The KNBSB, represented by manager Hensley Meulens has released the 26-man roster for the upcoming (final) Olympic Qualifier that will start on June 22nd.
In the meantime, several countries have pulled back from the tournament. It all started with China, whose decision was likely politically motivated as the tournament was originally scheduled in Taiwan. But then Taiwan was hit hard by a spike in corona contaminations and the tournament was awarded to Mexico after Taiwan decided not to organize the tourney anymore. Also due to the corona virus, Taiwan decided to withdraw its team. And most recently, Australia decided to pull back, also due to corona. So now, only Venezuela, the Dominican Republic and the Kingdom of the Netherlands are the only teams left. Talk about a devaluated tournament.
The team of Kingdom of the Netherlands will contain players from American independent leagues, from the Dutch hoofdklasse, from the German Bundesliga, from the Italian Serie A, and the Mexican independent leagues. The team will be a mix of players from the Netherlands, Aruba, Curacao, and Saint Martin.
The roster contains the following players:
| Pitchers | |
| Tom de Blok | L&D Amsterdam (Dutch hoofdklasse) |
| Mike Bolsenbroek | Heidenheim Heideköpfe (German Bundesliga) |
| Wendell Floranus | Tigres de la Angelopolis (Mexico, Independent) |
| Mike Groen | L&D Amsterdam (Dutch hoofdklasse) |
| Franklin van Gurp | Free agent |
| Lars Huijer | HCAW (Dutch hoofdklasse) |
| Jair Jurrjens | Guerreros de Oaxaca (Mexico, Independent) |
| Kevin Kelly | Curaçao Neptunus (Dutch hoofdklasse) |
| Diegomar Markwell | Curaçao Neptunus (Dutch hoofdklasse) |
| Shairon Martis | Free agent |
| Juancarlos Sulbaran | L&D Amsterdam (Dutch hoofdklasse) |
| Orlando Yntema | Curaçao Neptunus (Dutch hoofdklasse) |
| Catchers | |
| Sicnarf Loopstok | Lincoln SaltDogs (USA, American Association) |
| Dashenko Ricardo | Curaçao Neptunus (Dutch hoofdklasse) |
| Infielders | |
| Yurendell de Caster | Wildcats (Curaçao) |
| Calten Daal | Free agent |
| Dwayne Kemp | Curaçao Neptunus (Dutch hoofdklasse) |
| John Polonius | Curaçao Neptunus (Dutch hoofdklasse) |
| Juremi Profar | Free agent |
| Sharlon Schoop | Free agent |
| Curt Smith | Lincoln SaltDogs (USA, American Association) |
| Outfielders | |
| Roger Bernadina | Curaçao Neptunus (Dutch hoofdklasse) |
| Randolph Oduber | Hoofddorp Pioniers (Dutch hoofdklasse) |
| Denzell Richardson | L&D Amsterdam (Dutch hoofdklasse) |
| Ademar Rifaela | Free agent |
| Jiandido Tromp | San Marino (Italy, Serie A) |
Two of the players are debuting with the team: Mike Groen and Jiandido Tromp. Groen was a part of the Dutch U23 team before. Jiandido Tromp is the brother of Chadwick Tromp, who is on the San Francisco Giants’ MLB roster. Jiandido made it to AAA but is playing in Italy in 2021.
Dutch Baseball Hangout 