(Story by Marco Stoovelaar; Photo by Henk Seppen)
 Roster Netherlands Softball Team announced for European Championship
Nederlands
 NIEUWEGEIN (Neth.) -
Head Coach Juni Francisca has announced the roster of the Netherlands Softball Team for the upcoming European Championship, which opens on June 25 and ends on July 1 and will be played in Italy.
The main site of the event will be Bollate, but games also will be played in Caronno Pertusella, Bovisio-Masciago and Rho.
Two years ago, the Orange squad had to settle for Silver when the European Championship was held in Rosmalen (Netherlands).
Before that, the Netherlands captured three consecutive European titles, staying unbeaten in Valencia (Spain), Ronchi dei Legionari (Italy) and Prague (Czech Republic).
Last year, the Netherlands wrote history by finishing in fourth place at the World Championship in Canada.
This not only was the highest qualification ever for the Netherlands, but also for an European team.
There are current 18 players on the Dutch roster, who all will travel to Italy on Monday, June 19.
In the days before the Championship begins, the team will play three exhibition games and one pitcher will be dropped, as only 17 players are allowed on the final roster.
15 of the players are playing in the Golden League.
Infielder Damishah Charles plays in the Silver League for De Glaskoning Twins, while Chantal Versluis (Italy) and Britt Vonk (USA) play abroad.
The roster looks as follows:
Pitchers:
Ilona Andringa, Eva Voortman (both FysioExpert Olympia Haarlem), Leonella Elizabeth, Rebecca Soumeru, Ginger de Weert (all Oolders Omaco Sparks Haarlem) and Lindsey Meadows (Tex Town Tigers).
Catchers:
Anne Blaauwgeers, Karin Tuk (both Oolders Omaco Sparks Haarlem) and Dinet Oosting (FysioExpert Olympia Haarlem).
Infielders:
Virginie Anneveld, Maxime van Dalen (both Oolders Omaco Sparks Haarlem), Damishah Charles (De Glaskoning Twins), Shareday Christina (FysioExpert Olympia Haarlem), Suka Van Gurp (Terrasvogels) and Britt Vonk (Scrap Yard Dawgs, USA).
Outfielders:
Jessie van Aalst, Brenda Beers (both FysioExpert Olympia Haarlem) and Chantal Versluis (Sestese, Italy).
Coaching-staff:
Juni Francisca (Head Coach), Saskia Kosterink (Bench Coach), Marcel Schippers (1B Coach), Karen Marr (Pitching Coach).
Supporting Staff:
Bart Hanegraaff (Strength & Conditioning Coach), Lisette Hagen (Physical Therapist), Bas Langezaal (Team Manager).
(June 7)
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