Dutch Women Softball Team

2008

USA Tour II - Day 29/30

AKRON / CLEVELAND (Ohio, USA) / CHICAGO (Illinois, USA) / AMSTERDAM (Netherlands) - The last day of the second American trip was one of traveling, long delays and turbulence, but in the end the flight to Amsterdam went smoothly and we arrived safely at Schiphol International Airport, concluding the trip.

The day started in Akron, where we left our hotel around 12:00 PM for the busride to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, which took only 45 minutes. So far, so good. But then, the waiting started. When we arrived at the gate after the security checks we learned that our flight to Chicago was delayed for more than an hour. This wasn't good news, as we had less than two hours to change planes in Chicago for the flight to Amsterdam. The reason for the delay was that all flight out of Chicago were delayed because of thunderstorms in the area of both Chicago and Cleveland. While waiting at the Cleveland-airport, it also rained hard there, but planes were able to take off or land.

Finally, the plane arrived and we took off to Chicago one hour and six minutes later than scheduled. Minutes after we took off, we experienced some moderate turbulence due to the thunderstorms, but Captain Price got clearance to bring his Boeing 737-500 to a higher level to avoid the bad weather. After a flight of one hour and three minutes, we landed at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, which was only 45 minutes before the departure-time of the flight to Amsterdam. So, as soon as we were at the gate, everyone hurried to the gate for our next flight and luckily, we all were in time to board the plane to Amsterdam. We boarded the plane 17 minutes before the scheduled departure-time. But, while we went to our seats, the plane was far from departing for Amsterdam. Because of the thunderstorms on the eastern route towards the Atlantic Ocean, all flights were delayed, as, due to weather, there was more time between flights taking off. 45 minutes after our scheduled departure-time, Captain Keith Finsey got clearance from Air Traffic Control for departure. After waiting in line for departure, the Boeing 777-3 Cabin-Overwater took off from Chicago one hour and 16 minutes later than scheduled. After some light turbulence in the beginning of the flight, the rest of it went smoothly and so we arrived at Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport at 10:11 AM, concluding a flight, which lasted seven hours and 33 minutes.

For your information:
After taking off from Chicago, we took a northern route towards Milwaukee, then crossed Lake Michigan into Canadian territory passing Toronto, Montreal and Moncton. After 2 1/2 hour, we started our crossing of the Atlantic Ocean, then entered Irish airspace at Shannon. From there, it was to Dublin, Liverpool, Manchester, East Midlands on final approach to Amsterdam.
During our intercontinental flight, we flew at an altitude of 38.000 feet (11.582 meters) with a ground speed of 620 mph (1000 km/h) with a tail wind of 50 mph (83 km/h). The outside temperature was -67 degrees Fahrenheit (-55 degrees Celsius).

But then another delay came at Schiphol Airport, as two containers on the Chicago-flight weren't in the proper position, meaning that we had to wait longer than normal for our luggage. In the meantime, Head Coach Liz Kelly addressed the players, looked back to the trip and announced that practices will resume again next week.

In the coming weeks, the Dutch National Softball Team will play three games in the Netherlands, starting next Sunday with the game against Dutch champion Terrasvogels in Santpoort. Hereafter, games will be played in Groningen and Oldenzaal. Also, the roster will be cut back from 22 to 15 players with the Olympic roster to be announced in July.

Then, it's off to Japan to participate in a Three Nation Tournament and have final preparations for the Olympic Games in Beijing, which opens August 8.

Of course, you can follow all the action of the Dutch National Softball Team on this site.

Marjan Smit, Dana Horeman, Judith van Kampen and Nina van Huissteden
enjoy lunch at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport

Marjan Smit, Ellen Venker, Rebecca Soumeru and Chantal Versluis
sit on the ground near the gate during the delay in Cleveland

During the delay, Saskia Kosterink, Judith van Kampen and Petra van Heijst play games

Back home
Sandra Gouverneur, Jolanda Kroesen, Saskia Kosterink
and Marloes Fellinger wait for their luggage in Amsterdam. More delays.

Frank van Heijst, who works at Schiphol International Airport, welcomes his sister Petra
At left is Noémi Boekel

Chantal Versluis, Lynn Geertman and Kim Kluijskens wait

Head Coach Liz Kelly addresses the team shortly before everyone went its own
way towards their family and back home

The team listens to Head Coach Liz Kelly

Go back to the schedule of the 2nd USA Tour