By Andrae Lamar Ransom | TCC Talon Sports Editor
For Daniёl Axson, finding his father’s old baseball glove 12 years ago changed the course of his life forever.
The dream and journey of playing in the U.S. for baseball players from the Netherlands are littered with many obstacles. But Daniёl Axson, a Tallahassee Community College baseball walk-on, is on the verge of making his dream a reality. And his efforts may offer hope to international ballplayers and their aspirations of playing collegiately.
Daniёl Axson’s baseball journey began at age 10 playing sports in his hometown of Delfgauw, a province of South Holland in the Netherlands. A two-sport athlete, playing forward in soccer and pitcher in baseball, he decided baseball would be his focus
“If you want to be good at a sport you have to choose one,” he said. “That’s why I chose baseball.”
Baseball does not even rank in the top 10 of popular sports in the Netherlands. This is according to registered members participating in various sports recorded by Sportsbond, the national Dutch sports associations.
Daniёl Axson’s love for baseball was passed down from his father Tony Axson, whose roots in baseball are from his home country Curaçao, a nation of roughly 150,000 residents, which has made a significant impact on the Major League Baseball landscape, according to the MLB website.
There are 15 MLB players from the small Dutch, Caribbean Island currently. Most notably, 2021 World Series champion second baseman Ozzie Albies of the Atlanta Braves is a native of Curaçao.
Tony Axson left Curaçao in 1976 at the age of 13 after his father suffered a heart attack. With no cardiologist in Curacao to treat his father’s condition, his parents sold all their properties and moved to the Netherlands.
“It was my dream to play in the USA, but when my father got ill, I couldn’t leave him and my mother, so I stayed with them,” Tony Axson said.
Having to help take care of his father and support his mother, and limited time to train for a demanding sport as baseball, Tony Axson’s dream of playing in the U.S. ended at the age of 18.
However, some may consider it destiny that Daniёl Axson is following up on his father’s dream.
The path from the Netherlands to the U.S. requires exceptional baseball talent and self promotion.
Since baseball is not played in high school in the Netherlands, boys and girls begin their baseball and softball journey playing in their cities youth baseball clubs managed by the Royal Netherlands Baseball and Softball Federation.
Players who demonstrate exceptional talent are selected from these youth clubs and are given the opportunity to try out for one of four baseball academies: The Diamondbacks of Amsterdam, the Scimitars in Bussum, the Unicorns in Rotterdam, and the Kennemerland Rabbits in Haarlem.
Playing at a regional academy is the first step in creating exposure for players who want a chance at eventually playing for the Dutch MLB or internationally for a college in the U.S. Once a player has aged out from a youth baseball academy, they attempt to make the Dutch MLB known as Honkbal Hoofdklasse, or play in showcases to be found by international scouts.
Daniёl Axson’s desire is to play in the MLB. Playing at TCC is the next step on his journey.
“I always wanted to play in the U.S.,” he said. “Because it is an American sport, I would get more exposure to get a chance to sign professionally because of the MLB draft.”
At the age of 13, Daniёl Axson played for his city’s club, the Neptunus in Rotterdam, helping them become Dutch champions. The following year he was selected to play for the Rotterdam Unicorns academy coached by Evert-Jan ‘t Hoen, coach of The Kingdom of The Netherlands national baseball team.
“He could hit,” Hoen said in a recent Instagram video interview. “Even at a very young age you could see that he could hit.”
In his time with the Unicorns academy, Daniёl Axson excelled with an impressive batting average of .400, leading the Unicorns to several championships.
In search of international opportunities to play baseball, Daniёl Axson’s mother, Alena Axson, sent an email to the Baltimore Orioles travel ball association.
“The Netherlands is a small country, and we don’t play too much overseas,” said Alena Axson. “There is not a lot of exposure for young players to be known in America.”
Daniёl Axson was selected to play for the Baltimore Orioles travel ball organization in 2017 and spent two summers in Fort Lauderdale. After spending three seasons with the Euro Stars back home, he declined multiple offers to stay and play in the Dutch MLB.
Instead, he returned to Florida in summer 2021, and played in the Florida Prospect Showcase and the Collegiate League of the Palm Beaches’ summer showcase for the Palm Beach Snowbirds.
It was during this time he met and created a relationship with Corey Pye.
Pye, former assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for TCC who is now head baseball coach of Chiles High School, said he forged an immediate bond with Daniёl Axson while scouting him over the past summer during showcases at the College of Central Florida and Florida SouthWestern State College.
“With the connection that we had, and just the conversations that we had, I was like, you know what, this kid deserves a chance,” said Pye during a recent phone interview.
Daniёl Axson will get that chance as TCC’s first baseman, facing tough competition at the NJCAA Division 1 level this spring.
TCC assistant baseball coach Gavin Murphy said Daniёl Axson has the raw talent to succeed against top level competition.
“He’s a very strong young man,” said Murphy in a recent phone interview. “I mean, stupid, stupid hand speed through the (strike) zone. You know it is something that you can’t teach, guys either have it or they don’t, and Daniёl definitely has it.”
Last season, the Eagles were eliminated in the first round of the FCSAA/NJCAA postseason conference tournament. Only five players from last year’s roster had a batting average above .300, according to the team’s website. Four of those players have left to play at four-year universities leaving a void that Daniёl Axson may be able to help fill.
With daily practice and scrimmages underway at TCC, Murphy said he’s been impressed with Daniёl Axson’s attitude and willingness to work hard.
“Great person to be around, on and off the field,” said Murphy. “You know, he’s always got a smile on his face, enjoys being out of the field every single day, you know, and doesn’t take it for granted. The kid doesn’t take a day for granted being over here and playing baseball at TCC.”
With his parents 3,600 miles away in the Netherlands, and his younger sister Laura Axson, a senior softball catcher at Keiser University in West Palm Beach, Fla., cheering him on, Daniёl Axson said he will continue to work hard to show his appreciation for his family’s continuous support.
“I love the game and everything that comes with it,” he said. “I actually want to put in the work, and I think that they appreciate that, and that’s how I feel like that is how I can say, ‘Thank you.’ ”
Daniёl Axson poses with the Curacao flag. His dad, Tony Axson, is from Curacao, a small island in the Caribbean that has sent numerous players to the major leagues.
TCC baseball player Daniёl Axson practices drills at first base.
TCC baseball player Daniёl Axson practices with his teammates.
Daniёl Axson poses with the Dutch flag from his home country of the Netherlands.
Daniёl Axson during his time with the Rotterdam Unicorns Academy.
