The first deadline in the Belgian First Division is over, as players of the Dutch speaking teams had to announce if they want a transfer. Probably the biggest transaction so far is the move of Belgian national team outfielder Steven De Lannoy from reigning champion Hoboken Pioneers to the Borgerhout Squirrels. Another well-known player leaving the Pioneers is the lone Belgian Minor Leaguer Thomas De Wolf, who is playing in the New York Mets organization and isn’t much help during the summer anyway. Players of the French-speaking teams like the Namur Angels will follow in the next couple of days.
Overview Transfers in Belgian First Division:
Brasschaat Braves
Arrivals: Aneudy Rafael Duran Garcia (Deurne Spartans), Jeroen Swers (Deurne Spartans), Filip van der Meiren (Coach, no team in 2010)
Departures: Gert Pissierssens, Mika Uten (Antwerp Eagles), Johnny Peerens (retired)
Deurne Spartans
Departures: Aneudy Rafael Duran Garcia (Brasschaat Braves), Wesley Verelst, Harold Castillo, Manuel Escarfuller Holguin (Merchtem Cats), Maxim Arnots, Elias Lugo (Coach, Merchtem Cats), Manuel Martinez (Merchtem Cats)
Mortsel Stars
Arrivals: Andy Ruelle (Port of Antwerp Greys)
Departures: Craig Huffman (Coach, Namur Angels), Jacub Huffman (Namur Angels), Stijn Janssens (Hoboken Pioneers), Michael Somerlinck (Hoboken Pioneers)
Hoboken Pioneers
Arrivals: Stijn Janssens (Mortsel Stars), Michael Somerlinck (Mortsel Stars), Kevin Knollenburg (Coach, Port of Antwerp Greys)
Departures: Steven De Lannoy (Borgerhout Squirrels), Thomas De Wolf, Fransisco Quinorero (Brussels Astros), Gianni Russo (Borgerhout Squirrels), Kevin Vervloet (Borgerhout Squirrels)
Borgerhout Squirrels
Arrivals: Steven De Lannoy (Hoboken Pioneers), Gianni Russo (Hoboken Pioneers), Kevin Vervloet (Hoboken Pioneers),
Departures: Jose Norberto Coste Nunez
Port of Antwerp Greys
Departures: David Herssens, Jason Jie Sam Foek (Merchtem Cats), Kevin Knollenburg (retired, Coach Hoboken Pioneers), Andy Ruelle (Mortsel Stars), Nick Vanthillo, Dennis van Hoof (retired)
Merchtem Cats
Arrivals: Jason Jie Sam Foek (Port of Antwerp Greys), Carlos Martinez Yan (Brussels Astros), Manuel Martinez (Deurne Spartans), Manuel Escarfuller Holguin (Deurne Spartans), Elias Lugo (Coach, Deurne Spartans)
Departures: Jonas Verhaevert
Namur Angels
Arrivals: Jacub Huffman (Mortsel Stars), Craig Huffman (Coach, Mortsel Stars)
Departures: Ronny Heymans (retired, becomes coach with Namur)