by Pim van Nes
In an exclusive interview with Pim van Nes, baseball writer in three European languages, Robert Eenhoorn wished to explain the possible effects of financial investments by MLB in one single country only compared with MLB investments in baseball countries across Europe.
He is reacting on the frequent news items in this respect produced by the website of the Italian federation FIBS, asking many millions of MLB dollars for only one country in Europe. These news items are combined, summarized and translated for Honkbalsite.com, managed and mastered by Rogier van Zon. His correspondent Pim van Nes has followed news facts and developments in Italian baseball since over 25 years. Robert Eenhoorn is reacting merely in his position as technical director baseball of Dutch federation KNBSB, rather than in the position of manager of the national team. His selection and coaches are in the air right now, flying from Amsterdam to Seoul for final preparations on the Olympic Games, representing Europe in Beijing.
Q: In what degree are Italian plans conflicting with the European cooperation plans to reach a European League?
A: If Major League Baseball chooses to support only one project in Europe and then select the Italian application, it would be have a very bad effect on baseball developments in almost all other European countries, now heading to continental cooperation. Only if the Americans are prepared to finance more projects in Europe, the catastrophe by the one-sided aspirations of the Italian federation might turn out less harmful.
Q: Does the Italian federation negotiate about any European cooperation?
A: Until a few years ago their federation president Riccardo Fraccari has discussed with us the feasibilities to reach development plans towards cooperation about the European Baseball Series, aiming at first on play-off tournaments between the national teams of Italy and Holland only, later to be joined by more European countries.
Q: With whom within the European federation CEB do you discuss these matters generally?
A: My regular contact person in this domain is CEB president Martin Miller from Germany, but I accordingly contact Gerard Vaandrager, the CEB vice president from the Netherlands.
Q: On which countries are the European League plans focused at this stage?
A: We aim first on what are considered generally the six strong and stable countries in Europe, so we look at the historic European finale partners Holland and Italy and also to Spain, France, Germany and Czech Republic. But we also keep a close eye on countries like Russia, Sweden, and so on.
Q: Providing that MLB will produce timely the necessary funds for the European League, when can the first competition take off on our continent?
A: If everything goes well, we can start with the first international fall season in 2010 with the best clubs from those European countries. The clubs will be in the position to use their professional players in autumn, as they have completed their regular seasons and play-off games in USA. It is going to be a wonderful event with the best players of the best clubs from our continent.
Q: How much money is involved in the MLB support for the European League and how were the first reactions on the European application?
A: For time being I prefer to remain diplomatic about financial matters, but I can confirm frankly that MLB representatives in New York were very positive about our plans heading to mutual cooperation in Europe. A very strong factor in this process is that especially the clubs in Major League Baseball immediately showed their support and recommended our plans.
Q: When the owners of the 30 Major League clubs will meet on August 13 and 14, will they discuss about the Italian plan only or also about the broader European plans?
A: MLB vice president Paul Archey is my contact person in this domain and he has ascertained, that he will present our altruistic program extensively to the 30 big bosses of American professional baseball.
Q: Is there anything that still needs to be underlined here expressively?
A: For sure! Our plans towards European cooperation are to remain more crucial for baseball in all European countries, as long as our sport is kept outside the Olympic recognition. Dark shades are closing in already for our federations, clubs and players, although the last Olympic Games with baseball are still future. This applies to us in the Netherlands, but so much more to European countries where baseball needs growing even more.
Pim van Nes
Baseball writer for
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