Curt Smith Returns to Affiliated Minor Leagues after MVP Performance in Baseball World Cup

The Miami Marlins have a new stadium in 2012, a new name, new logo, new uniforms… and they will have the MVP of the 2011 IBAF Baseball World Cup in their organization. The 25-year-old former Mountaineer Curt Smith has signed a minor league contract with the Marlins. With his signature the first baseman returns to affiliated circuit after one year in the independent leagues. He had played for the St. Louis Cardinals organization between 2008 and 2010. He has a career batting average of .301 (OBP .336, SLG .457) in the minors. He is coming from the Lincoln Saltdogs. (Credit: mister-baseball.com)

The Netherlands baseball team made history winning the World Cup final in Panama after beating Cuba 2-1. It is the first time a European team has won the title since Britain did in 1938.

The Dutch players and team staff celebrated their victory in the Rod Carew stadium in Panama City with dozens of fans. The Dutch, moreover, had yet other awards to savour. Following the final, the technical commission of the International Baseball Federation (IBAF) declared Dutch player Curt Smith the most valuable player (MVP) of the Panama World Championship. Curt was responsible for one of the two runs the Dutch scored in their 2-1 victory over the Cuban powerhouse.

Curt joined the Mountaineers in 2006 and was a member of the Mountaineers’ championship team in 2007. He is currently playing for the Jacksonville Suns in the Double-A Southern League.