Former AASU Pitcher Boyd to Play in Beijing Olympics

For former Armstrong Atlantic State pitcher Leon Boyd, the upcoming Olympic Games experience will require him to carry more than just one flag. A native of Canada, Boyd will be pitching for the Netherlands in Beijing, while also representing the Pirates as just the second former student-athlete from AASU to take part in the Games.

Born and raised in White Rock, British Columbia, Boyd played two seasons for the Pirates in 2004 and 2005, pitching in 34 games with a 3.44 ERA and 104 strikeouts in 115 innings pitched after transferring from Seminole State CC in Oklahoma.

While many Armstrong Atlantic players have found success in minor league baseball in the states - the Pirates have had 25 consecutive seasons with at least one player signing to play professionally, including 35 players in the past ten seasons - Boyd found his career taking him across the Atlantic Ocean to Europe.

A Canadian by birth, Boyd was able to obtain a Dutch passport through his mother, Wilma, who had met her husband and Leon's Father, Sean, while he played ice hockey in the Netherlands from 1971-74.

Boyd pitched one year for the Hoboken Pioneers in Belgium, with very impressive numbers - an 11-1 record, an 0.84 ERA and 156 strikeouts in 96 innings. This caught the attention of not only professional teams in the Netherlands, but the national team as well. To qualify to be a member of the Dutch national baseball team, you must have a Dutch passport from the Netherlands or one of its affiliated areas, such as the Netherlands Antilles.

In less than two years from the conclusion of his playing career at AASU, Boyd found himself pitching for the Dutch national team in international tournaments, including the 2006 Intercontinental Cup, the 2007 World Port Tournament and both the 2007 European Championships and the 2007 Baseball World Cup - Boyd started the bronze medal game for the Dutch against Japan in that tournament.

Currently, Boyd and the rest of the Dutch national team are in Korea, playing a series of tune-up games before departing for Beijing on the 6th.

When the Olympics begin on Friday, Boyd will be just the second former Armstrong Atlantic State athlete to represent his country in the Games - joining Paul Haarhuis, who played tennis for two seasons for the Pirates in 1985-86 and represented the Netherlands in both 1992 and 1996. Haarhuis finished fourth in the doubles competition in Atlanta in 1996.

Leon took some time from his schedule to answer a few questions with us and share his Olympic experience. He is chronicling his adventure to China via his own blog at http://canadutch.blogspot.com/

Q: After your playing career at Armstrong Atlantic State, one of your goals was to pitch professionally. How did this goal lead you overseas to Belgium, and then eventually the Netherlands?

It's always the ultimate goal to play professionally, but if it's not an option there's always independent ball. From what I heard from some people Indy ball was quite a "meat market" for players, and I didn't was to put myself in that situation coming out of college, and not having a visa to play ball in the states. I looked for other places to play and heard through Rob Recuenco (former teammate at AASU) who was heading to France to play that spring about opportunities abroad. I sent a couple emails and was contacted almost immediately by several teams from a few different countries. I made my choice to play in Belgium for a couple different reasons, and don't regret it at all.

Q: Take us through the process of being selected to play for the Dutch national team. Was there any lobbying involved? Was it a surprise that you were being considered at first to play for the Netherlands?

I had a good season my first year in Belgium, 155 strikeouts in 95 innings and an era below 1, so I guess word spread to the country to the North. In Europe the baseball world is not too big, word spreads quickly about any new players doing well. The Dutch national team coach and pitching coach came out to scout me pitching in the league finals, I threw pretty well, and the next week I was signing my name on the Netherlands roster a couple lines below Andruw Jones' signature, that was amazing to me. I figured there was a slight chance someday I could play for the Dutch team, but definetely not this quick, that took me by suprise for sure.

Q: Your first international tournament was in 2006, and right off the bat you're pitching against countries like Cuba and Japan, among the world powers in baseball. What was that experience like?

My first tournament outing was against Cuba. I came on in relief in a 1-1 game in the 6th, facing their stud [Yulieski] Gouriel, who had recently been offered 30 million by the Yankees to defect and sign. I ended up with a 2.70 ERA in two starts vs. Japan and Australia, and the relief outing vs. Cuba. Looking back at these outings, they were surreal, something out of a dream.

Q: Two years later, you'll head into the Olympics with some considerable international experience under your belt. Do you see yourself as one of the 'veterans' of the Dutch national team?

We have a pitcher going to his 4th Olympics, he's a veteran. I have some experience but wouldn't consider myself a vet for a while. I know some about most of the international teams, they are all strong, but they all have weaknesses and are able to be beat, you just have to execute against those teams. If we are able to that I think we have a strong chance to make if far in the Olympics.

Q: Some of your Olympic teammates include former major league outfielder Eugene Kingsale (Seattle Mariners/Detroit Tigers) and minor leaguers Diegomar Markwell (Blue Jays) and Danny Rombley (Expos/Nationals). Do you get a chance to get to know your teammates well in preparing for a tournament like the Olympics, or is it all business, so to speak?

We are a very tight knit group actually. We have been training with the core group of guys (16-18 players) since I joined the team a couple years ago. We train 3 times a week, and are in hotels together quite often, where you can't help but bond with those guys. It also helps that that same core group all play in the Dutch professional league with and or against one another, that helps the competitive part of all of us. Actually most of the team has at one point or another in their career played in the minors, I'm an exception. In out pitching staff of 10 guys we have 8 guys who are mid-upper 80s guys who rely on movement and location, and then we have 2 freaks. We have a 7'1" Twins minor league prospect, who sits in the mid-upper 90's, and a 21 year old triple A pitcher who threw a no-hitter in the 2006 WBC [World Baseball Classic].

Q: One of the most exciting traditions in any Olympics is the opening ceremonies. Are you looking forward to walking with your fellow Dutch athletes in the parade?

I'm pretty excited for the opening ceremonies, I've heard a lot about it from teammates who were there in Athens. I guess there they were lined up after the introduction right next to the US team, not just that, the 'Dream Team', maybe that will happen again and I can get some pictures with LeBron and Kobe. The only downfall to the introductions are that the teams introduced later on have to wait between 3-5 hours in the stadium, but it's all worth it to be able to walk out and represent my country.

Q: You were born in Canada, a country that will also be represented in Beijing. Any feelings about possibly going up against them in the Olympics?

Actually I'm pretty sure I'll face them in exhibition, but not sure if I'll get them in the Olympic games. Honestly, it would be bittersweet pitching against them. I grew up wanting to wear their uniform, now pitching for a different country against them, it will be strange, but I just have to treat them like I would any other team. In last years World Championship in Taiwan they came in 13th, we came in 4th, so they'll want a piece of us. If we win I will not feel bad at all though, we're going for a medal as much as they are.

Q: One final question. On August 23rd, will we see the Dutch in the Gold Medal game, and will you be on the mound for that historic contest?

That would be a dream come true. If we execute and take it one game, one inning, one pitch at a time we have a chance to upset some of these 'favorites'. The past 4 international tournaments we have finished in the top 4, so watch out for the Netherlands! Hope you all have a chance to follow us."

Boyd and the Dutch will face Chinese Taipai in the very first game of the Olympic Baseball Tournament on Wednesday, Aug. 13, at 10:30 am local time.  The Netherlands will then face the United States on Thursday the 14th.