(Story by Marco Stoovelaar)
IN MEMORIAM
...Roly Wout...
(1941 - 2021) |
 Former big league-player, UVV club-icon and coach Roly Wout passed away
Nederlands
 UTRECHT (Neth.) -
Roly Wout, who played eleven seasons in the Dutch big league for Ajax, UVV, HCAW and Quick Amersfoort and was a feared powerhitter, passed away on Sunday, December 5, nine days before he would have turned 80.
Wout also coached in the highest baseball-league for Quick Amersfoort and UVV and played softball for some years for Hilversum, where he also coached.
His longest association was with Utrecht-based club UVV, where he became one of the club-icons.
The memorial service will be held on Tuesday, December 14 (the day that he would have turned 80) at 11:30 AM in Crematorium Domstede at the Proostwetering 8 in Utrecht.
It marks the fourth time in a short period that baseball- and softball-club UVV has to say goodby to a beloved club-member.
Club-secretary Marion Heijman-De Graaf passed away on October 19 at age 57.
On November 8, former first-team and youth baseball-coach Morris Cranston passed away at age 85.
And on November 11, Hans Burger passed away at the much too young age of 56.
Hans has done a lot for the softball-section and has been a member of the Technical Commission Softball as well as being a board-members for youth affairs.
Nicasio Regildo Wout was born on December 14, 1941 in Oranjestad, the capital of Aruba.
However, for everyone, he always has been known by his nickname 'Roly'.
He grew up on Aruba, where he played several sports, including baseball.
In 1964, Roly came to the Netherlands and a year later, he went on to play for Amsterdam-based Ajax, where his nephews Ruben and Vincent Leyssner already played.
With Ajax, Wout played in the highest Dutch league in 1965 and 1966.
Shortly thereafter, Roly's younger brother Harold also came to the Netherlands and first played for UVV in Utrecht in 1966.
When Roly joined Ajax in 1965, several members of the wellknown club played (or had played) both soccer and baseball.
Amongst them was famous soccer-legend Johan Cruijff, who was a very talented youth baseball-player, but opted to play soccer when he got the opportunity to sign a contract.
Cruijff, who passed away on March 24, 2016, signed his first soccer-contract in 1963 at age 16 and made his debut in the Ajax soccer-team in November 1964.
The rest is history.
In 1965, Wout (then sometimes named Roland) and Egidio Leito joined Ajax as newcomers and as pitchers.
Wout also was a third baseman and he immediately showed his talent, as well as his enormous power.
On May 22 of the 1965 season, Ajax plays against Schoten in a game that was tied after nine innings with a 3-3 score.
In the top of the tenth inning, Schoten scores twice thanks to basehits by Henk Keulemans and Teun de Groot.
Now trailing 5-3, Ajax struck moments later.
With Ruud Schnitker (error) and Herre Kok (basehit) on the bases, Roly Wout was the next hitter.
He already was 4-for-4, but now he drove the ball deep into the outfield for a walk-off, 3-run homerun.
Although Ajax didn't had a successful season, it suprised in several games.
The team recorded an important 13-3 win against VVGA, thanks to a grand slam homerun by Herre Kok and a 3-run homerun by Wout.
Two weeks later, Ajax won 6-5 against second-placed Sparta after having lost 24-0 the previous day.
That game was played in Rotterdam, where Rudi Dom was the pitcher for Sparta.
In that game, Wout not only played strongly defensively as short stop, he also scored what would be the deciding run in the seventh inning on a basesloaded walk.
League-leader Haarlem Nicols is too strong for the Amsterdam-team, but in one game, Wout homered off of legendary pitching-ace Herman Beidschat to spoil his shutout.
In those years, the teams in the highest league played 21 games in a regular season.
Wout proved to be a very valuable and reliable player, as he played in all games in both seasons with Ajax.
He also showed his offensive power, as Wout belted five homeruns in his first season and added three more in the following year.
In his first big league-season, Roly Wout finished with a .371 batting average.
With that, he was the third best hitter in the league, preceeded by Sparta-players Hamilton Richardson (.425) and Hudson John (.416).
With 26, Roly also collected the fifth highest total of basehits this season.
John (37) and Richardson (34) had the most, followed by Wout's teammate Herre Kok (27) and Wim Crouwel (OVVO, 27).
In 1966, Roly had another fine season and belonged to the group of players that was selected for the Netherlands B-Team, which played some exhibition games.
...Ruben and Vincent Leyssner...
...as players of UVV in 1962... |
While playing for Ajax, Joop Nusse was the coach in Wout's first season.
As mentioned, the brothers Ruben and Vincent Leyssner, nephews of the Wout-brothers, also played for Ajax after already having played in the Dutch big league in the early sixties (1960-1961, 1963).
Back then, both played for UVV and Ruben also was one of the players in the Netherlands National Team.
Other teammates in his seasons at Ajax included Boy Balinge, Dick van den Berg, Herre Kok, André Kraan, Gerrie Mossing Holsteijn, Douwe Offringa, Ben Richardson, Ruud Schnitker, Ab Slaman, Rob Tromp, Herman Vegter and Leo van Wijk (who later became President and CEO of KLM).
Early in the 1965 season, two more Antillian players joined the team, pitcher Irwin Richinsin and catcher Franklin Lindesey.
In 1966, Wout's second season in Amsterdam, Ruben Leyssner was the playing coach of Ajax.
Team Manager of Ajax in these years was Martin Bremer, who not only was a board-member of the club, but also was a wellknown sports-journalist, who worked for the weekly sports-newspaper Sport en Sportwereld.
In these years, Bremer also was the secretary of the board of the Royal Netherlands Baseball Federation and continued in this position in the early seventies for the new Royal Netherlands Baseball and Softball Association after the merger with the Netherlands Amateur Softball Federation.
Although Ajax had finished in fourth place in 1966, several players after the season, which weakened the team.
Roly Wout also left and transfered to UVV, which then played in the second highest league after the team had relegated from the big league in 1963.
The story has it that Roly's transfer to Utrecht was an encouragement from his the girlfriend (and future wife) Adrie, as both worked for Werkspoor in Utrecht and UVV was closer by his home than Ajax in Amsterdam.
At UVV, Roly was reunited with his brother Harold, who already had played for the team in 1966, as well as Egidio Leito, who had moved to the Utrecht-club after the 1965 season.
Other players at UVV then included Ton Camue, Jan van Ewijk, Arie Hagen, a young Hennie Jenken, Rob Rijnders, Tom Stamer, Peter van der Ster and Wim van der Ster.
At UVV (nicknamed Red Lions), Roly Wout was primarily an infielder, but also was used regularly as a (relief) pitcher by Head Coach Jan Kars.
Wout played three seasons for UVV (1967-1969) in the second highest league, but as he wanted to play at the highest level, the powerhitter transfered to HCAW after completion of the 1969 season.
In his first season at HCAW, Wout was the team-captain.
After a successful first season with the Bussum-club, it was initially announced that Wout would return to UVV.
However, that tranfer never came and Wout also played for HCAW in 1971 and 1972.
Hereafter, Wout did went back to UVV, but after one season, Wout re-joined the big league-team of HCAW for the 1974 season.
That was to be a stay for only one year, as he again went back to UVV.
In his first season with HCAW (1970), Roly Wout wrote some history on June 14.
On that day, HCAW played in The Hague against Storks, which had won the day before with a 13-3 score.
But in the second game, HCAW played a strong game which ended with a 6-6 tie.
Wout accounted for the highlights by becoming one of the few players to hit three homeruns in one game.
He batted 4-for-4 in this game.
In 1971, HCAW played on its new (and current) playing-site for the first time on April 24 with a home-game against Ajax, which had promoted in the previous season and of course was Wout's former team.
After Bussum Mayor Albert Admiraal officially had opened the new complex and TV-personality Willem Duys had connected with a huge bat on the 'first pitch' from pitching-ace Rob Hoffmann, a thriller followed.
The game was a pitching-duel between Hoffmann and Marco Nagelkerken, which was decided in the tenth inning and won by Ajax, 1-0.
Wout's nephew Ruben Leyssner led off the tenth inning for Ajax and reached on an error.
With runners on second and third base, the bases got loaded when Bram Vermeer walked.
Hereafter, a squeeze-bunt by Herman van Os led to Leyssner being forced out at the plate.
However, catcher Fred Remmers then tried to complete a double play at first base, made a throwing error and Ajax won.
The next day in Amsterdam, there was another pitching-duel, this time between Ade Fijth and Ben Richardson, which this time was won by HCAW (5-3).
Roly Wout was not given much chance to do some damage in this game, as Richardson pitched around him.
At one moment in the game, which the score at 3-3, it was decide to walk Wout intentionally.
However, during that at bat, Home Plate Umpire Chris Mast called catcher's balk, as catcher John Ludenhoff had stepped outside his box before the pitch had been made, and that moved the runners.
...Roly Wout with teammate and good friend...
...Julio Hazel at HCAW in 1970... |
After the 1972 season, Roly Wout was one of the players that left HCAW, while Hoffmann retired.
In 1973, Wout again plays for UVV and is the regular second baseman.
He again plays together with his brother Harold, but also with Henk Heinen, Hennie Jenken, Jos Kervers, Joop Maalsté, Tom Stamer and Peter van der Ster.
In the Promotion/Relegation Series, UVV meets HCAW, which is coached by Julio Hazel and wins 10-9 and 6-0 to secure its spot in the highest league.
After the 1973 season, Wout moves back to HCAW, together with Van der Ster.
In the 1974 season with HCAW, Wout proved that he still was a powerhitter, nine years after making his debut in the highest league.
In the first game of the season, he is 2-for-4 against the strong team of Haarlem Nicols and HCAW wins 8-2.
In the final weekend of the regular season, HCAW played against Feyenoord and recorded two necessary wins.
In the second game, HCAW won 11-5, thanks to four homeruns, two hit by Wout, the other two by Ade Fijth.
In 1974, Wout led the Dutch big league with 22 runs batted in, one more than Jaap Bijl (ADO), Ben Richardson (Giants Diemen) and Hamilton Richardson (Sparta).
In his four seasons with HCAW (1970-1972, 1974), the team was led by Head Coach Jan Prins.
Amongst his teammates were Frank Baly, André Boddendijk, René Boin, Jan van Ewijk, Rob Filipiak, Ade Fijth, Rob van der Gaast, Jan de Graaf, Peter de Graeve, Rob de Graeve, Wim Hageman, Allan Harris, Julio Hazel, Rob Hoffmann, Leo Nagtegaal, Ricky Placidus, Fred Remmers, Jan Schriek and Arnold Smith.
Joining the team in 1974 were Onno Hoekstra, Gerrit de Ruiter, Bart Seidel, Anco de Smet and Peter van der Ster.
Also in 1974, towards the end of the regular season, there is an experiment with a competition played between regional or city-teams.
Wout is a member of the team of Central Netherlands, which wins this competition.
The team is led by Head Coach Ruud Koene, who wins the Coach of the Year Award.
From 1975 on, Wout went on to play in six seasons for UVV, as he wanted to help the club to return to the highest division.
Almost annually, UVV ended up in the top of the First Division and earned the right to play in a Promotion/Relegation Pool or Series, but never was able to take the final hurdle.
But in 1976, UVV finally had more luck, as led by Head Coach Wim Onderstal.
Thanks to homeruns by Wout, Ruud Kok and Jan Dalmeijer, UVV wins 10-1 against De Spartaan and promotes.
And so, the Utrecht-team returned in the big league in 1977 after a 14-year absence.
It was the beginning of a successful period in the highest league.
In his last four seasons with UVV, Wout played for the team in the big league.
As he now was 35 when UVV returned to the 'Hoofdklasse', Wout's offense started to slip somewhat and he kept announcing his retirement annually.
However, he remained a respected and fearful hitter and so, he kept on returning for another season.
But after the 1980 season, he was now almost 39, Wout retired.
...The successful team of UVV in 1976...
...Roly Wout stands 2nd from right in the back row...
...Standing at left is Head Coach Wim Onderstal...
...Roly's brother Harold stands fourth from left...
...Standing second from left is future UVV-chairman Tom Stamer... |
In its return to the big league, UVV surprised everyone by opening the 1977 season with two victories against Giants Diemen.
In the opening game in Diemen, UVV won 3-2 in eleven innings.
The deciding run was then scored by Henk van 't Klooster on a sacrifice fly by Roly Wout, who had just recovered from a hamstring-injury.
The next day, UVV won 5-4 in twelve innings on a walk-off hit by Jos Kervers.
Another important role in this opening weekend was played by debuting 18-year old pitcher Paul Mulder, who completed both games.
In the first game, he took over the pitching in the fifth inning after starter Joop Maalsté had left the game angrily after umpire Jan Janszen had called a balk.
In the second game, Mulder took over from starter Jan Lodder in the eighth inning.
1977 was Roly Wout's best season.
He was UVV's best hitter with a .359 batting average, ahead of Jos Kervers, who batted .315.
Wout also also had the most basehits of the team (48) and most runs batted in (32).
In the league, Wout was the fifth best hitter following Alfio Troeman (Sparta, .483), Harm Horeman (Schoten, .424), Hennie Jenken (Haarlem Nicols, .375) and Bill Kelly (Nicols, .359).
Wout's 32 runs batted in were fourth most behind Steve Matthew (Giants Diemen, 37), Horeman (36) and Kelly (33).
Horeman was the Most Valuable Player of the season, as he also led the league in homeruns, runs scored and stolen bases.
In 1978, UVV added some more power to its line-up with the addition of King Zschuschen and Americans Bill Nardi and Brian Lewis.
This year, Wout moved from third base to first base and was the team's second best hitter with a .292 batting average behind Nardi, who batted slighty better with .296.
And so, Wout proved that he still was a very productive hitter and a solid defensive player, who was able to play all infield-positions.
Although his prime position was either third or first base, he also played games at second base and as short stop.
For the Haarlem Baseball Week of that year, Wout was considered for the position of designated hitter in the Netherlands Team by then-Manager Ernie Myers.
However, Wout never got a chance to show his talents in the National Team, something he would have deserved.
In 1979, Ad Brevet was the Head Coach of UVV, which then added some more power to the team with the addition of Ed Halman and Louis Jacobs.
After the 1979 season, there are several changes in the team of UVV.
The team gets some new players in pitchers Winston Gibbs and Francesco Mascini and catcher Tico Fleming (Quick Amersfoort).
Peter Kok and Ruud Kok, who had played for Kinheim in 1979, return to UVV.
But Jan Lodder (Feyenoord), Bill Nardi (Haarlem Nicols), Harold Wout (HMS) and Brian Lewis (De Spartaan) leave.
Unfortunately, Lewis passed away during the 1980 season at age 26 when he became the victim of useless violence during an argument in Amsterdam.
Due to the changes in the team, UVV had some shortage of power.
And so, Roly Wout decided to play another season in 1980 for the team, which then was led by American playing coach Bill McGreevy.
With that, Wout again underscored that he was a real team-player, but also that he wanted to help his club again.
Wout showed he still had power, as halfway the season, he hit his sixth homerun.
Although his batting average dropped to .202 this season, he had the fourth highest total in the team with 23 runs batted in, following Tico Fleming (36), Louis Jacobs (29) and Joe Westmoreland (27).
...Roly Wout, playing 2nd base for UVV, tags out...
...Jim Sieval (Schoten) in a game during the 1973 season... |
Amongst Roly Wout's teammates in his six seasons with UVV since 1975 are André Boddendijk, Jurjen Bosga, Jan Braam, Reinder Braam, Ton Camue, Erik David, Michael Davidson, Tico Fleming, Winston Gibbs, Rob Groeneveldt, Ed Halman, Louis Jacobs, Robert-Jan Kars, Jos Kervers, Henk van 't Klooster, Peter Kok, Ruud Kok, Brian Lewis, Jan Lodder, Joop Maalsté, Hans van der Mars, Francisco Mascini, Bill McGreevy, Danny McNurlin, Paul Mulder, Bill Nardi, Halligan Riley, Tom Stamer, Joe Westmoreland, Harold Wout, King Zschuschen and Tom van Zijl.
After the 1980 season, Julio Hazel, Wout's former teammate from HCAW, became the new Head Coach of Quick Amersfoort.
And Roly Wout became his assistant.
That he still loved to play himself became clear during the 1981 season.
Although he now was a coach, he also played in thirteen more games for Quick and still batted .231 with one homerun.
After the 1981 season, both Hazel and Wout stepped down as coach.
Amongst the players at Quick in 1981 were multi-talent Judsel Baranco and powerhitter and pitcher Carlos van Heyningen, who both transfered to UVV after this season.
Other players include Etienne Artsen (who passed away in December last year), Mario Berkel, Jerrel Bernardus, Hubert Bomba, Jeffrey Hoffman, Nico de Jong, David Martilia, Michael Poulina, Otmar Poulina, Tony Rombley, Joe Ross and John van der Worm.
In 1984, Roly returned as coach in the big league.
This time at his beloved UVV, where he was the Assistant Coach of new Head Coach Cees Herkemij.
At UVV, Baranco and Van Heyningen still were playing for the team, as were Jos Kervers, powerhitter Louis Jacobs (who retired after the season), José Acebal, Martin Ronnenbergh and American pitcher Douglas Morton, who returned the the USA after the season.
Morton passed away last year.
Wout stepped down as coach after the 1984 season, but he remained active in baseball, as well as softball.
He continued playing softball for Hilversum for whom he already played since 1980 after already having played softball also for UVV.
Wout played softball through 1987, but also was a baseball-coach as BSCU (1987) in Utrecht.
In 1988, he became the new Head Coach of the baseball-team of Hilversum, where he succeeded Julio Hazel, who had led the team in 1986 and 1987, but now was named the new Head Coach of the big league-team of HCAW for the 1988 season.
At HCAW, Hazel was assisted by Maurice Cranston, who passed away last month.
Hazel, who was a good friend of both Cranston and Wout, passed away in October 2018 at age 75.
When Wout led the baseball-team of Hilversum, one of his pitchers was Henk van Zijtveld, who later become a more successful softball-pitcher and played many years for the Netherlands Men Softball Team.
In 1988, Wout also is the Head Coach of the men softball-team, asssisted by Didi Quant.
Roly Wout was known for his power and his defensive skills, but not for his speed as a runner.
He was an impressive hitter, was very driven and was a passionate player.
Outside the playing field, he always had a big smile on his face, was gentle, relaxed and above all modest.
However, on the field, he was very serious and always wanted to perform.
When he didn't like a call, he let the umpire know.
Roly always defended his teammates, which once even resulted in him being ejected during the 1978 season.
In later years, Roly coached youth-teams at UVV and was a great instructor sharing his baseball-knowledge.
And he remained a frequent visitor of the home-games of the club.
The last few years, Roly even worked for the club.
His brother Harold is also still very involved with UVV.
Harold's son Danny Wout pitched seven seasons in the big league for HCAW and pitched in the Netherlands Team, but then also moves to UVV, where he played and coached.
Through the years, Roly Wout became a club-icon, alongside club-personalities as Cees Hiele, Jan Kars, Line Klein-Desta, Ton Camue, Tom Stamer, Joop Kruithof, Rob Hoogkamer and Ruud Fokkenrood, to name a few.
Roly will be missed by many of us.
The webmaster of Grand Slam * Stats & News offers his condolences to Roly's family and friends and wishes them a lot of strength with this huge loss.
(December 12)
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