Japanese pitchers defy laws of nature

On the first day of Spring Training in Japan, several Japanese relief pitchers defied the laws of nature as they threw ridiculously long bullpen sessions.  Relief pitcher Yuma Ohshita of the Yakult Swallows threw a bullpen session of 106 pitches. He almost repeated that feat on the second day as he threw a hundred pitches. …

Dutchies Around the World

In this episode of Dutchies around the world we pay attention to Andrelton Simmons, Ademar Rifaela, Ray-Patrick Didder, Kirvin Moesquit, Wladimir Balentien and Kevin Kelly. MLB Andrelton Simmons is still one of the best shortstops in the game. He is capable of the most amazing plays. In the past few years, his fielding percentage was in …

Van den Hurk highly ineffective today

In today's 12-6 loss, Rick van den Hurk had an enormous off day. The tall Dutch pitcher was responsible for a big chunk of the runs the Seibu Lions scored. After Rick worked his way through the first two innings without giving up a run, things went wrong in the third frame as he gave …

Wladimir Balentien signs one-year extension with Swallows

Last week you could read here that Wladimir Balentien was likely to return to the Yakult Swallows. Today, Yahoo.com confirmed the 33-year old Curaçaoan slugger signed a one-year deal with the other team from Tokyo. According to Yahoo.com, both parties reached an agreement yesterday. By signing a $3 million deal, Balentien agrees with a deduction …

Balentien likely to extend his stay with Swallows

Good news for baseball fans from Curaçao and the Netherlands. Curaçao native Wladimir Balentien and the Yakult Swallows are on the verge of signing a one-year contract extension. According to Yaoo.com, the 33-year old outfielder decided yesterday to stay with the team. Currently, both parties are working on the finishing touches of the contract, which is …

Coco Balentien reaches 32 home run plateau for second time in his career

Wladimir "Coco" Balentien, the slugger from Curaçao reached the 32 home run plateau last weekend, for the second time in his career. In the game of his Yakult Swallows vs the Chunichi Dragons, Balentien contributed to the 7-5 win with a three-run, game-tying home run, his only hit of the game.  So far, Coco only has …

Dutchies around the world, part 6

In this week's edition of Dutchies around the world, we pay attention to Xander Bogaerts, Shairon Martis, Spencer Kieboom, Danny Arribas, Kevin Josephina and Wladimir Balentien. Xander Bogaerts The Aruban shortstop of the Boston Red Sox is having a good season at bat again. In 34 games and 131 at-bats, Xander collected 44 hits, resulting …

Dutchies around the world, part 3

In this week's edition of Dutchies around the world, we pay attention to Jonathan Schoop, Juremi Profar, Sicnarf Loopstok, Ademar Rifaela, and Wladimir Balentien. Jonathan Schoop Jonathan had a rusty start of the season as he only went 2 for 19 in his first six starts. Since then he is slowly recovering. From that low …

Dutchies around the world, Asia part 2

Today Roger Bernadina and Wladimir Balentien both played for their respective teams. Bernadina helped the Kia Tigers to win but Wladimir Balentien and his Yakult Swallows did have an off day. After yesterday's convincing win, the Yakult Swallows fell to the Yokohama Baystars 6-1 Today.  Wladimir Balentien went 0 for 4 as he hit into a …

Jurrjens joins team Kingdom of the Netherlands

Today the Royal Dutch Baseball and Softball Federation (KNBSB) announced in a press release, that former MLB pitcher Jair Jurrjens will join team Kingdom of the Netherlands during the upcoming World Baseball Classic.  With Jurrjens, manager Hensley Meulens can add another pitcher to the rotation with MLB experience. The other one is Rick van den …

News on Wladimir Balentien and Tom de Blok

The Yakult Swallows and Wladimir Balentien have agreed on a new one-year contract worth $3,000,000 + incentives.  After you could read here that the Yakult Swallows had made an offer to Wladimir Balentien, one of my sources in Japan informed me about an article at sponchi.co.jp about the Swallows and Balentien signing a new deal. Masayuki …

Good news for Balentien from Tokyo

Good news for Wladimir Balentien from Tokyo. Even though the Yakult Swallows stated that they were not quite happy with his defense the team has made him a new contract offer. At the end of the season the Swallows said that Coco's high salary was a limitation and that they would consider to sign him …

Wladimir Balentien’s future in Japan may be secured

Wladimir Balentien, who has played for the Yakult Swallows in the past six years is trying to get a deal with his club for another year and perhaps more. But the Swallows are having their doubts. Not only are they worried about the fact that Balentien is injury prone, they also are not happy with …

Swallow’s interest in minor leaguer may diminish Balentien’s chances

Now the Yakult Swallows have announced that a new contract for Wladimir Balentien isn't sure yet, it remains to be seen if the slugger from Curacao will sign with the club. His (according to the club) questionable defense, his injury record and weak arm may lead to both parties parting ways.  The Swallows have expressed …

Balentien and Van den Hurk won’t join KOTN in friendly vs Japan

The Japanese sports website hochi.jp.co announced that Curacao slugger and Dutch pitcher Rick van den Hurk will not join team Kingdom of the Netherlands in the friendly matches vs Samurai Japan in November. The article doesn't tell why the two Dutchie stars of the NPB will not join the team but it mentioned that both …

Balentien and Swallows may get closer together regarding contract extension

The other day you could read a blog post here about the uncertain future of Wladimir Balentien with the Yakult Swallows. The Swallows made clear that they may not resign Balentien to a new contract due to concerns about his defense and erratic hitting, combined with his high salary. The Swallows have to deal with …

Wladimir Balentien’s future with Yakult Swallows uncertain

According to YakyuDataBase.com, Wladimir Balentien's future with the Yakult Swallows is uncertain. The website quotes Japanese sports newspapers Sport Hochi, Nikkan Sports and Daily Sports. The newspapers are writing that "the Yakult Swallows may have to part ways with Wladimir Balentien after the current season. There are concerns about his defense and erratic hitting, combined with …

Van den Hurk wins thanks to magnificent run support, Balentien goes 1 for 3

The Softbank Haws and Rick van den Hurk took on the lowly Orix Buffaloes. Van den Hurk lasted six innings in which he gave up five earned runs on five hits and three walks. Rick struck out six. Things clearly didn't go easy for Rick. His biggest tormentor was Tony Blanco, who hit two homeruns …