Spring Slowpitch Classic 2019

In the pre-season tournament Spring Slowpitch Classic the two ESSL teams Belgium Brewers and Dutch National Slowpitch Team (DNT) as well as a GB team played several men’s and coed games in Belgium on two days.

Mike MacDowell from GB wrote about his impression of Spring Slowpitch Classic:

“The Spring Slowpitch Classic tournament was a fantastic idea. It’s great to have more international level softball played. We (GB) grouped together experienced and newer players together for the team that we took and it was a great benefit to expose those newer players to a higher level of ball.

Ultimately we went to win games, and were pleased to win all 7 that we played. Perhaps one of the big benefits we have is that Slowpitch is the dominant type of softball in the UK and it’s distinctly separate from Baseball because Baseball clubs are few and far between. If tournaments like this, with strong international Slowpitch on display can grow the popularity of, and remove any stigma about, the sport it can be nothing but a good thing.

There was excellent fielding all around from all three teams this weekend. Slowpitch stands alone as the best environment for game based repetition of infield and outfield skills, meaning it can and should be seen as complementary to Baseball and Fastpitch.

I think this is happening a bit in The Netherlands as they seem to be drawing on more current or ex Baseball and Fastpitch players who see a competitive sport and a pipeline to international success.”

Results

Men: DNT vs.  Brewers 27 – 4
Coed: Team GB vs. Bats 25 – 6
Men: Brewers vs. DNT 5 – 24
Coed: Bats vs. Team GB 10- 27
Coed: Team GB vs. Bats 11 – 6
Men: DNT vs. Team GB 8 – 11
Coed: Bats vs. DNT 11 – 18
Coed: Bats vs. Team GB 4 – 11
Coed: Team GB vs. DNT 15 – 8
Coed: Bats vs. DNT 7 – 18