The new head coach of the Netherlands Baseball National Team Rod Delmonico led a practice of his new squad for the first time last Saturday in Rotterdam. The Dutch Honkbalsite also reports that the team itself is holding sessions for a few weeks, alternating between facilities in Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Professional players Alex Smit, Dwayne Kemp and Kalian Sams also were on hand. New pitching coach Jim Stoeckel, who will serve as the bullpen coach at the World Baseball Classic in March, was scheduled to arrive today.
Before starting into the competition against the heavily favored Dominican team on March 7th, the team is playing exhibitions against the Florida State University on February 24th, the Pittsburgh Pirates on March 3rd, the Cincinnati Reds on March 4th and the Minnesota Twins on March 5th.
Photos of Delmonico’s first practice with the Dutch team are available on Honkbalsite.com.