In 1911, English instructor J.C.G Grasé returned to the Netherlands from a visit to the United States and launched baseball to the northwestern European nation.
The inaugural official honkbal video games had been performed later that yr. On March 12, 1913, Grasé based the Dutch Baseball Union and established Quick Amsterdam (now often called Amsterdamsche Honkbal Club Quick) because the oldest baseball membership in Europe.
While baseball isn’t the nation’s No. 1 sport, the Netherlands has was one of many strongest European forces on the diamond. Its Kingdom additionally extends to comparatively latest baseball hotbeds like Curaçao and Aruba.
Here’s a glimpse into how a lot the game has grown over time.
WBSC rank
No. 7
Last WBC look
2019
Best WBC end
2013 and 2017, fourth place
Country’s high present Major Leaguers
Xander Bogaerts
Before he makes his regular-season debut with the San Diego Padres, the 30-year-old shortstop will symbolize the Netherlands for the second time within the WBC. Bogaerts was first on the Red Sox’s radar in 2009 throughout a exercise in Aruba, a Dutch Caribbean island. He – – alongside together with his brother Jair – – signed with Boston.
Since then, Bogaerts has loved a profession that consists of being a four-time All-Star choice, two-time World Series champion and a five-time Silver Slugger, by far one of the best profession by a participant of Aruban descent (Granted, there are solely six in historical past to make the Majors). He takes the Classic honor significantly, as he informed MLB.com again in 2017: “I’m going to play baseball. I’m not going on vacation,” Bogaerts stated. “I’ll be in baseball mode and I’ll be playing in some competitive games, playing for some real important things for the country and playing with teammates you grew up playing with or against, so it should be fun.”
Kenley Jansen
Another product from one of many Dutch Caribbean Islands (Curaçao), Jansen is thought most of all as a dominant nearer for the Dodgers. He is their all-time franchise chief in saves (350) and notched three All-Star picks and gained a World Series in 2020 with Los Angeles. Jansen, who signed with the Red Sox this offseason, will make his third look within the WBC.
A enjoyable aspect be aware: Before he was a pitcher, Jansen was a catching prospect and really performed that place for the Netherlands in 2009 — the identical yr the group surprised the Dominican Republic in pool play. Jansen made a important play within the ninth inning when he threw out Willy Taveras in an tried steal within the backside of the ninth inning.
Famous Players
Bert Blyleven
Blyleven is the one Dutch-born Hall of Famer. He was born in Zeist however primarily raised in Garden Grove, Calif. During his profession, he was a two-time All-Star, gained two World Series and pitched a no-hitter on Sept. 22, 1977.
For the fourth time, he’ll function the pitching coach for the Netherlands within the WBC.
Andruw Jones
Jones represented the Netherlands within the inaugural WBC in 2006 and as soon as extra in 2013. He’ll make one other look this yr, however this time because the bench coach.
A local of Curaçao, Jones has paved the way in which for gamers from the 171-square-mile island — a spot the place baseball has turn into king. 2023 Classic gamers Jansen, Jurickson Profar, Andrelton Simmons, Didi Gregorius and Jonathan Schoop all name the nation dwelling.
Jones made 5 All-Star video games, gained 10 Gold Gloves, homered in consecutive innings in Game 1 of the 1996 World Series at 19 years outdated and is taken into account one of many biggest defensive middle fielders to ever step onto a ballfield.
Biggest Moments in History
In the 2009 WBC, the Netherlands had a squad that consisted of zero Major League-level gamers. Yet, the small nation was in a position to knock off the Dominican Republic — a group that fielded stars like David Ortiz, Robinson Canó and Hanley Ramirez — not as soon as, however twice.
The first overcome the Dominican Republic got here on March 7, when the Netherlands scored three runs within the first inning and had been in a position to maintain on for a 3-2 win.
Unlike the primary sport, the second encounter between these two groups was determined within the late innings. Trailing 1-0 heading into the underside of the eleventh inning, the Netherlands answered with a two-run body to remove the Dominican Republic in walk-off style.
The Netherlands was eradicated within the subsequent spherical, nevertheless it put the nation on the baseball map, including momentum towards its subsequent WBC look, when it positioned fourth.
Local League setup and groups
The Honkbal Hoofdklasse was established in 1922 and is the very best stage of baseball within the Netherlands. The eight-team league consists of a 42-game season, which is primarily performed on the weekends from April to September. The high 4 groups make it to the playoffs, with the primary spherical being a best-of-five sequence. The championship spherical, often called the Holland Series, is best-of-seven. The two individuals within the Holland Series qualify for the European Cup.
National group historical past
The Netherlands is ranked No. 7 within the WBSC rankings, making it the highest-ranked European group. Along with its WBC accolades, the Dutch have positioned first within the European Baseball Championship 24 instances. The Netherlands additionally competed within the 1996, 2000, 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympic Games.
Famous/Notable ballparks
Pim Mulier Sportpark has a seating capability of two,500, the most important within the Honkbal Hoofdklasse Netherlands baseball league. It homes two groups, DSS Haarlem and Kinheim, and it is half of a bigger sports activities advanced with three soccer fields, two softball fields, two baseball fields and a observe.
