Prague, Czechia, to host the 10th Men's Softball Mike Stapleton Memorial

The Mike Stapleton Memorial is a youth men's softball event reserved for two age categories: boys up to 16 and boys up to 18 years. The MSM allows players in the youth category to gather experience at the prestigious venue of Svoboda Park in Prague, Czechia.

Unlike the previous editions held in May, this year the MSM will serve as a preparation for the teams before the U-16 and U-18 Men's Softball European Championships, and will be played in July.

After four years, a selection from New Zealand - Just Softball ISA - will also participate in the event. Other foreign participants are in negotiations. 

Six teams will be allowed for the U-18 category and eight teams for the U-16 category. This tournament will also feature the Czech U-16 national team, preparing for this year's European Championship, scheduled in Sezimovo Ústí from July 3rd to 8th.

Due to the lack of capacity in the area, the U-13 category will unfortunately not be played. 

"I'm glad we kept this tournament. The past few years took a toll on us, and we lost some foreign teams for several editions. Organising these tournaments is very important even in the years to come. That shows that we can function despite difficult conditions and ensure our youth develops, grows, plays, and, above all, experiences," says with enthusiasm and determination Ondřej Stroner – tournament director.

For registration and any questions, contact the MSM 2023 tournament director by email at ondrej.stroner@centrum.cz 

Mike Stapleton (1948 - 2015) is the man who turned Czech men's softball into a world-competitive one. He is a member of the Czech, European, and World Softball Hall of Fame. Under Stapleton's leadership, the Czechs won the title of European champions for the first time in history in 1997. In 1999, they defended their title.

The 6th place in the 2000 Men's Softball World Championship, to which Mike Stapleton led the Czech national team, is to this day the best position ever achieved by the Czech national softball team in the adult category.

"Mike taught us to believe in our performance and to get used to stressful situations without stress. He taught us to play even better in difficult situations than at other times. A complete turnaround in mindset," said Radek Janoušek.

Natálie Tauchenová
Cover photo by Czech Softball