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Dutch split after youth clinic
HAARLEM (Neth.) - The Dutch National Softball Team conducted a successful youth clinic on Sunday at the Noorder Sportpark in Haarlem, then played two more games in the Holland Tour, meeting the Foreign All Star Team again in a double-header.
The Dutch won the opener 8-1, then lost the next game 3-0 to even the record between the two squads (4-4).
The Dutch and the All Stars will meet again next Sunday-afternoon, June 21, in a single game at the site of Iber Lengua Terrasvogels in Santpoort.
The game will follow an international match-up between the national teams of the Netherlands and Great Britain in the morning.
In between, the All Stars also will play against the British squad.
Before today's double-header, all players of the Dutch Softball Team and its staff were on the field early to conduct a clinic for youth softball players.
The participating players took part in four different stations where they were instructed by the Dutch players in hitting, fielding and throwing.
Afterwards, there was a photo opportunity where the Dutch National Team posed with all participants and also were available for individual photos and signatures.
As yesterday, June 13, was World Softball Day, the Dutch National Softball Team supported this initiative of the International Softball Federation to promote the sport as much as possible worldwide.
Saskia Kosterink, one of the Dutch players, is a member of the Athlete Ambassadors of the ISF, who support the BackSoftball-campaign to reinstate softball as an Olympic Sport for the 2016 Olympic Games.
Did the day initially started with an overcast, the clinic and both games were played under fine weather conditions with a bright blue sky and a warm sun.
The next games in the Holland Tour will be played on Wednesday, June 17 at Oldenzaal at the site of Run '71.
There, the team of Head Coach Craig Montvidas will meet Kansas Express, an American College Team which participates in the Oldenzaal Softball Week.
The first game in Oldenzaal will start at 2:00 PM.
On Monday, the Dutch National Team will participate in a sports activities day organized by Right to Play and Asics in Leiden.
On Friday, the Dutch squad meets the national team of Great Britain at the site of Olympia Haarlem in Haarlem, starting at 5:00 PM.
Schedule Holland Tour
The players and staff of the Dutch National Softball Team thank Umpires Carolien Stadhouders and Peter Vonk, Official Scorer Brigitta Zaal and Public Address Announcer Wouter Hoos for their contributions in the two games against the Foreign All Star Team on Sunday in Haarlem.
The Clinic
Head Coach Craig Montvidas addresses the participants and introduces the Dutch Team
All players of the Dutch National Team participated in the youth clinic in Haarlem
Rebecca Soumeru instructs the youth players
Judith Diepeveen, Areke Spel and Chantal Versluis
show the right hitting positions
Nathalie Gosewehr works with outfielders
And so does Merel Oosterveld
Petra van Heijst tells infielders what to do
Nathalie Timmermans, Solange Starrenburg, Nadine Marinus and Britt Vonk
talk with another group of players about hitting
Kirsten Scheele, Merel Oosterveld, Saskia Kosterink, Nathalie Gosewehr
and Femke van Dusschoten instruct their group of players
ISF Athlete Ambassador Saskia Kosterink goes over details with some players
Players join in the final game of the clinic
The chairman of Sparks Haarlem thanks the Dutch National Team for their participation in the clinic
The Dutch National Team poses with the particpating players
Afterwards, there was a Meet & Greet with the players, including photo opportunities
Game One: Netherlands vs. Foreign All Star Team, 8-1
In the opener of the fourth and final double-header against the Foreign All Star Team, the Dutch Team opened the score right away in the first at bat, as speedy Britt Vonk led off with an inside-the-park-homerun off starting pitcher Tiffany McDonald.
After leaving the bases loaded in the second inning, the Dutch added two runs in the third at bat.
With one out, Saskia Kosterink reached on an infield-hit, then advanced on a throwing error on a force play-grounder by Nathalie Timmermans.
Another error on a grounder by Areke Spel resulted in runners on all bases and this time, the Dutch Team was able to score.
An error on a grounder by Solange Starrenburg and a sacrifice fly by Nadine Marinus gave the Dutch two more runs.
The Foreign All Stars scored its lone run in the fourth inning off Femke van Dusschoten, who had taken over for starter Rebecca Soumeru.
Lead-off batter Shannon Robinson walked, advanded on a sacrifice bunt by Lindsey Meadows and a wild pitch, then scored on an error on a grounder by Krissi Oliver of Computer SOS Tex Town Tigers, who played in her first game for the All Stars.
Cambria Miranda of Iber Lengua Terrasvogels and Andee Lindgren of Twins also were first-time players in the team.
Leading 3-1, the Dutch Team scored five more runs in the fourth inning to reach the 7-run difference.
Britt Vonk led off with a bunt-single, then moved to third base when a throwing error was made on a sacrifice bunt by Petra van Heijst and scored on a grounder by Saskia Kosterink.
A sacrifice fly by Nathalie Timmermans then produced another run.
Next, Areke Spel reached on a fielder's choice and both she and Saskia scored when Solange Starrenburg followed with a double, who then scored herself when Karin Tuk also doubled with two outs.
The Dutch Team registered six basehits, while the All Stars produced only two off the Dutch pitching.
Box Score Game 1 Netherlands vs. Foreign All Star Team
Today's players in the Foreign All Star Team:
Back Row: Krissi Oliver (Tex Town Tigers), Leah English (Centrals),
Lindsey Meadows (Tex Town Tigers), Tiffany McDonald (Robur '58),
Rebekah Tsatsa (Amsterdam Pirates) and Christie Hill (Assistant Coach, Olympia Haarlem)
Front Row: Kaleo Eldredge (Head Coach, Tex Town Tigers), Amanda Hess (DSS),
Shannon Robinson (Robur '58), Cambria Miranda (Terrasvogels) and
Courtney Lyons (Assistant Coach, Olympia Haarlem); Lying down is Andee Lindgren (Twins)
Today's Umpires Peter Vonk and Carolien Stadhouders
Today's Official Scorer Brigitta Zaal
Physical Therapist Anouk Fermont tapes the foot of Britt Vonk
The Dutch pitchers in Game One Rebecca Soumeru and Femke van Dusschoten
Tiffany McDonald, who went the distance for the All Stars
Saskia Kosterink lines out in the first inning
A view into the Dutch dug-out
Head Coach Craig Montvidas keeps an eye on the action
First time All Star Cambria Miranda playing as short stop
Behind her in leftfield is Rebekah Tsatsa
Solange Starrenburg and Nadine Marinus running on second
and first base in the second inning
Today's games were played again under a bright blue sky
2B Petra van Heijst catches a ball in the fourth inning
Nathalie Timmermans playing at third base; Shannon Robinson is the runner
Britt Vonk dives in head first to score a run in the fourth inning,
beating a throw to home; Catcher Shannon Robinson awaits the ball
Umpire Carolien Stadhouders watches the play and is ready to make the call
Nadine Marinus connects in the fourth inning
First-time All Star Andee Lindgren playing at second base
Game Two: Netherlands vs. Foreign All Star Team, 0-3
In Game Two, the Dutch Team reached base in all innings of this 5-inning game, but was unable to score this time.
The Foreign All Star Team opened the score in the first inning when Lindsey Meadows hit a homerun with two outs off starter Dagmar Bloeming, who then retired the next four batters.
In the third inning, the All Stars added two runs with two outs off Kirsten Scheele.
With one out, Kaleo Eldredge singled.
The Head Coach of the All Stars, who played in centerfield in this game, then stole second base and scored on a 2-out double by Shannon Robinson, who moments later scored herself on a single by Leah English.
This single followed an infield-hit by Lindsey Meadows.
Next, Andee Lindgren also singled, but Meadows was thrown out at the plate on a strong throw by rightfielder Solange Starrenburg to catcher Nathalie Timmermans.
In the fourth, Kirsten Scheele retired the side, including two strikeouts, then Ginger de Weert had an one-two-three fifth inning.
The Dutch Team got two of its five lead-off hitters on base, but both stranded on second base in the first and fifth inning.
In the second and third inning, the Dutch reached base with two outs.
In the second, Virginie Anneveld singled with two outs, but was left behind.
In the third, Petra van Heijst doubled with two outs, then Saskia Kosterink reached on a throwing error, but a groundout ended the at bat.
In the fourth, Solange Starrenburg singled with one out, but then was eliminated in a double play when next batter Virginie Anneveld lined out.
The Dutch Team collected four basehits off Krissi Oliver, who went the distance and threw in her first game for the Foreign All Stars.
After completion of Game Two, players and staff of both teams as well as the game officials enjoyed a tasty saté and bami-meal and of course, everyone involved thanks Sparks Haarlem for its hospitality today and the nice meal.
Box Score Game 2 Netherlands vs. Foreign All Star Team
Former National Team pitcher Petra Goedkoop (center) and catcher Jacqueline Bakker (right)
were amongst the attendees at today's games
The team meets before Game Two
Catchers Nathalie Timmermans and Karin Tuk
catch the pitchers before the game
A good crowd visited today's games in Haarlem
Winning pitcher Krissi Oliver of the Foreign All Stars
Dutch Game Two pitchers Dagmar Bloeming, Kirsten Scheele and Ginger de Weert
Solange Starrenburg dives back into first base, but 1B Andee Lindgren has received
the ball to complete a double play; Umpire Peter Vonk will make the call;
Waiting for the umpire's decision is Coach Nancy Evans
Cambria Miranda hitting for the Foreign All Stars
Kaleo Eldredge, the Head Coach of the All Stars and playing in centerfield,
sprinted towards home to discuss a call by Home Plate Umpire Carolien Stadhouders,
stating that batter Merel Oosterveld had touched the ball
after putting down a bunt in the fifth inning; Merel reached first base safely
Judith Diepeveen batting in the fifth inning
Game over
Players shake hands under a blue sky
Afterwards, the players enjoyed a fine meal in the clubhouse of Sparks Haarlem
And so did the players of the Foreign All Star Team
Dutch Team Captains Rebecca Soumeru, Petra van Heijst and Saskia Kosterink
discuss some ongoing affairs with Team Manager Paul Boonstra
and Head Coach Craig Montvidas
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