Robby Verhaert

• Bats Right, Throws Right

Biographical Information

Robby Verhaert was a long-time player in Belgium's First Division and also was on the Belgian national team a couple times.

Verhaert hit .450/.507/.583 in part-time work for the Antwerp Royal Greys in his debut in 1996. In '97, he fell to .284//.351/.412 while playing regularly. The next year, he rebounded to .408/.498/.734 with 11 homers, 6 triples, 61 runs and 52 RBI in 203 plate appearances. In the high-offense league, he did not make the top 10 in average or slugging. He tied Roger De Saedeleer for 7th in runs and tied for the lead in triples.

He batted .398/.496/.694 in 1999. He again led in triples (6), while tying for 4th in runs (45). He started in right for Belgium in the 1999 European Championship, hitting .267/.267/.467 with six putouts in the field. One of his teammates was Tonny Verhaert (perhaps a brother or cousin?) He faded to .256/.411/.442 for the 2000 Greys.

In 2001, he was back up to .406/.497/.688 and stole 22 bases in 23 tries. He was 6th in the league in runs (38), tied for 2nd in triples (3, 4 behind Randy Giorgiadis) and led in swipes (one ahead of Filip Van Der Meiren). The next year, he moved to the Brasschaat Braves and helped them to a title; he produced at a .438/.505/.730 clip and was 13-for-13 in steal attempts. He tied for 3rd in batting average, was 3rd in slugging, tied Serge Marter for 8th in runs, tied Peter Stroobants for 3rd in doubles (9), led in triples once again, and tied Enzo Haverhals for 5th in swipes.

He switched clubs again for 2003, going to the Borgerhout Squirrels. He hit .266/.408/.405 in an off-year but was still 4th with 12 stolen bases. In the 2003 European Championship, he was 0 for 15 and made one error. He returned to the Braves in '04 and they won another title. He batted .288/.391/.542. He tied for 6th in the loop with five doubles. In 2005, he hit .237/.327/.464. His six homers tied Kris De Coninck for 5th-best and his 27 walks were 2nd to De Saedeleer.

Verhaert was at .310/.417/.535 at the plate in 2006, as he tied for 7th with four dingers. He did not play in 2007-2008 and saw bit action in 2009-2010.

Sources: Belgian Baseball and Softball Federation, International statistician Harry Wedemeijer