Former Baseball Week executive Hans de Bie passed away

Hans de Bie, who had a long journalistic career and served for many years on the Organizing Committee of the International Haarlem Baseball Week, passed away early Thursday morning, Jan. 23, at the age of 83, after his health had sadly declined in recent months. Mr. De Bie has been an extremely busy man over the years, as he has also been very active in the local community, in organizations, associations and in politics. For his many contributions to the sport of baseball, he was named a Member of Merit by the Royal Dutch Baseball and Softball Association (KNBSB).

According to Hans de Bie’s wishes, his body was made available to science.

A farewell ceremony in memory of Hans de Bie will be held on Saturday, Feb. 1, beginning at 2:30 p.m. in St. Mary’s Church, St. Paul. Augustinuskerk on Amstelveenseweg 965 in Amsterdam. The service begins at 3 p.m.

Hans de Bie was born on Oct. 24, 1936, in Amsterdam along with his twin brother Johan. In the early 1950s, both began playing soccer at the Amsterdamsche Football Club (AFC). A week ago, on Jan. 18, AFC celebrated its 125th anniversary. AFC, nicknamed “The Reds” (because of the red club shirt) is the oldest soccer club in Amsterdam. Since 1962, AFC has played its home games at Sportpark ‘Goed Genoeg’ on De Boelelaan in Amsterdam. At the same complex, the association’s baseball department, founded in 1934 as Amsterdamsche Baseball Club (ABC), also played its home games. Later, in the 1950s, a softball division was added, which played under the same name (ABC). AFC also had a cricket department, the Amsterdamsche Cricket Club (ACC). On the AFC website, Kees Gehring writes in his In Memoriam that in 1962 Hans de Bie played a supporting role in the “Kom over de Dijk” committee with AFC notables such as Dick Bessem, Gerard van Nigtevegt, Cor van Peperzeel and Lex Rimini. At the time, this committee was to make the move from Zuidelijke Wandelweg to De Boelelaan as smooth as possible.

In a column on the AFC website a few years ago, Johan de Bie writes: ,,In 1950 I became a member of AFC after being rejected after a trial match together with my twin brother Hans at Blauw-Wit. We wanted to join Blauw-Wit (then a top club in the national First Division), because our father played there in the Veterans in those years.” Later, Hans and Johan de Bie also started playing baseball and from the beginning the twin brothers were very closely involved in all sports activities of the club. The two brothers have always been very close. Both were part of various committees and also served on the boards of both AFC and ABC. Their parents Joop and Dora de Bie were also active in AFC and ABC. In the 1970s Hans joined the club board and in 1996 he was appointed Member of Merit. His brother Johan is an Honorary Member. Both are also members of the so-called AFC Knights, a recognition for individuals who have been members of the club for 50 years or more.

After leaving school, Hans de Bie became a journalist. Initially, he worked for four years (1960-1963) as an editor on the city editorial board of The Telegraph. From 1965, Hans worked for 32 years as editor and later editor-in-chief of the NOS TV Journaal. But as of December 1997, he remained active in journalism as an independent public relations and communications consultant. As a journalist, Hans was a long-time contributor to AFC’s official club magazine, “The AFC Link,” and was also a member of the association’s Press and Publicity Committee for quite some time. His brother Johan was also a contributor, as was Pim Adriaansz, another well-known member of the club. When ABC celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1984, Hans de Bie was one of the compilers of an anniversary book. De Bie was also the editor-in-chief of the anniversary book compiled on the occasion of AFC’s 100th anniversary in 1995. He was also a journalist for the Royal Dutch Lawn Tennis Association (KNLTB).

In 1967, Hans de Bie became editor-in-chief of BaseballBaseball, which then appeared as an independent baseball magazine and was set up at the initiative of Albert Balink. In addition to stories, interviews and other articles, the magazine also published official announcements from the then Royal Dutch Baseball Association (KNHB). The other regular contributors were Nico Brands, Hans Doeleman, Gé Hoogenbos, Ed van Opzeeland, Harry van der Steeg and Theo Vleeshhouwer. Later, other contributors included Cees Boer Jr., Jan-Willem van der Horst, Bep van Houdt, Henk Knol, Jaap Kok, Cees Leseman, Rob Rijnders, Ton Schoordijk and Han Urbanus. In the second and third years of the magazine, the group was expanded to include contributors who provided news from the then Rayons, including Joop van Bolhuis (‘t Gooi/Utrecht), Herman Spilker (Amsterdam), Piet Laurens (Het Oosten), Cees van Cuilenborg (Rotterdam) and Jan van Woensel (Utrecht). Martin Amberg contributed articles on American baseball, while Walter Van Uytfangh and Roger Bogaerts wrote regularly on baseball in Belgium. In December 1969, after leading the magazine for three years, Hans de Bie quit. A year later, the Dutch Baseball Association merged with the Dutch Softball Association and became the Royal Dutch Baseball and Softball Association (KNBSB). Starting in 1971, the Inside the new baseball and softball magazine edited by Joop Köhler.

In 1969, Hans de Bie joined the Organizing Committee of the International Haarlem Baseball Week, first organized in 1961. In 1969, the fifth edition took place at Pim Mulier Stadium, which this year is also the site of the 30th edition (June 26-July 5). De Bie remained active for “The Week” through 1994. From 1969 through 1978, De Bie handled press matters. In 1969-1976 he shared this position on the board with Henk de Bruin, in 1978 with Frank Voskuilen. From 1978 through 1984, De Bie served as vice chairman of the organization’s board. After this, he initially quit, but from 1989 through 1994, De Bie returned to the board as an advisor. During the years Hans de Bie served on the Organizing Committee, twelve Haarlem Baseball Weeks were organized. In 1979, there was also the Haarlem Baseball Six Days.

During these years there were virtually no changes in the Organizing Committee. In 1969-1978, the board was headed by Gerard Voogd, while Karel de Graaf was secretary in 1969-1976 and Freek van Muiswinkel in 1978. Van Muiswinkel later became known as Watch Commander Jochems in the popular television series Baantjer and is the father of comedian/actor Erik van Muiswinkel. After De Graaf also served as treasurer in 1969-1971, Dries de Zwaan handled the finances in 1972-1976. He was succeeded by Piet Tromp in 1978. Other longtime Committee members in these years were Henny Oosterhof (tournament secretary), Piet van Deenen (competition affairs/umpires), Jan Hartog (competition affairs) and Wim Oosterhof (accommodations).

In 1979, Pete Tromp became tournament chairman, succeeding Voogd, who became adviser. Hans de Bie then became vice president. During the next three “Weeks” (1980, 1982, 1984), the Committee underwent no changes. The other members in these years were Rita Schrijber (secretary), Gonny Wedemeijer (2nd secretary), Wim Ascherman (treasurer), Theo Vleeshhouwer (tournament affairs), Frank Voskuilen (press affairs), Henk de Bruin (press affairs), Ben de Brouwer (member) and Piet van Deenen (accommodation). In 1980, Jules de Pierre also served on the board.

In addition to his part in the organizational board, Hans de Bie was involved in many other things around and during the event. In 1974-1984 he was the liaison officer for Public Address Announcers, and since 1972 he served on the tournament’s Press Committee. In the 1970s and early 1980s, Hans van Raalte and Frank Voskuilen also served on this committee for many years. As Advisor to the Organizing Committee (1990-1994), De Bie remained active in and for the Press Commission. In 1990, his daughter Dyone and son Remko also served on this committee. Before and during this period, both, as well as their sister Monique, were part of the famous young group (Folding and Sales), who took care of the much copy work, preparation and distribution of the daily tournament bulletin. In 1992 and 1994, Remko, along with his father, served on the Organizing Committee.

After first being one of the editors, Marco Stoovelaar became the editor-in-chief of the bulletin, or“Reading Feed,” in 1992. Stoovelaar and Hans de Bie worked closely together in 1990-1994 regarding the content of the bulletin. In those years, a new bulletin was issued before each race; in later years, a new issue appeared daily. In 1995-2000, Stoovelaar served on the Organizing Committee and then had press matters in his portfolio. In that role, he was one of the successors to Hans de Bie in that position. His successors on the Organizing Committee were Rob Spies (1988), Jacob Bergsma (1990, 1998), Lenno van Dekken (1992), Ard Dinkelberg (1994), Marco Stoovelaar (1995-2000), Ad Hendrikse (2000), Samuel de Leeuw (2002), Robert Sant (2006-2014), Janneke de Kan (2016) and Marleen Zwartkruis (2018).

In his years on the Baseball Week Press Committee in the 1970s, Hans de Bie provided necessary information for the media, such as starting lineups and box scores. More and more spectators also became interested in this information. In 1980, the committee introduced a cover with information for spectators. In it, not only box scores and statistics, but also a clipping newspaper and tournament news under the name “Short Stops. Another information sheet was “Knol’s time-out,” a column written by Henk Knol, who had served on the Press Commission since 1961. Knol was also a Public Address Announcer for many years and was action in the “Week” through 1984.

There was no Haarlem Baseball Week in 1986, as the Netherlands hosted the World Baseball Championship for the first time then. The World Cup Organizing Committee consisted of several experienced members of the Haarlem Baseball Week. Piet Tromp was the chairman and Hans de Bie was vice chairman, while then KNBSB president Guus van der Heijden was co-chairman. Theo Vleeshhouwer was secretary general, assisted by Rita Schrijber, while Wim Ascherman was treasurer. Ben de Brouwer, Piet van Deenen and Gonny Wedemeijer completed the board. Gerard Voogd served as advisor, Jaco van Ekeris took care of the administration and Hans Doeleman was the press secretary.

The Haarlem Baseball Week returned in 1988 and during that also the daily bulletin appeared in the form we know today, namely a booklet. In 1988, the bulletin was called “Pre-Game” and was compiled by Rob van Tuyl, Jacqueline van der Hoeven and Marco Stoovelaar. Since 1992, Stoovelaar has led the editorial board of “Reading Feed” as final/principal editor. In recent years, the editorial board has consisted of Coen Stoovelaar (since 2006), Györgyike Horvath (since 2008), Feiko Drost (since 2012) and Jasper Roos (since 2012). Marleen Zwartkruis strengthened the team in 2018.

In the 1970s and 1980s, the Netherlands hosted the European Baseball Championships in Haarlem in 1973, 1977, 1981 and 1985. Because the Organizing Committee was virtually the same as that of the Haarlem Baseball Week, Hans de Bie was also involved in these events. In the two tournaments in the 1970s he was again in charge of press affairs and in the 1980s he was vice president. In February 1978, during the KNBSB Federal Meeting, Hans de Bie was awarded the Slugger, the KNBSB’s highest award for promotional activities. De Bie received the award for his many and outstanding work on the 1977 EC Organizing Committee and Press Committee.

In the early 1970s (1970-1974), Hans de Bie also served on the press and publicity committee of the then Rayon Amsterdam. Other members then were Cees Boer, Sr., Henk van Ede (both 1970-1972), Hans Doeleman (1973), Herman Spilker and Hans Zwart (both 1974).

On May 26, 1983, the Dutch Baseball and Softball Museum Foundation with Gallery of Honor was established by the KNBSB. From the beginning, Hans de Bie was involved as a board member in setting up the Museum to exhibit the history of baseball and softball in the Netherlands, as well as to induct individuals into a Hall of Fame. Nominees for the Hall of Fame are discussed by a special awards committee, which then votes for admission. From its founding in 1983 through 1987, Hans de Bie served as treasurer on the Museum board, which was then led by former international Boudewijn Maat as chairman. Gé Hoogenbos, who also played and coached in the highest division, played for the Orange and was also a journalist, held the position of vice president. The first secretary was Rob van der Gaast, who was succeeded two years later by Greetje Immers. Then KNBSB president Guus van der Heijden completed the Museum board. In 1988, Hoogenbos succeeded Maat as president and Hans de Bie became vice president, a position he held through 2001. Hoogenbos was later succeeded as chairman by Huub Nelissen, who led the board from 1994-2001. From 1989 through 2001, Jan Bruyntjes served as secretary. In 1989, De Bie was succeeded as treasurer by Wim Endel, who remained active in the position for many years. In 1989, the board was expanded to include former Orange softball star Elly Nijhuis, who still serves on the Museum board. Henk den Duijn and Maartje Nierop Groot also served on the board for quite some time in the 1990s.

In 1988, Hans de Bie received the Federal Medal of Honor from the KNBSB for his many contributions and work for the Haarlem Baseball Week and his board work in organizing this event, the European Championship and the Baseball Six-Day in 1979. In 1995, he was named a Member of Merit of the KNBSB.

Besides his long-term involvement with the Haarlem Baseball Week, the Dutch Baseball and Softball Museum, his many club activities and his work as a journalist, Hans de Bie did much more. De Bie was a board member of the Netherlands Chinese Sports Federation Foundation, which was established in the 1970s to promote sports among Chinese youth, adults and seniors. Sports could promote friendship ties among Chinese and strengthen cooperation among Chinese and Chinese associations, as well as promote integration into Dutch society. Every year, the Foundation organizes the International Chinese Sports Event in Amsterdam’s Sporthallen-Zuid. De Bie was awarded Honorary President of the Foundation.

Hans de Bie was also a board member of the Buddha’s Light International Association Young Adult Division Amsterdam (BLIA YAD) and as such was also closely involved in the activities of the Fo Guang Shan He Hua Buddhist Temple, the largest traditional Chinese palace-style temple in Europe, located on the Zeedijk in Amsterdam.

As a resident of Amstelveen, Hans de Bie also became politically active, serving as secretary on the board of the local VVD department. His brother Johan has been a Council member on behalf of the VVD.

Hans was also a columnist for the Amstelveens Nieuwsblad for many years.

In 1997, Harry Lo and his wife Jane Lo started something that has become a tradition. As owners of the Chinese-Taiwanese Restaurant Jasmijn Garden in Amstelveen, they organized a free Chinese lunch for local senior citizens aged 75 or older. The Chinese Elderly Lunch was a great success. When the restaurant closed, Jane Lo approached Hans de Bie (a very active resident of Amstelveen) to continue the lunch together, but at Amstelveen’s Town Hall. Their proposal was adopted and since 2011, Council House has been the location of the luncheon and Council members and officials serve as waiters. Hans de Bie was involved with the organization almost from the beginning, but quit in 2014 to clear the way for a younger person, after which he was succeeded by Michel Becker.

Hans de Bie has also served on the Amstelveen Sports Council and has been chairman of the Rabo Talenten Prijs, which provides annual nominations for young sports talents in Amstelveen. De Bie is also an Honorary Member of the Sociëteit Olympisch Stadion, which organizes regular meetings at Amsterdam’s Olympic Stadium. And with his wife, Louisa, he was active since 1997, among other things, as a consultant for the Eco-Trust Foundation, a fundraiser that raises money for children and nature in India, a country he visited several times.

For his many activities in Amstelveen for the local community in the areas of sports, politics and community work, Hans de Bie received the Bronze Medal of Amstelveen in 2008. In 2010, De Bie gave a lecture on the background of the names given to streets in Amstelveen.

Hans de Bie’s son Remko has inherited his father’s managerial qualities. In 2012, Remko became treasurer at baseball and softball association Amsterdam Pirates, a position he held for more than six years. Since June 2018, Remko de Bie has been the treasurer of the KNBSB Federal Board.

Hans de Bie always radiated kindness, had a smile on his face, had a lot of humor and always had time for a chat. Looking back to the past, retrieving baseball memories, looking forward, but also being involved in his other activities, such as helping people. Hans de Bie will be missed by many.

Baseball Week Haarlem extends its condolences to Hans’ wife Louisa, his children Monique, Remko and Dyone and their families and wishes them much strength with this great loss.

Text: Marco Stoovelaar