NETHERLANDS – The reigning Dutch Major League champion, L&D Amsterdam Pirates, have signed Australian pitcher Adam Blackley for the 2009 season. The Pirates will open defense of their title against two-time European champion Corendon Kinheim on April 11.

Blackley is a former Boston Red Sox farmhand who made 99 appearances from 2003-2007 at the Rookie League and Single-A levels. The 24-year-old compiled a 16-16 career record with 349 strikeouts over 332 1/3 innings before being released.

A member of the Australian national team, the southpaw posted a 4-1 record for the Victoria Aces in the recently concluded Australian national championship, the 2009 Claxton Shield.

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Tags: Netherlands