Corendon Kinheim
The preview of Corendon Kinheim originally was planned as the fifth episode of the series, but was switched with ADO, as Kinheim's new Head Coach Ben Thijssen was in Puerto Rico as a member of the coachingstaff of the Dutch National Team during the World Baseball Classic. And, of course, Grand Slam * Stats & News wants to talk with the Head Coach for the preview.

Last season, Kinheim finished in fifth place, only two points behind fourth placed Sparta/Feyenoord, which surprisingly reached the Play-Offs. Kinheim last Play-Offs appearance was in 2004, but then, just as in 2001 and 2002, the team was eliminated by Mr. Cocker HCAW. In 1998, 1999 and 2000, Kinheim also qualified for the Play-Offs, but was eliminated for the final everytime. The last time, Kinheim played in the Holland Series was in 1996, the last they won the Dutch title was in 1994.

...Johnny Balentina... (Photo: Marco Stoovelaar)

After last season, eight players left the team, including four pitchers. RHP and Closer Richard Beljaards (1.13, 0-1, 9 SV) remains active, but will not play on the big league-level, RHP Jerry Breek (5.25, 0-0, 0 SV) and RHP Forstin Coenraad (3.04, 3-5, 0 SV) went to Instant Holland Almere '90 and LHP Gregory Gustina (2.14, 5-3, 2 SV) was acquired by DOOR Neptunus.
Utility-player Roderick Simon (.255, 13 RBI, 0 HR) this season will play for Amsterdam Pirates, while 2B Randy Daal (.208, 5 RBI) also moved to Almere '90.
Veteran Outfielder/Catcher Johnny Balentina (.277, 23 RBI, 1 HR) returned back to Neptunus and OF Lejeune Francisca (.236, 4 RBI) returned to Curaçao.
Infielder Jaap Klaver (.100, 0 RBI), who appeared in 11 games, is on the roster of Vreeburg Kinheim, the second team of the club in the First Division. In mid-season, Kinheim last season added venezuelan 1B Rolando Martínez (.219, 1 RBI), but he was cut after nine games.

Kinheim acquired seven new players. Last years league-leading hitter and Most Valuable Player Dirk van 't Klooster (.403, 34 RBI, 5 HR) came to Kinheim from DOOR Neptunus and is a great addition for the club. This is not the first time Dirk plays in this area, as he made his big league-debut with Amsterdam Pirates and played three seasons for nearby RCH, before moving to Neptunus for the 2000 season.
In the pitchingstaff, Kinheim added RHP David Bergman (1.44, 6-4, 0 SV) and RHP and Closer Michiel van Kampen (1.05, 1-2, 6 SV), who last season respectively played for Konica Minolta Pioniers and Instant Holland Almere '90.
Catcher Tjerk Smeets (.326, 14 RBI, 3 HR) came to Haarlem from Amsterdam Pirates, while Infielder Roel Koolen (.253, 15 RBI, 1 HR) also left Neptunus.
Another newcomer is 3B Vince Rooi, who last season was on the roster with Amsterdam Pirates, but didn't play, as he was playing professionally in the USA, which he will do again this season. But the move makes him eligible to play for Kinheim.
About two months ago, a former player rejoined the club, being Jeffrey Verbij. Initially, he retired after the 2003 season and went to Australia, but he returned and now will be a fulltime player again for Kinheim.

The coaching staff of Kinheim completely changed. Dave Daniels begun the 2005 season as Head Coach, but halfway the season, he resigned and was replaced by his assistant Louis Hofer, who finished the season. Tim Keuter was the Pitching Coach and after the coaching change, Johnny Balentina also contributed in the coaching and assisted with the weekly practices.
New Head Coach this season is Ben Thijssen, who was the 3B Coach with Dutch champion DOOR Neptunus the last four seasons. Marcel Joost, who is an all-time recordholder in various offensive categories, will be the Bench Coach and Hitting Coach. In 2004, Joost was to assist Daniels as a coach, but there was a separation before the season started and Joost went to coach Kinheim-2. Recently, Joost was added to the coachingstaff of the Dutch National Team as the Hitting Coach for the Haarlem Baseball Week. Former Kinheim-pitcher Eelco Jansen will be the Pitching Coach. Last year, he made his big league-debut in that capacity with Amsterdam Pirates, after he had retired as an active player the year before with DOOR Neptunus.

Outlook 2006

Pitching

...Starters RHP David Bergman (left)... ...and LHP Patrick Beljaards... (Photos: Marco Stoovelaar)

Lefthander starter Patrick Beljaards (1.89, 7-6, 0 SV) will be joined in the starting rotation by RHP David Bergman, who came over from Konica Minolta Pioniers. When the series are expending from two to three games, the probable third starter will be RHP Duko Jansen (3.63, 4-6, 0 SV). ,,In the beginning of the season, Duko will be used in relief'', Head Coach Ben Thijssen explains. ,,But when we go to three games, he will be the third starter. Of course, he can start earlier, but that depends how the other two are doing.''
Besides Jansen, Thijssen also has RHP Jimmy van der Veldt (4.81, 1-1, 0 SV) and RHP Jeffrey Verbij in the bullpen.
Newcomer RHP Michiel van Kampen will be the closer. He also was the closer last season with Instant Holland Almere '90 and before with Mr. Cocker HCAW. In previous years, he also threw primarily in relief when he was with Minolta Pioniers, RCH and Amsterdam Pirates.
Jeffrey Verbij will make his comeback this season in the Dutch big league after a two year absence. Thijssen: ,,He already is in practice for two months now and we will primarily use him as a pitcher''. In the past, Verbij primarily played as an infielder at third base, but also at first and sometimes in the outfield. He also did some pitching sometimes, but in his last big league-season (2003), he walked 17 batters in only four innings. He struckout out and gave up one basehit. Verbij, who last played for Kinheim, but also played in the big league with Amsterdam Pirates and Hoofddorp Pioniers, hit .295 in his last season with 19 RBI's and two homeruns.
With only six pitchers, Ben Thijssen appears to have a small staff. Thijssen: ,,Yes, it might be small for a 3-game series, but it is enough for a 2-game series. That's why we are working closely together with our second team, so we can take additional pitchers to some games and be able to bring them in. When we go to three games, Jean-Paul Gulinck will be added to the team. He already is on the roster, but in the beginning of the season he primarily will throw in the First Division.'' Last season, lefthander Gulinck threw a No-Hitter in the First Division.

Catching
Tjerk Smeets, another newcomer, will be the leading catcher this season. He will be backed up by Wouter Heemskerk (.165, 11 RBI, 1 HR) and rookie Floris Morang (.182, 1 RBI, 5 games).
Thijssen: ,,We have three catchers, but during the exhibition games we also will play with Heemskerk and Morang on third base, as one of them will become the starting third baseman''.

Infield

Probable Line-Up 2006 Starters-LHP Patrick Beljaards, RHP David Bergman, RHP Duko Jansen Relievers-RHP Duko Jansen, RHP Jeffrey Verbij, RHP Jimmy van der Veldt, LHP Jean-Paul Gulinck Closer-RHP Michiel van Kampen C-Tjerk Smeets / Wouter Heemskerk / Floris Morang 1B-Edward Illidge / Robin Longhurst 2B-Roel Koolen 3B-Wouter Heemskerk / Floris Morang SS-René Cremer OF-Danny Rombley / Dirk van 't Klooster / Denny Beljaards / Quincy Bernardus DH-to be decided

Powerhitter Edward Illidge (.281, 22 RBI, 3 HR) is returning as the team's First Baseman and he will share the position with Robin Longhurst (.214, 11 RBI, 0 HR).
Roel Koolen will be new starting Second Baseman, replacing Randy Daal. Thijssen: ,,With Neptunus, Roel was the back-up infielder and utility and always had international players in front of him like Evert-Jan 't Hoen (2B), Jeroen Sluijter (3B) and Raily Legito (SS). Therfore, he was primarily used as the Designated Hitter. Be he really is a good fielder and has great hands.''
As mentioned, Catchers Wouter Heemskerk and Floris Morang will share the Third Base-position. Thijssen explains: ,,We have Vince Rooi on our roster, but he will play professionally in the States. And as long as he is playing there, we of course need a third baseman.''
Rooi played seven seasons in the organization of the Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals, but signed a new contract after last season with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Before the start of the World Baseball Classic, Rooi was on the roster and in training camp with the Dutch National Team. But he was one of the two last players to be cut from the team, before it headed to Puerto Rico for Round One. Rooi returned to Bradenton to join Spring Training with the Pirates and now awaites his assignment to a minor league-team.
René Cremer (.236, 9 RBI, 0 HR) is returning as the Short Stop.
Thijssen: ,,Our infield looks good''.

...Danny Rombley... (Photo: Marco Stoovelaar)

Outfield
For the outfield, Kinheim has four candidates: Danny Rombley (.278, 15 RBI, 2 HR), Dirk van 't Klooster, Denny Beljaards (.254, 12 RBI, 0 HR) and Quincy Bernardus (.189, 5 RBI, 0 HR).
Former pro Danny Rombley (he was a teammate of Vince Rooi with the minor league-teams of the Expos and Nationals) returned back to the Netherlands before last season and joined Kinheim.

...Dirk van 't Klooster... (Photo: Marco Stoovelaar)

Dirk van 't Klooster comes over from Dutch champion DOOR Neptunus and is a great addition to the Haarlem-based club. With Kinheim he will be working together again with Ben Thijssen, who the last four seasons was the 3B Coach with Neptunus. Last season, he not only was the league's Best Hitter, but was also named the Most Valuable Player.
Besides that, Van 't Klooster is closing in on the All-Time record of most international games played in the Dutch National Team. This currently is 163 games and being held by Marcel Joost, who this season will be the Bench Coach and Hitting Coach with Kinheim. This means that the current and future recordholder (probably) will be wearing a Kinheim-shirt when they set the record. Joost surpassed the old record also as a Kinheim-player. Van 't Klooster now has 144 after appearing in two games during the World Baseball Classic and needs 19 games to tie the record of Joost. Can he do it this year? That depends on the amount of international games the Dutch Team plays and of course if Manager Robert Eenhoorn will use Dirk in all those games. In July, the national team participates in the Haarlem Baseball Week. While the participating teams are not announced yet, there will be some international games (an international game is a game between two official national teams). In November, the Dutch Team will travel to Taiwan for the Intercontinental Cup, and there also are rumours of games being played against Italy. In theory, it could be possible that Dirk ties (or breaks) the record in Taiwan.
Thijssen: ,,Last season, Dirk again proved he is one of the best hitters in the league and even was the MVP. He brings a lot of experience and is a wonderful addition for the club. We haven't taken a decision yet who will play where in the outfield. I do have it in my mind, but in the exhibition play we want to see everyone play''.

Designated Hitter
No decision is made yet about a Designated Hitter.
Thijssen: ,,We have three players who who can do that. But we haven't played an exhibition game yet, so we haven't decided that yet''.

...Ben Thijssen... (Photo: Marco Stoovelaar)

General
Ben Thijssen: ,,With the new players, in principle, we acquired strength for this season. This immediately results in high expectations, also from the outside, that we will be a contender for the title, that doesn't comes that easy, but yes, we will go for it. You don't win games on paper, it has to be done on the field. It is up to us, the coaching staff and the players, to make something from this season and go for it. As a good player, you want to finish as high as possible. First, we have to reach the Play-Offs. That's our first goal. If you want to become champion, you first have to reach the Play-Offs, everythings starts with that. Don't you reach the Play-Offs, all will be over. In the season, you have to win the games to need to win. You have to win the series against the lesser teams and split or go 3-2 against the better teams.
Yes, this might seem a small selection and no, I don't expect any additional (foreign) players. But, I rather have a small selection so that everyone can play, instead of a big selection with 20 player which might result into problems. That's why it is so important to work closely with our second team and its Head Coach Peter Herkemij. Pitchers from the second team already practice together with the main squad, so if we eventually need one, in case of injuries or a tough series, we can call up these players. We can form ourself an image of them and help them develop. To educate these players, so they will reach the big league-level and can play in the league themselves in a few years.
Our strength this season is that we have a good mix of young and talented players together with experience. We have a good offense and speed, players who can run. Defensively, we are solid and I think we have the best outfield in the league.
Weaknesses? Maybe when we go to three games with six or seven pitchers. Time will learn. I have the utmost confidence in them that they will do the job. Of course, an additional arm is always welcome in a pitching staff, but I like my selection as it is at the moment.''

...Marcel Joost with the championship... ...trophy after retiring internationally... ...during the 2001 European... ...Championships in Germany... (Photo: Marco Stoovelaar)

Ben Thijssen was a member of the successful coachingstaff of DOOR Neptunus the last four years, coaching at third base. With the Rotterdam-club, he won the Dutch title in all those years. Besides that, he is the 3B Coach of the Dutch National Team. Now, he will be in charge of his own team, but this is not the first time, Thijssen is the Head Coach of a Dutch big league-team. In 1999, he coached Vitron Tilburg in its first and only season in the big league. The team (Ben played in six games himself) finished in ninth place with a 7-36 record and two ties, but secured its place in the big league for the 2000 season. However, Tilburg was confronted with a big loss of players and had to withdraw its team from the league.
Thijssen: ,,After having worked four years with Neptunus, this will be a great challenge to be the Head Coach with Kinheim. It's an ambition to do something like this. With Neptunus, we all worked very hard and everything was centered around to be the best and win as much as possible. With Kinheim, I want to bring over that culture of working hard to reach your goal. During the practice sessions you can see that already, there is an intensity, full of passion. And that only can gets better. I want to do my contribution to finish as high as possible.
I will coach myself not from the dug-out, but on third base, because I'm also doing that with the Dutch Team. So when you have such a position, you have to be on the field yourself, to keep the feeling, because as a 3B Coach you have to make split decisions. When you don't coach there, you might doubt yourself.
Marcel Joost will be the Bench Coach and Hitting Coach and Eelco Jansen is the Pitching Coach. We have a good communication within the staff and with the coaches of the second team.''

Last week, Ben returned with the Dutch National Team from Puerto Rico, where the team participated in the inaugural edition of the prestigious World Baseball Classic.
Thijssen: ,,That was a unique experience and is not comparable to a World Cup or whatever other tournament. This really is the Major League, everything is arranged greatly. Yes, this will be a complete change again after having worked outdoors daily for three weeks on top fields, great accomodations with fine weather, we could use every facility. Then you return and it's cold again and have to return indoors. We want to play very much, but then you learn from that municipality has informed the club that you can use the outfield and not the infield dirt because of the weather. So we now just hope that we will not more cancelations and that the weather will improve fast.
Yes, combining clubcoaching with the Dutch Team goes well. I have to travel more now, because now I have to go two times in the weekend over to the Haarlem and Amsterdam-area, instead of once, which I did with Neptunus, as I live in Rotterdam. But luckily the traffic jams are no so bad. On Monday, there is a training with the Dutch team. Of course, I'm getting a great cooperation from my family at the home front. If that conflicts with one or the other, I have to make decisions, it's that simple. We all want to perform our hobby as good as possible and in the Netherlands we want to professionalize it more, but at the moment I'm still having a regular daytime job of 40 hours per week.''

Who will reach the Play-Offs?
Thijssen: ,,I'm not making predictions. The coaching staff of Kinheim will take care of it that the team will be fully prepared and will do everything to make sure that we will capture one of the four spots. The others have to take care of it themselves. I think the entire league this season is unpredictable. It will be exciting. All clubs are balanced. I think it will be a fun competition.
Neptunus remains Neptunus, it doesn't matter that they lost several players. We will not underestimate any club, we will come to win. ADO looks good, as do HCAW and Almere, but don't erase Pirates or Sparta/Feyenoord. No one would have predicted that Sparta/Feyenoord would reach the Play-Offs last year, but they did. Especially the top teams are comparable. It will be unpredictable. Therefore, I make no predictions. Everything can happen.''

Corendon Kinheim opens the season at home vs. ADO in Haarlem on Saturday, April 15.
On Sunday, April 16, Kinheim will travel to The Hague for the road game against ADO.

Kinheim-related transfer stories
Changes in players at Neptunus. (October 11)
Four national team-players join Kinheim. (October 24)
Neptunus, Kinheim add active pros. (October 31)
Almere adds 10 new players. (October 31)
Pirates is mixing talent with experience. (October 31)

COMING UP IN PART SEVEN: AMSTERDAM PIRATES

other episodes:
Part One: DOOR Neptunus (January 16)
Part Two: Mr. Cocker HCAW (January 21)
Part Three: Konica Minolta Pioniers (February 5)
Part Four: Sparta/Feyenoord (March 2)
Part Five: ADO (March 11)
Part Seven: Amsterdam Pirates (March 27)
Part Eight: Instant Holland Almere '90 (April 11)

Mail your suggestions and questions to stoov@wxs.nl