NETHERLANDS – The reigning Dutch champion L&D Amsterdam will open their
title defense at Haarlem against two-time defending European Champion Corendon Kinheim in the season opener for both teams. Amsterdam, which dethroned Kinheim in the 2008 Holland Series, will host the former Dutch title-holders the following day.

The Sudtours Dutch Major League season begins on April 11.

A host of new faces will be calling the shots from the dugouts in 2009 with six of the eight league teams making coaching changes this past offseason. The new head coaches includes Eelco Jansen (Corendon Kinheim), Steve Janssen (DOOR Neptunus), Leo Voogd (ADO), Ludwin Bernadina (Sparta/Feyenoord), Jurjan Koenen (Mr. Cocker HCAW) and Bernie Beckman (MediaMonks RCH).

L&D Amsterdam’s Rikkert Faneyte and Konica Minolta Pioniers’ skipper Frank Koene are the only two returning coaches from the 2008 season.

DUTCH MAJOR LEAGUE
4/11 – DOOR Neptunus vs. ADO
4/11 – Konica Minolta Pioniers vs. Sparta/Feyenoord
4/11 – L&D Amsterdam Pirates* vs. Corendon Kinheim
4/11 – MediaMonks RCH vs. Mr. Cocker HCAW
4/12 – ADO vs. DOOR Neptunus
4/12 – Sparta/Feyenoord vs. Konica Minolta Pioniers
4/12 – Corendon Kinheim vs. L&D Amsterdam Pirates*
4/12 – Mr. Cocker HCAW vs. MediaMonks RCH

The Dutch Major League will be interrupted only once when the Dutch National
Team participates in the World Port Tournament in Rotterdam from July 2-12. The Dutch will also participate in the IBAF Baseball World Cup after the 2009 season has ended, and the second World Baseball Classic which takes place next month.

Dutch Baseball Unveils New Rookie League

A Rookie League will debut this season with the second team/minor league squads of the eight big league clubs butting heads. In previous years, these
prospect-laden teams competed in the First Division and battled those squads in
interleague games. Both divisions will start the new season on April 10.

ROOKIE LEAGUE
4/10 – DOOR Tridents (Neptunus) vs. Mr. Cocker HCAW 2
4/11 – Amsterdam Pirates 2* vs. De Kroon Kinheim

FIRST DIVISION
4/10 – DSS VS. Sparks Haarlem
4/11 – Euro Stars* vs. Tex Town Tigers

* 2008 Champion

Visit Grand Slam Stats & News for complete coverage of the Dutch Major League.

Dutch Baseball Update is a regular BaseballdeWorld feature published every Wednesday.

Tags: Dutch Baseball Update, Netherlands