Rick van den Hurk from Veldhoven is the new technical director of the baseball and softball association KNBSB. He is considered one of the best Dutch baseball players of all time. Van den Hurk has biggest dreams with Orange. “How cool and special it would be to win a medal at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.”
The 36-year-old Van den Hurk only officially stopped as a player last month. Despite a lack of management knowledge, he is confident in his new role as technical director. “It feels like my mission to share the knowledge and experience I have gained in my baseball career with the new generation of talents.”
Dutch baseball on the map
The pitcher who was a professional at the highest level for 19 years in America and then in Japan says he has learned a lot as a player from various management styles he has dealt with. He has also built up a large international network in recent years. “That should contribute to putting Dutch baseball back on the map.”
The Dutch team has been in the top 10 in the world for years, but there is not much baseball in the Netherlands. “My goal is to get more kids playing baseball.”
Rick van de Hurk played in the American MLB for the Florida Marlins, Baltimore Orioles and Pittsburgh Pirates. He also played for years in South Korea and Japan, two countries where baseball is a big sport. In total he became national champion eight times.
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