(Story by Marco Stoovelaar; Photo by Henk Seppen)
 The Hawks returns to big league
Nederlands
 DORDRECHT (Neth.) -
Mampaey The Hawks will play in the Dutch Major League again this season, as the team has been awarded the vacant spot in the highest division.
Earlier this month, ADO Lakers announced its withdrawal due to the current financial situation of the club.
This probably will lead to the complete discontinuation of the club.
That will be decided during a special club-meeting early March.
After it became clear that ADO Lakers would not return to the big league this season, it was reported in the following days that The Hawks showed interest in moving into the vacant stop.
Twins also was mentioned as having interest.
Last season, The Hawks finished in last place in the big league, then lost the best-of-five Promotion/Relegation Play-Off, resulting in relegation to the second highest league ('Overgangsklasse').
Twins finished in second place in the 'Overgangsklasse' behind DSS, which then defeated The Hawks to promote to the highest league.
As The Hawks is taking over the spot of ADO Lakers, the big league was brought back to eight clubs.
But that left the 'Overgangsklasse' to nine teams.
In the published schedule for this league, no new team has been added, meaning it will go with a 9-team competition.
After completion of last season, The Hawks saw five players leave to play for ADO Lakers, being pitchers José Moreno, Evan Simons, Quinn Tramm and Kevin van Veen plus outfielder Jules Peters.
They now probably all will return to the club.
The Hawks also lost infielders Tony Enos (UVV) and Kevin Moesquit (Kinheim) and designated hitter Berry van Donselaar (Twins).
The team added four players, including American pitcher Bobby Carrington, who in the past had played in the big league.
In October, Belgian Rik Ruts was named as its new Head Coach.
Besides the five additions from The Hawks, ADO Lakers had added eight more new players, who all will become available.
(February 11-13)
|
