The European Softball Coaches Association (ESCA) is running a contest to find the most popular, effective and unique softball drills.
Between now and 30 May, fastpitch and slowpitch coaches can send a video of their favorite defensive drill and have it reviewed by a panel of top European softball coaches, including Craig Montvidas, currently coaching in the National Pro Fastpitch League in the United States.
The author of the video judged to be the best by the panel will win a year’s membership to ESCA as well as free entry to an ESCA clinic.
All videos will be uploaded to the ESF Facebook page, where everyone can see the competing drills. The jurors may mark some of the videos as “ESCA approved”, and these will be uploaded to ESF’s YouTube channel for use by other coaches.
Contest conditions​
- Each participant may submit up to three videos, showing the execution of a defensive practice drill.
- Maximum length is 30 seconds per video.
- An explanation/description of the drill must be included – either within the video, or enclosed in written form (maximum of 1000 characters). This description should contain the main objective of the drill, but other useful information may be included (e.g. recommendations for execution, common mistakes).
- Videos must be sent to: contest@europeansoftball.org.
- All videos and written material must be received before 20:00 GMT on 30 May 2016.
Prizes
The winner will get a free pass to an ESF coach/player clinic, a one-year European Softball Coaches Association membership, a certificate of recognition and a full set of ESF merchandise.
The runner-up will get a one-year European Softball Coaches Association membership, a certificate of recognition and a set of ESF merchandise.
Third place will receive a certificate of recognition and a set of ESF merchandise.
The jury
The jury for the contest will consist of:
ANDRE PRINS – Chairman of the jury, one of the most experienced international coaches in Europe, and recently active with the national teams of Germany, Russia, Belgium and the Czech Republic.
VOJTECH ALBRECHT – Czech national teams coach in both youth and adult categories, famous for his scouting abilities and an ESCA clinician.
FRANCESCA FABRETTO – Head coach of the Austrian National Team, a former Gold Glove outfielder in the Italian League and a former Assistant Coach with Italian Youth National Teams.
MATTIAS GRIMSTOFT – Founder of Skövde Saints, a coach for over 20 years, involved with the Swedish nNtional Team since 2009 and an ESCA clinician.
CRAIG MONTVIDAS – Currently coaching in the National Pro Fastpitch League in the United States, led the Dutch Women’s National Team to three consecutive European Championship titles, former Head Coach of the GB Women’s Team and the Development Manager for ESCA.
JAMES O’FARRELL – ESF slowpitch Umpire-in-Chief with more than 10 years of experience in coaching, and an ISF-qualified slowpitch umpire.