by Pim van Nes
More than 60 former international players of the Netherlands had accepted the invitation by KNBSB, the Dutch federation, to attend the yearly reunion yesterday. By 16.30 h they arrived with spouse or other partner at the Pim Mulier Stadium in Haarlem, looking forward to meet old Oranje teammates and to talk “Honkbal”. The yearly reunion has grown a tradition meanwhile, since both Haarlemse Honkbalweek and World Port Tournament in Rotterdam each at its turn has been ready to host the happening.
Nice speech and toast by new federation president Bob Bergkamp, but the best gift for the older generations’ players came from Jim Stoeckel, present manager of the Dutch national team taking part in 25th Honkbal Week tournament. For those veterans who stayed after the reception in one of Pim Mulier’s party tents behind the stadium, the comeback coach prepared a new memory for the reunion guests seated behind first base, by having his present boys team beat Cuba with a stunning 10-0 victory in six and a half innings. After the night game we saw Stoeckel embrace his former captain Henny Jenken, surrounded by tens old and young fans asking for historic signatures.
Among former coaches of the national team we noticed Bill Arce, all the way from USA, and Hamilton Richardson, all the way from the Netherlands Antillies and Jan-Dik Leurs, all the way from Zandvoort. There is also already an ex Major League player among the ex-internationals, i.e. Ralph Milliard, but most of them had their best years in Dutch teams appearing in Hoofdklasse games and in international games representing Oranje.
Well known pitchers attending the reunion were Nol Beenders, Herman Beidschat, Tommy Cohen, Flip le Cuivre, Mark and Ron Giroldi, Patrick de Lange, Arnold Smit, Charles Urbanus, Bart Volkerijk and Haitze de Vries. Their partners behind the plate were Hans Augustinus, Marlon Fluonia, Leo Kops, Paul Smit, Ronald Stoovelaar and famous batters partying last night were Sidney Hickinson, Hudson John, Marcel Joost, Lars Koehorst, Dazzy Rasmijn, Don Wedman, Arnold Whitfield and King Zschuschen. Ceremonial first pitch before the night game was performed by former first base man Boudewijn Maat.
List of all Dutch National Team Players
by Pim van Nes
Baseball writer for
www.honkbalsite.com
www.sporttribune.nl
www.baseball.it
