Paul Koert

Biography

Paul Koert first represented Canada at the 1997 ISF Junior Men’s World Championship in St. John’s, winning the bronze medal. He then made his presence known on the national scene by earning the Top Pitcher award at the 1998 Junior Men’s Canadian Championship, an award he would win again in 2001. In 2000 he took home Top Player of the Championship Round honours after leading St. Catharines to the gold medal. Koert added another Top Pitcher award and gold medal at the senior level in 2010 as a member of the Kitchener Rivershark Twins. Thanks to his Dutch father, Koert represented the Netherlands at the 2004 ISF Men’s World Championship before switching to his birth country of the United States at the 2009 ISF Men’s World Championship. The dual citizen joined Canada again at the 2013 ISF Men’s World Championship in New Zealand where he posted a 0.81 earned run average with 21 strikeouts in 17.1 innings pitched. He was also a member of the Canadian team that won bronze at the 2014 Pan American Championship.

PERSONAL

Family: Parents Johan and Irene Koert… Brother Bastien, sister Peggy… Moved to Canada at age 2 when his father was transferred from his position at IBM in the United States… His father came close the making the Olympic track and field team for the Netherlands… Wife Allison Koert… Children Gabrian and Asher…

Getting into the Sport: Started playing softball at age 10… Wanted to play for Team Canada after winning the national championship at an early age… After making the U19 national team, the desire to be world champion and play competitive fastpitch for 20 years drove him… Outside Interests: Enjoys golf, baseball, hockey, swimming, the cottage life… Works as vice-president of sales for Scil Animal Care… Odds and Ends: Favourite motto: “Adversity causes some men to break, others to break records”… Role models include Nolan Ryan and ,specifically for fastpitch, Darren Zack and Todd Martin… Nicknames: Koerty, Lefty, PK… Always carries change in his back pocket and has used the same glove for years…

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

ISF WCh: 2013 – 5^th; 2009 – 4^th (w/ USA); 2004 – 14^th (w/ NED); 1997 (junior) – BRONZE

PAC: 2014 – BRONZE