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The Czech Republic will host the WBSC WBSC Men’s Softball World Championship from 13 to 23 June in Prague and Havlickuv Brod. Men´s World Chmpionship will be held in Europe for the first time in a history. "Selecting the 17 guys was tough, I´ve known these players for so long," said Head Coach Tomas Kusy. The Czech Republic wants utilize the experienced players and comforts of home.
“Selecting the 17 guys to represent the Czech Republic at Worlds was tough,” says Head Coach Tomas Kusy. “I´ve known these players for so long. They´ve been working for this. To have to take a dream away is not my favorite role, but it´s a part of our jobs as coaches. Decisions have to be made and that falls on us. We based this year’s team more on experience because I believe that softball is mostly a sport of experience.”
On the final roster only Fiala, Kasal and Joska are counted as having no World Championship senior level game experience. Though all have been on the rosters last year, for the European Championship and the Intercontinental Cup.
According to coach, the team remains focused on a singular goal, “The line between finishing successful or not depends on making it into the top eight. Our dream is to place 5th, which would be our team’s highest finish in history.”
The experience Coach Kusy believes will lead the Czech team to their top placement is well represented by Team captain, David Mertl. As someone who has been with the senior national team for the last 16 years.
This is the first time the event has been played in Europe and the Mertl believes it is acknowledgement of the hard work this team has put into their careers, "Playing the World Championship at home is the greatest reward. Many of us have been playing for quite some time and the ends of our careers are not far off. It feels like this is a tribute to our dedication to the sport.”
He further recognizes the sacrifices, and help, their local support system affords the team, “Over the years we’ve had to leave work early, take days off, manage families and ask our partners, or parents, to take on responsibilities that should be our own. This is the perfect gift to their understanding and patience. We get to celebrate together the final steps in the careers they have worked tirelessly supporting.”
Full Roster
Name: Home Club: Position:
Brenik, Jaroslav Zroloci Ledenice RHP
Fiala, Lukas Tempo Praha C
Holobradek, Michal Jiskra Havlickuv Brod LHP, OF, SS
Joska, Marek Tempo Praha RHP, SS, OF
Kasal, Matous Most Painbusters SS, 2B
Klas, Mikulas Kotlarka 1B, OF
Kolkus, Patrik Zroloci Ledenice Utility OF, IF
Koluch, Michal Snails Kunovice SS, OF, 2B, RHP
Kopecny, Patrik Zroloci Ledenice SS, Utility OF
Korcak, Jiri Zroloci Ledenice Utility IF
Mach, Jonas Eagles Praha RHP
Maly, Marek Sportclub 80 Chomutov 3B, P, SS
Mertl, David Spectrum Praha C, 3B, DP
Nezbeda, Jiri Most Painbusters Utility OF
Petr, Tomas Spectrum Praha SS
Svoboda, Vaclav Sportclub 80 Chomutov 2B, SS
Vacha, Petr Tempo Praha OF
Coaching Staff:
Kusy, Tomas Joudrs Praha Head Coach
Kopriva, Jakub Fulleros De La Habana Manager
Kout, Miroslav Painbusters Most Masseur
Korcak, Jaroslav Zraloci Ledenice Hitting Coach
Pribyl, Jan Sportclub 80 Chomutov Manager, Coach
Havel, Stanislav Eagles Praha Pitching Coach
Kelin, Ivan Spectrum Praha Trainer
Zakouril, Martin Hippos Havlickuv Brod Scout
2018 Stats Links
InterContinental Cup 2018
Men’s European Championship 2018
http://competition.europeansoftball.org/2018/havlickuv/schedule.php
Quotes
Team Captain: David Mertl
"Playing the World Championship at home is the greatest reward. Many of us have been playing for quite some time and the ends of our careers are not far off. It feels like this is the reward for our dedication to the sport.”
“Over the years we’ve had to leave work early, take days off, manage families and ask our partners, or parents, to take on responsibilities that should be our own. This is the perfect gift to their understanding and patience. We get to celebrate together the final steps in the careers they have worked tirelessly supporting.”
Head Coach: Tomas Kusy
“The line between finishing successful or not depends on making it into the top eight. Our goal is to place 5th, which would be our team’s highest finish in history.”
“Selecting the 17 guys to represent the Czech Republic at Worlds was tough. I´ve known these players for so long. They´ve been working for this. To have to take a dream away is not my favorite role, but it´s a part of our jobs as coaches. Decisions have to be made and that falls on us.
“We based this year’s team more on experience because I believe that softball is mostly a sport of experience.”
