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]
.jpg) The victorious Netherlands national team in Haarlem | |
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Country | Netherlands |
| Dates | 17–26 July |
| Teams | 6 |
| Defending champions |  Italy |
| Final positions | |
| Champions |  Netherlands |
| Runners-up | Italy |
| Third place |  Belgium |
| Fourth place |  Sweden |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Games played | 24 |
| Best BA | Judsel Baranco (.593) |
| Most HRs | Roberto Bianchi |
| Awards | |
| MVP | Marcel Joost |
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
edit| 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 |
Awards
edit.jpg)
- Most valuable player Marcel Joost
- Best hitter: Judsel Baranco, .593 batting average[6]
- Best pitcher: Frank Lauwers[1] or Jan Hijzelendoorn[6][4]
- Most home runs: Roberto Bianchi
- Most spectacular player: Jacky Jakoba[6]
References
edit- 1 2 3 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.
- 1 2 "Archief Europees kampioenschap". honkbalsite archief (in Dutch). Retrieved 2025-12-09.
- ↑ Gersen, Peter (1985-07-15). "'Nieuwe formule' moet EK van ander deuntje voorzien". Trouw (in Dutch). Retrieved 2026-02-09.
- 1 2 3 Botman, Hans; van de Gevel, Frank (1985-07-15). "Italië Weggevaagd". Algemeen Dagblad (in Dutch). p. 13. Retrieved 2026-02-09.
- ↑ "Baseball - European Championships 1985 - Calendar & Results". the-sports.org. Retrieved 2026-02-09.
- 1 2 3 "EK honkbal uit de kosten". Het Vrije Volk. 1985-07-15. Retrieved 2026-02-09.
External links
edit"Rosters of top three teams at the European Championship". www.sport-komplett.de (in German). Retrieved 2026-01-08.