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Day 2: Back in business!
After a travel day of almost 24 hours and an arrival in the middle of the night, the Dutch National Softball Team conducted its first practice session on Monday, with everyone being in a good mood.
After breakfast, everyone went to the field and a light practice was held, which focussed primarely on hitting, but the players were busy the entire practice.
So everyone deserves a compliment, especially after the long travel day and a short sleep.
The practice session was held on the softballfield of closeby Cedar Crest College, the home field of the Falcons, which plays in NCAA Division III.
As their season had ended, the grass had the field of its own and it showed. Nevertheless, the field is situated in a nice neighbourhood and the weather was great.
A sunny day, with a bright blue sky above us. So, a great day to have the first practice and to start this second American Tour.
Today is Memorial Day, which commemorates US men and women who died while in military service to their country. Initially, it was a day on which (Union) soldiers of the American Civil War were honored, but later it was expanded after World War I to include casualties of any war or military action.
| Where are we? |
The Dutch team is practicing and playing the first part of its trip in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
The area, which is now the center of Allentown, was laid in 1762 as Northampton Town by William Allen, a wealthy shipping merchant and former Mayor of Philadelphia. In 1838, the town was renamed Allentown in honor of William Allen.
Allentown was the location where the famous Liberty Bell was successfully hidden from the British from September 1777-June 1778 during the American Revolutionary War. The original Liberty Bell can now be seen in Philadelphia.
With a population of 106.632, Allentown is the third most populous city of Pennsylvania after Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. It is located on Lehigh River, 60 m (95 km) north of Philadelphia and 90 m (145 km) west of New York City.
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| Cedar Crest College |
Cedar Crest College is one of two four-year colleges in Allentown. The other is Muhlenberg College.
Cedar Crest College was founded in 1867 and is a private liberal arts women's college with 1820 undergraduates and 86 graduate students. It is known for its biology and pre-medical programs.
One of its former students is Diane Moyer, who participated with the American Field Hockey Team in the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
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Guided by a Campus Safety vehicle, the team went to the field
Kim Kluijskens, Jolanda Kroesen, Saskia Kosterink and Dagmar Bloeming enter the softballfield
Players are ready to start their first practice
The first team-meeting of this trip
The grass was somewhat high on the softball-field
Petra van Heijst takes a swing; Coach Rob Walgien does the pitching
Head Coach Liz Kelly and Coach Linda Wells keep a close eye on the action
Rebecca Soumeru turns to bunt
Judith van Kampen (left) and Nina van Huissteden wait their turn at bat
Coach Mary-Ann Hatt throws during batting practice
A lot of action was going on at the field today
Players wait for the running session which completed the first day of practice
Today, May 26, was Memorial Day in the USA
Downtown Allentown, Pennsylvania
Go back to the schedule of the 2nd USA Tour
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