Action during a night game at the 1st Athens International Cup. (Photo courtesy of Chris Robinson)

YOUTH TOURNEY STAGED IN GREECE
2008-11-03

About a week-and-a-half ago the 1st Athens International Cup (fast pitch) took place in Athens, Greece. The participants were club teams whose players were between the ages of 13 and 19. Bulgaria’s junior national team also competed in the two-day event.

Greece had finished in first place in August in the European B pool junior softball tournament in Germany.

This recent tournament took place on the Old American Base in the area of Ellinikon, Athens. The Hellenic Amateur Softball Federation has control over this field, which hosts three tournaments every Fall.

In addition, two games took place consisting of All-Star teams that were comprised of girls who take part in the Athens International Cup's organizers’ league and are above the age of 20. Four girls were also included from the Bulgarian league as they happened to chaperone their Juniors to Greece. (Future plans may see every country who attends asked to include 2-4 senior girls so that an all-star game can be staged to complement the junior tournament.)

The final standings of the Athens International Cup were as follows:
1st: Faros
2nd: Bulgaria
3rd: Ionikos
4th: Dafni
5th: Aris

The organizers also had activities for spectators that included video games, pitching targets, and a hitting machine. They stated that the home run and baserunning derbies were a big hit. And, trophies were handed out by the event sponsor (American University of Athens), the Mayor of Ellinikon district, and the Vice Mayor of Ellinikon district.

The ISF continues to actively promote youth play. Last year was the Jr. Women's World Championship (19-and-under fastpitch), this year was the Jr. Men's World Championship, and next year the Czech Republic will host the Easton Foundation Youth Softball World Cup (16-and-under fastpitch). The ISF also has a Softball in the Schools program that many of its member federations are implementing worldwide.