Czech National Team was formed in the middle of 80-ties (softball is organized here from 1963), but had not much opportunity to compete on good international level, because during communist regime softball had not support from authorities and therefore no money to travel. Even to get permission to play outside of the country was very difficult.

After political changes in 1989 Czechoslovakia became part of European Softball Federation and we could start new era of development by travelling abroad and compete on different international tournaments including official European and World Championships.

Czech team finished third on first European Championships for men in 1993 behind The Netherlands and Denmark, the same ranked two years later in 1995 (European Championship is played every other year). In 1997 with new coach from Australia, Mike Stapleton, they won for the first time gold medal, beating The Netherlands in semifinals and Denmark in the finals. Since that time Czech team keeps the title, in 1999 by defeating The Netherlands in the finals, and 2001 again won from their Dutch rivals 3:1 when they stayed unbeaten during the whole tournament From the same year the team has a new head coach Kevin Henderson from New Zealand.

The team played three times in ISF World Championship. In Manila, Philippines, 1992 they just came to learn, in 1996 in Midland, Michigan, they were already very close to play-off. Finally, in South Africa 2000 they made the play-offs by defeating Mexico, South Africa, Denmark, Lesotho. In the first round of the play-offs Czechs won 4:3 over Dominican Republic and then were knocked out by later winner of the Championship, the team from New Zealand. Czech team finished on 6th place which was the best result of any European team ever.

The team strength is based on good pitching of Lubos Vrbensky (31, called Robocop in Europe) who is followed by young pitchers Jaroslav Mikulec (21) and Tomas Kabourek (21), offensively on ability to combine power hitting with short game and speed of the runners team has currently more lefties at bat then right handers. This style was developed during the last six years with the influence of South Pacific coaches, Mike and Kevin.

The team has unfortunately not many competitors in Europe, that is why is very grateful to get opportunity to play this year on ISC World Championship and is really hungry to compete the teams over there.

Pavel Prachar
Czech Softball President

Currant Team Roster (could be changed and will be reduced):

Lubos Vrbensky P
Jaroslav Mikulec P, 1B
Tomas Kabourek P
Martin Svoboda P, OF
Jan Pribyl C
Matej Biza C
Matyas Prochazka 1B
Jan Rumlar 1B, OF
Daniel Burian 2B
Radek Prochazka 2B
Jan Kryspin SS
Jindrich Majer SS
Jan Zelenka 3B
Tomas Buzek 3B
Patrik Kolkus OF
Lubos Prochazka OF
Marek Cermak OF
Roman Matuska OF
Jan Vlcek OF
Petr Vacha OF, SS

Kevin Henderson Headcoach
Pavel Masek Coach
Michael Skop Technical Manager
Petr Kopsa physician

Pavel Prachar
mailto:prachar@cstv.cz
http://softball.cstv.cz/English/defaultA.htm