by Pim van Nes
Last Sunday Rinus Paardekooper died at the age of 62. In a close circle ceremony prior to any publicity he was taken leave on Wednesday. In an organization of fast rotating KNBSB board members and chairmen, Rinus in the federation office was a reliable collaborator for clubs, technical officials outside and colleagues in the office. He started in the sixties as an umpire for baseball and softball. He became a volunteer co-worker in the federation office in Amsterdam, moved with the office to Santpoort near Haarlem and also to Nieuwegein. 30 years ago he got his full time appointment and five years ago he got the KNBSB Recognition Award, the first employee within KNBSB. From 1979 till 2008 Rinus was competition manager. He was technical commissioner at World Port Tournament and Haarlemse Honkbal Week. He was also a promoter of baseball material supplies to East European countries.
by Pim van Nes
Baseball writer for
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