|
Dutch Team not in action
 Nederlandse tekst
PUERTO ORDAZ / CIUDAD GUAYANA / BARINAS (Venezuela) - Friday was a long, but also somewhat chaotic day.
It all started with breakfast at 8 AM, then the transport to the airport of Ciudad Guayana for the flight to the western city of Barinas.
The flight, which lasted one-and-a-half-hour, left on time, at 10 AM, so around 1:00 PM, the team was in the hotel in Barinas.
Again, there was a lot of security around the hotel.
Male security in uniform surrounding the hotel, female security in civilian clothing inside the hotel.
So far, so good.
The Dutch Team initially had to play today vs. Venezuela at 6:00 PM at the stadium in Barinas, but once in the hotel, the team learned that the game was moved to 9:00 PM in the evening and that an additional game against a local team from Barinas was added for Sunday, meaning the Dutch had to play two games then, as it was also to meet Cuba in the evening.
Before a discussion could be started that the additional game would be too much in our program, the schedule was changed again, as it was decided that the teams would fly already to Caracas on Saturday-evening instead of Sunday-morning.
With this, the team would have to play vs. Venezuela on Friday-evening, then vs. Cuba at 12:00 PM on Saturday, to be followed by a quick shower, packing and off to the airport for the flight to Caracas.
In the afternoon today, there was an opening ceremony at the stadium with the Governor of Barinas State, Adán Chávez Frías (the brother of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez Frías), holding a speech and throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.
Back in the stadium in the evening, there was a big surprise, as Venezuela was playing its second game of the day there.
The Dutch Team expected to play against Venezuela, but instead the local softball-team from Barinas was to be the opponent.
The match-up against Venezuela was moved to Saturday-afternoon, starting at 2:00 PM, following the game vs. Cuba, which is to start at 12:00 PM.
Then in the evening, the three teams are scheduled to fly to Caracas, leaving Barinas at 7:30 PM.
The game against the Barinas-team wasn't played, as the Dutch Team refused to play, not only because of the sudden change in the schedule and the additional game, but also because of the unexperienced opponent (and thus safety).
The Dutch will now play on Saturday-morning vs. Cuba.
Whether it will be followed with the match-up against Venezuela is the question, as it was reported that the Venezuelan team also is unhappy with the new starting time of 2:00 PM, especially since the three teams now will fly in the evening to Caracas, meaning packing has to be done, followed by the transfer to the airport.
So, the team went back to the hotel without getting into action today.
On the other hand, as it was another long day, it gave everyone a moment to rest some more to be ready on Saturday for the remaining games in the Triangular de Softbol Femenino.
In the morning, the team arrives at the airport of Barinas
At the airport, the teams are welcomed with music
Then, it's off to the bus, where the police escort waits
In the afternoon, the team went to the stadium for the Opening Ceremony
Governor Adán Chávez Frías of Barinas State arrives at the stadium and welcomes the team
Business Manager Rich Hooff with the young dancers who took part in the Opening Ceremony
The team waits to enter the stadium
There was a flag parade...
...there were young dancers...
...there were hundreds of spectators...
..the World Championship mascot was also in the stadium...
...there was security...
...the National Anthems were played, here the Cuban...
...the teams were presented...
...and Governor Adán Chávez Frías held a speech during the inauguration of the Cuadrangular Internacional...
After the Ceremony, the team returned to the hotel
Media coverage
During the Venezuela International Series (or Triangular de Softbol Femenino), there is a lot of attention from local and national media, including coverage of the games played by the Dutch Team.
The Dutch Softball Team in the Venezuelan Media
| 
