by Bob Fromer
Amstelveen, Holland: July 28 -- The Page Playoffs
began last night in the European Men's Fastpitch Championships, with Great Britain and the Czech Republic meeting in the 1 v 2 game (the winner goes to the Final) and Denmark and Holland meeting in the 3 v 4 game (the loser finishes fourth, out of the medals and out of the qualification places for next year's World Championships).
With World Championship qualification
already assured, GB Head Coach Russ Snow had the choice of gambling on a win over the Czechs that would take GB straight to the final by throwing ace pitcher James Darby on Friday night (knowing that a loss would mean two more games on Saturday), or throwing #3 pitcher Curt Taylor at the Czechs instead (the #2 pitcher, Mark Elson, is injured), and having James Darby rested and ready to pitch two games on Saturday in the event that GB lost.
Russ chose the latter option, GB duly lost by a mercy rule score of 9-0 in five innings, and today will show the wisdom of that decision.
With the Netherlands unexpectedly defeating Denmark 7-3 in the 3 v 4 game, GB will play the Netherlands on Saturday morning, with the winner playing the Czechs in the 3.00 pm final -- and the Dutch are a team that GB has beaten far more often than Denmark. So far, the softball gods seem to be on Russ Snow's side.
Quick loss
Curt Taylor gave up eight hits and eight earned runs in four innings of work, plus seven walks and two hit batters, and the Czechs were always going to score early and often under those circumstances. Three runs in the first inning and six in the third were the predictable outcome.
Meanwhile, Czech pitcher Ales Jetmar held a GB line-up that included some reserves to three hits plus three walks, and Jetmar struck out five. The three GB hits were scattered singles by Ryan Martin, Steve Rice and Darryl Herrmann.
So GB has kept its powder dry for the tournament's final day, and finished first, second or third are all still possible.
Watch this space.