25 August 2010

QUARTET OF EURO EVENTS FINISHED; TWO OTHERS UNDERWAY
This past weekend the European Softball Federation had four events conclude in three countries. Now the regional confederation has events underway in two other countries, each set to conclude on Saturday. ISF President Don Porter was in the Netherlands for the nine-team European Cup Women A and the ten-team European Cup Winners Cup Women A. Meanwhile, the ten-team European Cup Women B was being held in San Marino and the European Cup Winners Cup Women B was playing in Turkey.

Sabine Kraushofer bats during the European event in the Netherlands.
(Photo by Robert Jan de Vries)

Two days ago the XXI European Cup Men began in Italy as did the IX European Cup Winners Cup Men in the Czech Republic. Find out more at www.europeansoftball.org.

(left to right) ISF VP/Europe Ami Baran, ISF President Don Porter, European Cups 2010 Organizing Committee Chairman Johan Kluyskens, and ISF VP/Europe Andre van Overbeek during the opening of the event in Haarlem
(Photo by Robert Jan de Vries)

UMPIRE SEMINAR WAS HELD
In conjunction with the two European Cups being played in Haarlem, an ISF Umpire Certification seminar was also staged in the Netherlands last week. The attendees of the seven-day session came from ten countries. The instructors were ISF Director of Umpires Bob Stanton (Canada), ISF Assistant Rules Interpreter Marlies Struyvé (Netherlands), and Gilbert Tobback (Belgium). The seminar consisted of classroom sessions in the mornings and on-field drills in the afternoons. Eleven candidates were successful in attaining ISF certification.

ISF Director of Umpires Bob Stanton leads the seminar attendees in an on-field session.
(Photo by Robert Jan de Vries)

TEST EVENT COMPLETED
ISF Secretary General Ms. Low Beng Choo was just in Guangzhou, China, for the test event for the softball competition at this year’s (16th) Asian Games. Four teams participated in a China-Taiwan goodwill competition at the renovated/upgraded Tianhe Softball Stadium. Seven women’s national (fast pitch) teams are expected to compete there at the Games in November.

Action during the Asian Games Test Event.

YOUTH CUP LOGO UNVEILED
The logo for the ISF Youth World Cup has been revealed (below). The mark will be used in conjunction with the (age) 16-and-under girls’ fast pitch tournament that will take place at the ISF’s world headquarters complex in Plant City, Florida (USA) from December 30-January 7. More information on the event is available on the ISF website.