(Story by Marco Stoovelaar)
 Windmill Classic Slowpitch Tournament in Almere postponed to 2021
Nederlands
 ALMERE (Neth.) -
The seventh edition of the Windmill Classic, the annual 3-day interntional slowpitch softball-tournament in Almere, has been cancelled, the organising club Almere '90 announced on Friday (March 27).
The event, which was scheduled for June 26-28 at the Fanny Blankers-Koen Sports Complex (Almere's home-site), is the latest to be cancelled due to the coronavirus-crisis.
The tournament has been postponed to June next year.
Since the tournament was first organized in 2014, it grew to become the biggest slowpitch-tournament in Europe.
Last year, 35 teams from eleven different countries with some 500 players in total participated in four divisions (Men's, Women's, Mixed, Co-ed).
Besides the Netherlands, the teams came from Austria, Belgium, England, Germany, Ireland, Portugal, Slovenia, Switzerland, the USA and Wales.
On Friday, the Organizing Committee issued the following statement:
,,Dear Windmill Fans, Players and other Friends,
The whole world is in shock and in the grip of the Coronavirus.
This virus has a major impact on our entire existence.
In the Netherlands far reaching measures have been taken to control this virus.
One of the measures taken is the cancellation of all events until June 1st, including team practices and games.
And for now it is unclear when this can be resumed.
The Staff of the Windmill Classic Slow Pitch Softball Tournament realizes that they have to take a very radical decision, however the 7th edition of the Windmill Classic planned for Friday 26th - Sunday 28th of June 2020 has been cancelled.
We understand that this may be a great disappointment for everyone who cares about the Windmill Classic.
At the same time, we realize that at present times there are more important issues on our minds.
Our health and safety being the highest priority right now.
At the moment we, like many others, are uncertain how this Coronavirus will develop, not just here in the Netherlands, but also in the rest of the world.
Therefore, we had to decide to postpone the Windmill 2020 to 2021.
Next year we sincerely hope to continue with a great Slowpitch event again.
Whats next: firstly, we have planned the date for 2021: the 7th edition will be on the 25th - 27th of June (Friday - Sunday).
Everyone who has registered for this year can automatically be placed for 2021.
Please let us know if you want this, we will then reserve your spot and forward this years reservation fee to 2021.
If you do not want this also let us know as well and we will refund the reservation fee.
Dear Slowpitch - Windmill fans: Unfortunately, this is the harsh reality for now, but your and our health is more important than anything else!
So, we say bye for now, but we'll be back!
Please keep an eye on each other, stay healthy and stay safe!
Staff Windmill Classic:
Albert Erika Hans Natasja Tania Danny Jos - Samantha''
(March 27)
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