Dutchies in Japan
Both Rick van den Hurk and Wladimir Balentien played a rehab game with the Ni-Gun teams (farm teams) of the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks and the Tokyo Yakult Swallows.
In a 7-0 win over the Orix Buffaloes, Rick van den Hurk pitched seven innings in which he allowed two hits, walked three and fanned nine. It looks to me that he is ready for the NPB.
Wladimir Balentien played his first rehab game (after the surgery to his left ankle, last year) for the Yakult Swallows farm team vs the futures. Balentien was hitting lead off and in the DH spot. He got one hit out of two at bats and drew a walk. After the game Balentien claimed that he didn’t feel any pain or discomfort to his ankle. So very carefully we may say that he is on his way back.
Associated Press goes Dutch
The Associated Press banned “dinger”, “Jack” and “bomb” as terms for homeruns. So their sports writers are no longer allowed to use those words. But if you ban these words, what are the alternatives? To get a couple of new names, Sports on Earth website held a poll. Surprisingly the Dutch word for baseball, honkbal was named as number one option.
It remains to be seen if the term Honkbal will be used in the future, but it is sure a nice recognition for what Dutch baseball has achieved through the last decade.
Rose joins Fox Sports as guest analyst
All time basehits record holder, Pete Rose will join Fox Sport as their guest analyst. Rose, also nicknamed Johnny Hustle, was 
banned from baseball and from Hall of Fame voting in particular. Since the new commissioner, Rob Manfred is in charge, several rumours are floating around that Rose may be eligible for Hall of Fame voting. Of course, based on his career, he derserves a spot in Cooperstown. But since he betted on baseball (and likely on his own team) he was banned from the game. With this stint with Fox Sports, Rose is back in the spot lights. The photo shows why Pete Rose was named Johnny Hustle.
Dutch Baseball Hangout 
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