What is wrong with the Azzuri and Oranje teams

[Jake83]

Do any of the MLB Italian players even speak Italian
How many have ever even been to Italia

Does their manager even speak Italian


How about the Dutch squad does Mudler or Saarloos even speak Dutch or even been to The Netherlands or let alone Europe


Does the Netherlands manager speak Dutch

[Andruw]

Does the Netherlands manager speak Dutch

Robert Eenhoorn is 100% Dutch but in oranje they speak english because some Antillean players don't speak dutch very well and we have American assistant coaches (Bob Welch at the WBC).

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

Do any of the MLB Italian players even speak Italian
How many have ever even been to Italia

Does their manager even speak Italian


How about the Dutch squad does Mudler or Saarloos even speak Dutch or even been to The Netherlands or let alone Europe


Does the Netherlands manager speak Dutch

Of course the Dutch manager speaks Dutch. He was born and raised in the Netherlands, played for the Yankees for a while, but had to deal with a certain Derek Jeter.

I dare to say that a lot of the players from the Dutch competition are better than a couple of American Dutch that play single A or AA. And of course they speak Dutch as well.

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

Robert Eenhoorn is 100% Dutch but in oranje they speak english because some Antillean players don't speak dutch very well and we have American assistant coaches (Bob Welch at the WBC).

You talk about we, Andruw. So that means your Dutch or you are from the Dutch Antilles.

Do you want to tell where you are from?

[Sberl]

I'll wait to know the official roster for the Wbc before talking, I will support Italy obviously but I feel we will not perform well in this tournament. I heard some complaints here in Italy about the fact there won't be many italian players on the final roster, I think for our players (who play in my country) this would be a great occasion to perform against the best players in the world.

[Andruw]

You talk about we, Andruw. So that means your Dutch or you are from the Dutch Antilles.

Do you want to tell where you are from?

Hi yankees rule, born and raised in Nederland.:)

[Kroxquo]

Hi yankees rule, born and raised in Nederland.:)

Waar in Nederland koom je van daan? Mijn vrouw is van Noord Holland dicht bij Hoorn.

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

Waar in Nederland koom je van daan? Mijn vrouw is van Noord Holland dicht bij Hoorn.

Funny, I have lived in Hoorn as well. Your wife came from a beautiful area, that's for sure.

[Jake83]

As a German speaker Dutch is painful to my ears:D :D

[Mike_Piazza]

The problem is not the language for the italian team,in Italy baseball teams teams are full of latin americans that speak spanish,italian-american that speak english and italians that speak italians,usually coaches speak a basic english that everyone understands.
I'm proud to have a classy guy like Mike Piazza in the italian roster ,but of course i know italian baseball and i know that all that MLB italian-americans don't represent the level of the italian baseball and i think MLB asked italian federation to put some italian-american in the italian roster to have better competition.
In the past italian-american from the italian league have always played with enthusiasm for Italy and someone,like Simontacchi,thanks to great games played for Italy in IBAF competitions earned a call from the Majors.
Obviously the target of Italy in the WBC is not winning the competition but to make some advertising for this sport,the Italian Federation and MLB have just created an academy in Italy and we hope that in the next WBC the italian team will be based on italians developed in Italy.
Finally it would be great if the italian league turn in a professional league.

[Andruw]

Waar in Nederland koom je van daan? Mijn vrouw is van Noord Holland dicht bij Hoorn.

Hoi, ik kom uit Groningen.

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

As a German speaker Dutch is painful to my ears:D :D

Wieso dass denn?

[Licey Fan]

Ok... Can I get a dictionary? :p :rolleyes:

[Sportkrank21]

Other sports have the same rules and requirements. In Olympic hockey the Italian team a few years ago was comprised mainly by North American players. The Polish National futbol team has an African citizen who also hold a duel citizenship with Poland. I have no problem with these players playing for other countries. It will make the games slightly more competitive.

[Jake83]

Wieso dass denn?


Let me put this in English to allow everone the chance to read it.Because of how much the languagues are similar. When I hear someone speak Dutch it is like reading a story and only getting half the words. Even for a speaker of Hoch Deutsch

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

Let me put this in English to allow everone the chance to read it.Because of how much the languagues are similar. When I hear someone speak Dutch it is like reading a story and only getting half the words. Even for a speaker of Hoch Deutsch

You are right. The main language here is English.

About German and Dutch: The two languages are very similar... I would say that if someone spoke Dutch, you should understand most of it.

[Jake83]

You are right. The main language here is English.

About German and Dutch: The two languages are very similar... I would say that if someone spoke Dutch, you should understand most of it.


It matters what dialect of German you are talking about the German spoke in Switzerland is very different than Dutch.

[Andruw]

No Americans in Team Holland and Andruw Jones is the only star in the dutch Team. From a dutch site;

http://www.honkbalsite.com/events/wbc2006/voorlopige_selectie0102.html

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

No Americans in Team Holland and Andruw Jones is the only star in the dutch Team. From a dutch site;

http://www.honkbalsite.com/events/wbc2006/voorlopige_selectie0102.html

I think you better translate it for our non Dutch speaking baseball friends.

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

No Americans in Team Holland and Andruw Jones is the only star in the dutch Team. From a dutch site;

http://www.honkbalsite.com/events/wbc2006/voorlopige_selectie0102.html

Translation of the article:

STAR PLAYERS EXCUSE THEMSELVES FOR DUTCH TEAM

The Dutch national baseball team will have to battle in Puerto Rico with the professional teams of Panama and Puerto Rico without the big names of MLB.
Pitchers like Mark Mulder and Danny Haren have said no and prefer to focus on the competition with their own teams. Because of this, the Netherlands will only have one MLB player: Andruw Jones.

Manager Robert Eenhoorn's team will have a hard time during the perstigeous WBC, the first unofficial world championship for pro players. This week, manager Eenhoorn has reduced his roster to 35 players. Among the dropouts are 15 pitchers. The Netherlands can not use the services of David Aardsma, Danny Haren, Kirk Saarloos, Andy van Hekken. Infielder Shea Hillenbrand has said no also. Another player that will not participate is Sidney Ponson. He prefers to focus on the MLB season for his new club St. Louis.

A lot of players of the Dutch major league, will not show up also. Pitchers like
Duko Jansen, Ferenc Jongejan, Patrick de Lange, Jan Naterop and Jurjen van Zijl will stay at home. Catchers Mark Duursma and Tjerk Smeets will also stay at home.

Other players not available are outfielders Gregory Halman (Seattle Mariners) and Rogearvin Bernadina (Washington Nationals). These two also want to focus on their own career in stead of a trip with the Dutch team.

The Dutch team will have seven "rookies": Pitchers Kenny Berkenbosch (Jamestown Jammers), Jair Jurrjens (West Michigan Whitecaps), Shairon Martis (Arizona League Giants), Simon Pantophlet (Sint Maarten), Infielders Randall Simon, Hainley Statia (Orem Owls) and outfielder Andruw Jones (Atlanta Braves).

The Dutch team will leave at the 17th of February for the spring training complex of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Holland will play two exhibition games against Eckerd College on February 24 and 26 in St. Petersburgh. The Dutch must play these two games without Andruw Jones, Chairon Isenia, Wladimir Balentien and Shurendell de Caster. These players will join the team at March 2, 2006. The complete team will play against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday the fifth of March in Orlando.

35 man roster:

Pitchers (15):
David Bergman (Kinheim), Kenny Berkenbosch (Jamestown Jammers), Forstin Coenraad (Almere), Rob Cordemans (ADO), Robin van Doornspeek (ADO), Dave Draijer (Pioniers), Gregory Gustina (Neptunus), Jair Jurrjens (West Michigan Whitecaps), Michiel van Kampen (Kinheim), Calvin Maduro (Neptunus), Diegomar Markwell (Neptunus), Shairon Martis (Arizona League Giants), Simon Pantophlet (Sint Maarten), Alexander Smit (Elizabethton Twins) and Nick Stuifbergen (HCAW).

Catchers (4):
Johnny Balentina (Neptunus), Maikel Benner (ADO), Chairon Isenia (Montgomery Biscuits) and Sidney de Jong (HCAW).

Infielders (9):
Sharnol Adriana (San Luis Potosi), Shurendel de Caster (Pittsburgh Pirates), Ivanon Coffie (Almere), Michael Duursma (Pioniers), Percy Isenia (ADO), Raily Legito (Neptunus), Vince Rooi (Harrisburg Senators), Randall Simon and Hainley Statia (Orem Owls).

Outfielders (7):
Wladimir Balentien (Seattle Mariners), Bryan Engelhardt (Almere), Andruw Jones (Atlanta Braves), Eugene Kingsale, Dirk van 't Klooster (Kinheim), Harvey Monte (ADO) and Danny Rombley (Kinheim).

Coaches (6):
Robert Eenhoorn (manager), Brian Farley, Jack Hubbard, Hensley Meulens, Ben Thijssen and Bob Welch.

[Andruw]

Many thanks yankees rule! :)

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

Many thanks yankees rule! :)

You're welcome Andruw. It was good to practice the English language.

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

The Dutch National team will play a fourth game in the preparation for the WBC. On Tuesday the 28th of February, the Dutch team will play in Bradenton (FLA) against Tampa Univerity.

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

The Dutch national team has arrived in Florida. The players from the Netherlands are reunited with the players who stayed on the Dutch Antilles; among them are Ivanon Coffie, Diegomar Markwell, Johnny Balentina and the pro players Randall Simon, Calvin Maduro, Hainley Statia, Jair Jurrjens and Shairon Martis.

While manager Robert Eenhoorn worked out with the players in the Netherlands, coach Hensley Meulens did the same with the players on the Dutch Antilles.

The first "serious" test will be next Friday. Then the Dutch will play against the Eckerd College Tritons. From the beginning of March pro players Andruw Jones, Chairon Isenia, Wladimir Balentien and Shurrendell de Caster will join the team.

[Andruw]

Dutch team gets in some early work
Manager Robert Eenhoorn has his team in Florida for minicamp
By Ed Eagle / MLB.com

http://www.worldbaseballclassic.com/2006/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060219&content_id=1315951&vkey=wbc_news&fext=.jsp&sid=wbc

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

Dutch baseball legend, Hamilton Richardson, will be one of the celebrities that will throw a first pitch.

He will probably throw the first pitch before one of the games of the Dutch National team in Puerto Rico.

In 1970 Richardson was declared Best Outfielder after the World Cup tournament in Columbus.

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

The Netherlands has started their series of practice games, with a victory over Eckerd College. The final score was 3-1.

Okay, this is only the first practice game in the new season, but only 3-1 over a college team???

Do I have to start to worry?:hp

[Gamingboy]

The Netherlands has started their series of practice games, with a victory over Eckerd College. The final score was 3-1.

Okay, this is only the first practice game in the new season, but only 3-1 over a college team???

Do I have to start to worry?:hp


No, MLB teams routinely lose to the College teams during spring (it's those metal bats, it throws them off).

[Baseball mom]

The format that the US set up for this "World Baseball Classic" makes it not necessary to have dual citizenship to qualify for playing. It is a showcase of American Major League players who are of different countries descent. You would hope that at least half the team would be from each countries National team. But it isn't that way. I applaud Robert Einhorn for keeping the majority of his team from Holland. Today over twenty Azzuri are on a plane back to Italy. Of over 40 players only 9-12 will actually be from the National team. And they will not necessarily be starters. Claudio Liverziani and David Dallospedale ( Who are GREAT players) at least made the starting lineup. The rest are only there as pitchers or reserve. Hopefully the interest in Italy for baseball will continue growing and in four years we will really have a WORLD classic and not a USA show ..;)

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

The format that the US set up for this "World Baseball Classic" makes it not necessary to have dual citizenship to qualify for playing. It is a showcase of American Major League players who are of different countries descent. You would hope that at least half the team would be from each countries National team. But it isn't that way. I applaud Robert Einhorn for keeping the majority of his team from Holland. Today over twenty Azzuri are on a plane back to Italy. Of over 40 players only 9-12 will actually be from the National team. And they will not necessarily be starters. Claudio Liverziani and David Dallospedale ( Who are GREAT players) at least made the starting lineup. The rest are only there as pitchers or reserve. Hopefully the interest in Italy for baseball will continue growing and in four years we will really have a WORLD classic and not a USA show ..;)

The only reason why the majority of the Dutch team is from HOLLAND is that players like Mark Mulder, Shea Hillenbrand, Danny Haren and Sidney Ponson didn't want to show up. So Eenhoorn has no other choice.

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

Manager Robert Eenhoorn has presented the final roster for the WBC.
Unfortunately, Wladimir Balentien (Seattle Mariners) had to give up because of an injury.


Pitchers (13):
David Bergman (Kinheim), Kenny Berkenbosch (Jamestown Jammers), Rob Cordemans (ADO), Robin van Doornspeek (ADO), Dave Draijer (Pioniers), Gregory Gustina (Neptunus), Jair Jurrjens (West Michigan Whitecaps), Michiel van Kampen (Kinheim), Calvin Maduro (Neptunus), Diegomar Markwell (Neptunus), Shairon Martis (Arizona League Giants), Alexander Smit (Elizabethton Twins) and Nick Stuifbergen (HCAW).

Catchers (4):
Johnny Balentina (Neptunus), Maikel Benner (ADO), Chairon Isenia (Tampa Bay Devil Rays) and Sidney de Jong (HCAW).

Infielders (8):
Sharnol Adriana (San Luis Potosi), Shurendell de Caster (Pittsburgh Pirates), Ivanon Coffie (Almere), Michael Duursma (Pioniers), Percy Isenia (ADO), Raily Legito (Neptunus), Randall Simon and Hainley Statia (Orem Owls).

Outfielders (5):
Andruw Jones (Atlanta Braves), Eugene Kingsale, Dirk van 't Klooster (Kinheim), Harvey Monte (ADO) and Danny Rombley (Kinheim).

Coaches (6):
Robert Eenhoorn (manager), Brian Farley, Jack Hubbard, Hensley Meulens, Ben Thijssen and Bob Welch

[Andruw]

'Forgotten man' Simon could be Dutch key
Ex-Major Leaguer gives Netherlands another proven bat
By Robert Falkoff / MLB.com

ORLANDO -- It's not necessarily Andruw Jones or bust for The Netherlands on offense. Look to the man who's targeted to be the first lieutenant to Jones in the lineup and you'll see a proven professional hitter who put up a .283 lifetime average in seven Major League seasons.
Anybody remember Randall Simon?

In 2005, Simon was an out-of-sight, out-of-mind curiosity case. Sure, he suffered through an injury-marred 2004 season when he hit just .188 in 69 games before being released by Tampa Bay in September. But it wasn't as though Father Time was tapping him on the shoulder.

"Hey, I'm only 30," Simon said. "I can still hit. I haven't lost it."

Born in Curacao, Simon saw the World Baseball Classic as a two-pronged golden opportunity. He has a chance to play for the pride of The Netherlands and also possibly rejuvenate his career.

"I've kept myself in shape and ready to play," Simon said. "A lot of people who haven't seen me for a year will be watching. They'll see I'm still the same person that I used to be. I'm still a good player and I've got to prove that again."

Netherlands manager Robert Eenhoorn likes what he has seen of Simon in practice sessions.

"In the intra-squad game that we played [Thursday], he looked great," Eenhoorn said. "He's going to be very important to us."

Exactly why Simon fell off the Major League map after 2004 is unclear. But Simon is confident he could be a special comeback story.

"I had a tough year in 2004," Simon said. "My mom passed away and I had a lot of things going on. It was very tough for me. I couldn't focus. Sometimes, because of situations, maybe it looked like I couldn't hit anymore. Fortunately, I have a wonderful wife who kept supporting me and encouraging me and that has helped me maintain my confidence."

Eenhoorn is counting on Jones and Simon to provide some thunder in the middle of the lineup. If Jones and Simon come out hot during Pool C play in Puerto Rico next week, it will take a lot of pressure off the other Dutch hitters.

"We don't have as many well-known players as some other teams and that means we're not the favorites," Simon said. "But I like our team. Just being around these guys, I know we'll have the mentality that we're going out there to win the game, no matter who we're up against."

Simon still lives in Curacao and senses the excitement that fans of his team have about the upcoming Classic.

"A lot of people are going to Puerto Rico," Simon said. "My wife was telling me that a lot of friends are making flags to take. It'll be great to have them there cheering us on."

Wherever he goes, Simon is still associated with the incident in Milwaukee a couple of years back when his bat made contact with a young woman in an Italian sausage costume during a between-innings race at Miller Park, sending her sprawling to the ground. Simon said that what was meant as a playful tap resulted in an unfortunate episode.

"I was just trying to have fun at the ballpark, like everybody else," Simon said. "I would never try to hurt anybody and I always treat everyone with respect. She was great about it and I think that helped everybody move on."

Simon has moved on this week to a Netherlands training camp at the posh Disney complex. On Sunday, he'll face a Braves' split-squad team in a tuneup for the first game of the Classic next Wednesday against Puerto Rico.

Jones or bust for The Netherlands? That may not be the case if Simon turns back the clock to his hard-hitting days in the big leagues.


Robert Falkoff is a reporter for MLB.com.

[Andruw]

Dutch hang tough in loss to Braves
Netherlands shut out in low-scoring affair
By Robert Falkoff / MLB.com


ORLANDO, Fla. -- The jitters showed up early, but Team Netherlands settled down Sunday against the Atlanta Braves and wound up giving themselves a dose of confidence that they will be able to use in the World Baseball Classic.
A couple of Netherlands errors on potential double-play balls in the first inning and a two-run homer by David Kelton in the third proved the difference as the Braves' split-squad unit came away with a 4-0 exhibition victory at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex. After the shaky first, the Netherlands matched Atlanta pitch-for-pitch in a brisk-moving game that took only two hours, four minutes.

If the Netherlands gets the same kind of pitching against Puerto Rico on Wednesday that it showcased against the Braves, manager Robert Eenhoorn will be happy.

"Our pitchers did a good job today," Eenhoorn said. "If we make those double plays, we're looking at a 2-0 game. And we had one chance ourselves to do something with the bases loaded. We made some plays in the field as the game went on that helped our pitchers hold them down. Overall, even though we didn't score, there were a lot of things that were encouraging."

Veteran starter Calvin Maduro got high marks from Eenhoorn for not letting the game get out of hand in the first. After Michael Ryan's leadoff single, Edgar Renteria smacked a double-play ball to the right of shortstop Railey Legito, who misplayed it. Instead of two outs and nobody on, it was two on with nobody out.

Brian Jordan singled to load the bases before Brian McCann hit another double-play ball that handcuffed second baseman Michael Duursma. Two runs scored on the play and a subsequent walk to James Jurries loaded the bases again. But just when it looked as though the Netherlands was going to be buried early, Maduro retired Kelton, Eddie Perez and Cesar Crespo to minimize the damage.

The only other scoring came when Netherlands lefty Diegomar Markwell and Kelton -- a couple of former Minor League competitors -- crossed paths in the third.

Markwell said he left a pitch up that Kelton deposited beyond the 385-foot sign in left field with a man on.

"I played against him in 2002 in the Minors and I know he has good power," Markwell said. "I tried to go in on him, but the ball caught a little too much of the plate."

The Netherlands didn't manage a hit off Braves starter John Smoltz, although third baseman Ivanon Coffie narrowly missed a homer off Smoltz down the right-field line. Coffie's drive went foul by a few feet.

It looked as though the Netherlands might break through in the fifth when Coffie and Dirk van Klooster delivered one-out singles and Chairon Isenia walked to load the bases against non-roster invite Kevin Barry. But Legito and pinch-hitter Hainley Statia fanned to end the Netherlands' only threat.

"We swung at a couple of high pitches after getting the bases loaded with one out," Eenhoorn said.

Although the Netherlands managed only two hits, team members believe it will be a different story offensively in Puerto Rico. Andruw Jones and Randall Simon, expected to be offensive headliners, were a combined 0-for-4.

"This was our first game with everybody being together," Coffie said. "It was good to get a game like this under our belts. We've got hitters who could get hot in a hurry. Hopefully, that will happen for us as we get into the Classic."



Robert Falkoff is a reporter for MLB.com.

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

I didn't expect the Netherlands to compete in this tournament. But when I woke up this morning, I thought:"The days that they are slaughtered by the Cubans are over... So maybe they can surprise them."
But they were butchered 11-2. :ughh Are they really this bad or is it just the nerves? The guys that made the errors against Puerto Rico are all playing in the Dutch league. Maybe they were too impressed by the whole athmosphere.
Anyway it is a good way to learn. Every error will be punished by the MLB players.

[aarond23]

Yeah I didn't see the Netherlands game but I do think the higher competition will help all these teams and players.

I will say that I've always loved Randall Simon and hope he makes his way back to the majors.

[Andruw]

Dutch hope to close out with a win
By Mark Feinsand / MLB.com


SAN JUAN -- The Netherlands won't be advancing to the second round of the World Baseball Classic, but the team will attempt to close out the tournament on a positive note, as it takes on Panama to close out its Pool C schedule.
Both teams enter the game 0-2, having each lost to Puerto Rico and Cuba. The Netherlands dropped an 8-3 decision to Puerto Rico on Wednesday and were routed by Cuba, 11-2, on Thursday.

"It's a great tournament, and it was a great experience for the whole team," said catcher/DH Sidney de Jong. "It's too bad that we couldn't bring our best game into it. Hopefully we'll show what we're made of on Friday."

Taking the mound for the Netherlands will be Shairon Martis, a right-hander who will turn 19 later this month.

Martis, who signed with the Giants organization last year as a non-drafted free agent, pitched for the Arizona Giants in the Rookie League in 2005, going 2-1 with a 1.85 ERA in 11 games. He struck out 50 batters in 34 innings, walking just nine.

"He's a very young, good pitcher who I believe will have a long career," said Netherlands manager Robert Eenhoorn.. "He's an exciting kid."

In the first two games of the tournament, the Netherlands has a paltry .156 batting average, the second-lowest mark among the 16 countries competing in the event. The team has been outscored, 19-5, posting a 9.00 ERA, also 15th among the 16 teams.

"It's disappointing, but if you look at the last two days and the way we played, it's early in the season -- and it showed," Eenhoorn said. "Cuba is in the middle of their season, they've played a lot, and we have a lot of guys that didn't play up to their potential. That's why we're not going to the next round."

Win or lose, de Jong will leave Hiram Bithorn Stadium having experienced something he will never forget.

"This is an opportunity that most guys in Holland don't get," he said. "To play with guys at the Major League level, it's a good experience for us."

Still, the Netherlands hopes to leave San Juan with a victory, trying to avoid a last-place finish.

"It's not going to be us rolling over, play nine innings so we can get it over with," Eenhoorn said. "We'll try everything we can to finish on a good note and leave with good memories."

"I want to win this game," de Jong said. "I want to win every game, no matter what it means or doesn't mean. I want to win for our fans back home, for everybody, I want to show that we can play baseball and win here."