by Bob Fromer
Rosmalen, Holland: July 23 -- The quest for a place in 
the European top three and qualification for next year's Junior Women's World Championships begins today for the GB Junior (Under-19) Women's Softball Team.
Fifteen teams will compete, starting with initial round-robin groups of four -- except it will be three in GB's case, since Greece dropped out of their group some time ago, and GB will play only Israel today and the Czech Republic tomorrow in first round games. One win out of two will get GB into the first playoff round beginning on Wednesday.
Practice day
The team -- 12 players plus staff -- arrived in Holland
late Saturday night by minibus and Eurotunnel, and had two intensive practice sessions on Sunday in warm sunshine. Three members of the team -- Amy Wells, Sara Robb and Carling Hare -- only arrived in the UK on Friday from the Women's World Championships in Whitehorse, Canada, and pitcher Ellie Pamenter arrived from the US on the same day. Outfielder Christine Findlay had arrived from South Africa some days earlier.
So one of the key aims of yesterday's practice sessions was to make final decisions on positions and polish defensive plays and strategies.
The life monastic
The GB Junior Team -- and six other teams as well -- are billeted in the Buekenhof, a former Capuchin monastery turned hostel for sports teams and others, set in that peculiar Dutch mix of countryside and suburbia that can be pretty but just that little bit sterile. There is only one small bakery within walking distance, but on the other hand, all meals are provided at the hostel, and there are extensive grounds where football, volleyball, table tennis and other sports can be played.
Because Greece dropped out of the competition and specifically out of GB's group some months ago, the GB Juniors will start off with a three-team round-robin whereas most other teams will be in groups of four. One win against Israel today (expected) and the Czech Republic tomorrow (hoped for) will get GB into the first playoff round with a chance of advancing further.
The team
The GB players are:
Christine Findlay
Susie Hall
Carling Hare
Vicky Keswick
Ellie Pamenter
Sara Robb
Jodie Rushin
Louisa Scott
Holly Strachan
Amy Wells
Charlotte Wells
Chloe Wigington
The staff is:
Head Coach: Liz Knight
Assistant Coach: Robbie Robison
Pitching Coach: Megan Brown (to arrive Wednesday)
Team Manager: Liz Keaveney
Physio: Rachael Watkeys
Hayley Scott will also join team on Wednesday, Bob Fromer is with the group as a website reporter and general helper and Lynda Medwell is driving the team minibus.