From the Netherlands arrives us word about a few changes in the 2009 European Cup tournaments. According to Rogier Van Zorn of the Dutch Honkbalsite, the Confederation of European Baseball (CEB) adjusts the European Cup schedule due to the Baseball World Cup in September and moves the events to an earlier as usual date in the year.
The two European Cups are now probably being played in the week between April 5 and 12. The Final Four is scheduled for the weekend of June 19 to 21. Both appointments are provisional. Six teams each compete in the European Cups with the last participating country being determined next weekend in Antwerp, Belgium. In addition Italy, the Netherlands, France and Spain get two spots apiece, San Marino, Germany and the Czech Republic each one.
It also seems that one of the two Dutch participants isn’t going to be Corendon Kinheim, even if they win the national championship. The technical commission of the CEB apparently has decided to suspend the club for a year from European competition because of their non-participation in the Final Four tournament last weekend. However the final word is not spoken in this matter, as the CEB-board has to approve the ruling. Kinheim and the Dutch Baseball Federation also get the opportunity in November to explain their reasons.
The hosts for two of the three tournaments are also more or less known. Nettuno is going to organize one of the two European Cups. The second venue isn’t announced yet. There is also the possibility that the Final Four stays in Spain, as Barcelona expressed interest to host the event again.