(Story by Marco Stoovelaar; Photos by Joyce de Kramer, Peter Brink & Marco Stoovelaar)
IN MEMORIAM
...Fred de Kramer....
(1945 - 2024)
(© Photo: Joyce de Kramer) |
 Fred de Kramer, former longtime umpire and Honorary Member KNBSB, Fred de Kramer passed away
Nederlands
 ROTTERDAM (Neth.) -
Fred de Kramer, who for many years has been a very wellknown and respected umpire in both baseball and softball, has passed away on Monday, September 16 at age 79.
Unfortunately, Fred had been struggling with health problems after suffering a stroke a few years ago.
For 22 seasons, Fred de Kramer led games in the Dutch big baseball league, and for fifteen years also on the international level.
He was one of only a few umpires, who have been active as an umpire in six different decades.
Fred debuted in the late sixties and retired in 2015 at age 70.
Besides being active as an umpire, Fred also has been a club-administrator and committee-member for many years.
For his many contributions, Fred was named Honorary Member of the Royal Netherlands Baseball and Softball Federation (KNBSB).
The memorial service for Fred de Kramer will be held on Monday, September 23 at 1:00 PM in Rouwcentrum De Meidoorn, located at the Meidoornsingel 50 in Rotterdam.
After the memorial service and condolences, the family will accompany Fred to the crematorium for a private farewell.
The memorial service can be followed via a livestream.
It is possible to leave a personal message in a condolence register.
Fedde (Fred) de Kramer was born on May 17, 1945 in Schiedam.
It was in this city where Fred briefly played baseball for the local club with the same name, Schiedam, in the sixties as an outfielder and second baseman.
Chairman of Schiedam in those years was Jo van der Touw, who would lead the club for 40 years, before being succeeded by Wiebe Pannekoek in 1990.
Other wellknown administrators were Kees Bol sr. and Jo Ebben.
One of the coaches in the sixties was Henk Kempen, who later became very active for HCTIW in Amsterdam and Twins in Oosterhout.
When Schiedam captured a championship-title in the Second Division in 1969, amongst the players were Pannekoek, Ton Ebben, Wim Falentijn and Jack Leurs, the brother of then-big league and National Team-pitcher Jan Dick Leurs of Haarlem Nicols.
However, Fred's talents clearly were not as a player, but elsewhere.
He began officiating games and also showed administrative qualities.
Fred began concentrating on umpiring and made his official debut somewhere in 1967.
Somewhere in the seventies, Fred moved from Schiedam to live in Klundert, before relocating to Rotterdam in 1982.
He also switched clubs, as he joined Alexandria '66, a Rotterdam-based softball-club that was founded in 1966 by Gré Wolffenbuttel, the wife of Henk Wolffenbuttel, who then was an umpire and later would become an official scorer.
Halfway the seventies, Pim van Nes became the chairman of the softball-section of Alexandria '66, a multi-sports club with nine different sports.
Shortly thereafter, Fred de Kramer also became a member of the board and would serve as secretary in for some years.
Other board-members in those years included Arie Vooys, Joke Vooys, Lies van Cuilenborg, Emmy Pijper, Hanny Minelli, Henny Loman and Gré Wolffenbuttel.
Fred was the club's secretary in 1982 when Pim van Nes would move to Paris (France) to work at the Dutch Embassy there.
Later, the softball-section of Alexandria '66 merged with St. Lodewijk, another club from Rotterdam, which later played under the name Saints.
Looking back to that period, Pim van Nes said:
,,From the years of Fred and me at Alexandria '66, I remember that we suddenly were given the first real softball-field from the Municipality Rotterdam.
The section Sports and Recreation appeared to be very satisfied with the good cooperation between Alexandria and handball-club Roda, where we played our games, that we were given a real softball-field''.
...Fred de Kramer (sitting at right) with a team of umpires representing...
...Rotterdam in an umpire softball-tournament (Piet Schijvenaar Trophy) halfway...
...the eighties at the site of Amsterdam Pirates in Amsterdam; Other umpires on...
...this photo are John van Peelen, Willem den Boef, Wim van Beek, Karel van Veen,...
...Aad Vuik, Jan Kooijmans, Wim Cremer, Theo Jansen, Leo Krabbendam,...
...Sjaak Bonten, Marianne van Peelen, Leen Zuur and Toy Bislip (lying in front)...
(© Photo: Marco Stoovelaar) |
In the meantime, Fred had become a baseball-umpire somewhere around 1967.
He already had developed an interest in officiating at an early age, as he became a soccer-referee at age 17 and continued to do so for five years, before turning to baseball.
When Fred officiated his first games in Rayon Rotterdam in the sixties through the early seventies, other regional umpires included Wim van Beek, Ton Benningshof, Cor Blitterswijk, Hans Corpeleijn, Wim Detiger, Cor Dirksz, Paul Goode, André Haring, Koos van der Mark sr., Chris Mast, Aad Mooldijk, Chris Pieters, Karel van Veen, Aad Vuik, Henk Wolffenbuttel and Leen Zuur.
Some of them already officiated games at the national level.
From this group, Aad Vuik passed away on August 22 at age 91.
Like Fred de Kramer, Vuik had been a longtime umpire and officiated games in five different decades.
In 1972, Fred became a committee-member for the first time in what was then Rayon Rotterdam.
In that year, he became a member of the umpiring committee.
In the next three years, Fred was the secretary of this committee, which also included Willem den Boef.
After having being a member through 1975, Fred returned in 1980 and was a member for three more years of this committee in what was then Rayon Zuidwest-Nederland, together with Cor Dirksz and his wife.
Also in 1972, Fred de Kramer promoted as umpire and became eligible for games at the national level.
Other umpires in Fred's early years at the national level included Wim Baas, Wim van Beek, Cor Blitterswijk, Bertus Caldenhove, Jos de Champs, Hans Corpeleijn, Henk van Dalen, Cor Dirksz, Huib Donker, Paul Goode, Fred van Groningen Schinkel, André Haring, Joop van Hattem, Ton Hout, Jan Janszen, Dick van der Klaauw, Bram Klijnsmit, Bert Lauer, Koos van der Mark sr., Chris Mast, Lou Meijer, Jan Molleman, Aad Mooldijk, Dick Mos, Jan Pauwels, Chris Pieters, Piet Pomstra, Ede Pool, Lex Rimini, Henk Ronnenbergh, Piet van Rijswijk, Cor Scholberg, Hans Schotel, André Schrijber, Jan Schut, Bert Staller, Rob Tolsma, Evert van Tuyl, Wim Visser, Ron Voerman, Piet Vorst, Jan van der Wardt, Aart Wedemeijer, Rob Witteveen, Henk Wolffenbuttel and Leen Zuur.
Fred immediately showed his umpiring talents and in 1975, he promoted to the Dutch big league, making his debut in a game between OVVO and Giants Diemen in Amsterdam.
...Fred de Kramer sitting in a characteristic position behind Haarlem...
...Nicols-catcher Gerlach Halderman during the 1987 season...
(© Photo: Marco Stoovelaar) |
Also in 1975, Fred also was a member of the indoor-sports committee and the technical commission softball of the Rayon, which changed its name to Rayon Rotterdam/Zeeland the following year.
In 1975 and 1976, Fred de Kramer was the league-commissioner softball and also was responsible for checking the game-administration.
It also was in the seventies that Fred became a representative during council-meetings of the Dutch Federation, something he did through 1990.
From 1977 on, Fred de Kramer also was active in the national game-commission softball of the Royal Netherlands Baseball and Softball Federation (KNBSB).
In that commission, De Kramer succeeded Dries de Zwaan as (national) league-commissioner softball and as such, he was a member of the aforementioned commission that also consisted of Chris Mast (chairman) and Ad van der Braken (secretary).
Fred was a member through 1982 in different positions.
Fred was chairman in 1978, then secretary in 1979-1981 when Ronald Boot was the chairman.
In these four years, Rinus Paardekooper was the league-commissioner.
In 1981, Boot was the league-commissioner with De Kramer as member, as were Peter Schüler and George Presburg.
As mentioned, Fred made his debut in the Dutch big league in 1975 and remained a member of the corps in the highest league through 1994.
He briefly returned in the big league in 1996 and 1997.
But through the years, he also officiated in several games in lower divisions.
Joining Fred on the national level from 1975 on were many other umpires, including Willem den Boef, Jan Boerendonk, Paul Bokern, Wil ten Bosch, Cees Bouterse, Rob Brink, Willem Broertjes, Willem Detiger, Feiko Drost, Henk Ebbing, Mario Figaroa, Jan Gerritsen, Jos Gieskens, Wim Griebling, Vincent Hazel, Carlos Hellburg, Gerard Inden, Leo Krabbendam, Jaap Kuggeleijn, Jaap Lind, Jos Loogman, Jan Meijer, George van Noort, Henk Post, Karel Rebel, Guus Slauerhof, Coen Stoovelaar, Karel van Zadelhoff and Gerard Zwerus.
From the late seventies, early eighties on, more umpires joined the national ranks.
Amongst them were Erick Barkhuis, John Barrett, Bob Bergkamp, Mario Blaauw, Dick Bliek, Ton Bodaan, Sjaak Bonten, Robert Bos, Nico Dalmulder, Hans van Deursen, Taco Dillesse, Wim Fagel, Hans Haazen, Mario Klardie, Jan Kooijmans, Jan Kuipers, Henk Leeflang, Fred van Leeuwen, Henk Meerleveld, Tom Middendorp, Gerard Nanninga, Herman van Os, John van Peelen, Harry Praat, André Prins, Ada Reymer, Gerard Salemink, Gerard Siep, Ted Smets, Leo Spierenburg, Wil Tessers, Karel van Veen, Theo van der Velden, Ton Verbeten, Franklin Victor, Aad de Vos, Aad Vuik, Harold Waalzaan, Theo Walthie and Ton van de Wouw.
...Fred de Kramer always was on top of a play, like here where...
...Amsterdam Pirates-catcher Ronald Stoovelaar tags a runner of...
...Haarlem Nicols-runner in a game during the 1987 season...
(© Photo: Marco Stoovelaar) |
When you have a long career, you see a lot of colleagues come and go.
Amongst the umpires who became eligible for national leagues from 1986 on through halfway the nineties were Edwin Cicilia, Frank de Neling, Jan van Rijswijk, Joop Kölker, Hans Remmerswaal, Johan Brandsma, Jan van Huyzen, Henny Jansen, Henri van Heijningen, Jos van der Lelie, Ben Lens, Ben van Meerkerk, Theo Jansen, John Beltman, Edwin van den Berk, Leo Boom, Hans Leenen, Dennis Duin, Hennie Ariëns, Jan Dries, Gijs Koppen, Henk van der Linde, Olav Steijger, Cor Veraar, Arnold Verbrugge, Fred Westerhoff and Frank Volkers.
Through the years, Fred de Kramer officiated games with most of the above mentioned umpires, many of them in the big league or in a lower division.
When Fred officiated in the big league, he was mostly accompanied by his then-partner Caroline, who was an official scorer in 1990-1997.
While officiating in the big league, and probably also while doing games in lower divisions, Fred had a peculiar stance behind the catcher.
This looked like a sitting, crouched position.
In those years, this position also was used several times by some other veteran umpires, such as Fred van Groningen Schinkel and Chris Pieters.
And Fred always was on top of a play to make a call.
Fred is one of only a few umpires who officiated in 500 or more games at the big league-level.
In fact, he was only the third to reach that mark, joining Fred van Groningen Schinkel, who is the recordholder with more than 1,200 regular season-games, and Chris Pieters.
Earlier this season, Olav Steijger moved into second place by officiating in more than 750 games, passing Henri van Heijningen.
The only other umpire with 700 or more games in the highest league is Henk Meerleveld.
Other umpires with 500 or more games in the big league are Ton Bodaan, Johan Brandsma, Karel van Veen and Roy van de Wateringen.
In 1979, Fred de Kramer made his international debut, as he was one of the umpires of the so-called Haarlem Six Day Tournament, which was organized as an extra tournament between the Haarlem Baseball Week of 1978 and 1980.
Also in 1979, Fred was assigned as umpire for the Kingdom Games, which were held in Curaçao and Aruba.
For Fred, this was the beginning of an international career that lasted through 1993.
In that span, he was assigned to 21 tournaments.
In 1980, Fred officiated in his first of six Haarlem Baseball Weeks in Haarlem.
In 1987, he led games in the first of his three World Port Tournaments in Rotterdam.
...Fred during the Chung Hua Tournament...
...in 1987 in Taipei (Taiwan)...
(© Photo: Marco Stoovelaar) |
In 1985 and 1986, Fred also was an umpire during two big tournaments.
In 1985, he was one of the Dutch umpires during the European Championship in Haarlem (Netherlands).
A few games were also played in Eindhoven, as a general rehearsal for that site for the following year.
In 1986, he was an umpire during the World Championship, which then was organized for the first time in the Netherlands with games being played in Haarlem, Rotterdam, Utrecht and Eindhoven.
In 1987, Fred traveled abroad for the first time since 1979.
He first was an umpire during the European Cup-tournament in Paris (France).
In the Fall of 1987, Fred represent the Netherlands during the Chung Hua Tournament in Taipei (Taiwan).
Fred's next European Championship came in 1989 when he was an umpire during the Junior Championship in Leeuwarden (Netherlands).
A year later, Fred also was an umpire during the Junior Championship in Belgium.
And in 1991, he was assigned to the European Cadets Championship, also in Belgium.
A highlight came in 1993 during the World Junior Championship in Windsor (Canada), as he then was the Home Plate Umpire in the Final between Cuba (which won) and the USA.
In his career, Fred de Kramer also officiated in several Holland Series, including the Championship Final in his last full big league-season in 1994.
In that Series between Kinheim and Neptunus, Fred officiated in the first two games.
Fred formed a 4-man crew in Game 1 with Fred van Groningen Schinkel, André Prins and Frank Volkers.
In Game 2 of the Series, he was in a crew with Bob Bergkamp, Ton Bodaan and Johan Brandsma.
Kinheim won the best-of-five, 3-2.
Although Fred had promoted to the national level for baseball in 1972, he also continued leading games in Rayon Rotterdam, then Rayon Rotterdam/Zeeland (since 1976), then Rayon Zuidwest-Nederland (since 1981) from 1974 through 1989, mostly as a softball-umpire.
Like Fred, several other baseball-umpires also led softball-games in these years.
Amongst his colleagues in these years were Cor Dirksz, Chris Mast, Leen Zuur, Willem den Boef, Paul Goode, Aad Vuik, Leo Krabbendam, Joop Knegt, Wim Kremer, George van Noort, Ada Reymer, Gerda Krabbendam, Toy Bislip, Sjaak Bonten, Henk Leeflang, Marianne van Peelen, Henri van Heijningen, Theo Jansen, Ben Lens, René Ras, Jan Dries and Leo Boom.
...Fred with equipment manufacturer (and former...
...umpire) Nico van Heemskerk during the Chung...
...Hua Tournament in 1987 in Taipei (Taiwan)...
(© Photo: Marco Stoovelaar) |
From 1983 on, Fred de Kramer also became active again in several commissions in what was then Rayon Zuidwest-Nederland, but he also was a member of some national KNBSB-commissions.
In 1983, Fred was a member of the financial commission in Rayon Zuidwest-Nederland, together with Kees Bol jr. and Ada Reymer, amongst the other members.
The same year, he also joined the 3-person protest-committee of the Rayon.
As secretary, Fred remained a member of this committee through 1991, as were Cor Blitterswijk (chairman) and Koos van der Mark sr..
In 1985-1988, Fred also is a member of the umpiring committee of Zuidwest-Nederland.
Other members in these years included Jan Kooijmans, Cor Blitterswijk, Joop Knegt and Henri van Heijningen (in 1988).
In 1986-1988, Blitterswijk is the chairman and De Kramer the secretary.
In 1983-1986, Fred de Kramer is a member of the national committee for terrains and playing sites for baseball and softball.
In the first two years, this committee is chaired by George Presburg with Theo Ederveen as secretary and Jan Prins and Joes Gewald amongst the members.
In the next two years, Ederveen chaired this committee and was Huub Nelissen the secretary.
Gewald also was a member again, as was Jan Kars.
In 1992, the nine Rayons were re-aligned into four Districts.
Rayon Zuidwest-Nederland became part of District South.
Since its inception in 1992 through 2000 (which was the final year of the District-formula), Fred de Kramer was a member of the board, being responsible for umpire affairs.
In these years, the District-board was chaired by Jan Lensselink, who as such also was a member of the KNBSB-board, Wim Loeve was the vice-chairman and Kees Bol sr. initially was the secretary.
Other members included Tonny van der Wouw (treasurer), Theo Walthie, André van Overbeek, Arno Seltenrijch and Jan Dekkers.
In this same period (1992-2000), Fred chaired the umpiring committee of the District South with Peter de Jong as secretary.
Other members through the years included Joop Knegt, Vincent Paulus, Henri van Heijningen, Henk Geenen and Jan Dekkers.
Also in these years, representing District South, Fred de Kramer was a member of the KNBSB policy committee for umpires, which was chaired by Paul Bokern.
Other members representing their District included Gerrit Preker, Cees van Deijzen, Marijke Mulder, Ruud Klomp and Mario Blaauw.
...Fred always had a lot of pleasure...
...during a game, like here in 2015...
(© Photo: Peter Brink) |
In the nine years that the Districts existed, Fred also officiated baseball- and softball-games at the District-level.
As such, Fred, who also was a national umpire instuctor, not only worked with some new umpires and gave many useful tips of advice.
Amongst the umpires, who were active in District South (and some also at the national level or had been a national level-umpire) were Olav Steijger, Arnold Verbrugge, Ab Baart, Hans Daanen, Henk Geenen, Martin Lemstra, Peter Hersbach, Henk van der Linde, Wil van Vliet, Jac van Riel, René Fischer, Jos van Eijsden, Henk van Harrewijn, Aad Vuik, Peter Brink, Anne de Bruijne, Kjell Brandenburg, Rutger Druijve and Theo Jansen.
Another re-alignment was introduced in 2001.
Instead of four Districts, there were now three Regions (North, Middle and South).
In the newly created Region Middle, Fred handled umpiring affairs, together with Peter de Jong and Joop Knegt in 2001.
In 2002, a separation was introduced between top-sports and recreational sports.
In this last category, Fred de Kramer was the coordinator for umpiring affairs, while De Jong and Knegt handled the umpire-assignments, as did Henk Geenen and Vincent Paulus.
Despite the changes in format, Fred also continued being an umpire.
Initially, he led baseball- and softball-games in the so-called recreational sports, as well as in Region Middle.
Amongst his colleagues then were Erik Bokern, Peter Brink, Jos de Champs, Peter Gulickx, Gerben Hardeveld, Philippe Hubčr, Fred van der Kade, Joop Kölker, Bob Gieskens, Marianne van Peelen, Sonny de Palm, Patrick Reus, Jean Rijksen, Rudsel Schoobaar, Marlies Struyvé, Rob Tichelaar, Martin Tolen and Ruud van Zetten and several of the above mentioned umpires.
From 2004, Fred mainly led softball-games.
Amongst his colleagues were many of the earlier named umpires, but also Frits Budding, Wim Drullman, Frank Duits, Hans Hornstra, Albert Jung, Bert Loggen, Caroline Stadhouders and Albert Tolen.
And several umpires, who are still active nowadays, such as Harm de Fonkert, Ben Goorts, Louis Rohan and Arjan de Wever.
On September 13, 2015, then 70-year old Fred de Kramer and Henk Geenen both officiated their final game.
On that day, they were the umpires in the First Division double-header between Cheetahs and Robur '58 in Beek.
Afterwards, the two retired.
That ended Fred's umpiring career of almost 50 years.
During his long career, Fred de Kramer was honored three times by the KNBSB.
On March 27, 1993, he received a decoration to honor his 25-plus years of activities.
Exactly 17 years later, on March 27, 2010, Fred was named Member of Merit of the KNBSB when he was active for more than 40 years.
After he had retired in September 2015, a month later, on October 5, Fred was named Honorary Member.
...Fred de Kramer with his beloved dogs in 2013...
(© Photo: Joyce de Kramer) |
Fred always has been a well-liked and well-respected umpire, whether he officiated games in the highest league or a lower division.
He was liked by players, coaches, colleagues and club-officials.
This not only had to do with his knowledge of the rules or being a reliable umpire, but also with the way he handled a game (game-management), as he clearly was in charge and also had a calm way of leading.
Fred wasn't tall and had a small posture, but when he got into an argument, he could handle the situation, gave an explanation of a criticized call or could even could go sometimes into a heated argument with a coach when needed.
But those discussions always went on with mutual respect.
In his career, Fred didn't eject much players or coaches.
In the last some fifteen years of his career, De Kramer shared much of his knowledge with his umpiring colleagues and became a mentor of many.
He underscored how he was in charge of a game during the 1989 season in The Hague during a game between ADO and Amsterdam Pirates.
Fred didn't had his best game behind the plate and in the eyes of Win Remmerswaal, who then was the Head Coach of Pirates, he did a poor job.
Somewhere in the fourth inning, Remmerswaal had seen enough.
He emptied a bag full of balls (some thirty) towards De Kramer, yelling ''this is how many balls you've missed today''.
Fred was not impressed, neither by the remark, nor by the status of Remmerswaal, who in 1979 was the first born and raised player from the Netherlands (and Europe) to play in the Major League when he pitched for Boston Red Sox.
After having returned to the Netherlands, he went on to play a few seasons in Italy, before turning to coaching.
Instead of giving a reply to Remmerswaal's remark and ball-throwing action, De Kramer raised his arms, halted the game and left the field with his colleagues.
The result of the actions by Remmerswaal and De Kramer was that the game was declared a forfeit-win for ADO.
Another characteristic quality of Fred was that he had a lot of humor.
He often could be seen with a big smile on his face during a game.
Fred always enjoyed being on a field, whatever level and whether it was baseball or softball.
He enjoyed every game.
And it was because of his pleasure while officiating and good contacts with players, coaches and colleagues that he continued to be an umpire for some fifty years.
Another thing Fred enjoyed very much were his dogs.
He regularly made walks with his wife Joyce and their dogs.
Unfortunately, Fred had been struggling with health problems after suffering a stroke a few years ago.
Fred was a colorful person on and off the field and will be missed by many of us.
The webmaster of Grand Slam * Stats & News offers his condolences to Fred's wife Joyce, other family and friends and wishes them a lot of strength with this big loss.
(September 22-26)
|
