Discussions about a possible expansion began in 1890. Thing now made with the arrival of two clubs in the neighboring region: the Blacks of Ghent and the Eeklo Racing. Two teams that have also done an outstanding entry by immediately positioning to the second and third ranks, quickly followed by Hoboken. Sven Postuma (pitcher of the year) and Aad De Beun (rookie of the year) were applauded for their entry into the league.
For this season (and to celebrate their fifth title), Henry Lamberts Jr., the owner of the Zeilers, decided to put money on the table and offered to his team Mohamed Vannier (34, Zeebrugge), Bilal Duhamel (34, Sterren), Bjorn Domburg (32, Hoboken), Riccardo Meulmeester (30, Kustmen) and Jean-Paul Leroux (28, Sterren). A real dream team against which the Antwerp clubs could not do anything.
Unfortunately, the dream would even be more perfect if they had not lost in the transaction David Loisel, left for Zeebrugge. A choice that was not supported by the fans...
The Zon have also strengthened through David Loisel as said earlier, but also with the acquisition of Nikita Kooijman (ex Hoboken) who received once again the price of rookie of the year and was elected most valuable player of the year for the first time. Rémy Masson, who was elected best pitcher, completed the podium.
That's two big teams who will compete in the final.
Three to two for the West-Flemish! It was hard, but they did it. On their third finals, the Zon won finally the first title of their history thus joining Hoboken and Brugge Sterren.
After the investiments made, the Zeilers' owner can eat his hat. This will surely get him to change tactics in the coming years if it does not soon receive positive results.
BELGIAN CHAMPIONS:
ANTWERPEN ZEILERS - 5 (last time in 1891)
ZEEBRUGGE ZON - 1 (last time in 1892)
BRUGGE STERREN - 1 (last time in 1888)
HOBOKEN CLUB - 1 (last time in 1887)