by Jeffrey Darrion Siler II
February 11, 2012 – Abrantes, Portugal
Players from all major teams in Portugal gathered in Abrantes for the opening of the Portuguese Baseball and Softball Academy. This year’s activities began with the first of several Open Tryouts for selection of the Portuguese National Baseball Team. The day began with opening remarks by Federation President Sandra Monteiro on the state of Baseball in Portugal, details of Men’s National Club Championships for 2012, and expectations of the Academy/NT for this season and beyond. Portuguese Baseball and Softball Academy Coach and National Team Assistant Coach Petr Stříbrcký led this first session in close coordination with Head coach Nus Jurgens (Netherlands). Coach Jurgens again heads the Portuguese squad, continuing his work for Portuguese Baseball, which he began in 2008. The Portuguese Baseball and Softball Federation has released a preliminary schedule of events for subsequent training sessions, included below. Players, Clubs, and Coaches in Portugal and abroad are also preparing for upcoming International Coaches’ Clinics, given in cooperation with MLBi. More complete information can be found about these clinics by clicking Clinics Information and Clinics Article M-B.
In other Baseball news, information is circulating about the upcoming annual pre-season tournament, “Taça de Almada” hosted by current reigning National Champions, Almada White Sharks. Details forthcoming. Scroll down to read the official Press Release for Portuguese National Team open tryouts.
Open Call for training to prepare for the National Team
The Portuguese Federation of Baseball and Softball announces plans to commence activities of the Baseball and Softball Academy of FPBS for 2012 in Abrantes, Portugal.
The FPBS has organized open training sessions/tryouts in preparation for the selection of the Men’s Senior National Baseball Team of Portugal. These open tryouts are scheduled for the months of February and March 2012. These workouts will be the first phase of preparation for the Senior National Team for the “2013 National Team Qualifiers”
The training sessions are open to all players over 16 years of age, who have Portuguese nationality, and who are affiliated with FPBS in 2012 (confirmed by the date of training). It is also possible for non-Portuguese athletes proposed by their respective clubs to participate in initial training sessions, following acceptance of proposals by the FPBS (for obvious reasons these athletes are not eligible for official selection, and consequently may not be summoned as members of the Portuguese National Team as participating players). These sessions are designed for high-level athletes with exceptional skill in Baseball, and who meet the required level of play as defined by FPBS and National Team Coaching staff.
Calendar of training – February / March 2012
Location: Abrantes, Portugal
Dates and hours:
Saturday, 11 February: 10:00 to 19:00
Sunday, 26 February: 10:00 to 19:00, following International Coaches Clinics.
Saturday, 3 March: 10:00 – 19:00
Sunday, 4 March: 10:00 to 16:00
15-18 March: Try-outs ** – Games against visiting Dutch team