The following morning Rick took Guthrie, Brady Anderson (retired after 15 big league seasons), Mike Baker (catcher Florida Marlins), Dutch rising star Gregory Halman (Seattle Mariners), Adam Jones (centerfielder Baltimore Orioles) and Kyle Barbour (strength and conditioning specialist) to his hometown Eindhoven for the first clinic.

All children participate for free, which is very uncommon, as Rick wanted to do something for the children; an opportunity he never had. Children from all over the Netherlands came to Eindhoven, as in Haarlem there were so many applications that two clinics had to be scheduled and both of the were completely full. Many active players of Dutch national Baseball Team, as well as retired players help Rick during the clinics.

There were special Q&A-sessions where Rick and Gregory Halman tell what they experienced during their years in professional baseball. The Americans were working in pitching,hitting and fielding clinics.

During the press conference the question arose whether this will become a recurring event and Rick answered that it would be decided after the end of the last clinic. However, he indicated on Sunday, before the second clinic in Haarlem, that EBLT probably would be back in 2011.

The players' main reason to decide to join in with Rick is that the Dutch National Team impressed the whole world of baseball when beating the super-starred team of the Dominican Republic twice in 2009.

Although Rick van den Hurk organizes the event, father Wim van den Hurk has to be mentioned separately. Wim and his staff in Holland have done the preparatory work behind the screens.

Report by Ton Hofstede

L&D Amsterdam were left chanceless with Markwell not only cruising through the middle innings (only 34 pitches for innings 3 through 6) but he retired all 21 hitters through the last 7 innings. A remarkable achievement against a team he failed to beat in hit first two outings in the 2010 Holland Series. In this master performance Markwell had 11 ground outs, 11 fly outs, 4 strike outs and gave up one walk to Bas de Jong while Rashid Gerard had a run scoring single, both L&D Amsterdam runs were unearned.
It was a multiple hit game for Eugene Kingsale, Dwayne Kemp, Shaldimar Daantji and Rombley with DOOR Neptunus going 15 for 41 for the game.

DOOR Neptunus got what it deserved and nobody doubted the outcome beforehand, however, L&D Amsterdam did themselves proud and looked like being capable of winning the Series. The young bullpen simply was not ready yet for these crunch games and proved to be the big difference in this Holland Series. It is only fitting in this context that DOOR Neptunus closer/reliever Dushan Ruzic was announced as a very deserving Series MVP.

Game report by Cees Groot

Jos de Jong’s only trouble was at the start of the game when after 5 pitches he had given up Single to Eugene Kingsale and a RBI double to Benjamin Dille. Although de Jong loaded the bases in the 2nd he seemed to be getting better as the game was progressing. When he gave up a single to Rombley with 2 outs in that infamous 8th, he had actually retired 13 hitters in a row! Despite throwing 116 pitches he was getting stronger all the time, or so it seemed, only the manager and the pitcher know. De Jong threw 68 strikes in his 116 total, he struck out 4 and walked 2 while giving up just 6 hits. The L&D Amsterdam offense only mustered serious offense in the 5th when a walk (Kenny Berkenbosch) a single (Rashid Gerard) and a 2-run scoring double by Michael Kramer negated the DOOR Neptunus lead.

Game notes: All nine starters for DOOR Neptunus reached base…..Huijser had a walk and 2 hits, including the game winning hit, to lead the offense….Leon Boyd gave up 5 hits, 2 runs, 3 walks in 7 innings of work throwing 95 pitches, 61 for strikes….When the game started there was just an attendance of 250 which grew to about 400 just after 2PM (14:00 hrs)…..Next Saturday game 6, should be Cordemans versus Markwell again….this is a good series

In other news: Thursday 16 September there is a significant 5-game series starting between the Almere Magpies and UVV for the final available spot in the 2011 Hoofdklasse. With pitching winning series we are going with UVV in 3 or 4. Both American pitchers (Cameron Wheeler and Derek Tarapacki) should start. Tarapacki’s slider can be devastating and is Hoofdklasse proof.

game report by Cees Groot

L&D Amsterdam opened the score off Diegomar Markwell (L) in the 5th when DH Rashid Gerard started with a single and was doubled in by opening batter Wesley Connor. One inning later, catcher Sidney de Jong, who will not retire despite all rumors, doubled to center. He did not score on the single by Bas de Jong and Vince Rooi’s ball to deep right also kept Sidney at 3rd base. Kenny Berkenbosch eventually doubled him in. Wesley Connor’s solo homerun made it 3-0 in the 7th inning.

Game notes: Markwell (93 pitches) allowed 9 hits over 7 innings, while Jorian van Acker struck out 1 with an 11-pitch 8th. Al Morales needed 6 pitches to earn the save. Sunday’s game will start at 1:15 PM in Rotterdam, while game 6 Is scheduled for Next Saturday in Amsterdam.

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Catcher Mourik Huijser, who opened the 5th with a double to left, scored the 3rd run. Manager Charles Urbanus decided not to pitch to Eugene Kingsale. The next batter (Benjamin Dille) doubled in Huijser.

Game notes: Ben Grover was lifted after 55 pitches, of which 32 were balls. Kevin Heijstek also pitched 32 balls (of 102). Eugene Kingsale walked 4 times, of which one was intentional.

Saturday game 4 will be played in Amsterdam, at 2 PM while game 5 will be televised on Sunday afternoon. Starting time is 1:15 PM.

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While DOOR Neptunus for the most part seems to be going through the motions of what they expect to be winning baseball, that’s something a 39-3 season will do for you, there are the likeable and passionate ballplayers from L&D Amsterdam with a street fighter mentality looking for opportunities to destabilize the Rotterdam powerhouse. After a cold blast by Danny Rombley in the top of the 6th reduced the deficit to 2-1 Rob Cordemans got out of the inning to finish a workmanlike 101 pitches for his 6 innings. The L&D Amsterdam starter had a tough beginning, though not scored upon he needed 44 pitches for the first 2 innings. That might just have been the problem for Amsterdam in this game as they ideally would have liked their starter to have gone 7 innings and those 44 pitches in the first 2 inning excluded that from happening. Still Cordemans left with a lead, only allowed 5 hits and the earned run on the homer by Rombley.

L&D Amsterdam’s best offensive effort came in the 7th with some brilliant small ball that put DOOR Neptunus under great pressure and resulted in bunts for a hit and a “forced” error. In the end though it only generated just the one unearned run, despite the 3 DOOR Neptunus errors. After loading the bases with an intentional walk to Sidney de Jong with only one out, Ruzic again kept his cool by striking out Bas de Jong followed by a Vince Rooi ground out to short. After all that, just getting the one run to increase the L&D Amsterdam lead to 3-1 must have felt like a winning proposition to DOOR Neptunus and that’s exactly how in turned out to be.

Ben Grover was only 10 pitches into his 2nd inning of relief and he had already given up a double to Raily Legito, a hit by pitch (to Rombley), a bunt hit to Dwayne Kemp and a RBI single to Jeffrey Arends. After Grover K’d Rien Vernooij he got his marching orders after walking Mourik Huijser to force in another run and levelling the scores. Al Morales came in and immediately struck out Shaldimar Daantji; however Jeroen Sluijter showed his credentials as the DOOR Neptunus captain and doubled in the 2 decisive runs. Ruzic only needed 21 pitches for the final 2 innings and the W.

A big win for DOOR Neptunus, no doubt about that. L&D Amsterdam got close but they let it get away in the one inning. In the end it turned out to be a great game of baseball with a lot of pressure on both managers who both did a really good job. Can’t wait for game 3 to start (Next Thursday in the Familie Stadium in Rotterdam).

Game notes: In the 2010 post season L&D Amsterdam has not won a home game yet….They haven’t lost an away game either…..Eugene Kingsale went 3 for 3 before injuring a calf muscle….DOOR Neptunus outhit L&D Pirates 11 to 6 with three extra base hits…..

game report by Cees Groot

In the 7th a soft liner by Michael Kramer scored Rashid Gerard from 2nd. . Gerard had singled to 3rd and advanced on an infield out by Roland Henrique jr. In the bottom of the 7th, Urbanus lifted Jos de Jong when he walked Martijn Meeuwis with 2 outs. Lefty Rik Geestman got Shaldimar Daantji to ground to second to end the inning.

In the top of the 9th Jorian van Acker, who reliever Markwell after 7 innings, walked Berkenbosch. DOOR Neptunus manager Steve Jansen brought Berry van Driel. He walked Gerard and hit Henrique jr to load the bases. When Meeuwis could not handle van Driel’s outside pitch, Berkenbosch scored 3-0. An error by shortstop Dwayne Kemp and Wesley Connor’s sacrifice fly meant 5-0. In the bottom of the 9th 3 consecutive hits by Danny Rombley, Dwayne Kemp and Jeffrey Arends scored one run.. Pinch hitter Eldrion Regina struck out and following a walk to Meeuwis, Rien Vernooy (just in from the USA) hit into a fielders choice to score Kemp. Final score 5-2.

It was a disappointing game for DOOR Neptunus (only 6 hits of which 3 in the 9th) and a very good game by L&S Amsterdam.

Tomorrow’s game in Amsterdam will start at 1:15 PM because of the fact that the game will be televised. Probable starters are Rob Cordemans and Leon Boyd.

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PITCHING
As Pirates have only one pitcher that can match the starting trio of Neptunus, they might only hope for the best. The relief corps of Neptunus is also stronger that the Amsterdam side, especially in the late innings Neptunus has a definite edge.

OFFENSE
The batting side of Amsterdam is only slightly weaker that the Rotterdam team. If Kenny Berkenbosch continues to show the form of the play-offs, Pirates could surprise.

DEFENSE
If Pirates wants to win the series, they will have to cut down on fielding errors. Their keystone is young, but prone to errors. Neptunus definitely has a big advantage over Pirates in this category.

BENCH
The bench of Neptunus is also somewhat stronger. Pirates will probably use some youngsters from their rookie team, as they will miss Zair Koeiman, who is in college in the USA.

AT LAST
As always pitching is the name of the game, but the enthusiasm of Pirates might make their side stronger, as they are in a flow since winning Kinheim in the last week of the regular season and during the playoffs. However: Past performance provides no guarantee for the future.

Prediction: DOOR Neptunus in 5.

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ADO took things in their own hands in the bottom of the 6th, when consecutive singles by Bertie Richardson (3 for 5), Henson and Meershoek (RBI) chased reliever (and loser) Ewout Bos. Forstin Coenraad came in and struck out clean-up hitter Remco Seitzinger. A double steal of Henson and Meershoek resulted in a throwing error by the catcher (and the tying run). Frans Richardson’s infield out scored Meershoek to make it 7-6.
ADO scored 4 more runs in the bottom of the 7th. Five base hits (a double by Anthony Vrolijk and a bases loaded single, good for 2 runs) sealed the victory.
Ludwin Obispo pitched a perfect 8th and allowed hit number 10 in the top of the 9th, but held on to complete the game. 

Scott Ronnenbergh, back from the USA, pitched a perfect inning for Almere. He might be important in their chase to stay in the Hoofdklasse. Saturday night at 7 PM the second game will be played in Almere.

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ADO will have to play all games without Boudewijn van Elswijk, as he has been suspended until further notice. He was involved in an incident with home plate umpire Henri van Heijningen during the series with Sparta/Feyenoord. Jeroen Stentler has been suspended for two games, but he still can appeal. Matt Ryan went back to Australia.

ADO depends heavily on American pitcher Bobby Carrington, who is 3-3 with an ERA of 1.82. Jurrian Koks, who started 5 times and appeared in 20 games in total, is 3-5 and his ERA is 3.98. The 3rd starter for ADO is Ludwin Obispo (1-9, 4.69). As a team they batted .232 with 4 HR. Three of them were hit by Matt Ryan, who is not with the team anymore.

Almere also lost some players during the season, like shortstop Mitchell Graham, who left after 9 games. Pitcher Justin Prinstein went to Germany following the midseason break.

The team batting average is a mere .196 with 7 HR’s. Churandy LaCruz, their designated hitter, has 4 round trippers. The team-ERA is 5.86, while their winningest pitcher (Scott Ronnenbergh 3-3) is now the farm system of Seattle. Almere has 5 pitchers on their current roster with 1 win.

Based upon both pitching and hitting, ADO will have an advantage over Almere.

Prediction: ADO in 4.

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