The 2008 Dutch champion L&D AMSTERDAM has not yet made many changes on the roster of their successful team. The deadline on October 31st for transfers within the Hoofdklasse only revealed one new player and four, which will leave the club.
The only new player on the team is Vince Rooi. The corner infielder is coming from CORENDON KINHEIM, where he spent the last two years. This season he batted .297 (OBP .384/SLG .439) with 23 runs scored and 32 RBIs. As we already mentioned in the review of the KINHEIM transfers the 26-year-old slightly took a step back production wise, as he batted .368 (.497/.521) with 43 runs scored and 34 RBI in 2007. However he should be still in his prime of his career and will help the PIRATES next season. He is also one of the better hitters in the clutch with 40 hits in 110 at bats with runners in scoring position over the past two years.
Rooi is returning to his home club, as he was born in Amsterdam and learned his first steps in Baseball in the youth teams of the PIRATES. He also made his Hoofdklasse debut for the club in 1998 before signing a pro contract in the United States. He played for various Minor League teams of the MONTREAL EXPOS, the WASHINGTON NATIONALS and the PITTSBURGH PIRATES. In 716 games on all levels between Rookie and Double A ball, Rooi batted a combined .233 (.325/.340) with 48 homeruns, 281 runs scored and 314 RBIs.
Rooi is supposed to cushion the loss of Ryan Murphy, who is leaving AMSTERDAM for the KONICA MINOLTA PIONIERS. The Canadian infielder and pitcher for the Holland Series winner had a solid year at the plate (.309/.402/.400) and on the mound (5-5, ERA 3.89, 81 IP, 42 SO, 16 BB).
The PIRATES are going to miss three more players in 2009. Pitcher Kevin Miner (19 years old) is joining HCAW MR COCKER next year. The right-hander had an ERA of 8.27 with seven strikeouts and 16 walks in 20 2/3 innings over the course of ten games (one start). Outfielder Remco Draijer batted .239 (.324/.272) with 16 runs scored and nine RBI in 2008. The 21-year-old replaces Rooi on the roster of KINHEIM. First baseman Roy Harteveld is also leaving AMSTERDAM. The 20-year-old, who batted .242 (.317/.273) in 33 at bats, hasn’t found a new team yet.
There also will be changes in the staff of head coach Rikkert Fanyete. Louis Hofer, who wasn’t involved with a team in 2008, replaces Tim Miner (no new team yet) as assistant and first base coach. He worked for AMSTERDAM as an assistant and head coach in the past, the last time in 2007, when he led them into the playoffs. The PIRATES are still searching for a new pitching coach, after Tom Geestman resigned during the playoffs.