(Story by Marco Stoovelaar; Photo by Henk Seppen)
 Former Kinheim-pitcher in Minor League All Star Game
Nederlands
 FORT MYERS, Florida (USA) -
Australian righthander Todd Van Steensel pitched in the 55th Florida State League All Star Game on Saturday (June 18) in Fort Myers.
The last time that the FSL All Star Game was played in Fort Myers was in 2009.
...Todd Van Steensel pitching for...
...Kinheim in 2012...
(© Photo: Henk Seppen) |
In the game, the 25-year old Van Steensel pitched at his home field, as he is playing this season for Fort Myers Miracle, the Single-A Advanced team of the Minnesota Twins.
So far this season, he pitched in 21 games (all in relief) and is 0-1 with three saves, while striking out 29 batters in 30 1/3 inning.
Van Steensel was one of eight players of Fort Myers, who were selected for the All Star Game.
The Australian pitcher made his professional debut in 2009 when he threw in the Rookie League-team of the Philadelphia Phillies.
After having played in Australia thereafer, he returned to the Minor League in 2011 when he pitched in the organization of the Minnesota Twins.
During the 2012 season, Todd Van Steensel joined the team of Kinheim in the Dutch big league.
He then appeared in only six games, all in relief.
The righthander was 0-0 with a 2.79 ERA and struckout 12 batters in 9 2/3 inning, while walking only one.
In his brief Dutch career, he gave up ten basehits and three runs.
Van Steensel made another comeback in the American Minor League in 2014 after being re-signed by the Twins.
Since that season, he pitched at the Single-A level.
He also pitches in the Australian Baseball League for Sydney Blue Sox since 2010 and has been a member of the Australian National Team.
At Hammond Stadium, located at CenturyLink Sports Complex in Fort Myers, the North Division All Stars won only 1-0 on Saturday against the South Division All Stars in a pitching duel.
The lone run was scored in the sixth inning.
Christin Stewart then led off with a double and scored on a 2-out single by Dustin Houle.
Afterwards, Stewart was named Most Valuable Player of the All Star Game.
Van Steensel pitched the seventh inning for the South Division Team and gave up one basehit.
In total, 21 pitchers were used in the game, eleven of them by the North Division Team.
(June 19)
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