Japan wins successful Baseball Week Haarlem
The 29th Baseball Week Haarlem is now history. On Sunday, July 22, Japan became the convincing (and undefeated) winner of the event that started on Friday, July 13. It was Japan’s fourth Baseball Week title, but their first since 1994. In the final, Japan won 5-0 over Chinese Taipei in a match that concluded ten days of “feasting at the Pim Mulier. A final that began with top pitcher of yesteryear Herman Beidschat throwing the first ball. The Asians opened the tournament with two narrow 1-0 victories. In the opening game of the event, Japan won 1-0 over Italy in the tenth inning after a squeeze. The tone was thus set, for how much we were able to enjoy the strong Japanese team. With their short game (bunting), Japan provided great moments, but the team also showed aggressive baserunning, good hitting, solid defense and especially strong pitching. Japan was favored by many for the final title after a few days, and it lived up to that. Chinese Taipei was a more than worthy opponent in the Asian final. Taipei was also in Haarlem with an attractive and strong team and also provided great moments.
In the semifinals, Taipei won 7-5 over the Netherlands, which had to settle for third place as a result. Debutant national coach Evert-Jan ‘t Hoen called the third-place finish disappointing. ”We wanted to play in the finals and win the tournament,” said ‘t Hoen, who underscored the importance of Baseball Week. ”It’s very important that Baseball Week Haarlem and the World Port Tournament are there,” argues ‘t Hoen. We get a lot of exposure because of it. The sport of baseball becomes accessible to everyone. Especially for children. I met a nine-year-old boy who came to watch a baseball game for the first time. I love that. I enjoy that. Then you hope he doesn’t just keep watching but continues to play.” Cuba, which performed less than expected beforehand, still closed the tournament with a good feeling. In the playoffs, they won over both Germany and Italy, eventually finishing in fourth place. Italy was back in Haarlem for the first time after fourteen years and that resulted in a sizzling classic thriller on Friday night against the Netherlands, which the Orange won 2-1 in a full Pim Mulier Stadium only in the ninth inning.
Tournament debutant Germany also gave a calling card and proved to hold their own in the field of participants. Starting an event on Friday the 13th can, of course, bring problems upon yourself. If not for Baseball Week, as Chairman Guus van Dee and his committee decided to do just that. And what a beautiful “Week” it became. Full stands with enthusiastic and relaxed, but mostly enjoying spectators. Lots of enjoying faces also among all those players, coaches and officials. All those employees who were constantly busy and doing their jobs with a smile. Organizers who walked around every day with broad smiles on their faces just as enjoyable. They were approachable to everyone, regularly mingled among the staff and were open to everything. For the first time in the history of the Haarlem Baseball Week, not a drop of rain fell. For ten days we were able to enjoy attractive baseball, positive sounds, an excellent atmosphere befitting Baseball Week and, most of all, each other. Together we made this Baseball Week a success! We saw acts by the Villa Westend sales guys in the stands, enjoyed the infectious cheers of the Taipei supporters, the singing of “The Third Honk,” the wonderful atmosphere-making music by Jeroen and Brian, of course “The Kite” and much more. We could also enjoy the beautiful voice of Belinda Vermeer, who sang the national anthems of Germany and the Netherlands on the first evening.
Before the start of the final another goose-bump moment when both Chinese Taipei’s and Japan’s national anthems were sung live. Looking back on the 29th Baseball Week Haarlem, we can say with one hundred percent that it has been ten top days and that we can speak of a particularly successful event. A tournament, which obviously requires the input of sponsors. Fortunately, the Haarlem Baseball Week has a large number of loyal sponsors and partners who once again supported the event. Thank you for that. But a tournament like Baseball Week is also only possible thanks to the efforts of some 120 volunteers who work from morning to night to make sure everything is running smoothly. For that, too, many thanks are due. A word of thanks is also certainly due to the spectators, for after all, they provided the fantastic atmosphere that prevailed for ten days at the historic Pim Mulier Stadium. Without wanting to shortchange anyone, we still have to place a big word of tribute about the organizing committee. Led by Guus van Dee, they took the challenge and dared to put the 29th Baseball Week Haarlem on track. They certainly succeeded! Kudos! During the closing ceremony, Guus van Dee already announced it: there will be a 30th (anniversary) Baseball Week. From June 26 to July 5 in the 2020 Olympic year! In two weeks, the organization will begin initial preparations. Keep an eye on this website for news and updates! See you in two years!
Text: Marco Stoovelaar