The Dutch vice champion CORENDON KINHEIM finished a kind of eventful year 2008, when they lost in three games to new Hoofdklasse champion L&D AMSTERDAM in the Holland Series. They defeated MONTEPASCHI GROSSETO 3-2 in ten innings in the finals of the European Cup in Grosseto this June to defend their title. Afterwards they decided not to go to the European Cup Final Four in Barcelona, instead trying to focus on the national championship. They concluded the regular season standings with a 32-10 record in first place and beat the PIONIERS in the semi-finals, before being stopped by the PIRATES.
Their start into the offseason was by far not that interesting. The deadline for transfers within the Hoofdklasse ended last Friday at midnight and only five names were mentioned with connections to KINHEIM. Eelco Jansen, who served as the pitching coach up to now, replaces the resigning Ben Thijssen as head coach of CORENDON. The only player, which is new on the roster for 2009, is outfielder Remco Draijer, who is coming over from AMSTERDAM. Starting pitcher Cliff Foster (UVV) and Vince Rooi (AMSTERDAM) are leaving Haarlem.
Draijer appeared in 26 games for the PIRATES in 2008, 25 in center field. He batted .239 (OBP .324/SLG .272) with three doubles, 16 runs scored and nine RBIs. The left-handed batter and thrower is 21 years old and finished his third complete season in the Hoofdklasse for AMSTERDAM.
Foster had major control problems in his four starts for KINHEIM this season. He posted a 0-2 record with an ERA of 10.13 in 10.2 innings pitched. He allowed five hits, 13 runs (12 ER) and a whopping 25 walks, while striking out 13. Rooi split times at first and third for CORENDON, batting .297 (.384/.439) with 16 extra base hits, 23 runs scored and 32 RBIs, good for fifth in the league. The 26-year-old made a small step back production wise after a stellar 2007 season (OBP .497/SLG .521, 43 runs scored, 34 RBI).
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