KJ's Column

Day one: The Departure

Date and time set for our departure to the United States of America, 2.10 PM. We had to meet at the Starbucks, 10.00 AM, Airport Schiphol, Netherlands.

After meeting up with our teammates, receiving our outfits, putting on our 'Twins' polo's, we had a team photo taken. After the photo we took the time to say goodbye to our parents. Then we continued moving on to our departure-terminal. We checked in at a blue computer that printed most of our tickets and headed off to check in our luggage.

While most guys were checking in their luggage we started to come together to move on to the tax-free area behind the passport check. We were allowed to go our own way and had to meet up at 12.25 PM at gate E6. The coaches pointed out some rules that we had to stick to during our stay in the States. After a little while we were able to get to the body scanners and had our hand luggage x-rayed.

Beyond the body scanners we had to sit in a lounge and wait until we were able to board. After the necessary instructions about safety, the boring stuff nobody pays attention to, we were ready to take off. The first flight took roughly 10.30 hours. Most players used that time to sleep. Others wandered around, read books, joked around. When we arrived at Memphis, Tennessee, we had to get past border-control, grab our suitcases, re-check in our suitcases, through the metal detectors before we could actually move on to the next lounge to wait for our connection. The necessary toilet-visits, and the burger/Starbuck stops.

Eventually we were able to get aboard of the second flight. Found our seats and flew back in time for the second time on one day. Meaning we'd seen 7 o'clock for the third time on one day. We arrived at 01.50 Dutch- and 18.50 hours, local time. Our connection would leave at half 7 (07.30 PM). When the time came to get on board of the airplane we rushed in to find our seats and try to fight the sleep, and some of those didn't fight it at all and fell asleep quickly. Sooner or later on that flight every single person of the 'Twins' caught at least 5 minutes of sleep.

By the time we got to Phoenix, got of the plane and claimed our luggage. The coaches went out to pick up our busses that would get us safely from A to B. After a really, really long wait the coaches came with two white busses. Loaded the first bus with players and suitcases. Before we concluded that one of the busses was the wrong bus. A coach took the wrong bus by accident. Which obviously meant; we'd have to switch the busses. At this time some of the players had been awake for at least 24 hours, some more and some less. After we wasted a lot of time trying to get the right bus, we finally got at the hotel after a 45-minute drive from the car rental to the hotel.

Checked in, made ourselves at home in the rooms. Some players went to the pool to take a refreshing dive in the water. And those who didn't, well they probably went to sleep.

Day two: A Green Day

Before we went to bed we'd been told that breakfast was being served at 06.00 AM and we had to be there. The bus would leave at half 7, be there or be square.

After our wealthy breakfast we headed of to our rooms to get ready and go to the bus. We'd been told about a certain phenomenon called 'bus teams', though we had never heard of this. But we would soon know what this meant.

Either way, we were heading to the Grand Canyon. Which would be about a 4-hour drive. From the hotel we went to the closest gas station to buy some supplies for our road trip. After we got what we wanted, food, drinks and big load of dip we were finally heading to the Canyon. After we drove a few hours we were getting closer to Flagstaff, we made a pit stop to eat some food, some went to the McDonalds, a few went to the Subway, Starbucks and the rest went to Taco Bell.

We had about a half an hour to get what you needed and meet back at the bus.

After that half an hour we got back on the road and headed to Flagstaff. Some time went by when we were driving through a city. And had to stop for the traffic lights, eventually Ruud stepped out of the bus, ran towards the leading bus. And told them that a player got Ill and decided to throw up. Lights went green and drove to a parking place. Ruud's bus was empty in less then 30 seconds. Except for the one who vomited, he'd to clean the bus by himself. The reason he threw up was subway, dip and sleep. Mika was the unfortunate one, he ate and dipped, fell asleep and by the time he woke up he felt ill and threw up. Good thing most it was on his own clothes, and a few chunks on the floor. Though this accident delayed us about one and a half hour. We placed some pine-refreshers in the bus, and that was the smell in the bus for the rest of the day.

After a long drive we finally made it to the first cracks of the Canyon. You can't imagine what a breathtaking view it is. Yet with the people afraid of heights, well... It was funny. We started off at the Native Americans view. Spend there about 30 minutes and moved up to the next view into the Canyon. Eventually we made hundreds of pictures and seen breathtaking views.

Since we got there, we would have to get back sometime. So we got back together in the bus and took off back to some place where we could eat as a team. Firstly we went to Chilli's, before we got there we passed tons of fast-food places. We were all really hungry and when all sorts of food courts flash by, the hunger would strike you.

Coach Don went into the Chilli's to ask if there was enough space to hold 18 players and 4 coaches. They weren't able to place us within the restaurant, but were kind enough to send us to a place who had TVs and might have enough space for all of us. We went to Lumberyard, went in and found ourselves a place in front of a TV, to watch the Yankee – Rangers game. After dinner we went back to the bus for our last 2-hour drive back to the hotel. Most of the guys in the busses fell asleep. When we arrived at the hotel, most of us went straight to bed.

Day three: The Big Surprise.

Breakfast at 7 and bus would leave at 8. We had practice at 9 until 11 o'clock.

After practice we were supposed to go directly to Arizona Mills, the biggest mall in Arizona. Coach Don told us we wouldn't sweat during the training but we did sweat. So change of plans, get back to the hotel, take a shower and bus would leave in 30 minutes. So we'd to rush in order to get back to the bus.

After a little while, when everyone was in the busses we drove up to the Mills. But we were really surprised when we drove by Chase Field, field of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Coach Don pulled over. We thought that we only would take some pictures of the outside, and then head of to the Arizona Mills.

But how wrong were we? Coach Don arranged that we were able to get into Chase Field, which was closed for normal visitors. And we were allowed to stand, walk, run inside of Chase Field Stadium. We actually stood in the bullpen, on the pitchers mount, batters box. Simply said it was the best field most of us stood on so far.

The grass was dead, since the diamondbacks their season was over and roof repairs were made. But besides that it was amazing.

Now we'd seen Chase Field it was time to move on, Arizona Mills, here we come!

From Chase Field it was about a 30-minute drive to the mall. When we got to the mall it was 4 PM, Coach Don told us we'd have 2 hours to do some shopping before meeting up at the food court. During the time being we bought a lot of stuff, some presents some requests.

After we met up, well most of us, we bought some dinner, Burger King, Chinese, smoothies and other (un)healthy stuff etc. When we finished up our dinner we got back shopping and a few went to the game-hall.

Around 7.45 PM a bus full of players got tired and went back to the hotel to grab some sleep or swim a few laps before actually heading to bed.

Since the second bus was taken by a coach to buy a baseball cap in a different mall. Which meant some players were still on a shopping spree. And they returned at the hotel about hour and a half later then the first bus arrived at the hotel.

And again a few swum some laps in the pool and chilled out in the Jacuzzi. The others, they went to bed.

Day four: Opening Day

Coach Don and Coach Ed had a game themselves those who wanted to see them play had to wake up and have breakfast at 6 AM. The rest of the guys had to be awake before 2 PM. So there was plenty time to catch some sleep and do whatever they like.

The first game started at 4 PM. We left the hotel at 2 PM. Arrived at quarter to three at Tempe Diablo, Home of the Angels, spring training facility. Took some pictures of our new outfit. When the pictures were taken, we could watch the current game that was going on. When the clock hit 3 PM, we headed from the Tempe Diablo stadium to the bus, before we went to the side-field, by bus obviously.

We played our first game on a side-field. Those fields look better then most of the baseball fields in the Netherlands. Tim Roodenburg started the game against the Venica A's. We started off good, scored 2 runs in the first inning and Mika de Lincel closed this game. After all we won this game 3-8. MVP was for our team was Nick Vanthillo with 3 runs batted in, 3 out 4.

At 7 PM our second game was scheduled, wooden bats against ASU. We had some trouble to get our game on. Even though some amazing plays were made, we couldn't get a hold of their left-handed pitcher. Remco Gorisse started on our side but got trouble finding his zone. Micheal Winkel had replaced Remco in the third inning and got out of his first inning easily. The second inning that Micheal threw wasn't without struggles. Eventually he had to make place for Rikkert Kempen.

Rikkert had his fair share of trouble and got replaced by Kjeld de Lincel in the sixth. He closed the game that we lost 1-8.

After our first defeat we went to 'Whataburger' a burger place close to the field we played at. When we finished our burgers we went back to the hotel, jumped in the pool, jacuzzi and headed to bed.

Day five: Second Game day

You are being expected at 07.00 at the car park, that's what the coach said before we headed of to bed last night. Alarm set at 5.45 AM. At six breakfast and leaving at seven. After breakfast we got our equipment and headed to the spring training facility of the Milwaukee Brewers. The game started at 9.00 AM, after we got our sore muscles loose, the coaches told us the line-up for the game against the Tugs. Maikel Berghmans started pitching. He had a tough start, and got two runs behind in the first inning. We had another lefty pitching against us on whom we couldn't get a hold of.

Later this game we scored a run ourselves that run made this game an ever closer game then it already was. It now was 2 to 1 in the seventh inning. That brought out the guns for the Tugs. A 90+ MPH pitcher had relieved the left-hander, he had to close the game and made sure the Tugs would win this game (note: last years' world series winners).

In the sixth inning Maikel Berghmans made place for his older brother Mitchell Berghmans. Who closed the game until the 9th inning. In this inning he had two runs scored against him. This put the game on a 4 to 1 loss to last year's champions. Even though we did not win this game, we gave them a hell of a lot competition.

Our second game was at 1.30 PM versus the Black Sox. This would be our second aluminum game. Played at the Kansas City Royals – spring training facility. Mika de Lincel had this start. No matter what he pitched, the Black Sox were able to hit anything even close to the plate. Remco Gorisse had relieved Mika de Lincel in the second inning. And the same thing happened to Remco. Whatever he threw the Black Sox ripped it.

Eventually we had seen a foul ball home-run hit onto another field, hit by a Black Sox player. Most of us had never seen a ball go that far into a different direction.

When this game ended, we lost 6 to 16. But chins up, we would have 2 more games to show what we're capable of. Original planning was the steakhouse tonight, but when a final check was done we had set the steakhouse dinner to Sunday. Which meant that we would have some time for ourselves, head into Scottsdale City Centre. Do some shopping and get dinner. Some of us went to the city centre. A few stayed back at the hotel and ordered pizza.

When those whom had dinner in the city got back, they got changed and dove into the pool, swim some laps, relaxed those sore muscles in the jacuzzi and eventually headed to bed.

Day six: The Final Games

Today we'd have the last two games. One at four and one at seven PM. In-between the games, there was a barbecue arranged for all the MSBL/MABL players. Which meant that we would have to rush to get some food and to head of to get warmed up. That was the game plan for tonight.

In the morning until begin afternoon, we had our hotels' breakfast. After the breakfast we had a team meeting in the hotels' conference room. When this team meeting ended, Coach Don, Coach Frank and a few players went to wash the team uniforms. In the meanwhile some of the other players went to the Scottsdale City Centre to do some more shopping. At 1 PM we had to get ready since we would leave at 2 PM. We had our last games at Tempe Diablo, field of the Angels.

When we arrived, we went to the field we had to play at. There was still a game going on. We watched the game for a bit and noticed that the umpires actually were Dutch. What are the odds? When this game ended the line-up was available. We started the aluminum game pretty good. Scored two runs in the first inning. Kjeld de Lincel started pitching for the Oosterhout Twins. Against his pitching in the first inning the opponent scored one run. In the second inning Kjeld was hit of the mount by the opposing team. Maikel Berghmans took over and shut this game down. Eventually we had lost this game as well.

Now, the game finished we had to run to Tempe Diablo Stadium. When we got there we ran to the barbecue to get some food. Stuffed most of it and started to get loose. Tim Roodenburg started this game. He was scoreless for 6 innings until the first run was scored. Mitchell Berghmans took it over from Tim, and he picked off the runner at first base for the third out. Mitchell completed the 7thinning, when Micheal Winkel took over, and closed the game. After all we had lost this game 4 to 1.

After the game the editor of 'Hardball' magazine came by, he wanted to take some pictures and interview some of the players. And Steve Sigler, the initiator of the MSBL World Series, gave each one of us a brand new game ball and thanked us for participating at this tournament. After this we got back to our busses and went back to the hotel.

Day seven: The Day After

Our first day off, we caught some sleep that we missed the past few days. Today we went to visit 'Old Scottsdale'. We arrived there at 1 PM. And we would have to meet up at the bus at four. Nearby located was a fashion square. That's where most of the team eventually ended up. Since spending 3 hours in an old part of the town was not what most people expected to do. Another part of the team stayed in Old Scottsdale but took place in a saloon.

Later that night, Coach Don George, arranged that we could see a minor league prospects game. That was quite a nice surprise and pretty cool to watch. What we did notice was that there was no cheering at all for their teammates. A deadly silence hung around the field. Nobody rooted for either the pitcher or the player at bat.

We left the Cubs' stadium after the seventh inning. Some were a bit hungry, since we hadn't had dinner before we went to the game. So we stopped at 'Jack in the Box', and headed back to the hotel. Some of the 21 and older player went clubbing later that night. Some of them had to come back since a normal European I.D. card was not accepted. That meant that some of the players had to come back to get their passports.

After they got those, they were out for the night and came back around 4 AM, since most clubs closed at 2.

Day eight: Amusement Park Or Shopping Mall

At 11 AM we would leave to an amusement park. Where we could do all sorts of fun stuff, play golf on a driving range; drive the go-carts and more. We first went to the amusement park close to the hotel. When we arrived at Crackerjax, but soon found out that it was only available for Arizona Sundogs fans. Luckily there was another family fun and sports park nearby.

After spending 30 minutes at the gate of Crackerjax in order to find out whether or not we could get into the family park. Though we've been told about another park named 'Fiddlesticks', it had about the same attractions and was available for all public.

After arriving at Fiddlesticks, the people who wanted to go shopping one last time had to get into a bus with a coach and went to Arizona Mills.

After a few hours some got bored and had seen enough of Fiddlesticks and went to the Walmart across the street to buy some food, drinks, cleaning supplies. There we met most of the people who went shopping and had been at Fiddlesticks'. Since a few of those shoppers went into Fiddlesticks. We all headed back to the driving range and bought a few buckets with golf balls. After we finished those buckets we went back to the hotel to get changed. Before we headed to a steakhouse.

When we arrived at Rustler's Rooste Steakhouse we parked our busses there.

Went in, and had to go down the slide (seems to be usual a thing in a steakhouse).

We ordered our drinks, our entrée and some even had an appetizer.

When we got our foods and found out that the appetizer was almost as big as the entrée itself. We stuffed as much as we could but eventually he had to give in. We were finished with our dinner, well most of us. Kevin Klomp was still eating and finished most of our meals. After our dinner we headed back to the hotel to pack our stuff. Since we would fly home tomorrow. Most of us went to the pool to chill, while others started packing.

Those who finished packing went to bed to catch some sleep. While a few stayed up all night in order to get sleep in the plane the next day.

Day nine: Leaving the USA

Today our plane was leaving at 9.11 AM to Minneapolis, USA. We left our hotel at six.

When we arrived at Phoenix Airport. We tried to check in our bags. Some had to check in extra bags for 55$, or had to pay extra for those extra pounds.

After we checked in and got past security we waited in the lobby for our plane. Some went to buy some gifts for their parents, whilst others bought breakfast.

Our plane eventually arrived, delayed by 15 minutes. We quickly boarded and hit the skies. A few slept this flight. And others stayed awake. When we arrived at Minneapolis Airport we had to go to gate G8. Got on our connection and headed to Amsterdam.

This flight only took 8 hours. We had TV-screens in the seats in front of us. Plus we were able to choose what we wanted to see on the TV's. From movies to games we had something to do during the flight. A few slept during the flight and other enjoyed the newest movies on the screens in front of them.

When we arrived at Amsterdam Airport we had to go trough the passport control, and go to the baggage-pickup. Our bags got of the plane pretty quick and we divided our equipment, clothes and other things.

We said good-bye at Amsterdam, Schiphol Airport and went out own way.

Written by: Kjeld de Lincel