Today's game was led by veteran umpire Fred van Groningen Schinkel, who this month, 50 years ago, made his debut as an umpire.
Also this month, on May 6, it was 45 years ago that he made his debut in the Dutch big league.
When counting in seasons, this is Fred's 51st season as an umpire and his 46th at the highest level.
Amidst all the festivities in Bussum, Japanese righthander Daisuke Yamashita made his debut for Twins.
He was supported with a run in the top of the first inning, faced a deficit moments later and ended up being the losing pitcher.
In the top of the first inning, HCAW-starter Ian Delemarre gave up a run with two outs.
With one out, he gave up a single to Nick Peels, who moved to third base on a 2-out single by Melvin Perdue, then scored when next batter Mick Molenaar also singled.
In the bottom of the first inning, HCAW answered with two runs off of Yamashita, who didn't start well.
He walked lead-off hitter Roelie Henrique on four straight pitches, then hit next batter Dylan Koster with a pitch.
Yamashita then struckout powerhitter Vince Rooi, but got the bases loaded when he also walked Kevin Dirksen.
Hereafter, the tying run was scored on a wild pitch and a following single by Rowan van Hoek made it 2-1 in favor of HCAW.
The bases were re-loaded when Kevin Weijgertse received the third walk in this inning.
However, the three runners were left behind when a flyout and groundout closed the at bat.
In the next three innings, Delemarre held Twins scoreless.
He was supported with a double play in the second inning, saw Twins leave two runners behind in the third and retired the side in the fourth.
But in the top of the fifth inning, Twins came alongside.
With one out, Nick Peels (who had reached on a fielder's choice-bunt) stole second base and Dennis De Quint walked.
In a double-steal-situation, a throwing error followed, which enabled Peels to score the tying run.
With two outs, another walked followed, but Twins stranded two runners.
...Veteran umpire Fred van Groningen Schinkel gets...
...flowers from HCAW-chairman Huib Schrijvers...
(© Photo: Alfred Cop Fotografie) |
Daisuke Yamashita recovered after the first inning.
From the second inning on, the Japanese righthander retired 12 of the 13 batters he faced, including four strikeouts.
The lone batter to reach base was Kevin Dirksen, who singled in the third inning.
After the HCAW-defense had turned its second double play of the game in the top of the sixth, the Bussum-offense struck moments later in the bottom of the inning.
The home team got the bases loaded quickly when Kevin Dirksen led off with an infield-hit, Rowan van Hoek walked and Kevin Weijgertse reached on a bunt-single.
A walk for Seb Visser then gave HCAW a 3-2 lead and a pinch-hit single from Rossini Frolijk added two more runs.
When next batter Boyd Tuhumury also delivered a runscoring single, a pitching change followed.
With HCAW now leading 6-2, runners on first and second base and no outs, rookie Jan Evertse took over the pitching from Yamashita.
He saw the two runners advance on a sacrifice bunt by Roelie Henrique, then gave up a sacrifice fly to Dylan Koster.
Trailing 7-2, Twins got a chance to come somewhat closer in the top of the seventh.
With one out, Giovanni Tensen took over the pitching from Ian Delemarre.
He walked Nick Peels, hit Dennis De Quint with a pitch and saw the two runners move on a passed ball.
Tensen then fielded successfully a comeback-grounder and closed with a strikeout.
In the top of the eighth, Tim Niekerk pitched for HCAW.
He walked a batter with two outs, but encountered no problems.
HCAW scored then another run in its eighth.
With one out, Boyd Tuhumury doubled and scored when an error followed an infield-hit by Roelie Henrique to make it an 8-2 score.
Steven van Groningen then retired the side in the ninth to seal the win for HCAW.
And with that, Dieks Bannink closed his announcer's notebook for the final time.
But almost surely, we will hear his voice again sometime somewhere.
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HCAW wins finale of longtime announcer
BUSSUM (Neth.) -
HCAW broke a 2-2 tie with a 5-run rally in the sixth inning and went on to win 8-2 on Sunday (May 21) against De Glaskoning Twins.
On Thursday, HCAW opened the 3-game series with a 2-0 win, then lost 9-7 on Saturday in what was the first win for Twins this season.
Dieks Bannink retires as Public Address Announcer of HCAW after 25 years.