Team USA will return home to face the Netherlands and Russia to finish off a nine-game American swing...
USA Baseball National Training Complex, 11 a.m. (Gates Open at 10 a.m.)
Tickets are $5 for General Admission
Team USA will return home to face the Netherlands and Russia to finish off a nine-game American swing, starting on Saturday at the Durham Bulls Ballpark against the Dutch at 7 p.m. The Americans will then take on the Netherlands at 11 a.m. at the Cary National Training Facility, before hosting the Dutch again on Sunday at the Bulls Ballpark at 5 p.m. The team closes out their schedule with the Russians at 7 p.m. on Monday in Durham.
Team USA will play the Netherlands twice over the coming weeks, three times in the Raleigh/Durham area from July 28-29, and then again at the World Port Tournament in Rosterdam, starting on August 2. The Americans will have played on three different continents over a two week span to close out their summer tour.
The Netherlands are managed by Robert Eenhoorn, a former Yankees prospect in the early 1990's, who played 37 games in the Majors. Under Eenhoorn, the Netherlands have won three European Championships and had their best-ever result in 2005, fourth at the World Championship.
The team is made up of Dutch Major Leaguers, with about a half dozen with American professional experience and another half dozen or so with U.S. collegiate experience. The team is preparing for the European Championship (September 7-16), which will help they qualify for the Olympics. Andruw Jones, currently of the Atlanta Braves, played for the Netherlands previously at the World Baseball Classic. The most experienced players, OF Dirk van't Klooster (160 caps), IF Raily Legito (145) and IF Percy Isenia (134) are the most experienced players. A cap is for each competition (like a tournament) a player participates in. USA women's soccer player, Kristine Lilly, has over 300 caps to her credit and is the world record holder.
Team USA recently won a Silver Medal at the Pan American Games and is finishing off its series with China Friday night in Ft. Mill, SC.
For more, call (919) 387-5844 or visit http://www.usabaseball.com.