IN MEMORIAM ...Jan Prins... (1934 - 2026) (© Photo: Private Photo)

Former player, coach, administrator Jan Prins (Honorary Member KNBSB) passed away
Nederlands

AMSTERDAM (Neth.) - Jan Prins, who has been active as a player, a coach and an administrator, has passed away on Thursday, January 29 at the age of 91 in his home-town Amsterdam. Jan Prins was involved with Amsterdam-based club De Volewijckers for many years, coached HCAW in the big league, was the longtime chairman of Rayon North-Holland and District North and was boardmember of the Royal Netherlands Baseball and Softball Federation. For his many contributions, Jan Prins was named Honorary Member of the KNBSB.

The memorial-ceremony for Jan Prins was held on Thursday, February 5 in Amsterdam-North.

Jan Prins was born on July 25, 1934 in Amsterdam. He went on to play baseball somewhere in the late forties for De Volewijckers, whose baseball-section was founded on August 1, 1946. One of the co-founders was Peet de Jager, who was the club's secretary until early 1957 when he emigrated to Australia. He was succeeded by Kees Leseman, who was involved for many years with the club. In later years, Leseman became a very recognizable KNBSB-personality, first as an official scorer, then as committee-member, but more-over as archivarian.

Jan Prins also became a prominent club-member and went on to play in the main baseball-squad in the early fifties. From the late forties through early fifties, there were at least 35 (!) baseball-clubs in Amsterdam. Three of them were based in Amsterdam-North, D.W.V. (founded in 1936), De Volewijckers (founded in 1946) and De Meteoor (founded in 1953). Later (in 1960), a fourth club in Amsterdam-North was founded, N.D.S.M.. Currently, there are six baseball/softball-clubs based in Amsterdam, including one in the northern part of the city. That is Amsterdam North Stars, which was created in 2013 when De Volewijckers and De Meteoor (the two remaining North-clubs) merged.

In 1957, De Volewijckers debuted in the highest Dutch baseball-league, which then was the First Division after having played four seasons in what was called the 'Overgangsklasse'. Before that, the club played on the local level in Rayon Amsterdam, then three years in the national Second Division, before advancing to the highest leagues. The opponents of De Volewijckers in 1957 in Pool B of the First Division were ABC, SC Haarlem, HCK (Kinheim), Kennemerland, OVVO, Schoten and Sparta.

To improve the quality of baseball and expand the number of games, a Major League of eight teams was proposed and introduced in 1958. The four best teams of the two First Divisions qualified for this new highest league. De Volewijckers finished fourth in Pool B and therefore was one of the teams in the first-ever big league-competition in 1958. The team was joined by Schoten, OVVO, Sparta (nrs. 1-2-3 in Pool B), HHC, VVGA, EHS and EDO (nrs. 1-2-3-4 in Pool A). The remaining teams would in a new First Division, also with eight teams.

As first baseman, Jan Prins was one of the players of De Volewijckers who was active in the 1958 big league-season. And he was one of the leading hitters of the team.

On May 10, 1958, a few weeks in the new season, De Volewijckers surprises with an upset 4-1 win against favorite EHS Bulldogs, which had some of the best players in the league. In a home-game, De Volewijckers dominates both offensively and defensively. In the first inning, the team strikes with two runs off of EHS-starter Joop Schuitemaker, thanks to a basehit by Herman Muller, a great bunt-single by Evert Boom and an error on a hit by Ab Teijema (who also was the club's treasurer). Teijema initially also was the coach, but he stepped down as he was less available. Toon Ekels, who also would become a club-icon, succeeded him as playing coach. De Volewijckers added two runs in the third when Joop van der Mast scored on another hit by Boom, who then scored on a basehit by Jan Prins. That led to a pitching-change, as Nol Houtkamp relieved Schuitemaker. In the sixties, Houtkamp and Schuitemaker would become the coaches of the Netherlands National Women's Softball Team. As EHS really was desperate, coaches Gé Hoogenbos and Nico van Heemskerk inserted themselves, but they were unable to turn around the game. The lone EHS-run was scored in the fourth inning on a double by Ben Tromp. De Volewijckers-pitcher Nico de Wilde gave up only two basehits and struckout seven batters. De Volewijckers collected nine basehits. Besides the offensive production, there also were outstanding catches on deciding moments by Muller, De Wilde, Prins, Van der Mast and Walter Scheermeijer.

With the win, De Volewijckers moved into second place behind OVVO. However, in following weeks, the Amsterdam-team dropped in the rankings. At the end of the season, De Volewijckers ended in a tie for last place with Schoten. With that, the two teams had to play a best-of-three tie-break series. Schoten won 2-0 and 5-2. And so, the Haarlem-club prolonged its stay in the highest league, while De Volewijckers relegated to the First Division.

...Jan Prins hitting for De Volewijckers... (© Photo: Private Photo)

Although De Volewijckers now played in the First Division (second highest league) from 1959 on, most players stayed with the team in following years, including Jan Prins. In 1964, Prins succeeded Toon Ekels as coach, but he kept on playing himself for a few more seasons. Prins had been a regular player in 1954-1963 and in most of those seasons, amongst his teammates were Evert Boom, Jan Brinkman, Joop Daggelder, Toon Ekels, Bertus Grommé, Rob Hartzuiker, Joop van der Mast, Jan Meijer, Rolf Meijer, Arie Muller, Herman Muller, Martin Rosenkrantz, Walter Scheermeijer, Ab Teijema and Nico de Wilde.

After the 1969 season, Jan Prins switched clubs. In the meantime, he had retired as player, but had continued as coach of De Volewijckers. After the 1969 season, the big league-team of HCAW in Bussum separated with coaches Max Rietbergen and Aart Kruijs. Prins was appointed as new Head Coach of HCAW for 1970. In his debut-season in the highest league, the coaches of his opponents were Dick Ausma (ABC), Teun Gaartman (Storks), Henk Hendriks (Sparta), Wim Onderstal (Feyenoord), Jules de Pierre (Terrasvogels), Ben Tromp (Haarlem Nicols) and Han Urbanus (OVVO). When Urbanus decided to play himself again halfway the competition, he was succeeded by Aart Kruijs.

Jan Prins led HCAW in three big league-seasons. In his first year in Bussum (1970), the club finished in fifth place. In the following two seasons, HCAW respectively finished in sixth (1971) and third place (1972). After the 1972 season, Prins stepped down and was succeeded by Julio Hazel.

Amongst the HCAW-players in the three seasons Jan Prins was the coach of the team 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, Rickey Placidus, Fred Remmers, Jan Schriek, Arnold Smith and Roley Wout.

While being coach of De Volewijckers and then HCAW, Jan Prins also was a member of the board of the Netherlands Association for Baseball Coaches (NVBC). He joined the NVBC-board in 1969, which was his final year as of De Volewijckers. In that year, the NVBC was led by chairman Dirk de Vries, while Henk Kempen was the secretary and Leen Volkerijk the treasurer. De Vries and Volkerijk were the fathers of three future Netherlands Team-pitchers: Carel and Eric de Vries and Bart Volkerijk. In 1970, De Vries was succeeded by Cees Herkemij, the father of Netherlands U12 Team Manager and current Baseball Week HaarlemTournament Director Peter. Herkemij, Kempen, Volkerijk and Prins worked together through 1974. In 1971, Jan van Pietersom was a member for one year, then was succeeded by Cees Santifort, who passed away in September last year. In 1975, Prins succeeded Herkemij as chairman. Kempen, Volkerijk and Santifort continued as member of the board, which was expanded with Max Rietbergen, Wim Ascherman and Joop Meevers Scholte. In 1976, Volkerijk and Ascherman switched position, with the latter becoming the new treasurer, while Ronald Boot succeeded Santifort. Another change followed in 1977 when Rob Wentink took over from Boot. In 1978, Max Rietbergen became the new chairman, as Jan Prins had become chairman of Rayon North-Holland.

In September 1971, Jan Prins also becomes a member of an advice-commission that is ensembled by the Royal Netherlands Baseball and Softball Federation (KNBSB). The purpose of this commission is to give extensive advices regarding several important issues regarding the future of baseball and softball and to come to a policy for the upcoming years. The commission has to look to the highest leagues, but also the National Teams. The items have a wide variety and include improving of the playing level in the highest leagues, the formats and structures of competitions, education of coaches, umpires and scorers. But also coaching and supporting staffs of the National Teams, as well as the relations between boardmembers and top-athletes and improvements of playing accomodations. To make baseball and softball more attractive, the so-called 'Commission Van Engelen' suggests to play more games instead of less. Another suggestion is to split the highest league after completion of the regular season, the top-4 will play for the championship, the bottom-4 will play for regulation. A set-up that is familiar in recent years. The commission also suggests to play double-headers (two 9-inning games) in the holiday-period. However, it also states that amongst arguments against double-headers is that clubs have less income, as they would play at home only once every two weeks, instead of weekly. This discussion is very actual at the moment, as double-headers will be re-introduced this season. In softball, double-headers are already played for many years.

The commission is named after its chairman Piet van Engelen, former chairman of the Royal Netherlands Billiards Federation. Besides Jan Prins, the other members are Janke Nijdam (player HHC, chair technical commission softball KNBSB), Hennie Brands (boardmember Giants Diemen), Arie van Driel Krol (boardmember Kinheim), Teun Gaartman (former coach Storks, member regulations commission KNBSB), Rob Kerkhoven (former coach Netherlands Swimming Team), Hamilton Richardson (player Sparta and Netherlands Baseball Team), Ab ten Wolde (chairman Rayon North-Holland KNBSB) and as secretary Piet Wolffenbuttel (KNBSB-administrator).

...The big league-team of HCAW in 1970... ...the first season with Jan Prins (standing at left) as coach... ...Back: Jan Prins, Henk Wessels, Jan Schriek, Julio Hazel, Roley Wout,... ...Rob Filipiak, Ben Verkerk (chairman), Tiemen Zuiderveld and Rob van der Gaast... ...Front: Jan van Ewijk, Ade Fijth, Fred Remmers, Peter de Graeve, Rob Hoffmann,... ...Jan de Graaf, Wim Hageman and Rob de Graeve... (© Photo: Private Photo)

After having left HCAW as coach, Jan Prins already become a member of the board of Rayon North-Holland in 1973, handling technical affairs. That was the beginning of a long affiliation with this Rayon, as he would be a boardmember for nineteen years, including fourteen as chairman. Thereafter, Prins also would lead District North for nine years.

When Jan Prins became boardmember the Rayon, Ab ter Wolde was the chairman. Amongst the other boardmembers in his first five years were longtime treasurer Jaap Lind, Thea Meijer, Ido de Groot, Wil Soolsma, Jan Zwart, Kitty Liefting and Rinus Paardekooper. Like Prins and Lind, De Groot (who handled publicity) also was a longtime boardmember.

In 1978, Jan Prins became the new chairman of Rayon North-Holland. He would the last chairman, as all Rayons were dissolved and re-aligned in 1992. In his fourteen years as chairman, Jaap Lind would be treasurer through 1984 and secretary in 1983-1987. He was succeeded as treasurer by Henk van Vuure in 1985 and as secretary by Otto Hoffmann in 1988. Thea Meijer was Lind's predecessor as secretary, while Ido de Groot was a boardmember through 1984. Amongst the other boardmembers in these fourteen years also were John Jonker, Dirk Sjoerds, Pieter van der Ploeg, Henk Voortman, Jaap Muts, Ria de Graaf, Fred van Leeuwen and Judith Jansen.

Halfway 1990, Jan Prins became a member of the board of the KNBSB. That followed a decision to expand the KNBSB-board with four Rayon-chairmen. They would take the positions designated for the future District-chairmen and to ensure a smoother transition to the four proposed Districts. The four Rayon-chairs are Jan Prins (Rayon North-Holland), Ed Klokkers (Rayon Central-Netherlands), Jan Lensselink (Rayon Southwest-Netherlands) and Cees Rietveld (Rayon The Hague). They are the designated chairmen for Districts North, East, South and West, respectively.

When Jan joined the KNBSB-board it looked as follows: Paul Moerman (chairman), Rolf Moll (vice-chairman finances), Jules de Pierre (vice-chairman baseball), Dick Bliek (vice-chairman softball), Wil Koet (vice-chairman organization), Frans van Aalen (technical affairs baseball), Truus Ruiter (technical affairs softball), Jan Esselman (competition affairs baseball), Rob Kruijk (competition affairs softball), Paul Bokern (game-officials baseball/softball) and Ben de Brouwer (secretary).

Early September 1990, chairman Paul Moerman resigned for personal reasons. Deputy chairman Jules de Pierre became interim chairman and Henk den Duijn joined the core board as vice-chairman without portfolio. He was nominated for the chairmanship and was installed in April 1991. Later in 1991, Peter Foppen succeeds Rietveld and Wil Kitslaar succeeds Moll.

When the four Districts became effective in 1992, their chairmen continued as KNBSB-boardmember. In April 1995, Peter Foppen became secretary and was succeeded as District-chairman by Samuel de Leeuw. In March 1996, District East also gets a new chairman: Ruud van Zetten.

In the KNBSB's Fall council meeting in November 1996, plans for a new structure were broadly approved. Under this new structure, the size of the board (16 positions) will be reduced to six members: general chairman, secretary, treasurer, chairman baseball chairman, chairman softball chairman and chairman recreational sports. The remaining positions will be eliminated. And with that, the four District-chairmen are no longer part of the KNBSB-board, effective March 1997.

In all seven years that Jan Prins was part of the KNBSB-board, Henk den Duijn (who passed away in 2024) was the chairman. Besides the already mentioned persons, other boardmembers in those seven years were Wijnand Agterberg, Jos Gieskens, Cees Herkemij, Peter van 't Klooster, Olga Lablans, Harry Meijers, Egbert van der Sluis, Willem Wolters and Dries de Zwaan.

As mentioned, the Rayons were dissolved and re-aligned in 1992, becoming four Districts. Jan Prins was named Honorary Chairman of Rayon North-Holland. From 1992 on, Prins would continue as the chairman of the new District North, which he would lead in all nine years of its existence. In 2001, the four Districts were re-aligned again, this becoming three Regions. From 1992 on, Otto Hoffmann would continue as secretary and in eight of these years, Wim Jacobs was the treasurer and Wim Lommerde handled youth-affairs. In 1998 Nico van de Kamer succeeded Hoffman, who stayed on as boardmember. Other boardmembers included Henk van Vuure, Marianne van Vuure, Judith Jansen, Herma Hodde, Gerrit Preker, Cees van Deijzen, Cor van de Klooster, Marianne van der Klaauw and Monique van der Heijden.

When the Districts were re-aligned in 2001, the then 67-year old Jan Prins stepped down as chairman and also ended his career as administrator. For his many board-years and contributions, Jan Prins was named Honorary Member of the KNBSB.

For many years, Jan Prins was a driven administrator with a lot of knowledge, who was much-liked and respected. He will surely be missed by many.

The webmaster of Grand Slam * Stats & News offers his condolences to Jan's family and friends and wishes them a lot of strength with this huge loss.

(February 9)