Antwerp, Belgium – While the “Red Devils” of Belgian football garner international attention, the nation’s baseball program, the Red Hawks, remains a labor of love, striving for recognition and development. Despite the passion of its players and coaches, Belgium failed to qualify for the upcoming World Cup, a reality that underscores the challenges facing the sport within the country.
“It would be necessary to have players who play in the United States,” explained Marc Janssen, a key figure in Belgian baseball. “We don’t have the experience of that level. We have some players at university. For example, my son went to a Division 1 university and now plays in the Netherlands – which is almost the best competition in Europe. But these are only a few players and they aren’t yet at the level of the Americans, Dominicans, and that type of player. Perhaps we can compete a little with the Czechs, but they are becoming stronger as they play in these tournaments.”
Promising Players Gain International Exposure
Despite the national team’s absence from the World Cup, there’s positive momentum for individual Belgian players. Aaron Sluys and Joe Spurgeon, both from the Brussels Kangaroos, have been selected to participate in the MLB European Development Tournament, held in Barcelona, Spain, from April 13th to 18th. This represents a crucial opportunity for these athletes to gain valuable experience and potentially advance their careers.
Janssen emphasized the importance of such opportunities, stating, “Acquiring experience is important. And then, we don’t have many clubs. They are developing, but they are still behind. We have players, but not necessarily at a high level. In Wallonia, we may have one or two truly quality players.”
The limited infrastructure and player pool are significant hurdles for the growth of baseball in Belgium. The sport’s development is largely concentrated in the Flemish region, with fewer established clubs in Wallonia. The Brussels Kangaroos and Namur Angels represent francophone presence in the top division, but the majority of Belgian baseball activity is centered around Antwerp.
“The history of the sport in Belgium started in Antwerp,” Janssen explained. “Then some people went to Namur and started the sport there, but they are still a little behind. However, they are progressing, little by little, over several years.”
Team Spirit Remains High Despite Setbacks
Despite falling short of World Cup qualification, the atmosphere within the Belgian national team remains positive. A preliminary roster of around thirty players has been assembled, and Janssen reports a strong team dynamic. “Everyone gets along. Because the competition is small and there are few teams, everyone knows each other. There are no problems.”
“If we had more sponsorship, we could hire a good American pitcher to improve the level.”
The financial realities of Belgian baseball are stark. Players, even those competing in the Netherlands, are largely amateurs. Limited sponsorship and reliance on federation funding hinder the team’s ability to attract higher-level talent. “We have a small sponsor. that’s about all. The rest comes from our federation. If we had more sponsorship, we could hire a good American pitcher to improve the level. Many clubs have foreign players, but they aren’t stars. They are better than Belgian pitchers, but not at the level of MLB or even the Dutch championship.”
Looking Ahead: Prague Tournament and Future Goals
Belgium’s baseball history includes a high point with a European Championship victory in 1967, hosted on home soil. However, replicating that success has proven elusive. The Red Hawks finished third in Group D of the recent European Championship, securing their place in the first division after a win against Hungary.
“It wasn’t good,” Janssen admitted. “We should have done better. We should have beaten Austria, and if we had won that match, we would have qualified among the twelve best teams in Europe for the Netherlands. We have the team to be there. Next year, we will go to Germany to endeavor to do better. I think we can enter the top 8 in Europe.”
The Red Hawks will begin training in May, with a long weekend dedicated to preparation. They currently hold the 38th ranking in the world. A tournament in Prague this July offers another opportunity to test their skills and improve their standing. Janssen believes that a victory against Austria in the European Championship would have positioned them higher, potentially around 29th or 30th in the world rankings.
The path forward for Belgian baseball is clear: increased investment, player development, and greater exposure to higher levels of competition. While the dream of World Cup participation remains alive, it will require sustained effort and a commitment to building a stronger foundation for the sport within the country.
Next Up: The Belgian Red Hawks will begin training camp in May, preparing for their upcoming tournament in Prague this July. Stay tuned to Archysport for further updates on the team’s progress.
