• Group A: Czech Republic, France, Ukraine, Bulgaria
• Group B: Russia, Poland, Slovakia, Greece

Group A

• Russia
• Netherlands
• Belgium
• Lithuania

Group B

• Italy
• France
• Croatia
• Denmark

Group C

• Czech Republic
• Great Britain
• Israel
• Greece

Group D

• Germany
• Spain
• Austria
• Ukraine

Delegates from 33 European Softball Federations (ESF) and their Regional Vice Presidents in attendance at the XXV International Softball Federation (ISF) Biennial Congress in Oklahoma City, OK from 28-30 October learned first-hand how high hopes can be raised and then dashed in the blink of an eye — and two votes.

The largest ESF contingency ever to attend an ISF Congress were participants in several important developments. These included amendments to the ISF Constitution to streamline the powers granted to the ISF Board of Directors and solidify the budgetary functions in a newly formed Finance Commission. The latter is significant, given the fact that Softball, while remaining an Olympic Sport, is not a participant in next year’s Olympic Games in London nor the 2016 Games in Rio and must strive to safeguard its remaining Olympic legacy assets while turning to new sources of funding.

Also critical is the effort to regain a place in the Olympics, starting with the 2020 Games. This was the basis for a historical development, as Congress delegates from 70 nations world-wide, hand-in-hand with their ESF peers, voted by a wide margin (61%) to prepare a joint bid with the International Baseball Federation (IBAF) before the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to gain a place at the 2020 Olympics. Previously, a joint Baseball-Softball bid had not been seriously explored. However, given that the efforts of both federations to re-gain Olympic status has met in frustration, joining forces in a manner that the IOC has indicated might come to fruition let to the historic vote. It is not, as some might characterise it, an “exploratory” exercise in the Softball or Baseball communities or a “let’s hear what everyone has to say” consultation, but instructions to the ISF and the IBAF to prepare a proposal for a joint bid and table it before the IOC to have the IOC confirm whether this would be acceptable. It will thus require the IOC not only to state its position but also let the two organizations know, it is hoped, just what criteria would be used to consider and approve re-gaining a place in the Olympics.

In another historic vote, the Congress awarded the XIV 2014 World Women’s Championships to Olympia Haarlem, Netherlands. The first ever on the European Continent. “Olympia Haarlem and the Royal Dutch Baseball and Softball Federation are honoured to have won the bid to host the worlds,” said Peter van der Aart, Chair of the Organizing Committee. “We look forward to working with the ISF to make this an unforgettable experience for our local community, fans from all over the world and all the participating teams.”

Far more disappointing for Europe, was the decision to award the 2013 ISF Congress to Cartegena, Columbia, over the bid for Prague by the Czech Softball Federation. The vote, by electronic balloting, produced not only uncertainty but three abstentions and a margin of just two votes. Europe has never hosted an ESF Congress and all delegates were eager to have Europe lead the way for 2013. By the cruellest of fates, Europe’s valid and gallant efforts were piqued. It is certain that Europe will return in force at the 2013 Congress and vote to reclaim what many regarded as their hard-earned prize – hosting an ISF Congress.

About the ESF
The ESF is Europe’s governing body of the sport as recognized by the International Softball Federation (ISF) There are 41 affiliated countries in the ESF.

About the ISF
The ISF is the world governing body of the sport as recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and SportAccord (formerly the General Association of International Sports Federations). Softball (women’s fast pitch) made its Olympic debut at the 1996 Games in Atlanta. There are 127 affiliated countries in the ISF and millions of participants in the sport worldwide.

Events Awarded, Partnerships Enhanced, Honors Given at Biennial Gathering

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA — Four busy days of softball business concluded here tonight at the International Softball Federation’s XXV Congress, marking the first time in ten years that the event has taken place in the United States. Delegates from exactly 70 countries were on-hand for meetings covering both on- and off-field activity.

The adjournment of the meeting at the Oklahoma City Marriott was preceded by the awarding of the next ISF Congress (2013). In electronic balloting, Cartagena, Colombia, won a close vote over Prague, Czech Republic.

The day began with a presentation by International World Games Association President Ron Froelich, who talked about the multi-sport event that softball (women’s fast pitch) was a part of in 2009 (Taiwan) and will again be on the programme of in two years (Cali, Colombia). Mr. Froelich is also a member of the International Olympic Committee’s Programme Commission and made remarks during a forum yesterday on softball’s Olympic reinstatement efforts, as one of the eight sports on the shortlist announced this past July by the IOC for the 2013 vote on the 2020 Games Programme.

Following Mr. Froelich’s presentation, the delegates heard from representatives of Special Olympics, with whom the ISF signed a partnership agreement in June. ISF President Don Porter and ISF 1st Vice President Dale McMann then awarded the ISF Medal of Honor – the highest recognition given by the world governing body – to Special Olympics, who was represented by Samantha Powell, a Special Olympics softball athlete from Oklahoma City, in accepting the honor.

Other honorees coming out of this session are the latest class elected by the ISF Hall of Fame Commission and approved by the full Congress. They include:
PLAYERS: Peta Edebone (Australia), Linda Marie Ford (Bahamas), Paul Maisey (Australia), Robert “Chubb” Tangaroa (New Zealand), Ray Tilley (Canada), Gina Weber (New Zealand)

COACHES: Alfred “Ali” Culmer (Bahamas), Bob Harrow (Australia), Ramon Lopez (Venezuela), Hung-Cheng Tseng (Chinese Taipei)

ADMINISTRATORS: Juan Manuel Arambula (Mexico), Franco Caverzan (Venezuela), Guller Eriksen (Denmark)

MERITORIOUS SERVICE: Russell Moffat (New Zealand)

The Congress also gave their support to the continuation of talks with the International Baseball Federation to explore the possibility of a joint Olympic reinstatement bid.

In addition to the next Congress, other host cities chosen for future ISF events were Haarlem, Netherlands (2014 Women’s World Championship), Whitehorse, Yukon (Canada) (2014 Jr. Men’s World Championship), and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (Canada) (2015 Men’s World Championship).

South Africa, the host of next month’s ISF IX Jr. Women’s World Championship (19-and-under, fast pitch), also gave a presentation today, updating the delegates on the progress of the 16-nation tournament that gets underway in 37 days.

The ISF is the world governing body of the sport as recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and SportAccord (formerly the General Association of International Sports Federations). Softball (women’s fast pitch) made its Olympic debut at the 1996 Games in Atlanta. There are 128 affiliated countries in the ISF and millions of participants in the sport worldwide.

However while the Congress said yes, a joint agreement hasn’t been signed yet. So we still have to wait and hope for the best. The IOC will decide about the 2020 Sports in the summer of 2013. in other news, the 2014 Women’s Softball World Championship was awarded to the Netherlands and the 2013 ISF Congress to Colombia (75-73 votes against Prague).

• TBA
  III. European Championship Under 22 Girls
  Nomination open
• July 23RD-28TH
  XII. European Championship Junior Girls
  Hoboken (BEL)
• July 23RD-28TH
  XI. European Championship Men
  Amstelveen (NED)
• August 20TH – 25TH
  XXXV. European Cup Women “A”
  Nomination open
• August 20TH – 25TH
  XXI. European Cup Winners Cup Women “A”
  Nomination open
• August 20TH – 25TH
  XIX. European Cup Women “B”
  Nomination open
• August 20TH – 25TH
  XIV. European Cup Winners Cup Women “B”
  Nomination open
• August 20TH – 25TH(1)
  I. European M.Romeo Youth Trophy
  Collecchio, Parma (ITA)
• Aug. 27TH – Sept.1ST (date will be re-confirmed)
  I. European Super Cup Men
  Nomination open
• Jul. 30/31 – Aug.4TH
  VI. European Cup Coed Slowpitch
  Nomination open

Final Standings:

1. Tex Town Tigers (NED)
2. Sparks Haarlem (NED)
3. DES Caserta (ITA)
4. Titano Hornets (SMA)
5. Wesseling Vermins (GER)
6. Afterburners (BEL)
7. Carrousel (RUS)
8. SK Joudrs Prague (CZE)
9. Pee Wees (AUT)
10. Skoevde BSK (SWE)

• Best Batter: Zhuchkova Tatiana (Carrousel)
• Best Pitcher: Kirsten Scheele (Sparks Haarlem)
• MVP: Karin Tuk (Tex Town Tigers)

Complete Results, Box scores, Stats

Final Standings:

1. Fiorini Forli (ITA)
2. Iber Lengua Terrasvogels (NED)
3. Moskovia (RUS)
4. Mannheim Tornados (GER)
5. Vienna Wanderers (AUT)
6. Princ (CRO)
7. SaBaT Prague (CZE)

• Best Batter: Tyleen Tausaga (Fiorini Forli)
• Best Pitcher: Mara Papucci (Fiorini Forli)
• MVP: Sara Avanzi (Fiorini Forli)

Complete Results, Box scores and Stats

Standings after Preliminary Round:

1. Fiorini Forli (ITA) 6-0
2. Iber Lengua Terrasvogels (NED) 5-1
3. Mannheim Tornados (GER) 4-2
4. Moskovia (RUS) 3-3
5. Vienna Wanderers (AUT) 2-4
6. SaBaT Prague (CZE) 1-5
7. Princ (CRO) 0-6

Complete Results, Schedule, Box scores, Statistics and Live Play by Play

European Cup Caserta A-Pool:
Group Yellow:

1. Tex Town Tigers (NED) 3-1
2. Wesseling Vermins (GER) 2-2
3. Afterburners (BEL) 2-2
4. SK Joudrs Prague (CZE) 2-2
5. Skoevde SK (SWE) 1-3

Group Blue:

1. Sparks Haarlem (NED) 4-0
2. DES Caserta (ITA) 3-1
3. Titano Hornets (SMA) 2-2
4. Carrousel (RUS) 1-3
5. Pee Wees (AUT) 0-4

Complete Results, Box scores, Schedule and Live Play by Play

European Cup Dupnitsa B-Pool:
Group Yellow:

1. Nika Duhl (UKR) 4-0
2. Les Comanches (FRA) 2-2
3. London Angels (GBR) 2-2
4. Ladonas (GRE) 1-3
5. Lisicke (SLO) 1-3

Group Blue:

1. Akademiks (BUL) 4-0
2. Bizkorrak (ESP) 3-1
3. Eagles (SUI) 2-2
4. MSK Szostka (POL) 1-3
5. Barracudas (DEN) 0-4

Complete Results, Box scores, Schedule and Live Play by Play

European Cup A-Pool in Caserta, Italy
European Cup B-Pool in Dupnitsa, Bulgaria
European Cup Winners Cup in Castions di Strada, Italy

The Dutch team already had beaten the host in the first semi-final on Friday evening, needing four runs in the top of the eighth to celebrate an extra-inning win. Italy followed the Netherlands into the finals with a 1-0 shutout over Great Britain on Saturday afternoon. The Czech team lost to the British squad on Friday and finished in fourth place.

Results Day 6&7:
Friday, August 5:
Final Round:
Great Britain – Spain 6-0
Czech Republic – Russia 7-6
Great Britain – Czech Republic 2-0
Italy – Netherlands 1-5 (8)
9th to 12th:
Germany – Sweden 2-1 (8)
Slovakia – Belgium 7-8
13th to 16th:
Ukraine – Israel 11-10 (8)
Hungary – Bulgaria 3-14 (4)
17th to 20th:
Croatia – Denmark 9-14
Denmark – Poland 0-7 (5)
Croatia – Switzerland 16-9 (6)
Saturday, August 6:
17th to 20th:
Poland – Switzerland 13-12
13th to 16th:
Israel – Hungary 0-1
Bulgaria – Ukraine 7-0 (Forfeit)
Final Round:
Austria – France 4-9
Italy – Great Britain 1-0
Spain – Russia 3-6
Netherlands – Italy 10-2 (6)

Final Standings:

1. Netherlands
2. Italy
3. Great Britain
4. Czech Republic
5. Russia
6. Spain
7. France
8. Austria
9. Germany
10. Belgium
11. Sweden
12. Slovakia
13. Bulgaria
14. Hungary
15. Ukraine
16. Israel
17. Poland
18. Denmark
19. Croatia
20. Switzerland

Complete Results, Box scores and Stats

Results Day 5:
Thursday, August 4:
Final Round:
Netherlands – Russia 2-0
France – Great Britain 3-9
Czech Republic – Italy 1-6
Spain – Austria 5-3
Russia – Great Britain 2-4 (8)
Netherlands – France 8-1 (5)
Italy – Austria 6-1
Czech Republic – Spain 7-0 (5)
9th to 12th:
Sweden – Belgium 6-7
Germany – Slovakia 6-0
Sweden – Slovakia 4-0
Belgium – Germany 0-10 (4)
13th to 16th:
Hungary – Ukraine 10-0 (4)
Israel – Bulgaria 5-4
17th to 20th:
Switzerland – Denmark 1-11 (4)
Poland – Croatia 4-7

Complete Schedule, Box scores, Live Play by Play

Results Day 4:
Thursday, August 3:
Preliminary Round:
Belgium – Denmark 7-0 (5)
Poland – Germany 0-7 (5)
Spain – Ukraine 12-0 (4)
Czech Republic – Israel 10-0 (4)
Slovakia – Switzerland 14-5 (5)
Austria – Bulgaria 6-2
Sweden – Hungary 7-0 (6)
Great Britain – Croatia 7-0 (5)
Final Round:
Great Britain – Netherlands 1-3
Russia – France 7-1
Italy – Spain 13-0 (4)
Austria – Czech Republic 1-16 (4)

Standings Preliminary Round:
Group Yellow:

1. Italy 4-0
2. Great Britain 3-1
3. Sweden 2-2
4. Hungary 1-3
5. Croatia 0-4

Group Green:

1. Netherlands 4-0
2. Spain 3-1
3. Belgium 2-2
4. Ukraine 1-3
5. Denmark 0-4

Group Blue:

1. Russia 4-0
2. Austria 3-1
3. Slovakia 2-2
4. Bulgaria 1-3
5. Switzerland 0-4

Group Purple:

1. Czech Republic 4-0
2. France 3-1
3. Germany 2-2
4. Israel 1-3
5. Poland 0-4

Complete Schedule, Box scores, Stats, Live Play by Play

Results Day 3:
Tuesday, August 2:
Russia – Austria 10-0 (4)
Bulgaria – Switzerland 5-2
Israel – Germany 1-10 (5)
Great Britain – Hungary 16-2 (4)
Denmark – Netherlands 0-19 (3)
Belgium – Ukraine 8-1 (5)
Switzerland – Russia 0-12 (4)
Croatia – Italy 0-15 (4)
France- Czech Republic 2-12 (4)
Sweden – Great Britain 0-3
Slovakia – Bulgaria 7-3
Hungary – Italy 0-10 (5)

Complete Schedule, Box scores, Live Play by Play

Results Day 2:
Monday, August 1:
Poland – France 0-5
Netherlands – Belgium 9-0 (5)
Denmark – Spain 2-13 (5)
Hungary – Croatia 2-1
Germany – Czech Republic 3-13 (6)
Switzerland – Austria 0-12 (4)
Russia – Slovakia 7-0 (5)
France – Israel 7-0 (6)
Ukraine – Denmark 8-1 (5)
Netherlands – Spain 10-0 (4)
Czech Republic – Poland 10-0 (4)
Italy – Sweden 5-0

Complete Schedule, Box scores and Live Play by Play

Results Day 1:
Sunday, July 31:
Croatia – Sweden 0-7 (6)
Austria – Slovakia 3-2
Germany – France 0-1
Spain – Belgium 13-12 (10)
Bulgaria – Russia 0-10 (4)
Ukraine – Netherlands 0-24 (3)
Israel – Poland 4-3
Italy – Great Britain 1-0

Complete Schedule, Box scores and Live Play by Play

The European Softball Federation has launched a new marketing initiative to bring live softball coverage into the homes and offices of fans, associations and lovers of the game.

Michael Schmidt, ESF VP for Marketing, stated that, starting with the Womens European Championships in Ronchi de Legionari, Italy from 31 July to 6 August, ESF games would be available by “live streaming” and “play by play”, via the ESF’s web site. All of this comes from the implementation of a new media accreditation system, one of the most advanced such plans in softball.

Live streaming of games at Ronchi will be available via http://www.europeansoftball.org/video for the last two days of the competition, including the semi-finals as well as the finals.

According to Schmidt, “it’s great for everyone to be able to follow what’s happening in a game, from anywhere in the world, and live. Our media accreditation system will let fans and supporters know what’s happening ‘play by play’ from anywhere in the world.”

ESF President Andre van Overbeek termed the new initiative “fantastic, and a breakthrough for media interest for softball”.

The live streaming and play by play will be made possible by accredited media that include camera crews, commentators and TV, press and radio reporters.

Media representatives, the press and photographers can become accredited media by registering with the ESF. Currently, nearly 50 persons have applied for media accreditation. Application materials are available on the ESF’s web site.

Results Prague Softball Week:
Thursday, June 23:
Argentina – Czech 19U 9-0
Moscow – Slovakia 3-2
Prague Stars – Indonesia 2-3
AIST (USA) – Poland 13-2
Friday, June 24:
Czech 19U – Slovakia 7-0
Argentina – Moscow 8-2
Poland – Prague Stars 1-8
AIST (USA) – Indonesia 3-2
Slovakia – Argentina 0-7
Czech 19U – Moscow 0-7
Indonesia – Poland 10-0
Prague Stars – AIST (USA) 1-5
Saturday, June 25:
AIST (USA) – Slovakia 8-0
Moscow – Prague Stars 0-3
Argentina – Poland 8-1
Indonesia – Czech 19U 4-3
Poland – Czech 19U 6-10
Slovakia – Moscow 3-4
AIST (USA) – Prague Stars 1-0
Argentina – Indonesia 2-0
Sunday, June 26:
Czech 19U – Moscow 3-4
Poland – Slovakia 6-4
Prague Stars – Indonesia 1-7
AIST (USA) – Argentina 1-2

Final Standings:

1. Argentina
2. AIST (USA)
3. Indonesia
4. Prague Stars
5. Moscow
6. Czech 19U
7. Poland
8. Slovakia

Experienced Olympia Haarlem wants to host top women’s international softball event

Haarlem, the Netherlands – The Royal Dutch Baseball and Softball Federation sent in a bid to host the International Softball Federation XIV Women’s World Championship in 2014 at the venue of Olympia Haarlem.

European Softball Federation President André van Overbeek said that a successful track record of the host, will guarantee the organization of the World’s biggest fast pitch event for the first time in softball history in Europe. “Olympia Haarlem will do a terrific job hosting the ISF women’s world championship in 2014,” the ESF president said. “They proved as much when they organized our 2010 European Club Tournaments with 19 club-teams competing at their venue. Plus the community’s support for softball from the city of Haarlem and their proven ability as a site for large sporting and cultural events assures that the teams, the fans, and the media will all have a great experience in the summer of 2014.”

The unique location at Olympia Haarlem with 2 softball fields, training fields, clubhouse and the teams hotel within walking distance and the expansion of the existing stands, V.I.P facilities and a promo village for the fans, is hoped to be a factor for winning the bid.

“Olympia Haarlem and the Royal Dutch Baseball and Softball Federation are pleased to host the world,” said Peter van der Aart, Chair of the Organizing Committee for the 2014 World Championship. “After hosting successful and exciting ESF European Cup tournaments in 2010, we will be honoured to host the 2014 women’s world championship in Holland. We look forward to working with the ISF to make this an unforgettable experience for our local community, fans from all over the world and all the participating teams.”

Together with the European Softball Federation, the Organizing Committee will launch a plan on the road to 2014 to involve all ESF Federations in this unique event for Europe.

The event in Haarlem will come two years after the XIII Women’s World Championship, which will be held in 2012 at Yukon, Whitehorse in Canada. As such, it fulfils the implementation of a two-year rotation for ISF world championships instead of every four years. That change was adopted at the ISF congress in 2009.

The women’s world championship in Haarlem in 2014 is expected to take place in August of that year, with exact dates currently being finalized.

Bids for the World Championship Women 2014 will be awarded later this year at the ISF congress in Oklahoma City (USA) October 27-30.

About the ESF
The ESF is Europe’s governing body for softball as recognized by the International Softball Federation (ISF) with 36 of the 128 affiliated Federations within the ISF and millions of participants in the sport worldwide.

• Group A (GBR, ITA, SWE, CRO, HUN, DEN)
• Group B (NED, ESP, BEL, UKR, GRE, DEN)
• Group C (RUS, AUT, SVK, BUL, SUI)
• Group D (CZE, GER, FRA, ISR, POL)

Official Website

• Group A (RUS, CZE, GBR, ITA, FRA)
• Group B (NED, ESP, SVK, BEL, GER, SRB)

Game Schedule for 2011 Softball European Cadet Girls Championship in Deurne/Antwerp (PDF)

Updated Draw:
• Group A (GBR, ITA, SWE, CRO, HUN, DEN)
• Group B (NED, ESP, BEL, UKR, GRE)
• Group C (RUS, AUT, SVK, BUL, SUI)
• Group D (CZE, GER, FRA, ISR, POL)

Game Schedule 2011 Softball European Championship in Ronchi dei Legionari (PDF)

PONY Girls Softball Fastpitch European Zone Tournament

Venue: Eagles Praha Baseball Softball Complex, Prague, Czech Republic

Dates: April 22nd – April 24th, 2011

Age Group: Girls 16 and under

Eligible: Sixteen (16) teams

Entry Fee: 60 EUR/per team

Winner: Qualify for 2011 Girls Softball Fastpitch World Series, Cary, North Carolina

Accommodation: Organizers are ready to assist teams to get another accommodation (hotel etc.) by suitable prices.

The closing date of entries: March 5th, 2011

For contact information check out the WORD-Document

Group A

• Netherlands
• Belgium
• France

Group B

• Russia
• Slovakia
• Poland

Group C

• Spain
• Great Britain
• Germany

Group D

• Italy
• Czech Republic
• Serbia

Group A

• Great Britain
• Italy
• Sweden
• Croatia
• Hungary
• Denmark

Group B

• Netherlands
• Spain
• Belgium
• Ukraine
• Poland
• Greece

Group C

• Russia
• Austria
• Slovakia
• Bulgaria
• Switzerland
• Turkey

Group D

• Czech Republic
• Germany
• France
• Israel
• Slovenia

Official Website Softball European Championship

In November the European Softball Federation awarded Ronchi dei Legionari, Staranzano and Redipuglia in Italy the organization of the 2011 Women’s Softball European Championship. The tournament which will have the same format like the European Junior Championship in Vienna this summer will be held from July 31st to August 6th. The list of the participating teams will be released after the ESF Congress in February 2011. A schedule is going to follow shortly after. Meanwhile the organizers already have launched the official website of the 2011 Softball European Championship: www.echw2011.eu

At the Cupwinners Cup, Sparks Haarlem erased a 1-6-deficit thanks to six runs in the bottom of the seventh in a 7-6 win over Fiorini Forli. Debby Connor had the game-winning hit with a walk-off two-run double. Five of the six runs crossed the plate with two outs.

Results Day 7, August 21:
European Cup:
Tex Town Tigers – Dornbirn Sharx 1-0 (Tigers qualify for finals, Dornbirn finishes in third)
Final: DES Caserta – Tex Town Tigers 3-6

Cupwinners Cup:
Terrasvogels – Fiorini Forli 0-2 (Forli advances to finals, Terrasvogels finishes in third)
Final: Sparks Haarlem – Fiorini Forli 7-6

Final Standings European Cup:

1. Tex Town Tigers (NED)
2. DES Caserta (ITA)
3. Dornbirn Sharx (AUT)
4. Mannheim Tornados (GER)
5. SK Joudrs Prague (CZE)
6. Carrousel (RUS)
7. Pee Wees (AUT)
8. Brasschaat Braves (BEL)
9. Skoevde Saints (SWE)

Final Standings Cupwinners Cup:

1. Sparks Haarlem (NED)
2. Fiorini Forli (ITA)
3. Terrasvogels (NED)
4. Moskovia Marino (RUS)
5. SaBaT Prague (CZE)
6. Pioneers (BEL)
7. Neunkirchen Nightmares (GER)
8. Mladost Scorpions (CRO)
9. CS Viladecans (ESP)
10. London Angels (GBR)

For more information, box scores and stats go to www.europeancup2010.nl

The two championship games in Haarlem on Saturday at 5pm CET and 8pm CET will be streamed through www.europeancup2010.tv

Results, Day 6, August 20:
European Cup:
SK Joudrs Prague – Carrousel 5-2
DES Caserta – Dornbirn Sharx 4-3
Mannheim Tornados – Brasschaat Braves 6-2
Pee Wees – Tex Town Tigers 1-8 (5)

Final Standings Preliminary Round:

1. DES Caserta
2. Tex Town Tigers
3. Dornbirn Sharx
4. Mannheim Tornados
5. SK Joudrs Prague
6. Carrousel
7. Pee Wees
8. Brasschaat Braves
9. Skoevde Saints

Page System Playoffs:
Dornbirn Sharx – Mannheim Tornados 2-1 (Tornados will finish in 4th)
DES Caserta – Tex Town Tigers 2-0 (DES Caserta reaches Championship Game)

Cupwinners Cup:
Mladost Scorpions – Neunkirchen Nightmares 1-3
Sparks Haarlem – Pioneers BSV 10-0
Terrasvogels – SaBaT Prague 5-0
Moskovia Marino – Fiorini Forli 1-6
CS Viladecans – London Angels 5-3

Standings Top-6 Round:

1. Terrasvogels
2. Sparks Haarlem
3. Fiorini Forli
4. Moskovia Marino
5. SaBaT Prague
6. Pioneers BSV

Standings Playdowns (7-10)

1. Neunkirchen Nightmares
2. Mladost Scorpions
3. CS Viladecans
4. London Angels

Playoffs Page System:
Fiorini Forli – Moskovia Marino 4-0 (Marino finishes in 4th)
Terrasvogels – Sparks Haarlem 1-6 (Sparks Haarlem reaches championship game)

Box scores, stats, live scoring and more information at www.europeancup2010.nl

Results, Day 5, August 19:
European Cup:
Brasschaat Braves – Skoevde BSK 7-2
DES Caserta – Pee Wees 8-0 (5)
Dornbirn Sharx – Carrousel 3-0
SK Joudrs Prague – Mannheim Tornados 2-3
Brasschaat Braves – Pee Wees 0-2
DES Caserta – SK Joudrs Prague 1-0
Dornbirn Sharx – Mannheim Tornados 2-0
Tex Town Tigers – Carrousel 7-0 (5)

Cupwinners Cup:
Fiorini Forli – Terrasvogels 0-1
Pioneers BSV – SaBaT Prague 2-10 (5)
Sparks Haarlem – Moskovia Marino 9-0 (5)
Neunkirchen Nightmares – CS Viladecans 6-0
SaBaT Prague – Moskovia Marino 3-4 (10)
London Angels – Mladost Scorpions 0-3
Fiorini Forli – Pioneers BSV 11-0 (4)
Terrasvogels – Sparks Haarlem 3-0

Box scores, stats, live scoring and more information at www.europeancup2010.nl

Results, Day 4, August 18:
European Cup:
Skoevde BSK – Dornbirn Sharx 0-15 (4)
Pee Wees – Carroussel 1-4
Tex Town Tigers – Mannheim Tornados 8-1 (5)
SK Joudrs Prague – Skoevde BSK 7-0 (5)
Carroussel – DES Caserta 3-8
Mannheim Tornados – Pee Wees 3-0
Tex Town Tigers – Brasschaat Braves 10-3 (6)
Dornbirn Sharx – SK Joudrs Prague 2-0

Cupwinners Cup:
Neunkirchen Nightmares – SaBaT Prague 4-8
Pioneers BSV – CS Viladecans 4-3
Moskovia Marino – Mladost Scorpions 11-1 (4)
SaBaT Prague – Fiorini Forli 1-4
CS Viladecans – Terrasvogels 0-8 (5)
London Angels – Sparks Haarlem 0-12 (4)

Box scores, stats, live scoring and more information at www.europeancup2010.nl

Results Day 3, August 17:
European Cup:
DES Caserta – Tex Town Tigers 5-2
Mannheim Tornados – Skoevde BSK 5-1
Brasschaat Braves – Dornbirn Sharx 0-9 (5)
Pee Wees – SK Joudrs Prague 1-15 (6)
Brasschaat Braves – DES Caserta 0-12 (4)
Carroussel – Skoevde BSK 7-0 (5)
Tex Town Tigers – SK Joudrs Prague 10-0 (4)

Cupwinners Cup:
Mladost Scorpions – Pioneers BSV 0-10
Fiorini Forli – London Angels 7-0 (5)
CS Viladecans – Moskovia Marino 1-14 (5)
SaBaT Prague – Sparks Haarlem 2-13 (6)
Neunkirchen Nightmares – London Angels 10-3 (5)
Pioneers BSV – Terrasvogels 0-18 (3)

Box scores, stats, live scoring and more information at www.europeancup2010.nl

Results Day 2, August 16:
European Cup:
Skoevde BSK – Pee Wees 1-4
SK Joudrs Prague – Brasschaat Braves 1-0
Mannheim Tornados – DES Caserta 0-11 (4)
Dornbirn Sharx – Tex Town Tigers 1-3
Skoevde BSK – DES Caserta 0-10 (4)
Carroussel –Brasschaat Braves 13-0
Pee Wees – Dornbirn Sharx 0-8 (5)

European Cupwinners Cup:
Mladost Scorpions – CS Viladecans 5-2
Moskovia Marino – Pioneers BSV 8-1 (6)
Fiorini Forli – Neunkirchen Nightmares 7-0 (5)
London Angels – SaBaT Prague 2-15 (4)
Terrasvogels – Mladost Scorpions 13-0 (4)
Sparks Haarlem – Neunkirchen Nightmares 6-0

Box scores, stats, live scoring and more information at www.europeancup2010.nl

Results Day 1, August 15:
European Cup:
Skoevde – Tex Town Tigers 0-8 (5)
Carroussel – Mannheim Tornados 1-6

European Cupwinners Cup:
Terrasvogels – Moskovia Marino 6-5 (13)
Sparks Haarlem – Fiorini Forli 7-3

Box scores, Complete Schedule and Livescoring at www.europeancup2010.nl

Teams European Champions Cup:

• Dornbirn Sharx (Austria)
• Pee Wees (Austria)
• Carrousel (Russia)
• Des Caserta (Italy)
• Tex Town Tigers (Netherlands)
• SK Joudrs Prague (Czech Republic)
• Skoevde BSK (Sweden)
• Mannheim Tornados (Germany)
• Brasschaat Braves (Belgium)

Schedule and Live Scoring

Teams European Cupwinners Cup:
Group A:

• Terrasvogels (Netherlands)
• Moskovia Marino (Russia)
• Mladost Scorpions (Croatia)
• CS Viladecans (Spain)
• Pioneers BSV (Belgium)

Group B:

• Sparks Haarlem (Netherlands)
• Fiorini Forli (Italy)
• Neunkirchen Nightmares (Germany)
• London Angels (Great Britain)
• SaBaT Prague (Czech Republic)

Schedule and Live Scoring

Schedule, Sunday, August 15:
European Champions Cup:
18:00 Skoevde – Tex Town Tigers
20:30 Carroussel – Mannheim Tornados

European Cupwinners Cup:
18:00 Terrasvogels – Moskovia Marino
20:30 Sparks Haarlem – Fiorini Forli

Official Website

Individual Awards:

• MVP: Sara Avanzi (Italy)
• Best Batter: Karin Stefkova (Czech Republic)
• Best Pitcher: Svetlana Lagutkina (Russia)

Final Standings:

1. Czech Republic
2. Italy
3. Russia
4. Sweden
5. France
6. Poland
7. Ukraine

Official Website with complete results, stats and standings

Photo: © FIBS

by Baseball.pl, www.baseball.pl

Last week, since 20th to 25th July, group of 35 volunteers from all Poland were beating the Guinness World Record in the longest softball marathon. The game was played in Osielsko near Bydgoszcz, Poland. Official record was established in 30th June – 5th July 2009, in Waskatenau, Alberta (Canada) – it was 115 hours and 3 minutes.

The game started at Tuesday, July 20th, at midday. First few hours were very balanced, but at night team Lemons achieved high advantage. Green Team tied at Thursday, but finally Lemons won the longest softball marathon 627 to 594. Both teams played 121 hours and 11 minutes (521 innings).

Volunteers played in hard conditions. First three days were sunny and cloudless, and maximum temperature was 45 Celsius degrees. Then, at Friday it start raining – at night thermometer pointed only 15 Celsius degrees. The best weather was at Sunday – there was about 20 Celsius degree, no rain and no sun.

The event have a widespread impact in Polish media. Almost all the time there was journalist and photographers at the field. It was main goal of this game, and Organizers of the event said, that was successful. Information about beating Guinness Record attempt appeared in many newspapers, radio & tv stations, including news in two nationwide TV’s at Sunday.

Photogallery (over 250 pictures)

Video account (over 40 minutes):

ROSTERS:

LEMONS

Baumgart Jacek (Dęby Osielsko) [COACH & CAPTAIN]
Czerwiński Mateusz (Dęby Osielsko)
Czerwiński Mikołaj (Dęby Osielsko)
Gralak Sławek (Dęby Osielsko)
Gralak Paweł
Macniak Mateusz (Dęby Osielsko)
Makowski Jakub (Pasikoniki Warszawa)
Markowska Maja (Dęby Osielsko)
Markowska Marta (Dęby Osielsko)
Modliński Miłlosz (Dęby Osielsko)
Nowak Mariusz (Pasikoniki Warszawa)
Rębelski Tomasz (Pasikoniki Warszawa)
Rysiawa Michał (Pasikoniki Warszawa)
Snopek Łukasz (Dęby Osielsko)
Szydlik Adrian (Pasikoniki Warszawa)
Śmigiel Anna (Dęby Osielsko)
Zieliński Adam (Dęby Osielsko)

GREEN TEAM

Gryczka Piotr (Diament Piła)
Grzanowski Mariusz (Stal Kutno) [CAPTAIN]
Kątna Magdalena (Dęby Osielsko)
Kubiak Maksymilian
Łukomski Arkadiusz (Demony Miejska Górka) [COACH]
Noska Patryk
Nowicka Alicja
Osiński Jakub (KSSP Bełchatów)
Snopek Joanna (Dęby Osielsko)
Suliński Bartosz (Dęby Osielsko)
Szwajkowski Robert (Comets Mazowsze)
Szydłowski Bartłomiej
Teska Bartosz (Dęby Osielsko)
Trzpiot Łukasz (Baza Bydgoszcz)
Wilczyński Rafał
Wiśniewski Miłosz (Diament Piła)
Zajda Marcin
Zagożdżon Radosław (Dęby Osielsko)

Press Release Softball European Championship Juniors

By defeating Germany 9-2 Italy claims the European Championship Junior Girls title 2010. From the very beginning the Italians take the lead and add run by run one inning after the other. While the German Juniors just can’t handle the excellent Italian pitching, their opponent’s batters hit the balls hard to score continuously. All in all Team Italy well deservedly wins the title in this tournament.

In the morning Italy won against Russia in a close game 5-2 to go through to the finals. In the other semi-final Germany defeated Czech behind a solid defense 8-4.

In the game for the third place the Czech Juniors take an early lead against Team Russia. They are in front 3-0 until the sixth inning, but Russia is able to come back and turn the game into a 7-6 win and therewith take the bronze medal, which is equivalent to a spot in next year’s WC in South Africa.

The Netherlands secure the fifth place with an 8-1 victory over Slovakia, Spain beats France 14-0 and becomes 7th.

Individual Awards
MVP: Natalia Morozova (RUS)
Best Batter: Priscilla Brandi (ITA)
Best Pitcher: Sydney Vlyminckx (BEL)

Final Standings:
1. Italy
2. Germany
3. Russia
4. Czech Republic
5. Netherlands
6. Slovakia
7. Spain
8. France
9. Great Britain
10. Belgium
11. Romania
12. Croatia
13. Israel
14. Serbia
15. Austria

Italy, Germany and Russia qualified for 2011 Softball World Championship Juniors in South Africa.

More Info at www.softball2010.at

Results:
July 15:
Moscow – Slovakia 7-3
USA Athletes – Czech U19 3-8
AIST – Czech U22 1-2
July 16:
Czech U19 – Moscow 3-2
AIST – Moscow 7-4
Czech U22 – USA Athletes 12-4
Slovakia – USA Athletes 6-13
Dornbirn Sharx – AIST 2-1
Dornbirn Sharx – Czech U22 1-0
July 17:
AIST – Slovakia 10-0
Dornbirn Sharx – USA Athletes 9-0
Moscow – Dornbirn Sharx 0-7
Czech U19 – AIST 4-7
Czech U22 – Slovakia 10-2
Slovakia – Dornbirn Sharx 0-13
USA Athletes – AIST 5-10
Czech U22 – Czech U19 9-1
July 18:
USA Athletes – Moscow 4-6
Dornbirn Sharx – Czech U22 4-1

Final Standings:

1. Dornbirn Sharx (AUT)
2. Czech U22 (CZE)
3. AIST (USA)
4. Czech U19 (CZE)
5. Moscow (RUS)
6. USA Athletes (USA)
7. Slovakia (SVK)

A special Softball-filled weekend is planned in Haarlem, Netherlands. On Saturday all four regular Hoofdklasse doubleheaders will be played at the fields of Olympia Haarlem. One day later the Dutch national team will first hold a clinic before taking on an all-star squad of foreign players in the afternoon. Additionally a homerun derby will be held. On Monday Olympia Haarlem hosts the Dutch Junior National Team for a doubleheader.

Jánossomorján Danube Cup (May 23)

The Softball edition of the annual Danube Cup will be held at the Rascals Field in Jánossomorján, Hungary on Sunday with the Junior National Teams from Hungary, Austria and Slovakia. (game one 11am: HUN-AUT, game two 2pm AUT-SVK, game three 4.15pm SVK-HUN)

Hugo Baert Int’l Tournament in Hoboken, Belgium (May 22&23)

In preparation of the Junior European Softball Championships in Austria, Vienna this Summer, the Under-19 national teams from Belgium, Germany and France will meet for the Hugo Baert International Tournament at the facilities of the Hoboken Pioneers in Belgium. Nine games total are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.

• Secretary General Patrice Bienfait retired from his post due to health reasons and became the first “Member of Honor” in the history of the ESF. He also received the ISF Medal of Honor from ISF President Don Porter and ISF Vice President Dale McCann. Francesca Fabretti was appointed as acting Secretary General until the next Congress.

• Massimo Romeo was officially inducted into the ESF Hall of Fame.

• The 2011 European Softball Championship Women’s will be hosted by the Friuli region in Italy from July 25th to 30th.

• The format for the 2010 European Softball Championship Junior Women’s in Vienna, Austria from July 25th to 31st was approved. A-Pool and B-Pool will be in the same tournament. 17 teams are going to play 65 games overall on three fields on seven days. The ESF will evaluate the format and might also use it in the 2011 Senior EC in Italy. Official Website

• The 2010 European Co-ed Slowpitch Championships will be held in Prague, Czech Republic from July 5th to 10th. One year later Bulgaria will be the host.

• There will be more flexibility for the teams, when entering the European Cup or the European Cupwinners Cup. So clubs can change to the other competition once the venues are known.

• Starting in 2011 electronic scorekeeping systems have to be used during all ESF competitions.

• Malta is now the 36th full member of the European Softball Federation.

• The ESF countries in the Balkan region have founded the sub-group Southeast European Softball Federation.

• The destination of the 2011 ESF Congress is not known yet since there were no bids.

President André van Overbeek and the complete executive committee were elected one year ago in Lausanne, Switzerland. In difference to some other federations the ESF has published all relevant documents regarding the congress on its website www.europeansoftball.org.

European Cup and Cupwinners Cup

The Softball European Cup tournaments were again split in the usual European Cup for the national champions and the Cupwinners Cup. Ten teams each played in two Italian cities for the two trophies. In Legnano the Austrian club Dornbirn Sharx defeated the Russian Carousel Bosco Sport 1-0 in the championship game to win the event. In Parma the Dutch team Terrasvogels beat the Czech champion SK Joudrs Prague.

Final Standings European Cup Legnano:

1. Dornbirn Sharx (AUT)
2. Carousel Bosco Sport (RUS)
3. Fiorini Forli (ITA)
4. AMGA Legnano (ITA)
5. Computer SOS TTT (NED)
6. Eagles Prague (CZE)
7. CBS Antorcha (ESP)
8. Skövde Saints (SWE)
9. Hamburg Knights (GER)
10. AS Maroussi 2004 (GRE)

Final Standings Cupwinners Cup Parma:

1. Terrasvogels (NED)
2. SK Joudrs Prague (CZE)
3. Sparks Haarlem (NED)
4. Moskovia Marino (RUS)
5. Brasschaat (BEL)
6. Old Parma (ITA)
7. Neunkirchen Nightmares (GER)
8. CS Viladecans (ESP)
9. Novi Zagreb Lady Pirates (CRO)
10. SUPERFUND Wanderers (AUT)

B-Pool Tournaments

The B-Pool tournaments took place in Dupnitsa, Bulgaria and Edirne, Turkey. The Belgian Borgerhout Squirrels and the British Angels London finished in first place.

Final Standings B-Pool European Cup Dupnitsa:

1. Borgerhout Squirrels
2. Nika Duhl U. Lugansk
3. Trnava Panthers
4. Therwil Flyers
5. Comanches Toulon
6. Akademics Sofia
7. BK Kranjski Lisjaki
8. MKS SZ Ost KA Berg
9. Princ Zagreb
10. Titano Hornets

Final Standings B-Pool Cupwinners Cup Edirne:

1. Angels London
2. Reussbuehl Eagles
3. BAT Paris
4. Köksal Toptan Genclik

These are the national Softball champions in Europe’s leagues this year. If we made a mistake or we missed your team, let us know in the comment section or via news [at] mister-baseball.com.

• Austria: Dornbirn Sharx
• Belgium: Brasschaat Braves
• Bulgaria: Аkademiks Sofia
• Croatia: Princ Zagreb
• Czech Republic: SK Joudrs Praha
• France: Toulon
• Germany: Mannheim Tornados
• Hungary: Hungarian Astros
• Italy: Des Caserta
• Netherlands: Computer SOS Tex Town Tigers
• Poland: Szóstka Brzeg
• Slovakia: TJ STU Trnava Panthers
• Spain: CBS Antorcha
• Sweden: Skövde
• Switzerland: Therwil Flyers
• Ukraine: Nika (Lugansk)

Skövde and Söder will play in the Softball European Cups. Swedish champion Skövde is going to play the A-Pool in Haarlem, Netherlands. Söder is set for the B-Pool Cupwinners Cup, where the site isn’t determined yet. Söder, which finished second in Sweden this year, even could host this tournament according to the report on the official website of the Swedish Baseball and Softball Federation.

The board of the Swedish federation also decided to pay for the travel costs for the European Cup participating teams, starting in 2010.

Rule Changes (PDF-File)