After returning from Zagreb, Croatia this past September—where I had the privilege of working with several groups of young softball hitters—I found myself hoping that one day I’d have the chance to return. Fortunately, the future arrived much sooner than expected.
Over the past two summers, I’ve coached the Madison Night Mares, a college summer softball team in the Northwoods League. One of the most enjoyable parts of the league, beyond the competition, is the camaraderie among players and coaches from across the country. Every series brings new faces, stories, and opportunities to learn from others who share the same passion for the game.
Among the coaches in the league, none is more accomplished than Craig Montvidas, who led the Minot Honeybees of North Dakota. Craig is something of a legend in the international softball community, having coached at the highest levels around the world. Our paths crossed only briefly during league play—quick handshakes at the field, a few friendly words before and after games, and occasional conversation as he coached third base in front of our dugout.
I knew Craig had impressive coaching credentials, including his time as head coach of the Netherlands’ national softball team, but I was surprised to read online that he had also led the Italian National Softball Team to the 2025 European Championship. I reached out right away to congratulate him.
During our email exchange, Craig was equally surprised to learn that I had recently returned from Croatia. As it turned out, he had recently spoken with Petra Čizmić Pokrajac, the leader of Softball Klub Princ Zagreb, about a U.S. coach who had recently effectively worked with her hitters. When he realized I was that coach, the circle of coincidences was complete.
That’s when Craig extended an invitation that would bring me back to Croatia sooner than I could have imagined: to join his staff at the European Baseball and Softball Coaches Association (EBSCA) Training Camp, held for the first time in Sisak, Croatia. Needless to say, I jumped at the opportunity to return to a country—and community—I had quickly grown so fond of.
Coaching Among Champions
When I arrived in Sisak, I was greeted warmly by Craig and his coaching staff. To my delight, three of the coaches were not only elite instructors but also current members of the Italian National Softball Team—players I had followed for years.
As a longtime fan of Team Italy, it was a thrill to meet and work alongside Marta Gasparotto, Greta Cecchetti, and Elisa Cecchetti. I had written about the dynamic duo of Marta and her teammate Erika Pianscatelli back in 2015 when I watched them play in Oklahoma City, and again as they prepared for the 2020 Olympic Games. Coaching beside them nearly a decade later felt like a full-circle moment.
Rounding out Craig’s impressive staff were Fernando Escarra from Venezuela; Jeroen Swers from Belgium; and star pitcher and European Champion for the Netherlands National Team Marjolein Merkx. Petra and her staff managed the event with flawless hospitality, handling logistics for both players and coaches.
A Week of Learning, Growth, and Connection
This year’s EBSCA Camp brought together 55 players, ages 14 to 18, representing 12 different countries—a true celebration of softball’s growing presence in Europe. Alongside them were 11 “shadow coaches”, local and regional instructors eager to improve their craft and help grow the game in their home communities.
Each day began with a shared breakfast followed by a brisk walk to the indoor training facility—a ritual that built camaraderie before the first drill. After stretching and warmups, players were divided into groups based on position and rotated through skill stations during morning and afternoon sessions.
The camp’s atmosphere was a blend of focus and fun. Whether we were refining swing mechanics, teaching infield footwork, catching fundamentals, or working on pitch sequences, the facility was alive with energy. The laughter, cheering, and chatter sometimes reached a deafening level—a sure sign that learning and enjoyment were happening in equal measure.
The shadow coaches, as they were affectionately called, played a vital role. They observed each instructional rotation closely and participated in dedicated workshops with the staff, discussing strategy, communication, and player development. These coaches are the future of softball in their respective regions, the ones who will take what they learned and spread it across new fields and new generations.
Beyond the Field
Evenings were just as memorable as the training sessions. After the walk back to the hotel, everyone gathered for dinner—coaches, players, and staff sharing stories and laughter over hearty Croatian meals. The nights featured educational talks, Q&A sessions, raffles, and games that kept the energy high. Despite long days of softball, the players’ enthusiasm never waned. Laughter echoed through the hotel hallways until curfew, proof that bonds were being built that would last far beyond the camp itself.
On the fourth day, the camp culminated in a spirited four-game tournament, giving players the chance to showcase their new skills and the shadow coaches an opportunity to apply what they’d learned. The competition was fierce but friendly, and it was inspiring to see how quickly these athletes had grown in just a few days.
The camp concluded with a Closing Ceremony—a heartfelt celebration of effort, growth, and connection. Coaches shared parting words of encouragement, awards were handed out, and the goodbyes were filled with hugs and promises to stay in touch.
Hitting With Torque
I am deeply thankful to Craig and Petra for entrusting me with much of the hitting instruction during the camp. Rather than simply running generic hitting drills, I was given the green light to share and teach my personal system—the Five Keys to Power and Consistency—during each rotation. Their confidence allowed me to bring my full approach to the players.
On the first evening after dinner, I had the opportunity to speak to the entire group about these five hitting keys. This session served two important purposes: it gave players a clear understanding of the concepts before picking up their bats the next morning, and it allowed the other coaches to hear the philosophy that would guide my instruction throughout the week. The room was quiet and focused—no small feat after a long day. Their attentiveness was a good sign that the players were eager to learn and absorb as much as they could.
When I begin working with any hitter or team, I always start by measuring bat speed—not exit velocity—as a baseline for understanding a player’s power potential and swing efficiency. For this camp, the majority of initial bat speeds ranged from the low 50s mph to the mid-60s, which is typical for athletes in most age groups. Only one hitter registered above 70 mph, earning her a spot in my 70+ Club and receiving the special pin I award to players who reach that milestone.
Each hitting rotation lasted an hour, and at the end of every session I re-measured bat speeds, because I believe strongly in coaching accountability. The results were remarkable. Almost every player demonstrated measurable improvement, often accompanied by a visible boost in confidence. On average, hitters immediately gained at least 5 mph of bat speed, with several jumping by 10 mph or more.
By the end of the camp, I awarded more than a dozen girls 70+ pins and a few even flirted with joining the 80+ MPH Club—an impressive benchmark for developing hitters. A few of the boys earned their 80+ pins and one hitter from Denmark topped out at 92 MPH! Even a couple of the coaches couldn’t resist stepping in for a few swings and proudly earned their 70+ pins as well.
Because I worked with each group multiple times during the week, I had the chance to build on what we learned together. With the fundamentals in place, we moved into more advanced hitting drills, mental preparation strategies, and approaches to in-game situations. By the time the tournament rolled around, it was rewarding to watch players put the Five Hitting Keys into practice—seeing them drive the ball with more authority, make better pitch selections, and swing with genuine confidence.
Perhaps the greatest compliment I received came not from data or results, but from the players and shadow coaches themselves. Several invited me to visit their home countries to work with their teams in the future—a gesture that meant a great deal to me. It’s always gratifying to know that something I shared resonated enough to spark curiosity and motivation long after camp ended.
Reflections
On the plane ride home, I was reminded of why I love this game and this work. Softball has an incredible way of bringing people together—bridging cultures, languages, and generations through shared passion and purpose.
To see the sport of softball growing—slowly but surely—across Europe, supported by such talented players and dedicated coaches, was both humbling and inspiring. Each year, the level of play rises, and it’s becoming increasingly clear that Europe’s path to international success does not need to depend on importing American talent. The skill, passion, and work ethic I witnessed among these young European athletes and coaches reaffirmed my belief that the continent will one day have the foundation it needs to compete with the best in the world.
I have tremendous respect for the national programs that have chosen to invest in developing their own players rather than taking shortcuts to success by relying heavily on American college athletes. Building a sustainable softball culture takes time, patience, and vision—but the long-term rewards are far greater than the quick fix of short-term success.
The EBSCA Training Camp embodies exactly what is possible when a region commits to the process. By creating a platform where players and coaches learn, grow, and push one another in a high-performance environment, camps like this are planting seeds for a brighter future for European softball. Each swing, throw, and conversation brings the game one step closer to standing proudly on its own at the highest levels of international competition.
I left Sisak with new friends, new ideas, and renewed energy. If my first trip to Croatia opened the door, this one made it feel like home.
- Photos courtesy of Grega Valančič