Mr. Cocker HCAW
Last season, Mr. Cocker HCAW again ended up short in the Holland Series vs. DOOR Neptunus and lost the final for the record-setting fifth consecutive time.

...3B Jurjan Koenen... (Photo: Marco Stoovelaar)

Traditionally, there were few roster moves at HCAW, but the team had to say goodbye to two veterans: C Nick Fridsma (.237, 11 RBI) and 3B Jurjan Koenen (.268, 18 RBI), who both retired. American RHP Maurice DeConge (3-1, 2 SV, 1.86), who also was the team's Pitching Coach, also retired. Or didn't he? DeConge remained with the team, as he was named the new Head Coach, succeeding Bill Froberg, who already had announced his retirement during the season. Young RHP Loek van Mil (2-3, 0 SV, 5.26), who played in his first full season in 2005, signed a professional contract halfway the season and will start his first pro-season this year in the Minnesota Twins-organization. RHP Calvin Maduro, who played for HCAW in 2004 and was on the roster for 2005, also won't be back. Last year, he played professionally in the New York Yankees-organization and plans to have a contract again for this year. If not, he will pitch for DOOR Neptunus, as he moved to the Rotterdam-club during the transfer-period.

RHP Patrick de Lange (3-9, 0 SV, 3.52) returned to the club from Bussum after pitching one season for Instant Holland Almere '90 in 2005. De Lange has pitched eight seasons for HCAW after coming to the club from Amsterdam Pirates, where he had made his big league-debut. Early last year, De Lange decided to be not eligible anymore for the Dutch National Team.
Four more players from Almere joined De Lange to HCAW: RHP Kevin Roovers (0-5, 0 SV, 5.59), IF Bart Gabriëls (.218, 3 RBI), OF Siemen Korff (.231, 10 RBI) and OF/RHP Kenny Berkenbosch. The latter however will play professionally this season in the Florida Marlins-organization, but is available to pitch for HCAW when he returns.
Three young pitchers also opted to go to HCAW and are added to the winter roster: LHP Joey Eijpe, LHP Joep Meulendijks and RHP Mike Kolner. Meulendijks pitched in the First Division in 2005, playing for Gryphons. Eijpe (UVV) and Kolner (Giants) played on a lower level.

Besides these player moves, there were also changes in the coaching staff. Pitching Coach Maurice DeConge is the only member who returns and, as mentioned, will be the new Head Coach. American RHP Cliff Foster, who comes back to Bussum this year, will also serve as the new Pitching Coach, while veteran coach Chicho Jesurun is the Bench Coach. Jesurun has a long career in baseball, having been the Head Coach for ADO, Amsterdam Pirates and Almere '90 in the Dutch big league, as well as being an international scout for the Montreal Expos and Florida Marlins.
Besides last years Head Coach Bill Froberg, Bench Coach Clive Mendes also will not return in 2006, but remains with the HCAW-organization.

Outlook 2006

...Patrick de Lange... (Photo: Marco Stoovelaar)

Pitching

...Nick Stuifbergen... (Photo: Marco Stoovelaar)

New Head Coach Maurice DeConge has yet to decide who his starters will be for the upcoming season, but RHP Cliff Foster, RHP Jurjen van Zijl, RHP Nick Stuifbergen, RHP Jos de Jong and RHP Patrick de Lange are the prime candidates.
As of now, Cliff Foster (5-1, 10 SV, 2.14) and Jurjen van Zijl (5-1, 0 SV, 2.50) are two of the probable starters. Last season, Foster was the team's closer, while Van Zijl made a fine debut in his first big league-year. ,,Cliff probably will get a starting role this season, as he wants to make more innings'', DeConge said.
RHP Nick Stuifbergen (2-1, 1 SV, 2.09) suffered with arm problems last season and is working to get his arm back in shape. DeConge: ,,In the start of the season, he therefore might be better in relief''.
RHP Jos de Jong (5-4, 0 SV, 1.90) was one of the starters last season, but this year might be used as both a starter and reliever. DeConge: ,,He did OK starting, but his fatigue point always was at the same time as he passed the 70 pitches. So, were working on getting his arm stronger.''
RHP Patrick de Lange has been a starter almost his entire career, but might become HCAW's new closer in 2006. DeConge: ,,He will do a little starting, but he is interested in relieving and closing. I want to have experience in the beginning and the end and use younger guys in the middle''.
With the 'younger guys', DeConge mentiones newcomers LHP Joey Eijpe, LHP Joep Meulendijks and RHP Mike Kolner. DeConge: ,,They will get a taste of the big league. They are young pitchers with an ability to pitch. They have to learn the zone and throw strikes, but they have a potential for the future''.
LHP Jeroen Hubert (0-0, 1 SV, 13.50), who was added again to the roster late last season and appeared in two games, will be a full-time member of the bullpen this year. ,,We will use him when needed'', DeConge said. RHP Kevin Roovers also will be part of HCAW's coaching staff, but it isn't decided yet if he's being used as a starter or a reliever or both.
RHP Loek van Mil will make his professional debut this season and therefore currrently is a non-roster player, but remains eligible when he returns. DeConge: ,,Loek currently is in Australia, working with Cliff Foster and getting ready for Spring Training. It will be a different life for him.''
And what about the RHP Maurice DeConge himself? DeConge: ,,Of course, I will miss pitching myself. But I have not enough time to do regular practices myself and maintain my shoulder and knee, my old injuries. I still like to pitch and will throw batting practice. Yes, it could be possible that I will throw some myself, but only if needed and when I don't have pain.''

Catching
Veteran Sidney de Jong (.308, 21 RBI) returns behind the plate this season as the lead catcher, but also will see action at first base.
Utility Rodney Michel (.189, 4 RBI), who was used in different positions last season, will also be available as catcher, while another Utility Gino Henson is the back-up.

Infield
In the infield, HCAW has to do without experienced third baseman Jurjan Koenen. DeConge: ,,Third base is an open spot at the moment''. Utility players Rodney Michel and Gino Henson (.136, 8 RBI) might share the positions, but another candidate is newcomer Bart Gabriëls, who also will be available for other positions.

...Ralph Milliard... (Photo: Marco Stoovelaar)

Probable Line-Up 2006 Starters-RHP Cliff Foster, RHP Nick Stuifbergen, RHP Jurjen van Zijl Relievers-LHP Joey Eijpe, LHP Jeroen Hubert, RHP Jos de Jong, LHP Joep Meulendijks, RHP Kevin Roovers Closer-RHP Patrick de Lange C-Sidney de Jong / Rodney Michel 1B-Gino Henson / Sidney de Jong 2B-Dimitri Leon 3B-Rodney Michel / Gino Henson / Bart Gabriëls SS-Ralph Milliard OF-Ronald Jaarsma / Bas de Jong / Siemen Korff / Martijn Meeuwis / Rodney Michel / Jurriën Overman DH-to be decided

Gino Henson, who last season hinted he might retire, comes back for another year and will be the prime first baseman, backed up by Sidney de Jong.
Returning to second base is Dimitri Leon (.192, 8 RBI), who also will see action at short stop, especially during the period that the club cannot use regular SS Ralph Milliard (.275, 13 RBI, 1 HR). Another candidate for some infield action is Martijn Meeuwis (.186, 7 RBI), who played in the outfield last year. DeConge: ,,We might turn him into an infielder, we may try that during the exhibition games and see how he does.''
Ralph Milliard, who HCAW's lone homerun last season, will be the starting short stop again, but cannot play before May 28, as he has to sit down an 8 month suspension. During a test he underwent last July he had come out positive. Milliard always has stated he never took illegal substances. He was checked in December 2004 and April 2005 and both times came out negative. He also underwent different (international) controls before and always came out negative. The illegal substance was part of a medicine he took for a shoulder injury in June/July. Until Milliard returns, Leon will fill in at short.
Ralph's brother Allan Milliard (.091, 0 RBI), who appeared in six games last year, also is on the roster and will serve as an Utility Infielder.

Outfield
In the outfield, regulars Ronald Jaarsma (.213, 5 RBI) and Bas de Jong (.281, 5 RBI) will return. Last season, Jaarsma primarily was used as Designated Hitter because of a shoulder injury, but he's doing fine at the moment.
Newcomer Siemen Korff and Jurriën Overman (.296, 3 RBI), who made his debut last year, also will see action in the outfield.
Martijn Meeuwis and Rodney Michel might switch in centerfield and also be used as an infielder.
Bart Gabriëls, who mostly played in the infield, also is a candidate to play some part in the outfield.
DeConge: ,,We simply have to see what the options and possibilities are''.

Designated Hitter
As of now, it is not decided yet who will be the Designated Hitter.

...Maurice DeConge... (Photo: Marco Stoovelaar)

General
Maurice DeConge: ,,I would say, that we improved a little on the basics. We try to have a good mixture of older and younger players. Of course, we will miss the experience of Nick Fridsma and Jurjan Koenen, but we have young players who already have some experience. With Rodney Michel, Sidney de Jong, Gino Henson and Ralph Milliard we have good players in the infield and catching. They will show the way. Ralph and Sidney know things, they are the leaders.
There will be no too much difference comparing to last season, but the changing in approach on the field will be different, the team atmosphere. The biggest thing is that we must getting used to play more baseball. In mean with that not only in the the first or the ninth inning, but the entire game, from beginning to the end. Keeping the pressure on by playing more innings, not only in the last three.
We will have some young pitchers and new players who are getting used to each other. But the more practices we get in, the more comfortable they get. We will be hitting more in situation, moving the runners around, I want to improve on that. My goal is to add someting and give us an extra tool.
Being the Head Coach is fun. I know I can do it, I have a lot of experience to offer. When I was in College and in the Minor Leagues, I never was interested in coaching, I wanted to play. I made a promise to myself that as long as I was playing, I didn't want to coach. Yes, sometimes I have combined playing with being the pitching coach, like last season.
I want to reach the individual. To learn them the ability to read the habits of an opposing pitcher, like when he's getting tired or the negative things. In pro ball, I learned not to attention to single things. Players never change habits, you can see when they're struggling, then you owe them. You have to read players. That's baseball.''

Who will reach the Play-Offs?
DeConge: ,,Kinheim, HCAW and ADO will make the Play-Offs. The fourth team probably will be Pioniers.''

Mr. Cocker HCAW opens the season on the road against Instant Holland Almere '90 on Saturday, April 15.
HCAW's first home game will be on Sunday, April 16 when Almere comes to Bussum.

HCAW-related transfer stories
Maurice DeConge new Head Coach HCAW. (October 11)
De Lange returns to HCAW. (October 27)
Five Almere-players join HCAW. (October 27)
Neptunus, Kinheim add active pros. (October 31)

COMING UP ON WEDNESDAY PART THREE: KONICA MINOLTA PIONIERS

other episodes:
Part One: DOOR Neptunus (January 16)
Part Three: Konica Minolta Pioniers (February 4)
Part Four: Sparta/Feyenoord (March 2)
Part Five: ADO (March 11)
Part Six: Corendon Kinheim (March 19)
Part Seven: Amsterdam Pirates (March 27)
Part Eight: Instant Holland Almere '90 (April 11)

Mail your suggestions and questions to stoov@wxs.nl