Dear Friends in softball,
     Four years ago (in 2008) we were not thinking that having a tournament from the official calendar of ESF will become a tradition for Dupnitsa, but … as we said in Bulgaria: “The appetite comes with eating”.

     We have decided that even in the times of serious economic crisis everything possible has to be done in order to provide possibilities for the softball people to get together and to have fun …. IN THE NAME OF THE GAME!

     Back in 2008 7 teams took the risk to come to the middle of nowhere (quote from a player’s mail). The rumours for the “Softball capital of the Balkans” were spread around and in 2009 17 (seventeen) teams took a trip to Bulgaria. You can believe me – this was a challenge … but we did it and we promise ourselves to do our best to keep alive the competition spirit in Dupnitsa every year.

     Three years ago, when visiting the venue during ECWB and ECCS, President Porter 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 … European Championship in Co-ed Slowpitch and European Cup Women are not the World cup, but I believe all the critics will agree that we are on the right direction.

      Herewith we would like to welcome all 18 teams which will compete in the Championship and the Cup. I believe some nice surprises are waiting for you in Dupnitsa … improved venue, nice recreation park with large swimming pool close to the fields, etc.

     So: welcome again to www.softballevents.com – the official site of 2011 European Championship Co-ed Slowpitch and European Cup Women B-pool and of course:

WELCOME TO DUPNITSA, BULGARIA!

     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 which are already declared as “The most progressive in softball members of the administration” as well as from my good friend Peter Arbov – president of the host club “DEVILS”.

     Well … July 19 and August 15 are the dates!

Yours,

Youri Alkalay, Jr.
President of Bulgarian Softball Federation