in 1972. Ajax spent a total of 50 years at the top flight of Baseball in the Netherlands from 1922 to 1972. The dissolution of Ajax baseball club resulted in the players finding a new sponsor in a mustard manufacturing company called Luycks, while merging with the Diemen Giants to become the Luycks Giants, thus replacing both former clubs. Esports In 2016, Ajax launched an esports team, with Koen Weijland as the club's first signing, making their debut on the Global stage of professional gaming. They have since signed the likes of Dani Hagebeuk, Lev Vinken, Joey Calabro and Bob van Uden, the latter spent his first season on loan to the esports team of Japanese club Sagan Tosu. Affiliated clubs The following clubs are currently affiliated with AFC Ajax: Almere City (2005–present) Barcelona (2007–present) Cruzeiro (2007–present) Beijing Guoan (2007–present) Palmeiras (2010–present) AS Trenčín (2012–present) Guangzhou R&F (2017–present) Sagan Tosu (2018–present) Sharjah FC (2020–present) Sydney FC (2018–present) Sparta Rotterdam (2019–present) Various HETT-clubs (See main article) The following clubs were affiliated with AFC Ajax in the past: Germinal Beerschot (1999–2003) Ashanti Goldfields (1999–2003) Ajax Orlando Prospects (2003–2007) HFC Haarlem (2006–2010) Volendam (2007–2010) Ajax Cape Town (1999–2020) Rivalries As one of the traditional big three clubs in the Netherlands, Ajax have amassed a number of intense rivalries over the years. Listed below are the most significant of the rivalries involving Ajax. Rivalry with Feyenoord Feyenoord from Rotterdam are Ajax's archrivals. Every year both clubs play the De Klassieker ("The Classic"), a match between the teams from the two largest cities of the Netherlands. During the 1970s, Ajax and Feyenoord were the only two clubs in the Netherlands who were able to clinch national titles, as well as achieve continental and even global success. A meeting between the two clubs became the measure for who was truly the best club in the Netherlands. The Klassieker is the most famous of all the rivalries in the Netherlands and the matches are always sold out. The fixture is seen in the public eye as "the graceful and elegant football of Ajax, against the indomitable fighting spirit of Feyenoord"; the confidence of the capital city versus the blue collar mentality of Rotterdam. Matches are known for their tension and violence, both on and off the pitch. Over the years, several violent incidents have taken place involving rival supporters, leading to the current prohibition of away supporters