dismal .206 (.261/.270) in 20 games there.
Both American will also assist the coaching staff and bring leadership ability to the Angels. They have planned a pretty tough pre-season schedule with games against the Cologne Cardinals (Germany), Merxsem Greys (Belgian Champion), Brussels (Belgian First Division Club) and Bergen op Zoom (Netherlands). They will also travel to the Netherlands to participate in a tournament against the Cardinals and French champion Huskies Rouen.
More infos on official website of Namur Angels
Statistics Caleb CALARCO
Statistics Morgan BROWN