(Story by Marco Stoovelaar; Photo courtesy of KNBSB)
  Dutch Team prepares on Curaçao for Premier12
Nederlands
 WILLEMSTAD, Curaçao (Neth.) -
The National Baseball Team of the Kingdom of the Netherlands has arrived on the island of Curaçao, where it will prepare itself for the upcoming Premier12 next month in Taiwan.
On Wednesday (October 14), there was a press conference at the Blue Bay Curaçao Golf & Beach Resort in Willemstad.
...Steve Janssen (left) and Hensley Meulens...
...show the new shirt of the Kingdom-team...
(© Photo: KNBSB) |
Regarding the name 'Kingdom of the Netherlands', Bench Coach Steve Janssen said:
,,It is clear for us that we now have the correct name on our chest.
We're very proud and thankful for our cooperation between the Netherlands, Aruba and Curaçao and it is fantastic to show this through the name on our chest.''
During the meeting, the new shirt was presented.
On the shirt, the name 'Kingdom of the Netherlands' is printed.
Beneath the name are the flags of the seven countries that together form the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Besides the Netherlands, Aruba and Curaçao, these are the islands on Bonaire, Saint Martin, Saba and Saint Eustatius.
This week, the team is in Curaçao to conduct a trainingcamp as preparation for the Premier12, which will open next month in Taiwan with the participation of the top-12 baseball countries from around the world.
Curaçao is not only the site for the trainingcamp because of the weather, it also is an example of the improved cooperation between the KNBSB and FEBEKO, the national bodies for baseball and softball of respectively the Netherlands and Curaçao.
Paddy Roomer, marketing director of the KNBSB, said:
,,Both federations will support each other in marketing and development.
This last is also a part of the cooperation between the KNBSB and the new Curaçao Baseball Foundation.
The Dutch federation will assist this foundation in raising funds top support the development of baseball and softball on the island.
We strive in a close relationship with the FEBEKO.''
The relationship was also underscore with an invitation for the Curaçao Baseball Team to participate in the big international tournaments in Haarlem (Haarlem Baseball Week) and Rotterdam (World Port Tournament Baseball) for the coming three seasons.
Regarding the upcoming Premier12, Manager Hensley Meulens said:
,,I come to win, not to participate.
We're not in the strongest pool, so we are able to qualify for the next round and then anything can happen.
We've seen that the cooperation within the Kingdom can lead to good results and we want to continue that.
For these kind of tournament, we select the best players, whether they come from the Netherlands, Curaçao or St. Eustatius.
We have a good staff and the right mix in the group of players with younger and older players with different backgrounds.
I think that we the future for this team is bright.''
Meulens thinks that Korea and Japan will be the biggest competitors, as they can select the best players from their professional leagues, while the other countries cannot select players who are on the 40-man Major League-rosters.
The final roster for the Premier12 will be named after completion of the trainingcamp.
The Kingdom-team will play two exhibition games in Tiao Daou Stadion on Friyday- and Saturday-evening, starting at 8 PM local time against an All Star-team from Curaçao.
Last week, the Curaçao-squad won three games against the American baseball-team of Dallas Baptist University.
Rogier van der Meer, the marketing director of Blue Bay Curaçao Golf & Beach Resort, said:
,,We're very proud that the team stays with us during the trainingcamp.
They've visited us earlier and we have a good relationship with the staff and the team.
We wish them a lot of success during the Premier12 and looking forward to see them return in the future.''
(October 15)
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