IN MEMORIAM ...Sidney de Jong... (1979 - 2026) (© Photo: Henk Seppen)

Netherlands Team Coach and playing-legend Sidney de Jong unexpectedly passed away
Nederlands

ALMERE (Neth.) - The Dutch baseball-world is in shock and in mourning, after learning that Netherlands Baseball Team Coach and former National Team-player Sidney de Jong unexpectedly passed away in his home in Almere on Wednesday, January 7 at the much too young age of 46.

On Thursday, the Royal Netherlands Baseball and Softball Federation (KNBSB) announced Sidney's passing on social media.
''The terrible news has reached us that Sidney de Jong passed away suddenly this week.
We are still speechless.
Rest in peace, captain.''

A memorial-service for Sidney de Jong will be organized on Wednesday-evening, January 14 at the indoor-facility of Amsterdam Pirates at Loek Loevendie Ballpark from 7:30-9:00 PM. On Thursday, January 15, the funeral-ceremony will take place in private.

As a catcher, Sidney de Jong played fifteen seasons in the Dutch baseball-big league (1998-2011) for Amsterdam Pirates (1998-2000), Kinheim (2001-2002), HCAW (2003-2006) and again Amsterdam Pirates (2007-2012), where he was Head Coach in 2013. In 2008 and 2011, Sidney captured the Championship-title with Pirates.

In 1998, Sidney made his debut in the Netherlands Team during a training-camp in Arizona (USA). He made his international debut two years later and in 2002-2011, he was a regular in the Orange-squad of which became the team-captain and with whom he captured the World Championship-title in 2011. With that, the team wrote sports-history. Afterwards, Sidney received a Royal Decoration, as did all other players, coaches and staff-members. All were also named Honorary Member of the Royal Netherlands Baseball and Softball Federation (KNBSB). Sidney was named Male Sports Athlete of the Year in his home-town Almere. In thirteen years with the National Team (1998; 2000-2011), Sidney played in 203 international games.

In 2014, Sidney became a member of the coaching-staff of the National Kingdom of the Netherlands Team and has been ever since. In 2017, he also became Manager of the Netherlands U23 Team. Overall, Sidney celebrated twelve European titles, four as player of the Netherlands Team, five as Coach of the National Team and three as Manager of the U23 Team.

...Sidney de Jong played nine seasons... ...for Amsterdam Pirates... (© Photo: Henk Seppen)

Sidney de Jong was born on April 14, 1979 in Amsterdam. There, he began his baseball-career at OVVO. As a youth-player, he transfered to Amsterdam Pirates, where he made his debut in the main-team in 1997 when it played in the second league, won the title and returned to the big league. Sidney then made his debut in the highest league the following year, playing in 40 games and hitting .450. From 2000 on, Sidney studied and played a few seasons at the College of South Idaho in Twin Falls, Idaho (USA).

De Jong, who was a catcher and sometimes 1st baseman/DH, left Amsterdam after the 2000 season to play for Kinheim, where he played for two seasons. He then played for HCAW in 2003-2006, before returning to Amsterdam, where he played since 2007 and retired after the 2012 season. In his career, De Jong was his team's Best Hitter seven times. In eight of his last nine seasons, he collected 40 or more basehits. He batted .300 or higher in 14 of his 15 big league-seasons.

In his international career, Sidney de Jong played in more than 30 big events, including the Olympic Games in 2004 (Athens, Greece) and 2008 (Beijing, China), two World Baseball Classics (2006, 2009), five World Championships (2003, Cuba; 2005, Netherlands; 2007, Taiwan; 2009, Europe; 2011, Panama), five European Championships (2001, Germany; 2003, Netherlands; 2005, Czech Republic; 2007, Spain; 2010, Germany), three Intercontinental Cups (2002, Cuba; 2006, Taiwan; 2010, Taiwan), five Haarlem Baseball Weeks (2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010), four World Port Tournaments (2003, 2007, 2009, 2011), two European Baseball Series (2006, 2009), two Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (2003, 2007) and one Pre-Olympic Tournament (2004, Italy). He won the European title four times.

In 2014, Sidney made his coaching-debut with the Kingdom of the Netherlands Team in the of then-Manager Steve Janssen during the Haarlem Baseball Week. Through 2021, Sidney was the Hitting Coach of the team which was led in these years by Steve Janssen (2014-2017), Hensley Meulens (2015, 2017, 2019) and current Manager Evert-Jan 't Hoen (since 2018). In 2017 De Jong acted as Manager during the World Port Tournament. Sidney returned in the coaching-staff in 2024 as Bench Coach of 't Hoen. Last year, the team captured the European title. Coming March, Sidney was to be a coach again during the World Baseball Classic.

In 2024, Sidney was the Bench Coach in the 7-person coaching-staff of Italian Manager Marco Mazzieri of Team Europe for the Global Baseball Games in March of that year against Samurai Japan in Osaka (Japan).

...Sidney is greeted after hitting a homerun in 2009... (© Photo: Henk Seppen)

After having transfered from OVVO to Amsterdam Pirates, Sidney de Jong played in the Juniors-team of the club and also was selected for the Netherlands Juniors Team ('Young Orange'). In 1996, he won the Ron Fraser Award for the Most Promising Juniors Player. A year later, in 1997, then-Head Coach Charles Urbanus added the 18-year old Sidney to the roster of the main-squad of Pirates, which then played in the so-called 'Overgangsklasse' (second highest league). Pirates had a good season, won the title and returned to the big league.

And so, in 1998, Sidney made his debut in the highest league in the Pirates-team, which then was led by new Head Coach Chicho Jesurun, who was assisted by American Mal Willets, while Alex Kampmeijer was the Team Manager. In his first big league-season, Sidney immediately showed his talent. He finished the season with a .450 Batting Average, which was second-best in the team, while he also had the second-highest total with 72 Basehits and 14 Doubles. Sidney scored 41 Runs, collected 38 Runs Batted In and belted five Homeruns. Leading the team in almost all categories was Elston Hansen, who batted .472 and recorded the most Runs (70), RBI's (59), Hits (84) an Homeruns (23, one shy of the all-time record). He also led the league with these stats, captured the Triple Crown and was named Most Valuable Player. With his .450 average, Sidney was the third Best Hitter in the league, trailing Hansen and Dirk van 't Klooster (RCH), who batted .451. Remarkably enough, the .450 average remained Sidney's highest in what would be a 15-year big league-career. However, he would be a very steady hitter, as in fourteen of his seasons, Sidney would hit .300 or higher, including five times .340 or better.

Sidney's teammates in his first big league-season with Pirates were Pepijn Beerman, Erik Belt, Jerry Breek, Gijs ten Bosch, Chris Cobb, Jeroen Deken, Dave Dusseau, Nick Eppinga, Rikkert Faneyte, Kevin van Hagen, Elston Hansen, Arnold Jakoba, Wilfred Jelsma, Edwin Koster, Raymond Martes, Patrick Raimond, Patt Romney, Vince Rooi, Ronald Stoovelaar and Bart van Wissen.

In the next two seasons, Jesurun also was Head Coach of Pirates. This time, he was assisted by Rob van Buuren, who unfortunately passed away in November last year. Jesurun passed away in 2006. Paul Nanne was the team's Pitching Coach in 2000, while Ton Hofstede was the Team Manager in these two seasons. Sidney batted .311 and .329 in respectively 1999 and 2000. In the 2000 season, he played in only 23 games after returning from college in the USA. In 1999-2000, Sidney first studied and played at the College of South Idaho in Twin Falls, Idaho, which played in Region 18 of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). He returned to America in late 2000 and had a great second college-season in February-May 2001. With a .358 Batting Average, Sidney was the team's Best Hitter. He also led the Golden Eagles-team in At Bats (190), Basehits (68), Triples (2), Total Bases (84) and Sacrifice Flies (5), was third in Runs Batted In and Stolen Bases and was chosen in the All-Region 18 First Team.

...Sidney with the Championship... ...Trophies in 2011... (© Photo: Henk Seppen)

Amongst Sidney's teammates in his first three seasons at Pirates were also Michael Crouwel, Bas Kuijer, Raban Schalm and Tjerk Smeets.

After the 2000 season, De Jong had transfered from Amsterdam Pirates to Kinheim for whom he played in 2001 and 2002. In those seasons, the Haarlem-based team was coached by Bernie Beckman, who was assisted by Louis Hofer. In 2002, Marcel Joost was the Hitting Coach. Gerard Stenzler was the General Manager in these two seasons. Unfortunately, two members of this technical staff also have passed away in recent years, Hofer in 2016, Stenzler in 2023.

In both seasons in Haarlem, Sidney was the team's Best Hitter. In 2001, the catcher batted .347, a year later, he finished with a .357 average and also led the team with 44 RBI's, 60 Hits and 11 Doubles and was second with 37 Runs. Afterwards, he was named Most Valuable Player of the 2002 big league-season.

Teammates of Sidney in both Kinheim-seasons were Gershwin Baly, Patrick Beljaards, Richard Beljaards, Toine Jager, Marcel Joost, Berti Richardson, Nick Stuifbergen, Jeffrey Verbij and Darren White. Amongst the other Kinheim-players were Denny Beljaards, Raymond Hofer, Eelco Jansen, Tim Keuter, Tahah Merrill and Willem Oosterhof.

Hereafter, in 2003-2006, Sidney de Jong was the catcher of HCAW. When Sidney first played for the Bussum-club, Nelson Orman was the Head Coach. He was assisted by Wally Stahlberg, while Bill Froberg joined during the season as Bench Coach. In 2004 and 2005, Froberg was the Head Coach with Maurice Cranston (2004) and Clive Mendes (2005) as Bench Coach and Maurice De Conge as Pitching Coach. The latter succeeded Froberg as Head Coach in 2006 with Cliff Foster as Pitching Coach. In the 2006 season, Sidney was re-united with his former Pirates-Coach Chicho Jesurun, as he was De Conge's Bench Coach. 2006 was a tumultuous season for HCAW, which also included a separation with De Conge and Foster halfway the competition, as Patrick Vielvoye was named new Head Coach. In Sidney's four seasons in Bussum, Ron Jaarsma was the General Manager and Adrie Berrevoets was the Team Scorer. Unfortunately, we also had to bid farewell to some members of this group: Stahlberg in 2016, Froberg in 2020, Cranston in 2021, Jaarsma in 2022 and Berrevoets in 2023).

In his four seasons with HCAW, Sidney again underscored that he was an effective hitter. However, he began his stint in Bussum in 2003 with the lowest Batting Average in his career, as he batted only .223, the only time he finished under .300. But in the next three seasons, Sidney was HCAW's Best Hitter. In 2004, he not only led the team with a .361 average, but also was the Best Hitter of the league. And he led the team in Runs (34) and RBI's (29). In 2005, Sidney led HCAW in Average (.308), RBI's (21), Hits (44) and Doubles (10). And in 2006, he was HCAW's Best Hitter for the third year in a row by hitting .331 and also led in Doubles (10) and Walks (28), while sharing the lead in Runs (28) with Ronald Jaarsma. In his 15-year career, Sidney de Jong hit 41 Homeruns, but remarkably enough, he hit none of them in his four seasons in a HCAW-uniform.

...Sidney with Rob Cordemans (left), Percy Isenia... ..(right) and chairman John Witte after being announced... ...as coaches of Amsterdam for the 2013 season... (© Photo: Henk Seppen)

Teammates of Sidney in all four seasons with HCAW were Nick Fridsma, Gino Henson, Ronald Jaarsma, Bas de Jong, Jurjan Koenen and Ralph Milliard. Other players included Kenny Berkenbosch, Jeffrey Cranston, Maurice De Conge, Jeroen Deken, Dave Draijer, Cliff Foster, Jeroen Hubert, Jos de Jong, Michiel van Kampen, Lars Koehorst, Patrick de Lange, Dimitri Leon, Martijn Meeuwis, Rodney Michel, Loek van Mil, Allen Milliard, Jurriën Overman, Kevin Roovers, Nick Stuifbergen and Jurjen van Zijl.

After the troubled 2006 season, Sidney moved from HCAW back to Amsterdam Pirates. Also transfering from Bussum to Amsterdam were Kenny Berkenbosch, Bas de Jong, Jos de Jong and Nick Stuifbergen. From 2007 on, Sidney would play six more seasons for Pirates. Kenny Berkenbosch and the De Jong-brothers (no relation to Sidney) would remain his teammates in all these seasons, Stuifbergen in four of them.

When Sidney returned to Amsterdam Pirates, he not only was re-united with his former club with whom he had made his big league-debut, but also with former teammates and coaches. In his first year back in Amsterdam, the team was coached by Louis Hofer, who had been his coach at Kinheim. Hofer was assisted by Ronald Stoovelaar (1B Coach), who had been a teammate in 1998 when Sidney made his big league-debut. In that season, Stoovelaar played in his final game, before retiring. Randell Hannah was the 3B Coach and would remain a member of the coaching-staff throughout Sidney's next six seasons in Amsterdam. In 2008 and 2009, Rikkert Faneyte, another former teammate, is the Head Coach and is assisted by Hannah. Other Assistent Coaches are Tim Miner (2008) and Hofer (2009). The Pitching Coach in 2008 is Tom Geestman, who passed away in April last year. Ken Brauckmiller handles the pitching in 2009. In 2010-2012, Sidney's final three seasons as a player, Charles Urbanus is the Head Coach. In 1997, it was Urbanus, who first added De Jong to the main-squad of Pirates. Urbanus is also assisted by Hannah, while Raban Schalm (2010-2011) and Al Morales (2012) are Pitching Coach. Peter Meijers is the Team Manager in 2008-2012).

In his six seasons with Pirates, Sidney collects 43 or more Basehits annually. In five seasons, he scores 30 or more Runs and he leads the team four times in Walks.

In 2007, Sidney is the team's second Best Hitter with a .322 average, behind Fausto Álvarez Rizo. He only trails Bas de Jong with 30 Runs and 49 Basehits, but he leads the league with 19 Doubles.

...As coach, Sidney argues with umpire... ...Olav Steijger in the 2013 season... (© Photo: Henk Seppen)

In 2008, Sidney leads the Pirates-team in Hitting (.360), Slugging (.381), Runs (38), Homeruns (6) and Walks (35). With that, he has an important contribution in leading the team to the Play-Offs. Pirates advances to the Holland Series, defeats Kinheim and captures the title, which is Sidney's first Championship. With his Slugging Average, Runs and Homeruns, he also leads the league. Sidney is the second Best Hitter in the league behind Mark Duursma (Hoofddorp Pioniers), who batted .387, who wins the MVP-trophy.

In 2009, Sidney hits .333, which is sixth best in the Pirates-team, which has nine players who above .300. Sidney leads with 30 Walks and his 31 Runs are second-best in the team, sharing with Wesley Connor, behind Maikel Benner. In 2010, De Jong is Best Hitter again (.333) and also leads in On-Base Percentage (.430), Runs (26) and Hits (48, with Kenny Berkenbosch). It marked the seventh time that Sidney is a team's Best Hitter.

In 2011, Sidney celebrates a Championship for the second time when Pirates defeats Hoofddorp Pioniers in the Holland Series. In the regular season, Sidney leads the team in Walks (44) and is second-best in RBI's (36) and Slugging Average (.543), both behind Vince Rooi, who has 37 and .604. Sidney leads the league in On-Base Percentage (.487) and is second-best with 44 Runs, behind Dwayne Kemp (Neptunus), who has 47.

In 2012, Sidney plays in 41 Games in what would be his final season. He hits .319, which is fourth-best in the team. Sidney leads the league in Walks (47) and is second-best in Runs (43), behind Rafael Jozefa (44, Neptunus) and in On-Base Percentage (.495), behind Mervin Gario (.506, Kinheim), who is the current Head Coach of Amsterdam Pirates.

Teammates of Sidney in all six seasons in his second stay with Pirates besides Kenny Berkenbosch, Bas de Jong and Jos de Jong were Rik Geestman and Bas Nooij, while Wesley Connor and Frank van Heijst were teammates in five seasons and Zaïr Koeiman, Vince Rooi, Nick Stuifbergen and Pim Walsma in four. Other players included Fausto Álvarez Rizo, b>Maikel Benner, Marvin Bleij, Rob Cordemans, Remco Draijer, Rashid Gerard, Ben Grover, Björn Henrichs, Roelie Henrique, Percy Isenia, Mark Kan, Jurrian Koks, Mitchel Koot, Michael Kramer, Kevin Miner, Raban Schalm, Nick Urbanus, Seb Visser and Pavèl van Zaane.

...Sidney with the Netherlands Team during... ...the Haarlem Baseball Week in 2008... (© Photo: Henk Seppen)

In 15 big league-seasons, Sidney de Jong played in 568 regular season-games, including 338 in nine seasons for Pirates. He collects 686 Basehits, 41 of them a Homerun, scores 455 Runs, has 407 RBI's and finishes with a career .335 Batting Average.

In September 2012, it was announced that Sidney would be Head Coach of Pirates in 2013, as the successor of Charles Urbanus. Percy Isenia (Hitting) and Rob Cordemans (Pitching Coach) are appointed as Playing Coach. Later, De Jong's coaching-staff is expanded with Roeland Henrique (1B) and Ronald Jaarsma (3B), his former teammate at HCAW, with Hans Vader as Team Manager. Henrique is the current Bench Coach of Pirates. Led by De Jong, Pirates is 28-13 to reach the Championship Round, but is eliminated for the Holland Series. Two days after Pirates was eliminated in early September, it was announced that De Jong would step down as Head Coach, as he had been added to the coaching-staff of the Netherlands Kingdom Team. 2013 would remain the lone season De Jong would coach a big league-team.

Back then, Pirates-chairman John Witte stated: ,,When you get an opportunity like this, I can understand the decision. ,,Sidney has proven qualities and has meant a lot for Dutch baseball, he belongs on this level. For us, of course this is unfortunate, but Amsterdam Pirates wishes him a lot of success.'' Sidney de Jong himself then said: ,,It's unfortunate to say goodbye to L&D Amsterdam, a team and club for which I played with a lot of fun, but now have to stop as Head Coach. The opportunity to coach with the Dutch Team is another step ahead. After some good talks with both John Witte and Robert Eenhoorn, I decided to go ahead with this new challenge. Due to lack of time, a combination of coaching a clubteam and the National Team is not possible. I'm very thankful to have been given the opportunity to gain experience as coach at L&D Amsterdam. I've learned a lot this year. It has been a fine year and I want to thank the board, the players and the supporters of L&D Amsterdam for all their support''. De Jong is succeeded by Charles Urbanus.

On October 11, 1998, Sidney de Jong made his debut in the Netherlands Team during a training-camp in Tucson, Arizona. On that day, the team plays against a Minor League-selection from the Colorado Rockies-organization. Sidney is one of two catchers in the team of Manager Jan Dick Leurs, the other being Johnny Balentina (Neptunus).

...Sidney with Rob Cordemans and David Bergman with... ...the World Cup after returning from Panama in 2011... (© Photo: Henk Seppen)

In August 2000, Sidney returns in the team and plays in his first international game when the National Team of Chinese Taipei visits the Netherlands for a 5-game series. Sidney is one of nine Pirates-players, who come into action during this series.

In 2001, Sidney is added to the Orange-roster for the European Championship in Germany. He appears in three of the eight games played by the Netherlands Team, but none of them as catcher. He is inserted twice as pinch-hitter and once, he is the designated hitter. The team is led by Manager Robert Eenhoorn and captures the title.

From 2002 on, Sidney was a regular in the National Team. In the Haarlem Baseball Week of that year, he is primarily used as first baseman and during the World Port Tournament of 2003, he shared the catching-duties with Maikel Benner (Neptunus). Later in 2003, Sidney captured his second European Championship-title when the event is held for home-crowds in Amsterdam, Haarlem and Rotterdam. Sidney mostly is the designated hitter then, as professional Minor League-player Chairon Isenia does the majority of the catching. Sidney also is the back-up of Isenia later in 2003 during the World Championship in Cuba. During the Olympic Games of 2004 in Athens (Greece), Benner is Isenia's back-up, while Sidney is pinch-hitter and designated hitter.

From 2005 on, Sidney was the prime catcher in the Orange-squad. That year, he captured another European title. In Czechia, Sidney is the catcher when the Netherlands shutout Italy 15-0 in the Final with Patrick Beljaards, Robin van Doornspeek and Gregory Gustina as pitchers. Later in 2005, during the World Championship in the Netherlands, Sidney also was the prime catcher, now with Isenia as his back-up. For-the-record, six members of the Orange coaching-staff in 2024 and 2025 were part of these European and World Championship-teams. Besides Van Doornspeek and Sidney, the others were Diegomar Markwell, Nick Stuifbergen, Michael Duursma and Evert-Jan 't Hoen. Danny Rombley, who was a member of Sidney's coaching-staff with the U23 Team, then also played for the team.

In 2006, Sidney played in the World Baseball Classic and became part of history. On March 10, in San Juan (Puerto Rico), Sidney was the catcher when Shairon Martis threw a 7-inning No-Hitter in a 10-0 win against Panama. This still is the lone No-Hitter in WBC-history.

...Sidney receives his Royal Decoration from Sports Minister... ...Edith Schippers during the World Cup-homage... ...in Haarlem in 2011... (© Photo: Marco Stoovelaar)

Also in 2006, Sidney won the Haarlem Baseball Week with the Orange Team and reached the Final of the Intercontinental Cup in Taiwan. In 2007, the team won the World Port Tournament and captured another European title (in Spain) to qualify for the Olympic Games of 2008 in Beijing (China).

In 2009, Sidney participated in his second World Baseball Classic and then had a peculiar catching-colleague in Kenley Jansen. In the First Round, again in Puerto Rico, the Kingdom Team stunts with a 3-2 win against favorite Dominican Republic, which is loaded with professional players, including Major Leaguers David Ortiz and Robinson Cano. Three days, they meet again in the elimination-game. In a thriller, the Dominicans take an 1-0 lead in the top of the eleventh inning. In the bottom of the inning, Orange-Manager Rod Delmonico sends Sidney de Jong to the plate as pinch-hitter (for Jansen!) to face Major League ace-closer Carlos Marmol. In his first at bat of the tournament, De Jong drilled the ball into deep left-centerfield for a double, then advanced on a line drive groundout through the middle by pinch-hitter Curt Smith. Gene Kingsale followed with a single, enabling De Jong to score the tying run. Moments later, Kingsale raced to third base when a pick-off attempt by Marmol failed and ended up in a throwing error. After Sharlon Schoop struckout and powerhitter Randall Simon was walked intentionally. Hereafter, Yurendell de Caster (who was 0-for-4, including three strikeouts) hit a line drive off the glove off first baseman Willy Aybar for a game-ending hit (which was ruled an error) to give the Dutch a 2-1 victory. With that, the Netherlands advanced to the Second Round in Miami (USA).

Later in 2009, Sidney de Jong and Kenley Jansen again are teammates when the Netherlands participates in the World Championship in the Netherlands and Italy. But this time, Jansen is a pitcher. He appears in five games (four as closer) and Sidney is his catcher in four of them. In 2010, Jansen made his debut in the Major League with Los Angeles Dodgers for whom he played in twelve seasons. Currently, Jansen is the active leader in Saves (476). In December, he signed a new contract with Detroit Tigers.

In 2010, with Jim Stoeckel as Manager, the Netherlands lost the European title, but reached the Final again of the Intercontinental Cup in Taiwan.

...Sidney with Manager Brian Farley (left) and... ...Technical Director Robert Eenhoorn during... ...the World Cup-homage in Haarlem in 2011... (© Photo: Henk Seppen)

2011 was a highlight-year in Dutch baseball, as for the first in history, the Netherlands captured the World Championship-title in Panama. Led by Manager Brian Farley, the dominating team, with Sidney behind the plate, beat Cuba 2-1 in a thrilling Final, which was played after a 4-hour rain-delay. Cuba opened the score in the fourth inning off of starting pitcher Rob Cordemans, who did another outstanding job and gave up only two hits in seven-plus innings, while key defensive plays were made by second baseman Sharlon Schoop and short stop Didi Gregorius. The Dutch Team immediately answered with two runs of its own, again showing its ability to comeback. Sidney de Jong led off with a walk, then Curt Smith followed with a single. Next, Bryan Engelhardt also singled to bring in De Jong for the tying run. After a pitching change, the two runners advance on a perfect sacrifice bunt by Jonathan Schoop, then an RBI-single followed by Jonathan Schoop that put the Netherlands ahead 2-1. Cordemans was relieved by Juan Carlos Sulbaran in the eighth. After Sulbaran gave up a single in the ninth, David Bergman took over and closed the game. With two outs and two runners on base, the game ended when third baseman Jonathan Schoop caught a line drive!

After the team was honored a month later in Haarlem, Sidney retired from the National Team.

In 2014, Sidney de Jong debuted as Orange-Coach during the Haarlem Baseball Week, the biennial international tournament in Haarlem (Netherlands). He then was the Hitting Coach in the staff of (Belgian) Manager Steve Janssen, who also acted as Pitching Coach. The other coaches were Evert-Jan 't Hoen (1B Coach), Ben Thijssen (3B Coach) and Wim Martinus (Bullpen Coach). In the Baseball Week, the Netherlands was eliminated for the Final and finished in third place. Almost two months, the team won the France International Baseball Tournament/Yoshida Challenge in France. That event was named after Japanese legend Yoshio Yoshida, who was Manager of the French National Team in 1989-1995. Yoshida passed away in February last year at age 91. More success followed two weeks later in Czechia when the Orange Team captured the European title, winning 6-3 against Italy.

In 2015, led by Janssen, the Netherlands reached the Final of the World Port Tournament in Rotterdam and, led by Hensley Meulens, the Quarter Finals of the Premier12 in Taiwan. 2016 was another successful year, as the team, again led by Janssen, won the Baseball Week Haarlem in Haarlem and the European Championship in Hoofddorp (Netherlands).

...As Netherlands Team-coach, Sidney scouts a game... ...during the Baseball Week Haarlem in 2018... (© Photo: Henk Seppen)

In 2017, the Netherlands again participated in the World Baseball Classic, led by Hensley Meulens, and again reached the Semi-Final, but lost 4-3 in eleven innings against Puerto Rico. For Sidney, this is his third Classic, as he played himself in the first (2006) and second edition (2009) of the global event. Later in 2017, Sidney is the Acting Manager during the World Port Tournament, where the team finishes in fourth place.

From 2018, Evert-Jan 't Hoen is the Manager of the Kingdom Team. Since 2013, 't Hoen had been a member of the coaching-staff several times. Through the years, De Jong and 't Hoen had become good friends and also closely worked together in coaching, as they also shared coaching-duties in the Netherlands U23 Team.

Under 't Hoen's leadership and with De Jong as one of his coaches, the team won the World Port Tournament in 2019 in what happened to be the final edition of the biennial event and finished third in the Baseball Week Haarlem in 2018 and 2024. The Netherlands also won the Super6 in 2018 and again captured the title at the European Championship in 2019 (in Germany), 2021 (in Italy) and 2025 (in the Netherlands). The team was less successful in the Premier12 in 2019 and 2024, as the team was eliminated both times for the Super Round. And in 2019 and 2021, the team failed to qualify for the Olympic Games in 2021 in Japan. Sidney was no member of the coaching-staff in 2022 and 2023, due to his commitments with the Netherlands U23 Team.

In Sidney's ten years with the Kingdom Team, Evert-Jan 't Hoen and Ben Thijssen also were members of the technical staff, while Wim Martinus was with the team in eight of these years. Other coaches included Hensley Meulens, Andruw Jones (who will be the Manager in the coming Classic), Bert Blyleven, Mike Hartley and Robin van Doornspeek. Since 2024, Michael Duursma, Randolph Oduber and Nick Stuifbergen are part of the staff, while Diegomar Markwell was one of the coaches in 2024 only. Members of the supporting-staff in Sidney's coaching-years, who were with the team for four or more years, include Physical Therapists Pepijn van Ingen, Kevin Sprengers and Quintijn van der Roest, Strength & Conditioning Coach Paul Venner, Team Manager Niels van Weert and Media Officer Seb Visser.

...Sidney with his good friend Evert-Jan 't Hoen (Manager)... ...during the World Port Tournament in 2019... (© Photo: Henk Seppen)

In 2016, Sidney de Jong won the Bill Arce Award. This Award, named after the wellknown American coach, was introduced by the KNBSB in 2011 and was handed out annually to the most promising coach. When the KNBSB set up a program for a National U23 Team in 2017, Sidney de Jong was appointed Manager and he led the team ever since. This year was to be his tenth at the helm of the team. Except for 2019, De Jong was assisted by Evert-Jan 't Hoen, in 2017 and 2018 as 3B Coach and since 2020 as Bench Coach. Another longtime member of the coaching-staff is Robin van Doornspeek, who is the Pitching Coach since 2021. Other coaches in De Jong's staff were Rob Cordemans (Pitching, 2017-2019), Gene Kingsale (2017-2018; 2021-2022), Hainley Statia (2018), Jeroen Sluijter (2019; 2021), Ben Thijssen (2019), Danny Rombley (2023; 2025), Michael Duursma (2024) and Randolph Oduber (2024).

Since 2017, De Jong and his coaches led the Netherlands U23 Team in five European Championships (2017, Czechia; 2019, Czechia; 2021, Italy; 2023, Austria; 2025, Czechia). During the World Port Tournament in 2017, Sidney made his managerial debut when he led the Netherlands Team instead of Steve Janssen, who acted as Advisor. With this construction, Sidney was given an opportunity to gain experience, as he would lead the U23 Team for the first time a month later during the European Championships in Czechia, where the team remained unbeaten (6-0). In the Final against host Czechia, the Netherlands won 10-9 in a 10-inning thriller, that lasted four hours and 41 minutes, to capture the title. After finishing in a disappointed fifth place in 2019, the team captured the European title again in 2021 and 2023, both times also unbeaten. In 2025, the Orange-squad won the bronze medal after a 9-4 win against Italy.

Sidney de Jong also coached the U23 Team in four World Championships (2018, Colombia; 2021, Mexico; 2022, Taiwan; 2024, China). After finishing in tenth place in 2018 and 2021, the team climbed to eighth place in 2022 and seventh position in 2024.

Sidney de Jong was a leader on and off the field and a true captain. In the field, in the dug-out and in the clubhouse, Sidney brought his teammates together and create an unity. He was a mentor for many. Sidney often spoke with a calm and relaxed, as a player and as a coach. But when needed, he surely could raise his voice, for instance in an argument with an umpire. As a coach, Sidney stimulated his players. Above all, Sidney enjoyed being on a baseball-field, coaching and talking. He will be missed by many of us in the Dutch baseball- and softball-community.

The webmaster of Grand Slam * Stats & News offers his condolences to Sidney's family, friends, teammates and coaching-colleagues and wishes them a lot of strength with this big loss.

(January 8-13)