2005 European Cup

The 2005 European Cup was played in Rotterdam, Netherlands, hosted by DOOR Neptunus. Eight teams took part in the tournament. Grosseto Orioles of Italy won the championship, their first European Cup crown.

Grosseto Orioles were managed by Pedro Medina. They were led on offense by LF Gabriele Ermini, who had the best average (.611) and tied for the most hits (11). The staff was excellent with Francesco Casolari (0 R in 5 IP), Riccardo De Santis (2-0, 0.75), Marc Cerbone (1-0, Sv, 2.25), Emiliano Ginanneschi (2.25 ERA) and David Rollandini (1-0, 2.77).

Second-place Mr. Cocker HCAW was guided by Bill Froberg. RF Bas de Jong hit .421/.478/.526 and SS Ralph Milliard, a former major leaguer, hit .200 but drew a tourney-high 9 walks in 5 games to post a .500 OBP. Cliff Foster (0-1, 2 Sv, 1.69) was the top hurler while young Loek van Mil (1-0, 5.40) would make it to NPB.

DOOR Neptunus, winner of the past five titles, fell short. Paul van den Oever managed them. They were strong on both offense and pitching. 2B Evert-Jan 't Hoen (.571/.714/.714, 7 R) led the event in OBP, CF Dirk van 't Klooster hit .455/.500/.455 and DH Brian Larmonie (.438/.500/.563, 7 RBI) tied for the RBI lead with SS Raily Legito (.318/.375/.409, 7 RBI). Rob Cordemans (1-0, 0.00, 13 K in 9 IP), Diegomar Markwell (0-1, 2 UER in 7 IP), Robin van Doornspeek (1 UER in 5 IP) and Jan Naterop (1-0, 1.17) all pitched well.

T&A San Marino was guided by long-time skipper Doriano Bindi. SS Jesus Azuaje hit .410/.500/.550 with 6 runs. Luca Martignoni (1-0, 1.29) was the top pitcher while future NPB hurler Alessandro Maestri was 0-1 with a 4.26 ERA.

Russia put up one of their best showings as the Balashikha Tornadoes were 2-3 to finish 5th. 3B/DH Ruslan Nabiev (.364/.611/.364) tied for second in the Cup with 6 walks and was 3rd in OBP while SS Artemiy Artamonov (.227/.261/.364) had the lone home run.

Sixth-place Paderborn Untouchables (guided by Martin Helmig) had the top pitcher of the event. Carl Michaels (1-0, Sv) allowed only 6 hits and one walk in 17 innings while fanning 21 and did not give up an earned run. Octavio Medina (.444/.542/.500) and Marco Albano (7 for 11, 6 RBI) led the offense for the German entry.

Savigny Lions, finishing 7th, had no hitter over .300, and their lone pitcher to register a win was Florian Peyrichou (1 UER in 7 1/3 IP).

Draci Brno was managed by Arnost Nesnal. CF Martin Veselý (.524/.545/.810) led the event in slugging, doubles (4), total bases (17) and hits (11, tied). Roman Yatsyuk (1-0, 4 UER in 11 1/3 IP) and Petr Minařík (0-1, 0.90) were their best pitchers.

Final Standings

1. Grosseto Orioles (Italy)
2. Mr. Cocker HCAW (Netherlands)
3. DOOR Neptunus (Netherlands)
4. T&A San Marino
5. Balashikha Tornadoes (Russia)
6. Paderborn Untouchables (Germany)
7. Savigny Lions (France)
8. Draci Brno (Czech Republic)

Championship Game

Grosseto Orioles 6-5 Mr. Cocker HCAW (11)

Source: 2005 European Cup stats