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

(Q) Why did you choose Brewers as a team name? 
(A) Our team was founded in 2017. We chose the name Brewers because we wanted a name that has a connection to Belgium. Belgium loves beer so Brewers it became.

(Q) Why did you join the ESSL?
(A) We joined the ESSL because we wanted to play more games and at a higher level. Our main goal is to become a better slowpitch country and this competition seemed a very good one because of the high level. Last year it was awesome. We played good games and learned a lot from the other teams.

(Q) What do you expect from this season?
(A) Our focus is to get better with every game. This year we hope to win a couple more games.

(Q) How would you describe your team’s playing philosophy?
(A) Our team is a mixture of players from all over Belgium. Players who want to become better but still have a lot of fun in being part of the international slowpitch community.

(Q) How do you see the future for slowpitch in Europe and for the ESSL?
(A) Co-ed slowpitch is growing in Europe. All men is reasonably new but if the ESSL can grow, more countries will find the way to the ESSL and subsequently the league will also grow. I think that slowpitch will become a sport as big as baseball and fastpitch in the future.

(Q) Anything else you want to say?
(A) Yes, let the games begin, winter has lasted long enough! Let the spring start so we can start playing games.