Mister Baseball

by Pim van Nes

With two homeruns in the fourth and sixth inning and two insurance runs in the ninth Team USA beats the Olympic selection of Cuba 4-1 in the finale of the 24th Haarlem Honkbal Week. Best pitcher of the tournament was American starter Mike Minor with two games versus Cuba striking out eleven and combining in two wins. MVP of the tournament was named American infielder Ryan Jackson with a batting average of .368, four runs scored and five RBI.

It would have been the fourth Haarlem title for either finalist today in the Pim Mulier Stadium. Cuba had already won the traditional tournament three times, but on the contrary coming back from 1-0 behind, the young Americans conquered the fourth title, since USA had also won the 1980, 2000 and 2002 tournaments. The fresh Haarlem champions will proceed to the University World Championships in the Czech Republic and the Cubans will fly to Korea for warm-up games and to China for the Olympic Games in Beijing. Manager Antonio Pacheco and his technical staff need to work hard on especially mental repairs in the national selection, as in Haarlem the team has disappointed in offense despite of many reputed names in the lineup. Shortstop Eduardo Paret was awarded by Honkbal Week as the best defensive player of the tournament.

Team USA outhit Cuba in the last game of the tournament, finally under lots of sunshine after the many North Sea showers. Starting pitcher Adiel Palma had good control during the first three innings, but conceded two hits in the fourth inning, including a homerun by right fielder Blake Smith. In the fifth inning Palma was replaced by Vicyohandri Odelin, who inherited all bases loaded but prevented the Americans from taking the lead with an immediate strikeout of batter Christian Colon. The first lead for the Americans, however, came from the next batter in the sixth inning. First baseman Jared Clark hit the second USA homerun off the two Cuban pitchers: 2-1. In the ninth inning reliever Odelin left the mound with again the bases loaded. Closer Pedro Lazo failed to conserve the narrow gap, due to bad choices and errors by his infielders who opened the door to two insurance runs by pinch runner Scott Woodward and Blake Smith: 4-1. The only Cuban run was scored by Alexander Mayeta on the only American error, committed in the fourth inning with two outs and two bases loaded.

Winning pitcher was starter Mike Minor, who worked in six innings striking out six, walking four and conceding one run on four hits. Relievers Chris Hernandez, Kyle Gibson and Kendal Volz combined for three scoreless innings. The best result in the American box besides the two homeruns came from last batter Matt den Dekker, who reached base all four turns at bat with two singles, a walk and a fielder’s choice, which led to the two insurance runs in the ninth inning.

Earlier on Sunday Japan was beaten 2-0 by Taiwan in the bronze medal game.

Final Standings:
1. USA
2. Cuba
3. Taiwan
4. Japan
5. Netherlands
6. Dutch Caribbean’s

Pim van Nes
Baseball writer for
www.honkbalsite.com
www.sporttribune.nl
www.baseball.it