Besides looking back at 2008 in the Italian Baseball League, we’re also reviewing the year in the Dutch Hoofdklasse. A few weeks ago, we already did the same with the French Elite League and the German Baseball-Bundesliga.
Konica Minolta Pioniers
For the third straight year CORENDON KINHEIM ended the season of the PIONIERS in the Dutch Hoofdklasse, but this time it was not in the Holland Series. KONICA MINOLTA was fourth in the standings after the regular season with a 28-14 record. In the semi-finals they lost in four games against the 2008 vice champion.
What the stats say
The PIONIERS might were fourth in the win-loss standings, but led the league with 290 runs scored and a batting average of .296 (OBP .394/SLG .407). The pitching allowed 165 runs (3th in Netherlands) with a combined ERA of 3.64 (5th). The defense made 58 errors, which led to 22 unearned runs during the regular season.
Hoofdklasse MVP and batting champion Mark Duursma led the offense with a .387 batting average (SLG .510) with 36 runs scored and 30 RBIs. The catcher sat behind the plate for 340 2/3 innings, committing four errors, while throwing out 16 of 47 potential base stealers (34%). He was one of six teammates, who batted higher than .300 (minimum 80 plate appearances). Center fielder Glenn Romney (BA .354 /SLG .449) scored 33 runs and drove in 22. Jourick Blanco (.278/.511) topped not only his team with six homeruns, but also the league. The corner infielder had 29 runs and 34 RBIs on his belt. Mark’s brother and shortstop Michael Duursma (.279/.346) had a fine year too with 34 runs scored and 16 RBIs. He led the club with nine stolen bases. Dè Flanegin batted .331 with three homeruns, 23 runs scored and 27 RBI in his last season before retirement.
Roger Kops headed the starting rotation with an 8-2 record and an ERA of 2.38 in 14 starts. He struck out 44 (nine walks) in 79 1/3 innings. Six more pitchers on the staff had an ERA under 4.00. Seven different hurlers received the starting nod. Alberto Mieres Paez (2-4, ERA 3.61, 42.1 IP, 26 SO, 26 BB) replaced Nelson Santander (4-1, ERA 3.33, 27 IP, 18 SO, 17 BB) in June and stabilized starting pitching besides Kops. Closer Dave Draijer (ERA 2.01, 7 saves), Jan Rehacek (ERA 3.33), Maarten Mulder (ERA 3.60) and Robin Doornspeek (ERA 4.87) formed a solid bullpen.
The team from Hoofddorp already made a few changes for the 2009 season. They acquired 2008 Holland Series MVP Ryan Murphy and ORKAS BBC pitcher Shane Gnade. They also thought to have signed Johnny Balentina, but he later went to Italy. With Draijer, Flanegin and Paez three key players leave the team. If they are able to bring in another strong pitcher, the PIONIERS can make a run for championship next fall. The offense alone should be capable to lift them into the playoffs.
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