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Green Bay Rockers

Belgian Catcher Makes Instant Impact for Bullfrogs

May 29, 2015 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Green Bay Rockers News Release


Green Bay Bullfrogs Catcher Axel Poesmans
Green Bay Bullfrogs Catcher Axel Poesmans
(Green Bay Rockers)

Green Bay, Wis.- After two games on the bench, Field Manager Skip Handelsman penciled in number eight at the nine hole in the Bullfrogs starting lineup Thursday evening against the St. Cloud Rox. No one, maybe including himself, knew how Axel Poesmans (Belgium/Globe Institute of Technology) would perform.

After a first inning in which Rox table-setter Joe Tietjen stole second on a low Poesmans throw that bounced left of the pitchers mound, Tietjen then promptly swiped third. It was an alarming start for Poesman's first inning behind the plate.

Poesmans answered with a resounding at-bat in the bottom of the first.

He strode to the plate and whacked a two-run RBI single to left field in a one-two count. It gave the Bullfrogs a five-to-one lead. He seared another line drive single to center field in the fifth, displaying a beautiful level swing and ability to fight through two strike counts.

Unlike most players in the Northwoods League, Poesmans did not grow up playing in local little leagues, being able to access baseball on cable television, or having other peers playing the sport in his home country of Belgium. Even compared to other countries such as the Netherlands and Italy, the sport of baseball in Belgium is at a relatively developmental stage.

That did not deter Poesmans from pursuing the sport of baseball at a high level.

"My brother saw a cartoon on T.V. and we looked it up and found a league and team in Belgium. That's how we started playing baseball," said Poesmans. "There are more experienced players there, older players, but the skill level is lower."

Poesmans plays his college baseball for the Globe Institute of Technology in New York City. The NJCAA Knights play in a Division I conference that includes only two other teams, ASA and Monroe Colleges. Poesmans hopes to matriculate to the Div. 1 New York Institute of Technology in Long Island. Since coming to the United States, he has continued to fine-tune his game.

"I've seen better pitching," said Poesmans who came to the United States in October 2014. "Also the mental side of baseball, everyday you learn how to deal with failure."

Even with only a 5'10", 165lbs. frame Poesmans is unabashedly intent on playing catcher in the Northwoods League and in the future. The backstop position was a role in which Poesmans has had an affinity for since the outset of his baseball career.

"I remember seeing the gear as a little kid and just falling in love with it," remembered a reflective Poesmans. "I love being in charge of everything and calling the pitches."

The Low Countries native is one of three catchers currently on the Bullfrogs roster along with Adam Vignola (Trinity International) and Franco Guardascione (Jacksonville). Poesmans joins six other European players in the Northwoods League this season.

Green Bay Bullfrogs group tickets, season tickets and 7-game packages are on sale now. The Bullfrogs hours are Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm. For more information please visit www.greenbaybullfrogs.com.




Images from this story

Green Bay Bullfrogs Catcher Axel Poesmans
Green Bay Bullfrogs Catcher Axel Poesmans
   

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