Many baseball players dream to make it to the Major League. I bet that Hiroki Kuroda had the same dream. But his dream turned out to be an unpleasant experience. The New York Post published an article about Hiroki Kuroda’s MLB experience. Kuroda summarized it with one word: Tough. “In a situation in which I…
Newly acquired Dutch RHP, Rick van den Hurk made his debut with the Softbank Hawks during an intra-squad game yesterday (February 17). The 29-year old started the intra-squad game for the white team. His velocity reached 148 km/h (92 mph). The first three batters that he faced were retired by him. Van den Hurk threw …
The World Baseball and Softball Confederation announced the roster of the European team that will take on Samurai Japan in a two game series on March 10 and 11 in the Tokyo Dome in Japan. The team is a mix of players from the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Germany and France. The series is all organized…
Today, Samurai Japan released the roster with players that will participate in the two game series vs the European team. Biggest absentee is Shohei Otani, the 20-year old right handed pitcher of the Nippon Ham Fighters. His fastball reaches 100 MPH easily. The European roster is expected tomorrow (Tuesday February 17). I know the names…
Early January I wrote an article on the subject already, but during the presentation of the schedule and logo of the premier twelve tournament, it was confirmed that a friendly match will be played between the best Japanese players and a selection of European (professional) players. The team will mainly contain Dutch and Italian players…
Hiroki Kuroda, who turned down an offer from the Padres to return to his old club the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, has set some goals for himself. Kuroda returned to Japan after a seven year career in the Majors. Of those seven years he spent four in Los Angeles and three in New York. In six…
Sadaharu Oh and his typical stance Despite being born in Tokyo in 1940, Sadaharu Oh has been inducted to the Taiwanese Baseball Hall of Fame. I hear you wonder: “why?” Well, he was the son of a Chinese (Taiwanese) father and a Japanese mother. Despite the fact that he never played in Taiwan, Oh…
vs According to the Japanese newspaper 5Newspaper the Japanese All Star team that took on an MLB All Star team in November, the Samurai Japan, is planning to play a friendly game vs a European All Star Team in March. Kumazaki Katsuhiko, the commissioner of the NPB (Nippon Professional Baseball) said this according to…
The Fukuoka Softbank Hawks officially announced that Rick van den Hurk has signed a two year contract worth 400,000,000 Yen. The 29-year old Dutch pitcher will wear uniform number 44. According to Yakyubaka.com Van den Hurk said the following: “I am honored and happy for this opportunity to sign a contract with the Fukuoka Softbank…
According to Chunichi Sports, the Yomiuri Giants are also interested in Dutch pitcher Rick van den Hurk. The 196 cm (6 ft 5) tall Van den Hurk is currently pitching for the Samsun Lions of the KBO (Korean Professional Baseball League). This season, Van den Hurk won thirteen games and lost four. He leads the…
