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(Story by Marco Stoovelaar; Photos by Henk Seppen & Alfred Cop) Neptunus wins Urbanus Tournament; HCAW honors Ralph Milliard Nederlands BUSSUM (Neth.) - Curaçao Neptunus won 13-7 against organisor HCAW on Sunday (July 19) in a long closing-game to stay unbeaten and win the 38th edition of the annual In Memoriam Charles Urbanus Sr. Tournament. Earlier in the day, the game between Hoofddorp Pioniers and L&D Amsterdam Pirates ended in a 4-4 tie. The tournament had no individual awards this year. Before the final game, organizing club HCAW honored its longtime player Ralph Milliard with a Lifetime Achievement Banner. For Neptunus, it was the eleventh time that the team had won the tournament, but the first time since 1999. Neptunus last participated in the tournament in 2001, then didn't return for many years. Instead, the team participated in most editions of the annual Hudson John Tournament, which was organized by Sparta and later by ADO. In 2018, Neptunus returned as participant in the Urbanus Tournament. Last year, the event was won by Amsterdam Pirates. The tournament was initially scheduled to be played in April in the final week of the exhibition season. However, due to the measures taken against the coronavirus, the tournament was cancelled. When it was announced that the regular season will open coming Thursday (July 23), a 3-week exhibition period was compiled and the Urbanus Tournament returned to the schedule. The four participating teams first all played a game at home, then the event closed today with two games at the site of host HCAW. On Thursday-evening, in Rotterdam, Neptunus opened with a come-from-behind 5-2 win against Pioniers. In Bussum, the game between HCAW and Amsterdam Pirates ended with an 8-8 score. On Saturday, reigning Dutch champion Amsterdam Pirates hosted Neptunus, which recorded a big 12-1 win. In Hoofddorp, HCAW's second game also ended with a tie, as the final score of the match-up against Hoofddorp Pioniers was 3-3. With today's games, the exhibition season ended. Final Standings 1. Neptunus, 2. HCAW, 3. Amsterdam Pirates, 4 Hoofddorp Pioniers. (July 19) Standings Exhibition Season Scores Schedule

...Ralph Milliard (left) is honored by his club HCAW... ...with a Liftetime Achievement Banner... (© Photo: Alfred Cop Fotografie) HCAW honors Ralph Milliard Before the start of the final game of this year's Urbanus Tournament, organizing club HCAW honored Ralph Milliard, one of its longtime players and also one of its most popular clubs-members. The former short stop played for the Bussum-based club for eleven seasons. He made his debut at age 16 in 1990 and played for the club through 1992. In July 1992, the Curaçao-born Milliard signed a professional contract with the Florida Marlins. That started a professional career that last nine years. In 1993-1997, Milliard played in the organization of the Marlins. With that club, he made his debut in the Major League during the 1996 season and appeared in 24 games. In 1997, Millliard played in eight Major League-games for the Marlins. In February 1998, Milliard was traded to New York Mets for whom he played ten Major League-games in 1998. In February 1999, another trade followed. This time, the Mets traded him to Cincinnati Reds, where he played in Double-A. In the following two seasons, Milliard played in Triple-A. In 2000 in the organization of the San Diego Padres and in 2001 with the Cleveland Indians. After having played in five games for Buffalo Bisons (Triple-A Cleveland) in 2001, the infielder returned to the Netherlands and went on to play in eight more seasons for HCAW. Besides being a great defensive short stop, the always passionate Milliard also was a great hitter, who frequently batted in the lead-off position. Milliard reached base regularly and then showed his skills as baserunner. In his eleven Dutch big league-seasons, Milliard stole 87 bases. He played in 336 games in the highest league, collecting 357 basehits, including 18 homeruns. Milliard scored 279 runs and batted in 171. After he ended his playing career, Milliard became a coach and he led both the big league-team, as well as the second team of HCAW. Today, HCAW unveiled a Lifetime Achievement-banner of Milliard, which will be put up in leftfield besides the retired numbers of the team.

Hoofddorp Pioniers vs. L&D Amsterdam Pirates Amsterdam Pirates got into scoring position in both the first and second inning off of starter Scott Prins, but was unable to score. With one out in the first, Delano Selassa and Gilmer Lampe both singled, but two flyouts followed. In the second, Kit Gijsbers led off with a single and stole second base, then also stranded on second base. ...Tom de Blok struckout six batters in relief for Pirates... (© Photo: Henk Seppen) Amsterdam-starter Juan Carlos Sulbaran retired the side in the first inning, then gave up a run in the second at bat. Former Pirate Victor Draijer led off with a double and scored on a following single by Duco Nuijten. Pirates answered with two runs in the top of the third. Roelie Henrique led off with a single, stole second base and scored the tying run on a single by next batter Delano Selassa. The latter then stole both second and third base and scored on an one-out grounder by Kenny Berkenbosch. After being retired in order, Pirates left a runner behind on third base in the fifth inning. In the top of the sixth, off of new pitcher Daniël Vos, Pirates got runners on second and third base. Kit Gijsbers (fielder's choice) and Niels van Weert (walk) were on base with one out, but hereafter, rookies Jair van Borkulo and (second team-player) Sebastiaan van der Horst both grouded out. In the meantime, Sulbaran encountered no problems in the third, fourth and fifth inning. He saw Jorrit Penseel (single-passed ball) and Joey Eeman (walk-stolen base) get into scoring position in respectively the third and fourth inning, but they stranded on second base. With a 2-1 lead for Pirates, Matz Schutte relieved Sulbaran in the bottom of the sixth. Without giving up a basehit, he saw HCAW come alongside. Schutte hit the first two batters he faced with a pitch, Daan Kuit and Nathan Berkel. The two moved on a sacrifice bunt by Raul Jacobs, then Kuit scored the tying run on a grounder by Joey Eeman. In the top of the seventh, Pirates broke the 2-2 tie by scoring twice off of Nathan Diaby. He gave up a lead-off single to Roelie Henrique, then an RBI-double to Delano Selassa. With one out, Kenny Berkenbosch delivered a runscoring single to put Pirates ahead, 4-2. Berkenbosch later also stranded on third base. In this game, Selassa was 3-for-5, scored twice and batted in two runs. Again, the lead was shortlived, as Pioniers came alongside in the bottom of the seventh of off new pitcher Naut Kragt. Lead-off hitter Duco Nuijten reached on an error, then advanced two bases on a wild pitch. Hereafter, Reangelo Willems walked. When he stole second base, a throwing error from the catcher followed, which enabled Nuijten to score. Hereafter, Willems advanced on a grounder and scored on a single by Nolan Beugeling to tie the score at 4-4. A single by Jorrit Penseel gave Pioniers another baserunner. But this time, the Hoofddorp-team left a runner behind in scoring position. Amsterdam Pirates got one more runner in scoring position in the eighth off of Diaby. With two outs, Roelie Henrique walked and stole second base, then a flyout ended the at bat. Pirates was retired in order in the ninth by Angelo Wicklert, who saw his three outfielders all make a catch. Tom de Blok threw the last two innings for Pirates. He struckout six batters and gave up no basehits. In the eighth, the righthander hit lead-off hitter Tyler Boersma, then walked Bodhi de Vreede. The two moved on a wild pitch, but De Blok then struckout the next three batters. After striking out the first batter in the ninth, De Blok walked Nolan Beugeling, but followed with two more strikeouts. And so, this game ended with the third tie of the tournament.

...Scott Prins and Juan Carlos Sulbaran were the starting pitchers for Pioniers and Pirates... (© Both Photos: Henk Seppen) ...Left: Edwin Louis was the Home Plate Umpire... ...Right: Gilmer Lampe reaches 3rd base for Pirates sliding past 3B Jorrit Penseel... ...3B Peter de Haan looks into the action... (© Both Photos: Henk Seppen) ...Daniël Vos and Nathan Diaby pitched in relief for Hoofddorp Pioniers... (© Both Photos: Henk Seppen) ...Rookies Matz Schutte and Naut Kragt pitched in relief for Amsterdam Pirates... (© Both Photos: Henk Seppen) ...Left: Roelie Henrique dives back to 1st base during a pick-off while 1B Duco Nuijten awaits the ball... ...Right: Pitcher Shairon Martis arrived in the morning and was in uniform for Amsterdam Pirates... (© Both Photos: Henk Seppen)

Hoofddorp Pioniers - L&D Amsterdam Pirates 4-4 (9 inn.) R H E L&D Amsterdam Pirates 002 000 200 - 4 9 2 Hoofddorp Pioniers 010 001 200 - 4 5 0 pitchers Pirates inn. SO BB H R ER Juan Carlos Sulbaran 5 4 1 3 1 1 Matz Schutte, BS (2) 1 - - - 1 1 Naut Kragt, BS (2) 1 1 1 2 2 1 Tom de Blok 2 6 2 - - - pitchers Pioniers inn. SO BB H R ER Scott Prins 5 3 1 5 2 2 Daniël Vos 1 - 2 - - - Nathan Diaby 2 - 2 4 2 2 Angelo Wicklert 1 - - - - - Umpires: HP-Edwin Louisa, 1B-Martijn Bosschaart, 3B-Peter de Haan. Scorer-Han Monsees (HCAW). Public Address Announcer-Han Monsees. Scoreboard Operator-Nico van de Luitgaren. Starting Time-11:00 AM. Time Played-2:50 hrs. Site-Rob Hoffmann Vallei, Sportpark Zanderijweg, Bussum. Game Notes: Game 5, In Memoriam Charles Urbanus Sr. Tournament 2020. Weather conditions at game time: Partly cloudy, 20° C (68° F); wind direction south-southwest; wind speed 13 kmh (8,1 mph); wind force 2 Bft; humidity 71%.

HCAW vs. Curaçao Neptunus ...Dudley Leonora had two basehits, scored twice,... ...walked and batted in a run for Neptunus... (© Photo: Henk Seppen) Both starting pitchers had a rough first inning. HCAW-starter Dennis Burgersdijk gave up four runs and Neptunus-starter Kaj Timmermans gave up five runs. The last two seasons, the two were teammates when both played for HCAW. Neptunus rallied for four runs on only two hits. Burgersdijk, who turned 32 today, hit lead-off hitter John Polonius, then got the bases loaded when he walked Stijn van der Meer and also hit Dwayne Kemp. Gianison Boekhoudt followed with a single to bring in the first run. A grounder by Dudley Leonora and a single by Shaldimar Daantji then brought in the next two runners. In a double-steal situation, Boekhoudt scored the fourth run. In the bottom of the first inning, HCAW erased the quick lead by scoring five runs off of their former teammate. Timmermans also had some problems with finding the strike-zone. He began with walks for Pascal Zegwaard and Bob van der Meer, then got the bases loaded when Patrick Bok singled. Hereafter, Timmermans also walked Rodney Daal, which led to the first HCAW-run. With one out, Arthur Bonevacia delivered a 2-run single. The bases got loaded again when Berend Ruben also singled. HCAW then took a 5-4 lead when two runners scored on a single by Leandro Anasagasti. Timmermans then closed with two strikeouts. In total, there were 17 walks issued in this game, seven by the Neptunus-pitching, ten by the HCAW-pitching. Neptunus re-took the lead by scoring twice in the third. Boekhoudt (single) and Leonora (single) then scored on a double by Daantji and a sacrifice fly by Darryl Collins. HCAW got one run back in the bottom of the fourth. Zegwaard led off with a walk and stole second base. After a foul-out, Timmermans was relieved by Kevin Bakker. He got a grounder, but then walked the next three batters, which brought in the run. HCAW left three runners behind, as Bakker closed with a strikeout. ...Jack Wagner made his pitching-debut for HCAW... (© Photo: Alfred Cop Fotografie) In the top of the fifth, Neptunus rallied for five runs with two outs off of new pitcher Jasper Elfrink, who returned from the USA earlier in the week. With one out, Elfrink got the bases loaded, then a force out at the plate accounted for the second out. Hereafter, Elfrink also encountered problems with his control. With the bases still loaded, a balk was called, which gave Neptunus a run. The bases were re-loaded and another run was scored when Elfrink hit Joran Berkhout and Quintin De Cuba with a pitch. The troubles weren't over yet, as John Polonius and Stijn van der Meer both walked, resulting in two more runs. A pitching change followed. Johannes Verroen Garcia took over, but he began with a walk for Dwayne Kemp that brought in the fifth run in the inning. Three runners were left behind, as a grounder then finally ended the at bat. In the sixth, Neptunus scored its next run due to free passes. With two outs, Darryl Collins and Joran Berkhout walked and in between Jarreau Martina singled. A walk for Quintin De Cuba then produced the run, but three more runners were left behind. but the lead was increased to 12-6. Veteran righthander Elton Koeiman relieved Bakker in the fifth inning and had no problems in the two innings he threw. He faced only six batters, gave up a single and was supported with a double play. In the top of the seventh inning, Jack Wagner became the fourth pitcher for HCAW. While his name sounds American, Wagner is a Dutch player who pitches in the second team of HCAW. Wagner threw three fine innings in his main-squad debut. He retired the side in the seventh and ninth inning. In the eighth, Wagner gave up the 13th Neptunus-run. Dudley Leonora led off with a single, advanced on a wild pitch and scored on an one-out double by Darryl Collins. HCAW scored one more run in the ninth inning off of Kevin Kelly, who had entered the game in the previous inning. He then gave up a 2-out single to second-team player Mees Robberse, but he was forced out. In the ninth, Kelly gave up a lead-off single to Patrick Bok, who moved on an one-out double by Linoy Croes and scored on a single by Arthur Bonevacia. A double play then ended the long game.

...Dennis Burgersdijk and Kaj Timmermans were the starting pitchers for HCAW and Neptunus... (© Both Photos: Henk Seppen) ...Left: Quintin De Cuba is eliminated at 2nd base by Bob van der Meer; Umpire Martijn Bosschaart makes the call... ...Right: Neptunus Head Coach Ronald Jaarsma coaching at third base... (© Both Photos: Henk Seppen) ...Left: Kevin Bakker pitched in relief for Neptunus... ...Right: Pascal Zegwaard dives back, while Dudley Leonora gets the ball, as watched by umpire Edwin Louisa... (© Both Photos: Henk Seppen) ...Left: Darryl Collins hitting for Neptunus... ...Right: HCAW Head Coach Dè Flanegin has a talk with pitcher Dennis Burgersdijk and catcher Rodney Daal... (© Both Photos: Henk Seppen)

HCAW - Curaçao Neptunus 7-13 (9 inn.) R H E Curaçao Neptunus 402 051 010 - 13 11 0 HCAW 500 100 001 - 7 10 0 pitchers Neptunus inn. SO BB H R ER Kaj Timmermans 3.1 5 4 5 6 6 Kevin Bakker, BS (1), W (2-0) 1.2 1 3 - - - Elton Koeiman 2 - - 1 - - Kevin Kelly 2 - - 4 1 1 pitchers HCAW inn. SO BB H R ER Dennis Burgersdijk 4 1 3 6 6 6 Jasper Elfrink, L (0-1) 0.2 - 3 2 5 5 Johannes Verroen Garcia 1.1 - 4 1 1 1 Jack Wagner 3 - - 2 1 1 Umpires: HP-Peter de Haan, 1B-Edwin Louisa, 3B-Martijn Bosschaart. Official Scorer-Jeanette van Drunen. Public Address Announcer-Huub Baaij. Scoreboard Operator-Nico van de Luitgaren. Starting Time-2:59 PM. Time Played-3:10 hrs. Site-Rob Hoffmann Vallei, Sportpark Zanderijweg, Bussum. Game Notes: Game 6, In Memoriam Charles Urbanus Sr Tournament 2020. Weather conditions at game time: Partly cloudy, 23° C (73,4° F); wind direction west; wind speed 16 kmh (9,9 mph); wind force 2 Bft; humidity 57%.

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