Rogier van Zon of Honkbalsite.com reported on Monday that a city council in Hoofddorp, Netherlands voted in principle for the relocation of the PIONIERS facilities to a different site. This was an important step for a new ballpark for the Hoofdklasse club, which is aimed to open in 2012. Hooddorp is located just south-west from Amsterdam.
The new complex will meet international standards and will include a main field with stands for 450 seats. This number though could be increased to 2,500, if Hoofddorp gets awarded with a European Baseball League club. However the ambitions go even further, shooting for a capacity of 20,000 seats in case Major League Baseball is interested to play games in Europe.
The new facilities not only include the main ballpark with modern clubhouses, but also a second Baseball and a Softball field, both with international standards recommended by IBAF and ISF statutes. Additionally two multipurpose fields for Baseball and Softball, plus one for youth teams are also planned.
Over the next few months the club and the city council will discuss and finalize location, design of the park and funding. The PIONIERS already are looking for sponsors to finance the huge project.
Photo: © Ron Wickert, www.eott.nl