by Pim van Nes
Though many speculations as to his future referred to other countries, Robert Eenhoorn has decided to stay with baseball in the Netherlands. Today he has signed a four years contract with the Dutch federation KNBSB for the new position of Technical Director. As per January 1st 2009 he will assume new responsibilities, instead of taking leave from his present job as manager of the national baseball team of the Netherlands.
Originally his contract would expire on November 1st after having participated in the Olympic Games in Beijing. New circumstances will allow him to stay as manager with the national team also during the second World Baseball Classic. His successor is supposed to begin on April 1st 2009.
Eenhoorn has turned down several job offers by baseball organisations in USA 
and Europe. Reasons to stay in his own country originate from his private life but also from the satisfactory results on the baseball field and in the baseball office. Eenhoorn declared to have had a good cooperation with KNBSB board presided by Ruud van Zetten and KNBSB office managed by Hans Meijer. He is convinced that the new position will offer him more effect and result in his ambitions as to the national team, talent development, professional progress for Hoofdklasse clubs, coordination among academies and European cooperation.
This weekend Eenhoorn will participate in an endurance relay run between Paris and Rotterdam with the charity motif to support cancer patients. Among his teammates on the French, Belgian and Dutch roads along almost 500 km are other former athletes, such as Pierre van Hooijdonk (football), Michael Boogert and Leontien van Moorsel (cyclism).
Pim van Nes
Baseball writer for
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Photo © Ron Wickert, www.eott.nl