AMSTERDAM – In recent years I have written many In Memoriams about persons who have been active in (international) baseball and/or softball. All colorful individuals who have done a lot for our sports and deserved a look back at their (long) careers.
But the composition of this In Memoriam is the most difficult and emotional ever, because it concerns my own dear father.
Coen Stoovelaar, who was a beloved and valued personality on the baseball and softball fields, passed away after a short and unexpected illness early Wednesday morning, Oct. 16, two months after he turned 92.
The memorial service for Coen Stoovelaar will take place on Thursday, October 24, from 1:30 p.m. in the Vondel Aula of Crematorium Westgaarde, located at Ookmeerweg 275 in Amsterdam. Afterwards there will be the opportunity to offer condolences to the family.
There will also be an opportunity to say goodbye from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23, at Crematorium Westgaarde in Amsterdam.
Coenraad Frederik (Coen) Stoovelaar, who was born August 15, 1932 in Amsterdam, has been active in various positions since the late 1960s, including (national) baseball-umpire and board member of the then Rayon Amsterdam. He was also for many years team manager of the baseball team of Amsterdam Pirates, the club of which he was a member for 55 years and held various positions over the years.
Coen Stoovelaar also was Public Address Announcer for many years and not only at Pirates games, as he also was one of the announcers during the 1986 World Baseball Championship in the Netherlands and during the first editions of the World Port Tournament in Rotterdam. And he also was one of the co-workers of the Haarlem Baseball Week for 25 years.
Text and Photo: Marco Stoovelaar