Just a bit earlier tonight, I learned that Eddy Heymans, one of the founders of the Namur Angels passed away today.
I met Mr. Heymans earlier this year when I visited the Namur Angels. When I asked for a Coke and a Sprite at the bar, in my best French, much to my surprise, I got an answer in Flemish. It appeared to be Mr. Heymans that stood behind the bar.
During the day, he told me and my friend stories of how he lived a bit North of Brussels but moved to Namur in Wallonia (the French-speaking part of Belgium) to be closer to his girlfriend, his future wife. He also told us about how he helped to found the club and how the team was treated differently by Flemish (or mainly Antwerp) umpires since baseball was mainly an Antwerp thing back then. And back then there was a true animosity between Flanders and Wallonia, much more than today. The team got demoted in 1996 but Mr. Heymans swore they would be back in 1998 and win the Belgian championship. Mr. Heymans and the Angels kept his promise as the Angels won the Belgian championship in 1998.
From what I have seen in that short day, Mr. Heymans was still the backbone of the club, even at his old age. When we left to go home, Mr. Heymans thanked us for visiting the Angels and said that we were always welcome.
Even though I have met Mr. Heymans only once, I am deeply saddened by his passing. Strange how someone you have met once, can have such a deep impact on you.
I wish the family of Mr. Heymans and the Namur Angels lots of strength to cope with this loss.
Baseball from a Dutch point of view since 2014
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