Hoofddorp Pioniers has had an excellent start to the new baseball season with three wins against Amersfoort. It meant a successful baptism of fire for new coach Jasper de Jong, who has one of the youngest selections in the major league this season. “Young and brash, but that only adds to the fun.”
The average age of Pioniers is only twenty years. According to De Jong, this fits in with the future of the club. “It is young, but we are building a new team that has to perform in the future. They are also guys from Hoofddorp and the surrounding area, so they don’t come very far anymore.”
Moreover, the roster of Pioniers is full of talent. For example, first baseman Daan Terstall came over from Utrecht-based UVV and against Amersfoort, the only seventeen-year-old youth international Just van den Ouweelen was the first pitcher. Both players thoroughly enjoy the youthfulness and camaraderie of the Pioniers. “It’s great. Everyone wants so badly. Young players don’t get the chance everywhere, but here they do. That’s really great,” said Terstall.