The Belgian Steve Janssen, who served as pitching and bullpen coach previously, has been named head coach of the Dutch National Team for the World Port Tournament in Rotterdam this summer the Royal Dutch Baseball and Softball Association (KNBSB) announced on Thursday. The 41-year-old former catcher succeeds Brian Farley, who left the national team coaching staff for personal reasons prior to the 2013 World Baseball Classic. At the WBC Hensley Meulens of the San Francisco Giants was in charge.
Janssen has been working with Dutch National Team pitchers since 2003 (2003-2005, 2010-2013). During most of the tournaments he has been their pitching coach except for the 2013 WBC where Hall of Famer Bert Blyleven had this position. Janssen worked in the bullpen. Before joining the KNBSB in 2010 he worked at the club level, coaching with DOOR Neptunus and Sparta/Feyenoord Rotterdam in the Hoofdklasse, with DOOR Tridents at a minor level and with the Brasschaat Braves in the Belgian First Division. He also worked as Technical Director of the Belgian Baseball Federation in 2007.
Besides announcing the promotion of Janssen, the KNBSB also revealed a provisional roster for the World Port Tournament. At the WPT in Rotterdam, Netherlands the Dutch team will face Cuba, Chinese Taipei and Curacao from June 30 to July 7. 29 players were named to the roster, mostly from the Dutch Hoofdklasse with DOOR Neptunus and L&D Amsterdam sending the majority of players.
Roster:
Pitchers:
Arshwin Asjes (Corendon Kinheim), David Bergman (Corendon Kinheim), Leon Boyd (Corendon Kinheim), Rob Cordemans (L&D Amsterdam), Bayron Cornelisse (Vaessen Pioniers), Berry van Driel (DOOR Neptunus), Kevin Heijstek (L&D Amsterdam), Diegomar Markwell (DOOR Neptunus), Chris Mowday (RCH), Orlando Yntema (DOOR Neptunus), Kyle Ward (L&D Amsterdam)
Catchers:
Quintin de Cuba (Corendon Kinheim), Rudy van Heydoorn (DOOR Neptunus), Bas Nooij (L&D Amsterdam)
Infielders:
Jeffrey Arends (Corendon Kinheim), Michael Duursma (L&D Amsterdam), Mervin Gario (Corendon Kinheim), Rafael Jozefa (DOOR Neptunus), Dwayne Kemp (DOOR Neptunus), Zair Koeiman (Eastern Oklahoma State College), Stijn van der Meer (Eastern Oklahoma State College), Vince Rooi (Vaessen Pioniers)
Outfielders:
Gianison Boekhoudt (DOOR Neptunus), Wesley Connor (L&D Amsterdam), Shaldimar Daantji (DOOR Neptunus), Bryan Engelhardt (Corendon Kinheim), Roeland Henrique (L&D Amsterdam), Bas de Jong (L&D Amsterdam), Danny Rombley (Vaessen Pioniers)
