Dutch Baseball

At Almere, Almere '90 2 won its first game of the season by beating Jeka 7-6. The victory ended Almere's 20-game losing streak.
With the win, Almere was the lone second team in the Interleague-games played on Friday and Saturday to win a game in the First Division. All seven other games were won by the standard teams.
(July 1)

At The Hague, ADO shutout Sparta/Feyenoord 6-0 on a 4-hitter by Rob Cordemans. ADO had 14 basehits, including four by Harvey Monte.

At Rotterdam, DOOR Neptunus won 6-1 vs. on Saturday-evening vs. Konica Minolta Pioniers, whose starting pitcher registered his 1000th career strikeout. Yuji Nerei homered for Neptunus.

At Almere, league-leader Corendon Kinheim shutout Instant Holland Almere '90 4-0 on a strong outing by starting pitcher David Bergman.
(July 1)

Game Recaps, Line Scores & Box Scores

At Hoofddorp, Konica Minolta Pioniers led 6-2 on Sunday vs. DOOR Neptunus, which came back late in the game to come alongside. In the home of the tenth, Pioniers went on to win 7-6 on a 2-out single by Dè Flanegin.

At Rotterdam, there was a very attractive pitching duel between Japanese righthanders Satoru Fujii (Sparta/Feyenoord) and Akira Okamoto (ADO), who both gave up only two basehits. In the home of the tenth, Jimmy Summers became ADO's new pitcher, walked a batter, then saw him score the lone run on an error, which gave Sparta/Feyenoord a 1-0 victory.
The game also had a unique situation in the fifth inning in which a strikeout, unintentional touching of the ball with a bat and a foul ball were combined and resulted in a 17-minute delay, a meeting of the game officials in the dressing room and a protest.

At Bussum, Mr. Cocker HCAW won 6-3 vs. Amsterdam Pirates and saw rookie pitcher Mark Kolner made an impressing big league-debut with five strikeouts in only two innings.

At Haarlem, league-leader Corendon Kinheim shutout Instant Holland Almere '90, 7-0. Patrick Beljaards gave up only three hits to Almere, which made six errors.
(July 2)

Line Scores & Box Scores

...Carlos Arrindell... (Photo: Marco Stoovelaar)

After Sunday's game, Almere '90 remained in last place with 7-21 record. The team is tied with Amsterdam Pirates, but is in last place because of the results between the two teams. Pirates is 2-0 vs. Almere.
In the weekend, Almere was shutout twice by Corendon Kinheim, 4-0 and 7-0, and now has lost five games in a row. Of the last 12 games, Almere won only three games. These three games were all played at home and everytime Almere came from behind and won in the last innings to beat ADO (3-2), Kinheim (4-2) and Sparta/Feyenoord (7-6).
Despite having a solid line-up, which includes former Major Leaguers and current Dutch national team-players Ivanon Coffie and Eugene Kingsale, Almere cannot convince this season so far. Especially defensively, it plays under its level, as it leads the league in errors.

Arrindell was named Almere's Head Coach shortly before the exhibition season started as the successor of Marco Wels, who led the team last season. Wels was interim Head Coach in two games in 2004 when the team was first led by Chicho Jesurun and completed by Nelson Orman. Arrindell started his baseball career with the Amsterdam-based club AMVJ, then was one of the founders of the Antillian baseball and softball club Little Rock, also in Amsterdam. Arrindell, who was a catcher, played in one Dutch big league-season with De Spartaan. In the past, his career included playing and coaching stints with Polmerians, Almere Giants, Double Stars Heiloo, WSB and Vennep Flyers. The last few years, he was involved in men softball, before making his comeback in baseball this season.

Almere is the second team this season to separate with its Head Coach. On June 1, Maurice DeConge stepped down as Head Coach with Mr. Cocker HCAW after a conflict of interest, concering changes to its coaching staff.
(July 3)

On June 12, a 27-man roster was named for the Haarlem Baseball Week. The lone player from that roster who is not on the roster for the European Baseball Series is Catcher Mark Duursma (Konica Minolta Pioniers). Johnny Balentina (DOOR Neptunus), who was listed as an outfielder on the first roster is now listed as one the catchers.
Three players on Eenhoorn's roster will make their national team-debut when they play: Righthanded Pitcher Tom Stuifbergen (Amsterdam Pirates), Righthanded Pitcher Jurjen van Zijl (Mr. Cocker HCAW) and Outfielder Kalian Sams (ADO).

The Roster:

Pitchers (12)
RHP David Bergman, RHP Duko Jansen, RHP Michiel van Kampen (all Corendon Kinheim), RHP Kenny Berkenbosch, RHP Nick Stuifbergen, RHP Jurjen van Zijl (all Mr. Cocker HCAW), RHP Rob Cordemans, RHP Robin van Doornspeek (both ADO), RHP Dave Draijer (Konica Minolta Pioniers), LHP Gregory Gustina, LHP Diegomar Markwell (both DOOR Neptunus) and RHP Tom Stuifbergen (Amsterdam Pirates).

Catchers (3)
Johnny Balentina (DOOR Neptunus), Sidney de Jong (Mr. Cocker HCAW) and Tjerk Smeets (Corendon Kinheim).

Infielders (5)
Ivanon Coffie (Instant Holland Almere '90), Michael Duursma (Konica Minolta Pioniers), Percy Isenia (ADO), Roel Koolen (Corendon Kinheim) and Raily Legito (DOOR Neptunus).

Outfielders (6)
Bryan Engelhardt, Eugene Kingsale (both Instant Holland Almere '90), Dirk van 't Klooster, Danny Rombley (both Corendon Kinheim), Harvey Monte and Kalian Sams (both ADO).

(July 4)

This years European Baseball Series coincides with two historic milestones.
On Monday, July 10, it is exactly 50 years ago that the national team of the Netherlands and Italy first met in an official game. That happened on July 10, 1956 during the European Championships in Rome. The Dutch team won that game 13-2 and went on to win their first European title.
Next Sunday, July 9, the game between the Netherlands and Italy will be the 600th international game for the Dutch national squad since it played its first one in 1934.

In the meantine, the Italian team has arrived in Rotterdam, where the first three games will be played in the Neptunus Familiestadion.
On the Italian roster, compiled by Manager Giampiero Faraone and his staff, are some new players who will make their national team-debut.

The Italian roster is as follows:

Pitchers (12)
Victor Arias, Carlos Pezzullo (both Caffè Danesi Nettuno), Stefano Bazzarini, Barth Morreale (both Italeri Fortitudo Bologna), Joshua Caruso, Cody Cillo (both De Angelis Godo), Roberto Corradini, Mattia Salsi (both Ceci&Negri Parma), Riccardo De Santis, Junior Oberto (both Le Colonie di Maremma Grosseto), William Lucena (Comcor Modena) and Carlos Richetti (Orel Anzio).

Catchers (3)
Simone Albanese (T&A San Marino), Luca Bischeri (Le Colonie di Maremma Grosseto) and Marcello Malagoli (Comcor Modena).

Infielders (6)
Davide Dallospedale (Italeri Fortitudo Bologna), Seth La Fera (Ceci&Negri Parma), Giuseppe Mazzanti, Igor Schiavetti (both Caffè Danesi Nettuno), Dean Rovinelli (T&A San Marino) and Andrea Sgnaolin (Le Colonie di Maremma Grosseto).

Outfielders (5)
James Buccheri, Mario Chiarini (both Telemarket Rimini), Quinn Ciccarelli (De Angeles Godo), Max De Biase (T&A San Marino) and Gino Lollio (Le Colonie di Maremma Grosseto).

Manager Giampiero Faraone will be assisted by coaches Mauro Mazzotti, Gianmario Costa, Claudio Corradi and Chris Catanoso (Pitching Coach).
(July 6)

Game Recap, Box Score & Play-by-Play Game One Netherlands vs. Italy - Friday, July 7

Game Recap, Box Score & Play-by-Play Game Two Netherlands vs. Italy - Saturday, July 8

Game Recap, Box Score & Play-by-Play Game Three Netherlands vs. Italy - Sunday, July 9

Game Recap, Box Score & Play-by-Play Game Four Italy vs. Netherlands - Monday, July 10

Game Recap, Box Score & Play-by-Play Game Five Italy vs. Netherlands - Tuesday, July 11

Game notes - Game Six Italy vs. Netherlands - Wednesday, July 12 - Messina

The 23rd Haarlem Baseball Week opens on Friday, July 21 and runs through Sunday, July 30 with the participation of teams from China, Chinese Taipei, Cuba, Japan, USA and Netherlands.
You can follow all the action of the Baseball Week on the official site.
(July 20)

Box Score Netherlands vs. Juniors

Ritchie Daal played in the Dutch big league for Kinheim and De Spartaan and participated with the Dutch National Team in the 1980 World Championships in Japan.
The former short stop was named Technical Director by Almere at the end of last year to succeed Brian Farley, who returned as a coach to the national team.
In the past, Daal has coached the second team (First Division) of Almere '90.

Almere '90 is in last place with a 7-21 record. The team is tied with Amsterdam Pirates, but is in last place because of the results between the two teams. Pirates is 2-0 vs. Almere.
Carlos Arrindell was named Almere's Head Coach shortly before the exhibition season started and was in his rookie season as a coach in the Dutch big league.
(July 23)

Trailing 6-0 in the third inning, the Dutch team came back very strongly with a 5-run rally in the third inning, then added two runs in the fourth to take a 7-6 lead.
It was the second time in a row that the Dutch team won the event. Two years ago, the Dutch also beat Cuba in the final, 3-1. But this time, the Cubans participated with a much stronger squad, which included 17 current and former national team-players. A lot of them participated in the World Baseball Classic, World Championships and Olympic Games and was managed by legendary second baseman Antonio Pacheco, who played for the national team team from 1983-2001.
Before 2004, the Dutch team never had won the tournament in the previous 21 editions.

A Haarlem Baseball Week review is coming up.
(July 30)

official site Haarlem Baseball Week

Dutch Softball Women

Trailing 1-0, the Dutch team scored four runs in the third inning on a 2-run double by Daisy de Peinder and a 2-run homerun by Sandra Gouverneur.
Rebecca Soumeru went the distance for the Dutch squad and gave up only four basehits.
This was only the tenth victory by a Dutch team vs. Chinese Taipei in 37 meetings.

The Dutch team had no games scheduled on Sunday, but plays two games on Monday vs. Delta Sunfire (Canada) and the national team of Canada.
(July 2)

Complete Recap, Box Score & Play-by-Play

Complete Recap, Box Score & Play-by-Play Netherlands vs. Delta Sunfire

Canada Cup: Dutch beat Canada!
Nederlands
SOUTH SURREY, British Columbia (Canada) - The Dutch Softball Team on Monday continued its strong start on the Canada Cup Tournament with a 7-6 victory vs. the national team of Canada.
The Dutch team rallied for all seven runs in the first inning and then had only two more baserunners in the last six innings off a new pitcher.
From the fifth inning on, Canada started to come back. There was a lot of tension in the seventh inning when Canada, while trailing 7-4, scored twice to come back to 7-6, but with two runners on, Rebecca Soumeru ended the game with a strikeout.
This was only the third Dutch victory vs. Canada in their 21st meeting overall.
(July 3)

Complete Recap, Box Score & Play-by-Play Netherlands vs. Canada

Complete Recap, Box Score & Play-by-Play Netherlands vs. Triple Crown Colorado

Complete Recap, Box Score & Play-by-Play Netherlands vs. Florida Quicksilver

Earlier on Thursday, Florida Quicksilver (USA) was the second team to qualify by winning 7-5 vs. Triple Crown Colorado (USA). On Wednesday-afternoon, Japan Elite was the first team to reach the Play-Offs by winning 5-2 vs. Chinese Taipei.
The fourth team that went to the Championship Round was the winner of the game between Canada and Chinese Taipei. Canada won 5-4 and clinched. Following that game, the Dutch closed the preliminary round with the game against Japan Elite. Both teams were 5-1 and the winner of that game was to become the winner of the White Pool. The loser ended in a 3-way tie. Japan won 2-1 in eight innings to win the pool, the Dutch team therefore finished in third place and now will meet Canada Elite on Friday in their first Play-Off game.
In the meantime, Australia became the unbeaten winner (7-0) of the Red Pool. There were some scenarios possible in that pool for the remaining three teams to go to the finals, but in the end Canada Elite, Venezuela and China qualied.

In the game against Puerto Rico, the Dutch team had 15 basehits with all players hitting at least one. Marloes Fellinger went 3-for-3, including a double and a 3-run homerun, scored twice and had four RBI's. Kristi DeVries went the distance in this 5-inning game and gave up five basehits.
(July 6)

Complete Recaps, Box Scores & Play-by-Plays Netherlands vs. Puerto Rico & Japan Elite

Complete Recap, Box Score & Play-by-Play Netherlands vs. Canada Elite

Complete Recap, Box Score & Play-by-Play Netherlands vs. Japan Elite

Complete Recap, Box Score & Play-by-Play Netherlands vs. Australia

Complete Recap, Box Score & Play-by-Play Netherlands vs. Canada

Selected for the World Championships are:

Pitchers:
Kristi DeVries (Ohio State University-USA), Judith van Kampen (A4 Terrasvogels) and Rebecca Soumeru (Macerata-Italy).

Catchers:
Kinge Bouma (+ IF) (Sparks Haarlem) and Ellen Venker (Van der Peijl DSC ’74).

Infielders:
Noémi Boekel, Lynn Geertman (both Sparks Haarlem), Debbie Connor (Euro Stars), Sandra Gouverneur (Nuoro-Italy), Daisy de Peinder and Marjan Smit (+ OF) (both Twins).

Outfielders:
Marloes Fellinger (Sparks Haarlem), Areke Spel (Euro Stars), Nathalie Gosewehr, Marieke Jansen (both A4 Terrasvogels) and Saskia Kosterink (Computer SOS Tex Town Tigers).
(July 14)

The National League was leading 2-1 in the ninth inning of the 77th All Star Game, but the American League turned the game around with two outs.
Ace-closer Trevor Hoffman came on to pitch the ninth inning and got two quick out, but then gave up a single to Paul Konerko, a ground-rule double to Troy Glaus and a 2-run triple (with a 0-2 count) to Michael Young that made it 3-2 in the AL's favor. A comeback grounder ended the at bat, but the game has turned around.
In the home ninth, Mariano Rivera became the AL-closer and earned a save.
(July 12)

IN MEMORIAM ...Aldo Notari... (1932 - 2006) (Foto: Marco Stoovelaar)

Aldo Notari, who is from Italy, gained his first fame while playing as a second baseman and outfielder for Parma, the city where he has always lived.
In later years, Notari became the club's President and had a lot of success with his club. He also became a frontrunner in Italian baseball and was elected to the board of the Italian Federation. In 1984, Notari was elected as President of the Italian Baseball and Softball Federation (FIBS) and remained in office until 2000.
In the meantime, he also became a member of the board for the European Federation (CEB). After CEB-President Guus van der Heijden passed away, Notari was named as his successor in 1987. Early 2005, he was succeeded by German Martin Miller.
In 1993, Aldo Notari was elected as President of the International BAseball Federation and was re-elected twice. In June of last year, he started a new term as President.

Aldo Notari was a noticeable person and always available to talk to. Your webmaster is proud to have known Aldo for a lot of years and always enjoyed his friendship. We've met each other a lot of times, not only in the Netherlands or Italy, but throughout the world on many different international tournaments. Aldo will surely be missed.
(July 25)

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