1. Project European Regional INTERLEAGUE
AUTHOR: Petra Čizmić Pokrajac
DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

2. Softball interleague is competition in softball (fastpitch) for women and juniors played on cross border regional level. Founded in 2014 by Croatia, Hungary and Slovakia.
Aim of interleague is to build a competition with international impact and credit.
2016
Development Commission

4. Objective of interleague is to make it notable and attractive for player as well as for parents and potential sponsors. With stepping over country borders this competition gives teams more opportunities; players enjoy and leverage European spirit.
2016
Development Commission

5. Challenges turned into benefits:
Teams with low number of teams in country competitions
Teams with higher number of players looking for bigger program
Limited budgets
Desire to play and grow
Step over country borders to give teams more opportunities
Enjoy and leverage European spirit
Build a competition with international impact and credit
Minimal costs for the league
Make it notable and attractive for player as well as for parents and potential sponsors
2016
Development Commission

6. How we grow: 2014 – 6 teams, 3 countries (3 tournaments, 39 games)
2016
Development Commission

7. How it works?
Three weekend tournaments (Sat & Sun) in spring and late summer/autumn
6 game days, where 5 dedicated to double round robin, last Sunday is for playoffs
For two years each founder country hosted one tournament
Two fields in parallel required for each tournament
Minimal yearly entry fee (30 eur for team to cover trophies budget)
Balls and umpires costs covered by ESF in 2015
Trophies given to first three teams (15 medals and cup)
All organization for tournament and interleague on volunteer basis
Promotion done so far online, via Facebook and with support of ESF media
2016
Development Commission

8. Future Improve promotion of Interleague Involve more participants
Solution can be adopted across Europe on regional basis
Considering regional champions to play final tournament (strong budget dependency)
Explore additional options for support (EU funds, partners)
2016
Development Commission

9. Plan for next 4 years is to make it an European league, that will be played all over Europe, through different regions:
Central Europe (Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Czech Republic, northern Italy)
Eastern Europe (Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Romania, Greece)
Northern Europe (Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Lithuania, Poland, northern Germany)
Southern Europe (Spain, south France, western Italy)
Western Europe (Netherland, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland)

10. Questions / Contacts Petra Cizmic Pokrajac
skype : petracizmicpokrajac  mobile:
Michal Klasek
league manager
skype : michal_klasek  mobile:  
2016
Development Commission