22 June 2009

SOLID PRESENTATION IN LAUSANNE
One week ago today in Lausanne, Switzerland, a BackSoftball delegation made a 20-minute presentation to the International Olympic Committee Executive Board as part of continued efforts to get the sport reinstated to the programme of the Summer Games (for 2016). International Softball Federation President Don Porter was joined by ISF Deputy Secretary General Ms. Low Beng Choo (Malaysia), BackSoftball Task Force Co-Chair Donna de Varona, 2008 Olympic softball bronze medalist Danielle Stewart (Australia), Bulgarian Softball Federation Secretary General (and current athlete) Gergana Handjiyska, and Lynn Alexander, who has played for South Africa and will coach their team at the Youth World Cup (age 16-and-under girls) in August in Prague. BackSoftball Task Force Co-Chair Dale McMann (ISF VP/North America) was there as well.

HRH Prince Feisal al Hussein of Jordan changed his travel plans to be in Lausanne in support of softball. Above he is shown at the hotel on June 14 with Athlete Ambassadors (back row, left to right) Lynn Alexander, Gergana Handjiyska, Jessica Mendoza (two-time Olympic softball medalist, Team USA), Rubilena Rojas (Team Venezuela, 2008), and (front row, left end) Danielle Stewart and (right end) Michele Smith (two-time Olympic softball gold medalist, Team USA)

The ISF president expressed “quiet confidence” following the presentation, which was enhanced by multimedia that included films and a photo- and fact-filled PowerPoint presentation.

To view the press release issued as a wrap-up to last Monday’s presentation as well as other BackSoftball news from the days prior, visit the OTHER DOCUMENTS section of the BackSoftball website.

WORLD HEADQUARTERS HOSTS MEETINGS
At the world headquarters in Plant City, Florida, preparations are in full swing for meetings and a reception that will take place this week. Attendees will come from numerous countries to take part in an ISF Executive Council meeting. In addition, they will be joined by a number of local officials, business people, and media members who have been invited for a BackSoftball-themed reception on Friday evening (June 26). Rubilena Rojas, a 2008 Olympic softball athlete (Venezuela) will also be on-hand that night and a silent auction will take place too.

SIGNIFICANT TV COVERAGE FOR CUP
Next month in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (USA), one of several ‘Cup’ events sanctioned by the ISF will take place at the same venue that will host next year’s ISF XII Women’s World Championship. The July 16-20, 2009, invitational tournament will include Australia, Canada, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, and the host nation.

ESPN will televise 14 hours of coverage in high definition, including six USA women’s national team games and the inaugural “Border Battle,” featuring the USA against Canada in a men’s softball game. In addition to the TV coverage, games will be streamed live on ESPN360.com and selected games will be broadcast globally to 146 countries across ESPN’s international networks including Atlantic, Pacific Rim, Australia HD, Brazil HD, Israel, Middle East, ESPN Caribbean, ESPN2 Caribbean, and ESPN America.

ISF EC MEMBER ON NOC
Beatrice Allen, the newest member of the ISF Executive Council, has recently been elected as 1st Vice President of the Gambia National Olympic Committee Bureau. She is also president of the Gambia Softball Association and an IOC Member. Ms. Allen was the driving force behind a successful African Softball Forum hosted in Banjul, Gambia, two months ago.