IN MEMORIAM ...Ans Kroon... (1944 - 2025) (© Photo: Fotopersbureau De Boer/ Noord-Hollands Archief (Poppe de Boer))

Former Softball-great (catcher) and Coach Ans Kroon passed away
Nederlands

HAARLEM (Neth.) - Ans Kroon, who was a softball-icon as a player in the seventies and eighties in both the highest Dutch league as well as the Netherlands Softball Team, passed away on Thursday, August 21 at the age of 80. Ans Kroon also has been a coach of the National Team.

The memorial service for Ans Kroon will be held on Tuesday, August 26 at 2:45 PM in Het Ruiterhuys, located at the Heereweg 83 in Castricum.

Ans Kroon was born on November 10, 1944 in Haarlem. It was in this softball-city that Ans began her long softball-career, becoming a strong defensive catcher and powerful hitter, playing for DSS. In her playing-days, Ans Kroon was a fierce player and one of the three leading catchers of her era, alongside Elly Nijhuis (HHC) and Gerjanne Treuren (Terrasvogels).

While playing for DSS, she captured the Dutch Championship-title seven times.

After having retired as a player, Ans became a coach. She first led DSS in three seasons (1982-1984). Ans then was the Head Coach of Bloemendaal in 1986-1987, leading them to the title in her first season. During the 1988 season, Bloemendaal and Ans separated and she then joined the staff of HCAW for the remainder of the season. With, she captured another title.

In 1974, Ans was a member of the Netherlands Team that participated in a World Championship for the first time. Back then, the team was led by Nol Houtkamp.

In 1989 and 1990, Ans was the Assistant Coach of Diane Schumacher with the National Team.

In 1980, Ans was decorated by the Royal Netherlands Baseball and Softball Federation (KNBSB).

A more extended In Memoriam will be added soon.

The webmaster of Grand Slam * Stats & News offers his condolences to Ans' partner Elly, other family and friends and wishes them a lot of strength with this big loss.

(August 25)