The Netherlands have won the U15 European Championship in Jablonec and Liberec, Czech Republic. The Dutch team beat Germany 10-5 in the Gold Medal Game on Saturday. Russia finished in third place after prevailing in the Bronze Medal Match against the Czech Republic.

The Czech Republic has won the U12 European Championship in Hluboka/Zliv, Czech Republic. They defeated Russia 19-1 in the championship game to defend their title. Lithuania finished in third place after beating Israel in the bronze medal game.

New dedicated playing facilities for baseball and softball – the first of their kind in the UK – are expected to be ready for the 2013 season at Farnham Park near Slough and at two locations in Milton Keynes, funded by Sport England and the Baseball Tomorrow Fund.

The long lasting relation between the Japanese sport manufacturer Mizuno and the IBAF has been extended through the 2012 season.

Head coach Percy Isenia has announced a provisional roster for the V IBAF Women’s Baseball World Cup in Edmonton, Canada, which will be played from August 10 to 19, 2012.

Today, Major League Baseball starts the 2012 MLB Pitching and Hitting Mini Camp in Haarlem, Netherlands. 27 young players (12 pitchers and 15 hitters) were selected to attend the Mini Camp during the MLB Academy tryouts in early May.

After nine years the Joint Congress of the ESF/CEB Organizations returns and will be held February 15-17, 2013 in Bled, Slovenia.

While domestic competitions in European Baseball started in February, European competitions started with a pair of European Cup tournaments last week. 12 club teams from eight different countries fought for four spots at the European Champions Cup Final Four (date and site will be announced soon).

Third baseman Alex Liddi of the Seattle Mariners became just the second Italian-born Major Leaguer to hit a grand slam in Major League Baseball. He did it during a 5-1 win over the Texas Rangers in Safeco Field in Seattle on Wednesday (video on MLB.com). Reno Bertoia of the Detroit Tigers had accomplished this feat in 1958.

In celebrating the 100-year anniversary of the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm, Sweden, the Swedish Olympic Committee is running a project called “Olympic Day” where school kids can meet Olympians, try different sports and challenge themselves by being active in sports.