Team Kingdom of the Netherlands has announced the selection for Baseball Week Haarlem 2022. The most notable name: Wladimir Balentien, the all-time single-season home run leader in Japan’s highest league NPB.
Balentien returns to the Kingdom squad after a five-year absence. He last appeared in action for the Kingdom team at the 2017 World Baseball Classic and was the big standout on his way to the semifinals then. That he will now also be in action on Dutch soil for the first time during Baseball Week is great, according to brand-new Technical Director Rick van den Hurk: “He is obviously one of the most successful hitters to ever play for the Kingdom team and to add him to this selection is a huge honor. He has performed great in Japan and has played all over the world. We are hugely looking forward to welcoming him here.”
You can find the rest of Team Kingdom’s selection at baseballsoftball.com.
Photo: Henk Seppen