Dutch Names Roster For Haarlem Week

The Dutch National Baseball Team has named a 26-man roster for the 24th edition of the Haarlem Baseball Week which will run from Friday, July 4th, through Sunday, July 13th.

The Organizing Committee granted teams permission to have more than the regular 24 players on the roster since the tournament will be part of the final preparations for the Olympic Games in Beijing.

The Haarlem Baseball Week will have a strong field of participants this year as Cuba will send its Olympic Team while Japan, Taiwan and the USA arrive in Haarlem with their national amateur teams. Also participating is the national team of the Netherlands Antilles which last participated in 1994.

Skipper Robert Eenhoorn and his staff selected three newcomers: left-hander Nick Veltkamp (Corendon Kinheim), right-hander Pim Walsma (L&D Amsterdam) and outfielder Wesley Connor (L&D Amsterdam). The latter played professionally the last few years in the organization of the Minnesota Twins.

Returning to the team is shortstop Jeroen Sluijter (DOOR Neptunus) who last played in the national squad at the Haarlem Baseball Week in 2004. Speedy centerfielder Eugene Kingsale (DOOR Neptunus) also makes his comeback. Last year, he was sidelined almost the entire season due to a knee-injury and missed all international tournaments.

Catcher Mark Duursma (Konica Minolta Pioniers) also will be making his debut in the national squad. He was part of the team which traveled to Curaçao in February last year and has been the bullpen catcher since 2006.

Catchers:

Mark Duursma (Konica Minolta Pioniers), Sidney de Jong (L&D Amsterdam), Martijn Meeuwis (DOOR Neptunus) and Tjerk Smeets (Corendon Kinheim).

Infielders:

Michael Duursma (Konica Minolta Pioniers), Percy Isenia (Sparta/Feyenoord), Roel Koolen (Corendon Kinheim), Raily Legito (DOOR Neptunus), Vince Rooi (Corendon Kinheim) and Jeroen Sluijter (DOOR Neptunus).

Outfielders:

Wesley Connor (L&D Amsterdam), Bryan Engelhardt (Corendon Kinheim), Eugene Kingsale (DOOR Neptunus), Dirk van ‘t Klooster (Corendon Kinheim) and Danny Rombley (Corendon Kinheim).

Pitchers:

David Bergman (Corendon Kinheim), Kenny Berkenbosch (L&D Amsterdam), Leon Boyd (DOOR Neptunus), Rob Cordemans (Sparta/Feyenoord), Dave Draijer (Konica Minolta Pioniers), Berry van Driel (DOOR Neptunus), Michiel van Kampen (Corendon Kinheim), Diegomar Markwell (DOOR Neptunus), Nick Stuifbergen (L&D Amsterdam), Nick Veltkamp (Corendon Kinheim) and Pim Walsma (L&D Amsterdam).

Photo/IBAF

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