THE NETHERLANDS – Perennial cellar-dwellars ADO and MediaMonks RCH joined the resurgent Sparta/Feyenoord team as the most active Dutch Major League clubs during the recent player transfers which ended on October 31.

ADO finished at the bottom of the standings this past season while posting a dismal 5-37 record. The offensively-challenged squad, which averaged a paltry 2.2 runs a game and led the league with 323 strikeouts, will be guided by former Schiedem skipper Leo Voogd in 2009.

Former Mr. Cocker HCAW center-fielder Jermaine Esprit and second baseman Shurty Tremus are among the 10 free agents signed by ADO. Other new faces includes Jurrian Koks (Konica Minolta), Michel Croes (MediaMonks), Andrew Kaiser (Colorado Christian University), Boudewijn van Elswijk (Storks), Koen Meershoek (Storks), Lukas Reijnders (Storks), Remco Seitzinger (Blue Birds), and René Verbrugge (Schiedam).

MediaMonks RCH won eight games in 42 outings in 2008 and will also welcome a new manager, Bernie Beckman. Key signees includes ex-Konica Minolta closer Dave Draijer and DOOR Neptunus outfielder Derick Francisca. Draijer recorded seven saves in 19 appearances this past season while Francisca batted .287 with 20 RBIs and five stolen bases.

Other new additions for the club includes Ricky Daal (Mr. Cocker), Roy Harteveld (L&D Amsterdam), Mark Smit (RCH 2), Bobby Heij (RCH 2), Dennis Burgersdijk (Sparks), and Seppo Slaman (TIW/Survivors).

Sparta/Feyenoord contended for a playoff berth until the final month of the 2008 season and will be led by new manager, Ludwig Bernadina. The Rotterdam-based club placed fifth in the Dutch League with a 21-21 record and has added seven new faces including former Neptunus pitchers Gregory Gustina and Wouter Lensselink.

Another ex-Neptunus player, Mike Bazuin, joins Mario Mujica (Sparta/Feyenoord 2), Rubinet Koko (Sparta/Feyenoord 2), Roy Beems (Amsterdam Pirates 2), and Rutger Veugelers (Euro Stars) in donning the colors of Sparta/Feyenoord next spring.

The newly-crowned Dutch Champions, L&D Amsterdam, signed Corendon Kinheim infielder Vince Rooi but lost Remco Draijer (Kinheim), Roy Harteveld (MediaMonks), Kevin Miner (Mr. Cocker), and Ryan Murphy (Konica Minolta).

Rooi batted .297 with two home runs and 32 RBIs last season while Murphy hit .309 with 18 RBIs and 5-5 on the mound. Murphy was also named the MVP of the Holland Series.

The Reigning two-time European Champions, Corendon Kinheim, added L&D Amsterdam’s Remco Draijer while DOOR Neptunus hired a new coach, Steve Janssen. The club also signed Sparta Feyenoord’s Shaldimar Daantji and Jorian van Acker (Euro Stars).

The Konica Minolta Pioniers added Murphy and Neptunus outfielder Johnny Balentina but lost their closer, Draijer, who signed with MediaMonks RCH, and De Flanegin who retired. Flanegin batted .331 with three homers and 27 RBIs this past season.

Mr. Cocker HCAW has underwent a major face-lift with the departures of Sidney Ensermo (Almere’90), Jermaine Esprit (ADO), Fernando Gutierrez (Venezuela), Ralph Milliard (HCAW 2), Oscar Montero (Venezuela), Shurty Tremus (ADO), and Head Coach Roy Berrevoets, who announced his retirement.

The Bussum-based club has signed ADO’s Quensley Bazoer, Kevin Miner (Amsterdam), Haily de Palm (ADO), Michael Pluijmers (RCH), and Kyle Ward (HCAW 2).

Source: Grand Slam Stats & News

Tags: Netherlands