The Royal Dutch Baseball and Softball Association (KNBSB) announced the roster for the Dutch National Team for the Haarlemse Honkbalweek on Thursday. New on the team of 27 players will be catchers Jason Halman (Corendon Kinheim) and Bas Nooij (L&D Amsterdam) and outfielder Shaldimar Daantji (DOOR Neptunus). 34-year-old outfielder Dirk van’t Klooster (Corendon Kinheim) is back on the team after ending his retirement recently.
All three plus Dwayne Kemp (DOOR Neptunus) could make their debut during the international tournament with Cuba, Japan, Taiwan, Venezuela and the NJCAA All Stars from July 9th to 18th. Kemp was a member of the Dutch team at the 2009 World Baseball Classic, but didn’t get into a game. Kinheim’s current catcher Tjerk Smeets is going to make his debut as bullpen coach for the squad of manager Jim Stoeckel.
Missing on the team is the 24-year-old left-hander Alexander Smit, who had retired from professional baseball a few weeks ago. He is still on the restricted list of the Cincinnati Reds organization and so needs their permission, if he wants to play for a different team, even it is the national team.
From the 27 players only 24 will make it to the lineup card at each game. Additionally Mourik Huijser (DOOR Neptunus) will serve as bullpen catcher. After the 25th edition of the Haarlem Baseball Week the Netherlands will travel to Germany for the European Championship in Stuttgart, Heidenheim and Neuenburg (July 23-August 1). No word yet, if these 27 players will get a chance to defend the title from 2007 or if some of them will get replaced by professional players.
Complete Dutch Roster 25th Haarlemse Honkbalweek:
Pitchers: Arshwin Asjes (Konica Minolta Pioniers), David Bergman (Corendon Kinheim), Leon Boyd (DOOR Neptunus), Rob Cordemans (L&D Amsterdam), Dave Draijder (Konica Minolta Pioniers), Berry van Driel (DOOR Neptunus), Gregory Gustina (Sparta/Feyenoord), Kevin Heijstek (DOOR Neptunus), Michiel van Kampen (Corendon Kinheim), Diegomar Markwell (DOOR Neptunus), Nick Stuifbergen (Corendon Kinheim), Nick Veltkamp (Corendon Kinheim)
Catchers: Jason Halman (Corendon Kinheim), Sidney de Jong (L&D Amsterdam), Bas Nooij (L&D Amsterdam)
Infielders: René Cremer (Corendon Kinheim), Michael Duursma (Konica Minolta Pioniers), Bryan Engelhardt (Corendon Kinheim), Dwayne Kemp (DOOR Neptunus), Raily Legito (DOOR Neptunus), Vince Rooi (L&D Amsterdam), Jeroen Sluijter (DOOR Neptunus)
Outfielders: Shaldimar Daantji (DOOR Neptunus), Bas de Jong (L&D Amsterdam), Dirk van ‘t Klooster (Corendon Kinheim), Eugene Kingsale (DOOR Neptunus), Danny Rombley (DOOR Neptunus)
Coaching Staff: Manager Jim Stoeckel, Pitching Coach Steve Janssen, Hitting Coach Wim Martinus, Bench Coach Ben Thijssen, Bullpen Coach Tjerk Smeets