A local Antwerp newspaper posted an article today about the upcoming 2021 season in the Belgian Top League. Unfortunately, the record holder regarding Belgian championships will not participate in the highest Belgian baseball league this season.
After the Belgian Baseball and Softball Federation (KBBSF) decided to merge the Baseball Gold League and the Eerste Klasse (first class) League, the new Top League, as the merged league would be called, the club with the most Belgian championships, Royal Greys from Merksem (originally from Luchtbal) has decided not to participate in the 2021 season.
Near the end of last year’s competition, the club decided to pull back its team because players did not follow the corona rules, at least that was the official message. But several rumors swirled around about the club pulling back the team because the players lacked motivation and the club decided to “release” the complete flagship team.
If the latter is really the case, which I cannot confirm, the club may have had problems finding new players to create a team that would be able to be competitive in the new Top League.
No matter the reason, it is a shame that a club with such a rich history (24 Belgian championships and a total domination of the Belgian highest league from 1961 to 1979. In that time span, the club only did not manage to win the championship in 1962, 1969 and 1970) will not be around in the Belgian Top League in 2021.
For all the other clubs, it still remains a question if the season will even be played.
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