Bulgarian Olympic Committee Secretary General Belcho Goranov throws out the ceremonial first pitch to open the 2007 softball season. (Photo courtesy of Bulgarian Softball Federation)

NEW SEASON UNDERWAY
2007-05-16

Softball season is up and running in Bulgaria. The official opening of the 2007 season had taken place late last month. Mr. Belcho Goranov, Secretary General of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee, was one of the special guests taking part in the ceremony. After the raising of the flag and the national anthem, he threw out the first pitch.

All on-hand were entertained with an opening game that required an extra inning to be decided.

This year marks the 15th National Championship of Bulgaria for club teams. Females compete in the women’s (fast pitch) and under-14 age groups. The season runs through the end of October with a break during August. It also includes the Cup of Bulgaria and the Cup of Sofia tournaments for women’s fast pitch.

Prior to the season opening, Bulgaria’s women’s national team had been active two weeks earlier. They played three practice games against the Greek national team, who was victorious in each.

Bulgaria and Greece will both be among the teams competing at the Africa/Europe Olympic qualifier next month (June 9-16) in Trieste, Italy. One month later Bulgaria will be one of 12 countries competing in the VI European Championship Women “B” in Croatia (July 16-21). Greece will participate in the ten-team XV European Championship Women “A” later this month in the Netherlands (May 27-June 2).

For more on the Bulgarian Softball Federation, visit their official website.