(Story by Marco Stoovelaar; Photos by Fred Versluis)
 Connie Clark new Head Coach Netherlands Softball Team
Nederlands
 NIEUWEGEIN (Neth.) -
Successful American coach Connie Clark is the new Head Coach of the Netherlands National Women's Softball Team, the Royal Netherlands Baseball and Softball Association announced on Thursday (January 31).
The 53-year old Connie Clark already served as interim-coach during last years Super6 Baseball Softball in Hoofddorp (Netherlands), but now officially has become the successor of Juni Franisca.
In November last year, Ferenc Jongejan already was appointed as the team's new Pitching Coach.
...Connie Clark with Assistant Coach Saskia Kosterink...
...during the Super6 in Hoofddorp (Netherlands)...
(© Photo: Fred Versluis) |
The goal for Clark and the team is to qualify this year for the 2020 Olympic Games in Japan.
To accomplish that, the Orange squad first has to finish in the top-6 of the European Championship, which will be held June 30-July 6 in Ostrava (Czech Republic) and Rybnik (Poland).
The Netherlands is the reigning European champion after capturing the title in 2016 in Italy.
The top-6 will then be joined by the two best African countries to compete in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
The organization of that event was recently awarded to the Netherlands, where it will be played on Juy 23-28 at the site of UVV in Vleuten/Utrecht.
Along with fellow American Michelle Gromacki, Connie Clark led the Netherlands Team during the inaugural edition of the Super6 Baseball Softball last September.
The two were named interim-coaches after a separation had occured with Head Coach Juni Francisca during the World Championship in August in Japan.
During the Super6, the Netherlands finished in fourth place.
During the event, the interaction between Clark and the group of players worked very well, which now resulted in her becoming the new Head Coach.
In a press release, Connie Clark states:
,,I'm really happy that I can work with the Kingdom Team and the talented staff.
Technical Director Tjerk Smeets has made a clear goal and I'm proud that I can join a team which sets the bar high.
In the coming period, together we will do everything possible to qualify for the Olympic Games''.
For 23 seasons (1995-2018), Connie Clark led the softball-team of The University of Texas at Austin with whom she participated in the College World Series five times (1998, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2013).
With the Longhorns, she also participated in 19 NCAA Tournaments and won four Big 12 Conference Championship-titles.
Clark was the team's Head Coach since the softball-program at Texas began in 1996.
In May last year, she stepped down.
She then stated: ,,This decision comes with a great deal of emotion because it was such a blessing to be able to build this program from day one and to manage it for 23 years.
But I feel like it's a really good time to pass the baton.
The program has a great foundation in place, and it's refreshing to be able to make this decision and go out on my own terms.
I'm extremely proud of all we've accomplished, but just think the timing is right for a change''.
In her career at Texas, Connie Clark's teams won 873 games.
Clark's record was 873-401 and three times.
She was named Big 12 Coach of the Year three times (2002, 2006, 2010).
...Connie Clark with the tournament's Mascot...
...during the Super6 in Hoofddorp (Netherlands)...
(© Photo: Fred Versluis) |
Before coming to Texas, Clark was an Assistant Coach at Florida State University (1990-1995).
A former pitcher, Connie Clark played for Cal State Fullerton, with whom she won the College World Series in 1986.
In that season, she was 20-2 with 197 strikeouts.
The next year, she was 33-5 for Fullerton with 261 strikeouts and was named National Softball Player of the Year.
In 1987, she also pitched for Team USA.
Through the years, Clark conducted clinics in Japan, New Zealand, China and Italy.
She has been inducted into four Halls of Fame.
During the World Championship last August in Japan, the Netherlands started the event with some disappointing results, which led to a change of coaching.
The Orange lost its opening game against Puerto Rico, 6-5 after having lead 4-0.
The next day, a 5-0 lead against New Zealand was erased, but the Dutch Team went on to win 10-5.
On the third of the event, the Netherlands was no-hit in an 11-0 shutout against the USA, then, later in the day, suffered an unexpected 5-4 loss against the Philippines after leading 4-2 after three innings.
That loss led to the decision by KNBSB's Technical Director Tjerk Smeets to put Head Coach Juni Francisca on a non-active status.
Out of loyalty, his Assistant Coach Marcel Schippers stepped down.
Smeets handed over the responsiblities to Softball Topsport Program Manager Gonny Farley, while the coaching for the remaining games was handed over to Saskia Kosterink, who had been the Bench Coach.
Bart Hanegraaff, the team's Strength & Conditioning Coach, as well as Hitting Coach, took over at first base, while Karen Marr remained Pitching Coach.
On September 7, it was announced that Karen Marr had left her position effective immediately.
(January 31)
Related Articles:
 WBSC announces sites, dates for Olympic Qualifiers. (January 20, 2019)
Ferenc Jongejan new Pitching Coach Netherlands Softball Team. (November 28, 2018)
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