The Namur Angels open the 2013 season in the Belgian First Division with a derby against LLN Phoenix on Saturday. Head coach Christophe Dassy was able to add Matt Kramer (US), Chris Anderson (US), Joren De Smet, Philip van Woensel (both Antwerp Eagles) and Michel Legrand (Division 3, Seraing) to the roster, and Patrick Vielvoye to the coaching staff.
Vince King, Cedric Desmedt (both Borgerhout Squirrels) and Theodore Bellefroid (Brussels Kangaroos) have left the team as well as last year’s imports Greg van Sickler and Jake Hummel. Youngsters Adrien Lamotte, Steve Jordens, Stephane Daspremont and Edouard Vanheer complete the roster from within the club.
As usual the imports from the United States create the most interest. Harvard graduate Matt Kramer, who was born in Minneapolis and who now resides in St. Louis, skipped med school to play minor league baseball with the Boston Red Sox in the Gulf Coast League. The 26-year-old signed with the Atlanta Braves as a catcher in 2008, played four years at Harvard University before converting to pitching with the Red Sox.
The 27-year-old Chris Anderson has much more experience in professional baseball. The catcher attended San Diego State University before signing with the Atlanta Braves organization in 2007. He stayed with the Braves throughout the 2010 season and after his release joined the independent league circuit. In six seasons of pro ball he has a batting line of .219/.322/.349 with 12 home runs between Rookie and Double-A ball.