On Jan. 30, the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks held a press conference at Yafuoku Dome to introduce their latest foreign player. Rick VandenHurk, a 29-year old righty from the Netherlands, promised to “help the team win the pennant again” and said he and his wife were actively studying Japanese in preparation for their new life here. He even introduced himself in Japanese. VandenHurk, who could already speak German, English and Spanish in addition to his native Dutch, learned enough Korean to get by in a two-year stint with the Samsung Lions. He previously represented the Netherlands in the 2009 World Baseball Classic and has pitched in the Pirates and Orioles systems in the United States. The Hawks new skipper, Kimiyasu Kubo, said he expects VandenHurk to adjust quickly to Japanese baseball due to his excellent pitch control. Source: Nishinippon Shimbun 1/31
