The Royal Dutch Baseball and Softball Association (KNBSB) has announced the coaching staff for the 2016 European Championship in Hoofddorp, Netherlands (September 9 to 18). The big news is the addition of former Major League outfielder Andruw Jones as bench coach. He will join the staff of manager Steve Janssen, pitching coach Mike Hartley, hitting coach Sidney de Jong, first base coach Wim Martinus and third base coach Ben Thijssen.
Complete Staff:
- Manager: Steve Janssen
- Bench Coach: Andruw Jones
- Pitching Coach: Mike Hartley
- Hitting Coach: Sidney de Jong
- Third Base Coach: Ben Thijssen
- First Base Coach: Wim Martinus
- Physiotherapist: Pepijn van Ingen
- S&C Coach: Paul Venner
- Equipment Manager: Maarten Broersen
- Scouts: David Bergman and Bernie Beckman
Jones last played for the Netherlands during the Premier12 last November. With his former MLB organization Atlanta Braves he has a consultant role as special assistant to the baseball operations department. The 39-year-old hit 434 home runs in Major League Baseball and 50 in Nippon Professional Baseball.
The Netherlands will face Czech Republic, Germany, Sweden, Russia and Great Britain during first-round play. Prior to the European Championship the team will participate in the Yoshida Challenge in Senart, France.