Coaches, Umpires and Players Clinic in Romania               Photo Gallery

Date: May 12-17, 2006

Clinician: Pavel Prachar

Place: Vatra Dornei, Bucharest

Program:

Friday, May 12                  14,40                             Arrival to Bucharest,  Romania

                                          15,00 – 0,30                   Travel to Vatra Dornei (550 km)

Saturday, May 13              9,00 - 13,30                   Tournament

                                          15,00 – 17,00                Tournament

                                          17,30 – 20,00                 Clinic on the field with pitchers and

                                                                                 coaches

Sunday, May 14                9,00 – 13,30                   Tournament

                                          14,00 – 15,00                 Closing Ceremeony

                                          17,00 – 21,00                 Classroom – Pitching, Comments

                                                                                 on the tournament, videos

Monday, May 15               9,00 – 13,00                   Classroom – Pitching strategy, Hitting

                                                                                 (incl. Bunts and Slaps),

                                                                                 Major differences between Baseball and

                                                                                 Softball

                                          15,00 – 19,00                 Classroom – Umpiring: Mechanics and

                                                                                 Rules interpretations

Tuesday, May 16               10,00 – 13,00                 General information about International

                                                                                 Softball (PP presentation „What is

                                                                                 Softball“), Videos

                                                                                 General Discussion – Questions

                                          14,00 – 0,00                   Travel to Bucharest

Wednesday, May 17          10,00                              Meeting with Vicepresident C.Costescu and

                                                                                  Secretary General G. Adumitrachioaie

                                          15,00                              Departure Romania

The Clinic was arranged during and after National Tournamentt 15-Under Girls in Vatra Dornei, mountain area, North East from Bucharest, capital of the country.

There were four main tasks for me during this five days visit: Observe and comment the games during the Championship, conduct clinic for coaches and players with main subjects pitching and hitting, help local umpires with mechanics and some rule interpretations and finally help with Development Plan for Romania for next few years.

1. Tournament observation: there were 6 teams from different places, all school teams. Level was not bad, but apparently they miss enough games (they play only two tournaments a year) and experiences. Several technical and tactical recomendations were discussed as well as pitching clinic during the breaks for all players and coaches.
2. Clinic for coaches: There were three main subjects to teach and discuss, subjects they were mostly interested in – Pitching, Hitting and BaseballxSoftball Differences since baseball is more familiar to most of the coaches and umpires.
3. Clinic for umpires: They do not have certified ESF or ISF umpire, neither written Rule Book in own language. Some experience is from Little League, where they took part in the past. The most needed was good mechganics and field positioning during different plays. The second item was different rules interperatations such as Infield Fly, Appeal Plays, Interference, Obstruction. Most of the umpires are coaches as well.
4. Dvelopment Plan: During the meeting with Mr Costescu and Mr Adumitrachioaie was agreed, thet Development Commission will make an proposal of Development plan based on my observation and discussions with Romania. This proposal will be discussed finalized together and used for next several years for Development of softball in Romania. This will be done in next few weeks.

General Remarks:

Despite  economical and geografical difficulties in Romania I see future of the sport there. There are very enthusiastic people there, most of teams are based in schools and ran by the PE teachers. Thgeir major problem is beides money also kind of isolation from  the rest of the Europe and ESF tournamnets and clinics. It is my strong believe we should help to build the plan as well as continue with providing information, equipment and as many international  contact as we can (for coaches, umpires and teams).

People from Romanian Baseball and Softball Federation was very good hosts, the same as people from local organizer – club and school  in Vatra Dornei. We have visited Town Hall and had opportunity to talk to major of Vatra Dornei about his support of sports like softball in the city.

Thanks to Vavrusa Sports (Czech supllier) and companies Luisville Slugger and Schuts Sports I could bring some equipment for teams (bats) and  umpires (indicators). Besides coaches and umpires  were given instructional videos, games, promotional videos and booklets.

Pavel Prachar

European Development Facilitator

 back