WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: POOL D - NICARAGUA VS NETHERLANDS

March 7, 2026

Randall Simon

LoanDepot Park

Team Nicaragua

Pregame Press Conference

Q. After the first three innings against the Dominican Republic, were you impressed with what happened yesterday? The team started and didn't give up. Talk about the results and what are those things that you need to make up for in today's game?

RANDALL SIMON: One thing is we have to realize that we had them in the bag. We let them loose. We've got to stay aggressive the same way we did yesterday. We came through one of the best pitchers in the game, Cristopher Sanchez, and we attacked. I think that's the key to success. We've got to take the same approach, be selective, look for pitches to drive, and if we do that, we're going to be fine today.

Q. You mentioned attacking the baseball. There was a lot of first pitch swinging from both sides yesterday in the game in terms of plate approaches. Is that something that was a point of emphasis or was that specific to the DR in terms of how you were trying to get up on the board?

RANDALL SIMON: Yes, of course. It's always important. It's tough when you don't know a pitcher. We know that. I knew that type of arms that they have in the bullpen in the Dominican Republic, so we know that those guys, every one is 95 plus. When you don't know a pitcher, if he gets ahead of you, you're in trouble. We all know that.

I tried to put that way of thinking of the hitters to know that what you want to do, you want them to be on top of you, or you want to be ready to hit from the get-go to find a good pitch for you to drive and make them think a little bit. Because if you let them get on top of you, things become a little tougher because the breaking ball can come, and when you don't know him, it's tough to read that spin.

It was a great way of teaching them how to be aggressive but looking for a good pitch to hit.

Q. Does that change or stay the same today?

RANDALL SIMON: No, we're going the same way. But today, honestly, we know that a lot of the guys are younger. So we have to make that adjustment, stay calm, stay posted, but looking for your pitch. If you don't want to come there, spit on it, and get a better pitch to hit.

Q. What's your mindset about the game yesterday and overnight? Can you make the important changes?

RANDALL SIMON: Of course. The key for success is preparation. If your mindset is to put those guys so that they understand that every game is different, some things go well, some things go bad. The game yesterday is in the past. Now it's a different game, different players.

The Netherlands have great players, by the way. But we have to stay focused on our game. We'll have more chances to win.

Q. There were players that were supposed to be in the starting lineup such as Downs on second base or Cuthbert that came out from the bench to face 99 miles an hour pitches.

RANDALL SIMON: Dusty Baker, our manager, is the guy with the best philosophy in the game. We believe that when he makes those decisions, he knows exactly what he wants, and we can feel that reason, that confidence, and that's when he makes a decision, we are ready.

He has better eyes than eagles. He knew what the best matchup would be for yesterday's game, and he knows the best matchup for today's game to face the Netherlands. That was the decision that he made, and we were okay.

Q. When you went to the clubhouse after the loss yesterday, how was the mindset of the players? How did they wake up today, mentally speaking?

RANDALL SIMON: After the game yesterday, I told the players, there's something we've got to know; we played a great baseball game today. Maybe it doesn't seem like it because of the score of the game at 12-3, but the game was tremendous.

So heads up, tomorrow will be another day. Relax and realize what you did, because the key for success in baseball is to make some tweaks, to make some adjustments and changes.

The game yesterday is in the past. We've got to have a winning mindset from the moment we leave the hotel and not when we arrive here. This is what I told the guys.

Q. You said that Dusty made some changes for today. Are you guys considering some recommendations from you as the batting coach of the national team?

RANDALL SIMON: Of course. Dusty talks a lot with us. He always wants to have the best lineup possible in every game. Of course I pay attention to the bullpen. I take into account the pace of the pitchers, and I evaluate the hitter. Some hitters are better with a fastball or with a breaking ball, and I give my perspective and my opinion to Dusty, and he makes his decisions.

But we have turbulent contact, Dusty and myself. This is spectacular, and I've got to thank him for believing in myself and the team, and the ability that I have as a batting coach and the vision that we have to pass on to the guys.

Q. Evaluating the game yesterday, what did you like the most, what aspect or execution from the hitters or players? You've got to talk to them in order for them to improve.

RANDALL SIMON: Of course. The first three innings we faced one of the best pitchers from last season. We were very aggressive, and we made him think. But at the same time, we realized that with full bases, without outs, he struck three players out. We have to think like this. At that point in time, I talked to the guys so that they know that we have to pay attention. We have to evaluate the game.

But when you have runners in scoring positions, the problem is yours, not the pitchers. So we've got to be aggressive and wait for the best pitch in order to have an RBI. You have to think about yourselves and the guys behind you. I gave that information to those hitters.

Q. What do you think about the support of the Nicaraguan fans? The stadium was sold out. Even when 90 percent of the fans were Dominicans, what do you think think about the support?

RANDALL SIMON: I was standing there listening to the National Anthem, and I realized when they put on the big screen, Nicaraguan music that I didn't know, I saw the players next to me singing. They knew that song. That's our culture.

When I heard the chants, I had to turn my head to see what was going on in the stands. I saw so many Dominicans, but there were so many Nicaraguans as well, and that motivates the players. It is important to have that support, and that's why those guys fight.

We are very proud to wear this jersey and to represent Nicaragua. We were with Mr. Nemesio Porras, the president and everyone that is supporting us. We are not Nicaraguans but we are very proud for wearing this jersey, and in the name of God, we are going to write history. Many good things are going to happen.