(Story & Photos by Marco Stoovelaar)
 Heavy rain ends 'key-game' between Terrasvogels and Sparks Haarlem
Nederlands
 SANTPOORT-ZUID (Neth.) -
The first of two weekly games between Terrasvogels and Oolders Omaco Sparks Haarlem on Tuesday-evening (June 6) was halted in the bottom of the fifth inning due to heavy rain.
As the home trailed 1-0, the game was invalid and has to be replayed in its entirety.
The game has been re-scheduled for Saturday, June 17.
The second game is scheduled for Thursday-evening.
The two games were originally to be played as a double-header in August, but were move forward, as both Terrasvogels and Sparks Haarlem then will participate in the European Premiere Cup-tournament in Haarlem.
Tuesday was a stormy day, which is rare in June.
At the coast, the wind force was 9 Bft at some moments.
Besides that, there also was rain, sometimes heavy.
With that, it was very questionable whether or not he game could be played.
It was reported that the rain had stopped in the morning at the home site of Terrasvogels and the field was very playable.
And so, the game was to begin at 8 PM.
During pre-game preparations, the sky darkened with thunder clouds building.
While rain and lighthning was predicted, there was a chance that the game could be played.
But it remained questionable whether a complete game could be played.
Another problem arose during the preparations for the game.
A week ago, there had been a burglary at the site of Terrasvogels.
One of the items missing was the key of the umpire's lockerroom.
Last Saturday, during the home games against FysioExpert Olympia Haarlem, the umpires used another lockerroom.
As it was the Pentecost-weekend, not everyone was reachable on Whitsunday and Whit Monday.
With that, it apparently was not possible to get a spare key on the field in time for tonight's game.
That key was picked up during the pre-game activities and arrived shortly before 8 PM at the field.
With that, the start of the game was re-schedulef for 8:30 PM.
When the game went underway, it got darker and darker, which resulted in two early interruptions.
In the first inning, both teams got into scoring position.
With one out in the top of the first inning, Anne Blaauwgeers singled for Sparks Haarlem, stole second base and reached third base on a wild pitch.
With two outs, Karin Tuk walked, but the two were left behind.
In the bottom of the first inning, with two outs, Lizzie Clarijs doubled and Suka Van Gurp walked, but they also stranded.
Maaike Blaauwgeers led off the top of the second inning with a bunt-single.
Hereafter, the umpires sent everyone off the field, as lightning had become visible.
The game resumed after eight minutes and Sparks Haarlem got a second baserunner when Jenny Kinburn reached on a fielder's choice.
The two moved on a sacrifice bunt by Onaisha Franka, but Terrasvogels-starter Dani Bonnet also struckout two batters.
When the bottom of the second inning was about to start, another delay followed, again due to lightning.
In the meantime, it also had started to rain and so, it now was very questionable whether or not the game could continue.
But the game did continue and Sparks Haarlem opened the score in the top of the third inning.
Anne Blaauwgeers led off with a triple, then Maxime van Dalen walked and stole second base.
Another delay followed, this time a brief one due to rain.
With one out, Blaauwgeers scored on a single by Virginie Anneveld, who stranded on second base herself.
Sparks Haarlem was retired in order in the fourth inning.
In the bottom of the third, Dervisa Mutic reached base for Terrasvogels with one out on a strikeout-wild pitch.
The inning ended when Kimberly Jones lined out to pitcher Ginger de Weert, who then completed a double play.
In the top of the fifth, off of new pitcher Micaela Whitney, Sparks Haarlem got into scoring position again.
She gave up a lead-off single to Anne Blaauwgeers (who was 3-for-3), which was followed by an error.
After Blaauwgeers had stolen third base, she tried to score on a grounder by Maxime van Dalen, but was eliminated at the plate in a double play.
In the bottom of the fifth, Jessica Waasdorp led off for Terrasvogels with a single.
The game was then interrupted for a fourth time, again due to rain.
That delay lasted only two minutes, but then heavy rainshowers (accompanied by lightning) blanketed the field, resulting in the definitive cancellation of the game.
Only three outs were needed to have a valid game.
It also would have been valid when Terrasvogels would have had the lead or had come alongside.
But heavy rain made an end to this 'key'-game.
(June 6)
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Game started 30 minutes later than scheduled due to missing of key to umpire's locker room.