Derek Lyons doesn't speak a word of French. But the Danvers native said he'll most likely pick up a book or two on the language to make his upcoming trip a bit more comfortable.
The 24-year-old All-America shortstop from Salem State College has agreed to a one-year contract to play professional baseball for the Namur Angels in Belgium's Division 1 Pro League.
Lyons, who has never been overseas, said the offer came out of the blue.
"The president of the Namur team, Christopher Daffy, called me about two weeks ago," Lyons said. "I would think he saw my name on the (Division 3) All-America second team; that's the only thing I can think of.
"He said it was a good opportunity to play again and told me it should be a good experience. It'll probably be the only chance I get to go. He gave me a week to think about it."
There was nothing to think about. Lyons had his fingers crossed that some kind of opportunity would come along after a terrific senior year at Salem State last spring, one that ended prematurely when he suffered a broken finger in the NCAA playoffs.
"The injury came at a bad time because it put me out of baseball for five-six weeks, and it was really too late to make a move or contact anyone," he said.
The 24-year-old All-America shortstop from Salem State College has agreed to a one-year contract to play professional baseball for the Namur Angels in Belgium's Division 1 Pro League.
Lyons, who has never been overseas, said the offer came out of the blue.
"The president of the Namur team, Christopher Daffy, called me about two weeks ago," Lyons said. "I would think he saw my name on the (Division 3) All-America second team; that's the only thing I can think of.
"He said it was a good opportunity to play again and told me it should be a good experience. It'll probably be the only chance I get to go. He gave me a week to think about it."
There was nothing to think about. Lyons had his fingers crossed that some kind of opportunity would come along after a terrific senior year at Salem State last spring, one that ended prematurely when he suffered a broken finger in the NCAA playoffs.
"The injury came at a bad time because it put me out of baseball for five-six weeks, and it was really too late to make a move or contact anyone," he said.
It is believed Lyons is only the second SSC baseball alum to sign an overseas deal, following Marblehead's Doug Gatchell, a pitcher who did a stint in Holland in the 1980s.
"It's a pretty good deal," Lyons said. "I was told every club can have two Americans; the other one will be my roommate. They said they're trying to get a pitcher out of the U.S. Wooster College (Ohio).
According to Lyons, Nurma has two sections: Dutch and French. He'll be living in the French-speaking section.
He has 10 classes to complete a degree in sports management at Salem State and said that was his intention until Nurma contacted him.
Belgium Pro League clubs play 40 games, all on weekends. The schedule starts in March and ends in September.
"I'm just happy to be playing again," said Lyons, who didn't hear from (or contacted) the local independent pro team, the North Shore Spirit. "I hadn't given up hope.
"The level is the equivalent of a college league, a little better than Division 3. Mr. Daffy said sometimes you'll face someone (who throws) in the high 80s."
There are practices to fill out the weekday activity, Lyons said, and part of the contract is helping coach in the youth leagues. "I enjoy coaching kids," he said.
"They said I'd have the opportunity to travel if I want, and I won't have to worry about transportation. They'll pick us for games, and an apartment and food are free. I even get a monthly expense of $300," Lyons said.
"You never know what something like this can lead to. Maybe there's a future for me in Europe."
"There's no question Derek was the top (Division 3) player in New England," Salem State coach Ken Perrone said, "and one of the best in the nation. His stats speak volumes for his batting ability, and he was great in the field as well. He was a super leader and a super kid."
Lyons' Danvers High coach, Roger Day, pointed out that Derek played in three losing ballgames from his sophomore to senior years at DHS. "He was one of the best ever (here)," Day said.
Lyons attended Dean College for two years and transferred to Division 1 UMass Lowell, but there was problem in the transfer of grades and rather than sit out a year he transferred to Salem State.
"Salem State is one of the best things that could have happened to me," he said.
Hitting Prowess
Danvers' Derek Lyons was named New England Division 3 Baseball Player of the Year after leading Salem State to the NCAA tournament last spring.
Season totals
Average .455
Hits 63
Extra-base hits 31
Runs 45
Doubles 21
Homers 9
RBIs 55
Total bases 113
National Ranks
Slugging percentage 7th
Doubles per game 8th
RBIs per game 18th
Batting average 20th
