by Pim van Nes
Both in the Netherlands and in Europe the club dominated in baseball competitions of the nineties and in the first decade of the 21st century, but the string of national and international pearls finished a few years ago. Seven consecutive national championships from 1999 through 2005, five consecutive European Champions Cups from 2000 through 2004, in general the last final victory was the European Cup Winners Cup in 2007 for DOOR Neptunus, but then it was all over in its Familie Stadion in Rotterdam. Very nice regular seasons have been spoiled by early play-off defeats: Pioniers in 2006 and 2007 and Pirates in 2008 eliminated Neptunus already in semi finals.
For the new Hoofdklasse season 2009 Belgian coach Steve Janssen returned to Neptunus, however, this time as manager of the first team in cooperation with Paul van den Oever coordinating among the various team selections within the club’s organization. Last year Steve Janssen had debuted as a manager, but with the other club in Rotterdam. Sparta/Feyenoord long time competed with Pioniers and Pirates for a play-off position: in vain but with an excuse, because Pirates won 2008 championship. Also Janssen’s coaches within Neptunus Wim Martinus and Adonis Kemp had coaching experience with Sparta/Feyenoord, when they returned to DOOR Neptunus. In the dug-out they all join bench coach Jan Collins, Mister Neptunus after a long and permanent club career as catcher and coach.
During a generous reception in the business lounge of the Familie Stadium, Neptunus’ main sponsor Bart van Luijk presented an open DOOR to the economic recession, since half a year raging also in the commercial and industrial world of Rotterdam. The reputed business man even expected more problems to come in the next half a year, but then new club manager Steve Janssen took the floor and microphone, responding that for baseball club Neptunus the recession was already past tense and coming season was exactly the road to the club’s next national championship title.
Steve Janssen’s roster for the new season counts three players with professional experience in the United States: Eugene Kingsale, Diegomar Markwell and Evert-Jan ‘t Hoen. The club’s best ERA pitcher 2008 to stay with the club is Kevin Heijstek and last season’s best closer Dushan Ruzic came back from Australia to Rotterdam. Another player imported from abroad is the Canadian utility Matt McGraw, bearing a British and thus EU passport. McGraw came from Toronto, city that on the other hand took from Neptunus its best ERA pitcher Leon Boyd for a Blue Jays contract after his strong World Baseball Classic performance. Other Neptunus players who made it to stunning Dutch team in the Classic are catcher Martijn Meeuwis and pitcher Berry van Driel, next to ex-pro players Kingsale and Markwell. Team captain is infielder Jeroen Sluijter.
Baseball in the Netherlands is used to operate with only one foreign player per club, but the tight schedule in Hoofdklasse makes the clubs play often more than the usual two games per week. On the other hand, foreign players have discovered Netherlands clubs and competition as a favorable podium followed frequently by American and Japanese scouts. These players cross the Atlantic or Eurasia voluntarily to the Netherlands for a better try or re-try towards professional baseball. Leon Boyd could not convince pro organizations in USA and Canada a few years ago, but after two seasons with Neptunus in Dutch Hoofdklasse, Vancouver born Boyd was invited and contracted by Toronto Blue Jays. Instead of his start in yesterday’s Hoofdklasse game versus ADO The Hague, Boyd is now awaiting his first Double A game for Blue Jays branch in New Hampshire.
No reason for panic within Neptunus upon the sudden and late departure by its first pitcher. With an optimistic view on the near future Steve Janssen wishes to wait and see how his bullpen will react in competition. Thanks also to fruitful collaboration with other clubs in the city and region, Neptunus can rely on newly emerging talents, such as Niels Harteveld, pitcher of only 16 years of age and considered ready for his Hoofdklasse debut whenever his coaches deem useful this season. The regional collaboration with well known clubs Sparta/Feyenoord, Euro Stars and other, got the name of Rotterdam United. Presently this organization has already several players in American pro ball: Roger Bernadina with Syracuse Chiefs in Triple A, Leon Boyd with New Hampshire Fisher Cats in Double A, Dwayne Kemp with Boise Hawks in Single A, Jan Baldee with the Astros and Rien Vernooij with the Mets both in Venezuela Summer League.
During recent European Cup tournaments in Italy, both defending European Cup holder Corendon Kinheim and national champion 2008 L&D Amsterdam Pirates have already shown their pre-season shape by defeating reigning Italian Baseball League champion T&A San Marino 8-2 and 2008 Italian finalist Danesi Nettuno 4-0. They qualified for the Final Four European Champions Cup in Barcelona, Spain. In the Netherlands these 2008 Holland Series finalists will fear most DOOR Neptunus and Konica Minolta Pioniers from Hoofddorp. The latter club is prepared well for the new season after having welcomed several new players, but also the two lowest ranking clubs of last season, ADO The Hague and MediaMonks RCH, found foreign players interested in a new year boost in Netherlands Hoofdklasse.
Pim van Nes
Baseball writer for
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