The first four teams for the 25th edition of the Haarlem Baseball Week were announced on Tuesday by the organizing committee. Besides host Netherlands, Team USA, Venezuela and Taiwan will take the field at the Pim Mulier Stadium during the tournament from July 9th to July 18th.
Venezuela played four games in Haarlem during the second round of the Baseball World Cup last September. They finished in seventh place in the final standings and were the only team to beat Team USA. The Dutch team, which finished in sixth at the BWC, will use the “Haarlem Honkbalweek“ as warm-up event for the European Championship in Germany (July 23 – August 1).
The first Haarlem Baseball Week was played in 1961. In 2008 Team USA led by phenomenon Stephen Strasburg won the last edition. The ticket sale is expected to start around April 1st. At this time the organizers also hope to have announced the remaining two teams, which will play in the tournament.
Official Website Haarlem Baseball Week
Photo: © www.eisenhuth-photographie.de
So no Cuba as of yet? In the past they have sent either A or B team. Hope they are added or no point in going.
USA — This is not the top college team as usa.com do not show them coming.
Taiwan — Always a mix of players
Venezuela — Rene Reyes maybe and some other ex minor league guys I would guess.