Short hops
![photo: Dutch National Team vs Japan in 1978](/images/supporters/hans-corpelijn-umpire-15aug1978-haarlem-honkbal-week.jpg)
In late 1969, COVEE Sports was founded by Hans J. Corpeleijn This focus on baseball and softball was no coincidence, as Hans had been a well-known top-league baseball umpire for many years.
His firm on-field leadership and precise calls behind the plate became his trademarks, both in officiating and in his management of COVEE.
Hans wasn’t just recognized in the top leagues; he was also regularly present at international games, such as during the Haarlem Baseball Week. Over 50 years later, COVEE has grown into one of Europe’s leading specialty stores for baseball and softball.
In 2004, following the passing of Hans Corpeleijn, COVEE was taken over by his son Edwin.
With fresh insights and knowledge gained in the U.S., the company’s continuity was ensured.
In 2017, COVEE expanded even further with the addition of an upper floor, enlarging the store’s space. Players and clubs, mainly from the Netherlands but also from across Europe, are drawn to the baseball-themed showroom, where hundreds of products from all the top brands are available.COVEE is distinguished by its extensive and varied selection of baseball and softball gear.
This broad range of top brands has led to COVEE supplying not only many Dutch clubs but also numerous international ones, particularly across Europe. The online shop has also been a great success, attracting customers from all corners of the world, including the United States.
All top brands are represented, such as Easton, Mizuno, Wilson, Rawlings, Nike, Adidas, Louisville Slugger, Majestic, Under Armour, Franklin, DeMarini, COVEE/Diamond, Jugs, Atec, New Era, +POS, and more.
Since 1986, COVEE has also had its own brand of baseballs: COVEE/Diamond. The brand is officially registered with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Madrid.
COVEE/Diamond baseballs all start with
"CD-" (COVEE/Diamond) and are exclusively manufactured for COVEE in Wilson’s factories. The COVEE/Diamond baseball is therefore identical to the Wilson baseball.
After the quiet period during the pandemic, COVEE resumed full operations with its own stock, ensuring that clubs and private customers didn’t suffer from long delivery times. With a large collection of high-quality baseball and softball gloves and apparel, as well as souvenirs, the future looks very promising for COVEE.
The essence of this column? A longstanding relationship and mutual trust.
Thank you, Edwin, for this collaboration lasting over 25 years!