Former Major Leaguer Rikkert Fanyete is no longer head coach of 2008 Dutch champion L&D AMSTERDAM PIRATES. Rogier van Zon of Honkbalsite.com reported already on September 17 that both sides decided to end the liaison after just two seasons. Apparently the coach and the team no longer were on the same page.
Faneyte had succeeded Louis Hofer at the helm at the beginning of 2008 and led the PIRATES to the first championship since 1990. He later also was named coach of the year by the KNBSB. This postseason AMSTERDAM was eliminated by the KONICA MINOLTA PIONIERS in the semi-finals. Fanyete played four seasons in the big leagues for the San Francisco Giants and the Texas Rangers between 1993 and 1996.