Seasoned, confident Dutch team focused on winning
These Dutch are hot and dangerous right now. The Netherlands advanced to the World Baseball Classic final round for the second straight edition, and is perhaps better this time because of experienced amassed along the way. Slugger Wladimir Balentien, though, said he doesn't feel a sense ...
Teams makes preparations for second round
Tokyo Dome was mostly silent, with only the sounds of practice ricocheting off thousands of empty seats at the Big Egg, as the 2017 World Baseball Classic took a day off to prepare for the final push to the championship round. Japan and Cuba, who ...
Talented, youthful Dutch squad no longer a secret
Wladimir Balentien, the affable slugging outfielder for the Netherlands and the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, said he knew the young group of players darting around the infield for the Dutch during the World Baseball Classic four years ago were going to be special. Balentien saw the ...
Fighters not giving up on 'Handkerchief Prince' Saito
Yuki Saito hasn't justified the hype that came with his being drafted by the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters in 2010, but the reigning Japan Series champions aren't giving up on him just yet. The former amateur star, and current Fighters pitcher, made just 11 appearances ...
Otani's extraordinary skills gain wider exposure during games against Mexico, Netherlands
The only reason Shohei Otani won't be Japan's breakout star at the 2017 World Baseball Classic is because everybody is already talking about the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters star. He can throw 160 kph and hit home runs beyond 130 meters. The wonders of the ...
Mexico, Netherlands exhibit pride, passion in preparation for 2017 World Baseball Classic
Samurai Japan is determined to recapture the title at next spring's World Baseball Classic. But the national team will have to endure a tougher challenge to accomplish than goal than before as other countries have now gotten more eager to win as well. Mexico and ...
