by Pim van Nes
Play-off game 1 Curacao Neptunus Rotterdam vs Meerlease Pioniers Hoofddorp was opened with the line-ups caps off in respect of late Loek van Mil, closer for both Neptunus and Netherlands national team. Home team board presided by Mr Frans van Aalen thanked the player, who passed away last Sunday, for his important contributions as relief pitcher clinching four national championships and three European championships for club teams. The speech in the stadium also referred to Van Mil’s professional career in USA, Japan and Australia. His clubs Neptunus Rotterdam and Bandits Brisbane are defending champions in the Netherlands and in Australia.
During the minute of silence in Familie Stadium, an aeroplane took off from Rotterdam airport Zestienhoven rising alongside the stadium up to the sky fading away in some clouds. After the silence, fans of both clubs applauded Loek van Mil and the stadium announcer for the last time aired Loek van Mil’s walk up song: Breathe by The Prodigy.
Video by RTV Rijnmond:
Very sad about Loek Van Mil. A friend of mine coached him in the Dodgers’ minor-league system many years ago. He both found him to have much potential, and liked working with Loek.
On a different note, I was struck by the small attendance in Rotterdam — especially for a dutch playoff game. Fan interest isn’t what it was in Dutch baseball, is it?