Petra Čizmić Pokrajac has been appointed as the Chair of the Development Commission for WBSC Europe. Čizmić Pokrajac has a vast experience and dedication to the sport.

The European Softball Coaches Association (ESCA) took part in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Convention in Sant Antonio, Texas. Petra Čizmić Pokrajac and Craig Montvidas represented Europe among the other 1500 softball coaches in attendance.

Members of the WBSC Coaches Commission conducted a "pilot" for 14 Baseball coaches from October to 30 in Diessen, Netherlands, at the same time as the fifth ESCA Training Camp.

The fifth ESCA Training Camp took place in Diessen, Netherlands, from October 26 to 30, 2022. Thirty-four players and twenty-seven coaches participated in the camp with the goal of "getting better together".

Pitching trio Kyla Holas from WBSC coaching commission, Marjolein Merkx top pitcher from the Netherlands and Austrian ace Martina Lackner-Keil are instructors on ESCA Training Camp 2022

WBSC Europe will conduct a Coach Licensing Course in cooperation with WBSC at the end of October in the Netherlands in conjunction with the ESCA Training Camp.

When the season ends, many players go into winter hibernation, putting their glove and bat away for a few months.

Any and all European players attending the ESCA training camp, we can offer assistance if you are interested in playing College Softball in the United States.

This is a question related to so many day to day situations, we often ask ourselves. This could be true when you are applying for a job, or if you see an advertisement with a great offer, or even thinking about attending the ESCA training camp.

Here is more info about the gym hall, facility for classroom lectures and info about the transportation…..Place where will most of classroom session will happen, and it is next to our accommodation..

On ESCA Camp 2022 there will be a lot of new stuff going on! Players - extra softball hours, help to get to USA Coaches - using footage of the European Championship games and analyzing..

We are excited to have instructor like Kyla Holas is part of our coaching staff! Kyla is currently the owner and lead instructor of More Than a Game in the Houston suburbs teaching pitching to athletes ages 8-College. She has been named to the USA softball coaching pool.

So far, three instructors are confirmed for the ESCA Training Camp: camp coordinator Craig Montvidas, Olympians Elisa Cecchetti, and Marta Gasparotto. The 2022 ESCA training camp will take place in Diessen, Netherlands, from Wednesday, October 26th - Sunday, October 30th.

WBSC Europe, in cooperation with the European Softball Coaches Association (ESCA), will be organising the 2022 ESCA training camp this October. The training camp is for coaches and players from all over Europe sharing their passion for softball.

The University of Arizona head coach and former Team USA head coach Mike Candrea will assist Coach Pizzolini in guiding Team Italy to the Women's European Championship and the Tokyo Olympics.

The baseball and softball convention CON6 is starting today. All the speeches will be available online for free on FIBSChannel, the YouTube channel of the Italian Baseball and Softball Federation (FIBS).

Paige Tonz began playing softball at 8 years old. She has competed at many levels; starting with rec ball, moving to club ball, and competing as a D1 athlete at Northwestern University. Her mission and goal is to help transform girls into strong women beyond the playing field or court. She a is Creator of The Confident Athlete Program.

The Italian Baseball and Softball Federation (FIBS) announced the dates for its 2021 convention: CON6 will take place in March, from the 16th to the 21st.

David Lee is a Slowpitch Player for 30+ years at all levels, Pitcher and hitting specialist, coaching for the past 20 years. Level 3 coach qualified for 10 years, he run coaching courses every year specialising in Slowpitch pitching, hitting and coaching. He was coach for the 2018 European champions Mens Slowpitch team Great Britain team and 2019 Coed Slowpitch European champions. He is also a BSUK academy coach.

The British Softball Federation is looking for a Head Coach for the GB Senior Men’s Fastpitch Team.

Amanda Scarborough was a two-time All American at Texas A&M who played in two Women's College World Series. She has been coaching pitchers for 12 years and is the Founder of Pitching Angel. She offers online pitching courses for pitchers and pitching coaches all over the world.

For this festive season, Softball Europe and the European Softball Coaches Association (ESCA) would like to give their community a gift: on December 26 the European Softball Coaches Association (ESCA) will be hosting a special online panel with 4 top coaches at 19:00 CET.

ESCA will host a special event for its members on December 26, 2020.

I'm Ben, started playing baseball at 7 years old at Spikes (as it is now called) until 24. During my recovery from paralyzation starter playing softball for fun. After a little while got the softball virus and things got out of hand...After a year I was the player/ coach, and we climbed to higher classes to hoofdklasse in 1997. From 2005 also played in Brasschaat, Belgium on Fridays and in Holland on Saturdays. Played in European Cups with Both clubs. Coached different teams, youth and seniors, along the way at Spikes and Brasschaat. Internationally coached Belgium Men in 2010, and from 2012 the Dutch National Men's Fastpitch team. Poland Seniors and U22 Women from 2016-2018, and Belgium Women Seniors from 2019.

In a career spanning 50 years, I would best be described as a well-rounded student of the game, who isn't afraid to think outside of the box. As an elite player, I had the privilege of being taught by some of the world's best coaches - two of which are in the ISC Hall of Fame. Now into my coaching/mentoring days, the theme focuses on giving back! All the life lessons I learned through our wonderful sport has put me in a position to produce well rounded young players, but it's also given me a platform to turn young men and women into highly respected young adults. Thank you softball for all you have given me...I hope a single lifetime leaves me enough time to give back, all I have learned.

Former softball player and member of the Argentina team for 16 years. Participated in 3 World Cups, two Pan American sports games as played, to name some of the most recognized international tournaments. As of 2012 he was the Pitching coach of the youth teams and as of 2015 the senior team. Most recognized achievements as a coach: youth world champion in 2012 and 2014 and world champion with the senior team in 2019. Currently Pitching coach of the junior and senior men's teams and coordinator of pitchers in women.

Josh Johnson, a six-year member of the US Men’s National Fastpitch Softball Team and an experienced NCAA Division I coach with Super Regional experience, enters his second year at Mississippi State University. Johnson was an assistant coach for the Cardinals from 2016-2018, before being promoted to associate head coach entering the 2019 campaign.

Road to bronze medals

Positive pressure Caroline Hardy, volunteer assistant coach at Georgia Tech Softball and former player of Alabama Softball, taught us a fun drill: the ladder. Fun, competitive and a good exercise to practice with "positive pressure".

Hello Coaches, After messaging Petra Cizmic what topic to cover she asked if I would cover my time with the Olympia Haarlem Women's team. As this is for ESCA it makes sense. So here are six steps that made Olympia Haarlem Women from 2015-2018.

SURVIVE AND ADVANCE DAY!

ATTENTION CAMPERS:

#4 Pass the pen - How to Make a Team Successful

Coachable Coaches How do I adapt to our new reality?

How this Pandemic Can Improve Your Softball

Letter from ESCA Director Craig Montvidas

Every two weeks, various Softball coaches from around the world will take turns writing an article especially targeted for ESCA members. These coaching "nuggets" are meant to be shared with Softball coaches interested in accumulating more knowledge about the sport of Softball. The title of these stories will be known as "pass the pen". At the conclusion of each article, the pen will be passed on to another coach who in turn will write a story and then pass the pen on to another coach. Our first "pass the pen" article has been written by Craig Montvidas, coordinator of the European Softball Coaches Association training camps. Craig is the former Head Coach of both the Netherlands and Great Britain National teams. He also coached two years in the National Pro Fastpitch league (USA), as well as the past two seasons for the Italian League "National Champions", Bussolengo. Craig is currently a board member of coach development for the WBSC.

Letter from Craig Montvidas, ESCA Camp Coordinator

Info regarding the 2019 ESCA Training Camp.

Letter from Craig Montvidas, ESCA Camp Coordinator

Coach Mike Renney will be travelling from Canada where he has recently retired from a 24 year career as the Simon Fraser University Head Softball Coach at Canada's only NCAA school.

ESCA Camp Director message:

My name is Marjolein Merkx, I am a pitcher for about 15 years now and playing on the highest level the last 7-8 years. Enjoying every single opportunity to spread the love for the game to others and especially the pitching part. I was at the ESCA camp last year and I totally loved it, therefor signed up for the next year right away to help again with the camp and pitchers.

Carolien Stadhouders is former international softball umpire and was active in many European Championships and Cups, 4 World Championships and several other international tournaments between 1996 and 2011. In 2010 she worked the final at homeplate in the Women’s Worlds in Venezuela, a highlight in her umpiring career. During her umpiring years she was also active as umpire instructor in the Netherlands. After she quit umpiring on an international level she was appointed UIC (Umpire in Chief) and Umpire instructor for the ESF. Since 2017 she is the Director of Umpires in ESF and in that role also WBSC SD Regional umpire coordinator for Europe.

About Judith

Diana Remmers is former player of the Dutch national softaball team and used to play in the Dutch Golden League for 12 years for the clubs Terrasvogels and Twins. With these teams she won 2 European championships, 5 national championships and 5 European cup titles. After she quit playing she started her coaching career in 1996. In the past 22 years she was coach of several (youth) teams and the Dutch National Softball Team under 19.

2018 ESCA Training Camp Q&As

The deadline for this year's ESCA Training Camp is set on the 30th of September. Don't miss the chance to improve your coaching/player skills and register before the spots are gone! From this year's edition, also men can sign up for this amazing camp.

My experience at the ESCA 2017?

Letter to campers by ESCA Training Camp Director Craig Montvidas.

Chris Matern was the first person to sign up to our second ESCA Training Camp! The 29 year-old German coach actually comes out of the baseball world. Chris started playing baseball when he was 14 years old. Seven years ago, he started coaching a youth baseball team before he switched to softball three years later. At the moment he is the coach of the women’s softball team Gröbenzell Bandits, and besides that he also goes to university to become a teacher.

Registrations for the 2018 ESCA Training Camp are now open!

With the support of the ESF Development program, the German Baseball and Softball Federation held a pitching and catching clinic in Dortmund in February this year. Stanislav Štýs from the Czech Republic (Pitching) and Wolfgang Walther from Germany (Catching) were the responsible coaches for the total of 18 players. The core of Germany's men's national team used the opportunity to prepare for the upcoming European Championship in June and were joined by other highly motivated men and women from all over Germany.

ESCA Camp is back!

The first Softball Clinic by the Swiss Baseball & Softball Federation is a wrap.

BSUK has announced that the 2018 Coach Summit will be held on Saturday 27 January in a new location: Kents Hill Park Training & Conference Centre in Milton Keynes.

This video was meant to be for the participants only, but the best way to show the atmosphere to everyone is just to have everyone see it. Enjoy.

A premiere project of the European Softball Coaches Association – the ESCA Camp – training and workshop camp for both players and coaches from all over Europe turned out to be a great success. Nearly 100 softball enthusiasts made their way to the Netherlands to experience what is it like to spend five days with people who love softball as much as themselves do.

The first ESCA Camp ever took place in Diessen, Netherlands, October 18 -22. Campers from eight different European countries stayed all at one facility, they not only trained together, but also attended workshops, and also socialized during their free time. The internationality of the camp was the reason why working together, learning from each other and inspiring each other to grow was even more beneficial than in case of regular softball clinics. This was not just a clinic, this was a five-day non-stop experience.

Britt Vonk, Dutch National Team player, NPF player, and an Olympic player has confirmed her attendance at the ESCA Camp.

On a request of a number of players, Camp #1 (October 18-22) is now open also for players who are older than 20.

Laura is a softball player from Great Britain, she started with baseball and then switched to fastpitch, she was a member of the GB Juniors golden team from the European Championship in 2016. Her dream at this moment is to go to the States to study and play college softball.

ESCA Director Craig Montvidas replies to some questions.

Attendees of the ESCA Camp will all stay together at De Nieuwe Erf in Diesen.

Softball camp for both players and coaches will take place in the Netherlands in October, it will be the debut event organized by the European Softball Coaches Association.

We’re very happy to announce that Jen Schroeder and Amanda Scarborough from The Packaged Deal will do clinics for both players and coaches during the Women's Softball European Championship.

ESCA Camp will take place in Diessen, the Netherlands in October.

Softball camp for both players and coaches will take place in the Netherlands in October, it will be the debut event organized by the European Softball Coaches Association.

The highschool in Leksand has a program for baseball and softball students. It is a national sports program that has support from the national sports federation.

On the weekend of 11-12 June, the ESF/CEB BeeBall Development Crew was invited by the Svenska Baseboll och Softboll Förbundet, the Swedish Federation, to Skövde, to hold a BeeBall Clinic.

In cooperation with the European Softball Federation, Little League is inviting all softball coaches to attend free clinics in July.

BeeBall was invented by the Dutch Baseball Federation and aims to simplify the game of baseball and spread the fun of playing it to the youngest kids.

Following the 2015 Photofest, we’re starting a video contest this year! We’re looking for the most popular, effective and unique softball drills!

The European Softball Federation and the German Baseball and Softball Federation (DBV) have launched a joint initiative to prepare the German National Team for the Men’s European Championship.

On January 30 and 31, 2016 a Softball Coaches Clinic will be held during the annual ISG/DBV Convention 2016 at the Ahorn-Sportpark in Paderborn, Germany. In cooperation with the European Softball Federation (ESF), the German Baseball and Softball Federation (DBV) and the International Sports Group (ISG) a strong lineup of speakers will be on hand during the clinic.

It was a great and exciting tournament at the European Women's Softball Championship in Rosmalen. Not only because of the exciting games and the incredible Grand Final where the Italian National Team won the gold, but also because of the hours of live streaming, addition of new teams into the European family, such as Ireland and the return of Slovenia. The organization of the tournament went perfect with a few weather problems but in the end it all worked out.

Unusually generous opportunity is being offered to all coaches from Europe.

On March 1st, Softball Federation of Serbia held its first meeting with coach Lawrence Allen from New Zealand.

Broaden your knowledge at the European Coach Clinic

Lawrence Allen visited Serbia as part of ESF development program this August. His stay there was very successful and future co-operation is logical result of this. Lawrence Allen, originally from New Zealand, coached several last seasons in Czech Republic including Men’s National Team.

2X Olympic Gold Medallist and Champion Michele Smith is coming to Friuli Venezia Giulia (Palaverde” of Azzano Decimo) on next November 22nd and 23rd! This opportunity is a homerun made by Enjoy it!! Please see the clinic schedule and registration form to sign up for this amazing opportunity to learn from one the best in the sport!

The Dutch Royal Baseball and Softball Federation will organize the 28th edition of the European Coach Clinic on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 December 2014. Through this e-mail we would like to notify all national baseball and softball federations in Europe of our upcoming event.

World Class Pitcher and Coach coming to Haarlem August 23 to give a special two hour clinic

Coach Lawrence Allen originally from New Zealand spent 3 days in Beograd and worked with 52 young boys and girls from three cities of Serbia. Everyone was really amazed.

The 2014 Italian Coaches Convention to take place in Treviso, Italy from the 17th to the 19th of January

The 27th European Coach Clinic will be held in the Netherlands on December 7, 2013.

Slowpitch Development Pack materials now available on the ESF website

2011 ESF Slowpitch Clinic, near Zurich (SUI): 19 - 20 Mar

26th Italian Coach Convention