Baseball Week Haarlem is changing. After a 2020 edition canceled by COVID-19, Baseball Week Haarlem returns Friday, July 8, 2022, in a modified format. In consultation with the Royal Dutch Baseball and Softball Association (KNBSB), the tournament organization has decided to make a number of changes that will make the tournament even better and more attractive.
TOURNAMENT
Baseball Week is going to eight days, with three games each day and the tournament final on Friday night, July 15, 2022. The decision to shorten the Baseball Week came about partly because of the organization’s desire to allow all baseball fans in the Netherlands to enjoy the tournament, and especially for this reason, the KNBSB is willing to shut down the league schedule in the Netherlands over the weekend of July 9 and 10.
To align with international developments and the direction of the World Baseball and Softball Confederation (WBSC), the games during Baseball Week Haarlem will be seven innings long. With this decision, it is possible to facilitate three games per day and provides the tournament with more space for moments of experience and entertainment befitting Baseball Week Haarlem.
PARTICIPANTS
Baseball Week assumes we will again play with six teams in 2022. For now, the Netherlands, Chinese Taipei, Japan and Italy have pledged their participation. With two other participating countries, negotiations are currently at an advanced stage.
According to Guus van Dee, chairman of the organizing committee, changes were necessary. “The changes stem mainly from our efforts to reach more and also new fans in addition to, of course, our loyal visitors. In addition, sponsorship income declined slightly. We therefore asked the sports marketing agency ByBP to look at the design of our tournament and the future. We also intensified our cooperation with the KNBSB. All that has led to the above result, in which baseball is central, but there is also room for innovative elements, such as an All-Star Game, a Home-run Derby or other enrichments of our tournament.”