NETHERLANDS – Former Major League-pitcher Bert Blyleven will be the Pitching Coach of the Dutch National Baseball Team during the World Baseball Classic in March, the Royal Dutch Baseball and Softball Association announced on Thursday.

Rik Aalbert Blyleven was born on April 6, 1951 in Zeist (Netherlands), but moved overseas when he was only two years old andwas raised in Canada and the USA.

During the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006, former Major League-pitcher Bob Welch served as Pitching Coach of the Dutch national squad.

In the announcement, Robert Eenhoorn, who will become the Federation’s Technical Director on January 1, stated “It’s fantastic that someone with his background will join us. It will enlarge our credibility towards players, clubs and player agents”.

On January 1, Eenhoorn hands over the duties as the Field Manager of the national team to American Rod Delmonico, who was named recently as his successor.

Courtesy of Grand Slam Stats & News

Tags: Netherlands