ISF UPDATE

14 November 2007

SOFTBALL CENTER STAGE IN MIDDLE EAST

International Softball Federation (ISF) President Don Porter has expressed optimism for adding more new member national federations following a successful camp recently held in Amman, Jordan, where softball was played by the attendees, who came from numerous countries.  Mr. Porter noted that many of those who went to the event that is part of “Peace Through Sport,” an initiative of HRH Prince Feisal, President of the Jordan Olympic Committee, were from countries in the Middle East, such as Iraq and Afghanistan.  The Jordan Softball Union had recently become the ISF’s newest member.

A PTS camp attendee practices swinging a bat at a ball placed on top of a cone. (Photo by Michael Chester. © Peace Through Sport)

The world governing body sent softball equipment valued at over USD$8,500 to Jordan for the camp.  Included in the shipment were six dozen bats, gloves, and balls.  In addition, the ISF sent an instructor there.  Shan McDonald, coach of the 2004 Chinese Olympic Softball team, worked with the campers – all leaders of youth – during the eleven-

day event, teaching them the basics of the sport.

Campers get used to the feel of softball gloves on their hands, with balls being distributed as well. (Photo by Michael Chester. © Peace Through Sport)

Mr. Porter pointed out that this successful camp in Jordan points toward three of the items in the ten-point blueprint that is part of the “Back Softball” Olympic reinstatement campaign: increasing the number of ISF member federations, engaging more women & young people, and providing softball coaches & equipment to areas of the world disadvantaged by man-made or natural issues.

PTS CAMP HIGHLIGHTS NEW WEB GALLERY

A brief (three-minute) video from the above-mentioned Peace Through Sport camp is part of a new section on the Back Softball website.  A “Multimedia Gallery” tab has been added to the site’s navigation menu.  Once at the new area, visitors will see an option to go to a screen that intros the clip from Jordan that can be watched online, and another entry that leads to a photo gallery that will continue to grow.  The pictures so far show where the Back Softball display has been set up, and will be added to as the stand travels around the world to different events.  The Peace Through Sport camp will also be highlighted as the cover story in the January-April 2008 issue of World Softball magazine.

ISF PRESIDENT AT WADA CONFERENCE

ISF President Don Porter left the world headquarters in Plant City, Florida, yesterday to travel to Madrid.  The 3^rd World Conference on Doping in Sport, organized by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), takes place there tomorrow through Saturday.  According to WADA, “Nearly 1,500 participants representing the Sport Movement, public authorities, the anti-doping community, athletes, observers, and the media will gather at the Spanish capital's Municipal Convention Center to discuss the state of the fight against doping in sport and consider further measures to be taken in this field.”  ISF Chief Medical Officer Dr. Robert Terrell and softball athlete Chiqui Vázquez, who is also a Vice President of the European Softball Federation, are also there as delegates.

AFRICAN TOURNEY NEARS

The annual Zone VI Tournament is scheduled to begin in two-and-a-half weeks.  Taking place in Lusaka, Zambia, on December 1^st & 2^nd, the women’s fast pitch competition will include the host country, Botswana, and South Africa, and the organizers are hoping Lesotho and Zimbabwe will take part as well.

SABATE TO AID IN SPAIN

As part of their ongoing development efforts, the ISF is sending clinician Eduardo Sabate to Spain from December 6-9 to work with players in the pre-selection of the national junior softball team, including ten pitchers and four catchers.

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