Just like earlier this year, the Dutch Baseball Hangout would like to pay attention to the transactions in the Belgian Baseball Gold (BBG) League, next year called the Top League. The transaction period in Belgium ended at December 1, so time to start with the tenth blog post. This one is about the Brasschaat Braves, Belgium’s largest baseball and softball club.
The Brasschaat Braves started as Brasschaat Baseball Club in 1958. In the late eighties, an American player named Johnson Wood joined the club and persuaded them to change their name in to Brasschaat Braves.
Since the club has the most active members in Belgian baseball, it is largely relying on its youth development system, even this much that to replace the players that left the club for 2021, the club is looking at their farm teams.
Players that left are: Christoff Peeters (Hoboken Pioneers), Tibo Soebert (unknown), Christopher Gé (back to the Netherlands where he played with HCAW last season already due to the corona crisis), Larry Infante (unknown).
To replace these players, the Braves turn to Liam van Malder and Robbe De Boey, who are the fruits the Braves can pick from their youth development system. Robbe De Boey is a versatile player who can play as a pitcher, infielder and outfielder. Liam van Malder can play both infield and outfield.
If COVID-19 allows it, the Braves want to reinforce their flagship team with an import pitcher and another import player that can serve as a relieve pitcher and as a utility guy. With the upcoming Federation Cup (which will be organized by the Braves) in mind, both import players are a need.
In the coaching staff, there are a few changes as well. Ignace Peeters is leaving the club but Donald Vertommen, who comes from the Borgerhout Squirrels is joining the coaching staff. The team will be under the helm of Kevin Peeters, assistant coaches Peter van Walraven and Tonny Verhaert.
The goal is to work on the youth development system. The Braves second team (farm team) and third team are doing a good job and they are convinced the club will pick the fruits in the long run.
A big thank you goes out to Hans Heyrman, who provided the much needed information. Your help is really appreciated.
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