1957 European Baseball Championship

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Wikipedia

1957 European Baseball Championship
Tournament details
CountryGermany
CityMannheim
Dates7–13 July
Teams5
Defending champions Netherlands
Final positions
Champions Netherlands (2nd title)
Runners-up Germany
Third place Italy
Fourth place Spain
← 1956
1958 →

The 1957 European Baseball Championship was held in Mannheim, Germany. The Netherlands won their second championship in a row by going undefeated, qualifying for the 1957 Global World Series in Detroit.[1][2] Germany finished in second place, its best-ever finish at the event.[3]

The Netherlands were led by pitchers Hans Urbanus, Nico Brands [nl], and Jan Smidt [nl].[4] Germany instigated a bench-clearing brawl during its loss to the Netherlands, alleging that a Belgian umpire favored the Dutch team. A German player also claimed the umpire was drunk.[5][6] The Italian team also protested improper scorekeeping during its loss to the Netherlands, requiring the game, which the Dutch reportedly led 3–0, to be restarted.[5]

The U.S. Army sponsored the championship, though few Germans attended the event.[7] Players slept in military barracks.[6]

Standings

Pos. Team Record
1  Netherlands 4–0
2  Germany 3–1
3  Italy 2–2
4  Spain 1–3
5  Belgium 0–4

Sources[2][8]

References

  1. ↑ "Holland wins title". The Idaho Statesman. Associated Press. 1957-07-13. p. 8. Retrieved 2026-01-15.
  2. 1 2 Chetwynd, Josh (2008). Baseball in Europe : a country by country history. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Co. pp. 237–238. ISBN 978-0-7864-3724-5. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
  3. ↑ "Baseball - European Championships : Medal winners and event presentation". the-sports.org. Retrieved 2026-01-13.
  4. ↑ "HONKBAL Nederland weer Europees kampioen Na grote overwinning op België" [BASEBALL Netherlands European champions again after big victory over Belgium]. Nieuwsblad van het Noorden (in Dutch). 1957-07-13. Retrieved 2026-01-15.
  5. 1 2 "Nederlandse honkballers sleepten Europese titel uit hel van Mannheim Wandelfestijn te Nijmegen vlekkeloos stukje sport" [Dutch baseball players dragged European title from the hell of Mannheim Walking Festival in Nijmegen flawless piece of sport]. Amigoe di Curaçao (in Dutch). 1957-07-27. Retrieved 2026-01-15.
  6. 1 2 Chetwynd 2008, pp. 121, 122.
  7. ↑ "Germans not interested in baseball". The Bee. Associated Press. 1957-07-10. p. 11. Retrieved 2026-01-15.
  8. ↑ "Archief Europees kampioenschap" [Archive European Championship]. Honkbalsite Archief (in Dutch). Retrieved 2026-01-13.