---
url: https://nklittleleague.nl/en/nieuws/25-jaar-nk-little-league-niet-dromen-maar-meedoen
taal: en
titel: 25 jaar NK Little League: “Niet dromen, maar meedoen"
onderdeel_van: Nieuws › 25 jaar NK Little League: “Niet dromen, maar meedoen"
---

# 25 years of NK Little League: “Don’t dream, take part”

Organisation April 2026 (approximate date) by Emma Dijkstra 1 min read

![Team Europe softball players in blue and white kit lie laughing in a pile on the artificial turf.](https://nklittleleague.nl/img/nieuws/25-jaar-nk-little-league-niet-dromen-maar-meedoen/uitgelicht.jpg)

The NK Little League (NKLL) celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Over those years the tournament grew into an important stage for young baseball and softball players in…

## Rein Merkx on involvement, development and the future of the NKLL

By Emma Dijkstra

The NK Little League (NKLL) celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Over those years the tournament grew into an important stage for young baseball and softball players in the Netherlands. Rein Merkx watched that development from close by. What began as a role on the sidelines as a parent grew into years of involvement as an umpire and organiser.

“My name is Rein Merkx and I got involved with the NK Little League about 24 years ago,” he says. “I started out as a parent. Through my wife, Hannie Mulders, I rolled into it. I did not want to keep standing on the sidelines, so I started umpiring.” He officiated both baseball and softball games, but eventually found his place in softball. “That really led to some wonderful experiences.”

## A tournament that goes beyond sport

## Looking ahead

Originally published on nklittleleague.nl.

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[![Laughing player in a blue Big League uniform with whipped cream on her face, surrounded by team-mates.](https://nklittleleague.nl/img/nieuws/25-jaar-nk-little-league-we-vlogen-woensdag-al-naar-amerika/uitgelicht.jpg) Organisation March 2026 25 years of NK Little League: “We were flying to America by the Wednesday” By Emma Dijkstra Read article](https://nklittleleague.nl/en/nieuws/25-jaar-nk-little-league-we-vlogen-woensdag-al-naar-amerika)

[![Team photo of the Pink Panthers, NK Little League 2025, in black shirts with pink accents, winners of the Playball Respect the Game Award.](https://nklittleleague.nl/img/nieuws/play-ball-is-al-jaren-vaste-en-waardevolle-partner-van-het-nkll/uitgelicht.jpeg) Organisation June 2025 Play Ball has been a loyal and valuable partner of the NKLL for years. Besides the honour of being voted the most sporting and most respectful team at their venue, they also win a clinic at the BP Sportcentre run by Play Ball Europe, followed by… Read article](https://nklittleleague.nl/en/nieuws/play-ball-is-al-jaren-vaste-en-waardevolle-partner-van-het-nkll)

[![Youth players from region North in red shirts training on artificial turf in an indoor hall.](https://nklittleleague.nl/img/nieuws/respect-the-game-award-clinics-2024/uitgelicht.jpg) Organisation December 2024 Respect The Game Award Clinics 2024 In May this year the Dutch Championship was held once again, with exciting games at three venues in the Netherlands. Besides crowning several champions… Read article](https://nklittleleague.nl/en/nieuws/respect-the-game-award-clinics-2024)

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