Monday 3 July -- Both the GB Under-16 and Under-18 Men’s Fastpitch Teams played their first games today in their European Championships, 
which are being played simultaneously this week in Sezimovo Usti in Czechia, and for both it was a baptism of fire.
With one exception, both GB Teams are made up of players who have never played in a European tournament before, and both teams had the misfortune to open their tournament against the host team Czechia, who are far and away the dominant power in men’s fastpitch softball in Europe across all age groups.
The results were therefore predictable: the GB Under-18 Men lost 15-0 in three innings and the GB Under-16 Men lost 18-0 in four innings.
For both of these very young British teams, the European Championships are meant to be a learning experience, and all of their games against the other teams in the competition – the Israelis and Danes for the Under-16s and the Israelis, Danes and Croatians for the Under-18s – should be easier to navigate.
GB Under-18s
The GB v Czechia game opened the European Under-18 Men’s Championship with a midday start, and GB was able to hold the Czechs to just three runs in the bottom of the first inning and four in the bottom of the second. In fact, the Czechs managed only four hits in the game and the GB defense committed only a single error. But GB’s downfall was 16 walks issued by their two pitchers.
Walks were the main reason the Czechs were able to score eight more runs in the bottom of the third inning to end the game on the mercy rule.
GB hitters managed to pick up a pair of walks off Czech starter Tomas Pokorny, but couldn’t manage any hits. Sam Buxton drew one of the walks in the top of the first inning and stole second base, but couldn’t advance any further. Henry Dunn walked with one out in the top of the third inning, and he too tried to steal second, but was thrown out by the Czech catcher.
Tomorrow (Tuesday), GB will play Israel at 11.30 am Czech time and Denmark at 4.30 pm.
Other results today at the Under-18 Men’s European Championship were:
Croatia 12, Israel 9
Czechia 16, Denmark 0
GB Under-16s
By Simon Thacker
The GB Under-16’s looked confident as they took to the newly-created Kamora field for their first-ever international against current European champions Czechia.
Captain Luca Taylor proudly exchanged pennants with the Czech captain and the rest of the team exchanged pins with their opposite numbers.
Removing their caps, the 16 young athletes beamed with pride as they tunefully recited God Save The King, having rehearsed this many a time at GB training weekends.
GB Pitcher Jacob Henry got off to a fine start with a couple of strikes before Czech leadoff hitter Jan Katz hit a foul pop-up to first baseman Noah Hickling-Fox and Mika Hynek flew out to Beau Arnold in right field. But a triple and a home run followed to give the Czechs a 2-0 lead.
Charlie Thacker had the honour of being GB’s first-ever Under-16 batter in the bottom of the first inning, but Czech pitcher Jan Katz proved too fast with three straight strikes. This also proved the case for the next two GB batters, Jacob Henry and Noah Hickling-Fox.
GB played some fine defense in the top of the second inning, including a catch in deep centre field by Freddy Jacob and a line drive snagged by Jack Lloyd at third base. But the Czechs were also pounding out hits, good for seven runs and a 9-0 lead.
Nathan Wyborn replaced Jacob Henry as GB’s pitcher in the top of the third inning and induced two infield pop-ups and a fly ball to left field in holding the Czechs to just a single run.
But Jan Katz continued to be too strong for the GB hitters in the bottom of the third, as they went down in order for the third straight time.
In the top of the fourth inning, home runs by Jan Katz and Tadeas Tylich were the key blows in an eight-run inning, which ended with a fantastic fly ball catch by Freddie Henry.
With the score now 18-0, GB knew that this was their last turn at bat. Lucas Harrison was tagged out at home on a dropped third strike and two more strikeouts followed to end the game. The Czech team had proved too strong for the newly-formed GB team playing together for the first time.
As the game concluded the Czech team showed their support and respect, giving the GB players a standing ovation as they left the field.
This first game was a great experience for the team, who knew that it would be a hard battle against the current champions. GB will hold their heads high as they look forward to Game 2 against Israel tomorrow.
The one other result today at the Under-16 Men’s European Championship was:
Denmark 12, Israel 0