Dear Friends in softball,
     2008 was a jubilee years for us in many senses: we have celebrated our 20-th anniversary, for the first time we were organizing European competitions, for the first time in the history of ESF fastpitch and co-ed slowpitch competitions took place on the same time and within the same venue.

     In 2008 7 teams took the risk to come to the middle of nowhere (quote from a players mail), president Jennings was very nervous about the organization (I would be nervous as well if three months before the competition the playground is like a cornfield), newly elected mayor of the city have never heard for the game of softball, but …FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME we have succeeded and all together: players, coaches, organizers, officials had a great week.

     Now … wow …. 17 (seventeen) teams. From one side the - this is a recognition for us as organizers and I am really glad, that the extreme efforts of my good old pal PETER ARBOV, president of Dupnitsa Devils Baseball and Softball Club, his staff  and the mayor IANEV’s support were appreciated by the European softball community. From the other side – what a challenge!

     President Don Porter, visiting 2008 events said: “Dupnitsa is on the right direction. I congratulate you for the job done. Building the field and hosting the European tournament is the first and very important step. Further development of the venue and improving the infrastructure could bring some day here a major international event like the World cup for example”.

     Well … we will consider the confidence of all these 17 teams coming from 16 European  countries as an advance for the following necessary steps.
Otherwise: welcome again to www.softballevents.com – the official site of 2009 European Cup Co-ed Slowpitch and European Cup Women B-pool and of course WELCOME TO DUPNITSA, BULGARIA!

     For those of you who will be here for the first time – this is a small town, there you can find everything: mountain, lake, spa, gourmet, shopping, music and … new friends.

     For the others – your friends from September 2008 are waiting to welcome you again.

     Last but not least, I would like to extend the warm regards of the Dupnitsa mayor – eng. Ianev and of the chairman of the city council – mr. Todorov. (Just between us: one more year like that and we will be “forced” to declare them “The most progressive in softball members of the administration”)

     Well … August 17 and 26 – these are the dates!

     Yours,
     Youri Alkalay, Jr.
     President of Bulgarian Softball Federation