1985 European Baseball Championship

1985 European Baseball Championship
Tournament details
CountryNetherlands
Dates17–26 July
Teams6
Defending champions Italy
Final positions
Champions Netherlands
Runners-up Italy
Third place Belgium
Fourth place Sweden
Tournament statistics
Games played24
Best BANetherlands Judsel Baranco (.593)
Most HRsItaly Roberto Bianchi
Awards
MVPNetherlands Marcel Joost

The 1985 European Baseball Championship was held in Haarlem and Eindhoven, the Netherlands and was won by the Netherlands, which swept Italy in a four-game championship series. Third-place Belgium won all three group games among the bottom-four teams.[1] San Marino, competing for the first time since 1971 championship, lost all 8 games.[2] The top three teams qualified for the 1986 Amateur World Series, also held in the Netherlands.[3]

The Italian team fielded fewer Italian American players, which weakened the team, particularly their pitching.[4]

The tournament attracted 50,000 spectators, exceeding organizers' goal of 30,000 to fund the tournament.[4]

Standings

Pos. Team Record
1  Netherlands 9–0
2  Italy 4–5
3  Belgium 6–2
4  Sweden 4–4
5  Spain 2–6
6  San Marino 0–8

Sources[1][2][5]

Awards

Judsel Baranco led the tournament with a .593 batting average
  • Most valuable player Netherlands Marcel Joost
  • Best hitter: Netherlands Judsel Baranco, .593 batting average[6]
  • Best pitcher: Belgium Frank Lauwers[1] or Netherlands Jan Hijzelendoorn[6][4]
  • Most home runs: Italy Roberto Bianchi
  • Most spectacular player: Netherlands Jacky Jakoba[6]

References

  1. ^ a b c Chetwynd, Josh (2008). Baseball in Europe : a country by country history. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Co. p. 246. ISBN 978-0-7864-3724-5. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  2. ^ a b "Archief Europees kampioenschap". honkbalsite archief (in Dutch). Retrieved 2025-12-09.
  3. ^ Gersen, Peter (1985-07-15). "'Nieuwe formule' moet EK van ander deuntje voorzien". Trouw (in Dutch). Retrieved 2026-02-09.
  4. ^ a b c Botman, Hans; van de Gevel, Frank (1985-07-15). "Italië Weggevaagd". Algemeen Dagblad (in Dutch). p. 13. Retrieved 2026-02-09.
  5. ^ "Baseball - European Championships 1985 - Calendar & Results". the-sports.org. Retrieved 2026-02-09.
  6. ^ a b c "EK honkbal uit de kosten". Het Vrije Volk. 1985-07-15. Retrieved 2026-02-09.

"Rosters of top three teams at the European Championship". www.sport-komplett.de (in German). Retrieved 2026-01-08.

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