Jakub Janda made an interview with Vince Rooi of the Dutch National Team and Corendon Kinheim.
Vince Rooi
- Third baseman – Dutch national team/Amsterdam Pirates
- Former Expos prospect
- 28 years old
Jakub Janda: Vince, please, could you briefly describe your baseball career?
Vince Rooi: I began playing baseball when I was 9 years old. I played in Amsterdam for the Pirates. I think I was 11 years old when I got selected for the national team for my age. Since than I played for the national team for my age group. When I was 15, I got scouted for the first time. I had one more year left of school, so I didn’t sign that year. The following year, I made my debut in the Dutch headclass and also signed a contract with the Montreal Expos. I played with the Expos for 7 years and with the Pittsburgh Pirates for 1. 2006 was my last year in the states. After that I went back to the Netherlands and I’ve been playing there since. 2001 was my first year with the national A team.
JJ: You have had a personal experience with Robert Eenhoorn, getting coached by him in 2008. Please, try to explain why do you think he is special.
VR: I’ve played under Robert for several years. He knows a lot about the game. You could see that in the way he coached a game or even a tournament. Always trying to think ahead and finding the best formula for the team to be successful.
JJ: In 2009, you represented the Netherlands at the WBC. Please tell us your feelings before such games.
VR: The WBC was a once in a lifetime experience that I hope to have more of J Every game was exciting. We were hyped up from the moment we stepped in the bus to the game until we arrived at the hotel after the game. Of course this had to do a lot with the success we had. But we also had a great squad that was eager to do something special.
JJ: What do you consider your career highlight?
VR: The success we had with the team at the WBC was my team career highlight. My individual highlight is probably hitting the game tying HR in the bottom of the 9th with 2 outs against Taiwan at the Quarter finals in the World cup of 2007.
JJ: Please, compare your childhood dreams to baseball-related dreams you are having now?
VR: My childhood dream was to make the Major League. Now it’s to be the best player I can be in the Dutch Headclass and see what door will open for me.
JJ: Do you have anything special in your training or game routine?
VR: I try to find some time to pray before the game. Being a Christian that is a important part for me.
JJ: What has baseball given to you and what the game has taken from your life?
VR: Baseball has given me a lot of nice experiences. I’ve traveled to a lot of countries and had the chance to play in some nice stadiums. It has also taught me some lessons that I can use in my “normal” life. Like how to deal with failure. It hasn’t taken anything from me, because I’m the one that made the choice to play this game.
Thank you.
Jakub Janda
Jandis(at)volny.cz