ARNHEM (Neth.) - On Sunday, November 1, the Dutch National Softball Team got together for the first time to start preparations for the international season 2010.
On this first day, the team practiced indoors in Enschede as it did three days later in Voorthuizen.
On these days, the team was joined for the first time by six roster-invitees, who got a try-out a week earlier on October 25.
After the first two practice days, the team had a 3-day training camp at the National Spors Center 'Papendal' at Arnhem, which is the home of the Netherlands Olympic Committee and is the training center for Dutch Olympic athletes.
On the first afternoon, on Friday, the players had some fitting sessions, trying on several shirts, shorts and jacks.
Hereafter, a practice session was scheduled in the evening, focusing primarily on running.
On Sunday-morning, the training camp was concluded with another round of instructions, but also a lecture by nutrition specialist Anja van Geel.
In the evening, the staff-members traveled to Nieuwegein for a meeting of the Dutch Juniors, their parents and their coaches.
The Olympic and Dutch flags wave in front of the indoor hall entrance
Head Coach Craig Montvidas addresses the players
on the first day of the 3-day trainingcamp at Papendal
Head Coach Craig Montvidas and Maaike Blaauwgeers
make notes for the first round of practices
At the weightroom, the players listen to the explanations of Physical Therapists
Anouk Fermont (left) and Sanne Oude Egberink (in the back)
Nathalie Gosewehr, Anne Blaauwgeers, Judith Diepeveen (on the ground),
Solange Starrenburg and Merel Oosterveld are preparing for a drill
Dagmar Bloeming does a weight-drill, while Femke van Dusschoten looks on
Anne Blaauwgeers lift weights, while Solange Starrenburg (left)
and Merel Oosterveld keep an eye on her
Nadine Marinus, Britt Vonk and Lotte Holvast
look how Anne Vlietstra lifts a weight
An overview of the players in the weightroom
Chantal Versluis, Fabienne van Uden, Virginie Anneveld,
Rebecca Soumeru and Karin Tuk make notes and listen
Physical Therapists Sanne Oude Egberink and Anouk Fermont
check their notes for the next series of drills and examples
A funny moment when Areke Spel assists Lotte Holvast
Physical Therapists Sanne Oude Egberink and Anouk Fermont
show another drill
After having dinner, the players have a fitting session, trying on shirts and shorts
Head Coach Craig Montvidas goes over the details for the evening session
In the evening session, a lot of running is done
Head Coach Craig Montvidas stands in the middle of the finish line
In the meantime, Team Manager Paul Boonstra does some administration
Players wait in line for a running and catching drill
Yes, it was a chilly evening, as Judith Diepeveen shows
The next morning, the group of players is early in the hall for another day of practice,
while Head Coach Craig Montvidas introduces the guest instructors for the day
Standing between Team Manager Paul Boonstra (left) and Head Coach Craig Montvidas are
guest instructors Peter van Dalen, Nathalie Franssen, Marcel Dols, Diana Remmers-Verhoef,
Maaike Zijlstra, Sandra Nieuwveen and Marjan Smit
Mental Coach Marcel Dols talks with the first group of players in the morning session
The players introduce themselves to Mental Coach Marcel Dols
Mental Coach Marcel Dols has a present for one of the players
Catching Instructor Sandra Nieuwveen talks with Catchers Anne Blaauwgeers
and Karin Tuk and Utility Player Meike Witteveen
Pitching Instructor and Flex Coach Maaike Zijlstra goes over the
details with Pitchers Rebecca Soumeru and Dagmar Bloeming
Head Coach Craig Montvidas instructs Kim Donkers,
Saskia Kosterink and Nadine Marinus for a 1st base-drill
Flex Coach Maaike Zijlstra looks on, while Pitchers Kirsten Scheele
and Ginger de Weert perform a drill
Catching Instructor Sandra Nieuwveen tosses a ball to Catcher Anne Blaauwgeers
Flex Coach Maaike Zijlstra addresses Pitchers Kirsten Scheele,
Ginger de Weert, Femke van Dusschoten, Malou van Dusschoten,
Rebecca Soumeru and Dagmar Bloeming
In the other corner of the hall, Head Coach Craig Montvidas shows
what he wants from Nadine Marinus, Saskia Kosterink and Kim Donkers
Pitcher Ginger de Weert performs a pitching drill, while Anne Blaauwgeers is the Catcher
Head Coach Craig Montvidas talks with the Pitchers, Catchers and 1B-players
at the end of the morning session
In the afternoon-session, Flex Coaches Nathalie Franssen and Marjan Smit (both in the back)
and instructors Diana Remmers and Peter van Dalen look on, while the players warm up
Judith Diepeveen does a warming-up drill
And so does Areke Spel
Outfield Instructors Peter van Dalen and Diana Remmers talk with the Outfielders
Instructor Peter van Dalen shows a drill, while Merel Oosterveld,
Fabienne van Uden and Solange Starrenburg listen and look on
Former Dutch big league and National Team-outfielders Diana Remmers and Peter van Dalen
Solange Starrenburg, Fabienne van Uden, Merel Oosterveld
and Maaike Blaauwgeers listen to explanations
Infielder Virginie Anneveld is ready to field a ball, while Britt Vonk
and Chantal Versluis wait for their turn
Flex Coaches and Infield Instructors Nathalie Franssen and Marjan Smit
explain a drill to the Infielders
Flex Coaches Marjan Smit and Nathalie Franssen during fielding drills
The Infielders and Outfielders and the Instructors discuss situations
Outfield Instructor Diana Remmers gives an explanation to Anne Vlietstra and Merel Oosterveld,
while Fabienne van Uden and Nathalie Gosewehr look on in the back
Outfielder Nathalie Gosewehr is ready to field a ball, while Instructor Diana Remmers gives the sign
