Peter van Dalen

• Born March 6, 1964 in Heerhugowaard, Noord-Holland Netherlands

Biographical Information

Peter van Dalen played for the Dutch national team and later coached youth baseball and softball.

Van Dalen debuted in the Hoofdklasse with Kinheim in 1980 then returned to the minors for two years. He won the Roel de Mon Award in 1980. From 1983-1985, he played for Haarlem Nicols, appearing in the European Cup each year and winning the Hoofdklasse title each year. In 1983, he went 4-2 and struck out 52 in 53 1/3 IP. He would move to the outfield later in his career. Peter debuted for the Dutch national team in the 1985 World Port Tournament and the 1985 European Championship (in which they won the Gold Medal). He also appeared in the 1985, 1986 and 1988 Chung Hua Cups in Taiwan. In 1986-1987, he played for HCAW. He then spent 1989-1994 back with Kinheim, winning the 1994 Holland Series in his final year. He wound up his national team career with appearances in the 1989 World Port Tournament and 1989 European Championship (a Silver Medal).

Van Dalen later went into coaching. He was hitting coach for the Netherlands in the 2001 European Junior Championship, 2002 World Junior Championship, 2003 European Junior Championship, 2005 European Junior Championship, 2006 World Junior Championship, 2007 European Junior Championship, 2008 World Junior Championship, 2009 European Junior Championship and 2010 World Junior Championship. He also managed the Netherlands to a 9th-place finish in the 2004 World Junior Championship. In 2011, he was hitting coach for the Dutch junior women's softball team.

Van Dalen also is credited as one of the Seattle Mariners scouts who signed Greg Halman, considered the top European hitting prospect for a number of years. He also scouted Tom de Blok and Lars Huijer for Seattle.

Source: Dutch softball team bio