2009 World Baseball Classic Roster: Netherlands

24-Man Squad For European Team

Jan 27, 2009 David Hein

Manager Rod Delmonico hopes his strong pitching staff can lead the Netherlands deeper in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

Manager Rod Delmonico will call on a talented staff of pitchers to lead the Netherlands at the 2009 World Baseball Classic and hope his European team can muster up enough offense.

Former Tennessee Coach Delmonico Takes Over, Calls In Blyleven

Robert Eenhoorn relinquished his long time spot as Dutch national team manager, giving way to Delmonico, who set a University of Tennessee school record for wins. And one of the biggest names on Delmonico's coaching staff is legendary Dutch pitcher Bert Blyleven as pitching coach.

Dominican Republic And Hosts Puerto Rico In Opening Round

Netherlands will face 2009 co-favorites Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Panama in the first round of the World Baseball Classic from March 7-11 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The top two in the group will advance to a second round of eliminators against two teams from the Toronto group consisting of United States, Canada, Venezuela and Italy.

One Victory In 2006 - But What A Win It Was

The Netherlands collected just one victory at the 2006 WBC. But what a win it was as the then-19-year-old pitcher Shairon Martis threw the first no-hitter in Classic history in a seven-inning 10-0 thrashing of Panama.

Arms Lead Dutch Team

Martis is just one of the fine young pitchers Delmonico can look to as the manager hopes to shut down his opponents. The leader will be young Atlanta hurler Jair Jurrjens but Rick VandenHurk and Martis are also on hand as well as veteran Sidney Ponson, who will provide some veteran leadership. There are also Minor Leaguers Alexander Smit from Cincinnati and Loek Van Mil of Minnesota.

Young Talent In Field

Delmonico has a couple of fine young talents in the field who he hopes can produce enough offense to give the fine pitching staff a chance to win. Among the leaders for the Netherlands offense will be outfielders Roger Bernadina of Washington and Seattle's Gregory Halman. Also with a chance to shine are infielders Yurendel De Caster of the Nationals and Hainley Statia of the Angels.

Andruw Jones, Wladimir Balentien Not On 45-Man Roster

Two noticeable omissions from the preliminary 45-man roster, which Delmonico must trim to 28 players - including a mandatory 13 pitchers - by February 24, are outfielders Andruw Jones, a free agent, and Wladimir Balentien of Seattle. Jones has seen his career take a drastic slide in just two seasons, including 2008 when he hit just .158 with three homers in 75 games with the Dodgers.

Netherlands's 24-Man Roster

Name, Bats/Throws, Height, Weight, Birth Date

PITCHERS

David Bergman, R/R, 08/16/1981

Leon Boyd, R/R, 6'5" (196cm), 209lbs (95kg), 08/30/1983

Robbie Cordemans, R/R, 6'3" (191cm), 190lbs (86kg), 10/31/1974

Diegomar Markwell, L/L, 6'2" (188cm), 190lbs (86kg), 08/08/1980

Dennis Neuman, R/R, 5'11" (180cm), 185lbs (84kg), 10/18/1989

Sidney Ponson, R/R, 6'1" (185cm), 260lbs (118kg), 11/02/1976

Alexander Smit, L/L, 6'3" (191cm), 215lbs (98kg), 10/02/1985

Tom Stuifbergen, R/R, 6'3" (191cm), 200lbs (91kg), 09/26/1988

Juan Carlos Sulbaran, R/R, 6'2" (188cm), 198lbs (90kg), 11/09/1989

Rick VandenHurk, R/R, 6'5" (196cm), 195lbs (88kg), 05/22/1985

Berry Van Driel, R/R, 6'4" (193cm), 198lbs (90kg), 12/26/1984

Michiel van Kampen, R/R, 01/23/1976

Pim Walsma, R/R, 6'4" (193cm), 172lbs (78kg), 02/03/1987

CATCHERS

Sidney de Jong, R/R, 04/14/1979

Kenley Jansen, S/R, 6'2" (188cm), 220lbs (100kg), 09/30/1987

Sharlon Schoop, R/R, 6'2" (188cm), 191lbs (87kg), 04/15/1987

INFIELDERS

Sharnol Adriana, R/R, 5'10" (178cm), 205lbs (93kg), 11/13/1970

Yurendell de Caster, R/R, 6'0" (183cm), 215lbs (98kg), 09/26/1979

Michael Duursma, R/R, 02/26/1978

Vince Rooi, R/R, 6'1" (185cm) 190lbs (86kg), 12/13/1981

Randall Simon, L/L, 6'0" (183cm), 245lbs (111kg), 05/25/1975

Curt Smith, R/R, 6'0" (183cm), 205lbs (93kg), 09/09/1986

Hainley Statia, S/R, 5'10" (178cm), 160lbs (73kg), 01/19/1986

OUTFIELDERS

Bryan Engelhardt, L/L, 5'10" (178cm), 165lbs (75kg), 01/10/1982

Greg Halman, R/R, 6'4" (193cm), 190lbs (86kg), 08/26/1987

Gene Kingsale, S/R, 6'3" (191cm), 190lbs (86kg), 08/20/1976

Danny Rombley, R/R, 6'1" (185cm), 180lbs (82kg), 11/26/1979

Dirk Van Klooster, L/L, 6'3" (191cm), 194lbs (88kg), 04/23/1976

The copyright of the article 2009 World Baseball Classic Roster: Netherlands in Baseball is owned by David Hein. Permission to republish 2009 World Baseball Classic Roster: Netherlands in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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