by Filippo Fantasia, Baseball.it translated by Pim van Nes
Delmonico: “World Baseball Classic should come to Italy and Holland.”
The editor-in-chief of Baseball.it, Filippo Fantasia, went to a baseball clinic hosted by BC Milano 1946 to interview the newly arrived manager of the Netherlands national team Rod Delmonico a few weeks ago. He had been invited by the Italian organization and after the interviews in Rotterdam, Baseball.it was the first Italian medium to present the US citizen to its audience. Sixty players from five clubs attended the clinic near the famous Kennedy Stadium in Milan. Delmonico, who was born in Wilmington, North Carolina, unveiled that one of his grand-fathers originated from Salerno in Italy and that he had already participated in clinics in other Italian regions, such as Tuscany, Marche, Sardinia and Sicilia.
His new adventure with the national team of the Netherlands started a month ago, shortly after his first arrival as national team manager of the country, which had signed him for two years as successor of Robert Eenhoorn. Delmonico: “Immediately we started indoor operations with 25 players and four times a week, sometimes even outside. In the Netherlands structures for baseball are very good, including indoor facilities in Amsterdam and Rotterdam.”
FF: “We expect a lot from WBC 2009. How does the staff of the Netherlands team go through this event?”
RD: “From Jim Stoeckel to pitching coach Bert Blyleven, we are all very excited. It is really a big challenge and all the teams are ready for it, even more than three years ago. The Major League has understood at last, that baseball is a worldwide sport, which for an adequate promotion needs to organize an inter-continental tournament with the highest number of nations. Additionally we should not underestimate the fact that 38 percent of the minor and major league players are foreigners and that 48 percent of the big leaguers originate from Latin America.”
FF: “You will fly to Puerto Rico after a series of exhibition games in Florida as guests of the Pirates. What do you expect from this official debut in the Classic and on what are you investing mainly?”
RD: “I have no other expectations than winning. Our destination is San Juan where we shall leave for before March 7. The only thing we can control until that date is the process of preparations and so we will do in the best way possible. We have to work to the best of our abilities and being united we can reach where we want to be. Who manages to do things right, in whatever domain, will always succeed to book excellent results. He will have to be aware of the fact that it is possible to control every single phase of the process. We have to bear in mind, however, that the WBC is only a prelude of another important meeting this year: the World Cup 2009. Playing in WBC will help us to prepare for September.”
FF: “And your Netherlands team, where will it arrive?”
RD: “The team counts many strong players doing very well. I like their kind of mentality. The case of Sidney de Jong, the catcher of Amsterdam Pirates, is exemplary. Approximately two months ago he underwent surgery at his hand and he has done everything to recover as soon as possible. He has worked a lot, although he was told not to force too much. This approach I appreciate very much and it will pay out by winning.”
FF: “What is according to you the present level of European baseball?”
RD: “Baseball in Europe is developing very well. I came to Europe for the first time in 1994 and in the 15 years ever since, I have to admit that our sport has made giant steps forward in this continent. Progress was made in Spain and Germany, but especially in the Czech Republic. There are many young players between 10 and 18 years and I have also seen many coaches.”
FF: “But what do we need to make the decisive leap in quality?”
RD: “In Europe we need big stadiums to host big events. We need to create the conditions to enable the World Baseball Classic to come to Italy and the Netherlands. And to further increase the number of participating countries from 16 to 24, I would say. All this would be a big help to the future realization of a European League. Next to national championships, remember the importance of the way to a single European championship. And who knows one day we will see the real World Series with the champions from the various continents.”
FF: “And how about the youngsters?”
RD: “We have to do as much as what happen already in the States. Pay much attention to the prospects, especially in the range of 10 to 12 years. Working only on high level is not sufficient and it is even fundamental to develop the basis. Let us simply look at what has happened with the Little Leagues, represented from all parts of the world.”
Mister Baseball thanks Pim van Nes for translating the interview and Filippo Fantasia for providing us with the Q&A.
Pim van Nes
Baseball writer for
www.honkbalsite.com
www.sporttribune.nl
www.baseball.it
