Miscellaneous

Dutch Baseball

...Trevor Rooper... (Photo: Marco Stoovelaar)

...Frank Koene... (Photo: HCAW)

Frank Koene, a former middle-infielder, played in the Dutch big league for Giants Diemen, Kinheim and HCAW and retired after the 1998 season. In 2001, he was Assistant Coach with HCAW, then became their Head Coach in 2002, but retired after that season. He then went on to coach HCAW-2 in the First Division thereafter, but wasn't active this season. In 1987, Koene played in the Dutch national team during the Chung Hua Tournament in Taiwan.

American Maurice DeConge has a professional background, including the Major League. In 2003, 2004 and 2005, DeConge pitched for Mr. Cocker HCAW, where he started this season as their Head Coach. In the end of May, DeConge stepped down as coach due to an internal conflict of interests, regarding the compilation of the coaching staff at that time after a 7-game losing streak.

Peter Barentsen (since 2002) and Theo Geerman (since last year) already are members of the Pioniers Coaching Staff.
(September 2)

...Patrick Beljaards (left) and... ...David Bergman... ...12-game winners Kinheim... (Photo: Marco Stoovelaar)

At Bussum, ADO defeated Mr. Cocker HCAW 4-1 to win their season-series 4-1 and move within two points in the race for the remaining Play-Off spot. When ADO also wins on Sunday, they will qualify for the Play-Offs, based on the results of the games played between the two teams.
ADO lost centerfielder Harvey Monte in the second inning with an ankle-injury, but it was diagnosed that it wasn't as severe as initially thought. Kalian Sams homered for ADO in the eighth inning.

At Rotterdam, DOOR Neptunus won 11-7 vs. Sparta/Feyenoord in the evening. Yuji Nerei had four basehits, including two doubles and a triple.

At Almere, Amsterdam Pirates committed eight errors, but won 6-4 in eleven innings vs. Instant Holland Almere '90. Trailing 4-1 in the eighth inning, Almere managed to come alongside, but went on to give up two runs in the eleventh inning.
Early in the game, veteran Almere-pitcher René Rijst was honored for his 25-year career in the Dutch big league. He needs one game to reach the 700-mark.
(September 2)

The complete recaps are in the making.
Line Scores & Box Scores

...René Rijst... ...700 games... (Photo: Marco Stoovelaar)

At Haarlem, Corendon Kinheim completed a 3-game sweep vs. Konica Minolta Pioniers and won 9-2.
Kinheim-rookie Jean-Paul Gulinck gave up only three hits in seven innings and won his fourth game.

At Amsterdam, Instant Holland Almere '90 shutout Amsterdam Pirates 5-0. Winning pitcher Forstin Coenraad threw a 6-hit shutout in his first complete game of the season.
Almere-veteran René Rijst appeared as pinch-hitter in the eighth inning to play in his 700th career game, while Pirates' first baseman Ralph Lagas played in his last game of his career, as he is retiring.
Rijst became the fourth player in history to reach the 700-game mark. The other are Marcel Joost (859), Marlon Fluonia (755) and Marcel Kruyt (700).

At Rotterdam, the game between Sparta/Feyenoord and DOOR Neptunus was canceled because of field conditions due to rain and was re-scheduled for Monday-evening.
Neptunus also will play a make-up game on Tuesday vs. ADO and will open the Play-Offs on Saturday at home vs. Pioniers. A make-up game vs. Almere '90 has not yet been scheduled.
(September 3)

The complete recaps are in the making.
Line Scores & Box Scores

The logo mentions the name 'Holland Series' and the year, accompanied by the word 'honkbal', which is the Dutch translation for 'baseball'.
In the lower lefthand-corner, part of a baseball is visible besides the colors of the Dutch national flag: red, white and blue. Below that is a space which will be filled when the two finalists are known.
In the top righthand-corner, the logo of the KNBSB is visible.

The 2006 Holland Series-logo will be used by the KNBSB in all official releases and reports regarding the post-season. Besides that, the clubs and news media also can use the logo.

There also will be a logo for the Softball Holland Series, which will be unveiled soon.
(September 3)

...Wim Martinus... (Photo: Marco Stoovelaar)

...Adonis Kemp... (Photo: Ton van Elewout)

Adonis Kemp played in the Dutch big league in 1987 and from 1989-2002 (15 seasons) for three different teams. While playing for Sparta (1987, 1989-1990), ADO (1991-1994; 2000-2002) and Neptunus (1995-1999), he appeared in 551 big league games.
From 1993-2000, Kemp was a member of the Dutch National Team, appearing in 48 official games. With the national squad, he participated in the 1996 Olympic Games, the 1994 World Cup, three European Championships, two Haarlem Baseball Weeks and two World Port Tournaments, amongst other events.

After getting coaching experience on the baseball school of Dutch national team Manager Robert Eenhoorn where he coached the junior-team of the Unicorns, Kemp made his coaching debut as the Head Coach of DOOR Tridents, the second team (farm team) of DOOR Neptunus, in 2005. This season, he guided the young team of Tridents to the national title in the First Division.

It marks the second time that Kemp succeeds Martinus and the second time that the Head Coach of Tridents moves to Sparta/Feyenoord. In 2005, Kemp succeeded Martinus with Tridents, when the latter went to Sparta/Feyenoord.
As Neptunus and Sparta/Feyenoord have a working agreement, it meant that both teams reached a quick agreement to name Kemp as the candidate for the coachingjob with Sparta/Feyenoord. It is expected that some players of Tridents will follow their coach to his new club.

Sparta/Feyenoord on Monday also announced that its Japanese pitcher Satoru Fujii will return for his third season in Rotterdam in 2007.
(September 4)

In the first inning, Benjamin Dille homered to open the score for Neptunus, which took a 3-0 lead in this at bat. Sparta/Feyenoord answered with four runs, but hereafter Neptunus scored six runs in the next two innings to take a decisive 9-4 lead.
There were 27 basehits in this game off six pitchers, including 15 by Neptunus.
(September 4)

The complete recap is in the making.
Line Score & Box Score

Neptunus collected 12 basehits, including four by Raily Legito (4-for-5), who moved into the leading position to become batting champion of the season. As Legito went 3-for-6 on Monday, he was 7-for-11 in the two make-up games two pass teammate Johnny Balentina, who went only 1-for-9 in the two games and dropped to third place. Balentina has one more chance of moving into the leaders position, as Neptunus has a make-up game left vs. Instant Holland Almere '90. But as Almere has to play a make-up game on Wednesday vs. ADO and the best-of-five Play-Offs open next Saturday, the final make-up game for Neptunus has not yet been scheduled and it is doubtful if it will be, as there is no time left to play.

ADO will probably miss Kalian Sams in Wednesday's game as well as coming weekend in the Play-Offs, as he injured himself (hamstring?) while running from first to third base on a double in the fourth inning and had to be replaced by a pinch-runner. ADO tonight also had to do without outfielder Harvey Monte, who sprained his ankle last weekend. His status is day-by-day, but he might play coming weekend.
Neptunus tonight played without Japanese outfielder Yuji Nerei, who left yesterday's game with a leg-injury after hitting himself on the shin with a foul ball. Nerei probably will be available again in the Play-Off opener.
(September 5)

The complete recap is in the making.
Line Score & Box Score

On the last day, Umpire Edwin van den Berk worked on second base in the game between Nicaragua and Canada. This was Edwin's ninth game of the tournament.
Official Scorer Feiko Drost was assigned for the game between Dominican Republic and Venezuela. This was Feiko's eighth game. Feiko, who scored the opening game of the event between Cuba and Colombia, has been invited to be one of the international Official Scorers during the upcoming Intercontinental Cup Tournament in Chinese Taipei in November.
Technical Commissioner André Schrijber also did the game between the Dominicans and Venezuelans, which was his ninth game.
Jan Esselman, who was a member of the Technical Committee and worked one game as Commissioner, also has been invited for the Intercontinental Cup Tournament.
(September 5)

On Wednesday, 31 players were used in the game, including 18 by Almere. Both teams used ten pitchers combined, including five position-players. Of them, third baseman Marvin Bleij earned the win, while first baseman Percy Isenia made his pitching debut, threw one inning and earned a save.
ADO trailed 2-0 when its scored four runs in the sixth inning. A 2-run double by Adrian Anthony tied the score, then a sac-fly and a single gave ADO the lead and made a winning pitcher of Marvin Bleij, who had taken over in the top of the sixth. Shaldimar Daantji homered for Almere in the seventh, but ADO added two runs in home of the seventh to lift the lead to 6-3.
(September 6)

The complete recap is in the making.
Line Score & Box Score

DOOR Neptunus will add an extra arm to its pitching staff, as RHP Calvin Maduro will arrive on Saturday-morning.
Maduro last played in the Dutch big league in 2004 when he threw for Mr. Cocker HCAW. In nine games, the Aruban threw in 45 innings and struckout 36 batters. Maduro had a 5-1 record.
In 2003, Maduro made his debut in the Dutch national team during the World Championships in Cuba. Since then, he played seven official games, including two during the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens (Greece) and one earlier this year during the World Baseball Classic in Puerto Rico.
This season, Maduro pitched for the Bowie Baysox, the double-A team of the Baltimore Orioles. He threw in 24 games (one as a starter) and was 1-5. In 38 innings, the righthander struckout 47 batters. On June 9, he announced his retirement and threw his last game the next day. Maduro then joined the Aberdeen IronBirds (single-A Orioles) to become their Pitching Coach when their season started a few days later.
Maduro played professionally for 14 seasons in the organisations of the Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees. With the Orioles and Phillies, he threw in 68 games in the Major League in a period of five years and was 10-19.
During the transfer period of last year, Maduro came to Neptunus from HCAW.
Neptunus also confirmed that Japanese Outfielder Yuji Nerei, who hit a foul ball off his shin earlier in the week, will be available again to play.
Neptunus recalled infielder Rien Vernooy and outfielders Andy Leer and Edison Bito from DOOR Tridents and added them to their Play-Off roster.

Corendon Kinheim also added a player to its Play-Off roster. On Wednesday, infielder Vince Rooi returned after completing his minor league-season in the oragnisation of the Pittsburgh Pirates. On Thursday-evening, he practiced with the team and will be available to play in the weekend.
Vince Rooi made his Dutch big league-debut in 1998 when he played in eleven games with Amsterdam Pirates. It were to be his only games on the highest level, as he started his professional career the next year. After playing for seven seasons in the organisations of the Montreal Expos and Washington Nationals, he played in his first season in the Pittsburgh Pirates-organisation this year. In all those years, Rooi remained on the member list with Amsterdam Pirates, but never was able to join them later in the season. During the transfer period of last year, Rooi came to Kinheim from Pirates. Rooi played in 20 games for the Dutch National Team.
Kinheim also confirmed that outfielder Dirk van 't Klooster, who injured two ribs recently, will be able to play again coming weekend.

ADO might have to do without two of its most important players: Harvey Monte and Kalian Sams, both outfielders.
Monte injured his ankle last weekend, but was on the team practice on Thursday-evening. His status is day-by-day, so he might play. Sams, however, almost surely will not play. Last Tuesday, he had to be replaced in the make-up game vs. Neptunus with a leg-injury. It was diagnosed that he has a slight tear in his hamstring. ADO would have missed Sams after the weekend anyhow, as he is scheduled to travel to the USA to start his professional career.

Konica Minolta Pioniers reported no injuries. Recently, it added LHP Conrad Orman, the nephew of LHP Richard Orman, to its roster.
The team added catcher Bart Sabel and RHP Daan de Jong, both second team-players, to its Play-Off roster.
(September 7)

Complete Play-Off Rosters

KNBSB launches Play-Off Website
NIEUWEGEIN (Neth.) - With the start of the best-of-five Play-Offs, the Royal Dutch Baseball and Softball Association (KNBSB) launched a special (Dutch-language) website, focusing on the postseason. With this site, the KNBSB wants to generate even more interest for these interesting and exciting games, who are the highlight of the season. A site for the softball-postseason will be activated soon.
(September 8)

KNBSB-site www.playoffshonkbal.nl

The decision fell on the last day of the regular season and came despite Jeka ended it with a big victory. Playing at home in Breda, Jeka shutout Alcmaria Victrix, 12-0, which could have been enough. However, at Heerhugowaard, The Herons, which is in second-last place and also was in jeopardy of relegating, also won their last game. Playing at home, they beat Mr. Cocker HCAW 2, 3-2, to finish one point ahead of Jeka and secure its First Division-spot for next season. Because of the victory by The Herons, Jeka relegated.
(September 9)

At Haarlem, Corendon Kinheim won 6-1 vs. ADO, which committed four errors, leading to five unearned runs.
Kinheim-starter David Bergman gave up only five hits, while his colleague Rob Cordemans already faced a 4-0 deficit in the fourth inning. Only the first run was earned. The others followed after a dropped fly ball in the infield. A throwing error led to two runs in the eighth.
Offensively, Kinheim hit on the right moments and made some fine defensive plays.

At Rotterdam, Konica Minolta Pioniers scored ten runs in the last five innings vs. DOOR Neptunus to hand the reigning champion their second biggest defeat in their Play-Off history, 11-2. Their biggest loss came in 1997, when the lost 12-2 to....Pioniers, which went on to reach the Holland Series and win the title.
Dè Flanegin led off the seventh inning with a homerun to greet veteran Ken Brauckmiller, who had just come on in relief of starter Diegomar Markwell. Pioniers broke a 1-1 tie in the fifth when Norbert Lokhorst doubled and scored on a single by Michael Duursma. In the seventh, Lokhorst had an RBI-triple, while in the ninth inning, Mark Duursma hit a 3-run double to increase the lead to 11-2.
(September 9)

The complete recaps are in the making.
Line Scores & Box Scores

...Singer Wolter Kroes... ...throws out first ball... ...in Hoofddorp... (Photo: Marco Stoovelaar)

...Richard Orman (left) and Gregory Gustina... ...pitching duel in Hoofddorp... (Photos: Marco Stoovelaar)

At The Hague, Corendon Kinheim won 3-1 vs. ADO behind fine pitching of Patrick Beljaards, who struckout nine and gave up seven hits in the 8-plus innings he threw. Michiel van Kampen pitched the ninth inning to earn a save.
Kinheim opened the score in the first inning on a single by Edward Illidge, who scored the second run in the sixth at bat. In the home sixth, ADO scored its run, but Kinheim the added an insurance run in the eighth on a single by Tjerk Smeets to make it 3-1.

At Hoofddorp, Dutch singer Wolter Kroes threw out the ceremonial first pitch, then an attractive and interesting pitching duel unfolded between lefthanders Richard Orman (Pioniers) and Gregory Gustina (Neptunus), won by Pioniers, 2-1.
Orman took a Perfect Game into the sixth inning, but then Jeroen Sluijter singled after the lefthander had retired the first 17 batters he faced. Gustina gave up his first basehit in the fourth when Dè Flanegin hit a pop-fly single between short and the outfield.
In the sixth inning, Pioniers scored twice on a 2-out, 2-run single by Glennsig Polonius just inside the third base foul-line. Neptunus answered with a run in the eighth on a double by Evert-Jan 't Hoen.
Neptunus might have add a run in the ninth, but then Johnny Balentina (who led off with a walk) tried to advance from first to third on a sac-bunt down the 1B line and was thrown out in a double play. The next two hitters followed with singles, then closer Dave Draijer ended the game with a strikeout.
(September 10)

The complete recaps are in the making.
Line Scores & Box Scores

On Monday-morning, outfielder Rogearvin Bernadina is scheduled to return home from the USA, where he finished his professional season.
Bernadina last played in the Dutch big league in 2002, appearing in eight games with Sparta/Feyenoord, going 6-for-29 and scoring three runs. In 2001, the outfielder made his big league-debut, playing in 25 games for Sparta/Feyenoord, from which he club came to Neptunus in last years transferperiod.
Since 2002, Bernadina is playing professionally in the organisation of the Montreal Expos, which last year became the Washington Nationals.

Neptunus also added Ingemar Rooijer to its team from DOOR Tridents, its First Division-farm team. Rooijer will serve as the team's bullpen-catcher.
On Sunday, it was also confirmed that RHP Calvin Maduro will start in Game Three on Tuesday-evening. Maduro arrived in Rotterdam on Saturday-morning after returning from the USA.
(September 10)

Complete Play-Off Rosters

At Haarlem, Corendon Kinheim will start with RHP Duko Jansen in the third game vs. ADO, which confirmed that Japanese righthander Akira Okomato will take the mound. Kinheim leads the Series, 2-0.

At ROtterdam, RHP Calvin Maduro will start for DOOR Neptunus in its third game vs. Konica Minolta Pioniers, which will start with LHP Conrad Orman. In this Series, Pioniers is leading, 2-0.

When the Play-Offs are decided on Tuesday-evening, the Holland Series will indeed be moved upward. But it is not yet decided when the final will start in this case, as both Saturday-afternoon and Friday-evening are being mentioned.
When ADO and Neptunus win on Tuesday, the Play-Off of course will continue with Game Four on Saturday and Game Five (if needed) on Sunday. In this case, the Holland Series will open on Thursday-evening, September 21.
(September 11)

Complete Recaps, Line Scores & Box Scores

Pioniers, which leads the series 2-1, will start with Richard Orman, the winner of Game Two last Sunday, while Neptunus named Diegomar Markwell, the losing pitcher of Game One on Saturday.
When Pioniers wins next Saturday, it will clinch a spot in the Holland Series. When Neptunus wins, a fifth and deciding game will follow on Sunday in Rotterdam. No starters have been named for an eventual fifth game, as both teams confirmed that they will have all pitchers available for Saturday's game and use them when needed.
The winner of this Play-Off will face Corendon Kinheim, which qualied last Tuesday. The Holland Series open on Thursday, September 21.
(September 14)

Game Recap, Line Score & Box Score
Standings, Scores & Schedule
Play-by-Play Game Four

Kinheim sends RHP David Bergman to the mound for the opener on Thursday-evening, when the plays at home. On Sunday, LHP Patrick Beljaards will start in Game Two, which will be played in Hoofddorp.
The starter for the third game, to be played again in Haarlem and already starts at 1:00 PM, has yet to be announced and partly depends on who is needed in relief in the first two games.

Pioniers named LHP Conrad Orman as its starter for the opener on Thursday. This is the only possibility for the lefthander to throw, as he will return to the USA on Friday. There, he will re-join the Baltimore Orioles-organisation to play in the Instructional League.
LHP Richard Orman will start in Game Two, RHP Roger Kops is scheduled to throw Game Three on Sunday. As mentioned, Sunday's game will start at 1:00 PM and that has to do with live TV-coverage by the NOS. The eventual fifth game on Sunday, October 1, also will start at 1:00 PM.

All games can be followed on this site with a Live Play-by-Play.
(September 19-20)

Complete Holland Series Rosters

Holland Series Website launched
NIEUWEGEIN (Neth.) - As was done during the Play-Offs, the Royal Dutch Baseball and Softball Association (KNBSB) also created and launched a special website for the Holland Series.
On this site, www.hollandserieshonkbal.nl, there is news about the Series, as well as the two participating teams.
(September 19)

...Patrick Vielvoye... (Photo: Marco Stoovelaar)

After the game played on May 27, then-Pitching Coach Cliff Foster asked to be relieved of his duties to concentrate more on his own pitching. In the days thereafter, it was decided that Patrick Vielvoye was to join the coachingstaff of then-Head Coach Maurice DeConge. However, DeConge stated he wasn't consulted about the addition and had no confidence in the new construction, which came on a moment that a clubrecord-setting seven game winning streak from the start of the season was followed by a seven-game losing streak and a scoreless tie game. Stating a conflict of interests with HCAW's General Manager Ron Jaarsma, DeConge stepped on June 1. The next day, Vielvoye was appointed new Head Coach. Foster, who also was active as a pitcher, later resumed duties as Pitching Coach, but was released later in the season. But, the players also reacted to the moves in the coaching staff and part of them initially didn't want to play on June 3. Eventually, about 20 minutes before game time, they took the field, but Pitcher Patrick de Lange and Catcher Nick Fridsma left the team.

In the remainder of the season, HCAW had its ups and downs, but it was almost clear that they wouldn't reach the Play-Offs. But when ADO got eight points subtracted for using an in-eligible player, HCAW suddenly was back in the race. However, in the final weekend of the season, ADO swept HCAW in a 3-game series to reach the Play-Offs after all, leaving HCAW empty handed for the first time in 12 year. HCAW finished in fifth place with 19 victories. Under Vielvoye's guidance, the team was 11-13-1 since he made his debut on June 3. Roy Berrevoets filled in as interim-coach twice (due to work commitments of Vielvoye) and was 1-1.
(September 21)

Game Recap, Line Score & Box Score
Complete Play-by-Play Game One
Holland Series Website KNBSB

...Jurjen van Zijl... (Photo: Ron Wicklert)

Jurjen van Zijl came to HCAW after the 2004 season when he pitched for UVV in the Second Division. In his rookie season, Van Zijl finished with a 5-1 record, this season he was 3-3 for HCAW, which had a stormy season and missed the Play-Offs for the first time in 12 year. Van Zijl was used both as a starter and reliever in his two seasons with HCAW. In his first season, he appeared in nine games (six as a starter) and struckout 28 batters. This season, the righthander threw in 19 games, including 10 as a starter. He struckout 38 batters in 74 1/3 inning.

On July 8 of this year, Van Zijl made his national team debut, throwing the last 2 1/3 inning of the second game against Italy in the 6-game European Baseball Series, which was held for the first time. After this Series, Van Zijl didn't made the roster for the Haarlem Baseball Week, but currently practices with the national team and is a candidate to participate with the squad in the Intercontinental Cup-tournament, which is held in November in Chinese Taipei.
(September 22)

Game Recap, Line Score & Box Score
Complete Play-by-Play Game Two
Holland Series Website KNBSB

Game Recap, Line Score & Box Score
Complete Play-by-Play Game Three
Holland Series Website KNBSB

The (lefty) pitching match-up on Saturday will be the same as in Game Two last Saturday, which was won by Kinheim.
Kinheim sends LHP Patrick Beljaards to the the mound to face Pioniers' LHP Richard Orman.
Starters for an eventual fifth game have not been announced, as all pitchers will be available for the fourth game. When Pioniers wins, they will be Dutch champion and there will be no fifth game.

A live Play-by-Play will be available again on this site.
(September 28)

Holland Series Website KNBSB

Pioniers rallied for four runs in the fourth inning to take a 5-2 lead, but after scoring once in the sixth inning, Kinheim came back with three runs in the seventh at bat to win the game.

RHP David Bergman will start for Kinheim in Game Five, while RHP Roger Kops takes the mound for Pioniers.
(September 30)

Game Recap, Photos, Line Score & Box Score
Complete Play-by-Play Game Four
Holland Series Website KNBSB

Dutch Softball Women

Against Greece, the Dutch team had only one basehit, a lead-off single in the second inning by Sandra Gouverneur, who also walked twice. Only two more times, the Dutch reached base. After Gouverneur advanced on a sac-bunt in the second, Debbie Connor was walked intentionally, then Kinge Bouma reached on a fielder's choice.
Judith van Kampen started for the Dutch and was relieved by Rebecca Soumeru in the seventh, who added two basesloaded walks.

Because of the results so far, the Dutch team has been eliminated for the Play-Offs.
(September 1)

The Dutch team took a 2-0 lead in the fifth inning when Daisy de Peinder singled with two outs, followed by back-to-back doubles by Sandra Gouverneur and Debbie Connor.
Australia came back to tie the score with runs in the fifth and sixth at bat, but the Dutch then again scored twice in the seventh inning. With one out, Petra van Heijst walked, then Sandra Gouverneur hit a homerun to make it 4-2.
Kristi DeVries went the distance and gave up five hits.
(September 2)

There are three weekends left, before the best-of-five Play-Offs are scheduled to open on Friday, September 29.
When the Play-Offs are going the distance, the best-of-five Holland Series will start on Friday, October 13. If all five games are needed in this final, the last game is scheduled to be played on Sunday, October 22, which will be the latest date ever to play a championship game. After that date, there are only nine days left, before the transfer period ends at midnight on October 31.
On Saturday, Twins can become the third team to secure a spot in the Play-Offs. Sparks Haarlem and A4 Terrasvogels, who will meet each other on Saturday, already qualified earlier.
Twins is playing twice vs. Birds, which is currently in last place. A double loss also might seal the fate of this team, leading to relegation to the First Division.

In the First Division, league-leader Amsterdam Pirates is playing a double-header on Saturday vs. last-placed Storks, while Gryphons, which is in second place, meets number three Koldijk Elektrotechniek Almere '90. When the combination is right, Pirates could claim the championship title on Saturday to promote back to the Major League.
(September 8)

On the other hand, DSC and Euro Stars also remain theoretical candidates to finish in seventh place. The team in that spot has to play a promotion/relegation best-of-five Play-Off against the number two of the First Division. In the cellar of the league, Centrals and Birds are the two remaining teams to finish in eighth place, which means direct relegation to the First Division. Birds can only avoided this by winning all four remaining games, but then Centrals has to go winless in the remainder of the season. In that case, Birds and Centrals will end in a tie and meet in an one-game Play-Offs to decide who will relegate directly and who will have to play the relegation Play-Off. Next Saturday, Birds will meet reigning champion Sparks Haarlem and will relegate when it is losing one game.

At Santpoort, A4 Terrasvogels shutout Euro Stars 10-0 on Tuesday-evening in only 4 1/2 inning. Terrasvogels rallied for six runs in the first inning. After Sandra Gouverneur scored the first run, Olga Kleinlooh, Dana Horeman and Annemiek van Riessen all scored on an one-out triple by Linda Hoenderdos, which hightlighted the inning. In her second at bat in the inning, Gouverneur added a 2-run double. In the fourth, Terrasvogels scored four more runs.
Euro Stars had only two basehits off starter Kirsten Scheele, who threw three innings. Judith van Kampen threw in the fourth and fifth and retired six batters in a row, ending the game with a strikeout for pinch-hitter Kris Spierings, who made her big league-debut.

At Zoetermeer, Crissy Autry threw a 5-inning Perfect Game, as Sparks Haarlem shutout Birds, 12-0. Autry struckout eleven of the 15 batters she faced. Only one batter, Michelle van Driel was able to hit the ball into the outfield, but she was thrown out on first base by the rightfielder in the third inning.
Leading 2-0, Sparks rallied for seven runs in the third inning. Noémi Boekel and Mariska Greve then scored on a triple by Chantal Versluis. Later in the inning, Lynn Geertman added a 2-run single. In the fifth, Sparks added three runs, including two on RBI-triples by Marloes Fellinger and Kinge Bouma.
(September 12)

...Ton van Koeverden... (Photo: Dennis Duin)

Reigning champion Sparks Haarlem announced that Peter van der Aart will be their Head Coach in the new season. He will succeed Bas Langezaal, who is in his second season as Head Coach with the team and is assisted by Johan Kluijskens, whom he succeeded after the 2004 season.
Van der Aart, who has been a board executive for DSC '74 the last years, will be assisted by Frank van der Sanden. In the past, Van der Aart has been the Head Coach for DSC '74.

Van der Peijl DSC '74 announced that Ton van Koeverden will return next year for his second season as their Head Coach. It will mark his third year with the club, as he was Assistant Coach of Glyniss Kenepa last season.
Current Assistant Coach Carolien Theunissen, who succeeded Van Koeverden when he became Head Coach, confirmed that she will not return. A successor has not yet been named.

Sparks Haarlem is currently in second place, but qualified for the Play-Offs, which will open on Friday, September 29. DSC '74 only has a theoretical chance left to reach the final-four.
(September 14)

Pirates returns to big league
AMSTERDAM (Neth.) - Amsterdam Pirates on Saturday won 7-6 in their opener vs. Van der Peijl DSC '74 2 to win the First Division-title and promote back to the big league, from which it relegated last season.
Pirates led 5-0 in the opener, then committed five errors, resulting in a 6-5 deficit, but came back to win after all. The winning run was scored in the seventh inning with two outs when Madelon Bronner scored on a single by Montana van Maris.
More later.
(September 16)

,,When there is no confidence, you don't want to continue'', Langezaal said in the article. On Wednesday-evening, the group of players requested a meeting with their coach, but that didn't happen, as Langezaal resigned. There already was an earlier conflict of interest between the players and the coach. And a disappointing European Cup-tournament also contributed to the problems. A meeting followed and that appeared to be successful, but after last weekend's double-header against Birds, things went wrong again. ,,There was no confidence anymore'', team-captain and national team-player Lynn Geertman is saying in the Haarlens Dagblad article.

Johan Kluijskens, who was Langezaal's assistant coach this season, will be the acting Head Coach in the remainder of the season. Sparks Haarlem is currently in second place and is one of four teams that will participate in the Play-Offs, which start next Friday-evening.
Kluijskens didn't coach last season, but in 2004 was the team's Head Coach, leading them to both the Dutch title and capturing the European Cup. In 2005, Langezaal succeeded Kluijskens, who this season returned as his assistant.
(September 22)

As a result, Terrasvogels will play in the best-of-five Play-Offs vs. Computer SOS Tex Town Tigers, which finished in fourth place and will play in the Play-Offs for the first time.
Sparks Haarlem will play against third placed Twins in the semi-finals, which are opening next Friday in Santpoort and Haarlem respectively. The Play-Offs continue in the weekend.

This marks the sixth time in the last ten years and third in a row that Terrasvogels finished in first place in the regular season. In this span, Terrasvogels won the Dutch title three times from 1998-2000. Since 2001, Sparks Haarlem won the title four times in the last five years, including the last two.
(September 23)

KNBSB-site www.playoffssoftbal.nl

At Santpoort, Terrasvogels won 7-0 vs. Computer SOS Tex Town Tigers on a 3-hitter by Kirsten Scheele.
Terrasvogels had eight basehits, including two doubles by Sandra Gouverneur and a lead-off triple in the sixth by Nicole Wessels, that started a 4-run rally to end the game. Dana Horeman had three RBI's.

At Haarlem, Sparks Haarlem needed an extra inning to hand Twins an 1-0 loss in its opener. Sparks, which left 16 runners behind, scored the winning run in the home eighth on an one-out single by Lynn Geertman.
Winning pitcher Crissy Autry struckout ten batters and gave up only one basehit.
(September 29)

Recaps, Line Scores & Box Scores

At Enschede, Terrasvogels trailed 1-0 after the first inning vs. Computer SOS Tex Town Tigers, then came alongside in the fourth inning on an error.
In the fifth, Terrasvogels took a 2-1 lead when Nicole Wessels homered, then added a run in the sixth inning.

At Oosterhout, Sparks Haarlem again needed an extra win to win against Twins, but this time scored more than one run. With the score tied, 2-2, Sparks scored seven runs in the eighth and went on to win 9-3.
Sparks had 13 hits, including three by Noémi Boekel and Chantal Versluis.
(September 30)

Recaps, Line Scores & Box Scores

Dutch Softball Men

At Haarlem, the two teams that last week won a European Cup met each other. DeMo EHS, which won the CupWinners Cup, defeated Storks, which had captured the European Cup. EHS won 6-2 and 3-2.
In the opener, EHS trailed 2-0 when it scored three runs in the fourth inning on a triple by Jeffry Visser, a wild pitch and a single by Michel Groenhart. EHS then added three more runs in the fifth at bat when Anthony Beaumont hit a 3-run homerun.
In the second game, EHS again trailed 2-0 and came alongside in the third inning on a single by Darren Davies and a grounder by Michel Groenhart. EHS broke the 2-2 tie when Anthony Beaumont hit a walk-off homerun in the seventh inning to win 3-2.

At The Hague, Kokolishi won 7-5 and 7-3 vs. Centrals.
In the first game, Kokolishi led 3-2 when it added four runs in the fourth inning on three hits and an error. Centrals came back with three runs in the fifth, but Kokolishi hold onto the lead.
In Game Two, Kokolishi broke a 3-3 tie in the fourth inning on a single by Aldric Dunlop, then took more distance in the next three at bats by adding three runs on a grounder by Enio Kwas and a single by Eugene Martha.
(September 2)

Line Scores & Box Scores

At De Bilt, Kokolishi lost the opener 8-7, the won the next game, 11-9. Last weekend, Kokolishi opened with two victories.
At The Hague, Storks won twice comfortably, 10-1 and 7-0, vs. EHS, to bring their series to a 2-2 tie after having lost the first two games last week. The deciding Game Five will be played on Sunday in Haarlem.
More later.
(September 9)

Line Scores & Box Scores

Line Score & Box Score

Line Scores & Box Scores

Line Scores & Box Scores

In the opener, winning pitcher Ed Hoet struckout ten batters and threw a 3-hitter, but trailed 3-1 in the fourth inning. In the home fourth, Storks came alongside when Tim Verbrugge tripled and scored on a single by Bob Bik, who himself scored on a sac-fly. After both teams scored once in the fifth inning, Storks scored three runs in the sixth at bat to decide the game. With Lars Op den Brouw (double) and Joost Droog (hit by pitch) on base and two outs, Kenny Dame hit a 3-run homerun to give Storks a 7-4 lead.

In the second game, Ed Hoet pitched again and this time gave up only two basehits. Storks had eleven basehits off three pitchers, including three by Rob van der Vlist. Storks decided the game early, scoring four runs in the first inning, then three more in the second at bat, which was highlighted bu RBI-triples by Joost Droog and Ed Hoet.

In the Play-Offs, Storks came back after losing the first two games against DeMo EHS to win the next three games and reach the Holland Series.
In the regular season, Storks finished in fourth place. It is the second time in history that a team that finished fourth captures the Dutch title. The first time was in 2001 and back then, it also was Storks that accomplished the feat. In that year, Storks also eliminated first placed EHS in the Play-Offs, then defeated TIW-Survivors in the Holland Series.
(September 23)

Final Standings & Scores
Line Scores & Box Scores

Cuba had only four basehits, but all were extra-basehits, including homeruns by Alexander Mayeta, Ariel Pestano and Yulieski Gourriel. The fourth was a double by Frederich Cepeda.
Mexico had only three hits, including two off starter Frank Montieth, who threw eight innings. Pedro Luis Lazo threw the ninth inning for the Cubans.

Moments later, the USA became the second team to qualify for the Olympics after beating Panama, 11-5.
Two years ago, the USA, which is managed by former Dutch Team Coach (and interim manager) Davey Johnson, missed the Olympics in Athens after being eliminated by Mexico the year before.
(September 3)

In 1999 and 2000, the Mets also played in tge postseason, but then won the National League Wild Card. In 2000, the Mets won the National League-title and went on to play in the World Series against the New York Yankees. Another Subway Series is possible this season.

Besides winning the title, the Mets also set a single season attendance-record on Monday with 3.087.648. The old record dates from 1988.
(September 19)

In the final, the USA broke a scoreless tie in the sixth inning on back-to-back homeruns. With one out, Natasha Watley reached on a bunt-single, then Jessica Mendoza homered. Next batter Crystl Bustos also homered to make it 3-0. Pitcher Cat Osterman threw a one-hitter after also having thrown in the first game of the day. Osterman struckout 24 batters in the two games combined.

In the bronze medal game, Australia took a 1-0 lead on a 2-out homerun by Stacey Porter, but that was to be their lone run. USA turned the game around and took the lead. In the sixth, Crystl Bustos hit a 2-run homerun. Bustos and Jessica Mendoza both went 3-for-4, the both hit 2-for-3 in the final. Last season, Mendoza played briefly for A4 Terrasvogels in the Dutch big league and participated with the team in the European Cup Tournament.

In the game for fifth place, Canada shutout Italy, 3-0 on a No-Hitter. With this, Canada qualified for the 2008 Olympic Games, as host China finished in fourth place. USA, Japan and Australia also secured itself of the Olympics. Italy and The Netherlands can qualify for the Olympics in next years Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Europe and Africa. That event probably will be organized by Italy, which is highest finished European team in the World Championships.
(September 5)

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