Mister-Baseball.com has learned that right-handed pitcher Eddie Aucoin returns to the Dutch Hoofdklasse club Vaessen Pioniers. He is scheduled to arrive early next week and should be available for the first time during their series against Mr. Cocker HCAW next Thursday. Hoofddorp is bringing in their former pitcher due to a couple of injuries.
The 37-year-old Aucoin is no stranger to European Baseball. He first appeared on the old continent in 2002, playing for Oskarshamn BSK in the Swedish Elitserien being honored as MVP. After stints in the Colombian Winter League, independent leagues and an injury-shortened Toronto Blue Jays Spring Training he returned to Europe in 2006.
Aucoin entered the German Baseball-Bundesliga, playing for the Gauting Indians, Haar Disciples, Mannheim Tornados and Buchbinder Legionaere Regensburg. Two years with the Konica Minolta Pioniers (now known as Vaessen Pioniers) followed in 2010 and 2011. In his last season he went 11-1 with an ERA of 1.98. He struck out 84 in 100 innings, walking just 12.
After the birth of his son in the United States, Aucoin didn’t plan to return to Europe. But the schedule he and the Pioniers worked out helped to get back into European Baseball without being away from his son for an extended time. When the Hoofdklasse makes a break for the World Port Tournament at the end of June he will briefly return to the US before returning for the reminder of the season.
Aucoin is currently living in Florida and is playing in two different leagues in Tampa to stay in shape. During a tournament a couple of months, the Caribbean Winter Baseball Classic in Puerto Rico, he threw a shutout for the Miami Dade Marlins in the semi-final. The Pioniers are playing Corendon Kinheim this weekend. Before the start of that three-game series they had an 11-10 record this year.