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Day 8: Going the distance
BERKELEY (California, USA) - What started as a rainy day, developed into a nice, sunny morning and afternoon. It was a long day for the Dutch squad, which started at 7:30 AM with breakfast. Hereafter, it was off to the Berkeley-campus for another day of practices.
Starting around 8:30 AM, Physical Therapist Rob Oskam took the players back into the weightroom, but started with some outdoor conditioning drills. The team left the hotel and arrived at the football stadium in heavy rain, but at the time, the players went outdoors for the running-part, it was dry and the sky started to clear up. When everyone went to the softball-field around 10 AM, the sky was partially blue again and the sun gave everyone a warm feeling.
On the field, four more hours of practice followed. Game situations, hitting, outfield plays, pitchers throwing and a simulated intersquad game were conducted. While it was a long outing, everyone was eager again to show their best and the result was a great workout, which lasted 5 1/2 hours.
Tomorrow (Thursday), the team will transfer to Davis for the next few days to participate in the Invitational Tournament of the University of California at Davis, playing two games on Friday and two on Saturday. As the forecasts are speaking of improving weather conditions, we should have some fine days on the field. The team is ready to play again.
Ellen Venker and Judith van Kampen arrive at the stadium in the rain
Up and down the stairs of the Football stadium
Jumping rope near the American Football-field of Memorial Stadium
Physical Therapist Rob Oskam keeps track of the time during a drill.
By the way, we did have permission to be on the field, as the University of California in
Berkeley is a great host, because the Dutch Team can use all facilities
Pitchers Anouk Mels, Dagmar Bloeming, Kristi de Vries and Judith van Kampen
listen to the instructions of Physical Therapist Rob Oskam
Players conduct conditioning drills in the weightroom
When it was time to warm-up on the softball-field,
the clouds broke and the sun appeared again
Anouk Mels throwing in the bullpen
Head Coach Liz Kelly hitting during a relay-drill
Petra van Heijst does the catching
Sandra Gouverneur throws to third base during an infield-drill
Saskia Kosterink throws the ball back to the infield
Playing at first base: Kim Kluijskens (left) and Debby Connor
The runners are Dana Horeman (left) and Noémi Boekel
Ellen Venker in the batter's box, with Nina van Huissteden behind the plate
Rebecca Soumeru during her wind-up
Playing at second base is Chantal Versluis
Head Coach Diane Ninemire, who is in her 21st season leading the softball-team of the
University of California Berkeley Golden Bears, visited the field in the afternoon and
posed with Coach Linda Wells (left) and Head Coach Liz Kelly
In the evening, a total lunar eclipse was visible
The next one will be in 2010
Go back to the schedule of the USA Tour
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